Question from Beverly:
I was baptized when I was a real small child. I followed my brother down the aisle. Later when I was a young adult I got serious about following Jesus. In my heart I doubt that I'm really a Christian. Now I wonder if I'm really saved! How can I know?
Answer from Pastor Bob:
We base our salvation upon the truth of God's word, not our feelings. First John 3:19-20 (ESV) says, "By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything."
So we don't follow our hearts, because our hearts may lead us astray; we let God's word lead our hearts.
Do you need a test? We read in 2 Corinthians 13:5 (HCSB): "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you not recognize for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?-- unless you fail the test." So the test is "Jesus Christ is in you." That comes by faith and trust. Notice what it says in 1 John 5:13 (HCSB): "I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." Did you trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and Him alone, to save you from sin? Then according to scripture you can know that you have eternal life in heaven.
Stand on the truth of God's word, not what your heart feels at the moment. Let faith be the engine that drives your life, and feelings will the caboose that will come along in due time.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
If I had a bad father, how can I pray to God as Father?
Question from Anonymous:
I had a bad experience with my father when I was growing up. I know Jesus taught us to pray to God as "Our Father," but it's really hard for me when I have such negative images of a father. How do I love my heavenly Father when I never felt loved by my earthly father?
Answer from Pastor Bob:
My heart goes out to you. We have talked privately about this, and I thank you for giving me permission to post this answer so that others with a similar struggle could benefit.
Here is a key verse you may want to memorize: "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me." (Psalm 27:10, NIV)
Perhaps it will help to read scripture about God as Father, and learn what a good father should be. Then focus on developing your relationship with your Heavenly Father, thanking Him for being there for you, even when your earthly father was not. Notice these qualities of God that make us love Him as our Father:
1) Because He takes care of us. Psalm 68:5, Luke 12:30, Matthew 7:9-11.
2) Because He disciplines us for our good. Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:7-8, 1 Peter 1:17.
"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son He delights in." (Proverbs 3:11-12, NIV)
3) Because He loves us. 1 John 4:7-10.
4) Because He forgives us. Read the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24.
5) Because He adopts us as His children. Romans 8:14-17. God adopts us and lets us call Him "Abba," which is Aramaic for "Daddy."
God is not an indulgent uncle, a doting grandfather, or an approving friend. He is a loving Father. He is there for us, to discipline us for our good, to guide us, provide for us, and never will He leave us. Get to know Him as your Heavenly Father, and let His love replace the rejection you felt from your earthly father.
I had a bad experience with my father when I was growing up. I know Jesus taught us to pray to God as "Our Father," but it's really hard for me when I have such negative images of a father. How do I love my heavenly Father when I never felt loved by my earthly father?
Answer from Pastor Bob:
My heart goes out to you. We have talked privately about this, and I thank you for giving me permission to post this answer so that others with a similar struggle could benefit.
Here is a key verse you may want to memorize: "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me." (Psalm 27:10, NIV)
Perhaps it will help to read scripture about God as Father, and learn what a good father should be. Then focus on developing your relationship with your Heavenly Father, thanking Him for being there for you, even when your earthly father was not. Notice these qualities of God that make us love Him as our Father:
1) Because He takes care of us. Psalm 68:5, Luke 12:30, Matthew 7:9-11.
2) Because He disciplines us for our good. Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:7-8, 1 Peter 1:17.
"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son He delights in." (Proverbs 3:11-12, NIV)
3) Because He loves us. 1 John 4:7-10.
4) Because He forgives us. Read the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24.
5) Because He adopts us as His children. Romans 8:14-17. God adopts us and lets us call Him "Abba," which is Aramaic for "Daddy."
God is not an indulgent uncle, a doting grandfather, or an approving friend. He is a loving Father. He is there for us, to discipline us for our good, to guide us, provide for us, and never will He leave us. Get to know Him as your Heavenly Father, and let His love replace the rejection you felt from your earthly father.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Why was Ezekiel called "Son of man"?
Question from Mark:
In Hebrew, to say "son of ..." is a way of saying it belongs to something or to emphasize its association with something. For example, Isaiah 5 describes a fertile hill literally in the Hebrew as "a hill, the son of fatness." The phrase "son of fatness" is a Hebrew idiom for "very fat" or very fertile. So when God calls Ezekiel "son of man," it is a way of saying he is completely a man, a mere human creature in contrast to the Creator. So the term "son of man" in Ezekiel stresses Ezekiel's humility in contrast to God's glory.
Daniel 7:13 uses the term "one like a son of man" when describing a person coming in glory as God on the clouds, to stress that the Messiah is both divine and human. When Jesus used the term "the Son of Man" to describe himself, Jesus was referring to Daniel 7:13, not Ezekiel's use of the term.
Kimberly and I are doing the daily reading in Ezekiel together....
Answer from Pastor Bob:
You made a good observation about Ezekiel's use of "son of man." This term is used by God to address Ezekiel over 90 times in the book, but "son of man" is rarely used anywhere else in the Old Testament.In Hebrew, to say "son of ..." is a way of saying it belongs to something or to emphasize its association with something. For example, Isaiah 5 describes a fertile hill literally in the Hebrew as "a hill, the son of fatness." The phrase "son of fatness" is a Hebrew idiom for "very fat" or very fertile. So when God calls Ezekiel "son of man," it is a way of saying he is completely a man, a mere human creature in contrast to the Creator. So the term "son of man" in Ezekiel stresses Ezekiel's humility in contrast to God's glory.
Daniel 7:13 uses the term "one like a son of man" when describing a person coming in glory as God on the clouds, to stress that the Messiah is both divine and human. When Jesus used the term "the Son of Man" to describe himself, Jesus was referring to Daniel 7:13, not Ezekiel's use of the term.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
How can I read and understand Revelation?
Question many people ask: How can I read and understand the Book of Revelation?
Answer from Pastor Bob:
Perhaps the most mysterious book of the Bible is the last one: Revelation.
David Koresh led his cult to a fiery death in Waco, Texas, in part because of his interpretation of Revelation. Movies have been made about Armageddon, 666, and other terms and events in the Revelation. Some Christians spend so much time studying Revelation that they neglect the rest of scripture, while other Christians are afraid of it and neglect it altogether.
Revelation 1:3 promises and blessing to those who read and obey it. So how should we go about reading this mysterious book?
First, understand that it is a book of symbolism. Revelation 1:1 says it was "signified," that is, that it is meant to be taken symbolically. Sometimes it comes right out and tells us what certain symbols are, such as Revelation 1:20 that says the seven stars are angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. So when you read the book, don't take it all literally, but take it seriously, by looking for symbolic meaning. Some commonly understand symbols include "horn" which means strength, the color "white" for victory, "Lamb" for Jesus, "dragon" for Satan, the number "3" for God, the number "4" for earth, the number "6" for evil, the number "7" for perfection, and the number "12" for God's people.
Second, notice that it is structured with many sevens. There are seven blessings, seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. So read a large portion of the book in one sitting, or listen to it on CD, and you will get the dramatic feel for the book.
Third, look for the big picture, and don't get bogged down in details. While there are different opinions about the 144,000 or the millenium, the main message is still clear: Jesus Christ is coming back, there will be a judgment day for all people, and everybody will either go to heaven or hell.
Fourth, look for hope and encouragement. Revelation has seven "blessings" found in 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7 and 22:14. As you read the last two chapters, especially, you will be greatly encouraged to think of the beauty of heaven.
So pick up the Bible and read the last book! You'll be blessed if you do.
Answer from Pastor Bob:
Perhaps the most mysterious book of the Bible is the last one: Revelation.
David Koresh led his cult to a fiery death in Waco, Texas, in part because of his interpretation of Revelation. Movies have been made about Armageddon, 666, and other terms and events in the Revelation. Some Christians spend so much time studying Revelation that they neglect the rest of scripture, while other Christians are afraid of it and neglect it altogether.
Revelation 1:3 promises and blessing to those who read and obey it. So how should we go about reading this mysterious book?
First, understand that it is a book of symbolism. Revelation 1:1 says it was "signified," that is, that it is meant to be taken symbolically. Sometimes it comes right out and tells us what certain symbols are, such as Revelation 1:20 that says the seven stars are angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. So when you read the book, don't take it all literally, but take it seriously, by looking for symbolic meaning. Some commonly understand symbols include "horn" which means strength, the color "white" for victory, "Lamb" for Jesus, "dragon" for Satan, the number "3" for God, the number "4" for earth, the number "6" for evil, the number "7" for perfection, and the number "12" for God's people.
Second, notice that it is structured with many sevens. There are seven blessings, seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. So read a large portion of the book in one sitting, or listen to it on CD, and you will get the dramatic feel for the book.
Third, look for the big picture, and don't get bogged down in details. While there are different opinions about the 144,000 or the millenium, the main message is still clear: Jesus Christ is coming back, there will be a judgment day for all people, and everybody will either go to heaven or hell.
Fourth, look for hope and encouragement. Revelation has seven "blessings" found in 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7 and 22:14. As you read the last two chapters, especially, you will be greatly encouraged to think of the beauty of heaven.
So pick up the Bible and read the last book! You'll be blessed if you do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
