Ask Your Preacher - Archives
RELATIONSHIPS
Bundle Of Joy
Sunday, March 09, 2014Will I be blessed with a kid soon?Sincerely,
Potential Parent
Dear Potential Parent,
We can’t give you the answer to that question – only God knows. What we can tell you is that other faithful people have faced the same desire to conceive and wondered just as you do when that special blessing would come. One of the greatest examples of this is Hannah. In 1 Samuel 1:4-8, we see how desperately Hannah wanted a child, but yet she waited. Hannah’s solution? She prayed fervently to God (1 Sam 1:9-10). God heard her prayer and eventually gave her that wonderful child she had prayed for (1 Sam 1:20). The power of prayer is incredible. We can’t tell you when you will be blessed with a child (after all, we aren't prophets), but we can tell you that if you pray to the Lord, He is faithful and will cause all to work together for good (Rom 8:28).
On The Defense
Sunday, March 09, 2014Can the devil be in two places at the same time?Sincerely,
Double Vision
Dear Double Vision,
There is absolutely no way to know the answer to that question because God has never revealed those specific details about the devil. We know that the devil has finite power (i.e. he doesn't know everything like God does), but the specific extent of his powers and abilities are never revealed to us in the Scriptures. The Scriptures describe Satan as a powerful lion (1 Pet 5:8). The safest thing to do is to be ever-vigilant because you never know when the lion is lurking just around the corner.
Mind Control
Tuesday, March 04, 2014How do I control my mind from my past and other negative thinking?Sincerely,
Fresh Start
Dear Fresh Start,
Rom 12:1-2 says that we renew our minds when we begin to mold our lives to imitate our Lord. The more we change our behavior to match the Bible, the more our mind begins to match our new lifestyle. There is an old saying: "fake it to make it". When we begin to act the way we ought, our minds and characters begin to match our new behavior. Positive thinking begins with positive life choices.
Unshared Faith
Monday, March 03, 2014When I married my wife, we made sure to put God right in the center. We all know God has a good bit to say about husbands and wives. However, her family attends a Baptist church, and they call themselves christians. My wife and I attend a church of Christ (where I have attended for the last twenty years), and my wife was added to the Lord’s church shortly before we were married. We both really try to live our lives as Christ would want us to. My problem is her family asks us from time to time to go to their church. I show them Scripture for the reasons why we cannot attend with them, and they still get angry and hateful. Even after simple Scripture is shown to them, they still get angry. Do you have any advice on a better way to handle something like this?Sincerely,
Son-in-Outlaw
Dear Son-in-Outlaw,
Your problem is shared by many faithful christians around the world. Jesus said it best, "A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house." (Mark 6:4). Family is the absolute hardest to make an impact with. Jesus' own family mocked His religious choices (Jhn 7:5). You are making the right stand by not bending your morals for the sake of family (Matt 10:37). As long as you are giving a kind, loving, and biblical answer to their requests, you are doing well. It may very well be your uncompromising example that eventually peaks their interest. After all, if they are so interested in sharing your spirituality, you can always invite them to visit your church or have a family Bible study together.
Satanism
Thursday, February 27, 2014Why do people want to be satanic? What exactly does it mean to be satanic? About what percentage/number of people are satanic?Sincerely,
Weirded Out
Dear Weirded Out,
It is an infinitesimally small percentage of Americans that specifically refer to themselves as “Satan worshippers”… less than one percent. Satanic cults have existed in small pockets around the globe for years and have varying practices and beliefs that differ widely. Satanic practitioners hold one common belief – an admiration for rebellious and anti-establishment religious figures. Obviously, this religion is totally wrong and destructive to those who practice it. Satan is not a hero; he is the great villain and adversary of mankind – the word ‘satan’ actually means ‘adversary’. The Bible describes him as a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet 5:8).