By Robert Wolgemuth (summary by Jeffrey Bush)
These truths will set and keep us free:
- God is holy — Ps 29:2; 99:5.
- Nothing is too grand or insignificant for God’s care – Ps 37:23-24; 139:2-3
- I cannot earn God’s acclamation, I can only receive His favor — Ephesians 4:1-6; 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
- Jesus is the only way to God – John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5-6
- For the believer, church is not an option, it’s standard equipment — Ps 133;
Ephesians 2:19-20; 4:15-16; Hebrews 10:24-25
- Regardless of things that have happened to me or difficult situation I find myself
in, I am responsible for my actions – 1 Corinthians 13:11; Galatians 6:7-8
- He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. –
Jim Elliott. — Matthew 16:25; John 15:13; Ephesians 5:2
- The Master is the master of my destiny, and daily submitting myself to Him will
bring me joy, purpose, and true riches — Psalm 37:5; 40:8; 1 Peter 5:6
- Real men are free to express and feel deep emotions. When I do so, it shows I am
a real man with a heart like God’s. — Ps 42:3; Ecc 3:4; Rom 12:15
- I need real friends, faithful enough to speak truth and that I could speak truth to
them. – Proverbs 13:20; 18:24; 27:6, 17; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
- God’s grace is needed both for the phony everyone sees and the real scoundrel
inside I know so well – Ps 51:10; Mt 7:21-23; Rom 3:23-24; James 4:6
- God cares about His rules; I must do the same for my own good. — John 14:15, 23; I John 5:2-3
- I cannot look at other more wicked men to make myself look better. I should look
only to the perfect righteous One which is God. — Romans 14:4; James 4:12
- Nothing I have done puts me out of the reach of God’s complete forgiveness. —
Acts 3:19; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:7-9
- My secret sins cannot be hidden indefinitely. They will be brought to the light. For
good or bad, they impact those around me — Numbers 14:18; Proverbs 28:13;
Luke 8:17
- Living a holy life in dependence of the Holy Spirit is a wonderful thing, and is the
pathway to happiness and pure joy. — 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter
1:13-16
- Pornography is deadly. As a married man, it is virtual adultery. Intimacy with Christ
and shared expression in context of a monogamous marriage offer far greater
satisfaction. — Ps 119:37; Mt 5:28; 1 John 2:16
- An honest, open, and transparent relationship with my wife will be sweet and
worth whatever it takes to get there — Colossians 3:12-14; James 5:16
- God’s created order for sexuality is right and good. When we accept His way,
repent of our own way, and rest in Christ, there’s fulfillment. — Ephesians 5:1-9; 1
Corinthians 6:9-11, 18-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; Hebrews 13:4
- Because I love my wife, her sexual fulfillment should be more important than my
own. What is really good for her will be good for me. – Proverbs 5:15-19; 1 Corinthians 7:3-4
- Instead of just doing good things for my wife, she needs to hear nice things from
me, including the words, I love you. — Proverbs 25:11; Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 3:19
- God alone can give me ultimate happiness and fulfillment. As I seek Him, He will
give me ultimate joy. – Psalms, 16:11; 40:11; 119:2; Mt 6:33
- God has called me to provide spiritual leadership for my family. You do not have
what it takes to do that fully, but if you ask Him, He will give you all you need. — Jeremiah 33:3; first Corinthians 11:3; James 1:5
- God calls me to be a man who loves, serves, and protects his family by His grace
and for His glory. — Luke 2:52; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Timothy 5:8
- I must discipline, instruct, and encourage my children. Only God can change their
heart, and that’s what I pray for. — Deuteronomy 6:7-8; Proverbs 22:6; 29:17;
Ephesians 6:4
- if Jesus is really all I want, He will be all I truly need. — psalms 16:5-8; Romans 8:31-32; Colossians 2:9-10
- If I belong to God, all of my hours belong to Him as well. – Psalms 90:12; Ephesians 5:15-17
- It is my God-given responsibility to provide and protect my family. Through my
example, I can show them. They have a Heavenly Father that provides all of their
needs. – Palm 107:9; 145:15-16; 1 Timothy 5:8
- My faith and work cannot be compartmentalized. I should faithfully serve God and
others in everything I do. — Colossians 3:23-24; James 2:26
- I can never not afford to be generous to others. This blesses them and me. — Proverbs 11:24-25; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35; 1 Cor. 9:6-8
- I have been forgiven much, so I must forgive much. This truth must color the way
when I respond. — Luke 7:47; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13
- Pain and suffering are tools in God’s wise, loving hands. Doing His work helps me
become more like His Son, and for that I need to give thanks. — Romans 5:3-4; 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:7-11; Hebews 2:10; 1 Peter 5:10
- We live and serve in a world rigged against Jesus and if I live for Him, it is rigged
against me as well. I have the confidence one day He will right all things, but until
then He will help and sustain me. — 2 Chronicles 20:6; Proverbs 16:3-4; Is 46:8-11; 1 Peter 5:10
- When the Holy Spirit lives in me, He will produce self control. — Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Timothy 1:7; Titus 2:11-12
- I cannot run from the presence of God. I may try but will not succeed. My Father
never loses sight of me. He will pursue me and woo me home. — Psalm 139:7-12;
Proverbs 15:3; Is 57:15
- Children are a gift from the Lord. He wants to use them to spread the gospel in
this messed up world. When I embrace children as a gift, I partner with God in
changing that world. — Genesis 18:19; Psalm 127:3-5; 3 John 4
- When I receive God’s gifts to me with sincere wonder, gratitude, and humility, I’m
free from comparing and competing. — Galatians 1:10; 2 Cor. 10:12
- God sees every piece and ingredient of my life and declares “mine.” My
wholehearted, joyful response should be, “I’m Yours.” — Psalm 40:8; John 17:6, 10; Romans 14:8
- Following Jesus will never be easy or popular. My goal is not to be cool or
relevant but a loyal follower of Jesus regardless of the cost. — Matthew 10:38-39; Philippians 1:20-21; Colossians 3:1-4
- Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and the grave. My end
will not be the end, and it will be wonderful. — Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 3:20-21; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2