Trials are good for us, but we understandably, still prefer the concept of blessing and receiving. When trouble strikes we all know how to pray and be diligent, but it is during the good times that our survival is determined... not during the bad. Far too much comfort with so little genuine needs, leaves many church members struggling to live up to their achievable potential... many are like huge trees that have never faced the reality of drought or wind... when tested they quickly wither and risk perishing. This world will fail, because those with the blessing will forget the source of their comfort and instead of giving thanks to God, they will break down the very structure and values that brought them their blessing in the first place.

The power of God is still made readily available by the indwelling of the holy spirit. It is gifted to those who accept the gospel of Jesus Christ by acting upon its requirements... (repentance, baptism and the anointing of the spirit). Without the effective working of God's power, the miracles signs and wonders start to lose their frequency. Also, truth, wisdom and knowledge are brought into dispute and finally the church falls into a failed state... referred to as 'apostate' (lacking power and credibility). Many Christian churches that are failing today, are doing so because they have lost the courage and desire to promote the power of God as a normal and daily expectation. 2TIM 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. It is both vital and life saving, that the church continues to preach and faithfully expect the power of God to respond to our prayers.

As humans we all need a level of fitness and expertise to survive life's demands. Those who participate at an elite level, do so to excel in their field. In simple terms, if you want to win the prize, then you have to make the effort to be fit enough to be viable. The Olympic games are a perfect example of such a challenge. The marathon tends to encapsulate the best of the efforts that an elite athlete can make... it is the ultimate medal to win. Like the marathon, we are also preparing ourselves for the greatest event in the history of the human race... the return of Jesus Christ. A level of spiritual fitness and expertise is crucial.

Many members of the animal kingdom have embedded behavioural principles that work for the survival and betterment of their group. Each member has an individual role, yet all members work for the common good at the same time. Both the animal kingdom and the human race are genetically driven to live and act according to inbuilt dictates. However, there is a spiritual side to life that offers much more than natural living and increase. This is where the bible and the power of the Holy Spirit (made available by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ), comes into effect. Spiritual principles differ from natural lusts and needs... one determines a lifelong benefit, while the other meets short term and short lived needs. The bible offers a genetic code for living, but it is spiritually and not carnally based; it manages life for eternity, not just for the next passing whim.

The human race has notably and frequently gone outside the boundaries that God has defined as safe and life producing. God doesn't need us to form a church based on our beliefs; rather he chooses us through our humble obedience and builds his own church regardless of our opinions. God's plan is more powerful than our perceptions, not limited to our mindset and far greater than our religious comprehension. He makes the rules, he builds the church, he provides the signs, miracles and wonders they are not our call to make, but his. We can say whatever we like, but God's actions speak louder than ours. 1JOH 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: God's evidence overrules our beliefs... no matter what. Blind faith doesn't work with God... true faith comes with signs following...God has ordained it to be so and wants us to conform accordingly.

God has a plan for us, that's far greater than any doubt or fear that we might face during our natural life. We have been chosen as the right people for this particular age. It is our time... right now. Every living thing that is born upon the earth, has a genetic code already built in. This gives all life the potential to flourish and maximise their existence. However, humans have much greater potential, because we have a spiritual side to us as well. With good nourishment and a healthy life style we can do well physically, but it's the spirit that needs the correct input, because it carries the greatest opportunity for life. Once the Holy Spirit enters our body, it encodes our soul to keep developing to the extent of God's purposes... just like the genetic development of our bodies. God is all seeing and all knowing, thus we are shaped to meet today's needs

Even though God has unlimited power and ability, he has chosen to use people to accomplish his plans. When Jesus was preparing to enter Jerusalem, he told a man he needed his donkey (Mat 22:3)... when he approached the well at Samaria, he told the woman he needed a drink (Joh 4:7). On both of these occasions he could have called upon God or he could have helped himself, but he chose to use the willingness of others to serve his purposes, thus multiplying the available blessing. The parable of the sheep and goats takes this principle one step further. God has actually built his salvation plan around the willingness of others to help him out. This concept is so powerful, that God takes it personally and miraculously responds to those who do his will (there is no way to help God other than helping others). Alternatively, those who won't assist others (refusing to help God), will find themselves on the wrong side of their creator... not the best choice to make.

There is a continuing and overriding principle in the scriptures, which requires all of us to demonstrate some level of responsibility towards the spiritual and natural needs of fellow humans. The God designated family unit, is typical of the strong bonding network where people interact and offer love and support to those who are part of their family/church structure. This gives God the best chance to bless, heal and save, those who have a conscience towards truth and a very healthy respect for life itself. Just as Adam and Eve made choices that affected the whole human race to their detriment; God wants us to make the same far reaching decisions, but this time for the betterment of the human race.

The following is a simple analysis between the plausibility of God creating our current world with purpose and planning in mind. Alternatively, all of the natural world is a meaningless, unplanned randomness, which somehow sees matter and life evolve and appear in incremental stages over a long period of time.

Lack of worthiness or feelings of inadequacy, need not be a reason for a troubled conscience... rather they are the recognition of God's unfailing superiority. Feelings of insignificance, in the presence of such a great and powerful God is not a sign of failure, rather it is a normal response to true spiritual awareness. The unlimited potential of being God's servant, is far larger than our comprehension. No wonder we can feel out of our depth living up to the calling we have entered into. God is very aware of such inadequacies and our tendency to sin (fall short of the mark). Your sins and shortcomings aren't your real problem, it's leaving them undone that causes the most grief. A clear conscience comes from being right with God and right with your fellow man. Being right with God means that we are doing it his way... despite our feelings or emotions!