Dissatisfaction

Dissatisfaction comes about when we turn our focus from what we have to what we don't have. It really is that simple.

Why We Sin

We all have a sin nature, but understanding why we sin isn't that complicated. Typically there are three (3) basic motives for sin:

1. Committed unintentionally.
We did it without realizing it was a sin or without realizing that we did it.

2. Committed out of weakness or negligence.
We did it because we were not focused on doing right, and just drifted by default to wrong.

3. Committed out of rebellion.
We knew it was wrong when we did it, but just didn't care.

Of course, none of these are reasons any of us would be proud of. So if I say that I "struggle with" some sin or sin pattern in my life, then I really just have to ask myself which of these three underlying explanations is applicable to that struggle.

Leadership Privilege

Leadership's special privileges can cause leaders to either sacrifice for the good of their people or to sacrifice their people for their own greed. Which leader will you be?

Strength & Ability

God gives each of us strengths and abilities that will find their greatest usefulness only when we are fully surrendered and submitted to God. So strengths or abilities, even when they are God-given, are only folly if there is no surrender or submission.

Understanding Jesus

People naturally miss the importance of Jesus' life and work. His death on the cross, for example, tends to sound abstract - a reality that we don't naturally grasp. We need faithful Christians - spiritually mature in their own nature - to point out and teach us of Christ's extraordinary nature and character. (Typically such people are provided and led by the Holy Spirit.)

Finding Relief

Many people cry out for relief from suffering, seeking comfort and security. But we often have not taken the first steps to turn away from sin and trust in God. We have not fully repented of our sin or fully put our trust in God - even though we say that we have. In other words, the root cause of our pain and suffering may not be the circumstances of our suffering. Rather the root cause is the denial we have about our relationship with God.

Obedience & Worship

If we are to be God's people, we must be obedient to Him, and we must worship Him honestly and sincerely. Otherwise, we are only fooling ourselves - we are not His people!