Posts

Posted on

How do I find a good church home?

Pastor Chris,

 

I am looking for A PLACE WHERE I CAN RESEARCH THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF NON DENOMINATIONAL CHURCHES. ( ASSEMBLY OF GOD. FULL GOSPEL.. WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS IN ALL OF THESE? AND WHICH ONE OF THEM ARE THE CLOSEST TO RELIGION… WHICH I WANT TO KEEP MYSELF AND FAMILY FAR AWAY FROM.. WHICH ONES ARE GOING TO BE THE CLOSEST TO BEING OPEN TO THE SPIRIT AND IT MEMBERS WORKING AS A BODY AND WITHOUT THE FEELING THAT THEY ARE THE ONLY CHURCH THAT IS RIGHT.. RECOGNIZING IT’S MEMBERS GIFTS AND DEVELOPING THEIR GIFTS IN THE SPIRIT . CHURCHES WHICH DO NOT HINDER THE SPIRIT .. FAR FROM A RELIGIOUS SPIRIT.

~ Cherie

 

ANSWER

Cherie,

 

As I read your email I see that you are already on the right track. Here are some additional thoughts for you to consider when looking for a church home:

Do they accept the Bible as authoritative for all matters of faith and daily living? Joshua 1:8

Do they preach Christ as the only way to God? John 14:6

Do they preach salvation by grace through faith in Christ? Ephesians 2:8-9

Do they seek to share Christ with others both here and around the world? Acts 1:8

Are they a loving fellowship? (love God and love others – Mark 12:30-31)

Do they worship in spirit and truth? John 4:24

Beyond these basics, you can only know a church by actively involving yourself in the life of that congregation. God will give you discernment as you seek His will in this matter. A good book on the subject is Church Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesus by Jonathan Leeman.

 

~ Pastor Chris

Posted on

What does Genesis 3:16 mean when it says your desire will be for your husband?

Pastor Chris,

I was reading in genesis about the fall of man. I came across a verse I never noticed before and do not quite understand. I was wondering if you could offer some insight into the meaning of this verse. In genesis3:16, the bible says, “and god said to the woman, ‘your desire will be for you husband but he shall rule over you.'”

I Am very confused as to what this verse is saying about e husbanD/wife relationship.

~ Leanna 

 

ANSWER

Leeanna,

 

You have asked a significant question. I commend you for searching the Scriptures thoughtfully, prayerfully, and diligently.

 

God has perfect relationships within the Trinity. There is perfect communion between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When God put Adam and Eve in the garden they had perfect relationships, too. They had perfect communion with each other and with God.

 

Genesis 3:16 comes after Adam and Eve sinned. When they sinned they broke fellowship with God and with each other. Relationships were fractured.

 

Sin carries consequences. Genesis 3:16 speaks to some of the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin.

 

It is interesting to read how different versions of the Bible translate this verse.

 

And you will desire to control your husband,

but he will rule over you. NLT

 

You’ll want to please your husband,

but he’ll lord it over you. THE MESSAGE

 

Your desire will be for your husband,

yet he will dominate you. HCSB

 

you shall welcome your husband’s affections,

and he shall be your master. TLB

 

Your desire will be for your husband,

and he will rule over you.” NIV

 

When a husband is acting out of his flesh (sin nature) he can become unreasonable and demanding. When a wife is acting out of her flesh she can become controlling (NLT) and can put her husband before God (your desire will be for your husband).

 

In all of life the first priority is God Himself. When that priority is in place we live better, we treat each other better, and we know God’s perfect peace. The Bible says, “live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature”

(Galatians 5:16, NIV).

 

Some good books on the roles and responsibilities of husbands and wives in marriage from a biblical perspective are:

 

Strike the Original Match by Charles R. Swindoll

 

Different by Design by John MacArthur, Jr.

 

Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs

 

His Needs, Her Needs by Willard F. Harley, Jr.

 

The 5 Love Languages by Gary D. Chapman

 

God bless you!

~ Pastor Chris

Posted on

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

 

 

 

 

Posted on

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

Posted on

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

 

Posted on

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 

Posted on

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

 

 

 

Posted on

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

 

 

Posted on

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

 

 

Posted on

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.