An Open Letter to Newlyweds
Dear (Newlyweds),
This is a happy day! - for you and also for your family and friends. We can easily see how very much in love you are. We see also your love for Christ and his Word and are happy because we believe, as you do, that your relationship to him will be the foundation of your marriage and the source of your strength in your relationship to each other.
Dear (Husband), remember the central theme of our counseling sessions together: God's plan in the home for you is to serve and support your wife. You are not the authority over her, but the support beneath her. You are not an enforcer, but an influencer. This means: You propose, she accepts; you pursue, she responds; you knock, she opens. You cannot go where the door is not open. Be patient. As your wife grows in her confidence and trust in your love and care for her, she will begin to give you increased opportunity for influence in her life. We see this pattern for the role of the husband in Christ's love and care for his Bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:22-33). Of course, the husband and wife are in the home for each other, but you are the "fountainhead" of the home, and it is mainly your role to care for the needs that supports her health and happiness.
Dear (Bride), the central theme underlying your role in your relationship to your husband is trust. We see the Scriptural pattern for this concept in your relationship to Christ as his spiritual bride (also in Ephesians 5:22-33). This means, your husband has opportunity to be involved in your life only as you allow through trust. But don't expect your husband never to be a knucklehead, especially at first. (We husbands, I can tell you, grow in our understanding of our role in the marriage almost every day it seems.) Be patient. As he matures in his relationship to Christ, he will increase in his enablement to love you, to give himself up for you, to live for you, to support you, and to encourage you. Give him time to win your confidence and to establish a basis for your trust in him.
Dear (Husband and Bride), listen long and hard to each other's points of view. Sometimes one will be wiser and more perceptive than the other in the consideration of decisions. Suppose you cannot come to an agreement, what then? You should wait. Pray, talk, and wait until both of you have peace. Otherwise, do nothing. God will give peace to both of you concerning his will for your home. Do not try to control or insist on having your way. Be very patient. Take time daily for Scripture meditation, confession of need, and prayer so that your faith to trust God and each other will increase.
I pray for your continued growth in your understanding and experience of God's grace and for your happiness. Also, I welcome the opportunity to be included with those you have chosen and trust for guidance and support.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0G19
Why the Soup Gets Cold
Energy is not constant. That's why runners must stop at some point to recover their strength. It's a law of physics.
Energy must be renewed. If it were perpetual, golfers could hit the ball and never see it again. But as it is, they get to hit and chase the ball, then hit and chase the ball again.
If energy were constant, you could eat one time and never need to eat again. Also, temperatures would be constant and you wouldn't need a thermos jug. Now you know why the soup gets cold. It's a law of physics.
Energy diminishes, is depleted. That's why we die. We are all like leaky water buckets; eventually, all the water (the life force) leaks out. We die.
But not so fast! The rate of loss (aging) can be slowed. Although we can not stop the leaks, we can be renewed daily with nutrients and thereby extend life and health.
Spiritual energy is also not constant; it must be renewed daily. The Word of God is meat, bread, milk, and honey and by it we are nourished and renewed.
"I now commit you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up. - Acts 20:32
"As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow." - 1 Peter 2:2
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0G24
Staying Filled, Fresh, and Fruitful
Renewal must be daily. We would not try to eat or sleep only occasionally, or just on most days. Instead, we renew our energies every day, and not unusually, several times. That is how God created us. The Psalmist said, "Men are like the new grass of the morning - though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered" (90:5-6).
That is why the Psalmist also said, "I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land" (143:6).
But "there is a river (the Word of God) whose streams make glad the city of God" (Psalm 46:4) and he who immerses himself in it day and night (sitting quietly before God with an open Bible) is "like a tree planted by the rivers of water that yields fruit and does not wither" (Psalm 1:2-3).
"Like a palm tree planted in the house of the Lord, he will flourish in the courts of our God. He will still bear fruit in old age and will stay fresh and green" (Psalm 90:12-14).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0G25
Welcome to The Grace Perspective: George and Me
Once I needed some work done and a friend was eager to do it because he wanted to help.
"But this work needs to be done professionally," I explained.
"I know," George said, "I can do that."
"But this is not what you do," I persisted.
"I know," he said, "but I'm good at it."
"Okay," I said, giving in, and I showed him what I needed.
The work he did was terrible. But he didn't think so. And I didn't tell him. I remembered George recently when I read that I'm among the millions who love to write, but also among the 99 percent who are not very good at it. Still, I insist on writing because someone somewhere is hurting, maybe discouraged or in despair, who needs a message of hope from one who's been there and who cares.
And I think, "I can do that!"
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0G27
Relax! God Is In Control
Having too little time for rest and renewal usually results in broken health and other problems. One of our men asked his 97-year-old grandmother the reason for her longevity and health. Her answer to him, he said, was: hard work, lots of rest, and trust in God.
The Living Bible says, "It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night... for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest" - Psalm 127:2.
Especially during busy times it is important to remember:
1. Prayerfully plan/organize your day. Someone has said that planning helps you to do more efficiently what is necessary (earn income, for example) so that you will have sufficient time left over to do what is really important (health, family, service, etc.).
2. Work your plan. As much as possible, learn how to allow your plan to decide for you what you will do next.
3. Trust the outcome to God.
4. Relax! God is in control.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0H03
God In Me Doing His Work!
Those who knew Jesus personally during his walk among men testified about him that he was full of compassion and joy. He was peaceful, they said, never in a hurry, and without anxiety or frustration. He was gentle in every relationship and patient in every adversity. He longed to minister and bless, and yielded himself to be poured out in service for others. His faith was deep, his life was pure, and without stumbling or faltering, he was faithful to every duty and responsibility.
How was this so?
"The Father is in me," Jesus said. "It is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work" - John 14:10.
Then he said, "If you dwell in me and I in you, you will (also) bear much fruit" - John 15:5.
"And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him" - 2 Corinthians 3:18 (see also Galatians 5:22-23).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0H04
Yes You Do, But No You Don't! Not Really!
In a recent discovery learning class I asked who had ever charged a battery. Most said they had. Then I asked who had ever flown to a distant city. Again, nearly all said they had. But then I asked the class to think again about what I was asking. On second thought, no one had ever actually flown, but instead had traveled in an airplane that flew (except for one wise guy who said he had once taken a "flying leap"). And, as it turned out, no one had ever actually charged a battery.
The lesson title was: "Yes You Do, But No You Don't! Not Really!" The truth discovered, of course, was: we do not really charge a battery; electricity does. Also, we do not fly, not really. And holiness is not what we do, but what God does in us by the Holy Spirit through his Word. We have no strength, but only his strength. We have no light except his light. And it is only available for our lives as we wait before him daily in prayer and with an open Bible. It is in this way only that the Lord infuses us with power that we do not otherwise have to lift us up.
"You will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak" -Zechariah 4:6 (Living Bible).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0H07
Cure for a Troubled Heart
Troubles and hurt seem to be a part of every life. Yet in difficult times God invites us to look to and trust in him. "Do not let your hearts be troubled," Jesus said. "Trust in God" - John 14:1-2.
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you," the Psalmist wrote. "He will never let the righteous fall" - Psalm 55:22.
God is faithful, righteous, and able. There is no problem he cannot solve, no broken heart that he cannot mend, no sin that he cannot forgive. And he "delights in those who look to him, who put their trust in his unfailing love" - Psalm 147:11.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0H08
A DECLARATION OF CONFIDENCE: Confessing God's Care For Today's Challenge
When the Psalmist lifted up his eyes "unto the hills," he was looking to the place where he would be engaged in battle that day. And he asked, "Where does my help come from?"
"My help," he declared, "comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He watches over me," he wrote, "and he will not let my foot slip. He will also be by my side to protect me from all harm, day or night, both going to and coming from battle, now and forever" (Psalm 121).
May the Psalmist's strong confession also be your confidence today to trust in the Lord for every challenge and responsibility that you are facing.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1K15
Is God Pouting?
Question: Do you believe God has stepped back or turned away from America in displeasure because so many have rejected him?
Answer: No, it is not God who steps back, but man. The grace of God flows to us out of who he is and not with respect to who we are. However, it is true that all who turn away from God put themselves at risk and make themselves vulnerable to the circumstances of life secondary to living in a fallen, broken, dangerous world. But to explain God in a way that suggests he becomes frustrated and "put out" with our behavior, or that he steps back in a pout because he is "asked to" or "not allowed in" is not supported by grace theology. See John 12:46-48.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1K19
Begging God: A Prayer Of Doubt
Faith (Gr. "pistis") is conviction concerning who God is, including his love and care for you. It is experienced in measure:
Dear (Newlyweds),
This is a happy day! - for you and also for your family and friends. We can easily see how very much in love you are. We see also your love for Christ and his Word and are happy because we believe, as you do, that your relationship to him will be the foundation of your marriage and the source of your strength in your relationship to each other.
Dear (Husband), remember the central theme of our counseling sessions together: God's plan in the home for you is to serve and support your wife. You are not the authority over her, but the support beneath her. You are not an enforcer, but an influencer. This means: You propose, she accepts; you pursue, she responds; you knock, she opens. You cannot go where the door is not open. Be patient. As your wife grows in her confidence and trust in your love and care for her, she will begin to give you increased opportunity for influence in her life. We see this pattern for the role of the husband in Christ's love and care for his Bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:22-33). Of course, the husband and wife are in the home for each other, but you are the "fountainhead" of the home, and it is mainly your role to care for the needs that supports her health and happiness.
Dear (Bride), the central theme underlying your role in your relationship to your husband is trust. We see the Scriptural pattern for this concept in your relationship to Christ as his spiritual bride (also in Ephesians 5:22-33). This means, your husband has opportunity to be involved in your life only as you allow through trust. But don't expect your husband never to be a knucklehead, especially at first. (We husbands, I can tell you, grow in our understanding of our role in the marriage almost every day it seems.) Be patient. As he matures in his relationship to Christ, he will increase in his enablement to love you, to give himself up for you, to live for you, to support you, and to encourage you. Give him time to win your confidence and to establish a basis for your trust in him.
Dear (Husband and Bride), listen long and hard to each other's points of view. Sometimes one will be wiser and more perceptive than the other in the consideration of decisions. Suppose you cannot come to an agreement, what then? You should wait. Pray, talk, and wait until both of you have peace. Otherwise, do nothing. God will give peace to both of you concerning his will for your home. Do not try to control or insist on having your way. Be very patient. Take time daily for Scripture meditation, confession of need, and prayer so that your faith to trust God and each other will increase.
I pray for your continued growth in your understanding and experience of God's grace and for your happiness. Also, I welcome the opportunity to be included with those you have chosen and trust for guidance and support.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0G19
Why the Soup Gets Cold
Energy is not constant. That's why runners must stop at some point to recover their strength. It's a law of physics.
Energy must be renewed. If it were perpetual, golfers could hit the ball and never see it again. But as it is, they get to hit and chase the ball, then hit and chase the ball again.
If energy were constant, you could eat one time and never need to eat again. Also, temperatures would be constant and you wouldn't need a thermos jug. Now you know why the soup gets cold. It's a law of physics.
Energy diminishes, is depleted. That's why we die. We are all like leaky water buckets; eventually, all the water (the life force) leaks out. We die.
But not so fast! The rate of loss (aging) can be slowed. Although we can not stop the leaks, we can be renewed daily with nutrients and thereby extend life and health.
Spiritual energy is also not constant; it must be renewed daily. The Word of God is meat, bread, milk, and honey and by it we are nourished and renewed.
"I now commit you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up. - Acts 20:32
"As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow." - 1 Peter 2:2
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0G24
Staying Filled, Fresh, and Fruitful
Renewal must be daily. We would not try to eat or sleep only occasionally, or just on most days. Instead, we renew our energies every day, and not unusually, several times. That is how God created us. The Psalmist said, "Men are like the new grass of the morning - though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered" (90:5-6).
That is why the Psalmist also said, "I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land" (143:6).
But "there is a river (the Word of God) whose streams make glad the city of God" (Psalm 46:4) and he who immerses himself in it day and night (sitting quietly before God with an open Bible) is "like a tree planted by the rivers of water that yields fruit and does not wither" (Psalm 1:2-3).
"Like a palm tree planted in the house of the Lord, he will flourish in the courts of our God. He will still bear fruit in old age and will stay fresh and green" (Psalm 90:12-14).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0G25
Welcome to The Grace Perspective: George and Me
Once I needed some work done and a friend was eager to do it because he wanted to help.
"But this work needs to be done professionally," I explained.
"I know," George said, "I can do that."
"But this is not what you do," I persisted.
"I know," he said, "but I'm good at it."
"Okay," I said, giving in, and I showed him what I needed.
The work he did was terrible. But he didn't think so. And I didn't tell him. I remembered George recently when I read that I'm among the millions who love to write, but also among the 99 percent who are not very good at it. Still, I insist on writing because someone somewhere is hurting, maybe discouraged or in despair, who needs a message of hope from one who's been there and who cares.
And I think, "I can do that!"
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0G27
Relax! God Is In Control
Having too little time for rest and renewal usually results in broken health and other problems. One of our men asked his 97-year-old grandmother the reason for her longevity and health. Her answer to him, he said, was: hard work, lots of rest, and trust in God.
The Living Bible says, "It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night... for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest" - Psalm 127:2.
Especially during busy times it is important to remember:
1. Prayerfully plan/organize your day. Someone has said that planning helps you to do more efficiently what is necessary (earn income, for example) so that you will have sufficient time left over to do what is really important (health, family, service, etc.).
2. Work your plan. As much as possible, learn how to allow your plan to decide for you what you will do next.
3. Trust the outcome to God.
4. Relax! God is in control.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0H03
God In Me Doing His Work!
Those who knew Jesus personally during his walk among men testified about him that he was full of compassion and joy. He was peaceful, they said, never in a hurry, and without anxiety or frustration. He was gentle in every relationship and patient in every adversity. He longed to minister and bless, and yielded himself to be poured out in service for others. His faith was deep, his life was pure, and without stumbling or faltering, he was faithful to every duty and responsibility.
How was this so?
"The Father is in me," Jesus said. "It is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work" - John 14:10.
Then he said, "If you dwell in me and I in you, you will (also) bear much fruit" - John 15:5.
"And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him" - 2 Corinthians 3:18 (see also Galatians 5:22-23).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0H04
Yes You Do, But No You Don't! Not Really!
In a recent discovery learning class I asked who had ever charged a battery. Most said they had. Then I asked who had ever flown to a distant city. Again, nearly all said they had. But then I asked the class to think again about what I was asking. On second thought, no one had ever actually flown, but instead had traveled in an airplane that flew (except for one wise guy who said he had once taken a "flying leap"). And, as it turned out, no one had ever actually charged a battery.
The lesson title was: "Yes You Do, But No You Don't! Not Really!" The truth discovered, of course, was: we do not really charge a battery; electricity does. Also, we do not fly, not really. And holiness is not what we do, but what God does in us by the Holy Spirit through his Word. We have no strength, but only his strength. We have no light except his light. And it is only available for our lives as we wait before him daily in prayer and with an open Bible. It is in this way only that the Lord infuses us with power that we do not otherwise have to lift us up.
"You will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak" -Zechariah 4:6 (Living Bible).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0H07
Cure for a Troubled Heart
Troubles and hurt seem to be a part of every life. Yet in difficult times God invites us to look to and trust in him. "Do not let your hearts be troubled," Jesus said. "Trust in God" - John 14:1-2.
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you," the Psalmist wrote. "He will never let the righteous fall" - Psalm 55:22.
God is faithful, righteous, and able. There is no problem he cannot solve, no broken heart that he cannot mend, no sin that he cannot forgive. And he "delights in those who look to him, who put their trust in his unfailing love" - Psalm 147:11.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 0H08
A DECLARATION OF CONFIDENCE: Confessing God's Care For Today's Challenge
When the Psalmist lifted up his eyes "unto the hills," he was looking to the place where he would be engaged in battle that day. And he asked, "Where does my help come from?"
"My help," he declared, "comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He watches over me," he wrote, "and he will not let my foot slip. He will also be by my side to protect me from all harm, day or night, both going to and coming from battle, now and forever" (Psalm 121).
May the Psalmist's strong confession also be your confidence today to trust in the Lord for every challenge and responsibility that you are facing.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1K15
Is God Pouting?
Question: Do you believe God has stepped back or turned away from America in displeasure because so many have rejected him?
Answer: No, it is not God who steps back, but man. The grace of God flows to us out of who he is and not with respect to who we are. However, it is true that all who turn away from God put themselves at risk and make themselves vulnerable to the circumstances of life secondary to living in a fallen, broken, dangerous world. But to explain God in a way that suggests he becomes frustrated and "put out" with our behavior, or that he steps back in a pout because he is "asked to" or "not allowed in" is not supported by grace theology. See John 12:46-48.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1K19
Begging God: A Prayer Of Doubt
Faith (Gr. "pistis") is conviction concerning who God is, including his love and care for you. It is experienced in measure:
- no faith (disbelief),
- little faith (belief mixed with disbelief which is doubt),
- great faith, and
- perfect faith.
Faith can be so deeply and fully nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word that you can pray with wonderful assurance: "Thank you Lord for who you are, for your love and care, and for providing this need in Jesus' name. Amen."
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1K22
No You Can't, But Yes You Can, Actually!
After a real scare about his health a man went to see his doctor. Later he told a friend, "Well, the doctor told me for optimal feel-good health I needed nutritional supplements, a jump rope, and five pound weights. I've had them now for six months and there's been no improvement in my health that I can tell. What's up, do you think?"
"I don't know," the friend said. "How regular are you with your workouts and taking your supplements?"
"Well," he answered, "I haven't gotten started yet if that's what you want to know."
That's a silly story. Here's another one (This one's true!):
I told a man recently that the solution to every problem he had began with taking time each day to sit quietly before God with an open Bible for Scripture reading and prayer. He said his problems were greater than could be helped by reading the Bible. I asked him how frequently did he read it. He said not often. So I told him the above silly story.
Then I reasoned: the Bible can occupy the most esteemed place in your house, but it will not be much help unless you take sufficient time for it regularly. He agreed.
God's Word is seed. Like the farmer's seed which is a conduit for imparting plant life into the soil, the Word of God is also a conduit, or entranceway, through which the Holy Spirit imparts God's life (the divine nature) into the spirit of man. Also, as plant or human life is nurtured by light and water, and other essential nutrients, God's life is nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word and prayer. Jesus said, "Without (this work of the Holy Spirit to birth and sustain my life in you), you can do nothing."
But wait! You have a part. What you can do is to sit quietly and patiently before God each day with an open Bible. In this way, the Holy Spirit imparts to you, through his Word, the life of Christ who alone is your hope for holiness (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Colossians 1:27; Psalm 119:130).
"They all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up" - Psalm 104:27-28.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1K29
A Letter To Catherine
Dear Catherine,
Your letter and requests for prayer imply you believe the Christian experience is a war with Satan. It is not. Your life will continue to be filled with anxiety, frustration, and defeat until you can trust that:
- God is sovereign,
- His love for you is unconditional,
- His interest in you is passionate and intense,
- His commitment to accomplish his purpose for your life is unfailing, and
Christ alone, living his life in and through you by the power of the Holy Spirit, is your only hope for health and holiness.
You cannot overcome Satan or break the bondage of your sinful human condition by any of your heroic self efforts. You will remain in bondage if you continue trying. But you can sit quietly before God with an open Bible each day in prayer and meditation, for extended sessions, to allow the Holy Spirit through his Word to nurture in you the life and likeness of Christ (John 15:1-8; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippian 3:7-10).
Please give up your heroic battle. Look to and trust wholly in him alone.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1L06
You cannot overcome Satan or break the bondage of your sinful human condition by any of your heroic self efforts. You will remain in bondage if you continue trying. But you can sit quietly before God with an open Bible each day in prayer and meditation, for extended sessions, to allow the Holy Spirit through his Word to nurture in you the life and likeness of Christ (John 15:1-8; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippian 3:7-10).
Please give up your heroic battle. Look to and trust wholly in him alone.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1L06
Compliance: The Common Struggle
In any controlled clinical trial to justify or discredit the therapeutic benefits of an alternative health procedure, one of the parameters of the review must be compliance. Only patients who rigorously follow the full prescribed regimen are considered in the review. This is appropriate in any clinical trial: All subjects who deviate from the protocol must be discounted from the review's conclusions.
In a recent study, 22 pancreatic cancer patients were selected for alternative procedures. Although the orthodox medical cure rate for pancreatic cancer is zero percent, the program had a 100 percent cure rate. The rest of the story, however, is: only five of the 22 carefully, faithfully, and completely followed the protocol. Seventeen didn't, and died.
According to follow-up research, the 17 failed to follow the prescribed program for reasons that are not uncommon in all such studies. The program was perceived as not affordable in terms of time, effort ("too much trouble"), and money. Also, it was the non-support, interference, or opposition of family members, friends, and even physicians. Mostly, however, it was the patients' resistance to lifestyle changes.
This is the same struggle the Apostle Paul confessed to. He said: "I have a desire in my spirit to do what is right (healthy) for me, but my carnal desires to FEEL good and to LOOK good resist and oppose my inner desires to DO good."
"Let us not become weary in doing good (what is healthy); for at the proper time we will reap a harvest (of good health) if we do not give up" - Galatians 6:9.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1L10
In a recent study, 22 pancreatic cancer patients were selected for alternative procedures. Although the orthodox medical cure rate for pancreatic cancer is zero percent, the program had a 100 percent cure rate. The rest of the story, however, is: only five of the 22 carefully, faithfully, and completely followed the protocol. Seventeen didn't, and died.
According to follow-up research, the 17 failed to follow the prescribed program for reasons that are not uncommon in all such studies. The program was perceived as not affordable in terms of time, effort ("too much trouble"), and money. Also, it was the non-support, interference, or opposition of family members, friends, and even physicians. Mostly, however, it was the patients' resistance to lifestyle changes.
This is the same struggle the Apostle Paul confessed to. He said: "I have a desire in my spirit to do what is right (healthy) for me, but my carnal desires to FEEL good and to LOOK good resist and oppose my inner desires to DO good."
"Let us not become weary in doing good (what is healthy); for at the proper time we will reap a harvest (of good health) if we do not give up" - Galatians 6:9.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1L10
Compliance... But To What?
The most important point to be made about compliance (obedience) is this: it must be enabled. Any attempt we make to follow rules or serve others that is not supported by the strength God gives to sustain you, will, in time, result in injury, disappointment, and failure.
An athlete's first focus is not the performance but the preparation that supports and enables the performance. In this same way, our first concern is not Christian living and service, but the strength that sustains us as we take time daily for extended sessions to sit quietly before God with an open Bible.
"Let us not become weary in doing good (what is healthy); for at the proper time we will reap a harvest (of good works) if we do not give up" - Galatians 6:9.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1L13
An athlete's first focus is not the performance but the preparation that supports and enables the performance. In this same way, our first concern is not Christian living and service, but the strength that sustains us as we take time daily for extended sessions to sit quietly before God with an open Bible.
"Let us not become weary in doing good (what is healthy); for at the proper time we will reap a harvest (of good works) if we do not give up" - Galatians 6:9.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1L13
It is not your faithfulness that ensures success! (Response To Friend)
It is not your faithfulness to perform, but God's faithfulness to enable that ensures the success of your Christian life and service to others. All you do that God does not enable is performance-based religious activity, is "wood, hay, and stubble," and has no eternal value. See Psalm 127:1; John 15:1-8; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1L20
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1L20
His Glory Made Manifest In Me
Mary conceived Jesus in her womb, not by human means, but by the Holy Spirit, and his humanity was made manifest through her to the world. See Matthew 1:20.
After his resurrection, she once more conceived Jesus, this time as we do, in her spirit, again, not by human means, but by the Holy Spirit, and his glory was made manifest through her to the world.
"It is my earnest expectation and hope, that in every way, at all times, the greatness of Christ shall be made manifest through me, with all brilliance" (Philippians 1:20).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1L25
After his resurrection, she once more conceived Jesus, this time as we do, in her spirit, again, not by human means, but by the Holy Spirit, and his glory was made manifest through her to the world.
"It is my earnest expectation and hope, that in every way, at all times, the greatness of Christ shall be made manifest through me, with all brilliance" (Philippians 1:20).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 1L25
Ensuring the Success of All You Do!
You can ensure the success of all you do this year in this way: Surrender to God the responsibility for the outcome of every aspect of your life. You can fail; he cannot. This means all you do that God enables and for which he is the explanation will be successful, by eternal standards, if not by carnal standards. This is a radical concept to the human mind. By nature, because of fear, humans resist surrender, especially of control. Also, humans work with a view to the results. Results give us significance, we think. Surrender, however, does not focus on results or significance, but only on "hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done" and obedience as God enables it by his grace.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A01
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A01
Open Letter to a Young Husband
Dear (Husband): You are not the authority over your wife, but the support beneath her. The instruction in Scripture for wives to "submit" to their husbands means to "give him opportunity for influence and service." It does not mean to surrender to his authority over her. He has none. As the "head" of the home the husband is the "fountainhead" or source of supply (the New Testament concept of the word), not the ruler, as of a nation or institution (the Old Testament concept). There is a difference.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A10
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A10
Response to a Young Husband
Dear (Husband); You are the initiator; your wife is the responder. This means you propose, she accepts. You knock, she opens. When you are separated by hurt feelings, it is your responsibility to initiate the reconciliation. We see this pattern for the husband's ministry and service to his wife in Christ's love and care for his bride, the church. See Ephesians 5:22-33. But you cannot go where the door is shut. You cannot force the door open. You must first demonstrate your love and care by giving up your life for her as Christ did. And as she grows in her confidence and trust in your relationship to God, she will increasingly be more willing to receive your servant/leadership.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A14
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A14
Did Christ wrestle against evil desires?
Christ was tempted in all points as we are, but not in the sense that he wrestled against evil desires as we do. There is a difference. We are "drawn away and enticed by our own evil desires" (James 1:14), but Jesus had no evil desires. To suggest otherwise, that his human nature waged war against his spirit (Romans 7), is to suggest he had a fallen nature, and if so, was not God.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A17
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A17
Healed and Unhindered!
Unlike Jesus, we are hindered in our earthly walk by a fallen nature. But wait! Although not entirely in this lifetime, we may, in increasing measure, also walk as Jesus did, unhindered by lusts, greed, and malice. This is a work of God's grace that begins in our inner being as our attitudes and appetites are sanctified (healed) from strength to strength by the life (likeness) of Christ imparted to and nurtured in us by the Holy Spirit through his Word. See 2 Peter 1:3-4.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A21
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A21
Growing in Confidence and Compliance Thru Adversity
Although your challenges right now are many, God is Sovereign and in total control, and he will not allow anything - no storm or adversity - to touch your life except what he will use to accomplish his goal for you. And God's number one goal for your life is for you to grow in your confidence and trust in him and in your compliance with his Word.
Trusting is not easy. We all tend by nature to be independent and impulsive. A willingness to trust God and follow in his way must be learned. And God's basic tool for teaching us to trust and obey him is the challenges and adversities that he allows into our lives. "Before I was afflicted (suffered misery) I went astray, but now I obey your word. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees (truth)" - Psalm 119:67,71.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A24
Trusting is not easy. We all tend by nature to be independent and impulsive. A willingness to trust God and follow in his way must be learned. And God's basic tool for teaching us to trust and obey him is the challenges and adversities that he allows into our lives. "Before I was afflicted (suffered misery) I went astray, but now I obey your word. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees (truth)" - Psalm 119:67,71.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A24
When Troubles Come: The Faith Response
When troubles come - things that are overwhelming, that hurt, that are unfair, or that you don't understand or agree with:
1. Confess your inadequacy and need for God.
2. Increase your time daily for him in Scripture meditation and prayer.
3. Trust that he is in control and accomplishing his plan for you - that he does not cause the storms of life, but allows them for a purpose.
4. Surrender every aspect of your life to his care.
5. Trust him for the outcome.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A28
1. Confess your inadequacy and need for God.
2. Increase your time daily for him in Scripture meditation and prayer.
3. Trust that he is in control and accomplishing his plan for you - that he does not cause the storms of life, but allows them for a purpose.
4. Surrender every aspect of your life to his care.
5. Trust him for the outcome.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A28
What We All Learn Sooner or Later, And Sometimes Too
Whether to accept a meaningless job opportunity with increased pay or to stay in your present work serving others will test your faith and values. Consider this as you make your decision: If your hope for happiness relates to making money, your expectations will be disappointed. Money may help you choose in what house to be miserable, but it cannot make you happy. Nothing it can buy will make you as happy as service to others in Jesus' Name. (Sooner or later, and sometimes too late, we all learn this.) Also, rationalizing how you can use the increased income from your meaningless work to better help others minimizes the principle of sowing and reaping and the importance of how you invest 40-60 hours of your week.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A31
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2A31
Made Able and Eager by Grace
The strength of your Christian life is not who you are, but who Christ is in you. It is Christ's likeness nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word that "enables you to say 'no' to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age while we wait for the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ who redeems us from the penalty of sin by his death on the cross and from the power of sin by his resurrected life and makes us eager to do what is good." See Titus 2:11-14.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2B04
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2B04
When God's Faithfulness Becomes Your Deepest Confidence
When it becomes your deepest confidence that God is faithfully right now assuming responsibility for the outcome of every aspect of your life and that he, not you, is the explanation for your success, you will:
1. Stop striving to get a perceived advantage;
2. Stop setting performance goals and keeping score;
3. Depend more fully upon God and pray more earnestly for his enablement;
4. Work harder than ever, energized by his grace ("His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them - YET NOT I, but the grace of God that was with me." See 1 Corinthians 15:10.);
5. Set aside sufficient time for rest ("Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food - for God is accomplishing his purposes for you and giving the increase while you sleep." See Psalm 127:1-2.);
6. Be on your way to health and happiness.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2B07
1. Stop striving to get a perceived advantage;
2. Stop setting performance goals and keeping score;
3. Depend more fully upon God and pray more earnestly for his enablement;
4. Work harder than ever, energized by his grace ("His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them - YET NOT I, but the grace of God that was with me." See 1 Corinthians 15:10.);
5. Set aside sufficient time for rest ("Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food - for God is accomplishing his purposes for you and giving the increase while you sleep." See Psalm 127:1-2.);
6. Be on your way to health and happiness.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2B07
The Tyranny of Denial
Your only hope for deliverance out of the mire you are in begins with a full confession of your fallen moral state and powerlessness to improve yourself through your self effort. Clinging to your facade of self righteousness and denial of your need for spiritual renewal puts you at great risk for continued serious failure.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2B11
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2B11
The Trouble With Trouble-Free Times
During trouble-free times, we tend to lose the sense of our need for God, and as quickly also, to neglect Scripture meditation and prayer. So God allows troubles to come - with these results:
1. They remind us of our inadequacy and need for him;
2. They give us an opportunity to practice trusting;
3. They give us an opportunity to experience once again his faithfulness to always meet our needs.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2B18
1. They remind us of our inadequacy and need for him;
2. They give us an opportunity to practice trusting;
3. They give us an opportunity to experience once again his faithfulness to always meet our needs.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2B18
Dr. How To's Latest Book
Whatever your problem or challenge is today, the solution to it does not begin with reading Dr. How To's latest book for working on your self, but with sitting quietly before God daily with an open Bible for Scripture reading, confession of need, prayer, and worship in order to be renewed in your confidence of God's love and care for you and in your experience of his presence in you to enable your wise choices.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2B21
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2B21
A Reason to Wonder If What You Believe Is Truth
If what you believe is not what the Holy Spirit is teaching you as you wait quietly before him with an open Bible in prayer and Scripture meditation, you have reason to wonder if what you believe is truth. See Romans 10:17; John 14:26; 16:13; 1 John 2:27.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2C07
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2C07
The Tyranny of Striving to Be Like Christ
Striving to imitate Christ through commitment, determination, and prideful self-effort will frustrate you, wear you out, and set you up for failure.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2C14
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2C14
Unmet Spiritual Needs Can Make You Fat
You may not be hungry - you may just be thirsty. Next time, before you eat, especially when your body does not need the calories, try drinking 8-16 ounces of water. If your hunger diminishes, your body needed water, not food. But wait! Your hunger may not be physical, but psychological (soul hunger). Or, it may be spiritual hunger. Eating to satisfy unmet social, emotional, or spiritual needs, especially if you don't need the calories, may comfort you temporarily, but the excess, unneeded calories may also make you fat.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2C28
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2C28
Making a Difference That Makes No Difference
God did not call us to make a difference, but to be increased in fuller measure of "who he is" in us. Any difference we make that does not have God for its explanation will have no eternal value.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D01
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D01
Abounding in Grace and Good Works
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work. See 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D04
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D04
God's Calling: More Than an Invitation
In the beginning God spoke and called the heavens and the earth into existence by his Word. By his Word, also, God speaks to us and calls into existence our holiness for a new beginning. This calling is more than an invitation, but "an effectual calling" or "a calling forth." See 2 Timothy 1:9. In Romans 8:28, "the called" ("klesis") may be understood as "the sanctified."
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D08
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D08
The Divine Spora
Faith "comes (is generated) by hearing" words - not in your ears spoken by man, but in your inner being spoken by God. There's a difference. The Word of God is seed (Greek: "spora" akin to "sperma" - Vine's, p.1021) which is sown (imparted) by the Holy Spirit into your yielded and awaiting heart (the "good soil") and produces in you the nine spiritual fruits (the divine nature), one of which is faith (Greek: "pistis" - Strong's, p.330). See Romans 10:17; Luke 8:8, 11; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:4; Galatians 5:22-23.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D15
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D15
Christ in You: The Enablement of Your Success
Christ did not come into the world to identify the your sinful behavior, but to provide a solution for your righteousness. He did not come to condemn failure, but to enable success. See Romans 5:10; 2 Peter 1:4; John 12:47.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D18
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D18
Withholding Punishment From Imperfect People in a Broken World
Living as we do in a world of broken, imperfect people, we just simply cannot put everyone on notice to never offend us, or ours will be a stormy, unhappy existence. Living above offenses, however, is possible only as we build our relationship with Christ through his Word. He will meet our deepest spiritual and emotional needs and enable us by his grace to forgive (withhold punishment from) those who fail to meet our expectations. See Psalm 119:165; Isaiah 26:3.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D22
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D22
An Unauthorized Version of God's Word (Reply To P.)
Dear P: In your lengthy prophetic message, you attributed to God ("God says...") quotes that cannot be found in Scripture (according to Strong's concordance). What's going on with that??? The Holy Spirit has already revealed God's Word through Scripture - and with inerrancy and divine authority. Your message is unauthorized, so is superfluous - without eternal significance or benefit, and may be sacrilege.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D25
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D25
Thank You Adam Very Little!
Your problem is: you have a bad attitude (So do I, thank you Adam, very little!). What we really need is an attitude adjustment. Attitude is the disposition of our inner brokenness that comes out when we are bumped (offended). It can not really be adjusted but must be transformed (healed) by the renewing of our minds by "who Christ is" in us. See Romans 12:2; Ephesians 3:16.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D29
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2D29
Love Is Not a Choice; It's a Divine Enablement
Love is not a choice; it is a spiritual fruit produced in us by the Holy Spirit through his Word that enables us to value and serve others. Without this divine enablement, we have no power to love others, but only to use them. See Galatians 5:22-23; John 15:4-5.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2E06
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2E06
The Gentle Instructor
Obedience to God is not fearful compliance, but willing response to the gentle instructions of a loving, wise, and holy Father.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2E13
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2E13
Made Fruitful and Effective by Grace
God's divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness, so that by his glory and grace (the impartation of his divine nature), we may in increasing measure (from strength to strength) escape corruption and be made fruitful and effective in our service to others. For this very reason, make every effort to grow in your experience of his likeness through his Word. See 2 Peter 1:3-8; 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2E16
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2E16
Christ in You: God's Provision For Our Freedom
"For if when we were God's enemies we were reconciled to him (saved from the penalty of sin) by the death of his Son (for us), how much more, now that we have been reconciled, shall we be saved (from the power of sin) by his life (in us)" - Romans 5:10.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2E20
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2E20
An Algebraic Principle For a Happy Home
Attentiveness to your expectations for family relationships more than to nurturing your relationship to Christ through his Word will disappoint your hopes for a happy home. Family members grow closer to each other only as they grow closer to Christ. It's an algebraic principle (of sorts).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2E23
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2E23
Sustained by Who God Is In You
The legalistic notion that we "serve God" in order to show him how much we love him is based in two wrong assumptions: One, that we win God's favor and acceptance by our faithful service to him and, two, that God needs our help. But our standing with God is not based on our performance to make him happy, but on our relationship to Christ. Also, we have no power to do God's work; rather, he does his work through us and he alone is the explanation for the success of it.
Actually, we really do not "serve" God at all. We serve others in his name - that is, we serve the redemptive needs of others as we are enabled, motivated, and sustained, not by our love for him, or even by our knowledge of his love for us, but by his love in us for them. There's a difference. See Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 5;25-27; Philippians 2:7.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2E27
Actually, we really do not "serve" God at all. We serve others in his name - that is, we serve the redemptive needs of others as we are enabled, motivated, and sustained, not by our love for him, or even by our knowledge of his love for us, but by his love in us for them. There's a difference. See Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 5;25-27; Philippians 2:7.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2E27
Interrupting God's Work Through Self-Effort
Only God can do his redemptive work. His doing it through you (using you) will be interrupted by your carnal notions how it ought to be done and ego-driven, self-enabled attempts to do it.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2F03
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2F03
Leadership by Investment
It is not the work of the Holy Spirit to identify the details of your failure ("Leadership By Exception"), but to reveal God's will for your life through his Word ("Leadership By Objective") and to enable your performance of it (Leadership by Investment). This is an important leadership principle for parents and pastors. See John 12:47; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:4.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2F06
Renewed in Commitment to Serving Family: How Fathers Can Celebrate Their Day
Today, we celebrate Fathers' Day as a time to honor fathers, but also as a time to celebrate God as our Heavenly Father. Fathers may also observe this day as a time to be renewed by the Holy Spirit through his Word in their commitment to serving family.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2F16
Made Holy by His Life
Salvation, every aspect of it, past, present (or progressive), and future, is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). This means that the progressive aspect of salvation (sanctification, the work of the Holy Spirit through his Word by which you are made holy and useful in service to others) is also by grace through faith; that is, it is by merit, not of your performance, but of your faith and trust in the resurrected life of Christ birthed and nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word. Otherwise, we do not have - and God did not provide for - full redemption.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2F20
The Life of Christ: God's Provision for Your Holiness
The blood of Christ is God's provision to satisfy his judgment against sin; if you reject it, you will be lost for eternity. The life of Christ (God's divine nature) is God's provision for your holiness; if you resist it, you will live in defeat, overcome by life's challenges, and be unfruitful in your service to others. See John 15:1-8; Romans 5:10.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2F24
Provisions That Endure - And Satisfy
You will keep and enjoy long term all that God adds to your life as you serve others. What you accumulate otherwise will not endure or satisfy. See Matthew 6:33; Psalm 104:27-28.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2G01
Rejoicing in God's Unconditional Love
God's love for you is unconditional - that is, it is not based on who you are or what you do, but on who he is. His love for you never changes. You may change, but since who God is does not change, his love for you can not change. This means nothing you can do, good or not, will ever change how God loves (values) you at this very moment.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2G08
What God Can That "Can Do" Can't!
A postive, "can do" attitude will support you short-term for superficial goals, but the work of a "God-can" faith is eternal. God can do what "can do" can't.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2G11An
Open Bible: Giving God Opportunity for Influence
Reading the Bible is not so much what you do, but what you give God opportunity to do for you. By opening your Bible each day, and your heart to it, you give opportunity for the Holy Spirit to communicate Truth, build faith, guide your confession of need, prayer, and worship, transform your life, and enable your service to others.Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2G15An Open Bible: Inviting God's BestTaking time each day for Scriptures reading, confession of need, and prayer is the beginning point for all you want God to do in you, for you, and through you.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2G18
Motivated by Faith, Not Fear
People of faith are not motivated by fear, but by the confidence that God is sovereign, his love for us is abiding and unconditional, his interest in every detail of our lives is intense and passionate, and his commitment to our health and happiness is unfailing.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2G22
The Difference You Can Not Make
God did not call you to make a difference, but to grow in your experience of him, to sow seed, then to surrender to him the responsibility and ownership for the outcome. It is not the results you produce that will make the difference, but the increase he gives.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2H01
Staying in the Comfort Zone of God's Provisions
Your comfort zone is the place of service where God has placed and enabled you; stay in it. Peter stepped out of his comfort zone to walk on the water and sank. Your ambitious self efforts to live and serve outside God's provisions for you will not succeed and the stress of trying will wreck your health.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2H12
Staying in the Enablement Zone of God's Calling
Jesus promised that his yoke of service for you will be easy (well-fitting to his calling and preparation for your life). As you are renewed daily by the Holy Spirit through his Word, you will find enablement, peace, and restoration in the place where he has called you and for the work he has given you to do. Stay in your enablement zone. See Matthew 11:28-30; Psalm 127:2.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2H15
The Privileged Vessel
Only God can do his work (of redemption). We are the privileged vessel he equips and anoints and through whom his redemptive work is done. Our notion that we can do God's work is based in pride, especially if it is our tendency to neglect sitting quietly before God each day with an open Bible for renewal.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2H19
Your Earthly Ministry: Can You Be Too Heavenly Minded?
It is impossible to become "so heavenly minded that we are of no value to God's work on earth." Indeed, we can be too carnal minded to be useful in service to others, but not be too filled with the mind and likeness of Christ. In fact, it is only then that we truly become useful at all.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2H26
Changing Your Behavior: Will It Bring You Closer to God?
Our improved behavior will not bring us closer to God, but drawing closer to God daily by the Holy Spirit through his Word will improve our behavior. There's a difference.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2H29
Endurance: The Grace to Continue
Of course we must endure in our Christian life and work, but "endurance" that is not rooted in "who Christ is" in us will not sustain us long-term, so is not really endurance at all.
See Philippians 2:13; Proverbs 18:14.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2I09
The Fall of Genesis 3, The Darkness of 9/11/01, and The Grace Of God
In creation, God established the laws (powers) of life and health by which the universe would operate. In The Fall (Genesis 3), darkness and death entered, and now, until Christ returns to establish his kingdom on earth, we live in a dangerous, fallen world, subject to the laws (powers) of darkness and death. It was in this darkness that so many died on September 11, 2001 during the terrorists attacks. But in the darkness, God communicates his Word, especially concerning who he is and his provisions for our salvation. The entrance of his Word into our dark hearts, and through us into a dark world, brings light and life, healing and renewal.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2I11
Prayer: Is It Hard Work?
Prayer energized by the Holy Spirit is not hard work. It may be intense and physically demanding, but you will be renewed in it.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2I12
God Being Who He Is: The Reason He Loves You
God's love for you is unconditional (Gr. agape: "to value unconditionally"). He loves you because of who he is, not because of who you are, or what you do. .Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2I23Faith to Give UpAs your faith (pistis: "conviction" produced in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word) increases that God is faithful, loving, and sovereign, the more willing you will be to give to him the responsibility for the "what, when, where, why, and how" concerning his will for your life.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2I26
Saved and Being Saved: By Grace Through Faith
There is only one way of salvation - for every aspect of it. God's way for you to go to Heaven and his way for you to become holy are the same - by grace through faith. See Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 5:10.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2J03
Christ's Blood and Resurrected Life: For Sin a Double Cure
The Blood of Christ is the only price God will accept as payment to satisfy his righteous judgment against the human race because of Adam's disobedience, and your trust in this Provision is your only hope for eternal salvation (going to Heaven). Also, the resurrected Life of Christ birthed in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word is God's Provision for your deliverance from the power and bondage of your sin nature, and your trust in this Provision is your only hope for holiness.
See Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 5:10
"Let the Water (symbolizing God's Word) and the Blood be for sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure." - Hymn
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2J07
Ministry: God's Work - Not Yours
You do not serve others through Christ; Christ serves others through you. There's a difference. He is not the vessel for your work; you are the vessel he uses for his work.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2J24
Doing What Makes You Strong To Do What Makes You Successful
The choice, really, is not to do the things that make you successful, but to do the things that make you strong for doing the things that make you successful. For example, you cannot choose to run a marathon, or a fast mile - not really - but only to begin a program of training that will build your strength and endurance to run a marathon or fast mile. Neither can you choose to be holy, but only to enter into a relationship with Christ by the Holy Spirit through his Word with the result that he will make you holy.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2J31
Sin: What It Is Not
Sin is not what you do that makes God mad, or makes you bad, but what you do that makes you sick. There's a difference.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2K18
Identifying the Subtleties of Legalism
The focus of legalism is service to God through commitment to rule-keeping and heroic self effort, motivated by the need for status, significance, and security. The focus of grace theology is service to others, enabled by relationship to God through surrender and motivated by his love (agape).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2L09
God News of Great Joy For All People
An angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds living out in the fields near Bethlehem and said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. See Luke 2:15-20.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2L25
God Is Good: The Only Score That Matters
God alone is the explanation for the enduring good in our lives. What we perceive as success, and the scores we keep to report it, may not at all represent what he is doing. Everything God does is redemptive and has eternal value. That's the only score we need to know.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2L26
Sowing and Reaping: Making the Connection for Health and Happiness
God provided in creation every need for the healing and restoration of fallen mankind. He supplied organic seed for food and set in order the law of sowing and reaping. He also provided spiritual seed, his Word, for our spiritual healing and restoration.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3C03
Quiet Service to Others: The Goal of Grace
The goal of grace is quiet service to others, achieved through surrendered relationship to God, and motivated by his love (agape: "unconditional value") in us for others. The goal of legalism is personal success, achieved through commitment to rule-keeping and heroic performance, and driven by the need for recognition and reward.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3C10
God's Grace: The Power of Salvation and Service to Others
God provides the seed, enables the sowing and watering, and gives the increase. Salvation and service to others is by grace, not of human effort, "lest any one should boast in self" (Ephesians 2:8-9). See also 1 Corinthians 3:6; 15:10; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 13:20-21.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3C20
Winning With Christ - In Life, Suffering, or Death
To die is to be with Christ, to live is to manifest his likeness in service to others, to suffer is to experience his presence.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3C24
My Supply and the Strength of My Heart Forever: The Psalmist's Confession
"I had almost slipped. When I tried to understand, it was oppressive to me until I entered the sanctuary of God (the quiet place); then I understood. You are always with me; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with you counsel, and restore me. Whom have I in Heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my supply forever" - The Psalmist's Confession of Faith (Psalm 73).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3C27
Made Fruitful and Effective: The Assured Results of Divine Enablement
Failure is not the absence of effort, but of enablement, "for it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13).
By his divine nature birthed and nurtured in us (the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit), he enables both the doing and the desire to do, so that we will be equipped with all good things for doing his will, abounding in every good work, and made fruitful and effective in our service to others. See 2 Corinthians 9:8; Galatians 4:19; 5:22-23; Colossians 1:27; 2 Peter 1:3-8; Hebrews 13:20,21.
"He will be like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does will prosper." - Psalm 1:3
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3C31
Support for Life and Good Health: The Power of Scripture to Save and Sustain
God's Word is not only seed to generate life, but also bread, milk, meat, and honey to sustain it. Taking time to sit quietly each morning with an open Bible for Scripture reading, meditation, and prayer is God's way for you to be renewed in your strength for every aspect of your life. See James 1:18,21; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:2.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3D03
Obedience: Loving Response to a Gentle Savior
Dictators control through fear and favor, brutality and bribes, but God relates to his children as a loving Father. Christian obedience (to care for self and others) is not bitter compliance, but loving response to a gentle Savior.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3D07
When Good Men Flourish: Moral Leadership Manifesting in Measure the Coming Righteous Reign of Christ
All human governments and leaders fail, but God has providentially in history, in his own time, and according to his own redemptive purpose, renewed nations through its leadership to manifest in measure the future righteous reign of Christ on earth. Christ's coming administration will be "as gentle and fruitful as the springtime rains upon the grass. All good men will flourish in his kingdom. He will take care of the helpless and poor when they cry to him; for they have no one else to defend them. He will feel pity for the weak and needy, and will rescue them. He will save them from oppression and from violence, for their lives are precious to him." See Psalm 72.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3D14
Rejection of Moral Leadership Rooted in Denial
Opposition to moral leadership is rooted deeper than in political issues or personalities, but in the denial of mankind's fallen human condition and need for God. The unregenerate will not embrace principles or policies that do not accommodate the darkened inclinations of their sinful hearts. John 15:18-25
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3D17
Learning About Yourself What God Already Knows
God is not testing you to discover about you information that he does not already have - to determine, for example, your loyalty to him as the basis for his acceptance or reward. God allows testings to give you an opportunity to understand your need for him, to practice trusting him, and to experience his faithfulness.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3D21
When God Speaks: How to Know If You Are Hearing from God
Truth spoken to you by the Holy Spirit through his Word will increase your faith and hope. If what you are hearing worries or discourages you and leaves you without hope, the message is not from God.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3D24
Agape: The Love That Secures Your Marriage (Response To Dear Husband)
Dear (husband): The love that secures your marriage is not your love for what your wife does for you or how she makes you feel, but the love of Christ in you for her that enables you to value her, care for her needs, and protect her. The difference is: one is natural love; the other is divine love ( agape: "to value unconditionally") nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E02
Impacting Your World: Christ in You Enabling Your Work
Greater than your need to impact the world with your life is your need to allow God to impact you by the Holy Spirit through his Word. All you do that is not enabled by who God is in you (the nine fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23), working through you, is "wood, hay, and stubble" (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) and will have no eternal value.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E05
Moving Past Your Failures: God In You Securing Your Future
God's plans for you are good, not evil. His heart for the marred vessel is not to throw it away, but to make it again another vessel according to his loving wisdom and in his own time. If God is in your future, it will be greater than your past. See Jeremiah 18:4; 29:11.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E07
Withholding Punishment from Imperfect People in a Broken World
Living as we do in a world of broken, imperfect people, we just simply cannot put everyone on notice to never offend us, or ours will be a stormy, unhappy existence. However, living above offenses is possible only as we have our own deepest spiritual and emotional needs met through relationship to Christ and are enabled by his grace to forgive (withhold punishment from) those who fail to meet our expectations. See Psalm 119:165; Isaiah 26:3.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E09
Healthy and Happy in Service to Others
First, he said he just wanted to get drunk and lie down. Later, he reported the experience was highly overrated. Then, he said he just wanted to grow in his relationship to Christ and in usefulness for service to others. Today, he is healthy and happy, a faithful servant leader to his family and church.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E19
The Need to Be First: Finding Freedom from Fear of Failure Through Faith
The need to always be right or win over others is rooted in a fear of losing. Confidence that God values you unconditionally, is passionately interested in every detail of your life, and is right now faithfully accomplishing his purpose for you will set you free from the bondage of needing to always be first.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E21
Meeting the Deepest Needs of the Human Heart: The Work of the Holy Spirit to Make You Happy
The unmet needs that will make you the unhappiest are the ones only God can meet. The deepest needs of the human heart are love, joy, and peace and are met in you only by the Holy Spirit through his Word. Your expectations of family and friends to meet the needs that only God can meet will be a burden greater than your relationship with them can bear.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E23
Transformed by Truth: Power Beyond the Textbook
It is not your textbook knowledge of what the Bible says that will empower your Christian life and service, but your experience of who God is (his divine nature) birthed and nurtured in your spirit (your inner person) by the Holy Spirit as you wait quietly before him each day with an open Bible and are surrendered to receive his influence.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E26
Transformed by Truth: The Power of Relationship
Your study of the Bible as a textbook will not make you holy any more than your study of fitness and nutrition will make you healthy. It is not your recognition and observation of information that will set you free, but your experience of who Christ is."I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." -John 14:6"You will know (Gr. 'knowledge that flows from union') the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8:32
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E28
Rules Without Relationship: The Reason for Their Rebellion
Taking time is better than talking tough. Your child's rebellion is not against the presence of rules, but the absence of relationship.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E30
Passion for Health: The Power to Stay Focused
Value of self and a passion for health (birthed and nurtured in you only by the Holy Spirit through his Word) are the purest and most powerful motivations for staying focused on making the choices for your life that support good health.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F02
Christ in You: Your Hope for Holiness, Health, and Helping Other
The likeness of Christ (the nine fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23), birthed in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word, will nurture in you a passion for purity (God), a passion for health (self), and a passion to serve (others).
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F04
Finding Support from Within to Sustain Motivation to Continue
The fitness experts generally agree: You will not continue a fitness program long term that you do not want to do. The issue, then, is motivation. The three most common motivations for beginning and continuing a fitness program are ego, fear, and a passion for health. The ego's interest in fitness is the most superficial. Its focus is on appearance ("How do I look?"). Fear of failing health, especially during a health crisis, is a strong motivation for starting and maintaining a health program. When the crisis is over, however, this motivation often diminishes. But the deepest, most powerful and enduring motivation to sustain a fitness program long-term is a passion for good health rooted in the value of self (Gr. agape: "to value unconditionally"), one of the nine fruits of the Spirit, birthed and nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F09
The Servant Leadership Role of the Father to Facilitate the Family's Relationship to God
The primary leadership role of the father in the home is to foster his family's relationship, not to himself, but to God, who alone is the source of their joy and peace, health, and enduring happiness.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F13
Renewed in Commitment to Serving Family: How Fathers Can Celebrate Their Day
Today, we celebrate our fathers, but also celebrate God as our heavenly Father. Fathers may observe this day as a time to be renewed by the Holy Spirit in their commitment to serving family.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F15
Starving on a Full Stomach
Eating meals that do not provide your body with the nutrients it needs to support your good health is another form of starvation.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F18
Offenses - Their Forgiveness and Judgment
The judgment of others is not within the scope of individual authority; it is the purview of God and governments only. Your privilege is to forgive offenses (withhold punishment) and to surrender judgment to God.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F20
The Power of Past Set Schedule and Sequence to Support Starting Again
Setting a schedule and establishing a route or sequence for your exercise regimen will increase the consistency of your compliance by reducing the burden of deciding each day if and where to go or what to do. Also, not only will an established routine support staying on course, it will help motivate restarting after a lay off.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F23
The Blood of Jesus Does Not Flow Through Your Veins (Response to Johnny)
Dear Johnny: It is not the blood of Jesus, but your own human blood, that flows through your veins. What you may mean to say is: It is the life of Christ (the nine fruits of the Spirit birthed and nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23) that dwells in and gives life to your spirit. Human blood is to physical life what "Christ in you" is to spiritual life. As human blood sustains the health of your physical body, Christ's imparted divine nature sustains the health of your spiritual existence (Colossians 1:27; 2 Peter 1:3-4).
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F25
Senator Thurmond's Secret for Staying Fit: Three Essential Exercises to Support Long Life
Health enthusiasts are noting reports that former Senator Strom Thurmond's health regimen, along with avoiding fried foods and caffeine, included exercises to support the three essential components of fitness: flexibility, endurance, and strength. The senator, who lived to be 100, said his daily routine included "20 minutes stretching, 20 minutes calisthenics (cardiovascular), and 20 minutes strengthening exercises."
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F30
Serving Others Without Keeping Score (Response To Bill)
Dear Bill, Your statement, "If you don't keep score, why play?" made with reference to Christian life and service, is not appropriate. If you do not have purpose significant enough for your life and service without keeping score, your objectives may be superficial and your work may be without eternal value.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G02
Set Free from Fear and Fighting Through Faith in God's Unfailing Care for You
Surrendering to God the responsibility for the outcome of every aspect of your life, and trusting him that he is right now accomplishing his redemptive purpose for you, will set you free from your anxious concerns and restore you to peace and joy. See Isaiah 26:3-4.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G04
The Strength to Sustain: Building Endurance Through Exercise
Stamina is not perpetual; it will not maintain itself. Endurance is like a leaky bucket; it must be renewed regularly or, in time, it will diminish. This means you cannot continue doing what you do now with the same endurance unless you regularly do something else more demanding. For example, you can build your endurance to sustain long walks by increasing your speed on your short walks.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G07
Celebrating God's Grace Provision of Christ (Response to Hank)
Dear Hank: There are no great Christians, only a great Savior. We are only tools God has chosen to use. Also, the Judgment Seat of Christ (the ""Bema"") will not be a celebration of our achievements, but of God's provision of Christ to enable his redemptive work.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G09
Christ in You: Your Only Sure Hope for a Happy Home
The bonding strength of your marriage will not be your commitment to honor your vows, or your determination to not fail the expectations of your friends and family. Your only sure hope for a successful marriage is Christ living his life in and through you by the Holy Spirit through his Word. If you are not giving opportunity daily for the Holy Spirit to nurture in you the likeness of Christ through his Word, the happiness and success of your home is at risk.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G11
Making The Choices That Maximize Your Health
Poor health is not punishment from God, nor is good health a reward. With few exceptions, your health is the result of the lifestyle and diet choices you make based on the fitness and nutrition principles God has established in creation to support your well-being.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G14
Trusting God's Timing to Sustain His Work: The Will of God for Your Service to Wait
The door of opportunity may seem opened, your heart may be burdened, and the need for ministry clear and pressing, but if God's provisions to sustain you in the work are not on hand, you can trust that, although the work may be God's will for your life, it is not his timing, and you should wait.
"God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" - 2 Corinthians 9:8. See also Acts 1:7-8; Psalm 31:15.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G16
Finding Strength for Adversity Through Faith to Surrender
Your reaction to every offense and attempt to correct every adverse person and circumstance will put your health and home at risk. Your only sure hope for happiness is faith (nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word) to trust in the Lord always and to surrender your well-being to his care. God will keep in perfect peace those who trust in his everlasting strength because their mind is stayed on him. See Isaiah 26:3-4.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G18
There Are No "Champions for Christ" (Response To Friend)
There are no great Christians - only Christians who are greatly used by God. There are no "champions for Christ" - only a great Redeemer and Champion of our salvation. There's a difference.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G23
Enabled by Grace to Trust God's Care
Trusting God for every need is not the predisposition of your fallen human nature, and is possible only as it is enabled by faith, birthed and nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word, as you sit quietly before him each day with an open Bible for Scripture reading, confession of need, prayer, and worship.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G28
Your Weight: An Incidental Index to Help Monitor Your Health
Good health, not weight or size, should be the goal of your health regimen. A weight loss program driven by a desire for a certain look is superficially motivated, and will not sustain your efforts long-term. Worse, you may be tempted to compromise guidelines for safety, putting your overall health at risk (taking harmful diet pills or not eating, for example). The numbers serve only as an index to measure your health.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G30
Living Free from The Bondage of Being Overly Concerned About Compliments and Criticisms
The compliments others give you may or may not be sincere, but they will not overly interest you when your focus is not on what others can do for you, but on what you can do for them - on their health and happiness. Also, you can live free from the bondage of being overly concerned about what others think of you by giving the compliments you receive, the same as you do the criticisms, to God.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H01
Denial of Need Rooted in Doubt: Growing in Confidence Concerning God's Power to Enable
You deny the reality of your dark side because it is too painful for us to admit a problem that we do not have a solution for. But you will be less reluctant to confess the depths of your depravity as you grow in your confidence concerning God's power to enable our righteousness.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H06
Building Hope Through Encouragement: The Jump Start to Recovery
Condemning the failures of others will not help jump start their recovery. But their confidence of your commitment to their health and happiness will.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H08
Conformed to Christ's Image to Reflect His Likeness (Response to Carlyle)
Dear Carlyle: You cannot conform to the image of Christ. Your only hope to be like Christ is to be conformed to his image by the Holy Spirit, from strength to strength, beginning deep within your heart, as you take time daily to behold him. The difference is: one is self-effort, the other is a work of grace. See 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H11
Establishing Early in the Morning the Eternal Value of Your Day
If you will respond to God's call early in the morning to sit quietly before him with an opened Bible, he will enable you throughout the day to meet the divine appointments that support your good health and success.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H13
Filled With Who Jesus Is: The Enablement to Do What Jesus Would Do
You will not be able to do what Jesus would do until you are filled with who Jesus is. What Jesus would have you to do is to stop trying to do what he would do without his enablement.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H20
Spending Money to Kill the Pain for Being Broke
What you are doing to kill the pain for being unhappy may be depriving you of the resources you need (including time, money, and energy) to do the things that will support your recovery.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H22
Why Legalists Shoot Their Wounded
You are useful to legalists only as long as you are productive to serve their ambitious goals. But it is not the heart of God to throw out the broken vessel; rather, he restores it to health and to usefulness in service to others.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H25
Freed From the Pain of Asking for Help
As you grow in confidence that Christ alone is the explanation for your success, you will be less reluctant to confess your weakness and need for his divine enablement. It is too painful to admit a need that you do not have a solution for.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H27
Dear (Husband): Your Wife Is Not the Source of Your Strength
Your wife and children are not in the home to support the success of your ambitions and dreams; instead, God has placed you in the home to support their success and well-being. The source of your strength is Christ by the Holy Spirit through his Word. John 15:1-8; Ephesians 5:21-31.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H29
Resting From the Work That Wears You Out: Celebrating Labor Day
It is not stress that kills, but strain. Stress is weight and essential to health; strain, however, is weight greater than your strength to bear it and will wear you out. It is not from the weight of your work that Jesus promises rest, but from the weariness of your working without his enablement. See Matthew 11:28-30.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I01
Dear (Husband): You Are Not the Authority in Your Home Over Your Wife
Dear (husband): You are not the authority in your home over your wife. You can only influence her as she gives you opportunity. God's grace sets her free to respond to you as you persuade and encourage, not as you dictate.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I05
Christ in You: Your Only Real Hope for Holiness
Your only real hope for holiness is not your disciplined commitment to follow the rules, but the light of Christ in you to dispel the darkness. See Colossians 1:27.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I08
Renewal, Not Commitment: The Essential Support for Good Health and Success
Poor health is not the absence of drugs or surgery, but of the essential nutrients that support good health. Also, failure in Christian living and service is not the absence of commitment to your best self efforts, but of daily renewal by the Holy Spirit through his Word to enable your Christlikeness.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I10
Your Happiness Is Not the Responsibility of Your Children
Teaching your children to obey you because "it makes mom and dad happy" sets them on a performance-based, guilt-driven course of religious rule-keeping in their relationship to God to win his approval. The only appropriate motivation for your child's compliance to your rules, or to God's, is their own health and happiness. They are in your home to be supported and nurtured, not to serve your needs. Neither your happiness nor God's is the responsibility of your children.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I12
How Much Time Is Left? It Doesn't Matter (Response To Ray
Dear Ray: Trying to live each day as if it were your last is rooted in fear. As you take time daily to be renewed in your relationship to Christ by the Holy Spirit through his Word, he will increase you in your faith to trust that he is every day faithfully accomplishing his sovereign purpose for your usefulness in service to others, according to his will, whether it is your last day in this life, or the first of many more.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I17
Born To Use: The Default Disposition of Human Nature
Using people to satisfy your needs is the default disposition of your fallen human nature; you were born that way. Your only real hope for enablement to care about the needs of others is to be transformed by God's love (Gr. agape: "to value unconditionally") nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I19
Assured Christlikeness: The Outworking of Working Out Under the Weight of a Fallen, Adverse World
We rejoice in our experience of adversity because we know that the training effect of working out under the weight of a fallen, adverse world is increased stamina (Christlikeness) in service to others, which is assured because God has poured out his life into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. - See Romans 5:3-5; Philippians 2:12-13; James 1:2-4; 2 Peter 1:3.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I22
Dying to Save the World: Giving Up Your Health to Help Others Is Not God's Work
The work God gives you to do may require you to die to your carnal desires and ambitions, but it will not take you away from doing the things you must do to be strong. If what you are doing to be successful in your service to others interferes with your time to nurture your relationship to Christ and to your family, and to maintain your good health, what you are doing may be carnally motivated (ego, guilt, or fear).
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I24
Substituting Emotional Energy for God's Enablement
Stimulant energy (energy that is superficially stimulated by caffeine and ephedra, for example) borrows from tomorrow's health and is not a safe substitute for natural energy (energy supported by good nutrition, exercise, and proper rest). Also, Christian service that is driven by emotional energy (ego, guilt, and fear, for example) is not an enduring substitute for divine enablement (the nine fruits of the Spirit). Jesus said
"Without me (who I am in you), you can do nothing (of eternal value)." See John 15:1-8; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:3.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I26
Without Grace-Enabled Faith, Trusting and Obedience Are Impossible
Faith (Gr. pistis: "conviction") is not what you do, but what you HAVE; it is supernaturally produced in you) by the Holy Spirit through his Word (Romans 10:17; Galatians 5:22-23). Trusting (or believing) is what you DO because you have faith. And obeying is what you do because you have faith to trust. Without God's Word to sustain your faith, it will be impossible for you to trust and obey him, and your Christian life and service will be unfruitful. See Hebrews 11:6.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J01
Hope Rooted in Faith: The Basis of Rejoicing
Deep conviction (Gr. pistis: "faith" ) concerning God's unconditional love for you, his passionate interest in every detail of your life, and his unfailing commitment to accomplish his purpose for you, is the basis of your hope (Gr. elpis: "confident expectation"). Hope that is not rooted in faith (Hebrews 11:1) is not Bible hope, but wishing, and will result in disappointment. Also, hope is the basis for rejoicing (Romans 5:2).
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J03
Grace Leadership: Serving to Guide and Support Growth in the Home and Church
Grace leadership in the church, home, or classroom guides and supports the renewal and growth of those it serves, especially in their relationship to Christ. It does not criticize or condemn. Neither does it intimidate, manipulate, or control, but gently instructs, and is kind and patient.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J06
Exposing Authoritarian Leadership: Egomaniacs Using You to Support Their Success
Grace leadership will be faithful at every turn to help guide and support your success, and first to stand with you when you stumble or fall. Authoritarian leadership cares about your support for their success, and may cut you off if you fail.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J10
Reading in The Dark, Missing What God Wants You to Know
You can trust, as you sit quietly and patiently before God each day with an open Bible, that the Holy Spirit will reveal to you in his own timing exactly what he wants you to know concerning his Word. Your striving to intellectually "figure it out" will hinder his work. Until the Holy Spirit turns on the light, you can not understand truth. It is in the darkness of human understanding that false doctrines are born. 1 John 2:27; John 14:17,26; 15:26; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16; Psalm 119:105,130.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J13
"Who You Are in Christ" - Your Hope of Heaven; "Who Christ Is in You" - Your Hope of Holiness"
Who you are in Christ" makes eternally secure your redemption from the penalty of sin, and is your hope of Heaven. "Who Christ is in you" sets you free from the power of sin, and is your hope of holiness (Christlikeness). See Romans 5:3-4; Colossians 1:27.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J15
Christ Has No Desire to Control Your Life (Response to Ralph)
Dear Ralph: Christ has no desire to control your life, but only to set you free from the penalty of your sin and from the control of your sinful nature.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J17
Religious Performance: A Form of Godliness Driven by Carnal Energy
"Christ in you" (manifested as the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23) quietly enables and sustains your life so that your service in the home, church, and community will not be a formality of religious performance driven by carnal energy. See 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J20
Rising Above Hurts Through Increased Faith in God's Heart
The more you are increased in your faith (Gr. pistis: "conviction") that God's heart is passionately interested in every detail of your life and that his commitment to you is unfailing to accomplish his purpose for you, the less you will be discouraged by what you perceive to be hindrances, or hurtful and unfair.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J22
The Hardest Day to Exercise Is the Day After You Don't
It is easier to exercise six days a week than it is two. That's because the hardest day to exercise is the day after you don't. Also, consistency is more important than intensity. Infrequent, intense exercise will increase your risk of injury.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J24
Quiet Time: The Most Resisted Discipline
Taking time at the beginning of each day to sit quietly before God with an open Bible for Scripture reading and prayer is the discipline most resisted by your carnal nature. Also, the most resisted surrender is giving to God the responsibility for adding to your life only what he wants you to have.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J27
When Is Punishment Appropriate in The Home? Never!
Punishment is never appropriate in the home, or the church, for two reasons: 1) The home, like the church (the body of Christ), is a living organism; it must be nurtured and disciplined. As you would not punish a broken arm, for example, but nurture it back to health, individuals in the church or home who are broken by failure need to be nurtured back to health, not punished. Also, 2) Jesus paid in full with his life the penalty for every sin; no penalty remains. He did not come to punish, but to rescue, renew, and restore. See Romans 8:1; Ephesians 5:28,31.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J29
Service to Others Purely Motivated by "Who Christ Is" in You
Only by the likeness of Christ (the nine fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23)), nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word and prayer, can you focus on others and be purely motivated in your service to meet their needs. Your fallen human nature is motivated to service by its need for recognition and reward.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J31
The Power of Schedule to Restart Movement and Rebuild Momentum
You will more consistently do (and more easily restart after a lay off) what you have firmly scheduled.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K03
Giving Motivated by Guilt and Fear Is Performance-Based (Response to Paul)
Dear Paul: Giving to win God's approval and favor, or to "pay him back for all he has done for you," is religious rule keeping motivated by fear and guilt. Grace giving is motivated by God's love in your heart for others.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K05
Your Greatest Need Is Not for Discipline, but Motivation (Response to J.)
Dear J: Your greatest need is not for increased self discipline, but for deeper motivation. Motivation supports discipline. You will do more consistently what you have deepest motivation to do. Your motivations may be superficial. Three superficial motivations are: ego ("What do others think?"), fear ("I am in trouble"), and guilt ("I don't do enough"). But the most powerful and enduring motivation to sustain you is "who Christ is" in you (the nine fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23) birthed and nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word and prayer. For example, Christ's love in you (Gr. agape: "to value unconditionally") for the Father will sustain your devotional life, his love in you for you will sustain your health regimen, and his love in you for others will sustain your Christian service.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K07
Your Liberty in Christ Does Not Set You Free from Holy Living; It Enables It
Your liberty in Christ sets you free from obeying the law as a condition for eternal salvation, but it does not set you free from holy living. It enables it.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K10
Why Jesus Came: It Was to Show You How You Can Live with His Enablement
Christ did not come to give you an example to follow, but to show you how you can live with his enablement.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K12
The Word That "Does Not Return Void" Is Heard in Your Heart, Not Your Ears (Response to Kenneth)
Dear Kenneth: The Word of God that does not return void but accomplishes the purpose for which he sends it (Isaiah 55:11) is not the words you hear in your ears from the pulpit, but in your heart from the Holy Spirit.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K14
Starvation Diets: Putting Your Health At Risk to Lose Weight
Eating a poor diet to restrict calories in order to lose weight is not a safe substitute for including in your diet an abundance of nutritious foods that support your good health. Good nutrition is more important than perfect weight.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K17
Waiting to Win Wayward Family and Friends
Until wayward friends and family have: 1) become disillusioned with their own beliefs and lifestyle and 2) open the door to give you an opportunity for influence, they will resist and resent your attempts to teach or persuade them. You can only wait and be faithful to: 1) carefully live and confess your faith, 2) gently share your experience, and 3) fervently pray.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K03
No Work of God Will Ever Be Underfunded
God provides for his work through godly people who hear his voice, are filled with his resources, and are purely motivated to give. No work of God will ever be underfunded."God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" - 2 Corinthians 9:8.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K21
Beginning Without God's Provisions Is Impulsiveness, Not Faith
The power if faith is not to enable you to begin without God provisions, but to wait for his provisions before beginning. Impulsiveness is driven by ego and fear.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K24
Giving Thanks: The Expression of Increased Faith
Praying is the expression of your faith, even weak faith, that God exists and answers prayer (Hebrews 11:6). Thanksgiving is the expression of your increased faith that, in whatever your circumstances, God is right now accomplishing his purpose for your life (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K27
Faith Does Not Dictate to God
It is not faith, but fear and doubt, that dictates to God in prayer. He is going to do for you what is best for you, according to his redemptive purpose for your life, whether or not you understand it. The prayer of faith confesses weakness and need, asks, seeks, and knocks, but gives thanks that God is right now providing your needs according to his will. See Philippians 4:6.Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K28The Gentle Instructor: The Condemnation You Hear Is Not From GodGod will gently instruct you in the way you should go. When you do not respond, he will gently remind you why you are failing. The condemnation you hear is not from God.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3L01
Essential Rule Keeping for Success Is Impossible Without God's Enablement (Response to Gary)
Dear Gary: You are right: Obedience (rule keeping) is absolutely essential to your health and happiness, but your faithfulness to obey is possible only as God's divine nature, birthed and nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word and prayer, enables it (2 Peter 1:3). See also John 15:1-8; Galatians 5:22-23.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3L03
The Fall of Genesis 3, The Darkness of 9/11/01, and The Grace Of God
In creation, God established the laws (powers) of life and health by which the universe would operate. In The Fall (Genesis 3), darkness and death entered, and now, until Christ returns to establish his kingdom on earth, we live in a dangerous, fallen world, subject to the laws (powers) of darkness and death. It was in this darkness that so many died on September 11, 2001 during the terrorists attacks. But in the darkness, God communicates his Word, especially concerning who he is and his provisions for our salvation. The entrance of his Word into our dark hearts, and through us into a dark world, brings light and life, healing and renewal.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2I11
Prayer: Is It Hard Work?
Prayer energized by the Holy Spirit is not hard work. It may be intense and physically demanding, but you will be renewed in it.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2I12
God Being Who He Is: The Reason He Loves You
God's love for you is unconditional (Gr. agape: "to value unconditionally"). He loves you because of who he is, not because of who you are, or what you do. .Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2I23Faith to Give UpAs your faith (pistis: "conviction" produced in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word) increases that God is faithful, loving, and sovereign, the more willing you will be to give to him the responsibility for the "what, when, where, why, and how" concerning his will for your life.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2I26
Saved and Being Saved: By Grace Through Faith
There is only one way of salvation - for every aspect of it. God's way for you to go to Heaven and his way for you to become holy are the same - by grace through faith. See Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 5:10.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2J03
Christ's Blood and Resurrected Life: For Sin a Double Cure
The Blood of Christ is the only price God will accept as payment to satisfy his righteous judgment against the human race because of Adam's disobedience, and your trust in this Provision is your only hope for eternal salvation (going to Heaven). Also, the resurrected Life of Christ birthed in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word is God's Provision for your deliverance from the power and bondage of your sin nature, and your trust in this Provision is your only hope for holiness.
See Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 5:10
"Let the Water (symbolizing God's Word) and the Blood be for sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure." - Hymn
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2J07
Ministry: God's Work - Not Yours
You do not serve others through Christ; Christ serves others through you. There's a difference. He is not the vessel for your work; you are the vessel he uses for his work.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2J24
Doing What Makes You Strong To Do What Makes You Successful
The choice, really, is not to do the things that make you successful, but to do the things that make you strong for doing the things that make you successful. For example, you cannot choose to run a marathon, or a fast mile - not really - but only to begin a program of training that will build your strength and endurance to run a marathon or fast mile. Neither can you choose to be holy, but only to enter into a relationship with Christ by the Holy Spirit through his Word with the result that he will make you holy.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2J31
Sin: What It Is Not
Sin is not what you do that makes God mad, or makes you bad, but what you do that makes you sick. There's a difference.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2K18
Identifying the Subtleties of Legalism
The focus of legalism is service to God through commitment to rule-keeping and heroic self effort, motivated by the need for status, significance, and security. The focus of grace theology is service to others, enabled by relationship to God through surrender and motivated by his love (agape).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2L09
God News of Great Joy For All People
An angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds living out in the fields near Bethlehem and said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. See Luke 2:15-20.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2L25
God Is Good: The Only Score That Matters
God alone is the explanation for the enduring good in our lives. What we perceive as success, and the scores we keep to report it, may not at all represent what he is doing. Everything God does is redemptive and has eternal value. That's the only score we need to know.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 2L26
Sowing and Reaping: Making the Connection for Health and Happiness
God provided in creation every need for the healing and restoration of fallen mankind. He supplied organic seed for food and set in order the law of sowing and reaping. He also provided spiritual seed, his Word, for our spiritual healing and restoration.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3C03
Quiet Service to Others: The Goal of Grace
The goal of grace is quiet service to others, achieved through surrendered relationship to God, and motivated by his love (agape: "unconditional value") in us for others. The goal of legalism is personal success, achieved through commitment to rule-keeping and heroic performance, and driven by the need for recognition and reward.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3C10
God's Grace: The Power of Salvation and Service to Others
God provides the seed, enables the sowing and watering, and gives the increase. Salvation and service to others is by grace, not of human effort, "lest any one should boast in self" (Ephesians 2:8-9). See also 1 Corinthians 3:6; 15:10; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 13:20-21.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3C20
Winning With Christ - In Life, Suffering, or Death
To die is to be with Christ, to live is to manifest his likeness in service to others, to suffer is to experience his presence.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3C24
My Supply and the Strength of My Heart Forever: The Psalmist's Confession
"I had almost slipped. When I tried to understand, it was oppressive to me until I entered the sanctuary of God (the quiet place); then I understood. You are always with me; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with you counsel, and restore me. Whom have I in Heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my supply forever" - The Psalmist's Confession of Faith (Psalm 73).
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3C27
Made Fruitful and Effective: The Assured Results of Divine Enablement
Failure is not the absence of effort, but of enablement, "for it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13).
By his divine nature birthed and nurtured in us (the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit), he enables both the doing and the desire to do, so that we will be equipped with all good things for doing his will, abounding in every good work, and made fruitful and effective in our service to others. See 2 Corinthians 9:8; Galatians 4:19; 5:22-23; Colossians 1:27; 2 Peter 1:3-8; Hebrews 13:20,21.
"He will be like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does will prosper." - Psalm 1:3
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3C31
Support for Life and Good Health: The Power of Scripture to Save and Sustain
God's Word is not only seed to generate life, but also bread, milk, meat, and honey to sustain it. Taking time to sit quietly each morning with an open Bible for Scripture reading, meditation, and prayer is God's way for you to be renewed in your strength for every aspect of your life. See James 1:18,21; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:2.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3D03
Obedience: Loving Response to a Gentle Savior
Dictators control through fear and favor, brutality and bribes, but God relates to his children as a loving Father. Christian obedience (to care for self and others) is not bitter compliance, but loving response to a gentle Savior.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3D07
When Good Men Flourish: Moral Leadership Manifesting in Measure the Coming Righteous Reign of Christ
All human governments and leaders fail, but God has providentially in history, in his own time, and according to his own redemptive purpose, renewed nations through its leadership to manifest in measure the future righteous reign of Christ on earth. Christ's coming administration will be "as gentle and fruitful as the springtime rains upon the grass. All good men will flourish in his kingdom. He will take care of the helpless and poor when they cry to him; for they have no one else to defend them. He will feel pity for the weak and needy, and will rescue them. He will save them from oppression and from violence, for their lives are precious to him." See Psalm 72.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3D14
Rejection of Moral Leadership Rooted in Denial
Opposition to moral leadership is rooted deeper than in political issues or personalities, but in the denial of mankind's fallen human condition and need for God. The unregenerate will not embrace principles or policies that do not accommodate the darkened inclinations of their sinful hearts. John 15:18-25
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3D17
Learning About Yourself What God Already Knows
God is not testing you to discover about you information that he does not already have - to determine, for example, your loyalty to him as the basis for his acceptance or reward. God allows testings to give you an opportunity to understand your need for him, to practice trusting him, and to experience his faithfulness.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3D21
When God Speaks: How to Know If You Are Hearing from God
Truth spoken to you by the Holy Spirit through his Word will increase your faith and hope. If what you are hearing worries or discourages you and leaves you without hope, the message is not from God.
Don Loy Whisnant/The Grace Perspective 3D24
Agape: The Love That Secures Your Marriage (Response To Dear Husband)
Dear (husband): The love that secures your marriage is not your love for what your wife does for you or how she makes you feel, but the love of Christ in you for her that enables you to value her, care for her needs, and protect her. The difference is: one is natural love; the other is divine love ( agape: "to value unconditionally") nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E02
Impacting Your World: Christ in You Enabling Your Work
Greater than your need to impact the world with your life is your need to allow God to impact you by the Holy Spirit through his Word. All you do that is not enabled by who God is in you (the nine fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23), working through you, is "wood, hay, and stubble" (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) and will have no eternal value.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E05
Moving Past Your Failures: God In You Securing Your Future
God's plans for you are good, not evil. His heart for the marred vessel is not to throw it away, but to make it again another vessel according to his loving wisdom and in his own time. If God is in your future, it will be greater than your past. See Jeremiah 18:4; 29:11.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E07
Withholding Punishment from Imperfect People in a Broken World
Living as we do in a world of broken, imperfect people, we just simply cannot put everyone on notice to never offend us, or ours will be a stormy, unhappy existence. However, living above offenses is possible only as we have our own deepest spiritual and emotional needs met through relationship to Christ and are enabled by his grace to forgive (withhold punishment from) those who fail to meet our expectations. See Psalm 119:165; Isaiah 26:3.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E09
Healthy and Happy in Service to Others
First, he said he just wanted to get drunk and lie down. Later, he reported the experience was highly overrated. Then, he said he just wanted to grow in his relationship to Christ and in usefulness for service to others. Today, he is healthy and happy, a faithful servant leader to his family and church.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E19
The Need to Be First: Finding Freedom from Fear of Failure Through Faith
The need to always be right or win over others is rooted in a fear of losing. Confidence that God values you unconditionally, is passionately interested in every detail of your life, and is right now faithfully accomplishing his purpose for you will set you free from the bondage of needing to always be first.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E21
Meeting the Deepest Needs of the Human Heart: The Work of the Holy Spirit to Make You Happy
The unmet needs that will make you the unhappiest are the ones only God can meet. The deepest needs of the human heart are love, joy, and peace and are met in you only by the Holy Spirit through his Word. Your expectations of family and friends to meet the needs that only God can meet will be a burden greater than your relationship with them can bear.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E23
Transformed by Truth: Power Beyond the Textbook
It is not your textbook knowledge of what the Bible says that will empower your Christian life and service, but your experience of who God is (his divine nature) birthed and nurtured in your spirit (your inner person) by the Holy Spirit as you wait quietly before him each day with an open Bible and are surrendered to receive his influence.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E26
Transformed by Truth: The Power of Relationship
Your study of the Bible as a textbook will not make you holy any more than your study of fitness and nutrition will make you healthy. It is not your recognition and observation of information that will set you free, but your experience of who Christ is."I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." -John 14:6"You will know (Gr. 'knowledge that flows from union') the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8:32
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E28
Rules Without Relationship: The Reason for Their Rebellion
Taking time is better than talking tough. Your child's rebellion is not against the presence of rules, but the absence of relationship.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3E30
Passion for Health: The Power to Stay Focused
Value of self and a passion for health (birthed and nurtured in you only by the Holy Spirit through his Word) are the purest and most powerful motivations for staying focused on making the choices for your life that support good health.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F02
Christ in You: Your Hope for Holiness, Health, and Helping Other
The likeness of Christ (the nine fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23), birthed in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word, will nurture in you a passion for purity (God), a passion for health (self), and a passion to serve (others).
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F04
Finding Support from Within to Sustain Motivation to Continue
The fitness experts generally agree: You will not continue a fitness program long term that you do not want to do. The issue, then, is motivation. The three most common motivations for beginning and continuing a fitness program are ego, fear, and a passion for health. The ego's interest in fitness is the most superficial. Its focus is on appearance ("How do I look?"). Fear of failing health, especially during a health crisis, is a strong motivation for starting and maintaining a health program. When the crisis is over, however, this motivation often diminishes. But the deepest, most powerful and enduring motivation to sustain a fitness program long-term is a passion for good health rooted in the value of self (Gr. agape: "to value unconditionally"), one of the nine fruits of the Spirit, birthed and nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F09
The Servant Leadership Role of the Father to Facilitate the Family's Relationship to God
The primary leadership role of the father in the home is to foster his family's relationship, not to himself, but to God, who alone is the source of their joy and peace, health, and enduring happiness.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F13
Renewed in Commitment to Serving Family: How Fathers Can Celebrate Their Day
Today, we celebrate our fathers, but also celebrate God as our heavenly Father. Fathers may observe this day as a time to be renewed by the Holy Spirit in their commitment to serving family.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F15
Starving on a Full Stomach
Eating meals that do not provide your body with the nutrients it needs to support your good health is another form of starvation.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F18
Offenses - Their Forgiveness and Judgment
The judgment of others is not within the scope of individual authority; it is the purview of God and governments only. Your privilege is to forgive offenses (withhold punishment) and to surrender judgment to God.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F20
The Power of Past Set Schedule and Sequence to Support Starting Again
Setting a schedule and establishing a route or sequence for your exercise regimen will increase the consistency of your compliance by reducing the burden of deciding each day if and where to go or what to do. Also, not only will an established routine support staying on course, it will help motivate restarting after a lay off.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F23
The Blood of Jesus Does Not Flow Through Your Veins (Response to Johnny)
Dear Johnny: It is not the blood of Jesus, but your own human blood, that flows through your veins. What you may mean to say is: It is the life of Christ (the nine fruits of the Spirit birthed and nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23) that dwells in and gives life to your spirit. Human blood is to physical life what "Christ in you" is to spiritual life. As human blood sustains the health of your physical body, Christ's imparted divine nature sustains the health of your spiritual existence (Colossians 1:27; 2 Peter 1:3-4).
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F25
Senator Thurmond's Secret for Staying Fit: Three Essential Exercises to Support Long Life
Health enthusiasts are noting reports that former Senator Strom Thurmond's health regimen, along with avoiding fried foods and caffeine, included exercises to support the three essential components of fitness: flexibility, endurance, and strength. The senator, who lived to be 100, said his daily routine included "20 minutes stretching, 20 minutes calisthenics (cardiovascular), and 20 minutes strengthening exercises."
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3F30
Serving Others Without Keeping Score (Response To Bill)
Dear Bill, Your statement, "If you don't keep score, why play?" made with reference to Christian life and service, is not appropriate. If you do not have purpose significant enough for your life and service without keeping score, your objectives may be superficial and your work may be without eternal value.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G02
Set Free from Fear and Fighting Through Faith in God's Unfailing Care for You
Surrendering to God the responsibility for the outcome of every aspect of your life, and trusting him that he is right now accomplishing his redemptive purpose for you, will set you free from your anxious concerns and restore you to peace and joy. See Isaiah 26:3-4.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G04
The Strength to Sustain: Building Endurance Through Exercise
Stamina is not perpetual; it will not maintain itself. Endurance is like a leaky bucket; it must be renewed regularly or, in time, it will diminish. This means you cannot continue doing what you do now with the same endurance unless you regularly do something else more demanding. For example, you can build your endurance to sustain long walks by increasing your speed on your short walks.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G07
Celebrating God's Grace Provision of Christ (Response to Hank)
Dear Hank: There are no great Christians, only a great Savior. We are only tools God has chosen to use. Also, the Judgment Seat of Christ (the ""Bema"") will not be a celebration of our achievements, but of God's provision of Christ to enable his redemptive work.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G09
Christ in You: Your Only Sure Hope for a Happy Home
The bonding strength of your marriage will not be your commitment to honor your vows, or your determination to not fail the expectations of your friends and family. Your only sure hope for a successful marriage is Christ living his life in and through you by the Holy Spirit through his Word. If you are not giving opportunity daily for the Holy Spirit to nurture in you the likeness of Christ through his Word, the happiness and success of your home is at risk.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G11
Making The Choices That Maximize Your Health
Poor health is not punishment from God, nor is good health a reward. With few exceptions, your health is the result of the lifestyle and diet choices you make based on the fitness and nutrition principles God has established in creation to support your well-being.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G14
Trusting God's Timing to Sustain His Work: The Will of God for Your Service to Wait
The door of opportunity may seem opened, your heart may be burdened, and the need for ministry clear and pressing, but if God's provisions to sustain you in the work are not on hand, you can trust that, although the work may be God's will for your life, it is not his timing, and you should wait.
"God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" - 2 Corinthians 9:8. See also Acts 1:7-8; Psalm 31:15.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G16
Finding Strength for Adversity Through Faith to Surrender
Your reaction to every offense and attempt to correct every adverse person and circumstance will put your health and home at risk. Your only sure hope for happiness is faith (nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word) to trust in the Lord always and to surrender your well-being to his care. God will keep in perfect peace those who trust in his everlasting strength because their mind is stayed on him. See Isaiah 26:3-4.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G18
There Are No "Champions for Christ" (Response To Friend)
There are no great Christians - only Christians who are greatly used by God. There are no "champions for Christ" - only a great Redeemer and Champion of our salvation. There's a difference.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G23
Enabled by Grace to Trust God's Care
Trusting God for every need is not the predisposition of your fallen human nature, and is possible only as it is enabled by faith, birthed and nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word, as you sit quietly before him each day with an open Bible for Scripture reading, confession of need, prayer, and worship.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G28
Your Weight: An Incidental Index to Help Monitor Your Health
Good health, not weight or size, should be the goal of your health regimen. A weight loss program driven by a desire for a certain look is superficially motivated, and will not sustain your efforts long-term. Worse, you may be tempted to compromise guidelines for safety, putting your overall health at risk (taking harmful diet pills or not eating, for example). The numbers serve only as an index to measure your health.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3G30
Living Free from The Bondage of Being Overly Concerned About Compliments and Criticisms
The compliments others give you may or may not be sincere, but they will not overly interest you when your focus is not on what others can do for you, but on what you can do for them - on their health and happiness. Also, you can live free from the bondage of being overly concerned about what others think of you by giving the compliments you receive, the same as you do the criticisms, to God.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H01
Denial of Need Rooted in Doubt: Growing in Confidence Concerning God's Power to Enable
You deny the reality of your dark side because it is too painful for us to admit a problem that we do not have a solution for. But you will be less reluctant to confess the depths of your depravity as you grow in your confidence concerning God's power to enable our righteousness.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H06
Building Hope Through Encouragement: The Jump Start to Recovery
Condemning the failures of others will not help jump start their recovery. But their confidence of your commitment to their health and happiness will.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H08
Conformed to Christ's Image to Reflect His Likeness (Response to Carlyle)
Dear Carlyle: You cannot conform to the image of Christ. Your only hope to be like Christ is to be conformed to his image by the Holy Spirit, from strength to strength, beginning deep within your heart, as you take time daily to behold him. The difference is: one is self-effort, the other is a work of grace. See 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H11
Establishing Early in the Morning the Eternal Value of Your Day
If you will respond to God's call early in the morning to sit quietly before him with an opened Bible, he will enable you throughout the day to meet the divine appointments that support your good health and success.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H13
Filled With Who Jesus Is: The Enablement to Do What Jesus Would Do
You will not be able to do what Jesus would do until you are filled with who Jesus is. What Jesus would have you to do is to stop trying to do what he would do without his enablement.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H20
Spending Money to Kill the Pain for Being Broke
What you are doing to kill the pain for being unhappy may be depriving you of the resources you need (including time, money, and energy) to do the things that will support your recovery.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H22
Why Legalists Shoot Their Wounded
You are useful to legalists only as long as you are productive to serve their ambitious goals. But it is not the heart of God to throw out the broken vessel; rather, he restores it to health and to usefulness in service to others.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H25
Freed From the Pain of Asking for Help
As you grow in confidence that Christ alone is the explanation for your success, you will be less reluctant to confess your weakness and need for his divine enablement. It is too painful to admit a need that you do not have a solution for.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H27
Dear (Husband): Your Wife Is Not the Source of Your Strength
Your wife and children are not in the home to support the success of your ambitions and dreams; instead, God has placed you in the home to support their success and well-being. The source of your strength is Christ by the Holy Spirit through his Word. John 15:1-8; Ephesians 5:21-31.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3H29
Resting From the Work That Wears You Out: Celebrating Labor Day
It is not stress that kills, but strain. Stress is weight and essential to health; strain, however, is weight greater than your strength to bear it and will wear you out. It is not from the weight of your work that Jesus promises rest, but from the weariness of your working without his enablement. See Matthew 11:28-30.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I01
Dear (Husband): You Are Not the Authority in Your Home Over Your Wife
Dear (husband): You are not the authority in your home over your wife. You can only influence her as she gives you opportunity. God's grace sets her free to respond to you as you persuade and encourage, not as you dictate.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I05
Christ in You: Your Only Real Hope for Holiness
Your only real hope for holiness is not your disciplined commitment to follow the rules, but the light of Christ in you to dispel the darkness. See Colossians 1:27.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I08
Renewal, Not Commitment: The Essential Support for Good Health and Success
Poor health is not the absence of drugs or surgery, but of the essential nutrients that support good health. Also, failure in Christian living and service is not the absence of commitment to your best self efforts, but of daily renewal by the Holy Spirit through his Word to enable your Christlikeness.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I10
Your Happiness Is Not the Responsibility of Your Children
Teaching your children to obey you because "it makes mom and dad happy" sets them on a performance-based, guilt-driven course of religious rule-keeping in their relationship to God to win his approval. The only appropriate motivation for your child's compliance to your rules, or to God's, is their own health and happiness. They are in your home to be supported and nurtured, not to serve your needs. Neither your happiness nor God's is the responsibility of your children.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I12
How Much Time Is Left? It Doesn't Matter (Response To Ray
Dear Ray: Trying to live each day as if it were your last is rooted in fear. As you take time daily to be renewed in your relationship to Christ by the Holy Spirit through his Word, he will increase you in your faith to trust that he is every day faithfully accomplishing his sovereign purpose for your usefulness in service to others, according to his will, whether it is your last day in this life, or the first of many more.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I17
Born To Use: The Default Disposition of Human Nature
Using people to satisfy your needs is the default disposition of your fallen human nature; you were born that way. Your only real hope for enablement to care about the needs of others is to be transformed by God's love (Gr. agape: "to value unconditionally") nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I19
Assured Christlikeness: The Outworking of Working Out Under the Weight of a Fallen, Adverse World
We rejoice in our experience of adversity because we know that the training effect of working out under the weight of a fallen, adverse world is increased stamina (Christlikeness) in service to others, which is assured because God has poured out his life into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. - See Romans 5:3-5; Philippians 2:12-13; James 1:2-4; 2 Peter 1:3.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I22
Dying to Save the World: Giving Up Your Health to Help Others Is Not God's Work
The work God gives you to do may require you to die to your carnal desires and ambitions, but it will not take you away from doing the things you must do to be strong. If what you are doing to be successful in your service to others interferes with your time to nurture your relationship to Christ and to your family, and to maintain your good health, what you are doing may be carnally motivated (ego, guilt, or fear).
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I24
Substituting Emotional Energy for God's Enablement
Stimulant energy (energy that is superficially stimulated by caffeine and ephedra, for example) borrows from tomorrow's health and is not a safe substitute for natural energy (energy supported by good nutrition, exercise, and proper rest). Also, Christian service that is driven by emotional energy (ego, guilt, and fear, for example) is not an enduring substitute for divine enablement (the nine fruits of the Spirit). Jesus said
"Without me (who I am in you), you can do nothing (of eternal value)." See John 15:1-8; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:3.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3I26
Without Grace-Enabled Faith, Trusting and Obedience Are Impossible
Faith (Gr. pistis: "conviction") is not what you do, but what you HAVE; it is supernaturally produced in you) by the Holy Spirit through his Word (Romans 10:17; Galatians 5:22-23). Trusting (or believing) is what you DO because you have faith. And obeying is what you do because you have faith to trust. Without God's Word to sustain your faith, it will be impossible for you to trust and obey him, and your Christian life and service will be unfruitful. See Hebrews 11:6.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J01
Hope Rooted in Faith: The Basis of Rejoicing
Deep conviction (Gr. pistis: "faith" ) concerning God's unconditional love for you, his passionate interest in every detail of your life, and his unfailing commitment to accomplish his purpose for you, is the basis of your hope (Gr. elpis: "confident expectation"). Hope that is not rooted in faith (Hebrews 11:1) is not Bible hope, but wishing, and will result in disappointment. Also, hope is the basis for rejoicing (Romans 5:2).
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J03
Grace Leadership: Serving to Guide and Support Growth in the Home and Church
Grace leadership in the church, home, or classroom guides and supports the renewal and growth of those it serves, especially in their relationship to Christ. It does not criticize or condemn. Neither does it intimidate, manipulate, or control, but gently instructs, and is kind and patient.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J06
Exposing Authoritarian Leadership: Egomaniacs Using You to Support Their Success
Grace leadership will be faithful at every turn to help guide and support your success, and first to stand with you when you stumble or fall. Authoritarian leadership cares about your support for their success, and may cut you off if you fail.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J10
Reading in The Dark, Missing What God Wants You to Know
You can trust, as you sit quietly and patiently before God each day with an open Bible, that the Holy Spirit will reveal to you in his own timing exactly what he wants you to know concerning his Word. Your striving to intellectually "figure it out" will hinder his work. Until the Holy Spirit turns on the light, you can not understand truth. It is in the darkness of human understanding that false doctrines are born. 1 John 2:27; John 14:17,26; 15:26; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16; Psalm 119:105,130.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J13
"Who You Are in Christ" - Your Hope of Heaven; "Who Christ Is in You" - Your Hope of Holiness"
Who you are in Christ" makes eternally secure your redemption from the penalty of sin, and is your hope of Heaven. "Who Christ is in you" sets you free from the power of sin, and is your hope of holiness (Christlikeness). See Romans 5:3-4; Colossians 1:27.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J15
Christ Has No Desire to Control Your Life (Response to Ralph)
Dear Ralph: Christ has no desire to control your life, but only to set you free from the penalty of your sin and from the control of your sinful nature.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J17
Religious Performance: A Form of Godliness Driven by Carnal Energy
"Christ in you" (manifested as the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23) quietly enables and sustains your life so that your service in the home, church, and community will not be a formality of religious performance driven by carnal energy. See 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J20
Rising Above Hurts Through Increased Faith in God's Heart
The more you are increased in your faith (Gr. pistis: "conviction") that God's heart is passionately interested in every detail of your life and that his commitment to you is unfailing to accomplish his purpose for you, the less you will be discouraged by what you perceive to be hindrances, or hurtful and unfair.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J22
The Hardest Day to Exercise Is the Day After You Don't
It is easier to exercise six days a week than it is two. That's because the hardest day to exercise is the day after you don't. Also, consistency is more important than intensity. Infrequent, intense exercise will increase your risk of injury.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J24
Quiet Time: The Most Resisted Discipline
Taking time at the beginning of each day to sit quietly before God with an open Bible for Scripture reading and prayer is the discipline most resisted by your carnal nature. Also, the most resisted surrender is giving to God the responsibility for adding to your life only what he wants you to have.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J27
When Is Punishment Appropriate in The Home? Never!
Punishment is never appropriate in the home, or the church, for two reasons: 1) The home, like the church (the body of Christ), is a living organism; it must be nurtured and disciplined. As you would not punish a broken arm, for example, but nurture it back to health, individuals in the church or home who are broken by failure need to be nurtured back to health, not punished. Also, 2) Jesus paid in full with his life the penalty for every sin; no penalty remains. He did not come to punish, but to rescue, renew, and restore. See Romans 8:1; Ephesians 5:28,31.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J29
Service to Others Purely Motivated by "Who Christ Is" in You
Only by the likeness of Christ (the nine fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23)), nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word and prayer, can you focus on others and be purely motivated in your service to meet their needs. Your fallen human nature is motivated to service by its need for recognition and reward.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3J31
The Power of Schedule to Restart Movement and Rebuild Momentum
You will more consistently do (and more easily restart after a lay off) what you have firmly scheduled.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K03
Giving Motivated by Guilt and Fear Is Performance-Based (Response to Paul)
Dear Paul: Giving to win God's approval and favor, or to "pay him back for all he has done for you," is religious rule keeping motivated by fear and guilt. Grace giving is motivated by God's love in your heart for others.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K05
Your Greatest Need Is Not for Discipline, but Motivation (Response to J.)
Dear J: Your greatest need is not for increased self discipline, but for deeper motivation. Motivation supports discipline. You will do more consistently what you have deepest motivation to do. Your motivations may be superficial. Three superficial motivations are: ego ("What do others think?"), fear ("I am in trouble"), and guilt ("I don't do enough"). But the most powerful and enduring motivation to sustain you is "who Christ is" in you (the nine fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23) birthed and nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word and prayer. For example, Christ's love in you (Gr. agape: "to value unconditionally") for the Father will sustain your devotional life, his love in you for you will sustain your health regimen, and his love in you for others will sustain your Christian service.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K07
Your Liberty in Christ Does Not Set You Free from Holy Living; It Enables It
Your liberty in Christ sets you free from obeying the law as a condition for eternal salvation, but it does not set you free from holy living. It enables it.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K10
Why Jesus Came: It Was to Show You How You Can Live with His Enablement
Christ did not come to give you an example to follow, but to show you how you can live with his enablement.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K12
The Word That "Does Not Return Void" Is Heard in Your Heart, Not Your Ears (Response to Kenneth)
Dear Kenneth: The Word of God that does not return void but accomplishes the purpose for which he sends it (Isaiah 55:11) is not the words you hear in your ears from the pulpit, but in your heart from the Holy Spirit.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K14
Starvation Diets: Putting Your Health At Risk to Lose Weight
Eating a poor diet to restrict calories in order to lose weight is not a safe substitute for including in your diet an abundance of nutritious foods that support your good health. Good nutrition is more important than perfect weight.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K17
Waiting to Win Wayward Family and Friends
Until wayward friends and family have: 1) become disillusioned with their own beliefs and lifestyle and 2) open the door to give you an opportunity for influence, they will resist and resent your attempts to teach or persuade them. You can only wait and be faithful to: 1) carefully live and confess your faith, 2) gently share your experience, and 3) fervently pray.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K03
No Work of God Will Ever Be Underfunded
God provides for his work through godly people who hear his voice, are filled with his resources, and are purely motivated to give. No work of God will ever be underfunded."God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" - 2 Corinthians 9:8.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K21
Beginning Without God's Provisions Is Impulsiveness, Not Faith
The power if faith is not to enable you to begin without God provisions, but to wait for his provisions before beginning. Impulsiveness is driven by ego and fear.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K24
Giving Thanks: The Expression of Increased Faith
Praying is the expression of your faith, even weak faith, that God exists and answers prayer (Hebrews 11:6). Thanksgiving is the expression of your increased faith that, in whatever your circumstances, God is right now accomplishing his purpose for your life (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K27
Faith Does Not Dictate to God
It is not faith, but fear and doubt, that dictates to God in prayer. He is going to do for you what is best for you, according to his redemptive purpose for your life, whether or not you understand it. The prayer of faith confesses weakness and need, asks, seeks, and knocks, but gives thanks that God is right now providing your needs according to his will. See Philippians 4:6.Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3K28The Gentle Instructor: The Condemnation You Hear Is Not From GodGod will gently instruct you in the way you should go. When you do not respond, he will gently remind you why you are failing. The condemnation you hear is not from God.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3L01
Essential Rule Keeping for Success Is Impossible Without God's Enablement (Response to Gary)
Dear Gary: You are right: Obedience (rule keeping) is absolutely essential to your health and happiness, but your faithfulness to obey is possible only as God's divine nature, birthed and nurtured in you by the Holy Spirit through his Word and prayer, enables it (2 Peter 1:3). See also John 15:1-8; Galatians 5:22-23.
Don Loy Whisnant/A Grace Perspective on Fitness, Faith, and Family 3L03
