If you were at worship yesterday, you know that Askthepastors.org is up and running! You can send Pastor Brad and me your questions about God and life and we will do the best to give you sound, biblical answers.  An important reminder to all of us:  information-application=information, but information+ application=transformation!  Over the years, many folks have come to me asking for spiritual advice.  I have given them that advice, and always it comes from the Bible when the Bible has a direct word to speak regarding the request.  In some cases the folks looking for answers have gone away,  applied the biblical truth in the power of the Holy Spirit and seen change take place.

Others have come to me repeatedly over the years, listened respectfully and then have gone away and continued doing the same things they've always done.  Then a month or six months or a year later they ask me, "Why hasn't anything changed?"  As the old saying goes, "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is insanity."  God's word and Spirit WILL change our lives, but only if we apply them to our lives!  God's power is supernatural, but it's not magic.  Many people are looking for magic--a potion, a charm, a wand something they can drink or say or wave over their lives and expect immediate and drastic changes.  God is not a fairy tale or a genie.  He does sometimes provide immediate miracles.  More often He works in our lives as we "work out our salvation with fear and trembling,"  to "will and to work for His good pleasure."  (See Philippians 2:12-13)

God's goal is not to grant our wishes.  His goal is to transform us into being like Jesus, His perfect Son.  That takes time and a willingness to apply His word and power in our lives.  When we do that, we can be sure that His answers will work in us for our good and the advancement of His eternal Kingdom!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving us, and for giving us both Your word and Your power to transform us into the people You created us to be.  Fill us anew with Your Holy Spirit that we may glorify You in all we are and do.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.