We believe that God is in sovereign control of everything, and that everything that happens in the world is controlled by Him. Because we believe and teach this, we often become nervous when people ask us “If God is all powerful, why would God permit sin?” In answering this we need to begin with Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” The first thing we need to understand is that God is not accountable to us, as to what He permitted. Because He is God, and our creator, He can do what He wants, and how He wants. Having said this, I believe that we have some clues in the Word of God that can help us understand His purposes. Sin allows us to see and understand much about God that we would never know or appreciate without its entrance into history. God uses sin as a tool to help us see Him in a different light, and from a unique perspective. Remember, many tools are … READ MORE

Macbeth pessimistically declares that history is “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” (Shakespeare, Macbeth, 5.5.19). Apart from the wisdom and insight God provides His children, such a hopeless conclusion is inescapable. But history belongs to God, not to the puny means of man or the perverse power of Satan. As a result of this redemption, people are restored to their rightful place in the creation. God knew and understood in creating man in His image and likeness, would need to have redemption for their sin. Since, God understood mans need for redemption before Sin enters the world, it is comforting to remember that God understands my sinful choices, and what has driven me away from Him. It is His working in our lives that enables us to overcome sin, and live a life that not only is pleasing to Him, but a life that brings contentment in the midst of our struggles.… READ MORE

During my first ministry, we purchased a house hat was by a 90 acre woods. I was always concerned that my sons, would go out into the woods and get lost. So I set out to help give them principles to determine how to get home. I would take them out and we would turn right and left as we walked, and stop and talk. We wondered aimlessly as we would go deeper and deeper into the woods. Finally, I would tell them that they were responsible to get me back to the house. I was always aware of how t get there, but it was important for them to be able to use the principles that they had learned to find their way home. Getting lost is a scary proposition, What a wonderful passage Luke 19:10 is “For he Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” It is critical that we understand the principles to help us be “found” because we are all lost. God does not wait for us to be “found” He sent his son to make sure that we are found. From the very beginning, God did not wait … READ MORE