NCarolinian

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray fo...

The authority of God on any matter has always been executed by God's Word. His spoken Word created the known universe. His inspired Word formed our written text, The Bible. His Rhema Word or words for the now-situations of life via the Holy Spirit are based from the written Word of God. All God has to do in any circumstance is speak. He does not have to lift an arm or finger. He does not have to swing a mighty sword. In fact, Revelation 19:15 says that His sword is His speech that proceeds from His mouth - "Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations." The Centurion of Matthew 8:5-13 that needed his servant healed knew this fact about Jesus. This commander of a hundred soldiers recognized Christ's supernatural authority, told Jesus that his home was not worthy of Christ's visit and called Jesus - Master/Lord. Authority recognized authority. Authority has power and responsibility that carry with it a weight behind it's purpos...

As a productive member of society, a person might perform as much research as possible, gain as much knowledge as possible and garnish as much experience in one's industry as possible before landing the dream career. As an athlete, one might practice and train the body and mind in such a way that when the moment for try-outs come or that big moment in the game arrives - the sportsman or sportswoman is ready to execute their move flawlessly. The Beforehand is crucial not only in these areas of a person's life but a Christian's life also. After a person surrenders their life to Christ, the daily challenge begins to continue being submitted to The Lord in all areas so that He will use them mightily in His plan to reach and love others. Those in Scripture that were deemed "blameless" meant that they were full of integrity. Noah (Gen. 6:9) and Job (Job 1:1) were two such men that held this distinction. What an awesome goal to apsire to even in this day and age. The ...

People will always move toward their heart's nudging, sometimes with, sometimes without reason leading the way. If you have surrendered your heart to Christ and are living for Him then your treasure is Christ, the Lord forever. If you have not done this and you die without Christ as your personal Savior, your reward(s) will match your deeds.  In Randy Alcorn's book,  Deception , a much loved character of mine, Obadiah says, "The one who spends his life movin' away from his treasures is goin' to despair. But the one who spends his life movin' toward  his treasures is goin' to rejoice!" (p.255) Sounds like very familiar advice that I once read from The King and my Savior - Christ Jesus -  "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where...

All that is in lordship or authority over our lives should always be from God. If our thoughts, actions and words do not have their source in God then that void is filled with something or somebody else that should not be there. "If people reject the Lord's authority over their lives and if God is no longer God in their lives, then they must find anothr god! It is impossible for the human spirit to thrive without something to live for, something larger than itself -- and that something is what a god is!" (Ray Stedman, God's Final Word: Understanding Revelation, 58) In the absence of trust in God's lordship in someone's life, the major, remaining choices for authority that will govern the individual are - your own, the world's or Satan's. "...our struggle was never to get independence from God. It weren't a struggle to be out from under lordship. It was a struggle to be under the right lorship. Freedom isn't being out from under authority. ...

What is Judgment? Judgment is rendering of a decision upon a given situation, based on an established standard, in light of evidence or certain circumstances. Therefore, perfect judgment at all times comes from the perfect being -  God, The Perfect Judge. There is no injustice or  "change like shifting shadows"  in Him and from Him flows everything  "good and perfect" (James 1:17) . In Scripture, there are many judgments. Some judgments have been proclaimed and executed, others are still future. Some of the judgments still future are - The Great White Throne Judgment, Sheep/Goat Judgment and Bema Seat or Judgment Seat of Christ. Judgement is upon all humanity and creation. A decision has been made by God in light of humanity's colossal mistake - sin. This sin or disobedience and/or rebellion toward God, which was an infected virus that humanity accepted from the Father of Lies, will result in death.  Paul clearly states this consequential situation to the believ...

Life is all about relationship. Who and what you relate to and how and why you relate to them are the defining, molding ingredients of each relationship. There has never been a time in my life or in the lives of those around me that I have observed no need for belonging. Hermits or loners in this world, I would put forth for consideration, are far-and-few-between. "No man is an island..." (John Donne) - I believe is truth for the majority. And even the hermits I have known have a pet for company and have to converse with a human at some point for essential needs. The kinds of groups that tend to bring us a sense of belonging in this world are assemblies such as the work setting, one's religious meeting place or affiliation, same team sport venues, support groups for life challenges and any other group that we assign value or worth for our time and energies. Wouldn't life be nice if there was the perfect relationship? Wouldn't living be much more bearable if we fo...