Well, the last couple of days have really been tough...my girlfriend and I thought we conceived a baby (we are not married, and I know that is a sin), but I asked for forgiveness... but then it all fell apart.  I loved her and trusted her... she ended up telling me there was a possibility that the baby might not be mine; she left me because it was hard to be with me after she told me, and I admit it was hard, but I was willing to forgive and let go, but she left, and now she has told me that the doctors told her she probably lost the child.  I don’t know if the kid was mine, but I feel like it was.  I had dreams about it and saw myself with a lil’ boy I had never seen before.  I was so happy to find out I was going to be a daddy and was going to raise him right by God.  I’m not sure if it’s mine or if she miscarried.  I just want advice on why things like this happen.  I tried my hardest to make it work, and I wanted to be happy, but it all fell apart.  I’m twenty years old, and this is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, things I’ve ever dealt with.  I lost the love of my life and my possible child, plus she had a daughter, and she would call me “Dad”, so it’s like I lost two children.  Please, I need the Lord’s Word to get through this, so please help!

Sincerely,
Floundering

Dear Floundering,

You are experiencing the pain of sin in a very real and personal way.  God does offer forgiveness if we place our faith in Him (read “What Must I Do To Be Saved” for more details), but that forgiveness doesn’t remove the consequences of sin.  David sinned when he committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:2-4); God forgave David of the sin when David repented (2 Sam 12:13), but David’s child still died as a consequence of that sin (2 Sam 12:14).  Sin has both spiritual and physical consequences.  The spiritual consequence of sin is eternal death unless we are forgiven in Christ (Rom 6:23).  The physical consequences of sin still remain after forgiveness.  God says that we reap what we sow (Gal 6:7).  When we behave immorally toward a woman, lose our temper, mistreat others, are bad examples for our children, etc. – there are consequences to those choices.  God wants you to have a happy and healthy life here on this planet.  The only way to do that is to trust His Word that teaches us everything about life (2 Pet 1:3).  We are so sorry that your road has been so difficult as of late; hopefully, this will become an opportunity for you to start with a new commitment to live as God intends.  If you would like help finding a faithful congregation in your area (not all churches are equal) to help you on that journey, we would be happy assist you in locating one.  Simply e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org.

Genesis 30:16 – what are mandrakes, and what are they used for?

Sincerely,
Horticulturist

Dear Horticulturist,

There are many types of mandrakes, but the ones mentioned in Gen 30:16 are most likely Mandragora Officinarum.  Mandrakes are considered a delicacy and (so we have heard) have a taste similar to an apple.  They were primarily used for eating but have some medicinal uses as well (including use as a mild anesthetic).

How can I prove to someone that the kingdom is fulfilled?  I understand the kingdom is the church, and the person I am talking with believes that also, but for some reason, they don’t think the church is completely fulfilled; therefore, they believe in visions and miracles.  Are there any verses that specifically say that the kingdom has been fulfilled?

Sincerely,
Loyal Subject

Dear Loyal Subject,

The kingdom isn’t done with its work… but that doesn’t mean you can’t prove that visions and miracles have ceased.  The work of the kingdom won’t be entirely fulfilled until the Great Day of Judgment (Jude 1:6) when Christ will hand the kingdom over to the Father (1 Cor 15:24).

Visions and miracles have ceased because the kingdom doesn’t need them anymore.  Paul said that prophecies would stop when ‘the perfect’ comes (1 Cor 13:8-10).  The ‘perfect’ isn’t the end of time; it is the completed Bible.  The Bible is called “the perfect law of liberty” (Jas 1:25).  When the final book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, was completed, we no longer needed prophecy in order to understand God’s Will.  Jude said that we have God’s law handed down to us “once and for all, delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).  Since God provides all knowledge and wisdom in His Bible (everything that pertains to life and godliness – 2 Pet 1:3)… what would be the purpose of visions and prophecy continuing?  The church (i.e. the kingdom) still has work left to do here on this planet, but visions are no longer necessary to fulfill that work.  We recommend reading “I Dreamed A Dream” and “Three Cheers For Miracles” for more on this subject.

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

Will you be forgiven if you have to do something that is legal, but not morally right by God?  What if you have no other option at that moment in order to survive financially?

Sincerely,
A Difficult Decision

Dear A Difficult Decision,

You can be forgiven of anything, but that isn’t the right question to be asking.  If something is a sin (i.e. not morally right), it is a sin.  God never allows you to be tempted beyond what you are able (1 Cor 10:13).  On the Day of Judgment, you will have to give account for the life that you lived (Rom 14:12).  Peter, under fear of death, said, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)  You must place your morals before your finances.  Remember, God promises that He will never let His people starve (Ps 37:25).  Trust God.