Q and A about God’s Will

As a pastor, I often get asked questions regarding God’s will. Today I’ll consider four of the more common ones. And remember, those who really want to do His will, will know it (John 7:17).

Healing, Part Two

When it comes to physical healing, often confusion reigns. To combat it, I’d like to point out five “laws” of suffering. These “laws” will do more to help the hurting and erase their confusion than perhaps anything else they could read. Yesterday, we looked at laws one through four. Today we’ll look at number five. Law Five: It is not God’s will that everyone be healed in this life.

The Fine Art of Blowing It

It happens to every one of us. Teachers as well as students. Cops as well as criminals. Bosses as well as secretaries. Parents as well as kids. The diligent as well as the lazy. Not even presidents are immune. Or corporation heads who earn six-figure salaries. The same is true of well-meaning architects and hard-working builders and clear-thinking engineers . . . not to mention pro ball players, politicians, and preachers.

Why Do We Suffer?

Of all the letters Paul wrote, 2 Corinthians is the most autobiographical. In it the great apostle lifts the veil of his private life and allows us to catch a glimpse of his human frailties and needs. You need to read that letter in one sitting to capture the moving emotion that surged through his soul. It is in this letter alone that he records the specifics of his anguish, tears, affliction, and satanic opposition.

Witch Hunting, Part One

Flip Wilson’s line, “The Devil made me do it,” was designed to be funny, not phony. Whether the comedian believed in an actual Satan is, for the moment, immaterial. All he was interested in was getting a laugh. But the thing that made it so effective was the real-to-life scenario the guy was acting out. Here’s this character who has done something bad. No one can deny it, it is wrong.

Innovation, Part Two

Yesterday, we talked about innovative people, and I mentioned that there are a whole lot more innovative people around than any of us can imagine. Could you be one of them? Let’s take a little test and see. I have Earl Nightingale to thank for this list of twenty-five traits generally found in creative, innovative people. No, relax. You don’t need all twenty-five . . . but if you have most of them, you may be closer than you think.

Pain

They called him Old Hickory because of his tenacity and grit. His mother chose Andrew on March 15, 1767, when she gave birth to that independent-minded South Carolina rebel. Wild, quick-tempered, and disinterested in school, Andrew answered the call for soldiers to resist the British invasion at age thirteen. Shortly thereafter, he was taken prisoner. Refusing to black an enemy officer’s boots, he was struck with a saber—Andrew’s introduction to pain.

Acknowledging Our Weakness

For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. (2 Corinthians 13:4) Our Father, we all struggle with weakness. We’re reminded almost every day that we don’t have it all together. We need You.

Godliness

I need to be very candid with you. If you are a “Sunday Christian,” you will not stand alone when outnumbered. Apart from a personal and vital faith in Jesus Christ, it is impossible to wage a winning effort against the system called “the world.” Trying to overcome the powerful magnet of the majority without help from above would be a frustrating and counterproductive effort.

Generosity

Reflect on God’s gifts to you. In case you need a little help, read through Psalm 103. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things

Tag Archives: Second Corinthians