Drifting

"Drifting always takes place when we make the Scriptures only one avenue of revelation among many. The peak of self-centered carnality is to think my academic opinion is equal to what God has spoken. My thinking made superior to His wisdom and revelation is the pinnacle of folly. Folly still abides in believing God is speaking His Word, but I must interpret it for my day. A thorough knowledge of theology and my culture does not give me the ability to adequately apply truth. The indwelt Author must speak His Word to my life and I must listen intently as He applies it to my living. "Jesus is Lord of my life" means that I bend my entire life experience under the authority of what He speaks through His Word. I am not adequate to interpret it; I must surrender to it!

The Author of the Scriptures will not allow us to drift if we listen to His Word. He will not allow us to miss His revelation of truth for our day, if we will come under the authority of His Word. Is this not the solution for our drifting?

(Stephen Manley, "The Evangelists' Perspective", summer 2008, pg. 19-20)

Walking By Faith

"When you make up your mind to trust God the odds are usually stacked against you... Sometimes faith doesn't change your circumstances, it changes you by giving you the tenacity to hang in there when the check doesn't come in the mail, the doctor says, "It's malignant", your spouse asks for a divorce, the kids are running amok, or the place you've worked for 30 years closes its doors. Faith gives you the fortitude to endure these things, confident that God is working on your behalf. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Heb 11:1) ...it's talking about a lifestyle. Anybody can go the first few rounds in the ring; it's when you're knocked down in the ninth that you need the faith to get back up and keep fighting. When the plane you're flying on encounters turbulence you don't throw away your ticket or bail out, you sit still and trust the pilot. So discount your circumstances, dethrone your doubts, and start walking by faith!"

2 Peter 1:3-9

God's divine power has given us everything we need to live a truly religious life through our knowledge of the one who called us to share in his own glory and goodness. In this way he has given us the very great and precious gifts he promised, so that by means of these gifts you may escape from the destructive lust that is in the world, and may come to share the divine nature. For this very reason do your best to add goodness to your faith; to your goodness add knowledge; to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add endurance; to your endurance add godliness; to your godliness add brotherly affection; and to your brotherly affection add love. These are the qualities you need, and if you have them in abundance they will make you active and effective in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.