...Was it not man’s sin that first introduced suffering and death into the world? (Gen 3:17-19). By being loyal to the bidding of Satan instead of the command of God, we forfeited our position of authority over to the devil. Thus all suffering is either the consequence of our own sins, someone else’s sins, or the consequence of being born into a world stained by sin...

...Yet, how could evil arise in a world that was completely perfect and good? God at least had to create the potential for evil in the world. We concede that is true. God created two good and perfect things that made evil a distinct possibility: free-will and law.

Was God malevolent to have created these things? Not at all. Whereas evil may not be possible without free-will and law, neither would love, obedience, holiness, or righteousness. If man was going to reflect God’s image and character in his life, like God, he had to have the ability to choose...

...Many see faith as either the absence of doubt or the suppression of doubt, but biblical faith is neither. It is the conquering of doubt. Faith doesn’t mean we fully comprehend the answers to all the hard questions, but neither does it mean we refuse to ask them...

...These are not easy questions to answer. We may struggle comprehending God’s operation in many areas for the rest of our lives. But the scriptures do not sweep these questions under the rug or hide from them. By revealing to us the truth about God and this world in which we live, they can help us properly come to terms with these doubts and questions. Over the next few weeks I want to explore what the Bible says about these issues in a series of articles. I hope they will help you develop deeper convictions about both the sovereignty and compassion of God...

...While I was working at Subway, I learned a few things about taking orders.  I discovered there are basically 3 ways you can mess up someone’s order.  These same 3 mistakes often find their way into our service to God...

“I just need some ‘me time’… I need to focus on me for a while and make sure my needs are being met… I need to spend some time finding myself.”

This type of language is very common in our society... As Christians, we cannot allow ourselves to start thinking this way.  Our concern should be finding God, not finding ourselves.  If we want to follow Christ, we are called to “deny self” take up our cross and follow Him (Matt 16:24).  That is where our focus should be...

“I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer 10:23).

We are simply not capable of navigating our own way through life.  God is the potter, we are the clay, and we desperately need Him to mold us...