Category: Practical Aids

  • Biblical Counseling – Part 4

    Misunderstandings and Observations about Discipleship / Biblical Counseling Part 3 of this series highlighted the indivisible linkage between discipleship and biblical counseling. This linkage is evident by common terminology and ministries related to both discipleship and biblical counseling. In fact, an overview of the New Testament emphasizes that all believers can and should counsel biblically as…

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  • Verses of Hope and Comfort

    Trials of life are certain. Thankfully, when difficulties come, God’s Word brings needed hope and comfort, as the following verses demonstrate. Listed below, in order of their biblical appearance, are some verses dealing with hope and comfort. Psalm 23:1-6, The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;…

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  • Triumph Over Temptation

    Being useful to the Master . . . Everyone faces temptation. Your response to temptation impacts not only your life but, often, the lives of others. The apostle Paul told Timothy, a committed young minister of the first century, that believers can demonstrate God’s grace, honor Christ, and be useful in service by cleansing themselves from things…

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  • The Easiest Way to Memorize Scripture

    Some believers doubt they have the ability to memorize Scripture. Even though Scripture memory is often placed in the “I can’t do it” category, what believer does not relish the thought of having memorized verses readily available for personal meditation, conversations, or use in everyday life? Guess what? You CAN have dozens of verses memorized . .…

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  • The Easiest Way to Memorize the Bible

    By Kenneth Berding, Professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology* One of my professors in college was really old. I can hear everyone asking: “How old was he?” (No, his social security number wasn’t 7 ….) Let’s put it this way: He was the founder of the college at which I was studying (Multnomah in Portland, Ore.),…

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  • Preparing Your Personal Testimony

    One of the greatest privileges for a believer is to present the Good News of Jesus Christ to others. Knowing this, it is beneficial to have a plan for your personal testimony that is flexible and easy to use. 1 Peter 3:15, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared…

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  • Praying Beyond the Obvious

    You probably realize that prayer is not a wish list that God will fulfill according to your personal perspective or timetable. Instead, God always answers prayer with consideration of the request itself, the person making the request, those that are the focus of the request, and others affected by the request. Answered prayer always glorifies…

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  • Perspective Change

    All of us have perspectives on hundreds of subjects and myriad situations of life. We should cherish, even guard, the perspectives that are grounded in biblical truth. On the other hand, we should re-evaluate perspectives based on personal biases, feelings, self-oriented traditions, or common opinions and, instead, pursue a view toward change that aligns with…

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  • Memorizing Scripture…for a Change

    Memorizing a Bible verse (or verses) is beneficial and, actually, not that difficult to do (see The Easy Way to Memorize Scripture). Success in memorizing Scripture, however, is not the ultimate goal but a means through which believers can become more Christ-like. There is a beneficial balance between putting Scripture to memory and practicing Scripture in everyday life.…

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  • Life’s Most Important Decision

    The most important decision you will ever make concerns who you are. That personal focus does not deal with gender, citizenship, politics, abilities, job, health, wealth, marital status, accomplishments, ethnic group, IQ, or any organizational or religious affiliation. This decision concerns your life now but, of far greater significance, determines your eternal destiny. The most…

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