Heritage Christian Counseling Ministries

Heritage Christian Counseling Ministries Tom Russell grew to know and love the Lord at an early age. In high school he began to date the young lady that he would eventually marry.

His early marriage consisted of both of him and his wife going to Ohio State University, but after an unsuccessful experience, he quit and worked to help his wife finish. After she graduated she encouraged him to try schooling one more time. All it took was her emphasizing to him that she believed in him, and he was back at school. He graduated after completing eleven straight quarters with a degr

ee in elementary education. During his years as a teacher their three biological children were born, and they got full custody of their then, foster son. Throughout his teaching career he thoroughly enjoyed the teaching aspect and making a significant difference in young people's lives, but he always felt there was more that God had in store for him. It was also during this time that he had an incredible passion to help marriages. Because of that passion, he became involved in his church's marriage retreats. There were also times when he would be sitting at his desk after school grading papers and a fellow teacher would walk in and want to talk about their marriage. It was experiences like those that made him think that God had another plan for his life. Finally, after much prayer and wisdom from those he trusted most in life, he resigned from teaching and enrolled at Ashland Theological Seminary to pursue a degree in pastoral counseling. It was during this time that the Lord helped him start the origins of Heritage Christian Counseling Ministries. Tom would work at his job forty hours a week, attend seminary full-time, and still spend about ten hours a week building Heritage. After graduating from seminary in 1997, Heritage became a full time ministry. In 1998, Heritage became a Prepare/Enrich ministry and in 1999, it became a member of The American Association of Christian Counselors, and It has been on a steady growth pattern since.

08/17/2025

Devotionals for Daily Living

Our Advocate

We should be so thankful that we have the Holy Spirit in our lives as our advocate. John 14:26 says, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

What a securing thought to think that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. He will remind us of everything that is important for us. It means that the Holy Spirit will speak to us as that still soft voice inside of us sharing what is God’s will for us. It is so important that we listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying deep within us.

But what happens when we grieve the Holy Spirit? Paul writes about it in Ephesians 4:29-31, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

If we grieve the Holy Spirit it is more difficult to hear Him, because what we hear instead of the Holy Spirit are angry or sinful thoughts that become very counterproductive. These sinful thoughts can cause us to miss out on what the Holy Spirit may be saying to us.

It becomes very important then to make sure if there is any anger or sin in our life that we confess it. Next it is very important to ask the Holy Spirit to fill us afresh and anew again.

Action Point
Can you hear that still soft voice inside? If not, you may have grieved the Holy Spirit. It will be very important to turn back to Him and confess any sin that keeps you from a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit.
(Tom Russell)

08/16/2025

Devotionals for Daily Living

Teachability

One significant reason we don’t grow closer to the Lord is our inability to be teachable. We are not always successful for a variety of reasons, but one big reason is because we don’t take enough time in God’s word. We let other things get in the way. We put it off. We get caught up in the day and never quite get around to it.

To become teachable we must humble ourselves before the Lord. James 4:10 teaches this, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” It is our willingness to be humble that God uses to empower us to do more for the kingdom. He wants us to seek Him, so the door to growth in Jesus will be opened to us.

In Psalm 119:34 the Psalmist cries out before God, “Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.”

The teaching in Mark 4:25 is critically important, “For whoever has a teachable heart, to him more understanding will be given; and whoever does not have a yearning for truth, even what he has will be taken away from him.” It shows how important a teachable heart is.

Action Point
It is important that we take time to reflect on how teachable we are. It is also important to prayerfully look at how pride may play a part in our teachability .
(Tom Russell)

08/15/2025

Devotionals for Daily Living

The Power of the Resurrection in your Life

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is more than just a historical happening. It is a source of power for us to experience in our own lives on a daily basis.

The same resurrection power that brought Jesus from death to life is available to us, and if we tap into it, we will see an amazing transformation in our own life, too.

The power of the resurrection life is more than a ticket to heaven. Each and every day we should be regularly living in victory over sin and death. We should make use of that God-given power to help us overcome sin right now, and every day we’re alive. We should regularly confess our sins, repent of them, and embrace the forgiveness and grace God offers us to keep growing.

Instead of managing the relationship with Jesus through any type of ritual, believing right doctrine or doing good deeds, realize that even though those things are valuable they don’t produce hope.
What is hopeful is having a dynamic relationship with Jesus. As we live for him it is important to count on His resurrection power at work in our life. It is important that we realize that rather than operating on our own strength we ask the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us. When we do we will experience fulfillment of all God’s purposes for us.

Action Point
Ask the Holy Spirit to cleanse you and empower you to function in life, fulfilling God‘s plan.
(Tom Russell)

08/14/2025

A Proverbs Look at The Words People Say

The scriptures state that what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart and that can defile a person. Stated differently, our words show the condition of our hearts. Our words either bring blessings or heartache.

The impact of evil words is very destructive. Proverbs 11:9 says, “Evil words destroy one’s friends; wise discernment rescues the godly.”

The book of Proverbs also speaks to how the words that come out of a person’s mouth can make them look foolish and be belittling. Proverbs 11:12 states, “It is foolish to belittle a neighbor; a person with good sense remains silent.”

The words that a person says can also be a great guide. Proverbs 15:1 teaches us, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but hard words stir up anger.” Because of the power of the Holy Spirit in us we have power to be gentle. It makes it possible that people can be blessed by our gentle response. What is also important is that the gentle response reflects the presence of Jesus in the person’s response, thus bringing people closer to Him.

It is also interesting that gentle words bring health benefits and richer life. We read in Proverbs 15:4, “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”

Action Point
It is important that we take inventory of our hearts and take the necessary steps to bring life and health with our words.
(Tom Russell)

08/13/2025

Devotionals for Daily Living

The Pain of Past Hurts

One of the more difficult things to have to cope with in life is the hurt from past offenses. This can be very difficult to do. Because it can create pain, people tend to ignore it, rationalize it or minimize it. The problem is it doesn’t go away.

In order to fuel the healing process, it is very important that we trust God rather than our own decision making. That is an example of relying on our own understanding.
It is important that we allow Jesus to control us rather than our thoughts controlling us. Proverbs 3:5 encourages us with, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

The Psalms are also reassuring. Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

After trusting Jesus for His help it is important that we give our hurt to Him. This has never been considered to be easy. Writing Jesus or the offender a letter expressing the pain you are feeling will help relieve the hurt.

CS Lewis said, “Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.”

Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30 are helpful and reassuring, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”

Action Point
“Let God have your life; He can do more with it than you can.” Dwight L. Moody
(Tom Russell)

08/11/2025

Devotionals For Daily Living

Psalm 51, An Important Message

One of the benefits of the body of Christ is that often we hear a word from the Lord that impacts someone else. This devotional is a word to those who need to hear it.

In the broken world that we live in there are times when sin happens. It can be overwhelming when the enemy attacks us with feelings of guilt and shame. These feelings often lead to depression and potential lies from the enemy that rob us of our hope. They can and do impact relationships in a negative way.

However there is hope. King David made some serious mistakes that interrupted life and created guilt-driven depression.

Psalm 51:8-12 shows what King David did about his feelings as he got right with God, “Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Our God desires to help those who are hurting. John 1:9 encourages us with, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

We should also be encouraged by Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Action Point
Like God did with David, He will create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us if we confess our sin.
(Tom Russell)

08/10/2025

Devotionals for Daily Living

Blessings From Our God To Look Forward To

As believers look forward to their eternal life there are many blessings to anticipate. Paul told the church at Corinth in
I Corinthians 2:9, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” We are not able in this life time to fathom what God has prepared for us!

We can look forward to God making all things new and restored. The Apostle John writes in Revelation 21:5, “God promises to make all things new, bringing about a restored and perfect world.”

We can look forward to a transformed body. Paul teaches in Philippians 3:20-21, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” What a relief that will be, to have a glorious body like Jesus! As our bodies age this is definitely something to look forward to!

Paul shares with the church at Corinth in I Corinthians 2:9, “What God has prepared for those who love Him is beyond human comprehension.” How reassuring to know it is so amazing that it is beyond comprehension.

It is also reassuring and encouraging to embrace Paul’s writings in Romans, 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”What a blessing to embrace that God is working all things for good for those who believe in Him.

Action Point
It is important that we prepare for our future by making sure we have accepted Jesus as our savior.
(Tom Russell)

08/09/2025

Stress

We can all relate to this when asked how we feel. One of the more common answers is, “I feel very stressed.” Others might say, “I feel stressed out.”

What is meant when we say “stressed out”? There are different answers to that question. Some may define it as mental exhaustion. Others may define it as physical or spiritual exhaustion. A simple but very good definition of stress is, “the body‘s reaction to what the mind is thinking.”

In II Corinthians 4:16-18 Paul offers encouragement for those who are stressed, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

The book of James 1:2-3 offers this help, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Psalm 55:22 is a great example of help for stress, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Casting your cares on the Lord will relieve a lot of stressful burdens.

Action Point
If we consider it pure joy when we face stressful situations we will feel better, knowing that the Lord is helping us develop perseverance.
(Tom Russell)

08/08/2025

Devotionals for Daily Living

Important Life Lessons from the Book of Proverbs - Encouragement

Encouragement is an important gift from knowing our God. It is encouragement that helps provide the motivation to continue on. Feeling encouraged is also an important characteristic that Christians use to represent Jesus and the church to society. If Christians do not demonstrate encouragement or appear encouraged then the witness that they are to the unbelievers will raise major questions such as, “Why would I want to be a Christian when I see someone acting like that?”

Proverbs 17:22 shows a good contrast between encouragement and a crushed spirit, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” A cheerful heart is good medicine because it produces healthy endorphins and hormones that enhance healthy living.

Anxiety oftentimes leads to discouragement, but Proverbs 12:25 provides hope, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”

To the believer there is hope because of righteousness. Proverbs 11:30 tells us, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.”

Action Point
Do you feel encouraged today? If not, Jesus is waiting to hear from you.
(Tom Russell)

08/07/2025

Devotionals for Daily Living

Where does our Strength Come From?

Often, in life, there are times and circumstances that leave us wishing we had more strength or power to manage them. There are times when we want to step out in faith, but we don’t. There are times when helping in a situation would be the right thing to do, but we don’t.

Paul offers this prayer on our behalf in Ephesians 4:16-17, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

We are led by the power of the Holy Spirit when we find ourselves in circumstances where we feel that we should get involved or help in some way. The Holy Spirit can empower us to say or do whatever we are moved to do.

One very important ingredient in being led by the Holy Spirit is faith. The writer of Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Faith is the “assurance of things not seen.” We should be confident that what the Holy Spirit is putting on our hearts to do is from Him.

Action Point
It is important to stay close to the Lord. It is important that we regularly seek forgiveness from our sin and the cleansing from all unrighteousness so that we can fellowship with the Father and hear Him when He expresses His will to us.
(Tom Russell)

08/06/2025

Devotionals for Daily Living

Comforting Words from Scripture about Fear, Anxiety and Worry

It is so comforting to embrace scripture and feel the impact of it. Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 31:8, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." If the Lord Himself goes before us and is with us, we should feel so secure.

If we stay close to the Lord, fear, anxiety and worry won’t be as much of an issue. Psalm 146:1-2 states, “Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”

Later in Psalm 146:5-7 we read about those who trust in Him, “Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains with you forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free.” If our God takes care of the oppressed and supplies our needs forever, what do we have to fear?

It is so encouraging and comforting to hear from Jesus in John 14:27, “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”

Action Point
If we stay close to the Lord through prayer, praise and worship we will feel less anxiety, fear and worry.
(Tom Russell)

08/05/2025

Devotionals for Daily Living

Help for Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are the most common emotional struggle. Anxiety affects 20 to 30,000,000 people. What makes this number so high? Many people get too disconnected in relationships, they carry too much debt, or live a life that is too fast paced.

The enemy would want to deceive us into thinking that because we struggle with anxiety God is not pleased with us. It is important that we realize he is trying to deceive us, and we defeat him in the name of Jesus. At some point in our lives most all of us experience varying forms of anxiety. This happens because we live in a fallen and damaged world.

Author, Dr. Archibald Hart, offers this help:

* Turn to God first. I Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” It is important to notice that if we are regularly humbling ourselves under God‘s mighty hand anxiety won’t be as much of an issue.

* Focus on the solution and not the problem. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Paul writes in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Action Point
It is important that we stay close to the Lord so that when anxiety becomes an issue we will have a recourse.
(Tom Russell)

Address

1066 Lexington Avenue
Mansfield, OH
44907

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14195265523

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