A: Fear, being afraid, is the byproduct of not experiencing the unconditional love of God. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1 Jn 4:18)." Personally, I am not aware of anybody being afraid to ask God to provide for them. What I do see are people afraid they are being "punished" by God because they are not having their flesh blessed. Many Christians have an unrealistic expectation that God is here to bless them with comfortable lives and make their dreams come true. When this doesn't happen they believe it is because they have "disobeyed" God in some way and He is withholding blessings or administering punishment in their lives as a result. That is not a relationship built on love. Besides, God never said for us to ask Him to provide for us. Rather, He promised He would take care of us.
"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them (Mth 6:31-32)." If a Christian is living in fear it may be due to them expecting something from God He didn't promise to provide. God has already given us the only provision we need, Himself. It is His indwelling Spirit which meets the deepest desires of our heart for unconditional love and total acceptance that we often expect to receive from the world. Saints, think about the Apostle Paul. He lost nearly everything He had in this world, was imprisoned and eventually lost his life for the sake of Christ. Yet, he said "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (Phil 4:12)." This is a man who knew God had already provided for Him by blessing Him with every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3) and giving him everything he needs for life and godliness (2 Ptr 1:3).
My prayer is that we all learn the secret of being content, that God has already provided for us in His Son, and that we will rest in what His perfect love has already provided for us. Be blessed.
Q: ALL GONE"...Your past sins, Your fears, Your past Hurts, Your Past mistakes, Your insecurities are "ALL GONE" fam let's load up this page and remind the devil it's "ALL GONE".
A: ALL GONE is absolutely right, but do you believe it? Jesus said "it is finished," but do you keep it going by asking forgiveness each time you sin? Paul reminded us that God was "not counting men's sins against them." Are you still keeping account of your sins? The author of Hebrews wrote that "our sins and lawless acts" will no longer be remembered by God and that there is no more "sacrifice" for sins. Are you reminding God of your sins by keeping short accounts, entering confession booths, repeating the "Lord's Prayer," answering an altar call or by performing any other sacrifice no longer required or accepted by God? When Jesus returns He is not coming to bear sin, but to gather those who are waiting for Him.
Q: Believer or Disciple of Christ...Any difference?
A: It depends on the context in which you use the two words. The Bible uses them interchangeably to describe Christians. "All the believers were together and had everything in common (Acts 2:44)." Then we read where, "The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:26)." Therefore, in this context there is no difference between believer and disciple. We are also referred to as "saints (Rom 1:7)," as "children (1 Jn 2:1)" and as "brothers (1 Tim 6:2)." These references are just as much terms of endearment as they are descriptions of believers. One of the definitions of believer is someone who accepts something as true or real. That is exactly true when it comes to Christians. We have accepted the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as true and real. But, we have gone one step further by putting faith in what Christ has done on our part.
However, the Bible also describes believers in the opposite context. In James 2:19 it says, "You believe that God is one You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." This is a description of eyewitnesses to a known fact. Throughout scripture demons are seen as acknowledging Jesus was the Christ. They even had conversations with Him. However, they did not put faith in Him. Many people in Christ's time were eyewitness to all He had done. They believed what He did was true. In many cases their response was to turn against Him to the point that some plotted to kill Him. There are many people alive today that acknowledge the facts about Jesus, but never have put saving faith in Him. Therefore, the words can be used to describe Christians and unbelievers. It just depends on how one uses the word. A disciple is a believer, but a believer isn't necessarily a disciple. Be blessed.
Q: Jesus says whatever you do put me "first"...So should doing things in the ministry come before a marriage?
However, the Bible also describes believers in the opposite context. In James 2:19 it says, "You believe that God is one You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." This is a description of eyewitnesses to a known fact. Throughout scripture demons are seen as acknowledging Jesus was the Christ. They even had conversations with Him. However, they did not put faith in Him. Many people in Christ's time were eyewitness to all He had done. They believed what He did was true. In many cases their response was to turn against Him to the point that some plotted to kill Him. There are many people alive today that acknowledge the facts about Jesus, but never have put saving faith in Him. Therefore, the words can be used to describe Christians and unbelievers. It just depends on how one uses the word. A disciple is a believer, but a believer isn't necessarily a disciple. Be blessed.
Q: Jesus says whatever you do put me "first"...So should doing things in the ministry come before a marriage?
A: It depends on what one considers "ministry." Often times the term ministry is exclusively applied to activities surrounding a local church. Therefore, if you're a pastor, deacon, choir leader and so on, you are considered to be "in the ministry." However, the Bible says, "He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Cor 3:6)." Therefore, we all are in the ministry whether we are married or not and regardless of our occupation. So, if you're definition of ministry is the former definition than the answer is "no." Your ministry should not come before a marriage. For example, we read where "A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well (1 Tim 3:12)." Therefore, if your duties at the church are compromising your role as husband and head of household than you need to step down and get your house in order. But, that is a decision left between the married couple.
If your definition is the latter definition than there should be little if any conflict between fulfilling your obligations as a married couple and being a "minister of the new covenant." You can be used of God anywhere you find yourself to be and not compromise your duties as a spouse or putting God "first." "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship (Rom 12:1)." The Bible defines worship as being available to God (a living sacrifice). That can be accomplished, and most often is, outside the four walls of the church. Remember, the Church is not an organization, it is an organism. Wherever we are, Christ is. Making yourself available to God whenever and wherever you are will not only allow you to be a minister of the new covenant, but will also positively effect your marriage because when you are submitting to God's leading in your life and love for you it will manifest itself towards how you treat your spouse. Putting God "first" in this case doesn't mean you're putting your spouse "second." They compliment one another rather than compete against each other. Be blessed.
Q: What does "anointed" mean? And why does God "anoint" Christians?
A: To anoint means to smear or rub with an oily substance. It also can mean to choose by or as if by divine election. In biblical terms oil was often used to symbolize the Holy Spirit. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." What do you fill a lamp with? Oil. Who is Jesus? The Light of the world. Where is Jesus right now? He is indwelling every believer through the Holy Spirit of God. When we were born again the life of God, the Holy Spirit, was restored to us and we became children of God. Now, as the temple of God, the Holy Spirit guides us from within as we live our lives. "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (Eph 5:8)." Now, we are light because of our faith in Christ. He is the "lamp" to our feet because His light is in us. That is why we are told "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth (1 Jn 2:20)."
The anointing we have in Christ is the Holy Spirit of God. This doesn't mean we have divine powers, but rather we are now able to bear the fruit of the Spirit to a darkened world. His Light baptizes us (1 Cor 12:13), illuminates God's Word for us (1 Cor 2:9-3:2), prays for us (Rom 8:26), seals believers until the day of redemption (Eph 4:30), teaches us (Jn 16:12-15) and testifies of Christ (Jn 15:26). The Christian life is impossible to live. Jesus was the only one who ever lived it. Now, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, He wants to live His life through us. His indwelling Holy Spirit is our "divine election" into the family of God. The Holy Spirit is the "oil" that lights the "lamp" inside of us so as to light our paths as we walk through this darkened world bearing His fruit in order to save the lost. Let us live as children of Light because we have been anointed by the Light of the world for all eternity. Be blessed.
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