Freedom | AGW MINISTRIES

Identifying Idols of the Heart

July 28, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

While there is really only one true God, in our fallenness we often times idolize many other things, thus treating them like gods. But how do we identify idols of the heart?

Control is the name of the game when it comes to being a god or God. One of the qualities of divinity is doing what you want, when you want, and why you want. This truth can help us identify idols of the heart.

When we idolize someone or something, we will be controlled by them. Therefore, if you want to know what your gods are, all you have to do is identify what controls you.

How to Forgive Someone Who Has Hurt You Deeply

October 29, 2018July 14, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

how to forgive someone who has deeply hurt you bible christian — (Matthew 18:21-35)

How do you forgive someone who has hurt you deeply? Sadly this is a question every human will have to answer if they hope to keep their heart healthy.

If you have close friends, relatives you love, a spouse, children, or any other significant relationship, the possibility for hurt will never leave and thus forgiveness will always be deeply needed.

Therefore, the first step in forgiving someone who has hurt you deeply is to prepare in advance before the hurt even happens.

The Greater Danger of “Little Sins” Vs. “Big Sins”

July 3, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

In some respects, little sins are much more dangerous than big sins. By “little sins” and “big sins,” I certainly don’t mean some sins are less offensive in the eyes of God. All sin deserves death, and thus all sin will be paid for either by the sinner or through the cross of Christ.

Put Good In, Get Good Out

June 20, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

To live is to be constantly taking in and putting out. We breathe and then exhale. We see and then react. We hear and then process. We eat and then . . . well you know. Life is a constant journey of movement. Spiritually speaking, this is true as well. We are never just standing still. We are either moving closer to the Lord or backsliding (Romans 6:19, 2 Peter 1:8-9).

Freedom from the Riot

April 21, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

Each of us has those untouchable topics in our life. Whenever they are brought up, whenever we are confronted there, or whenever that certain itch is not scratched, being “enraged” and “crying out” (Acts 19:28) is sure to follow.

We don’t want to yell at our spouse when they confront our eating habits. We don’t want to go into a rage when our kids break a window . . . again. Nobody wants to get into the car after a long day’s work to then fume in fury as we sit helplessly in traffic. Nobody wants to rage and yell, and yet we do far more often than we would like to admit. Why?

A Bible Study for Men’s Accountability Partners

October 14, 2017April 3, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

A Bible Study for Men’s Accountability Partners

Men who are accountability partners with one another often start their relationship with good intentions. Most often they want to be accountability partners because of the lustful temptations that swirl around them on a daily bases. Having another Christian man who wants to obey God’s lessons in the Bible, who will ask you hard questions, who will pray with you, and who you know is fighting sexual temptation right alongside of you is truly a great advantage in the war against lust.

So why do accountability partners so often fail? Not to oversimplify the answer, but often times men’s accountability partners fail because this relationship is based on talking, emotional transparency, and difficult conversations. In other words, men’s accountability partnerships require men to do what does not come natural to them.

Part 7: How to Overcome Sexual Temptation

February 20, 2016February 16, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

How to Overcome Sexual temptation part 7 Bible Psalm 51 — Psalm 51:13-15

Here at AGW, we’ve been studying Psalm 51:1-19 specifically under the context of “How to overcome sexual temptation.” David wrote Psalm 51 as his prayer of repentance once he was convicted over his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah. Within Psalm 51, God uses David to lay out a road map on how to escape the snares of sin. As we come to Psalm 51:13-15, we’re taught that God’s grace is so powerful, not only will it set us free but it will cause us to help others be set free from sexual sin too.

Part 6: How to Overcome Sexual Sin/Temptation

February 9, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

How to overcome sexual sin temptation Bible Christian — Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.- Psalm 51:12

Psalm 51 is David’s prayer of repentance after he sinned with Bathsheba. Through studying Psalm 51, we can learn valuable lessons on how to overcome sexual temptation. In Psalm 51:12, David brings up the need for rest, joy, and a willing spirit – all of which are gifts from the Lord we need if we hope to overcome sexual temptation.

Sexual Purity: How the Church Often Get’s It Wrong

February 25, 2018January 26, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

The American Church has gotten the issue of sexual purity backwards. The idea is presented to youth groups across the country that it is utterly crucial for them to “remain pure.” When they are virgins, they have their purity. If they have premarital sex, however, they will lose their purity.

True Sexual Purity Is Given By Jesus Christ Alone

While there are certainly worse things you could tell a teenager, this logic simply does not translate to our spiritual reality explained in the Bible. We most certainly should teach abstinence, but the motivation behind abstinence is often neglected.

Biblical Problem Solving

January 30, 2016January 25, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

Biblical problem solving revolves around our relationship with God. The bigger your view of God, the smaller your problems become. Problems are produced not in what happens to us, but in on our unmet human expectations.

Biblical Problem Solving: Problems Are Different than Sins

Biblically, problems are different than sins. Problems are things like mistakes, issues, annoyances, or external complications needing to be solved. Sins are offenses against God and people by breaking commands found in the Bible.