As a follower of Jesus Christ, I need to understand that God is in sovereign control of everything, and that everything that happens in the world is controlled by Him. Yet even though 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.” 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 … READ MORE

What are you looking forward to? as we continue to consider 1 Peter 1:13, we are reminded to “hope to the end.” We have been encouraged to Know the Truth, and to Live in the Truth, and here we are reminded to Trust the Truth. Are we living in an expectation for what God is going to do in our lives? God has a wonderful plan for His children, we are reminded that He is preparing a place for us where He is! With that we need to ask ourselves if we are living each day with an anticipation for what is to come. This understanding should cause us to strive for personal holiness. We need to understand that, as a believer, Satan will attempt to cause us to rationalize our sin, and justify our actions. We are to protect ourselves by choosing to live holy lives, and choose to live in the power of the Word of God as the Holy Spirit applies that Word to our lives. The expectation that we have as believers is a great motivation to anticipate what is to come. … READ MORE

While illustrating the diversity of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 the apostle repeatedly stresses their one source in God. He also stresses their one purpose, to reveal the Holy Spirit’s work and power for the common good of the church. These unifying realities lead the apostle’s thought to a general discussion of the oneness of the redeemed community. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-19 he explains and illustrates the nature and importance of the unity of the church itself. The diversity of the church is a God-ordained means of bringing the fellowship to oneness, but unless each diverse member recognizes and accepts their part in the whole body, diversity will divide rather than unite, destroy rather than build up, and bring discord rather than harmony. As we serve the Lord we do so through the power and enablement of the Holy Spirit who divides to everyone as He determines. To fail or refuse to use our gifts within the church is rebellious disobedience, and to be frustrated that you don’t have the gifts you want is jealousy. Yet Paul says that while some gifts are more visual than others, there is no gifts that are unimportant. As a matter of fact … READ MORE