by Mark Shaw | May 23, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
This passage of scripture deals with directing your heart and its desires away from drugs and alcohol (or whatever becomes idolatry in your heart) and towards righteous decisions of living for the glory of Christ. Proverbs 23:19-21 says Hear, my son, and be wise,...
by Mark Shaw | May 16, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
The biggest shift in Christian thinking is in the area of trusting God and doubting ourselves. Yes, I said DOUBTING ourselves! Before we were Christians, we trusted ourselves and doubted God but now we must reverse that ever so quickly. We must walk by faith not by...
by Mark Shaw | May 13, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
Proverbs 13:13 states: “Whoever despises the Word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.” – English Standard Version Here’s a great new song by Downhere about rediscovering God. The best...
by Mark Shaw | May 10, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
I remember my wife was teaching our family about Proverbs 10:4: “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” She was emphasizing to them that hard work of the diligent is what rewards a person and that people who are lazy will...
by Mark Shaw | May 6, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
I don’t think people realize how wonderfully practical the Bible is and how it speaks to such topics as co-signing for a near one (neighbor or friend) in Proverbs 6:1-6: My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a...
by Mark Shaw | May 4, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
Proverbs 4:5-9 states: “Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 6Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get,...
by Mark Shaw | May 3, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
My theme this month is the proverb of the day and since today is May 3rd, Proverbs 3:1 states: “My son, do not forget my teaching but let your heart keep My commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” (ESV) This...
by Mark Shaw | May 2, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
Proverbs 2:16-19 gives us a sure fire way to avoid adultery: “So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words, 17 who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; 18 for her house sinks...
by Mark Shaw | May 1, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
In the very first proverb, God sets the tone for the entire book with a purpose statement in verse 7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Do you fear the Lord? If so, that is the very beginning of...
by Mark Shaw | May 1, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
Every month so far this year in 2011, we’ve matched letters. For example, January was Jesus month, February was Family month, March was Marriage month, and April was Answers month. Now, in May, there is no matching letter for the theme I want to do so I am just...
by Mark Shaw | Apr 23, 2011 | Answers, Uncategorized
I love the ministry of the Word, especially in the biblical counseling room. Is preaching as effective as biblical counseling? Richard Baxter, a Puritan, stated that thirty minutes of private, pastoral conversation may accomplish more than 10 years of public...
by Mark Shaw | Apr 14, 2011 | Answers
So much in Christianity today is not based on Christ’s teachings as much as it’s based upon the ideas and theories of mankind. Colossians 2:8 states: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human...
by Mark Shaw | Apr 2, 2011 | Addiction, Answers
What does the world say? The irrational behavior that I do MUST be compulsive– I see it destroying my life and the lives of the ones I love the most, yet I keep doing the same thing over and over. It’s GOT to be a disease beyond my control because I WANT...
by Mark Shaw | Mar 31, 2011 | Addiction
Tomorrow night, I’ll be speaking in New Jersey on the subject of addictions. One of the things we will likely discuss is the impact of an addiction upon a marriage. Addiction is a SIN not a disease as the world teaches. Often, a spouse caught in the trap of...
by Mark Shaw | Mar 29, 2011 | Truth in Love Staff
The epidemic I see most often in biblical marriage counseling cases I am privileged to serve in are passive husbands and assertive wives. The two go hand in hand, unfortunatlely, and I blame the husband for much of this problem (though wives are not totally without...
by Mark Shaw | Mar 27, 2011 | Truth in Love Staff
To wives: Want a transformed marriage? Then, why don’t you change first? Allow the Lord to do a work in your heart and learn to submit to Him, then pray for Him to work on your husband’s heart next – all the while, your husband is witnessing your...
by Mark Shaw | Mar 14, 2011 | Marriage, Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
Malachi 2:16 is often quoted (NKJV): “For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts.” So why does God hate divorce so much? This verse tells us that it clothes a person in violence,...
by Mark Shaw | Mar 8, 2011 | Marriage
Too many people have a view of God as though He is a genie in a bottle to whom they make wishes! God is to serve them rather than the other way around. I just heard a sermon where it was NOT about God but what about He can do for the person to make them...
by Mark Shaw | Mar 4, 2011 | Marriage
A recent, truthful Charlie Sheen quote is: “I am on a drug: It’s called Charlie Sheen. It’s not available because if you try it once, you will die. Your face will melt off and your children will weep over your exploded body.” If you’ve...
by Mark Shaw | Feb 24, 2011 | family, Truth in Love Staff
With Christmas a distant memory that occurred two months ago, maybe now it’s “safe” to critique the typical philosophy of most American parents (even Christians): “Give your children EVERYTHING they want, materially speaking, and especially at...
