Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change (Resources for Changing Lives)

This is a good book for people who want to counsel others or for those who are looking for some answers for some of life's troubles. I wrote a critique on this book and if amazon will let me i will post it below: This is a critique concerning Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul Tripp published by P&R publishing company in 2002. This book is part of a series titled Resources for Changing Lives published in cooperation with The Christian Counseling and Education Foundation. Tripp does an excellent job presenting the biblical reason for many life problems Christians face and the biblical solution to those problems. I found this work to be highly edifying and encouraging. The root of the problem is sin. Christians sin because they are rebellious at heart but God offers another way. God can use anyone and every member of the body of Christ has a purpose. The Christian’s initial purpose is to bring the word of God to others. The problem here is that many Christians do not know how to use the Bible in their own lives and fall short as a result. The root of the problem is the heart of the individual. Every human at heart is a worshiper; some worship sin while others worship God. Those who worship God will deal with conflict. This conflict can come from family, co-workers, themselves, or any number of other things. However, God calls us to walk in him and trust in him to get us through these conflicts. He also calls us to be ambassadors to represent the message, methods, and character of the King. Tripp presents a four part solution to life problems titled “love, know, speak, and do.” This is not a four-step process; rather, “they are simply four important elements of biblical ministry” Tripp continues by setting the foundation of personal ministry in love. Counselors are to help people with the love that Christ shows the church. Many counselees will face fears and anxieties about their problems and counselors must help them face those fears as opposed to just spouting scripture at them. The counselor must let the counselee know three major things: the counselor has heard his/her struggle, God is there and understands his/her struggle, and the counselor will stand with the counselee and support them biblically. These things will build horizontal trust, vertical hope, and commitment to the process. Suffering will happen but it has a purpose. Counselors can tell personal stories to build a bridge between their past suffering and the suffering of the counselee. The counselor must not assume anything but rather, they should ask questions. All questions asked should be open-ended questions that provoke more than a simple yes or no answer. Confrontations are necessary and they require love not condemnation. Counselors must not be afraid of confrontation. Confrontation serves a biblical purpose such as when Nathan confronted David and told him a parable that allowed David to see the error of his ways. Counselors must be like Nathan in that they must allow the confronted party the right to condemn themselves and repent of their sins. Tripp follows with a poignant point; the counselor must not become a mini messiah by confusing his or her own personal agenda with God’s agenda. Then, he concludes with the importance of accountability. Accountability provides structure, guidance, assistance, encouragement, and warning. Tripp points out some biblical truths that were particularly edifying for me such as, “Sin is fundamentally idolatrous. I do wrong things because my heart desires something more than the Lord.” As a Christian, we do not often think in this manner but it is true. He follows shortly with “At its core, sin is moral thievery. It steals the worship that rightly belongs to God and gives it to someone or something else.” In addition, “Every human being is a worshiper, in active pursuit of the thing that rules his heart.” These statements concerning the nature of sin caused me to look at sin in a different manner. I gained a more thorough understanding of the problem of sin and how every Christian is susceptible to the problems it causes. Another enlightening passage is found in Tripp’s section on confrontation: “Failure to make loving rebuke part of our relationships gives the Devil a huge opportunity.” Here Tripp stresses the importance of love and the biblical preparation a counselor must undertake to achieve this love in any situation. This is a highly edifying and encouraging presentation of the biblical reason for many life problems Christians face and the biblical solution to those problems. This book will serve as a tool that I will use on a regular basis. With the helpful appendixes and homework suggestions, that the publisher gives the counselor the right to reproduce and distribute freely, I will find many uses for this book in the future.

Such a great read!!! Honestly, this is my favorite book. I love the way he breaks down things, so easy to understand. It gives so much understanding that can help you have grace with yourself and how to extend it to others so that you can actually reach them and maybe help them with real life struggles. This is how we do life together. I was reading this as I was learning about the gospel, it helped me with having real heart change. I gifted this to a friend when I felt she could really use it in her life as well. She put off reading it for awhile. I kept gently reminding her to read it. When she finally did, she was thrilled she had. I got the, "Oh man!!! Now I see why you kept pushing for me to read it. It's so good and I needed it. I wished I had read it sooner." Great book for yourself and to share with others. ❤️

As a youth pastor, I rarely write book reviews, not because I do not have an opinion but because I seldom have the time, and I'm moving on to the next book quickly. Most often I may share with a friend or two what I appreciate about the book, or what I've learned, but that's it. "Instruments in the Redeemer's hands" is a book that I haven't shut up about, and don't plan to do so. This book has changed the way I do personal ministry (something I thought I had down pretty well), and is one that I will revisit for years to come. Paul describes this book as "a call to live a daily ministry lifestyle rooted in God's Word. (He has) laid out a whole Bible, whole life, whole body lifestyle. This lifestyle doesn't look to the Bible as an encyclopedia for problem solving, but finds in God's great story a perspective that transforms the way we deal with the circumstances of life." (Pg. 271) By providing both an aerial view concept of how personal ministry and counseling work, as well as an, "on the ground," practical, helpful method with techniques derived from Scripture, Paul builds both a foundation and a framework for walking with others towards personal Holiness. He constantly reminds us that what we really need to address is the heart, which only God can ultimately change, which He does (praise God!) as we hold out the mirror of the Word of God for others to see. But we must also realize that our own hearts are constantly being fought for, as well, and that we do not come to others as someone who's "already made it," but alongside a brother or sister as someone who is walking this journey with them, and who wants to love and help. Through the Grace of God, he will use us to sharpen one another and build the body up, for the Glory of God. Using both real-life scenarios and conceptual building blocks, he builds an excitement about what God can do, and makes you want to start ministering to others. I can't recommend this book highly enough, and started purchasing copies for others before I had finished reading it myself. While this may not be the final or ultimate book on Biblical counseling, I don't believe that book exists yet (except for Scripture), and I don't think any library of books on the subject would be complete without this one. The information and ideas contained here are priceless, and while it will take a lifetime to master, it can be started tomorrow. Excellent book - I'd give it more stars if I could :) It's not a "quick read," but do yourself (and those around you) a favor and pick up a copy, you won't regret it!

The evangelical Christian community who believes the Bible is sufficient for all life needs to read and believe the message of this book again and again and again and again! We are indeed people in need of change, helping people in need of change. The church has bought the following lies from the world: 1) The Bible is not sufficient to handle all our "problems". 2) we must "farm people out" to "experts" 3) we can only hope for the best the world has offer in "behavior management". The truth: The Bible is sufficient, it is more than sufficient. We are each equipped to counsel or comprehensively disciple (as I like to call it). If you read the Scriptures and take them seriously, then you are equipped. A bit of reading and training will show you what you already know to come alongside another sinner and help them not just "survive" but THRIVE in their lives, despite anything that is happening to them (or happened to them). The Bible promises genuine heart change: if the Gospel saves, it also sanctifies, but the Million Dollar question is HOW? I know so many Christians, myself included, who have been beset by so many sins and the sins seem to strangle the life out of us. BUT I don't know what I don't know. You don't know what you don't know. Read this book and begin the journey to see that discipleship is an "everyone - all of the time" activity", not reserved for the specially trained and highly exalted "professional". We are each called to this, our ugly sin included. That is precisely what makes our discipleship stand apart from the world. It is sinners reaching out to other sinners both in need of change, and Paul Tripp's book makes the case eloquently and fervently. The church should be the epicenter for all christian soul care. It is sadly not (overall). Even in churches where the sufficiency of Scripture is not an issue, the "referral mentality" is still firmly ensconced: "send that hot mess over to the Pastor" we say to ourselves, "I cannot help him or her"... Paul Tripp explains why this is simply not true. Excellent read if you were ever wondering how to begin to see your church and everyone in it part of this "everybody - all of the time" ministry. Prepare to be encouraged.

This book came to my rescue as I began a difficult counseling situation. Paul David Tripp powerfully unfolds biblical principles for how "people in need of change" (like me) can help "people in need of change" (others). This gospel-centered book begins by describing "the best of news" which gives us "a reason to get up in the morning." This news "is not freedom from hardship, suffering and loss. It is the news of a Redeemer who has come to rescue me from MYSELF" (p. 16). It is the news of a God who deals with sin and its paralyzing effects in our lives. Tripp then discusses how "God transforms people's lives as people bring his Word to others" (p. 19). We are tools in the Master's hands, and His desire is to use us to speak the truth in love to others, so as to further His transforming work in their lives. This only happens as His Word is seen as more than an encyclopedia of answers to our problems, but as "a narrative, a story of redemption, [with] its chief character . . . Jesus Christ" (p. 27). The sovereignty, grace, and glory of God are seen as the "rebar" running through the pages of Scripture, the themes which give strength and meaning to its message - and to our lives, if we will align ourselves with it. Central to the development of this book is the conviction that "human beings by their very nature are WORSHIPERS" (p. 44). This defines who we are. The question is whether we worship God or idols. In fact, "stolen worship is at the core of what is wrong with fallen human beings" (p. 45). All of our personal troubles and trials spring out of this "worship disorder." Stress and burnout, depression and anger, breakdowns in relationships, and the disintegeration of family are all fruits springing from this one root: a heart that does not worship God. Therefore, the heart is the target in all personal ministry to others. Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, came to redeem and transform human hearts. And following His model, we are called to bring His redemptive word to others. This involves four basic steps: love, know, speak, do. These steps are unfolded in extremely practical ways with lots of personal stories and illustrations. Tripp trains us how to love people the way Jesus does, how to gather information about their lives so as to understand their hearts; and how to speak the truth in love to them so that they can change in in both heart and life to the glory of God. This is an excellent book which I highly recommend, especially to pastors and counselors.

Wonderfully packaged and timely arrival! Another "5 stars" for customer satisfaction, Amazon!

Every bit of good news must stem from a bad state or situation. News cannot be good if it is not relative to a state that is not good, or at the least, not as good. Humans strive and seek for better marriage, more money, greater happiness; all of these seekings, then, are for improvements in an initial condition. Tripp implicitly acknowledges this when he begins his treatment of the redemptive work in and through humans with an extended discussion of sin. The gospel saves and redeems people. That is the Christian message. And the gospel is, by its nature and definition, "good news." If good news requires a relatively worse initial state, though, what is the gospel saving from? Most Christians would point out their personal problems: abusive pasts, issues with anger, chemical imbalances, or consistently hurtful relationships. Tripp digs much deeper, though, and identifies one single common problem that all mankind faces: sin. Before the gospel can be effective good news, the bad news must be acknowledged: sin is present in all humans. Tripp goes further, though. "Scripture [defines] sin as a condition that results in behavior" (10). Using this definition, there is no ability to shuttle sin into a corner of a particular area of life. Sin cannot be seen as "bad choices" or "trouble with the past." Instead, sin is rightly pictured as an all-pervasive, all encompassing disease that affects all behavior. Tripp puts it this way: "Because sin is my nature as a human being, it is inescapable" (10). This is the bad news that must be accepted and recognized before the gospel can be seen as good news. So what is the good news? It must come to us from an external source. "Humans need truth from outside themselves to make sense out of life" (45). This is a monumental statement from Tripp, bearing both spiritual and philosophical ramifications. If humans cannot define truth, then all of life is a decision-making process of the most important degree: who defines truth? There are numerous sources that would claim to provide truth: the news, religions, a pantheon of gods, spiritual beings, fellow humans, even espn.com and the iPhone. If truth must be received from outside of oneself, then the decision to listen to one source over another, or to amalgamate various sources, is the decision to believe one truth--or version of truth--over another. This can all seem a bit philosophical and heady; theoretical, and best for writing but perhaps for not living. However, there is a practical and essential component of living wrapped up in these realizations. If humans must decide on a particular set of truths to truth, and then choose an interpreter for those truths, then man is deeply dependent upon the claimant and interpreter they choose. The Christian--choosing God for both truth-giver and truth-interpreter--is often inconsistent, believing God for some truths but rejecting him for many others. The pagan--choosing some other religion, and ultimately himself as at least truth-interpreter--must be shown the contradictions in their own beliefs. This all must occur before a particular relationship or need can be addressed. Truth must be determined before lives can be changed.

A much needed read for personal ministry in life, "Personal ministry brings the monsoon of God's Word to the parched terrain of the heart." (23) We live in a "therapeutic world" world as David wells would say. This book explodes that kind of cultural thinking of our day, "Sin is the ultimate disease, the grand psychosis." (12) This book deals with sin and it gets deep into the heart, "Sin makes us glory thieves ... it is an intensely vertical war, a fight for divine glory, a plot to take the very position of God ... Sin has made us glory robbers. We do not suffer well, because suffering interferes with our glory." (35) Pages 66-73 on idolatry and pages 78-81 on desires are worth the price of the book and I have read these parts over many times with great benefit. Again this book is about our ministering to others which is something all Christians are called to do and Tripp is someone who speaks on this topic so well always reminding us that this is the purpose of his book, "Personal ministry must offer people truth that destroys their old ways of thinking about themselves, relationships, circumstances, suffering, and God. The foolish things people do are rooted in a worldview riddled with foolishness. Our problem is not just wrong behaviour and its results, but the thoughts that produced it. ... In confronting people with truth, we confront them with Christ. This is quite radical, for it says that truth, in its most basic form, is not a system, a theology, or a philosophy. It is a Person whose name is Jesus. ... Personal ministry weaves the threads of grace and truth through every part of a person's life. In that it is truly incarnation, because grace and truth will always lead people to Christ." (100-101) Chapters 7 and following are practical ways on how to minister to others and are broken down into 4 categories: Love, Know, Speak, Do. These chapters deal with how to build strong relationships with people in order to cultivate a healthy/safe environment for ministering to their hearts. We are to cultivate the love of Christ by identifying with suffering and getting involved in people's lives. Throughout the book and even in the appendixes Tripp gives penetrating insight into the human heart and offers much wisdom on how to help people (including yourself) deal with sin in an effective manner. Peace.