Author: Pastor Chris

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Why Doesn't God Speak To Us Audibly?

Dear Pastor Chris,

Sir, I often hear my Pastor and fellow brethren say they heard God speak to them. I have been a christian for almost two years but  have not heard this voice in my experience. Is it automatic to hear him once you become a Christian or does it take time to hear him so audibly?

~Andrew

 

Dear Andrew,
Yes, God definitely speaks to us. I am convinced that He is saying more to us than we usually hear.

Why don’t we hear God?

 1. Our lives are too busy. We get crowded in our schedules. We don’t make time for God.

2. We are not listening. When we do try to listen, we are easily distracted.

3. We are not sensitive to His “still small voice” His “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:2, KJV, NIV).

How do you listen to God? Set aside a place to meet with Him. Pray. Tell God that you are wanting to hear from Him. Tell Him that you are ready and available to do what He says. Open your Bible. Read a passage. Ask God to reveal the meaning of that passage to you. Compare that passage to other Bible verses on the same subject. Think about what you have just read. Meditate on it. Ask God to show you what these verses meant to the original hearers. Then ask Him what He wants you to do about what you just read. He will prompt your heart to take action on what He has shown you.

You asked about the audible voice of God. The Lord does not speak audibly to most people. He can of course, but it is not His usual way. He did speak audibly to some of the people we read about in the Bible; however, they were the exception. Most people in the days when the Bible was being written never heard the audible voice of God.

Do people sometimes hear the audible voice of God today? Yes. Sometimes.

Why doesn’t God speak audibly more often?

1. God doesn’t need to speak audibly for most of us because He has already done so in the writings of the Bible. The Bible is God’s Word. In the pages of the Bible we find the mind and heart of God. We meet Him there and His Spirit helps us understand what He wants us to know.

2. God doesn’t need to speak audibly because He has given us His best Word in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible says in
John 1:1-2, 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning…

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus is the living Word of God. To know Jesus is to know God. To walk with Jesus is to experience God. Therefore, to study the life of Jesus is to discover what God is like, how He relates to us, and how He acts in history.

Read the Bible. Study it. God speaks through it. Listen.

 

~Pastor Chris

 

 

 

 

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Is In My Life In Order?

Dear Pastor,

My name is Sarah ,please tell me if my life is in order,such as my job,financials and my love life.

~Sarah

 

Dear Sarah,

 

Your life will be in order if you connect with Jesus and stay connected to Him. Submit your will to Him everyday and you will know His peace (Philippians 4:7).

 

~Pastor Chris

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Is Dancing A Sin?

Dear Pastor,

Hello pastor Chris. How are you doing? My question to you is about dancing. I am 48 years old and a Christian. I like to dance ,no I love to dance! I have been dancing all my life and the problem I’m having is, I love Jesus so much I want to please Him in every way I can. I heard in my bible study today that dancing is not pleasing to him. I go dancing sometimes Fridays and Saturdays in a club but not to drink or pick up men. I go dance because it makes me feel good.  I am really struggling with this because I want only to please Jesus first. Jesus put the love of dance in my heart and I am very good at it. I know it all comes from Jesus. That was one of the many gifts that I was born with. Please help guide me on what I need to do. I feel I know the answer already, but I am so sad that I have to give up something I really enjoy doing. I don’t really have any friends and I like it like that, no drama in my life. I  love to dance and exercise, that is what I spend a lot of my time doing, other than bible study, always first! Thank you so much for listening to my issue. Have a Blessed day :0)

~Tracy

 

 

Dear Tracy,

There is nothing wrong with dancing. The Bible tells us that King David “danced before the Lord” (2 Samuel 6:14). David was rejoicing because the Ark of the Covenant was being brought to the City of David. (Here the City of David means Jerusalem. Sometimes the City of David means Bethlehem, where David was born.)

The issue is not dancing itself. The issue is what kind of dancing is being done, the music being danced to, and where the dance is happening. Is the dance being done to arouse sensual lust? Is the music filled with vulgarities and encouragements to immorality? Is the location where the dancing is held above reproach?

We have a dance class at our church. It is an exercise class that meets in our gym. Men and women participate. Adults, teens, and children can walk through the gym at any time. The music is never vulgar and is a mix of secular and contemporary Christian.

There may be an outlet for your desire to dance through the ministry of a local church in your area. My wife and I dance at weddings, usually a good place to do so. Some churches incorporate dance into their worship services.

Whatever you do, do for the glory of the Lord!

 

~Pastor Chris

 

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What Is The Appropriate Title For A Pastor's Wife?

Dear Pastor,

My grandfather wanted me to email this question that he has been curious about for a while. Where can one find the reference of “first lady” as the appropriate title of a pastor’s wife, if at all, in the Bible? Thank you so much for your time in helping with the answer to this question.

~Mariah

 

Dear Mariah,

I am not aware of any title for a pastor’s wife given to us in the Bible.

 

~Pastor Chris 

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How Do I Handle My Weakening Faith In God?

Dear Pastor,

 I tried to enlist into the Marines seven months ago, and they had sent my medical records up to b-med. I’ve been waiting for an answer for seven months. I have prayed every night to God to give me an answer so I know what to do with my life. I feel like my life has been on pause for  seven months. I cant date new girls nor go to school without an answer. I’ve lost faith after a while because I felt like God didn’t care enough to give me an answer. Im 25 and my whole life depends on this. I cant afford school or improve my life in the position im in. I just don’t know what to do. I’ve wanted to join the military since I was 12. I got rejected when I was 18 and now got a second chance at joining. I just want to know what God has planned for me…or am I expecting too much? I just wish God would openly talk to me and tell me what I want to know. I’ve been in this pain for along time wondering and hoping that this will come through for me. I feel I have no other choice but not to join to better my life, even though I want nothing more to join. God hasn’t answered me in seven months and its been a real faith killer. I became a believer two years ago and was on fire for God, but now I feel alone and empty. I figured it was my last hope to talk to you and get some sort of answer, rather then loose all faith and be empty again. Thank you for your time on reading this. I have much more detail in my life that has gone wrong and didnt tell you about it, just been struggling with many  things and figured I would work on one thing at a time, starting with this since it will make or break me.

~Mike

 

 

Dear Mike,

God has not left you. He is not ignoring you either. Sometimes God tests our faith.

Think about it this way, when you went to school you took tests. The purpose of those tests was not to fail you but to reveal how much you had learned. It is the same way with God. The Bible says in James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

God is developing your faith. In the meantime, attend church, read the Bible everyday, pray, and look for opportunities to serve others. Consider applying for other branches of the military. Maybe God wants you in the Coast Guard or the Army.

~Pastor Chris

 

 

 

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What Do I Do About My Relationship?

Dear Pastor,

My boyfriend and I have been dating for over a year before he broke up with me. I feel like God has more for us but he says he won’t give me another chance. He just won’t forgive and forget. So what should I do?

~Brandy

 
Dear Brandy,

Relationships are a two-way street. Forgive him for not forgiving you and move on with your life.
~Pastor Chris

 

 

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Is Having A Spiritual Mentor That's Not Your Pastor Ok?

Dear Pastor,

I trust that I find you well. 

First, I would like to thank you for taking time to help us with our questions during our christian walk.

My question: Is it ok to get a spiritual mentor who is not your Pastor? Do I need to ask permission from my Pastor? Secondly, could it be true that everyone has a church were they belong? Why I am asking is because we have recently relocated and have been attending a new church for the past two years. I really feel that the glory has left my spiritual life  and has taken a strong turn for the worse. I once  was a prayer warrior and now I cant even feel the spirit no matter how much I try.

Please help before I make wrong decisions.

~Fatih

 

 

Dear Faith,

 

Yes, it is perfectly fine for you to have a spiritual mentor that is not your pastor. Just make sure that your mentor is a mature, Bible believing Christian. Be sure to read the Bible everyday.

Have you prayed about your question of changing churches? Do so and God will lead you where He wants you to be.
~Pastor Chris

 

 

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What Is The Best Way To Handle Fear?

Dear Pastor,

Hello, my name is Jon and I’m scared because strange things are happening. I’m really scared!

~Jon

 
Dear Jon,

There are strange things that happen sometimes. The important thing is to make sure that you belong to Christ. When you give your life to Jesus, He comes to live within you and you are born again (John 3:3, 7). The Bible teaches that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Jesus is more powerful than the devil. Turn to Jesus and tap into His strength.

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Does God Still Love Me Even If I Am Overweight?

Dear Pastor,

Does God love me even if I am overweight?…I mean I am not like a walking planet I am just big built and have a little extra fat in places very noticeable. I am hated by “cultural” terms but the only real thing I care about is if God still loves me no matter what. Only then can I really, really be comfortable with myself. I do hope you will message me back and give me your words.

~Randi

 

 

Dear Randi,

Yes, God loves you! He loves you so much that He sent His only Son to this earth to die for you (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). The culture in which we live is selfish and has positioned itself against Christ. As followers of Jesus, we listen to Him and not to the world. His love is perfect!

 ~Pastor Chris

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Should I Tell A Potential Girlfriend About My Past?

Dear Pastor,

Im in need of some serious advise!! Can u please help?

I’m a single 28 year old man. I’m a recovering alcoholic. I’m a christian man who was brought up in a christian home.

I have committed a sin with guilt and shame that consumes me.

During my drinking days, on four separate occasions, I got very,very drunk, and called an escort service. I would never even think to do this, but for some reason it happened. The thought of it makes me sick to my stomach! I cant look at myself in the mirror. I know I am forgiven by Gods grace, which I am eternally grateful!

I would die if anyone found out my sin!! My question is, do I need to tell a potential girl friend or wife this part of my past? The thought of it kills me!

~Anonymous

 

Dear Anonymous,

From the tone of your email I can tell that you have genuine remorse. This is good. We can thank God for 1 John 1:9! You are right, God forgives when we come to Him in sincere repentance.

When you are first meeting other people you do not need to tell them everything about your past. This is true with first dates, too. It is not good to share everything about ourselves indiscriminately. It is a good “rule of thumb” to only share the intimate details of your life with a very few trusted friends. Most people cannot be trusted with intimacies.

It is a different situation when you find someone you want to marry. At some point as the relationship develops (before you get engaged) you should tell your fiancee the truth without going into all of the ugly details. You might say something like this: “You already know that I am not perfect. I have made some mistakes in my past. I took all of that to God, confessed it, and turned from it. The Lord has forgiven me and I have had to learn how to forgive myself. I want you to know that I love you and that I do not want to hurt you. I do not want you to discover something about my past from someone else. Therefore you need to know that I am a recovering alcoholic. When I was drunk I did some things that go against my Christian values. That is who I was. It is not who I am now. I am learning to walk in the Spirit of Christ. He gives me strength to follow Him and serve Him each day. I pray that you will forgive me for my past sins just as Jesus has forgiven me.”

If the lady cannot forgive you for your past then you do not have a relationship that will go the distance. If she can forgive you then she still needs to know so that she can be aware of those places where the devil will try to trip you up and lead you into sin. She can help be part of God’s defense for you against the enemy and the flesh.

~Pastor Chris