Since school and youth is cancelled again and we can not get together, I wanted to give you a chance to ask questions to things about God or about life that you have been wondering about. So below ask your question anonymously and I will try to submit an answer as soon as I can.
Submit a Question:
I don't understand James 3:13-18, what does it mean?
What James is writing about here is the difference between what wisdom from God looks like, and what we look like when we think we have 'wisdom.'
In verse 17 it says: But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
That is a big difference from how we act on our own, or out of our own wisdom like it's described in verse 14-15: But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
He is contrasting the two attitudes, one that comes from God and is peace-loving and considerate, and our own attitude by default, without God is full of envy and self ambition.
But why does it say 'my wisdom' is demonic?
I think it is because of the words Jesus tells us in Matthew 12:30: Whoever is not with me is against me...
If we are not on God's team, we are against him...or with Satan, and the demons. There is no middle ground. There are only two sides, either you are with God, or against God. You either look to him for wisdom, direction and guidance...or you don't. That is what James is explaining in James 3:13-18.
Why does God want to be called God?
In our culture, names don't mean all that much. People pick names based on how they sound, instead of what they mean. But all throughout history, and still today in much of the world, the meaning of a name is significant. So what we call God has significance, and there are many different names for God.
But why do we call God, well...God? There are lots of explanations, some shorter then others. But I look to Exodus 3: God reveals Himself to Moses in a bush that is on fire, but does not burn. God speaks to Moses, calling him to free the slaves in Egypt.
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation. ~Exodus 3:13-15
God is telling Moses, that people for all time will know the name of God. Throughout the Bible there are many different names for God, because it is impossible to fully describe God in just one word, but the English translation of one of them is God. But when God first tells Moses "I AM WHO I AM" He is saying that there is nothing that he can use to describe himself, that he is the ultimate creator of everything, who has always existed and will always exist. Similar to Revelation 22:13: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
Simply put God called Himself, I AM WHO I AM, as well as the LORD, the God, because there aren't words to fully describe God, but through those words we try to imagine who is God. If you want a more in depth look at the origin of the word God, click here.
How do you know in this world when you have found your true love? Because can't love be with friends and cousins and family?
There is no easy formula to know who your 'true love' is. It is not like a light will come on. It can be hard and confusing to know because we tell many people, "I love you." But God has designed people for marriage. However, that does not mean that all people must get married either (Genesis 2:24 and 1 Corinthians 7:7-9)
There are things that help in narrowing down who you will be your true love. They need to have the foundational faith as you. It is absolutely crucial for a long, happy life together that you both be rooted in God's Word. (read Ephesians 5:21-29 and 2 Cor. 6:14)
It takes time to realize if the person you are with is the person for you. Read through the Ephesians 5 passage, and ask yourself, do I live out my part in this? Does the person you are with?
PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Ask God who it is that He has for you. God has great plans for you that He reveals to us WHEN WE SEEK HIM! (see Jeremiah 29:11-14)
It can also be helpful to seek the advice of older, married people whom you respect. Ask them what they love about their spouse and how they knew God put them together. Often God will reveal to you through their words and the Spirit will guide your feelings in those times.
How can people stay so patient during challenging or stressful times?
Ultimately peace comes from God. So does patience. It is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) Which means the closer we walk with God, he will bear fruit in us. Just like a healthy apple tree naturally makes apples, a healthy Christian who is in tune with God will produce patience, kindness, self-control etc. We must always remain in God, because on our own we can do nothing (John 15:1-4)
God does not want us to bear our burdens alone, but in those challenging and stressful times, he calls us to give those things over to Him! (1 Peter 5:7)
When you feel stress, or a lack of patience...stop, take a step back, and ask God for help! In Psalm 46:10 it says "Be still and know that I am God." God wants us to find our rest in Him.
God does not want us to bear our burdens alone, but in those challenging and stressful times, he calls us to give those things over to Him! (1 Peter 5:7)
When you feel stress, or a lack of patience...stop, take a step back, and ask God for help! In Psalm 46:10 it says "Be still and know that I am God." God wants us to find our rest in Him.
What is God's message to us when he puts pains and struggles in our lives?
God's plan and purpose for our lives is to know Him deeply, and follow us with our lives. Yes, God will put us in positions when we must trust Him, but God will never 'tempt' you to do wrong. (James 1:13-15) Rather in Romans 8:28 we are told, "in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." But what you and I think is good sometimes looks different then God.
God allows hard times to come so that we will lean on him. When life is perfect, and nothing ever goes wrong, we forget all about God pretty quick don't we? In fact, people love to quote the verse Jeremiah 29:11. But if you read the whole story, God was telling the people he had a good plan for them, but it was during that time that they had been conquered and captured by another country. They were slaves! Can you imagine? What is good about that? But the fact was that the people had turned their back on God, and wouldn't listen to them. SO God did this to get their attention so that they would turn back to God.
God loves us too much to let us ignore him our whole lives. Being a Christian is not like buying a 'get out of Hell card.' It is a relationship. A daily relationship. God's goal for us is to know Him more. Likewise our goal should not be a comfortable or 'easy' life. That is why the Bible says: "Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance..." (James 1:2-4) See also 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
When will we know what God's purpose is for our lives?
There are three parts to God's will/purpose: His providential will, the things that God is going to do no matter what. His moral will, things he has commanded us to do. And lastly the personal will God has for us. There is an excellent video series you can watch on YouTube about Discovering God's Will.
But basically, we know that God has purpose for us, we are told that God has prepared good works for us to do. (Eph. 2:10) The key is finding out what those good things are! How do we do that? I can't sit here and give you a 5 step program to follow and then you will know God's will for your life...
But like I have said, God's ultimate goal is for you to have relationship with him and that is His overarching purpose for your life. His purpose for each of us to share God's love with others (see Matt. 5:14-16, Matt 28:18-20)
How do I discover God's specific personal will for my life? What should I do after high school? Where should I live? Who should I marry? Psalm 37:4: "Take delight in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." This verse means that as we spend time and delight in God, he will 'rewire' our heart and mind so that we will desire the same things that God desires. As that happens, we will naturally follow the path and purpose of God. How do we do that? Spend time in His Word! (see Psalm 119:9-10,105)
I already have mentioned Jeremiah 29 before, but I believe it is so key: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
When you truly seek God with all your heart, you will discover the plans he has for you. God won't show you his plan so that you can consider his option versus yours...God, the creator doesn't give out information for us to decide whether we want to listen. God will show us how to live when we are ready to follow God no matter what! It is scary, absolutely, but it is worth it!
What do you do when you are missing someone or feeling lonely?
Get together with some friends! Do something social with good people that God has given you. Allow God to refresh you and keep you strong by positive influences of people who God has put in your life. Don't feel like you have anyone? Message Steve or Bethany or a youth leader and go out for coffee with one of us, we would love to talk!
King David was a man who spent much of his life alone, usually running for his life from people who wanted to harm him. In those times, he turned to God. Many of the Psalms are written during these times. Find comfort in God's word when you feel lonely, and know that God never leaves you! (for example Psalm 142, or Psalm 62)
Where is a good place to start reading the Bible?
Great question! The entire Bible is God's Word, and there are lessons to be learned on every page...but sometimes parts are difficult to understand, or don't apply to where I am at right now! Check out this website for a brief overview of each book of the Bible so you can see a book that sparks your interest then go read it!
My advice: try reading a gospel (Luke has the Christmas story) or James is a short, very practical guide on how to live. New to the Bible? Romans is a good one too.
What does the Bible say about drugs that have proven to be beneficial in life?
The Bible does not have much to say about drugs directly, since there are a lot of them now, as compared to when the Bible was written. The Bible does forbid drunkenness specifically (see Eph. 5:18) We are told that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 6:19-20) So we are commanded to honor our bodies and be mindful of how we treat them. If you want to do some further reading on the idea of modern drugs and a Christian response feel free to read these articles: How Should a Christian view prescription drugs, Faith & Pharmaceuticals.
As Christians how should we treat people who identify with the gay of lesbian community?
In our world today there is an extreme need for love. Every one is seeking love, and many are confused on how to find it. The fact is God is love. (1 John 4:8) As Christians we are called to show God's love here on earth.(Matt. 5:14-16). I think the biggest thing we can do for people who are involved in these communities of alternative gender identities is to listen and not judge. Read this article, What Would Jesus Say to the Gay Community. I think there are some great tips in there. We could talk all day about right and wrong, appropriate and inappropriate responses, but the biggest keys are love and listen, befriend and don't judge. We are called as Christians to live as Jesus did. Jesus was not afraid to spend time with people that made religious leaders nervous. Neither should we fear any type of people, whether we agree with them or not.
What should I do when it comes to peer pressure?
Being a teenager is hard. It can be hard to know how certain decisions will affect our lives, or whether it is okay to give into peer pressure or not.
When you are faced with a situation when you are pressured, try to ask yourself: what is the best/worst possible outcome in this situation? What I am being pressured to do, will it cause me to sin?
"Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble." ~Proverbs 13:20.
Be careful whose approval is more important to you: peers, or God? An article to check out: How to avoid peer pressure as a Teen Christian. In everything you do, keep God central. Life won't always be easy, but it will be worth it in the long run!
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