Author name: Paul Cannings

Knowing God’s will and accepting God’s will are two different things. To know God’s will is to understand what He is saying. Accepting God’s will means adjusting one’s life to whatever God now requires and responding in obedience. Peter knew that Christ would die because Jesus clearly told His disciples.  Yet Peter did not want to accept it. The first time he heard it, he rebuked Christ, prompting Jesus to respond, “Get behind Me, Satan” (Matthew 16:23). Later, when Christ was arrested, Peter denied Him and hid in fear. Peter possessed knowledge, but he struggled to accept and embrace God’s plan.  Moses faced a similar challenge.  God instructed him to speak to the rock so that water would come forth for the people of Israel (Numbers 20:8).  However, because Moses had struck the rock the first time God provided water (Exodus 17:6), he acted out of frustration and struck the rock twice instead of obeying God’s specific command.  Moses knew that God had said, but in that moment, he failed to accept God’s way and follow it. The Bible repeatedly teaches that knowledge alone is insufficient: “….we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)  James reinforces this truth: “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, … But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:22-25; NASU) It is important to realize that a person who merely possesses knowledge often builds themselves up (1 Corinthians 8:1). However, a person who accepts God’s Word as a way of life allows the Spirit of God to transform their character, producing wisdom, maturity, and spiritual fruit (2 Peter 1:3-11). Many years ago in Birmingham, Alabama, there lived a Presbyterian pastor named James Bryan. Throughout the city he was affectionately known as “Brother Bryan.” While many preachers were stronger in pulpit oratory, few preached more powerfully through their daily lives. Like Jesus, he went about doing good. On cold days it was not unusual for him to return home without his overcoat because he had given it to someone in need.  One spring day, while traveling through the countryside in his horse and buggy, he came upon a farmer standing dejectedly in his field.  It was time for spring plowing, but the farmer’s only horse had died.  Brother Bryan immediately unhitched his own horse, gave it to the farmer, and walked home.  His life demonstrated that accepting God’s will means putting God’s love into action. It was fitting that his biography was later titled A Sermon in Shoes.  (Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations: Signs of the Times.) Jesus highlighted the same principle when He observed the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44).  His focus was not on the amount she gave, for she contributed only two small copper coins.  Rather, He emphasized her faith. She gave believing that God was truly her Provider, while many others gave from their abundance and still had plenty remaining.  The widow demonstrated acceptance of God’s will through trust and sacrifice. Likewise, when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He provided a living example of humble service.  He called His followers to serve others, yet they had become more concerned with position and recognition than with servanthood (Mark 10:41-45). Christ taught them that true discipleship requires more than understanding truth – it requires submitting to it. Therefore, Jesus declared: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) The difference between spiritual maturity and spiritual immaturity is often found in the difference between knowing God’s will and accepting God’s will.  Knowledge informs the mind, but acceptance transforms life.  God blesses those who not only hear His Word but also embrace it, obey it, and allow it to shape their character and conduct.

Raising children is much like pouring concrete. A strong foundation must be prepared before anything else can be built.  During the early years, parents have a unique opportunity to shape their children through presence more that presents – through consistent love, unfailing prayer, godly instruction, discipline, and godly example. Through these intentional efforts, we seek to establish a foundation that will last a lifetime and, by God’s grace, extend into eternity. What we build into our children today can influence them for a lifetime and, by the grace of God, for generation to come. “Unless the Lord builds a house, they who build it labor in vain;”  – Psalm 127:1a Principles to Live By: — Dorothy Law Nolte When God blesses us with children, they are His gift to us. How we raise them is our gift back to God. Therefore, let us intentionally build into our children a foundation of love, faith, character, truth, and godliness – one strong enough to withstand the pressures of life and point them toward Christ for generations to come.

(Prepared Within. Protected Above.) “So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans 8:12–14 (NASB)        Every generation faces pressure, but today’s children, youth, and young adults encounter an overwhelming number of competing voices. They feel the pressure to fit in by wearing the right clothes, choosing the right friends, succeeding academically, making career decisions, navigating relationships, resisting sexual temptation, and standing for Christ without being ridiculed. Many even wonder if serving God means they will somehow miss out on the excitement life has to offer.        It is easy for us to criticize their struggles, yet many of us did not always respond wisely to the pressures we faced when we were their age. Rather than criticizing them, we must help prepare them.        A submarine provides a powerful illustration of this truth. As it descends beneath the ocean’s surface, the pressure outside the vessel increases dramatically. To prevent the submarine from collapsing, the pressure inside is carefully regulated to correspond with the pressure outside. Because the pressure is balanced, the submarine remains intact, its crew is protected, and it successfully accomplishes its mission before surfacing again to serve another day.        God works in much the same way in the lives of His children. He does not promise to remove every pressure we encounter, but He promises to strengthen us from within. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, He develops the inner person so that we can withstand the external pressures of life.        Paul reminds us that God is continually at work in us (Philippians 2:12–13), strengthening us through His Spirit in our inner being (Ephesians 3:16–19). As we yield to the Holy Spirit, we begin to reflect the character of Christ (2 Peter 1:3–11). We discover that “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). The greater Christ’s work within us, the greater our ability to withstand the pressures around us.        This is why one of the greatest responsibilities of parents, grandparents, and the church is not merely protecting young people from pressure but preparing them to endure it through spiritual maturity.        Scripture gives us a clear pattern. We should respond quickly when children express a desire for God (Matthew 18:1–6). We must model authentic Christian living before them (1 Timothy 4:12, 15–16). We must faithfully teach them God’s Word while they are young (Deuteronomy 6:4–9; 2 Timothy 1:5), helping them develop a love for the wisdom that protects them (Proverbs 4:6) and leads them into God’s blessings (Proverbs 3:13–18).        The Scriptures remind us: “In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge.” Proverbs 14:26 (NASB)        Children often develop an appetite for God by observing that same appetite in those who raise and mentor them. Genuine faith is contagious. Timothy became a courageous servant of Christ because his mother and grandmother faithfully taught him the Scriptures and demonstrated sincere faith (2 Timothy 3:14–17). Before Timothy ever faced the pressures of ministry, God had already strengthened him through His Word and through godly examples.        Our mission is the same today. We must cultivate in the next generation a hunger for Christ and His Word. When God’s truth fills the heart, His Spirit strengthens the soul. Then, regardless of the pressures they encounter, they will stand firm, accomplish God’s purpose, and bring Him glory. The greatest gift we can give the next generation is not a life free from pressure, but a heart strengthened by God’s Spirit to overcome it.

Hurricanes are among the most powerful forces on earth. They unleash tremendous energy, leave widespread destruction, and remind us how little control we truly have over nature. Yet as overwhelming as physical storms may be, they cannot compare to the spiritual storms God allows to enter our lives. Throughout Scripture, we find faithful men and women whose greatest spiritual growth came through seasons of hardship. Jonah, Joseph, Daniel, Peter, Paul, and many others experienced trials that were not accidents but appointments with God’s sovereign purpose. As Paul testified, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing… struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9, NASB). God does not waste our suffering. Hebrews reminds us, “Those whom the Lord loves He disciplines” (Hebrews 12:6). Although discipline is never pleasant, it is always purposeful, producing “the peaceful fruit of righteousness” in those who submit to His work (Hebrews 12:11). God’s intention is never to destroy His children but to shape them into the likeness of Christ. Paul explains that we have “this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4:7). The treasure is the indwelling Holy Spirit, whose power enables us to endure what we could never face in our own strength. Through life’s storms, God teaches us to rely less on ourselves and more on Him, until we can say with Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). History provides a beautiful illustration of this truth. After a violent storm unexpectedly preserved the city of Basel during a military siege, its grateful citizens responded by establishing a school to train missionaries. That work eventually became the Basel Missionary Society, sending hundreds of missionaries around the world. What began as a season of danger became a testimony of God’s faithfulness and a blessing to countless others. The same can be true in our lives. Storms are not simply obstacles to survive; they are classrooms where God develops our faith, deepens our dependence on Him, and displays His strength through our weakness. Paul learned this lesson when he declared, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). When the storms of life come—and they will—choose to trust rather than fear. Bring every concern before the Lord in prayer, thanking Him that He is at work even when His purposes are not immediately clear (Philippians 4:6–7). Like David, let your heart declare, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him” (Psalm 28:7). Storms may shake our circumstances, but they can never overturn God’s sovereign plan. In His loving hands, every trial becomes an opportunity to strengthen our faith, deepen our walk with Christ, and reveal His power to a watching world.

Are the trials we face making us better, bitter, or simply flat tired? Scripture does not deny that suffering is exhausting. Yet it consistently teaches that God never wastes our trials. James reminds us, “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3–4). Trials are not designed merely to test our endurance; they are God’s instruments to mature our faith. Moses challenged Israel to remember the purpose behind their forty years in the wilderness: “You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 8:2–4, NASB) The wilderness was never intended to destroy Israel. It was God’s classroom. Through hardship He exposed what was in their hearts, taught them dependence upon His Word, and demonstrated His faithful provision. In the same way, our trials reveal whether we trust our circumstances or our Savior. The life of Ludwig van Beethoven provides a striking illustration of this truth. Deafness was the one affliction he dreaded most. As his hearing faded, he desperately sought every possible remedy. The Royal Library in Berlin still preserves the ear trumpets and devices he used in hopes of restoring his hearing. Yet his deafness became complete, forcing him to communicate primarily through writing. Remarkably, it was after he could no longer hear the sounds around him that he composed some of the greatest masterpieces in musical history. Out of profound loss came extraordinary beauty. His calamity became the backdrop for music that has inspired generations. God often works in a similar way. He does not always remove the trial, but He transforms the person enduring it. What appears to be a devastating loss can become the very means by which His greatest work is accomplished in us. Another illustration captures the heart of Christ’s invitation. A teacher read to her class the words of Jesus, “My yoke is easy.” She asked, “Who can tell me what a yoke is?” One boy answered, “A yoke is something they put on the necks of animals.” She then asked, “What is the yoke God puts on us?” A little girl replied, “It is God putting His arms around our necks.” What a beautiful picture. Is Christ’s yoke merely a burden to carry, or is it the embrace of a loving Shepherd who walks beside us? Hebrews reminds us: “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:11; cf. 12:4–10) God’s discipline may feel heavy, but it is never harsh or meaningless. The same hands that permit the trial are the hands that sustain us through it. His yoke is not intended to crush us but to keep us close enough to experience His strength. The real question, then, is not whether we will experience trials. It is whether we will allow God to accomplish His purpose through them. Have our hardships produced greater dependence upon Christ? Have they softened our hearts or hardened them? Have they made us more like Christ, or merely more weary? When we submit to God’s refining work, we gradually discover that Paul’s testimony becomes our own: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8–10) The trials may remain, but our perspective changes. Rather than defining our lives by our pain, we begin to define them by God’s faithfulness. He reshapes our desires, redirects our will, and deepens our confidence in Him. Only then can we sincerely declare: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) The good God promises is not necessarily immediate relief but spiritual transformation. His purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son. As we surrender to His refining work, bitterness gives way to trust, weariness is strengthened by hope, and trials become the very tools through which Christ’s life is displayed in us. The question remains for each of us: Are our trials making us better, bitter, or simply tired? If we place our lives in God’s hands, even our deepest hardships can become the means by which He produces His sweetest music.

Has Christ truly won your heart, or is He merely your insurance for heaven or your help in times of need? Whatever wins our heart ultimately controls us or exerts tremendous influence over our will.  If we love money, we willingly work overtime without hesitation. Some may even secretly, or openly, play the lottery in hopes of gaining more. Many choose careers primarily because of the salary they offer. Love also determines how we spend our time.  If we love football, we can spend hours in front of the television every weekend watching one game after another. We never seem to check the time, nor do we appreciate being interrupted. We may even spend whatever is necessary to secure the best seats at a game. Once I saw a news segment featuring a man who had attended every Super Bowl.  He acknowledged that he had missed the births of his children, family birthdays, and wedding anniversaries because of his commitment to the game.  It did not matter where the Super Bowl was held, what personal events were taking place, or how expensive the tickets became – he was determined to be there. His love for football had become so dominant that it governed his priorities and shaped his decisions. People rarely mind spending money on what they love.  Those who love trucks invest in whatever it takes to make the truck look as good as possible. Those who enjoy clothing shop regularly. Those who love travel spend significant amounts of money visiting places they believe they will enjoy. We almost always find a way to justify spending more on what has captured our hearts. Whatever we love shapes our will, our schedule, and our spending habits.  It also determines the level of sacrifice we are willing to make.  People who love their careers often work far beyond what is expected.  Parents who deeply love their children will go to extraordinary lengths for them.  The depth of our love is revealed by the sacrifices we willingly make There is no question that God has demonstrated His love for us.  He drew us to Himself for salvation (John 6:44; Romans 3:11). He faithfully provides for our daily needs (Luke 12:22-36).  He sustains all things by the power of His Word (Hebrews 1:3). He gave His son to die for us (John 3:16). Christ continually intercedes for every believer (Romans 8:26). He has also prepared an eternal home for all who belong to Him. (John 14:2-3). How, then, should our love for Him be expressed? Jesus taught that genuine love for God results in loving our neighbors (Matthew 22:36-40), loving one another (John 13:34-35), obeying His commands (John 14:15), abiding in His Word, worshipping Him wholeheartedly, and serving Him faithfully. The question, then, is not whether we say we love God.  The real question is whether our daily lives bear witness to that love. Do our priorities, our calendars, our checkbooks, our sacrifices, and our obedience declare that Christ has truly won our hearts? When others observe our lives, do they see a person captivated by Christ, or someone merely grateful for what He provides? Our actions will always reveal what our hearts genuinely treasure.

Our world has become hostile due to terrorism, the rise of racism, the inflammatory comments often stirred up on social media, and the deep partisanship that characterizes Washington.  The principles of God seem to matter less and less when our feelings and personal rationing dominate our knee-jerk reactions. With the rise in social media, people can simply “unfollow” someone on Facebook, Instagram, or whatever social media platform they may be using.  With caller ID, people can ignore a person’s call. Loyalty and commitment in relationships are no longer viewed as necessary, except perhaps during major floods or hurricanes or natural disasters. Unfortunately, rather than the church influencing a changing culture, the culture often appears to be influencing the church. Its impact has become so significant that when a person merely references Scripture during a conversation, others may become offended and want to “unfollow” as quickly as possible so they can remain within their own ideological circles (Eph. 4:17-24). Scripture makes it clear that how a person functions in relationships is directly representative of his or her commitment to God. Consider just a few passages: Matt. 22:36-40; John 13:34-35; 1 John 2:9-10, 3:16-24; 4:7-11. This is the very essence of Christ’s prayer for His disciples (John 17:20-26).  One might think that Christ would have prayed for His disciples to become great evangelist, preachers, or teachers, but He did not.  Instead, He prayed for their unity. One reason why relationships lack love and, therefore, loyalty is that we tend not to follow the biblical sequence of fact, faith and then feelings.  Instead, we often reverse the order.  We place feelings first because we place ourselves first (Phil. 2:1-5). Then our personal perspective becomes the “facts” of the matter (2 Tim. 2:14-26), and only afterward do we consider what God has to say.  This is why, when our emotions get the best of us, Scripture instructs us to control their chief agent – the tongue (James 1:26; 19-21). Scriptures require us to seek facts first (Matt. 18:15-21). Even Christ, when dealing with Thomas, provided evidence before expecting belief (John 20:24-29).  We are then instructed not to lean to our own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6), because human wisdom is foolishness to God (1 Cor. 2) and can even become demonic in nature (James 3:13-15).  Only then can we appropriately speak for ourselves and respond to others (1 Peter 3:13-18).  Whether things work out as we hoped or not, at least we brought the Holy Spirit to the situation, and where the Holy Spirit is present, there is hope for peace (Romans 15:1-7). Perhaps this is why scriptures teaches, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.” (Col. 3:23-25, NIV) Fact, faith and then feelings (John 12:23-26). Our world has become hostile due to terrorism, the rise of racism, the inflammatory comments often stirred up on social media, and the deep partisanship that characterizes Washington.  The principles of God seem to matter less and less when our feelings and personal rationing dominate our knee-jerk reactions. With the rise in social media, people can simply “unfollow” someone on Facebook, Instagram, or whatever social media platform they may be using.  With caller ID, people can ignore a person’s call. Loyalty and commitment in relationships are no longer viewed as necessary, except perhaps during major floods or hurricanes or natural disasters. Unfortunately, rather than the church influencing a changing culture, the culture often appears to be influencing the church. Its impact has become so significant that when a person merely references Scripture during a conversation, others may become offended and want to “unfollow” as quickly as possible so they can remain within their own ideological circles (Eph. 4:17-24). Scripture makes it clear that how a person functions in relationships is directly representative of his or her commitment to God. Consider just a few passages: Matt. 22:36-40; John 13:34-35; 1 John 2:9-10, 3:16-24; 4:7-11. This is the very essence of Christ’s prayer for His disciples (John 17:20-26).  One might think that Christ would have prayed for His disciples to become great evangelist, preachers, or teachers, but He did not.  Instead, He prayed for their unity. One reason why relationships lack love and, therefore, loyalty is that we tend not to follow the biblical sequence of fact, faith and then feelings.  Instead, we often reverse the order.  We place feelings first because we place ourselves first (Phil. 2:1-5). Then our personal perspective becomes the “facts” of the matter (2 Tim. 2:14-26), and only afterward do we consider what God has to say.  This is why, when our emotions get the best of us, Scripture instructs us to control their chief agent – the tongue (James 1:26; 19-21). Scriptures require us to seek facts first (Matt. 18:15-21). Even Christ, when dealing with Thomas, provided evidence before expecting belief (John 20:24-29).  We are then instructed not to lean to our own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6), because human wisdom is foolishness to God (1 Cor. 2) and can even become demonic in nature (James 3:13-15).  Only then can we appropriately speak for ourselves and respond to others (1 Peter 3:13-18).  Whether things work out as we hoped or not, at least we brought the Holy Spirit to the situation, and where the Holy Spirit is present, there is hope for peace (Romans 15:1-7). Perhaps this is why scriptures teaches, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.” (Col. 3:23-25, NIV) Fact, faith and then feelings (John 12:23-26). Our

A four-year-old girl, hugging a doll in each of her little arms, looked at her mother and said, “Mama, I love them and love them and love them, but they never love me back.” One of the most difficult realities about love is that loving someone never guarantees being loved in return. This is because genuine love involves giving, and giving or sharing is the very essence of love. A story is told about a young man who was determined to win the affection of a woman who had refused to even speak to him. Convinced that the way to her heart was through the mail, he began writing her love letters. He wrote one every day. Six or seven times a week she received a letter from him. When she did not respond, he increased his efforts and began sending three notes every twenty-four hours. In all, he wrote more than seven hundred love letters. Ironically, because of all the letters being delivered, the woman eventually married the postman. Loving someone is easier when love is reciprocated and the giving is shared. However, even mutual affection does not fully demonstrate the true nature of Biblical love. The Bible teaches that God is love (1 John 4:7–8). Notice that Scripture does not say that love is God; rather, God defines what love truly is. The nature of God determines the nature of love. The Bible also teaches that “no man seeks God not even one” (Romans 3:11). Therefore, it is only because God first loved us (John 3:16) that mankind can respond to Him and learn to love others. This is why obedience to God is so important in the life of a believer. As we obey Him, our nature is transformed (Romans 12:2; Galatians 2:20), and the fruit of that transformation becomes evident in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23). One of those fruits is love. This is how we know whether a person is truly saved and a genuine disciple of Christ—by the fruit they bear (John 13:34–35). Jesus taught: “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16–20, NASU) Many people can demonstrate certain characteristics of love, but not everyone can consistently display love as a way of life. For example, a person may be kind but not forgiving. They may treat others well as long as they are not offended or hurt. Their love depends upon being loved in return. Consequently, their love eventually fails. Biblical love is different because it flows from God’s nature. Love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:7–8). Such love is not sustained by circumstances or by the response of others. It is sustained by the character of God Himself. Therefore, the nature of love is determined by the nature of God (Matthew 22:36–40; 1 John 4:7–14). The closer we grow to Him, the more His love becomes evident in our lives, enabling us to love others not merely because they love us, but because His love has first transformed us.