(The following is a follow-up to Preying Preacher)

He says the Lord gave him a dream about me, and the Lord put us together; he has been a preacher for ten years… so he says.  I do love him, but I don’t know what to think.

Sincerely,
In A Trap?

Dear In A Trap,

Anyone that tells you that they have had a vision from the Lord is lying to you.  1 Cor 13:8-10 says that all prophecy and visions have ceased now that we have the perfect Bible.  We have written on this topic extensively in “Three Cheers For Miracles” and “I Dreamed A Dream”.  You are being deceived into leading a sinful life.  This preacher is a charlatan and is wickedly conning you into a lascivious relationship.  No matter what he says, you must leave this relationship and never look back.  Sin is sin, no matter how he makes you feel.

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Does God make you suffer... because my God loves all His children, good or bad, and I believe that He will help you the best He can, like a father should do.  He does not make you suffer; He helps you everyday, but it seems like my life is just about suffering, no happiness, just darkness alone, and that’s how I feel.  I feel like I am just in empty space with no one.  It also seems like the good people die first, and the drug addicts and jerks live good, happy lives.

Sincerely,
Feeling Alone

Dear Feeling Alone,

We suffer in this life because of the sin and wickedness in this world, but christians hope for a day when all suffering will end.  All christians suffer in this life (Acts 14:22).  Suffering makes us stronger if we remain faithful (Rom 5:3-5).  Pain and weakness remind us that we must trust in the Lord and not in ourselves (2 Cor 12:10).  We live in a world full of sin and destruction, and it is a struggle to live a godly and faithful life in this present world (Tit 2:12).  Solomon said that the wicked often seem victorious in this life (Eccl 3:16)… but it is still better to be righteous (Eccl 12:13).  We are so sorry for your suffering.  Stay strong, and eventually heaven will be all the sweeter because of it (Col 3:2).

I'm not sure what started it, but I have a huge family of twelve aunts and uncles with twenty-six of us grandchildren and even great-grandchildren, to boot.  The only existing grandmother all of us have from this side of the family is eighty-five and was living with my uncle, but his wife and my grandmother came to a verbal shootout a few weeks ago, and now half of the family is divided between Granny and my uncle.  It's becoming really petty and hateful.  Is there a Bible verse that can sum up what everyone should realize, so they will just stop being hateful to each other?

Sincerely,
Out On A Limb

Dear Out On A Limb,

Family disputes are always difficult.  Here are some verses to remember and share with others:

1. God tells us that we are blessed if we are peacemakers (Matt 5:9).
2. When we sow peace in our lives, we get righteousness and peace back (Jas 3:18).
3. Christ tells us to be at peace with others “as much as it depends on us” (Rom 12:18).
4. Peace with others doesn’t come naturally; it must be pursued.  Peace takes work (Heb 12:14).
5. The ‘golden rule’ is to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matt 7:12).
6. The whole Bible stands upon two commands.  “Love the Lord” and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:37-40).

Hopefully, some of these verses will help arm you to wage peace in your family.

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