Kim's Links (7/19/12)

Brothers and sisters,

This week's links focus on growing in our ability to know our lives. I hope they will help you see what is going on in your life with more clarity.

Crossway - "You Might Be an Idolater If…"

This article will help assess if something is an area of idolatry.

When good gifts (like marriage, beauty, healing, or money) turn into idols, they become terrible and consuming masters. To destroy these idols, we must put them off by the power of the Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit to give us a deep love for God that drives out all lesser loves and gives us power over our idolatrous desires, in both our thoughts and actions. Through the Holy Spirit, we find contentment.

Ron Edmonson - "Five Ways to Tell If You've Forgiven Someone"

Here is an article to help us assess the nature of our forgiveness of others.

Whether in business, in church, or in family, relationships can cause pain and separation. It’s tempting to get even, but forgiveness is not an option for the believer, even for that person who has hurt us the most. Forgiveness is treated as an important attribute for followers of Christ in the Bible. Even still, I frequently hear people give excuses for not forgiving someone, such as: “You can forgive but you can’t forget”…That’s most often true…only God (and sometimes time and old age) can erase a memory. “I’ve tried to forgive them, but they haven’t changed”…That’s probably true. Forgiveness can be a catalyst for change, but it doesn’t guarantee change. “I may have forgiven them, but I’ll always hold it against them”…Okay, that may sound logical, but it’s not forgiveness.

Stephen Altrogge - "Warning Signs That You Might Be Drifting From God"

Here is an article to help us assess if we are drifting away from God.

Most Christians don’t suddenly fall into terrible sin. A guy doesn’t simply wake up one day and say to himself, “Boy, today is a great day to start a raging heroin habit,” or, “You know what, I’m in the mood to commit adultery today.” That’s not how it happens. Big sin is always the sum of a thousand tiny choices.

I pray that you will know your heart well, and know well the gospel that transforms it. God bless.

By His grace,
Pastor Kim