SOLA GRATIA
                                                                                        Grace Alone
God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do
not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.

 
SOLA SCRIPTURA
Scripture Alone
The Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His
Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.
 
                                                        SOLA FIDE
                                                                                                                                                Faith Alone     
By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won
forgiveness and eternal life for them.  Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the
eternal life that it offers.  God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.
 
 
  
 
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What follows are some 
random thoughts.
 
Why does it sometimes seem as though God
causes bad things to happen to good people?
 
Because Gods thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways, it is often hard for us to
remember that  ...in all things God works for the good of those who love him...  Gods goal for us is faith
in the sacrifice of His Son, and by His grace, He gives us what we really need to meet this goal rather
than what we think we need.  This is illustrated by the following poem and story.
 
The Song Of The Blind Plowman
Set my hands upon the plow,
My feet upon the sod;
Turn my face then toward the east,
And praises be to God,
The God who makes his sun to shine
Alike on you and me.
The God who took away my eyes
That now my soul may see.
 
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and
every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.  Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut
out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.  But then one day, after scavenging for food,
he arrived home to find his  little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.  The worst had  happened; everything was lost.  He
was stunned with grief and anger.  "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.  Early the next day, however, he was awakened by
the sound of a ship that was approaching the island.  It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I  was here?" asked the weary
man of his rescuers.  "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly.  But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in
the midst of pain and suffering.  Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground----it just may be a smoke signal that
summons the grace of God.  For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it:
 
You say:  "It's impossible"                                               God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say:  "I'm too tired"                                                    God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"                                God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: "I can't go on"                                                     God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"                                  God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"                                                        God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"                                                      God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say:  "It's not worth it"                                                God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)

You say:  "I can't forgive myself"                                     God says:  I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say:  "I can't manage"                                               God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say:  "I'm afraid"                                                         God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"               God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5: 7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"                               God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say:  "I'm not smart enough"                                    God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say:  "I feel all alone"                                                 God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

 
The Devil's Beatitudes
If the devil were to write his Beatitudes, they would probably go something like this:
 
 
Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians in Church 
~ they are my best workers. 
 
Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked 
~ I can use them. 
 
Blessed are the touchy, with a bit of luck they may stop going to church 
~ they are my missionaries. 
 
Blessed are those who are very religious but get on everyone's nerves 
~ they are forever mine. 
 
Blessed are the trouble-makers 
~ they shall be called my children. 
 
Blessed are those who have no time to pray 
~ they are easy prey for me. 
 
Blessed are the gossips 
~ for they are my secret agents. 
 
Blessed are those critical of church leadership 
~ for they shall inherit a place with me in my fate. 
 
Blessed are the complainers 
~I'm all ears for them. 
 
Blessed are you if you read this and think it is about other people and not yourself. 
~ I've got you. 
 

 
 

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