Coming Up At Radiant Church
Some real questions people are asking...
“In a relationship, married or dating, when do you know to draw the line and call it quits? (i.e. Cheating, lying, just don't see eye to eye) Where can you turn in the Bible for helpful answers and relationship guidance?”
“We see crosses everywhere. On churches, stickers on car windows, worn as jewelry, and hanging in our home to name a few. Some religions don't believe in hanging a cross because they believe it is a symbol, and we are not to worship symbols. Why is a cross not considered a symbol?”
“What is my purpose?”
“What does the Bible say about Birth Control or Family Planning?”
“Concerning end times and the rapture: We know the only way to heaven is to have a personal relationship with Jesus, but when the rapture happens isn't it true that the only Christians that will be taken at that moment will be the ones on fire for the Lord going about God's business? Isn't true he will not take the Christians who are living in sin and are lukewarm or cold? Will he take the ones who are awake and alert, the ones who have repented of their sins and have turned from that sin with a sincere heart and are trying to live a Godly life? The Bible states that God will rapture the Church, but many who believe they are Christians will be left behind?”
“Pastor Lee, how can we as Christians love others unconditionally as Jesus did, yet not condone actions that are not becoming to us as Christians?”
“In a relationship, married or dating, when do you know to draw the line and call it quits? (i.e. Cheating, lying, just don't see eye to eye) Where can you turn in the bible for helpful answers and realtionship guidiance?”
“What does the Bible say about women - the woman's place in the home, the church, the world at large?”
“How do I know if God is talking to me?”
“Should you pray for what you want or pray for God's will?”
“We have a 8 year old boy and have always wanted to add 1 more to the family, he does not. As healthy Christians, I think it's bad not to desire such a blessing from above or not?”
“How do I pray?”
“We are all told we are saved when we accept Jesus But what is it we are being saved from? Eternal damnation and separation from God?”
“Pastor Lee, how do you help your son and/or daughter whom are recently married and you watch them self-destructing because all they do is fight and week after week & pray after pray you don't see any changes and the one you are praying for is your son and or daughter is the non-believer and the one who thinks the problems are all the other one's fault and they are becoming very cruel in their words and it makes you wonder if this marriage and relationship is one blessed by God?”
“I would like to know how you know when it is God talking to you or just your subconscious. I pray all the time, but always afraid that what I'm praying for is not really the right path I should go. I have asked many people this same questions and each one of them has told me they fight with the samething.”
“What does God say about other Beliefs other then Jesus?”
“If we are all asking God for wisdom and discernment as we read His Word, as I assume most of us are, why are there so many conflicting views on certain issues? Many people (including pastors) disagree on the rapture, the relevance of speaking in tongues, the necessity of water baptism, etc... Having conflicting views on some of these issues doesn't seem to help the credibility of the Christian faith, especially to those who are lost. Why wouldn't God give us the wisdom to understand His word perfectly so we can more effectively reach the unbelievers?”
“Pastor Lee, do you know who Miatreya is and his purpose here?”
“I would like some help with forgiveness. With the way the world is I would like to ease the struggle of forgiving...something that mose would feel is unforgiveable.”
“I was molested, beaten and told I was nothing by a man that said he was my "father" & another man lied to me, cheated on me, hit me and seemed to try and hurt me any way he could. Today he still continues to hurt our child by indifference and his unwillingness to be what he has said he wants to be (his father) - With 'BIG Issues" how do you get past this? How do you let go and move on and forgive & stop being angry?”
“OK, this sounds dumb, but how do i pray? i have been a christian most of my life, but never feel comfortable praying. i feel that the words i use do not sound right. i have attended a couple of prayer services, but i run out of things to say. help!”
“God gives us free choice, but why if he knows what is going to happen to us from the time we are born to the time we die, why do we have so many bad things & wrong choices happen to us?”
“On Sunday June 1st I met this gentleman he was on his way to church and I prospected him for my home based business. He seemed interested so the next day Monday I picked him up and took him to a briefing so he could get more information he liked the business so we went to fill out his paperwork and I found out at that time he was homeless staying at different shelters so I took him home he has now got a job and goes to work daily but in this day in age that's not something that is normally done. Am I doing the right thing?”
“I hear things about spirits, demons and ghosts all of the time. I see shows about them on TV. Are these things real?”
“Why does Satan exist? If God, being as powerful and knowing all, why does he allow Satan to destroy us with sin and temptation? Can he not just send him to hell for good?”
“I've ALWAYS ALWAYS (being the God loving scientist that i am) wanted to know the story behind the creation of all "animals" by God and the so-called "proof" of the existance of dinosaurs on the planet. What are the thoeries, or beliefs about this among theologians and or where is this if at all mentioned in the bible? Are these bones just bones of animals that God created that died out a long time ago? Obviously not EVERY single animal that exists today is mentioned in the bible...is this just a case of an animal never mentioned? Is it "christian-like" to even believe in dinosaurs?”
“What happens if someone dies and they've never heard about Jesus, i.e. young children whose parents didn't teach anything or taught them all wrong...and aborted or miscarriage babies, will we know them in heaven...do their lives go on...baby--child--adult?”
“How can I forgive if I cannot forget, even when I pray daily about it? How can I forget? Does forgiveness mean I treat that person like if nothing happened?”
“There are so many religions and beliefs. Why? How do we know we're right? Does a Baptist, a Methodist, a Lutheran, a Jew, and a Catholic all go to Heaven?”
“How can I raise my children to love God and want to go to church when their father is completely against it? Both of my children have been dedicated to God and baptized and I know my daughter loves God with all her heart. My son used to, but it doesn't seem like he does any more. He is at the age where he looks up to his father for everything and now is so against the church and has the same opinions as his father has. It breaks my heart and I feel like I don't have any influence on my son any more, at least not in this area.”
“I cry almost daily on my way to work. I feel like I am neglecting my kids. My marriage is now in it's worst stage ever. Since I started work my house has not seen many clean days. I am fighting severe exhaustion which only seems to be a prelude to the depression that I feel is just around the corner. And all this is coming from a person who has always had a positive outlook on life. After all, after being abused as a child, raped as a teenager and going into a deep depression for many years, here I am, in my 30s, knowing that things are not bad, but also knowing that they could be better! I find it so hard to look at the positives when the negatives seem to take over. Can't I just get a break somewhere? Can't I be selfish and not wait for my dear husband to get with the program? I know that change is painful, but why is him changing hurting me so much? I would probably get demanding right about now, but I know I don't deserve it, so how do I keep waiting on God's timing without losing hope, losing the love that I used to have to help people, and losing my joy in life?”
“Lots of people talk about 2012 and the end of the world, does the Bible say anything about this or that another planet or aliens will be involved in the end of the world?”
“Is there really "FREE WILL" ? Where in the bible does it say the words FREE WILL, is someone just making that up? If god knows everything that we are going to do then how do we have FREE WILL? I want an answer.”
“Recently, shows such as TAPS, a Sci-Fi program that reveals 'paranormal' activity and hauntings in various locations across the U.S., have become very popular. What would God say about television programs such as these, or the idea of 'ghosts' in general? How should Christians view and react to this so-called 'paranormal' activity?”
“Polygamy...In the old testimate there seem to be many references to polygamy. The men had mulitiple wives and concubines, Yet they still fell under God's protection and received many blessings. At what point did this change? where was the turning point in the bible?”
“Infertility - Why can people who do abuse their children have kids, and those who who wouldn't mistreat their kids can't conceive? It seems that people who abuse their children continue to be blessed with infinate numbers of children/pregnancies... And the gift of child bearing has been taken away from or not given to those who would do right according to God's word. Why doesn't God step in? Or is it so the "normal" parents can take care of others neglected children? If so wouldn't God just step in, and prevent them from conceiving? ”
“Where did race come from? Was it from the Tower of Babylon? Does it disscuss this anywhere in the bible?”
“Where do dinasaurs and "early man"(caveman like skeletons they have discovered) fit into the bible's time frame?”
“I have always heard that some of us will live in heaven forever and others will burn in hell for eternity. I cant find in the Bible where it says that, it says that they are destroyed but not for eternity. So what happens in hell to those who are condemned?”
“I have heard that Yoga is very relaxing as an exercise program. I have also heard that Christians should not practice it. Why? Is this the same as hypnotism for weight loss?”
“Is the Rapture JUST for those that are living when the Lord comes?... or is it for the living AND for those who have already passed?”
“WHERE does one's soul go when we pass....IF all are judged at the time of the coming of the Lord?”
“If someone commits suicide, and they are a christian, do they still go to heaven?”
“How do I know if I am hearing from GOD and not just my own thoughts? What does GOD have to say about adoption and how do we pray for that being there are so many people involved?”
“Were we really made in God's image,does God really look as we human's do.How can that be proven if he does look and act like us.”
“Jesus is "God in the flesh", right? If Jesus is God, then why is he quoted as praying to God in the Bible? Why does "only the Father" know when Jesus is coming back?”
“can married couples do anything in the marrriage bed?”
“I worry about things...alot. I pray for God's will to be done, but I just can't keep my mind from worrying. I lay bed and my mind races. Things usually work out, and then something else for me to worry about comes up. Is it a sin to worry?”
“How can the heart heal after someone is unfaithful.”
“Many Christians I know don't go to church. They say it's not necessary to go to church to be saved. I think it is. I am being legalistic?”
“God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one. Who do we pray too? or are they three and we pray to Jesus?”
“Will I still go to heaven if I get VERY immortal thoughts, but don't act on them? How do I get around this? I rebuke the thoughts in the name of Jesus, but they still come to my mind. Please help!”
“How does God reveal himself to those who have never heard the word of God. And if they have never heard the word of God and accepted Christ ,will they go to hell??”
“Up until how old can children be to be going to heaven for sure?”
“Sermon suggestion: Being supportive and doing what God wants when living with a spouse who has an addiction to alcohol- no abuse involved, no blame, not mean, just a quiet addiction that leaves the marriage less than desired and a fear of the future.”
“I would like to submit a question for a possible sermon subject but can't quite figure out how to do it except through this. I would like Pastor Lee to discuss ghosts. I know he has a bit in the past as to say demons or fallen angels, but what of an entity that just seems to coexist- the family hearing car doors slam 5 minutes before someone drives into the driveway- hearing the door open, close, go up the stairs- a little boy coming up to the Mom in bed and thinking it was her little boy she put out her hand and there was nothing there. With investigation finding out a little boy died in the house--- These incidents (in my family) weren't scary or anything bad. How is that explained? ”
“Pastor Lee, How old should we believe the earth is? and what about the dinosaurs? ”
“Will God's love increase for us in heaven?”