The Difference Between National Judgment and Personal Guilt

God holds rulers responsible for how they rule, and He holds ordinary people responsible for whom they follow

When we read the Old Testament accounts of the Judges, Kings, and Prophets, one troubling question naturally arises. Why did ordinary people suffer when their leaders were wicked? What about personal guilt or innocence? If a king promoted idolatry, corrupted Continue ReadingThe Difference Between National Judgment and Personal Guilt

I tried these six tips for negotiating with God but something else worked better

SIX TIPS FOR NEGOTIATING WITH GOD 1. Do Your Research: Find something God doesn't know. 2. Set the Anchor: Establish reality before God does. 3. Find Your Leverage: Discover something God needs from you. 4. Ask Calibrated Questions: Help God see something He hasn't considered. 5. Trade Concessions: Give God something so He will owe you something. 6. Be Prepared to Walk Away: Remind the Creator that you have other options.

None of these six tips for negotiating with God worked because I forgot God is the creator, savior, sustainer and we are his people, then I remembered that He already loves me and plans the best for me. Continue ReadingI tried these six tips for negotiating with God but something else worked better

When the Problem Fills the Frame: Seeing Life from God’s Perspective

Has one problem ever filled the entire frame of your life? Scripture helps us step back, see our circumstances from God’s perspective, and remember that even painful troubles are never greater than His presence, wisdom, and faithful care.

Has one problem ever filled the entire frame of your life? Scripture helps us step back, see our circumstances from God’s perspective, and remember that even painful troubles are never greater than His presence, wisdom, and faithful care. Continue ReadingWhen the Problem Fills the Frame: Seeing Life from God’s Perspective

How Prayer Helps Us See Our Problems from God’s Perspective

Does one problem seem to fill your whole field of vision? Prayer helps us see our problems from God’s perspective, lifting our eyes from fear and uncertainty to His wisdom, power, care, and faithful promises.

Does one problem seem to fill your whole field of vision? Prayer helps us see our problems from God’s perspective, lifting our eyes from fear and uncertainty to His wisdom, power, care, and faithful promises. Continue ReadingHow Prayer Helps Us See Our Problems from God’s Perspective

The Myth of Non-Denominationalism

The myth of non-denominationalism hides an important truth: every church has doctrine, history, leadership, traditions, and boundaries. Learn when practical distinctions are biblical, when denominations are useful, and when denominationalism becomes sinful division.

No church is truly without denominational characteristics. Every congregation has doctrine, history, leadership, culture, policies, and traditions. The real issue is not whether these exist, but whether they are acknowledged, tested by Scripture, and submitted to Christ. Continue ReadingThe Myth of Non-Denominationalism