Q: It seems like your days have been dark and God has forgotten you, but He hasn't..There are "brighter days" ahead of you... Declare today "brighter days" are here for me.
A: The song states that "I never knew I could be so happy." Remember, that happiness is based on what happens. That is why there is a word called unhappiness for when things don't go our way. The apostle Paul said he "learned the secret of being content in any and every situation (Phil 4:12)." My prayer is that we also learn to be content regardless of what our circumstances are. That only comes when we realize that God, in Christ, will "never leave us or forsake us" and that "God, who called us into fellowship with His Son, is faithful." There is no promise that life will work out the way we desire. The health, wealth and fruitful relationships expected by many are not promised by God. In fact, we are told to expect tribulation and suffering for being a Christian. The joy of our salvation comes from knowing that the Lord is with us in the midst of our circumstances and not to worry about tomorrow because it is not promised. This truth allows us to live above our circumstances. Amen!
Q: Jesus says your "thoughts" are not my "thoughts". What does that mean?
A: The Bible says that our "attitude" should be that of Christ Jesus and that we have the "mind" of Christ. Often times Christians tell each other that we need to be more "Christlike" or that we need to become "better" Christians. This is often a not so subtle way of trying to "be like God" and live a sinless life through the knowledge of good and evil. That is the same lie that Adam and Eve fell for in the Garden. Jesus said that He did nothing unless the Father told Him to do it. We are no different in that we should not do anything unless the Father tells us to do it. And He tells us what to through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The goal of the Christian life is to trust and depend on the indwelling Holy Spirit. As we discussed yesterday, renewing our mind has everything to do with discerning between the truth and the lie. It is what we believe about God and, specifically, Jesus Christ that motivates us each day. As we respond to the truth our thoughts and actions will follow.
Q: What does it mean to be "not" conformed to the world?
A: We do not conform to the world by becoming living sacrifices. A sacrifice is something that is surrendered or offered up to God. As living sacrifices we offer ourselves up to God by resting from our self-righteous works. It is not simply our behavior that is evidence of us not conforming to the world, but it is the attitude of our heart that is the evidence. As we submit to the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit, He will renew our minds through helping us discern what scripture means. And it is in learning what scripture means that we discover all we have been given through faith in Christ. And as we discover all we have been given we are free to engage the world with what we have and not in expectation of what we hope to get from it. The unconditional love, acceptance and meaning and purpose to life found in Christ prevents us from searching for those things in the world. Because the world can only offer those things through sin.
Q: Is there a "difference" between being "spiritual" and having a relationship with Jesus Christ?
A: What is being Spiritual? In Christian circles being "spiritual" is often defined as going to church, participating in church programs, reciting some words on cue, singing songs and getting emotional. However, often times what people mistake for a relationship with Jesus Christ is actually a relationship with their church. As long as they are staying "busy" and in good graces with the leadership then they must be okay with the Lord. They may even be leaders themselves. But, as the Bible says, "they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge (Rom 10:2)." The devil could fill most of the roles we consider as being spiritual and any religion could give us something to "do for God." But, having a relationship with Christ has nothing to do with what you do for God or where you sit on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening. Your relationship with Jesus Christ has everything to do with understanding the Gospel, what you've been saved from and what you have in Christ.
Q: Is there such a thing as God giving you a "Soul Mate"? If not how does God want you to choose your Mate?
A: No, the concept of "soul mate" is not one found in the Bible. The only principle stated is to "not be unequally yoked" with unbelievers for obvious reasons. Yet, the Apostle Paul talks about staying single if at all possible to better serve the Lord. However, he also says if you can't resist the pull of intimacy to get married rather than "burn" with passion. And, if your spouse is not a believer, but doesn't want to separate, stay with them. Christians are free to choose whomever we decide to choose to marry. Just like Adam and Eve could eat from any tree in the garden, Christians are free to choose from any believer they desire. However, just because two people claim to be Christians doesn't mean they will get along. There are matters of personal taste, interests and even competing beliefs within the realm of Christianity that all must be weighed. Pray God will help you find a mate, but don't burden yourself with the thought that you must find the needle in the haystack.
Being single is not a punishment from God. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). While your circumstances, at times, may get you down, it is just the difficulty of living in this world. God is with you regardless of your marital status. There are plenty of couples living in misery and that is not God either. Trust me, God has and will use your circumstances to lead you into a deeper trust and dependent relationship with Him. You don't need to be married to experience God's love for you. As you already know.
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