What Is Your Will In Christ?

Ordinarily, the world would be buzzing with human activity pretty much everywhere. Lately however, with numerous quarantines in place around the world the activity is far less than normal and anything but ordinary. Ordinary days would involve work, the gathering of supplies and travel - yes, much travel.  But lately things aren't like normal, they don't seem much like ordinary - at least for much of mankind.   Many shops, factories and businesses have been forced to close their doors. Millions of people are wondering what comes next while waiting in seclusion to avoid the possibility of contracting a virus, while many others fight to overcome it. In the world of humanity, for many, these days seem anything but ordinary... But in fact they are. Since the world began and man was created, mankind's always, every moment, been completely reliant and totally dependent on one source for provision, healing and even for the very breath of life. It's not a fact that some puf...

There's a lot of concern out in the world right now and the USA isn't immune. Many people are being forced to confront an illness that's carrying a lot of fear with it. It's an unfortunate and in some cases, tragic event. But it's not the first. In the history of this country, many things have presented challenges that have impacted its people in serious and threatening ways. There have been numerous times over the many years that this country's existed that our security, stability and health has been threatened in serious ways. So I think two questions need to be asked: Are we still here? And why?. Of course we're still here, but the bigger question of why is one that hope requires an answer for.  We're still here because in the past Americans were taught who the ultimate source of their security and provision is and they had reverence and respect for Him. They also came together and fought side by side - not against each other but against their comm...

I think there may be some even in the body of Christ who're convinced that a kindly, loving God would not bring correction on His own children in this current day. But in my own mind I struggle with that. It would seem to me to be tantamount to a father abdicating one of his most important roles... and to my mind, that is never true of the Perfect Father.  Scripture is rife with references to the Lord God as Father, and He, Himself referencing those who belong to Him as His children. So that relationship being established, suggesting that the Lord doesn't discipline us to my own mind is essentially like accusing Him of dereliction of duty in a relationship that He's firmly established in creation. But His own Fatherhood's a model that He's exampled for us throughout scripture. If you've read Israel's history in scripture, then you know that the Lord corrected Israel multiple times, even sending Israel into exile at one point (one serious timeout). But ...

There's a type of soil that lies just below the surface in some areas of the world's landscape called "hardpan" . Not only is it hard and unrelenting, it doesn't allow water or roots to penetrate and can leave the ground barren, desolate and unproductive.  This same condition is also found to exist in some of the hearts of mankind... 1"You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like t...

The idea that a "perfect" marriage can exist between two imperfect human beings seems to be an idea in obvious conflict with itself. But that idea's prevalent in the minds of many people caught up in the magic of what many think of when hopelessly bitten by the "love" bug. The euphoria that may exist in the beginning of a marriage however, is eventually forced to face the realities of the world we live in and the inevitable flaws that exist in not only our marriage partners, but in ourselves. Those things can begin to wear on that euphoria and the opportunities to make poor choices and bad decisions are all around us, inviting the chance for conflict and division. In the midst of all of those things, unguarded moments present opportunities to leave battle scars on a sacred relationship.  It's in those moments when the euphoria wears thin and commitment is challenged...  that the opportunity for real, actual, and abiding love to show itself is exposed.  ...