The following is the second session in premarital counseling, regarding the duty that a couple has to the institution of marriage itself.

In trying not to be a hypocrite, we often become a hypocrite of a different kind.  How can this trap be avoided?  First Peter gives us the answer.

“That You may say to the prisoners, ‘Go forth;’ to them that are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’  They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places” (Isaiah 49:9). To remain bound, to remain in the dark, is not the will of God.  After years of struggle, it may seem … More Help for Those with an Addiction (Part 1)

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). Out of all human beings, some of the most helpless are newborns.  As in physical life, so also in spiritual life, newborn Christians need the most help–not only from their pastors, but also from the entire body … More Help for the Newborn Christian

“The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned” (Isaiah 50:4). Like the special features on your favorite DVD, the Old Testament gives … More The Learning, Listening Life of Our Lord: Prayer as Preparation for Persecution

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will … More Are Joy and Happiness Different?

Imagine with me.  The church stayed in one place together.  The early church of Jerusalem stayed in the house of the Upper Room–about one hundred and twenty believers, men and women (Acts 1:13-14, 15).  Even if this word applied only to the Eleven, which is very possible, and not to the “women and Mary the … More Daily

Believer, are you thankful for winter? Here in Michigan, where it is not as cold as in my native home of Minnesota, but neither is it as sunny, winter is often gray and uninviting–unless one is an avid outdoorsman.  Many Michiganders are not, and some of them, like the geese, head south for the winter.  … More Thankful for Winter

“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.  In fact, I do not even judge myself.  For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.  Therefore judge nothing before … More Liberation from Present Vindication, or The Right Way Not to Care What People Think of You