How can a good God appoint cruel people to positions of authority? The answer is simple: God is the originator of the authority, but He is not the author of the cruelty. Man is responsible for his cruel actions, not God. All authority is of God, but not all authority is godly.

God is waiting to satisfy us, yet His goodness will not satisfy us if we are already full of other things.

Offended people still may experience miracles, words of utterance, strong preaching, and healing in their lives. But these are gifts of the Spirit, not fruits. We will be judged according to fruit, not gifting. A gift is given. Fruit is cultivated.

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

True humility is absolute obedience and dependence on God. It puts Him first, others second, and ourselves third in all things.

The Spirit of God is jealous over us; He doesn't want superficial fellowship, but genuine intimacy.

We don't want to merely obey God: we need to catch His heart. It is then we will glimpse the wisdom behind His directives, and not just see them as laws.