It's incredibly arrogant to pick and choose which incomprehensible truths we embrace. No one wants to ditch God's plan of redemption [the cross], even though it doesn't make sense to us. Neither should we erase God's revealed plan of punishment because it doesn't sit well with us. As soon as we do this, we are putting God's actions in submission to our own reasoning, which is a ridiculous thing for clay to do.
Francis ChanThe point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His.
Francis ChanWhen I am consumed by my problems-stressed out about my life, my family, and my job-I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice.
Francis ChanI believe He wants us to love others so much that we go to extremes to help them. I believe He wants us to be known for givingโof our time, our money, and our abilitiesโand to start a movement of โgivingโ churches. In so doing, we can alleviate the suffering in the world and change the reputation of His bride in America.
Francis Chan...when we love God, we naturally run to Him-frequently and zealously. Jesus didn't command that we have a regular time with Him each day. Rather, He tells us to 'love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' He called this the 'first and greatest commandment' (Matt. 22:37-38). The results are intimate prayer and study of His Word. Our motivation changes from guilt to love.
Francis Chan