• Jesus stated in Luke 24:39, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch Me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” Christ had a physical body and identity after his resurrection.
• In I Corinthians 15:6, five hundred people recognized this resurrected Christ.
• In Matthew 26:29, Jesus mentioned that His disciples will be with Him in Heaven. He didn’t say a resemblance of the disciples will be in Heaven, but the disciples themselves.
• In Revelation 20:15 and 21:27, God’s children are said to have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. As theologian, Randy Alcorn, has once pointed out, a name denotes a distinct identity as an individual . This identity includes personality, characteristics, and memories.
• According to Genesis 1:27, we were created in His image. We were created uniquely before the fall of man in Genesis 3. Our fingerprints, physical attributes, and personalities point to our individuality as well as our Creator. It is not sinful to be unique. On the contrary, our sinful nature has limited, hurt, and damaged our individuality in such a way that we need to be restored and reconciled to Christ.
• In Luke 16:25, Jesus tells the story of a rich man and Lazarus, one going to hell and one going to heaven. Both were still referred to by name in the afterlife. Also, in this verse, Lazarus received comfort for what happened on earth. If Lazarus needed comfort, wouldn’t he have had to remember what happened on earth?
• I Thessalonians 4:14-18 teaches us about comfort in the afterlife. J.C. Ryle stated about this passage, “The hope with which he cheers wearied Christians is the hope of meeting their beloved friends again” .
• In Matthew 8:11, Christ mentioned that one day in Heaven we will dine and feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. How exciting is it that we will have the opportunity to talk and interact with saints from every generation?
• In Luke 15:7, 10, there is rejoicing in Heaven over one repentant sinner. It’s important to note the emphasis of joy over one changed life. This emphasis suggests that individuals are important to God.
• In Matthew 22:37-39, we are called to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. The second command, however, is also tied to the first. We are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves. In Heaven, we will experience the joy of fulfilling and obeying these commands in full harmony. How can we obey the command if we do not know others that are in Heaven to whom we can show love?

Heaven is not losing who you use to be, but becoming who you are suppose to be. God created us with a purpose to bring glory back to Him. Each of us has a unique way of doing so. Once in heaven, we will be able to fulfill our purpose as God intended, unhampered by the weight and effects of sin. Memories will be present, but so will understanding, comfort, and relationships. As C.S. Lewis once said, “Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you and you alone, because you were made for it—made for it stitch by stitch as a glove is made for a hand."

Jon Kragel

God created Satan for the purpose of being the head worship leader in heaven. However it seems that God gave angels a free will just as He did man. In their free will, Satan and a third of the angels chose to rebel against God. Serving and worshipping God was not enough, he wanted to be as God. Isn’t that the same argument Satan gave to Eve and isn’t that the argument we hear in some of the religions of the world today? God’s plan has a purpose for Satan, even in his fallen state. In Proverbs 16:4 it says, “The Lord has made all things for Himself, even the wicked for the day of evil.” 

Satan became the ruler of this world and the prince of the power of the air (John 12:31; II Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2). He is an accuser (Revelation 12:10), a tempter (Matthew 4:3; I Thessalonians 3:5), and a deceiver (Genesis 3; II Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:3). His very name means “adversary” or “one who opposes.” Another of his titles—the devil, means “slanderer.”

Even though he was cast out of heaven, Satan still seeks to elevate his throne above God’s. He counterfeits all that God does, hoping to gain the worship of the world and encourage opposition to God's kingdom. Satan is the ultimate source behind every false cult and world religion. Satan will do anything and everything in his power to oppose God and those who follow God. However, Satan’s destiny is sealed—an eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).

Barry Edwards

We can see how much greater God’s capacity for loving us is by reading the passage from Matthew 7:11, where Jesus says, “If you then, being evil (earthly), know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

God made a way for our disobedience to be forgiven. I John 1:7 says in part “…the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin,” and verse 9 follows, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

In Luke 15 we find the parable of the prodigal or disobedient son. One of the things this story reveals is God’s great, unstoppable love for us, even when we wander off into terrible sin. In the story, when the disobedient son comes to his senses, he goes home in disgrace and shame prepared to beg for his dad’s forgiveness.

In verse 20, Jesus says that while the son was still a long way off, the father was straining at the door looking for his son and when he saw him, ran out to meet him. Even though the son had dishonored the father, and was dirty and smelled bad, the father ran up to him and hugged him and then commanded that fine new clothes be brought to the son and a ring (symbolizing that he was part of the family) be put on his finger and that a feast be declared to celebrate his son’s return.

Jesus was showing us that no matter how far we stray, God loves us and longs for our return to Him. There is no sin great enough to keep us away from God’s love.

Please read Romans 8:37-39. In this heartening declaration we are told that God’s love is greater than any obstacle and we cannot be separated from it.

Rick Ray

Most people believe that if they live a good life they will go to heaven and if they live wicked lives they will go to hell when they die. The Bible does not teach this at all. That is a grading system devised by man that means nothing to God. First of all, if being “good” gets you to heaven, then how good is good enough and who decides?

If you commit 10 sins, 100 sins, 1,000 sins—where is the cut-off that determines you have moved from being good to being wicked? And who determines what the sins are? Is a little white lie a sin and does it count as much as a big lie? Does lying count as much as slander and is slander as bad as hatred or unforgiveness? Who has the sliding scale that measures and counts all these sins? The whole idea is ridiculous if you really think about it. This way of thinking would place the entire burden of “working” our way to God upon us, just like every other religion.

Christianity is not a religion. It is not based on a system of works to satisfy God that we are good enough for Him to accept us. The Bible teaches in Romans 3:23, as well as in other verses, that we are all sinners and guilty before God. We can’t work our way into heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For by grace (that means God’s undeserved favor) you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift (you don’t have to earn a gift, you just have to receive it) of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Our salvation does not rest upon our goodness. Isaiah 64:6 tells us that all of our good works are like a pile of dirty rags in God’s sight. Our salvation rests upon Christ who is perfect, sacrificing Himself on our behalf to remove the penalty of sin from us and taking it upon Himself. Because He took the punishment for us, all we have to do is to accept the “gift” by receiving Him into our lives and making Jesus the Lord or the “boss” of our lives.

In John 10:26 and following Jesus said, “But you do not believe, because you are not My sheep (my children). My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal (means forever so it has no end) life to them, and they will never perish (So if you could be saved and then lose your salvation, how long did your eternal life last?); and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

Jesus is explaining that our salvation rests upon God’s ability to keep us safe in His hands and no power in the universe is able to break God’s all-powerful grip on us to steal us away. Our good works don’t save us; therefore, being good doesn’t keep us saved. Christ’s finished work on the cross saves us when we receive Him into our lives. From that point on, our security rests in His great hands! Praise God for that promise!

Rick Ray

With general and special revelation in place, why is it that God does not directly tell us what path to take? Well, rather than view this idea as a negative, view it as a positive. Consider the following advantages to not knowing the future:

• We are reminded that we are small, finite beings.
• We are reminded that God is infinite, all-knowing, and all-powerful.
• When we’re not sure of our future, we’re reminded to rely on God through prayer.
• Prayer can bring us to a humble, submissive state, from which God can work in our lives.
• We know that the testing of our faith produces perseverance (James 1:3).
• When we go through trials, we are refined like gold through the fire, being purified to bring glory to God (I Peter 1:7).
• We’re not called to be anxious about anything because God has promised to take care of us (Matthew 6:25, 34).
• If God takes care of the birds in the air, would He not take care of His own children, the ones created in His image (Matthew 6:26-27; Genesis 1:27)? 

While I don’t know the future, I know who holds the future, and I know that the same God who holds the future holds me, and in this truth I find peace, rest, and hope. God bless. 

Jon Kragel

In short, the cosmological argument states that every effect must have a cause. The universe is viewed as an effect, and therefore, it must have a cause. At some point in time, something “un-caused” had to exist in order to start the whole process. Well, what about the “Big Bang Theory?” While we as Christians do not believe in the “Big Bang Theory,” the BBT still does not address the “un-caused” question. Even if material exploded together to form our universe, from where did this material come? The answer to the “un-caused” question, no matter one’s beliefs, has to be God.

The teleological argument can be stated this way: when one looks at a building, does he ever question the existence of its builder? No. In the same way, when one looks at a piece of art, the art itself is proof of the artist. Also, when one looks at design, one can acknowledge existence of the designer. We, as human life and creation, point to the existence of a Creator. The order in the universe (the complexity of our bodies, the harmony within environments, the perfect setting of earth within our solar system, etc.) points to the existence of an intelligent designer.

We as humans are intelligent. We experience the universe as intelligible. Our intelligence is what separates us from inanimate matter. In other words, we are not the same as rocks. We are conscious of our own intelligence and existence. In contrast, rocks do not and cannot recognize and acknowledge the fact that they are rocks. Consciousness exists in a cosmos that is not self-aware, and so, from where did our consciousness and knowledge of existence come? We believe our consciousness comes from God. 

There are two types of desires in the world: natural and developed. Natural desires include things such as food, sleep, knowledge, sex, and friendship. Developed desires are ones place in our hearts through society, such as football, popcorn, a new outfit, and a better job. Why do we contain desires that can never seem to be ultimately fulfilled? If we get a new (fill in the blank with a desired object), we’ll soon crave the updated, more expensive model. One logical thought is that a Creator placed inside His creation a desire that can only be fulfilled through Him.

Ultimately, God’s existence comes down to faith (Hebrews 11:6, John 20:29): faith in who God is, faith in who we are, and faith in our purpose here on earth. Our faith, however, is not a foolish one (Romans 1:20, 25), and we believe that after one examines the evidence, he will conclude that the logical choice is to believe in God. 

Jon Kragel

Since sin entered the world, the consequences of sin have grown and spread. Evil multiplies. Because we all have a sin nature, we are all prone to do evil. Atrocities are human nature, as demonstrated all throughout history. These are not choices God made. These are choices people made. God is not responsible for evil. Humans are responsible for evil.

The reality is that God suffers right along with us. God chose to allow us to have a free will, and free requires the option to reject God, as well as to accept God. God shows His empathy with us right up to allowing Jesus to be unfairly killed on a Roman cross. Jesus was the ultimate example of a blameless victim. “God showed His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

However, just because we do not see it now does not mean God’s justice will not prevail. We know that God will punish all evildoers for all eternity in ways we cannot even imagine. The vast majority of God’s activities take place in the realm of eternity. Yet there are times that we see His justice even in this world. He does act in favor of the weak and helpless.

Still, the ultimate answer to suffering is beyond our understanding. God’s actions may not always make sense to us, and may even make us angry at Him for a time, but they are still perfect. God is described as our father. As a father myself, there have been many times when I have acted in a way that my kids thought was unfair, irrational, cruel, uncaring or just plain wrong. While I would never claim I was right every time, the usual cause of anger or hurt on the part of my kids was that they were unable to understand my actions. It may be because they were immature, inexperienced, or even ignorant of all the facts. They were incapable of understanding. In time (at least sometimes!), my kids eventually gained an understanding of why I did what I did.

God says that His ways are not our ways. He asks us to trust Him when there seems to be no reason to do so. He asks us to let Him be the judge when it seems He is not acting fast enough. He asks us to believe in Him when it seems illogical. But God has the credentials to make such requests.

Trust that God knows what He is doing even when it makes no sense to you. His love is perfect, and one day (though maybe not until you get to heaven) He will prove that out. Until He does, keep on trusting.

Bob Berry

For more information on this, check the chapters on the church or ecclesiology in Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine” by Wayne Grudem or Christian Theology by Millard Erickson.

Kyle Carden

Kyle Carden

Q 2: Or if the guard report is understood to be sufficient, why did they not appear to be more afraid? There doesn’t appear to be any evidence that they feared He might come after them. They seemed to be more fearful of Peter’s and John’s testimonies and the effect of the healing of the lame man on the public, than on Jesus Himself.

A: As I read Matthew 28:4, the text says that the guards at the tomb were very afraid as the appearance of Jesus was like lightning. The feelings and emotions that the guards might have had towards Jesus depended on what they believed about Him. I’m sure that those who might have believed Jesus was the Son of God would have been very fearful of Jesus and those who didn’t believe would not have been afraid.

Nathan Wilder

• Jesus was tried by hunger and by Satan during the 40 days that He fasted in the wilderness. That 40-day period also served as preparation for His public, earthly ministry to begin. Jesus was baptized, and then went into the wilderness to fast and pray. He was tempted by Satan, after which He started His ministry of teaching and healing. (Matthew 3:13-17; 4:1-11,17)
• When the flood came, it rained non-stop for 40 days and 40 nights. God was preparing the earth to begin anew with a new race of people. (Genesis 7:12)
• Moses was up on the mountain of God for 40 days receiving the Ten Commandments. Moses fasted during that time, eating nothing. God was preparing Moses and He was testing the faithfulness of His people. God was about to set in motion a new day of worship unto the Lord with the commandments as the guide. (Exodus 24:18 and 34:28-29)
• The Hebrews wandered 40 years in the wilderness while God tested their faith. They sent 12 spies into the land that God had promised to give them. Those spies spent 40 days surveying that land and its people. Then 10 of the spies brought a report against the Lord saying the land was filled with walled cities and giants that made the Hebrews looked like insects by comparison. These 10 spies convinced the Hebrew people to turn their back on the land that God had promised the sons of Israel. So God let them wander 40 years in the wilderness—one year for each day they spied out the land. (Exodus 16:35, Numbers 13:25, Numbers 14:33-34)

God is always testing us in order to strengthen our faith, to teach us valuable lessons about ourselves and God’s faithfulness and to make us more Christ-like. God is always preparing us for another level in our faith walk with Him. It is exciting to know God is leading, preparing us and the way He wants us to go.

Rick Ray

There are at least two reasons found in Scripture for why we continue to live in the flesh here on earth, even after salvation—the fulfillment of prophecy and the proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ.

Jesus himself said He would return to judge the world. He spoke many times in the gospels about His return. It is also prophesied in the Old Testament in numerous places. It is clear throughout the Bible that Jesus will return. His return is necessary to fulfill many prophecies.

A second reason we do not immediately go to heaven when we receive new life in Christ is because God desires that we “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I [Jesus] have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). We will forever glorify the Lord in heaven, but one thing we cannot do in heaven is point lost people to Christ and His redeeming love, for there will be no lost people in heaven. Therefore, the time we spend here on earth as Christ followers should be spent glorifying the Lord by proclaiming His salvation to the nations and pointing others to Christ, so they too can glorify God by obeying the Great Commission we find in Matthew 28:19-20. Romans 10:14-15 puts in this way: “But how are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” After we come to know Christ, and until Christ takes us to heaven, we are to proclaim that good news to all who will hear. Do you have beautiful feet?

Dan Byrd

Matthew 24:5-8 shares with us the words of Christ Himself as He tells us that there will be imposters claiming to be Christ and there will be “wars and rumors of wars.” Jesus goes on in that passage to say: “… nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilence, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Those words certainly seem to describe our current age. In a similar way, II Timothy 3:1-2 shares with us a description of how people will be in the last days: “… lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.” Isn’t that an eerily accurate description of the day and age in which we live?

There are also modern day examples of the fact that, if we are not in the “end times,” we are certainly on a collision course in that direction. In 1948, the world saw Israel recognized as a sovereign state (Genesis 17:8, Ezekiel 37). More recently we have seen the formation of the European Union and a reunified Germany. Many believe these historical events are tied to passages like Daniel 2:42, Daniel 7:20 and Revelation 13:1 which reference a “revival” of a Roman Empire.

I am not able to point to Scripture that clearly says that we are in the “end times.” However, we can see similarities between the biblical description of the “end times” and the current age.

For more information on this topic see: Understanding End Times Prophecy: A Comprehensive Approach by Paul Benware

Dan Byrd

Dan Byrd

A: We see in the New Testament and from history that the Jews were expecting a social and political Messiah—someone to rescue them from the Roman bondage they were dealing with at the time. Jesus did not provide this for the people of Israel (the Jews). Instead He came to give them something far greater. He came as a spiritual Messiah—to rescue them from the eternal bondage of sin. In Matthew 21:9, as Jesus was riding into Jerusalem, we see the masses of people proclaiming: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Many, in those days, believed that Jesus was the Messiah. However, when Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested, tried, and crucified on a cross, they questioned His ability to rescue them in the manner they were hoping. Many stopped believing that He was the promised Messiah (Matthew 27:22).

While most Jews today still do not believe in Jesus as the Messiah, it is important to keep in mind that the disciples and the majority of the early church (especially the leaders) were Jews. Romans 1 tells us that the gospel of Jesus Christ “is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (NIV). God made a covenant with the Jews and He has and will keep that covenant. However, through Jesus, we as Gentiles (non-Jews) have been grafted into that blessing. Romans 10:12 says: “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him…”(NIV). You specifically asked: “How come the Jews proclaim Jesus Christ did NOT rise from the dead, nor do they believe, to this day, He is the son of God?” The fact is the Jews are not the only ones who proclaim that Jesus did NOT rise from the dead and that He is not the Son of God. The resurrection is the “hinge pin,” if you will. You cannot believe that Jesus is the Messiah unless you believe in the resurrection. Paul says in [I] Corinthians 15:17ff that if there is no resurrection, then we are most among men to be pitied. In John 4:22, Jesus Himself tells us that “salvation is of the Jews” (KJV). Christ Himself and His first followers were Jews, but nowhere do the Scriptures tell us that all Jews will be saved. Only those who trust in Jesus as their savior will receive eternal life (John 14:6) regardless of whether they are Jew or Gentile.

Dan Byrd

What if we approached this question looking through 2 different lenses? If we looked at life through the “God” lens, then we would see that God is in full control and nothing can alter His plans. If we looked at life through the “human” lens, then we would see that we make thousands of choices everyday that lead us down different paths. 

So, which is it? Is it possible for God to be in full control and at the same time we have freedom to choose? Can it be that God is 100% in control and that man has 100% freedom of choice? Philippians 2:12-13 says, “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” This verse seems to illustrate the “God” lens and the “human” lens working together at the same time, just with different perspectives.

The lens that you choose to look through when approaching the question of marriage will determine the perspective that you have on this subject. To complicate things more, two people might be looking through the same lens, but still have differing opinions on this subject. Some believe that there is one person for you to marry while others believe that there could be multiple options. 

I would argue that our sovereign God has a person A and person B picked out for each other before the creation of time (God lens). At the same time, Person A and Person B need to choose to seek God and trust that God will have them meet in His perfect timing (human lens).

What if Person A gets off path while Person B stays on path? Will God have them meet up? If Person B stays on path, will God unite him with Person C who is also staying on path? What if Person A and Person B stay on path and get married, but then their marriage fails and Person A marries Person C? Was Person C the original right spouse for Person A?

There are so many scenarios that can occur and we probably will never fully understand. Also, looking back on things usually provides us with a different perspective than looking forward to things. I believe it is more spiritually healthy and biblically based to prepare for the future the way God tells us to. First, pray for the spouse that God has for you. Second, trust in His control and timing (God lens). Third, honor God as you seek out the spouse that God has for you (human lens). Be encouraged that God is building yours and your spouse’s foundation before you even meet each other. God is bonding you two together as you both seek after Him. When God decides the timing is right, there is a God bond that has formed that is inseparable and unbreakable.

Nathan Wilder

In conclusion, suffering is necessary to illustrate our need for a Savior and our need to rely fully on God. Without suffering, this would not be accomplished. One day though, all suffering will come to an end and we all look forward to this day as we rest in the above truths from God’s Word.

Nathan Wilder

When we were children we used to say, “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me.” However, even then we realized that words hurt a lot more than sticks and stones, and that the hurt can last a lifetime. We are accountable for the damage our words cause to others. 

Words can damage reputations, careers, marriages, and self-image. Words can lead people away from God. Words can make us believe things that are not true. Words are powerful, and thus we are accountable for them.

Words can also edify, build up, encourage, teach, explain and praise. Words can express our love for each other, our love for God, our gratitude, our joy. Some of you even use words in beautiful music. Words can thrill, inspire, challenge and spur to action. The use or lack of use of positive words is something for which we are held accountable.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:29 that our words should “give grace to those who hear.” Words that damage others or even ourselves must not be allowed to come from our mouth. We must learn to let God’s Spirit create self-control in our mind first and then have that self-control expressed in what we do or do not say. 

Can we receive forgiveness for “every idle word?” Yes we can. God’s grace covers all sin. Forgiveness is complete and total in Christ. However, the damage and the lasting effects of our evil, thoughtless and angry words cannot be undone. So the legacy of what we say has eternal consequences. James 1:19 says, "Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” Words matter.

Bob Berry

Kyle Carden

God did this knowing up front that we could not only choose to reject Him, but that we would reject Him. He made a provision for this, according to the Bible, “before the foundation of the earth.” God not only gave us free will so that we could choose to love Him, but He also gave us free will to choose His remedy for us or rejection of Him.

As a parent (and God constantly is represented as a parent in Scripture) your child can choose to obey you because you force them to. They can obey you out of fear of the consequences of the disobedience. Or they can obey you because they want to please you and show their love for you. Which response is preferred? Obviously, obedience based on a desire to show love back to you. This is what God desires. 

A loving relationship cannot be based on coercion. You cannot force anyone to love you. Love is by definition a choice. God gave us that choice, and gave us every reason to want to have a relationship with Him. He created us, set us free to make our own choices, created consequences for disobedience and provided a way to maintain our relationship with Him. God preferred to be rejected by some in order to be loved by those who know Him. That is why God gave you free will. 

Bob Berry

Kyle Carden

First, God cannot be the cause of evil because He can’t conflict His Holy nature. Therefore, an evil spirit cannot come from Him.

Second, God is sovereign and still bigger than evil.

Third, God in His sovereignty can make happen what He wants to make happen as long as there is not a conflict with His nature (Romans 9).

The NIV commentary suggests that the statement, “an evil spirit from the Lord,” and statements like this one indicate that evil spirits are subject to God’s control and operate only within divinely determined boundaries.

So, God allowed the evil spirit to come upon Saul because of his disobedience. 

Nathan Wilder

The goal for the reader of the Bible is to correctly receive the message that God, through the author, is communicating. Correct interpretation of God’s Word will be reached when the reader considers the correct context of the content and the type of literature used when communicating the content.

Further commentary on the order of the Bible is as follows:
The books of the Bible are primarily divided by the type of literature, not necessarily by the time in which the events occurred. For example, Genesis through Esther are primarily historical, Job through Song of Solomon are poetry, Isaiah through Malachi are prophecy. Similarly, Matthew through Acts are historical, Romans through Jude are letters to churches or individuals, Revelation is prophecy. Within the type of literature, the books of the Bible are in basic chronological order. For example, Isaiah's prophecies occurred before Jeremiah's prophesies. The Bible not being in chronological order can sometimes make studying the Bible difficult. That is why chronological Bibles can come in so handy. A chronological Bible actually puts the content of the Bible in chronological order. As an example, Isaiah ministered during the times of the kings. So, a chronological Bible puts Isaiah’s prophecies in the appropriate place in the books of I and II Kings. A chronological Bible also takes the four Gospels and attempts to put all of the events in order. 

Addressing the specific issue of why Daniel 7 occurs before Daniel 5 can be explained by understanding the genre of the text. The first six chapters of Daniel are considered historical books and the last six are considered prophetical books. So, even though Daniel 7 occurs before Daniel 5, its prophetical genre places it in the prophetical section of the book of Daniel.

Nathan Wilder

Since we all sin and there is nothing we can do about our sin, Jesus died on the cross shedding His blood for payment of our sin.

When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God erases our sin-debt from the books as if our sin never happened. Romans 4 establishes that Christ’s right-standing before God is ours and our sin is His. In Psalm 32:1, David, a great sinner, tells us how blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven. John tells us in I John 1:9 that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Paul informs us in Romans 8:1 that there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Paul also says in II Corinthians 5:17, “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 

The issue is not has God forgiven us, but have we forgiven ourselves! When we do not forgive ourselves, guilt will do three things to us: (1) guilt destroys our confidence, (2) guilt damages our relationships, and (3) guilt keeps us stuck in the past. 

If you have received Jesus, confessed and repented of your sins, God has forgiven you. You need to let the past go!

Herb Long

Therefore God created man to have fellowship with Him. When Adam sinned, we lost the Spirit of God and our fellowship with Him, but as promised God sent His redeemer [Jesus] to be a sacrifice for our sins so we could once again have fellowship with God. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we once again receive the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, Romans 8:9) and have fellowship with God. (1 John 1:3) 

We are here to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! This is not two purposes but one. You cannot glorify God without enjoying Him forever, and you cannot enjoy God forever without glorifying Him. How do we glorify God? By loving Him and doing what He commands. (Psalm 86:11-12, Matthew 5:16) 

God loves us so we ought to love Him and serve Him in such a way that He would be praised. (Isaiah 43:21) This is why we are here!

Herb Long

When Satan was banished from heaven, he also suffered consequences (Isaiah 14: 12, 19), cast out of heaven, no longer able to enjoy the position he had in heaven as worship leader and no longer able to enjoy the fellowship he had with God.

One of the mysteries of the Christian life is why God didn’t just destroy Satan immediately after he sinned. We know that God will one day defeat Satan once and for all by throwing him into the Lake of Fire where he will be tortured day and night forever (Revelation 20:10), but sometimes we wonder why God has not destroyed Satan already. Perhaps we will never know God’s reasoning in this particular situation, but we do know certain things about Him. 

First, we know He is absolutely sovereign over all creation, and this includes Satan, who is “on a very short leash.” Certainly, Satan and his demons wreak havoc in the world, but they are only allowed to go so far and no farther. We also know that God has planned everything from the beginning of time to the end. Nothing can thwart His plans (Isaiah 14:24).

Second, “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Whatever God has planned for Satan, that plan will be the best one possible, resulting in God’s perfect wrath and justice being satisfied and His perfect righteousness being glorified.

Third, we know that calling into question God’s plan and its timing is to call into question God Himself, His judgment, His character and His very nature. It is not wise to question His right to do exactly as He pleases. The psalmist tells us, “As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30). Whatever plan comes from the mind of the Almighty is the best plan possible (Isaiah 55:8-9). 

Nevertheless, our responsibility to God is to obey Him, to trust Him, and to submit to His will, whether we understand it or not. In the case of His timing for Satan’s demise, it has to be the best possible plan because it is God’s plan.

Barry Edwards

The answer to why, is that God had to give Adam and Eve, as well as the rest of us, a choice to either obey Him or disobey Him. We know that God knows all things before they ever happen. 1 John 3:20 says, “… In whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.” 1 Peter 1:2 says, “… according to the foreknowledge of God the father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood…” In his perfect wisdom, God knew before He created Adam and Eve that He would have to allow them to choose to disobey if anyone was to ever truly choose to love Him and choose Him. He could have just as easily never let us choose, therein creating mindless robots that would forever do as He said; but God wanted a deeper relationship with us, a relationship in which we choose God ourselves. He also knew from the beginning that this choice would make it necessary for Him to send His son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sins. However, the fact that God decided it was worth that price shows us just how much He loves us.

Chad Moore

Chad Moore

Dan Byrd

*For further resources see:
The New American Commentary- John 1-11 by Gerald Borchert (pgs. 119-121)
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary – John/Acts edt. Frank E. Gaebelein (pgs. 32-34)
The Returning King by Vern S. Poythress

Chad Moore

*gotquestions.org was used as a resource in writing these answers.

Chad Moore

*gotquestions.org was used as a resource in writing these answers.

In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me.” In Acts 4:12 Peter speaking of Jesus said, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”
In John 1:12 the Word of God says: “But as many as receive Him [Jesus] to them He gave the right to become children of God even to those who believe in His [Jesus] name.” In I John 5:13 John writes: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.”

There are many other Scriptures which reveal that a person must receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in order to have a relationship with God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit, thereby knowing for sure that you will go to heaven when you die.

But after receiving Christ, a person should grow in their relationship with Him and serve Him by keeping His commandments and being an active member of a local church. In II Peter 3:18 we are told, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

Herb Long

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” And Romans 10:9-10 states: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” 

Jesus said in John 14:2-4 that in His Father’s House there were many dwelling places. He said He was going to prepare a place for us. Paul states in II Corinthians 5:8 to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord.

If your family members have a relationship with Christ, you can be assured of their place in heaven.

Kyle Carden

First, you need to remember that the people of Israel had been in slavery in Egypt for 400 years serving Pharaoh. God has now delivered them and is meeting with them at Mt. Sinai, calling them to repent and to follow him. The tablets are instruments to carry God’s truth, His principles to the people. Just as we are not to worship the Bible, but the God of the Bible, they were not to worship the tablets but the God who gave them.

Second, the idea that God failed is a false premise. God never fails; it is man who has failed God. God is perfect, holy, without sin and without blemish. (Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 18:30). He is a sovereign God who is in complete control and will accomplish His will (Job 36:5, Romans 8:28).

Barry Edwards

If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15).

These two Scriptures give us a good idea what pleases God the most. When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment, His response was, “Love the Lord your God.” How do we show that we love God? We obey Him and do His will.

It is easy to say we love God. The proof is in our actions. When you love someone you do all you can to show them you love them. You try to find what pleases that person and you then set out to do so with all your heart. Our relationship with God works the same way. We find out what pleases Him most—obeying Him – and then set out to do so.

Loving God pleases Him most. Obeying His will is the proof.

Bob Berry

What does the Bible say about whether we will be able to recognize people in the afterlife? When David’s infant son died, David declared, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). David assumed that he would be able to recognize his son in heaven, despite the fact that he died as a baby. In Luke 16:19-31, Abraham, Lazarus, and the rich man were all recognizable after death. At the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah were recognizable (Matthew 17:3-4). In these examples, the Bible does seem to indicate that we will be recognizable after death.

To answer this question, one first has to decide when does life begin? Does it begin at birth or at conception or somewhere in-between? I believe the Bible clearly answers this question for us. In Psalms 139:13 the Bible says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb” and in verse 14 it says “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” In Job 31:15 it says, “Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?” The Bible goes on to say in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

So, as David acknowledged he would see his baby boy in heaven, I believe parents who have trusted Christ as their Savior will be able to see their aborted or miscarried children in heaven and they will recognize them.

Barry Edwards

The first problem is that evolution eliminates the basic theological concept of creation. The Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God created…” (Genesis 1:1). Creation is not a random event, it is a conscious act of God. Whatever anyone wants to believe about creation, there is no way to get past the fact that somewhere, “in the beginning” matter had to come into existence. How is that possible without a creator?

Second, the Bible teaches that only God can give life. Science can duplicate the chemical composition of living things, but cannot impart life to those chemicals. Furthermore, evolution implies that creation is somehow flawed from its inception, yet the Bible repeats the principle that God declared His creation both to be good and complete.

Evolution also denies the uniqueness of mankind. According to the evolutionists, we are also the result of random chance and mutation over millions of years. Yet the Bible clearly teaches that man is created in the image of God – a unique place in creation. God wants a relationship with us and created man with the singular ability to relate to Him. Man has an eternal soul, unlike any other created being.

The theory of evolution is based on a flawed conclusion that has no validation. It is designed to replace God with random chance. It minimizes God’s role as Creator and Sustainer of life. As such, evolution is totally counter to God’s Word.

Bob Berry

Ever since Adam’s sin, every human has been guilty of disobeying God’s righteous laws. (Romans 3:23). Because of sin, everyone deserves death – eternal separation from God in hell (Romans 6:23). Even good works cannot make up for wrongs against the holy God. Compared to His goodness, “All our righteous deeds are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6b).

By sending Jesus to earth, God fulfilled His promise of a Savior from sin. Unlike us, Jesus never sinned. He took the punishment we deserve for sin: death. (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Remember, the holy God cannot let sin go unpunished. Praise God, He kept His promise to send and sacrifice the perfect Lamb to bear the sins of those who trust in Him. Jesus had to die because He is the only one who can pay the penalty for our sins.

Recommended Resource: Why Believe in Jesus?: Who He Is, What He Did, and His Message for You Today by Tim LaHaye. 

Jim Wadley

Second, there are objective indicators of God’s calling to preach/minister. If the response to early efforts at ministry are positive, this is a good indication that the prospective preacher/minister has the gift of didaktikos, the gift of teaching from the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:11). Every preacher and/or minister must be first and foremost a teacher of God’s Word. The Bible also warns to beware of the novice (1Timothy 3:1-7). The church confirms the call on someone’s life by seeing the person already involved in ministry. Paul, after he was called, spent 3 years in study before he began his preaching/missionary ministry. (Galatians 1:15-18)

Finally, the whole process should be bathed in prayer and Bible study every step of the way. If God is truly calling a man to full or part-time ministry, He will confirm it in many ways. Seek His face and ask that doors are opened to more opportunities and more confirmations, both internal and external. Ask Him to speak to your heart through His Word and the Holy Spirit to confirm His call on your life.

It is important to remember that God has called all of us to be His ministers (2 Corinthians 3:4-6). The issue of full or part-time has more to do with the issue of availability to God—available to do His will, to obey, to sacrifice, to Go.

Barry Edwards

He demonstrates this sacrificial love by sending His Son to the cross to pay the penalty for our sin (1 John 4:10) and by forgiving us of our rebellion against Him, and by sending His Holy Spirit to dwell within us. 

God's love is personal. He knows each of us individually and loves us personally. His is a mighty love that has no beginning and no end, not something that we can earn or deserve. 

Understanding the Bible is important because the Bible is God’s Word. When we open the Bible, we read God’s message to us. We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason a man seeks to understand a love letter from his sweetheart. God loves us and desires to restore our relationship with Him (Matthew 23:37). God communicates His love to us in the Bible (John 3:16; 1 John 3:1; 4:10).

Everyone, to varying degrees, struggles in trying to understand the Bible. Even after nearly 2,000 years of church history, there are some Bible verses and passages that leave even the most brilliant of Bible scholars speculating as to the exact and correct meaning. 

Trying to understand the Bible can sometimes be a difficult task, but with God’s help, it is possible. Remember, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God's Spirit indwells you (Romans 8:9).

There are many things we may not understand until we get to Heaven. However, we can be assured that no matter what, God’s love for us is unending.

In Romans 8:35-39, the apostle Paul asks what can separate us from the love of Christ. After listing everything he can think of, he ends by saying that none of those things can separate us from the love of God. That is good news for all of us!

Recommended Resource: Basic Bible Interpretation by Roy Zuck

Jim Wadley

Chad Moore

Love is just one of the attributes of God. Some others are: His eternality (Psalm 90:2); His unchanging quality (James 1:17); His omnipotence, or being all powerful (Revelation 1:8); His omnipresence, or being everywhere present at all times (Psalm 139:7-11); His holiness and absolute purity (Habakkuk 1:13); His righteousness, or justice (Psalm 11:7); and His truth (Titus 1:2). Because God is holy, righteous and true, and He can do nothing inconsistent with Himself, we come to the conclusion that God cannot sin. With that being said, God could not be consistent with Himself, and hurt you or your family.

Often times, what we may perceive as “difficulty caused by God” can be from one of two sources:

Through all of life’s trials and tribulations, we have the victory. Satan has no authority over the believer in Christ. God has given us His Word to guide us, His Holy Spirit to enable us, and the privilege of coming to Him anywhere, at any time, to pray about anything. He has also assured us that no trial will test us beyond our ability to bear it, and “He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Recommended Resources: When God Doesn’t Make Sense by James Dobson; Knowing God by J.I. Packer.

Jim Wadley

Jesus used the mustard seed to drive home a point. The mustard tree seed is very small, in fact it is tiny, but the tree grows quite large. The point is that there is vitality in the mustard seed, which brings great results. When they asked Jesus why they could not drive the demon out, his reply was due to the weakness of their faith. There must be vitality in our faith based on our ongoing relationship with Jesus, confession of sin and obedience to seeking to continuously doing His will. It is a faith that continues to grow and expand as our relationship with Christ grows.

Jesus then pointed to a nearby mountain to illustrate His point to assure them that if they had such faith, they might accomplish the most difficult undertakings, things that at first would appear impossible. (His statement about the mountain is a proverbial expression, denoting that which follows.) They had a full commission, as already stated, to cast out demons without exception, but they distrusted the power they had received and so failed. Too often we look at a task and the first thing we say is that we can’t do it, but the point is that nothing is impossible for God as He works through us!

Sources: Bible, Barnes notes, Matthew Henry

Herb Long

Asaph was looking at these people who didn't have problems. They could pay their bills. They had plenty to eat and plenty of luxuries. He questioned God as to why He would allow such a thing to happen!

How often do we witness the wicked, the ungodly people around us get new cars, luxurious homes, promotions, beautiful clothes, and take fabulous trips, while we struggle to pay the electric bill. The answer lies in the rest of the psalm. Asaph envied these evil people until he realized one very important thing. He began to fully understand their final destiny, (Psalms 73:16-20). Those who have temporary riches on earth are in reality spiritual beggars because they do not have true riches—eternal life. Their prosperity is in reality an illusion. Asaph realized that prosperity is a fleeting fulfillment, a fashion show of what is to pass away, like a pleasant dream that pleases us only for a little while but when we awaken, we realize it was not real.

We may not have everything we want here on earth, but we will one day prosper for all eternity through Jesus Christ our Lord. Whenever we are tempted to try the other road, we should remember that the other road is a dead end (Matthew 7:13). We need not concern ourselves when good things seem to happen to bad people. We only need to keep our focus on our Creator and enter into His presence every day through the portal of His holy Word. There we will find truth, contentment, spiritual riches and eternal joy.

Recommended Resource: Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey

Jim Wadley

For the believer, the account or judgment will be for his works done in the body of Christ, not a judgment of sin. The believer’s sins have been atoned for and are remembered no more, forever (Hebrews 10:17); but every work must come into judgment (Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:10, Galatians 6:7, Ephesians 6:8). The result is reward or loss of the reward.

The Great White Throne Judgment is a judgment of the dead who have not received Christ for the forgiveness of their sins; therefore, their names are not in the Book of Life. They shall be separated from God for all eternity.

You must decide in this life whether to follow Jesus or whether to reject him. I pray that you will make the wise choice. 

Rick Ray

Lord, even in your presence, I do not always enjoy the blessings you offer me. Help me to live today enjoying you. Help me demonstrate to others the peace and hope you give. Amen 

If the Christian life is so victorious then why do pastors spend the majority of their time preaching to encourage defeated Christians? Many believers seem to cry out the U2 song, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” 

What we are looking for is Jesus Christ and the fullness He brings to our lives. Our verses today give us an introduction of the blessings God offers to us everyday. We have peace (v 1), hope (v 2), growth (v 3), love (v 5), and are saved from wrath (v 9) through Jesus Christ. These blessings would make any life more fulfilling. 

The key to receiving these blessings is to be justified, through Christ, by faith. Justified means “to be declared not guilty.” It means to be forgiven of all our sins based on Christ’s death on the cross (Romans 5:9). We are not only forgiven, but also given “access” to God. The idea of access is pictured at the crucifixion of Christ. In the Old Testament, only the High Priest could go behind the veil in the Temple and then only once a year. When Christ died on the cross, the veil in the Temple was torn in half by God signifying our complete access to the Father. Through this access we have continual opportunities at the blessings described in Romans 5.

When I was in college, I had a summer job in a local factory. I had an opportunity to share Christ with a man who had a reputation of being indifferent, at best, to Christ. As I finished communicating the gospel, he looked at me and said, “I have everything I thought I would ever want. But you have something I don’t have—peace. I have no peace, no real hope for my future.” Here was a man who desperately wanted what only Christ offers. He needed Christ. He is the only way we can find what we are looking for. 

Lord, thank you that all I would ever want is simply a result of having a loving relationship with you. Help me to sense the peace of your presence and the joy of my salvation. Amen.

Lord, teach me to be thankful today. Show me your grace in my life. Help me to see your hand in all my circumstances and see your blessing even in the midst of adversity. Amen 

The human mind would never have conceived a plan of salvation like God’s. Every other religion in the world can be characterized by the word “do.” In order to please the deity, one must “do something.” In Christianity, it has all been done. Why did God plan it this way?

Our Scripture explains to us that the believer is saved or justified. Justification is an act of God where we are declared not guilty for our sin. It is a picture of a judge pronouncing a verdict of not guilty in a human court. We are then told that we are justified by our faith not by our works. Why? First, if we earned our own salvation by what we do, we would receive the credit. We could brag about our salvation (Ephesians 2:8,9). When we believe God’s Word and trust His character for our salvation, we bring glory to Him. Second, God is all about relationship. Before sin, churches, or religion, God desired a relationship with Adam. Now he desires an intimate relationship with you. Faith or trust is the glue of any relationship. Whether it is marriage, parenting, or following a leader, trust holds all relationships together. Since the entire Christian life is built upon us trusting God, salvation is the beginning point of that trust.

So, why do we have the law? It was given to show us our sinfulness, our need for Christ, and to give us a standard for right and wrong. Christ fulfilled the law on the cross and we fulfill it as Christ gives us the power to obey him. We are saved by faith through grace in order to live a life of obedience (Ephesians 2:10).

No human mind could have conceived such a plan of salvation. Why don’t you begin a trust relationship with Him today by placing your faith in Him? Receive Christ into your heart and begin following Him. 

Lord, if I have never received Christ, I want to ask you to forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and help me to trust you with my present life and the life to come. Amen

Lord, help me to see others through your eyes. May I never be ashamed of your gospel and lead me to share my faith with someone today. Amen 

I often ask myself the question, “If I were a lay person in my church and invited someone to worship with me, would I be embarrassed by anything that took place or would I be confident and proud of the service and our people?” Is my church really what I believe it to be? In Romans Paul writes about sharing the gospel with the world. He said that he was not “ashamed” of the gospel. Shame comes from embarrassment. The sports figures who have been caught in the use of steroids or immorality have brought shame or embarrassment upon themselves. Paul said, “No one will ever come to me and say, I tried this gospel and it doesn’t work.” Paul proclaimed that he would never be embarrassed because the gospel will work every time. It is what he believed it to be.

Paul’s confidence was based upon two things:

Paul said anyone who calls on the Lord and places their faith in Him will be saved. It works from faith to faith (one person’s faith to the next). We will never have to apologize for the gospel. It will never embarrass us. It works every time. As we share the gospel, we can do so with great confidence. What has worked for you will work for everyone. 

Lord, the same faith that saved me, sustains me. Help me to rest in you as I rest my body tonight. Father, help me to trust you with my life the way I have trusted you with my soul. Your Word works every time. Amen

Lord, help me to live a life of worship today. Lead me to see you in every circumstance. Amen.

Your faith is the most important thing about you. We are not only saved by faith, but we live by faith. One application of faith is that, “faith is believing I am better off following God than going my own way.” By faith we resist temptation because we believe following God is better than the sin. This faith leads us to make wise decisions, receive answers to our prayers and tenaciously cling to Him in the midst of suffering and trial.

The disciples recognized the value of faith and asked Christ to help them increase it. As we look at Scripture, there are things we can do to grow our faith.

The mustard seed is a very small seed, but it grows to be large and produces fruit. Even little faith can accomplish great things – particularly in your own life. Increase your faith!

Lord, increase my faith. I now see the value in developing my faith. Help me to be more motivated to read your Word and use the faith you have given me. Amen.

Lord, help me to give all my concerns to you today. Help me to trust in you and know that there is nothing you cannot do and no one that you love more. Amen.

It’s been said that 95% of the things we worry about never happen. Then why do we worry?

One of the biggest problems we face in this area is that we tend to worry about that which we own. You may worry about your home, car, and family, but you don’t worry about mine. If God truly owns all you have, your worry quotient will greatly diminish.

A few years ago, three men from my church took me to a football game in Gainesville, Florida. Since I was to preach the next morning in a nearby town, I decided to drive my car. On our way, we stopped at a Burger King in Ocala to have lunch. I decided I would leave my car in their parking lot and ride the rest of the way with my friends.

On our return, we stopped at the Burger King and my car was gone—stolen. We called our wives, the Pastor I was preaching for the next day and the police. After a two-hour delay, and filing a police report, we started home. My mind was racing. How I would get back to preach the next day? Just then our driver said, “Oh boy.” There it was—another Burger King on the same side of the road two miles from the one we just left. There sitting under the light was my car, exactly where I had left it. What a relief—but how embarrassing.

One of the men with me observed that, through the ordeal, he did not see me get rattled or angry. This would not have been my normal reaction, but God had been dealing with me about ownership and worry. Realizing the car was God’s, helped me to keep things in perspective. Whatever you own is your worry, so give it all to God and let Him worry about it.

Lord, help me to surrender ownership of all the things you have given me. May I only worry if there is something in my life that will hinder me from knowing and loving you more. Amen.

Lord, I do not know what I will face today. Help me to see you in every situation and decision. Lead me to respond in faith to all adversity. Amen

Sometimes, it is difficult to believe God for the future because of how we view the past. Our verse contrasts the proud with the person of faith. Those who have been saved by Christ have humbled themselves before God, confessed their sin and depended upon Christ alone for their salvation. The proud see themselves as the source of life and blessing. They do not give thanks to the Lord.

When we move on to the next prayer, the next event, or the next problem without recognizing God’s intervention in our lives, it is a form of pride. Gratitude is the key in moving from pride to faith. Recently, I had an experience that reminded me of this valuable lesson.

I was taking my wife, Pam, to the doctor. She had discovered a lump in her breast and we were driving to the doctor to find out the results of her biopsy. While on our way, she informed me that the doctor had called to tell her that the test was positive. She had cancer. At first, there was shock and then concern for her. But then I found myself getting angry. After all, we had been serving God faithfully. She had already gone through so many physical trials and now this. My anger grew as I realized I might lose her.

After twenty minutes of silent seething, God spoke to my heart. He had given me the sweetest and most wonderful person I have ever known to be my wife for 29 years. She was far more than I ever deserved. Instead of being grateful for the 29 years He gave me, I was feeling entitled to a future with her as well. Only as I was able to give glory to God for the past, was I able to have peace about the future. A key to living by faith is to be grateful to God for the blessings of life.

Teach me to give thanks in all things. Help me to be grateful for all your wonderful blessings in my life. In every situation help me to forge ahead in faith because of your faithfulness in my past. Amen

Recently I shared in a Sunday morning message that without thanks there can be no joy. If we are always expecting something better or greater or if our emotional state is dependent upon good things happening in our life instead of God’s presence then there can never be lasting joy. In everything we can find something for which to be grateful.

A few months ago my wife, Pam, was diagnosed with breast cancer. My immediate reaction was not great. For 20 minutes on the way to the doctor, I quietly complained to God and secretly fumed over how much we serve Him and did not deserve this. Then I became convicted and began to thank God – not for the cancer, but how I had been married to this great lady for 29 years. It was more than a “silver lining.” It was reality. God had blessed me with a wonderful wife whom I hardly deserved. 

Many are going through difficult times. It is these times that cause us to pause in life and reflect on where we are with God. It is a time we can no longer depend upon our own strength and talent. It is a desperate time. Thank God for the desperate times.

It is the desperate times that led me recently to two different extended times of fasting. During those times, I received seven definite and miraculous answers to prayer. In addition to those answers, our church staff has been called to a deeper level of prayer. We have seen many people saved (over 500 decisions for Christ). The church’s finances are much better. Our mission team to Haiti had a great chance to minister after the earthquake and they returned home safely. There is the sweetest, most worshipful atmosphere in our church. The fragrance of unity is apparent throughout the church. And, most important to me, Pam has had two successful surgeries and though she is still recovering, she is currently cancer free.

Thank God for the desperate times—times that we desperately cry out to God when we are out of strength. My prayer is that we would cry out and draw close to Him even in the good times.

Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. - Jeremiah 33:3

And yes, there is hope for better times. In October 2007, the state of Georgia declared an emergency drought. Some of the lakes were down as much as 17 feet. It was the worst drought in the southeast in more than 100 years. I remember passing through Georgia and seeing the red Georgia clay for what seemed to be 20-25 feet where there once was water. No one was playing in Lake Lanier – it was too dangerous for boats. Experts said it would take 15 years for the lakes to recover – if they ever recovered.

Less than two years later, in April 2009, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution declared an end to the drought. Governor Sonny Perdue had called for a time of prayer. God answered. The lakes are now full again and overflowing. When things seem bad, we think they will always be bad. Maybe God wants us to get desperate so He can show us His miraculous works.

Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountain and hills on a scale? (Yet) He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand. - Isaiah 40:12,15

In the midst of that fast, God laid upon my heart that He wanted to bless me with answers to some of my deepest burdens. Let me share a few of these with you.

(1) My wife, Pam was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer. We had already decided that to be safe, she needed to have a double mastectomy. We were anxious if the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes which would indicate a spreading of the cancer. The tests came back negative on the lymph nodes and the doctors were able to get all the cancer. Praise the Lord!

(2) I was burdened also about a church project. Before the church decided to build the Worship Center, we knew we would be committing to back-to-back capital stewardship campaigns. In order to avoid missing any building payments, it seemed we would have to conduct the second phase in the spring of 2010. I had no peace about this timing. On my fourth night of fasting, I began to fervently pray about the situation. God not only led me to postpone the campaign until the fall, but gave me a plan for our financial challenges in the interim. I shared the plan with the church and since that time our offerings have been larger than anytime since last February. It also seemed to lift a burden from the church body as we have been drawn together unifying around the work of the gospel.

(3) Every pastor is deeply burdened for the unity of the church. I prayed that God would lead us to begin looking to the future instead of the past. I prayed that God would bring us back as a family and army with a greater zeal for our purpose than ever before—reaching people for Christ.

During six nights of Judgement House™ we saw over 550 decisions for Christ and over 100 of these have already been baptized. There was a great sense of excitement and team work evident throughout both weekends. I believe God has used this event as a catalyst for unity for the present and future.

(4) I prayed to know the identity of the man who would become our next Minister of Music. The last day of my fast, our candidate called to tell me he was 100% sure that God was leading him to First Baptist Oviedo. He will come for a vote on December 6. Not only was this prayer answered but God gave me much more than I asked for—as we will call one of the finest music ministers in the country.

(5) I prayed for the Spirit of God to move in our church in a greater way. Not only were many saved at Judgement House™, but we have baptized several people every Sunday since. On three different occasions our altar has been filled at the end of the service with people crying out to God.

(6) I prayed for the many activities we were having at the church—a concert, a golf tournament, and sponsoring a UCF football game. All these events allowed us to serve our community and be a positive witness for Christ.

(7) I prayed and received answers on some personal things as well.

Most of all, I felt really close to God. When I ended the fast, I told my wife that I was going to miss it. I “almost” did not want to eat.

I would recommend an extended fast to anyone who is in reasonably good health and feels led to do it. Fasting was a great experience for me and one that I will attempt again in the not too distant future.

I hope these articles have helped and answered some of your questions about fasting. When you fast, be sure to lift up your pastor in prayer (especially if it’s me).

For His Glory.

The Bible is filled with passages and examples of fasting. In Daniel 10, we find the prophet distressed over a very disturbing vision. Verses 2 and 3 say, "In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed." Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before He began His earthly ministry. Jesus said about demonic forces, "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." Matthew 17:21. In the Old Testament, Jehoshaphat declared a fast throughout all of Judah to pray to be rescued from their enemies. God told Joel to "declare a fast, Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly; gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD." Joel 1:14. The results would be that, "The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with the new wine and oil. Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust, my great army which I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; then My people will never be put to shame." Joel 2:24-26.

The reasons for fasting and praying in Scripture are varied.

(Just to name a few)

Although I have fasted in times past, I have been feeling the need to have an extended time of prayer and fasting. My primary reason was that I wanted to draw closer to God than I had ever been before. When we are hungry or at least empty physically, we become more dependent on the Lord and it seems easier to draw close.

During this season of my life, it seemed I had more burdens and needs than in recent memory. My wife, Pam was diagnosed with breast cancer, many of our church people were without jobs, the church offerings were feeling the effects of a poor economy. I also felt under attack by the enemy on several fronts—particularly in my role as a pastor.

So I set out for a 21 day fast. Like Daniel I wanted to get closer to God, and I needed some answers as the leader of a church.

There are many ways to approach a fast. Some simply live on water, others simply eliminate solid food. Due to my age and my work schedule, I felt led to take the latter route. The first few days I was very hungry, yet the Lord sustained me with a resolve I had not experienced in previous times of fasting.

Without prayer, of course, fasting has little spiritual affect. I found that the longer I fasted, the more dependent on God I became. Prayer became a natural outlet that lasted throughout the day. I also took extended periods of time to get alone with God and pray through some issues. When you fast, God’s voice seems to be clearer and louder. However, Satan’s voice becomes loud as well. The saving grace is that the longer you fast, the easier it is to distinguish the two voices.

The first few days not only produced a hunger for food, and a hunger for God, but also slight mood swings. Because of a lack of energy, it became easy to get a little down, particularly since Satan was putting doubts in my head about the merits of what I was doing. It seemed I could hear the spiritual warfare going back and forth in my head as God’s thoughts and Satan’s thoughts entered my head. After a few days, the hunger pains ceased and I was easily able to ignore Satan’s thoughts and discern the way of God.

About the fourth evening, God laid something different on my heart—since I was going to do all this I might as well get some answers to prayer.

In next week’s article, I will share with you some of the results of my fast.

Until then … God Bless!

2. Pray – your prayers give you a sense of control
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7
You find yourself at peace that God will take care of your worries and anxieties.

3. Give God everything
One of the problems of life is that we get stressed and worried over the things we own. No one stresses out over my home, my car or my family but me. If I release all I have to God, it becomes His to care for. We seldom fret over things we do not own.

My prayer for you is that God will always use your challenges to draw you closer to Him.

That’s why a few weeks ago I began a series of messages on “The Church Remarkable.” We said first we need to give back to our community. We passed the offering plate and asked you to take money out to give to someone in need. Approximately $25,000 left our building that day to minister to our community. (Check out our website at remarkableministry.com and find out how people are making a difference).

The following week we talked about getting involved as we invest our time in the lives of others through service projects. Now we want to further build the bridge through prayer. Ezekiel 22:30 says, “And I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, and I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”

I am asking you to pray for your neighborhood everyday – to pray for people you know who need Christ. Set aside 15 minutes a day this week to intercede for others. How do you pray for a non-believer? I want to give you six ways.

1.  Claim I Timothy 2:4
…who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2.  Pray that their eyes will be open to the truth.
…in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (II Corinthians 4:4)

Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law. (Psalm 119:18)

3.  Pray God will open their ears to understand.
“Behold, I belong to God like you; I too have been formed out of the clay.” (Job 33:6)

4. Pray God will send a witness or witnesses in their life.
So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

5.  Pray the Holy Spirit will convict them of their sin.
“And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment;…”( John 16:8)

6.  Pray their heart will be open to a positive response.
And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. (Acts 16:14)

Remember, we want God to answer all our prayers. But we want our prayers, our giving, and our service to be out of love for others as we build bridges for others to see Jesus.

God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us—that Thy way may be known on the earth, Thy salvation among all nations. (Psalm 67:1,2)

Be sure and go to our website at fbcoviedo.org/prayer and post your prayer requests so that we can help you pray. God Bless!

Dr. Dwayne Mercer