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Showing posts with label ProphecyQA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ProphecyQA. Show all posts

The Biblical Christian Network: "Prophecy Q&A" (11-21) Jack Kelley

 

Yes! Jesus is Coming!

-The Classic Christian Network-Biblical Prophecy Today Network-Last Generation News Report-Christian Issues Network-Last Call Devotional Network-Natzsal The Jewish Network-Michael James Stone Online-The Last Word Videos Network-

 

Thursdays Study in Prophecy

On Thursdays all day we bring a recap of the Week so far and a look forward of the Propehcy Sites and Teachings that make up the Biblical Prophecy Network;

Feautured Series are listed below.

Biblical Prophecy Today chooses not to be a wierd or wacky service provider of every wild and wooly idea that someone gets from too much coffee; too much time on the Internet and too little time studying and "approving" what is valid, but we would see Jesus as Coming to this Generation.We abide by that motto that saved us in the beginning of this age of grace and we saw written on the sides of the wall leading into a little church at the time called Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa; It said:

"Jesus is Coming"

Prophecy

Q&A

Jack Kelley

(A-Series from 2011)

(1-100)

Ask a Bible Teacher

Jack answers your questions on a variety of Bible topics. Updated daily. Have a question? Send it to questions@gracethrufaith.com

(11-21)

Changing Churches

Q. We recently changed churches, for reasons not that important, now the church is not talking to us.  The other day we ran into the pastor he was rather upset with us and told us of all our mistakes we made in leaving his church.  Is this a Biblical thing?  Where does the Bible tell us we have to come to the pastor and tell him we selected another church to attend.   I thought that as the church we were all united in the same work.

 

A.  You’re not required to tell your pastor you’ve begun to worship elsewhere, although it is the courteous thing to do.  You and he apparently have personal issues that you should try to settle.  The Bible tells us that as Christians we should not leave these things unresolved.  It can effect our relationship with the Lord (Matt. 5:23-24) and is a poor witness to others.  Matt. 18:15-35 would be a good passage for you to study.

Why Doesn’t God Tell Everyone To Stop?

Q. There’s something I have been puzzling about.  Let’s say there are two good Christian friends. They both dabble in witchcraft and read their horoscopes every day. Then God tells one of them to stop doing that because he doesn’t like it. So the first person changes his lifestyle, but the second one never hears from God. They remain friends, despite the change. Now why does this happen? Why does God call one person and ignore many others who are doing the same thing? If the activity is displeasing wouldn’t he tell ALL of them to stop?
 
From a different angle – if you’re Christian and you believe Jesus died to save you, and OSAS is true, why does God call you out of doing certain things? Because if your behavior had no bearing on being saved, then you could go around doing witchcraft or whatever and it would be okay, wouldn’t it? I’m really confused. Please help.

A. God doesn’t apply His standards arbitrarily.  Through His Holy Spirit He convicts all of us of our sins. Some are just more tuned in than others to hear His voice.

As a practical matter God dealt with all the sins of our life at the cross (Colossians 2:13-14). Even the ones we haven’t committed yet are already paid for, so nothing we do can endanger our salvation. (John 10:27-30)

Trying to behave the way God wants us to is the way we express our gratitude to Him for saving us. Because we don’t have to do it, when we make the effort it’s like we’re saying thanks.

On the other hand, going off and doing things we know He doesn’t like makes us appear ungrateful and grieves the Holy Spirit (Ephes. 4:30). Our sins also gives the enemy access to us and can cause the loss of blessing or even persecution.

So because it pleases God and makes life better for us, it’s a good idea to avoid doing things we know the Lord doesn’t want us to do.

Do Angels Sing?

Q. May the Lord continue to bless you in this unique and wonderful ministry He has given you!  I have a question about Luke 2:13-14.  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”  In passages like this we see the heavenly host ‘praising God’.  A minister once said that if you check the scriptures, we never read that the angels are singing.  He believed that only humans actually sing, not angels. Any thoughts on this statement?

 

A. I’ve heard this claim before and don’t agree with it. Angels can and do sing.  Job 38:7and Rev. 5:11-12 are two places that demonstrate this.  And the Greek word translated praising in Luke 2:13-14 literally means “to praise, extol, to sing praises in honor to God”.

Deluded By The Devil?

Q. I am in my seventies and have been a christian since my late teens and have truly been trying to live a christian life since my late twenties.  I have raised 2 sons that are saved, but, about a couple of years ago I was ill and the medicine the doctor put me on gave me a panic attack.  They put me to sleep and I dreamed that I went to heaven and was told, “Depart from me you workers of iniquity, I never knew you”.

 

When I awakened I was terrified so they put me to sleep again and since then I feel void of my relationship with the Lord and half dead.  Of course I know it is due a lot to the medication, but, my question is:  Could the Devil have deluded me all of these years?  I love going to Church and have taught several times during the years and sang duets and solos when needed.  I feel like David when he prayed, “Restore unto me the joy of my salvation”.

A. You say you’ve been a Christian for about 50 years and have tried to live a Christian life, and you’ve given examples of the good works you’ve done.  But the only work God requires where your salvation is concerned is that you believe you’re a sinner, that Jesus died for all your sins, and that He rose again. (John 6:28-29, Romans 10:9)

If you have met this single requirement the dream you had contradicts the Scriptures, so it had to have come from a different source.  Paul wrote that from the moment you first believed your salvation was guaranteed (Ephes. 1:13-14).  The quote from Matt. 7:23refers to people who by their works appear to be believers, but are not doing the Father’s will.  His will, clearly described in John 6:39-40, is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and He won’t lose a single one of us.

Dealing With Sin In The Millennium

Q. I have heard that one who commits a transgression during the Millennium will have until the following morning to repent and make the matter right. Does Psalms 101:8 confirm this?

 

A. This is an opinion about the Millennium that can’t be confirmed in Scripture. Psalm 101 is David’s promise to make his life, his home, and his city pleasing to the Lord, partly by his own behavior and partly by getting rid of everyone who says or does anything evil there.

More On Falling Away

Q. Could the falling away happen due the the lack of sound preaching?  It is so very difficult to find a church that has preaching and teaching based strictly on the Bible.

 

A. The so-called falling away is due in part to the lack of sound teaching, and in part to the fact that many people no longer want to hear it. In 1 Tim. 4:1-2 Paul said, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.  Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.”

And in 2 Tim 4:3-4 he wrote, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

I say “so-called” because the falling away only involves those who are Christians in name only.   Those with the Holy Spirit are able to spot false teaching and reject it, and as the end draws near they’re seeking the truth beyond the boundaries of what’s come to be known as organized religion.

Will The 3rd Temple Be Holy, Follow Up

Q. In your response to “Will the 3rd Temple Be Holy in God’s Sight?” you responded that “In order for the anti-Christ to desecrate the Temple, it will have to have been holy previously.  So yes, the sacrifices will be acceptable.” My question is: Acceptable to whom? They will certainly not be acceptable to God. Following Christ’s crucifixion the sacrifices were never again accepted by God and the Temple was destroyed.  Personally, I don’t believe the rebuilt Tribulation Temple will be anything but a one-sided empty service until the physical return of Christ.  It will be just as it was for the 40 years after the crucifixion of Christ.

A. Everything you’ve said about the sacrifices no longer being acceptable is true now and will remain so until the Rapture.   Then God will hit the reset button and those who remain on Earth will be back in the Age of Law for the completion of its last 7 years. We know this because a careful reading of Daniel 9:24-27 shows that the Age of Grace didn’t put an end to the Age of Law but rather interrupted it 7 years short of its promised duration, giving God the time to take a people for Himself from among the Gentiles.  Both Paul (Romans 11:25) and James (Acts 15:13-18) explained this.

For the End Times prophecies to be fulfilled, Israel has to be back it its Old Covenant relationship with God complete with Temple and sacrifices.  Otherwise the Temple could not be defiled because it would never have been consecrated, and the anti-Christ’s claim to be God while standing there  could not be called an abomination that causes desolation (Matt. 24:15, 2 Thes. 2:3).

Anointing With Oil

Q. I have seen people pray for other people and “anoint them with oil” by putting a dab of oil on their forehead. Could you tell me the purpose of anointing someone with oil, and are there rules for this? Can anyone anoint another person, or do they have to be a preacher to do this? Also, does the oil need to be blessed, and if so, who do you get to bless it? I see anointing oil being sold all over the internet. Does it have to be a special oil?

 

A. What you’ve seen is probably an application of James 5:14-15:

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.

Anointing a person with oil symbolizes setting them apart for God’s purpose or special attention.  It’s usually done by someone in a leadership position such as a pastor or elder, but can be done by any person praying over another. The oil itself doesn’t need to be blessed.

The oil you see being sold is usually a blend of olive oil and spices similar in some ways to what was used in the Old Testament (Exodus 30:22-25).  Many believers prefer to use special anointing oil when praying over others because of its Biblical significance.

Do We Sin Every Day?

Q. Do you believe a Christian sins every day?Our men’s group had a disagreement about if a Christian sins everyday. Thanks, I enjoy your Site very much.

 

A. You tell me. According to my understanding of the Sermon on the Mount and other passages, every time a man gets a little angry, impatient, or frustrated with another person, justified or not, he sins. Every time he looks at any possession of someone else’s and wishes, even for a moment, that it was his, he sins. Every time he considers a woman’s attractiveness, or glances briefly at the image of a woman in a movie, on TV, the cover of a magazine, or in some kind of an advertisement and however fleetingly experiences a desire for her, he sins. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Seeking The Lord

Q. My sister-in-law (who is Jewish) directed me to a Jewish website that explains why Jewish people don’t believe in the Messiah.  They claim that Christians have twisted the scriptures to make Jesus the Messiah.  I have heard this before, and I guess it just takes a leap of faith but is there any website to direct her to, or is it just not going to happen for her to believe until the Rapture and then I am hoping that people that I know will finally come to believe.

 

A. The Bible passage that has brought more Jews to faith in Jesus as the Messiah than any other is Isaiah 52:13-53:12.  In the Shrine of the Book museum in Jerusalem there is a copy of Isaiah that was discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls.  It’s 900 years older than the next oldest copy of Isaiah and comes from a time before the Church was born.  It’s almost identical to the text found in most Bibles today.

There are several Jewish sites that try to say Jesus is not the Jewish Messiah.  Their claims are easily disproved by anyone who takes the time to study the Bible. InJeremiah 29:13 the Lord said we will find Him when we seek Him with all our heart, and in Matt. 7:7-8 Jesus said that all who seek Him will find Him. It won’t take some special website to convince your sister-in-law of the truth. All she has to do is decide to seek Him with all her heart.  She’ll find Him in the Bible.


 

"After Word"

 In the world of Eschatology there is a lot of money to be made selling books, doing seminars, giving speech engagements and generally sensationalizing anything that "sounds like" or "looks like" prophecy.

 That is not why we are here or what I do.

We would see Jesus

 And that is What Prophecy is all about.

Merchandizing and Marketing are the two largest leverages used in promotion of prophecy today.
They are effective, they work, and they also distort.

 We are about the Message.

 We try to remove the M&M's from the sites posting so you get less candy and more meaning.

We are ALL about the Message.

 It is not that we are ooposed to any Christian trying to make a buc, we simply choose to remove the dollars and sense so anyone and everyone can freely study and freely recieve the best, the most relevant and the currrent materials available on the internet to anyone who wants to know Fact from Fiction about End Times.

That can only be accomplished by personal study.
We aren't going to tell you what to beleive
That is the role of the Holy Spirit
but we are going to give you 
tools to study.

Current Series

Perspectives; Prophecy Q&A; Studies From; Rapture Series; Questionable; Book of Charts; Updated; News from; Warnings; Yes! Jesus is Coming!; Countdown to Armageddon; ViewPoint;"What Should Christians do"; with many more added as we increase till Jesus Come Again. 

 

 

 

The Biblical Christian Network: "Prophecy Q&A" (1-11) Jack Kelley

 

Yes! Jesus is Coming!

-The Classic Christian Network-Biblical Prophecy Today Network-Last Generation News Report-Christian Issues Network-Last Call Devotional Network-Natzsal The Jewish Network-Michael James Stone Online-The Last Word Videos Network-

 

Thursdays Study in Prophecy

On Thursdays all day we bring a recap of the Week so far and a look forward of the Propehcy Sites and Teachings that make up the Biblical Prophecy Network;

Feautured Series are listed below.

Biblical Prophecy Today chooses not to be a wierd or wacky service provider of every wild and wooly idea that someone gets from too much coffee; too much time on the Internet and too little time studying and "approving" what is valid, but we would see Jesus as Coming to this Generation.We abide by that motto that saved us in the beginning of this age of grace and we saw written on the sides of the wall leading into a little church at the time called Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa; It said:

"Jesus is Coming"

Prophecy

Q&A

Jack Kelley

(A-Series from 2011)

(1-100)

Ask a Bible Teacher

Jack answers your questions on a variety of Bible topics. Updated daily. Have a question? Send it to questions@gracethrufaith.com

 

(1-11)

The Only One Saved

Q. My question centers on a Christian’s responsibility to his/her family during family functions. I am the only saved one in my family. When I attend holidays and family functions, it is uncomfortable for me because there are untoward things going on, such as swearing, drinking, gossiping, and occasionally light gambling. I try to ignore it but it’s difficult.  What would you recommend if you were in my shoes? If I don’t attend the functions at all, then I risk offending the family. When I do go, I’m uncomfortable. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

A. Sounds like your family is a lot like the folks Jesus was around through most of his ministry. He was able to love them without condoning their lifestyle, and His love for them often moved their hearts.

“Hate the sin but love the sinner,” we’re told. It’s easier said than done, especially with family, but think of how hard it must have been for Him. He already knew how each life would turn out, who would be saved and who would be lost. Yet He ate and drank with them, and even made some wine for them. Through it all He was never legalistic, never hypocritical, never condescending, and always loving.

You’re the body of Christ in your family. When he wants to hug them, He uses your arms. And when He wants to tell them He loves them, He uses your voice. And when they misbehave, you’re the one who has to say, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” If you can do that, pretty soon you won’t be the only one any more.

Forgiven Or Not

Q. Something you said in one of your answers was that God can’t forgive us if we don’t confess. I was taught that all our sins are forgiven already at the cross, but that we should confess them which is to admit our wrong to God so that we can be closer to God. But our sins are forgiven at the cross, everyone of them, so I feel it was wrong to say God can’t forgive us if we don’t confess because he already has.

A. There are two levels of our relationship with the Lord. I call the first one Union. It’s based on the eternal forgiveness for our sins that was purchased at the cross and guarantees our place in Heaven. We only have to ask once to receive this forgiveness and it’s good forever. Ephesians 1:13-14 is a good verse for this.

I refer to the second level as Fellowship. It ‘s the way God relates to us now, on Earth. When we’re walking with Him and staying free from sin, He blesses us in special ways. But when we sin, this special relationship is interrupted until we confess our sin.   As soon as we do we’re forgiven and our special relationship is reinstated. If we don’t confess, we can’t be forgiven. We won’t lose our salvation, but we will miss out on blessings we could otherwise have had.  A good verse for this is 1 John 1:9.

The parable of the unmerciful servant in Matt 18:23-35 explains this in greater detail. The man never stopped being his Master’s servant, but he was excluded from the Master’s presence for the sin of refusing to forgive a fellow servant.   I was referring to this second level in my answer.

Forgiven Or Not

Q. Something you said in one of your answers was that God can’t forgive us if we don’t confess. I was taught that all our sins are forgiven already at the cross, but that we should confess them which is to admit our wrong to God so that we can be closer to God. But our sins are forgiven at the cross, everyone of them, so I feel it was wrong to say God can’t forgive us if we don’t confess because he already has.

A. There are two levels of our relationship with the Lord. I call the first one Union. It’s based on the eternal forgiveness for our sins that was purchased at the cross and guarantees our place in Heaven. We only have to ask once to receive this forgiveness and it’s good forever. Ephesians 1:13-14 is a good verse for this.

I refer to the second level as Fellowship. It ‘s the way God relates to us now, on Earth. When we’re walking with Him and staying free from sin, He blesses us in special ways. But when we sin, this special relationship is interrupted until we confess our sin.   As soon as we do we’re forgiven and our special relationship is reinstated. If we don’t confess, we can’t be forgiven. We won’t lose our salvation, but we will miss out on blessings we could otherwise have had.  A good verse for this is 1 John 1:9.

The parable of the unmerciful servant in Matt 18:23-35 explains this in greater detail. The man never stopped being his Master’s servant, but he was excluded from the Master’s presence for the sin of refusing to forgive a fellow servant.   I was referring to this second level in my answer.

Building The Temple

Q. How long will it take to build the new temple?

A. Good question. All we know for sure is that one of the provisions of the treaty that begins Daniel’s 70th week seems to be the go ahead on the Temple’s construction, because in the middle of that last 7 years the anti Christ desecrates the Temple. (Daniel 9:27) So at most it could take approximately three years.

Some say that preliminary work has been going on for some time now. No one’s saying just how much of the Temple has been or even can be pre-fabricated but rumors surface from time to time. I think that once the decision is made, construction will progress rapidly and the Temple will be in full use well before the abomination of desolation.

Denying The Holy Spirit

Q. I have a non believer friend who has recently confessed that he denied the existence of the Holy Spirit. By denying the existence of the holy spirit has he committed the eternal sin and will forever be lost?

A. Denying the existence of the Holy Spirit is a really silly thing to do, because no one can prove He doesn’t exist, but it’s not the unforgivable sin. In Matt. 12:24 some Pharisees said that Jesus performed His miracles through the power of Satan. In verses 31-32 Jesus said that speaking against the Holy Spirit was a sin that would not be forgiven. He was referring to their claim about Satan being the power behind the Lord’s miracles.

They knew the Scriptures, had interviewed eye witnesses, and were knowledgeable about both Satan and the Holy Spirit. Therefore they were responsible for their actions. Your friend and others like him who think it’s smart to taunt the Lord like this haven’t a clue as to what they’re talking about. They were best described in Psalm 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

By the very fact that he’s an unbeliever, your friend has been denying the existence of the Holy Spirit all along. What’s the big deal in denying the existence of someone you already don’t believe in? Pray that the Lord will reveal Himself to your friend and will forgive him for sins committed in ignorance.

The Fleeing Remnant

Q.  In Matt. 24:15-16 the Lord warned all who are in Judea to flee to the mountains immediately upon hearing of the Abomination.  Yet, did I understand you to imply that only the 144,000 who are sealed will do so?  Would you please clarify this matter?  What about other post-Rapture Messianic Jews and believing Gentiles who live in Judea when the Abomination happens?  Surely many/most of them will also heed the warning.  Will they be safeguarded as well?  Also, did I read somewhere that those to be protected will be flown to Petra on eagles wings, or some such?

A. What I said was that only 144,000 Jewish believers will receive God’s protective seal (Rev. 7:1-8).  But a much greater number than that will flee from the anti-Christ.  Rev. 12:14 says the woman (representing the believing remnant of Israel) will be given the two wings of a great eagle.  I believe John was invoking symbolism that recalls Israel’s supernatural deliverance from Egypt.  That was also described as being on the wings of eagles (Exodus 19:4).   There won’t be enough airplanes to fly all of Israel’s religious Jews away and there’s no place to land where they’re going.

Can Christians Own Guns?

Q. I can’t find anything regarding this on your site or in scripture. I know that before Yashua was crucified, He told His disciples to arm themselves. Is there anything more that answers this question?  Is owning a gun show a lack of faith?

A. Let’s take this opportunity to clear up a misunderstanding.  On the night of the Lord’s betrayal when they were confronted by the soldiers who had come to arrest Jesus, the disciples asked if they should strike with their swords (Luke 22:49). One of them actually attacked the servant of the High Priest, cutting off his ear.  (According to John 18:10 it was Peter.)  Jesus said, “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw (take up) the sword will die by the sword” (Matt. 26:52).

Some use the Lord’s statement to justify banning all weapons, but Jesus wasn’t criticizing Peter for owning a weapon. Earlier that day He had advised the disciples that if they didn’t have a sword to sell their cloak and buy one (Luke 22:36). Apparently they took Him at His word and were armed.

There are three points to understand here.  First, this was a specific instance, and not meant as a general admonition.  In telling them to put their weapons away, He was simply warning the disciples that they were hopelessly outnumbered and if they attacked the soldiers they would be killed.

His second point was He didn’t need them to defend Him anyway.  He had forces of His own that were more than sufficient (Matt. 26:53).

And third, He didn’t want to resist His arrest because things were proceeding according to the plan laid down in Scripture (Matt. 26:54, 56).

A few years later Paul wrote, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with  everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath”(Romans 12:18-19).

Christians are supposed to make every effort to live in peace, but as far as I can see there is no prohibition in Scripture against owning a weapon.

Help! I Don’t Know What To Do

Q. I had a huge shock this Christmas when my pastor stood in front of my church and proclaimed ALL 500+ prophesies of Jesus had already been fulfilled. I really believe this man is a man of God but how on earth could he say such a thing?  When I first walked into this church 8 years ago after spending 4 years looking I felt at home.  But now I am beginning to doubt that I am in the right place.  I don’t know what to do.  Can you help?

A. Some scholars claim to have identified  as many as 800 prophecies in the Bible that relate to either the first or second coming. They further state that about 300 of them were fulfilled in the 1st coming.  That leaves 500 or so unfulfilled.  Two of the most obvious indicators that there are unfulfilled prophecies are 1) the Lord is not here yet, and 2) we still are.  If you’re sure you understood him correctly then your pastor is ignoring the run-up to the most amazing event in human history. I can see why you’re disappointed.

I am frequently asked for help from people who can’t find a Bible believing, Bible preaching church to attend.  Of course I’m unable to do so for a variety of reasons.  First of all, even if I came to your town and found a Church to my liking, there’s no guarantee it would meet your needs. It’s something each of us has to do for ourselves, and it’s getting more difficult by the day.

Are We Still Sinners?

Q. Okay , so we know Jesus came to die for our sins , so that by believing in him we shouldn’t perish but have everlasting life. And that believing in him is not just saying,  “I have been saved once and I will always be saved,” but by continuously trying to live as Jesus would have us live, and continually suppressing the whims and caprices of our flesh, which is corrupt in nature.

 

My question simply is while we are in this state of living for Christ, enduring temptations on a regular basis but doing whatever is within our power to remain unblemished and fit for the rapture, do we still regard ourselves sinners just because “all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God” ? What happened to “I am a new creation”?  Where is the power of the Blood that was shed if it still doesn’t stop us from being sinners?

A. You’ve picked up some confusing theology along the way, so lets try to straighten it out.  Yes, Jesus died for all our sins, and for believing that we have been given everlasting life (John 3:16).  But continuously trying to live as Jesus would have us live is our expression of gratitude in response to what He did for us.  It’s not one of the conditions we have to meet, either for belief or for inclusion in the rapture.

Since we will have a sin nature until we’re raptured we are still sinners.  No matter how hard we try to stop sinning we can’t do it.  2 Cor. 5:17 says we’re a new creation “in Christ” but that’s not the same as being a new creation in fact.  It means that because of the righteousness imputed to us by faith (Romans 3:22), God is able to look forward in time and regard us as we will be after we’re raptured, not as we are today.  In effect He has separated the behavior from the believer (Romans 7:15-20). The “power of the blood” is not in preventing us from ever sinning again, but in relieving us from the penalty due us for all the sins of our life, past present and future.   Jesus didn’t die so bad men could become good, but so dead men could live.

More On Spiritual Gifts

Q. Regarding Gifts of the Holy Spirit, I’m still waiting.  Having never had an epiphany, of course, I’m at a loss as to the starting place of when to expect my Gift.  But, to the best of my knowledge, I’ve never received one unless I am too dense to recognize it.  So, how does one know and recognize his Gift?  I have read many questions similar to or identical with mine from people who, like I, have lived their whole life and never recognized a hint of a Gift.

 

A.  1 Cor. 12:7-11 lists 9 Spiritual gifts and says the Holy Spirit distributes them to each believer just as He determines.  Every born again believer should study this passage and learn what it means because each of us has been given at least one of the Spiritual Gifts that are listed there.

I think there are several reasons why don’t people know what their gift is and how to use it.  First, most Christians are never taught about this and so don’t even know they have at least one.  Second, of those who are taught, most are taught incorrectly and give up trying to find theirs. And third, among the few who are taught correctly, most never yield their lives to the extent necessary for their gift to flourish.  In other words they live life in their own strength, depending on their natural capabilities rather than acting in the strength of the Lord depending on the supernatural capabilities He gave them.

Paul wrote that once we were born again it was like we were purchased by God and our lives were no longer ours to do with as we please. (1 Cor. 6:20).  And Jesus said without Him we can’t live fruitful lives (John 15:4).  Both these passages are meant for believers, but most of us have never received any meaningful coaching regarding this.  The emphasis has always been on getting us saved as if that was all there is to the Christian life.

The solution can be found in Romans 12:1-2.  We’re supposed to yield our lives to the Lord and let Him transform us.  In that way we can learn what His will for us is and how He has equipped us to accomplish it.  Everything the New Testament contains concerning the victorious Christian life not only  supports this approach but also promises a much more satisfying and fulfilling life than we could ever create on our own for following it.

The Famine In Egypt

Q. In your article entitled, “And All These Things Will Be Given To You As Well” you said, “No matter how we try to justify it, storing up is an act of selfishness”; I have to disagree.  Of course the Bible speaks out about “hoarding” and “not sharing/helping others” but it also speaks out about preparing for possible rough times to come. I have attached an article by (another Christian writer) for your information. It’s about the lesson on preparation for hard times from the Famine of Egypt. It pretty much “hits the nail on the head” regarding the topic.

 

A. I think the writer ( and apparently you) missed the real meaning of the story of Joseph and the Famine of Egypt. To understand it, see how the story ended.  Remember, this was a government mandated storage plan into which the people were required to contribute 20% of their crops during the good years.  When the famine came they had to buy back the food they had contributed.  When all was said and done, Pharaoh had taken possession of their money, their land, their livestock, their seed for the next crop, their very lives. He had reduced the people to servitude, totally dependent on him for their existence (Genesis 47:20-21).

At the end of the story the only free people left in Egypt were the 70 members of the family of Jacob (Joseph’s father).  They had not contributed to the government sponsored storage plan, but had been blessed greatly.  Beside Pharaoh and the priests they had become the only remaining landowners in all of Egypt. How did this happen? God had used this event to reconcile Joseph to His brothers.  They sought him in their time of need, depended on him, and were blessed.

There are over 100 references in the Book of Genesis that show how Joseph’s life was a foreshadowing of the Lord’s. One lesson from the story of the famine is that it demonstrates His promise to us in the Sermon on the Mount.

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.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt. 6:31-33).

In the soon coming hard times many of those who depend on the ways of the world will lose everything.  But those who seek the Lord’s kingdom and depend on Him will be blessed.


 

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