Q&A

You mentioned the "3 A" as reason for divorce. Does emotional and verbal abuse qualify as justification for divorce?

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:11:08 CDT

The question is what does emotional and verbal abuse mean to you? If your spouse yells at you once in a while, or doesn’t tell you they love you for a period of time; then that is a issue needing to be worked on, not abuse. If they are demeaning who you are on a daily basis, calling you names as a routine and causing your opinion of yourself to diminish then that would be different. Controlling your decisions and activity could also be abuse.

We at times, as we are growing in our understanding of the Lord Jesus, still make poor decisions on how we handle conflict with our spouses and talk to them inappropriately that could translate into verbal and emotion abuse. Though in reality it isn’t abuse, it is not walking in the full freedom of our Christianity. We need to learn to deal with conflict and confrontation without allowing our own emotions taking over as the basis of handling things. If we prefer one another then we will deal with them in kindness.

How do I deal with my child’s interest in homosexuality?

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:10:04 CDT

There is no parental manual that anyone could ever make up that can teach you how to be the “best parent” in every situation. The best manual that a parent could ever follow and ingrain in their children is the Bible. All of the principles and values that God has laid out in the Bible can and will be profitable in the long run of their children’s life no matter if they go their “own way.”

In Proverbs 22:6 in the New Living Translation the Bible says, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” So whether they grow and for them Christianity is just a religion and not a relationship; there is no need to stress and worry because of the seeds that have been planted from training. God has called the parents to be spiritual guiders and leaders for the children to steer them and show them what is right and what is wrong according to God’s will and calling for their lives.

The important thing that your daughter needs to know is that she is not valuing the fact that God bought her with a high price (1 Cor. 6:20) and so God wants her to honor her body by keeping her body pure and holy for any kind of sexual sin (1 Cor. 6:18). Homosexuality would be considered a sexual sin (1 Cor. 6:9) that God says anyone who practices that lifestyle will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. She needs to know that God has made her specifically for a purpose and eventually if she wants a relationship He will give her a godly man to help her relationship with God.

As her parents, do not feel like you have failed. It is critical that you tell her that you guys love her and that God loves her, but love means that you help people out of their situation and not enable them. Just as God did for us by offering us salvation. Stay encouraged while encouraging her that she is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14).

God bless

Fear vs Preperation

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:07:57 CDT

On one Sunday Pastor Steve talked a bit about how he didn't take Y2K seriously (I didn't either as I work in the Telecom sector and knew the work that had taken place in advance to make sure nothing did happen). I do agree that at times there can be a lot of fear mongering over various events or proposed events and that nothing and no amount of material preparations will save you when the second coming arrives. However, there are a great deal of things that can and do happen that I believe it is prudent to plan/prepare for. There are plenty of man made and natural disasters that can and do take place and I believe that it is our duty to our families to take steps to prepare against those things. I do not want my family at the mercy of some bureaucrat or to be standing on a bridge waiting for help when I could have just planned a bit and laid back supplies, materials and made plans for their needs instead of relying on friends, neighbors or especially the government to provide for us. True there are times you must rely on the generosity of others, but should I not heed the Word: "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it." Proverbs 27:12. Am I wrong? Should I just have faith that God will provide? Is my faith weak?

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First of all, it is important to distinguish between y2k and natural disasters. Many of us know, firsthand, the devastation that can be caused through natural disasters. Planning to protect you and your loved ones against them is a wise thing to do. Also, there is a difference between fear and preparation. The reason was singled out the "y2k" scare is that it was totally unfounded. We should always prepare ourselves to be able to respond to circumstances, but we can't allow situations in life to cause us to live in fear.

What does God think about birth control? I ask because, in the Bible it says to be fruitful and multiply?

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:56:32 CDT

Yes you have to have 25 kids! Just kidding! Well I assume you are married and want to use birth control. The bible also says in Luke 14:28 "count the cost" that means plan, prepare, weigh the decisions for your future. You know it is pretty expensive to raise kids and some of us can barely afford to raise one child. If having kids is not in your heart right now and you want to wait, yes birth control is fine.

Why do bad things happen to us?

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:57:53 CDT

If God knows and understands all things, he knew us from before we were even born, knew each hair on our head, why does he allow certain bad things to happen to some of us and that being even if we were young innocent kids?

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God cares for everyone; he loves people so much that he gave mankind a free will. The bible says that sin came into the world because of one man's sin. All authority of this world was given to Adam. Unfortunately Adam and Eve chose to sin. Because of his CHOICE to sin, Adam gave all authority over to Satan. Satan is called the god of this world or god of this world system and because of this, mankind is influenced by his evil devices. The bible says that Satan's purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. Satan will use anyone to help aid in this evil plan and he doesn't care who he hurts, children or adults. This is why God the Father sent his son Jesus to die on the cross, to rid the world of sin. When we choose to receive Jesus in our hearts, he can remove the sin, and hurt from our soul. Only Jesus has the power to do that. No other program, religion, person, or resolution can do that. God does not force his will on anyone; we can choose Jesus today while there is still hope. Once the sin is removed from your soul, we can now come into God's presence. Because it means there will be a day that God will one day rid the universe of everything that is evil that brings harm, everything that steals, kills, and destroys.

Did Adam and Eve eat an Apple or Fig? They say in that part of the world there were no apple trees?

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:06:38 CDT

The bible does not say apple or fig, it says, fruit. Who knows what fruit it was? Some people just automatically assumed this was an apple. The Garden of Eden was a perfect environment that had different kinds of fruit we probably don't even have today. Adam and Eve didn't have to work for food. After Adam and Eve sinned, they were forced out of the garden and had to till the ground, plant trees and raise farm animals for food.

Why did people from the bible tear their clothes in times of distress? Is it symbolic for something? Did they literally tear their clothes?

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:18:14 CDT

Tearing your garments in the bible was a sign of many things. It was an outward sign of grief and distress over some disaster or calamity. It was also a sign of deep sorrow and mourning over someone who has died. Sometimes it indicated a holy indignation (righteous ANGER) against sin and what is contrary to God's Word.
In the research I have done it seems that most scholars think that the tearing of cloth was not the entire garment. They would tear a slit or a series of slits in the bottom of the item of clothing.

Illuminati

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:27:01 CDT

I have been doing a lot of research on the Illuminati and how Satan works through the Media. The mainstream media, such as famous actors and singers, promote sinful nature. Is it true that they sell their souls to the Devil and he uses them to get people away from the word?

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First I would like to question whether or not someone could sell his or her soul to the devil. We need to understand that if a person doses not follow God then they forfeit their soul to Satan. We choose whether or not to give our Hearts to Jesus and accept Him as Lord and Savior of our lives. We do not choose whether to give our soul to Satan. When sin entered the world through the sin of Adam and Eve, we were all then born into sin. This places a barrier between God and us and in turn we belong to the devil. I say all of this to say why would Satan purchase something from us that is his for free. He already has our soul and it is only when we accept Christ that we take it from him. I cannot say whether or not the illuminati are real or whether it is fiction that people have been writing for some time. I will say that whether it is a group known as the illuminati is actually not that important. What we need to understand is that it is the mission of Satan to corrupt as many people as he possibly can. His influences those in power, and if they are not Christians and covered by the blood of Jesus then they will be influenced to corrupt the world.

Karma

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 17:32:04 CDT

I was asked if I believe in Karma and I said no because that's part of an Eastern Religion. I asked him to tell me what he thought it was and he said "well if you are good to people good things will happen to you, and if you do bad things it will come back to you". I did my best to explain a little of what the Bible says but I didn't have enough time. I know there are several places in the Bible that would help them understand what God says.

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Karma is a theological concept found in the Buddhist and Hindu religions. It is the idea that how you live your life will determine the quality of life you will have after reincarnation. If you are unselfish, kind, and holy during this lifetime, you will be rewarded by being reincarnated (reborn into a new earthly body) into a pleasant life. However, if you live a life of selfishness and evil, you will be reincarnated into a less-than-pleasant lifestyle. In other words, you reap in the next life what you sow in this one. Karma is based on the theological belief in reincarnation. The Bible rejects the idea of reincarnation; therefore, it does not support the idea of karma.

Christians do believe in the concept of sowing and reaping. Job 4:8 says, "As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it." Psalm 126:5 says, "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." Luke 12:24 says, "Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!".
The important difference here is the understanding of afterlife. Karma is based on the belief of what you do today will determine what you become in the next life. We believe in the concept of sowing and reaping which is about the blessings that God will bring into your life based on following the principles that He has given us to follow. Another notable difference is that that with the belief in Karma every single action has an equal action whereas with sowing & reaping what you continually sow you will continually reap. So one bad action doesn't mean that you should be waiting for an equally bad action to take place in your life and the same goes for good actions.

Is Christianity the only religion with saints and miracles?

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:00:48 CDT

I don't know whether or not other religions call those who went before them saints or not. There are many religions that worship the dead who are sometimes family members and believe that they are somehow helping to lead them in their life. This practice is not Christian practice and is not supported by our church. We do not support any form of sainthood when it comes to the dead. The bible says that we are made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. This is found in Hebrews 10. It is not important that someone is called a saint what is important is that through Christ we are made Holy. In regards to miracles it is only through the power of God that a miracle can happen. If it comes from a different religion then it is not of God and it was not his power that did it. It was a work of the Devil to deceive people into believing a false doctrine.

How can I use the story of Jacob in my life situations? Why did Jacob wrestle with the angel? What is the meaning of Jacobs’s story?

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:29:56 CDT

This is a great question; Jacob left home with nothing, and returned with more wealth than his boss Laban. In Jacob's dream the point was that God's blessing is not based on circumstance. God was going to bless Jacob regardless of what situation he was in. As long as Jacob obeyed God, he was going to receive everything God had in store for him. Laban cut Jacobs wages 10 times in 14 year period, and Jacob still prospered. God's promises are true and are for every believer who stands on His promises regardless of circumstance.

If someone has sex with their partner before they even get married does that mean that relationship is going to be doomed?

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 12:39:20 CDT

It means that your relationship with God is in serious jeopardy. Remember that all relationships are sustained with a healthy relationship with our Creator, God. If your relationship with God (the creator of marriage) has been severed because of sin then your relationship with your partner will definitely not go well. Restore your relationship with God by staying pure before you get married, and watch God give you the wisdom and strength for a healthy relationship. Do it His way and you will be blessed!

Is it a sin to spend the night (sleep) with the person you are dating?

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:10:52 CDT

You've asked an interesting question. It's interesting because at face value it would seem like a fairly simple thing. If you were to only sleep at the home of the person you were dating then no, that is not a sin, unless when you were considering doing it, the Holy Spirit convicted your heart as it being something wrong and you still did it. This goes along with what Pastor Steve has been talking about when it comes to the Holy Spirit convicting us of something. Once He's convicted US of it, it then becomes sin to US. Of course if you had sex while staying the night that is sin because you two have not entered into the covenant of marriage. It would be sin for you to have sex at any location actually. On the other hand you must also consider how it looks. If you were to tell someone you stayed the night at your significant other's home, most people would assume that you had sex. They would assume that based on how overwhelming often it happens in our society. As a Christian we must strive to not put ourselves in positions that make it look like we are sinning. For example it says in Thessalonians 5:22: Abstain from all appearance of evil. When you stay the night it would appear to most people that you had sex. Another thing to consider is the fact that you are also putting yourself in a place of very high temptation for not only yourself, but also the other person in the relationship. In conclusion, is it sin? No, but it is an extremely bad idea that could very easily open the door for sin to come in.

Should a Christian be in a relationship with a Catholic?

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:45:22 CDT

How much of a difference does it make in a relationship if one person is Catholic and one is Christian? This person said Christians don't like Catholics and I said I think what matters is faith in God and that relationship with Him. Is being a Catholic bad?

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Most Catholic's may be seeking and trying to be good, but they have not allowed Jesus to be the Lord of their lives. The bible teaches that none are good. We have to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We have to rely on the Word of God to lead us and not the teachings of man. How do we know the difference? By studying God's Word. Some Catholics think that they can do whatever they want, but if they go to confession, they will be forgiven. God's Word teaches that Jesus is the one who forgives and only when true repentance comes about, that means walking away from that sin, not a temporary reprieve from the sin.

I don't think there's anything bad about being a Catholic, I just think they haven't been exposed to the full truth. That's why the vast majority of our church is made up of ex-Catholics. They are people who realized that if they were going to live their life following Christ, they were going to have to learn to walk in His truth.

Why did some men in the Bible have more than 1 wife?

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:40:13 CDT

It was a fallen world. The Holy Spirit hadn't yet been given to convict people of sin, righteousness and judgment. Also, perhaps God allowed it for a time so the earth could be replenished after the flood.

Turn the other cheek.

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:37:54 CDT

The 4th grade boys Faith Factory class on Wed nights wants to know why Jesus says to "turn the other cheek" when someone strikes you on one cheek. What does this mean for how we are supposed to handle day-to-day conflicts (e.g., someone "talking smack" during Wed. night service)?

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They have to expect that people will persecute us for our belief in Jesus. Those are the people we are to pray for. That's mostly what Jesus is referring to there. The easy way is to get mad and fight back, but God's way is to just walk away from troublemakers. However, we are not to just be doormats and allow others to walk all over us. So we need to be wise and determine whether or not someone is just trying to get a rise out of us or are truly threatening our wellbeing.

For the women who have had an abortion, and then got saved after, will they come to know the child in heaven?

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:15:07 CDT

I believe we will be reunited with our saved loved ones one day. However, I don't think the child will still be an infant, but now grown. There are scriptures that describe our heavenly bodies being glorified and there are scholars that believe that we will be at the age of our body's peak development. There are so many mysteries still to find out.

I wanted to know... who loved whom first?

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:10:06 CDT

I wanted to know... who loved whom first? Did my mommy love me first because she loved when I was in her tummy, or did I love my mommy first because God planted me in her tummy?

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That's kinda like the egg and the chicken question. All I know is that you need to be thanking God every day for your mom and her love. Be sure to continue to love your mom as well.

My daughter is 9yrs old and got baptized here at Legacy, so does it mean it is OK to participate in Communion here at church?

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:07:23 CDT

Yes. In fact, we will be having communion on Easter Sunday in the Children's Church to celebrate what our Lord did for us by his death and resurrection.

Should my child take the Catholic Communion?

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:54:00 CDT

Is it wrong for my child to make her First Holy Communion even though she knows the difference with Catholics tradition? We attend Legacy and got baptized here, but our grandmother makes me feel guilty that she wants to see her do that before she dies.

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I believe that you are causing confusion in the mind of your child. You are having her hold to a tradition of man instead of to the truth of God's Word. We will be having communion on Easter Sunday for the 1st-6th grades in Children's Church. Invite your grandmother to be part of this celebration. Let your grandmother know that you love and respect her, but making this sacrament in the Catholic Church will not have any affect on your child's eternal destination. It is only through her continued belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and receiving Him as the Lord of her life that will assure her of salvation.

Who do I call Father?

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:47:21 CDT

In Matthew 23:9 Jesus says, " Do not call anyone on earth your father". Please help me understand what Our Lord was saying - are we to take this literally and not refer to dad as "father"?

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The following is from Matthew Henry's commentary:

They are forbidden to ascribe such titles to others (v. 9); "Call no man your father upon the earth; constitute no man the father of your religion, that is, the founder, author, director, and governor, of it. The fathers of our flesh must be called fathers, and as such we must give them reverence; but God only must be allowed as the Father of our spirits, Heb. 12:9. Our religion must not be derived from, or made to depend upon, any man. We are born again to the spiritual and divine life, not of corruptible seed, but by the word of God; not of the will of the flesh, or the will of man, but of God. Now the will of man, not being the rise of our religion, must not be the rule of it. We must not jurare in verba magistri swear to the dictates of any creature, not the wisest or best, nor pin our faith on any man's sleeve, because we know not whither he will carry it. St. Paul calls himself a Father to those whose conversion he had been an instrument of (1 Co. 4:15; Phil. 10); but he pretends to no dominion over them, and uses that title to denote, not authority, but affection: therefore he calls them not his obliged, but his beloved, sons, 1 Co. 4:14.

The reason given is, One is your Father, who is in heaven. God is our Father, and is All in all in our religion. He is the Fountain of it, and its Founder; the Life of it, and its Lord; from whom alone, as the Original, our spiritual life is derived, and on whom it depends. He is the Father of all lights (Jam. 1:17), that one Father, from whom are all things, and we in him, Eph. 4:6. Christ having taught us to say, Our Father, who art in heaven; let us call no man Father upon earth; no man, because man is a worm, and the son of man is a worm, hewn out of the same rock with us; especially not upon earth, for man upon earth is a sinful worm; there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not, and therefore no one is fit to be called Father.

So your earthly dad can be referred to as your father.

Is a gift of cash different from income?

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:15:00 CDT

I figure anything that I get is a gift from God. So I am glad to give him back 10% of what He has given me, and I do it cheerfully, not begrudgingly. I want every one of God's blessings. I'm not going to cheat myself by quibbling over semantics. Plus, if it's not technically my tithe, it is my offering.

Is it time for my child to move on?

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:12:31 CDT

Is it biblical to ask an adult child (22) to leave the home after many chances of asking them to comply with rules and they don't? This adult child has a child of his own in the home also.

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It is extremely biblical for you to ask him to leave and begin to act like a man. The bible tells us that if they won't work, they don't eat. The bible says that a man is to leave his mother and father and cling to his wife. By having a child, he made the decision to leave you even though he may have never taken the woman as his lawful wife. You have every right to expect him to be a father and caretaker of that child. The only way that is going to happen is when you quit rescuing him and allow him to begin trusting God to provide for his needs. Pray for God to give you the wisdom and the words to use to explain how things will be from now on. Then stick to your word!

Family dynamics

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:45:30 CDT

My husbands family was estranged from us for over 5 years. Recently a meeting was called by his mother to discuss issues in hopes of restoration. At the meeting his mother admitted she intentionally did things to hurt us because she herself had lots of bitterness and unforgiveness that she had not dealt with, but no apologies or asking for forgiveness took place. At the same meeting my husband's sisters were either laughing, mocking, rolling of eyes or making excuses for their actions. Besides his mother, I don't feel like there was a change or sincerity in their persona. I told his family that I would like respect and boundaries when it came to our marriage. After many years of taking various classes here at Legacy I have forgiven them all for almost destroying our marriage. Since the meeting they have been calling frequently wanting to talk and get together. Because of what we've been through I'm extremely leery and uncomfortable with the idea of constant visitation with them since both my husband and I still saw attitudes of malice and deceit when we last saw them. My thought in the matter is to be civil and cordial when they call or when I do see them, but I prefer to keep my distance to avoid future issues. My husband verbally agrees with my suggestions; however, I feel that he would like more than that. It's something I'm open to in the future, based on how I feel their actions are. What biblical advice can you offer us for a healthy marriage? _______________________________________________________ The Bible esteems marriage and it is a lifelong lasting covenant between a man and a woman. You and your husband being in agreement on decisions you make regarding your family is important. Matthew 18:18-19 tells us the power we have in the Lord when 2 or more agree in prayer. A healthy marriage requires that God is the center and both spouses are following Gods directions for marriage and how to treat others.

How do I pray as a born again Christian?

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:07:38 CDT

I know about praying in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost from my Catholic years, but I am confused about how to pray now that I am born again. How do I pray now?

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Catholicism is a religion of a lot of rigid structure designed by men and not God. Nowhere does God tell us how we are to pray every single time. Since you've been born again and are a child of God you have a relationship unlike you've ever had before with God. God wants us to communicate with Him in a way that is less about structure and more about understanding whom He is and that He wants the best for you. Here are some verses that may help you:
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." John 15:16
John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you.
From these verses and others, we learn that we pray to the Father in Jesus' name. Your prayers to God should be more like a conversation with a loved one and less like a recited monologue.

Following your dreams

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:49:26 CDT

What are some thoughts on following your dreams...in my case, I have been pursuing a career and it hasn't quite been moving at a pace that I would like. However, every time I get ready to throw in the towel regarding it, doors open up to continue to fuel the desire. It seems like God wants me to continue to pursue it, but others feel contrary to that because of its lack of overall fruits...any thoughts?

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God places dreams and desires within us that are part of His purposes for saving the Lost. Focusing on God and His plans to prosper you, bring you hope, and make you a success will encourage you and keep you aligned with God's will for your life. Always check with God to make sure that the dreams you have are really from Him and not your own desires or the desires of others.

Starting a business

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:46:23 CDT

I am trying to start a business and its taking all my time and thoughts. I prayed for this and all that I asked for has came to be. I'm afraid if I don't act I'll miss my chance. Is it wrong to give up my family, church and personal time to reach a life long goal? I wonder if this was intended or just part of the deal. I'm worried the sacrifice may be getter than the reward the company was to be a blessing to me and my family and eventually other families.

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God has given you the ability to start a business. What a blessing from God. There are some things that you are going to want to think about however. The book of Genesis has given us a list of priorities we are to follow in our lives. The priorities are God, Spouse, Family, Church, and Work. Following these priorities as God has laid them out will bring you success in all that you do in your business and in your family. Luke 9:25 tells us: "For what does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and ruins or forfeits (loses) himself". What will it profit you if you gain the world in your business but you lose yourself, your relationship with God, and your family. What really will you have. In starting your new business I would encourage you to maintain the priorities God laid out for success.

Working with an atheist.

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:30:41 CDT

I work with an atheist in a small company. On occasion she will tell us how offensive it is for her to hear the words "God or Lord" in the office. Of course, the people saying those words don't mean any harm. She will come up to me and ask me to pray to MY GOD for good things to happen for the company. Or she will come by and ask if I have prayed to MY GOD today. For someone who is an atheist, isn't she obsessed with her belief? And why would an atheist celebrate Christmas? For Christmas, she bought us very expensive gifts, decorated her house and her office space. I need help in dealing with this person.

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You are in a very interesting situation. One of the most important things for you to remember in this situation is that you are going to want to represent God's Love to her. Pray for her to soften her heart toward God. Look up the scriptures that talk about Christian behavior towards others in Romans 12:9-21. Remember that God loves her very much and is not going to give up on her but will keep coming to her with Love. God's love is very powerful.

Forgiveness

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:11:05 CDT

How do I forgive those who have wronged me and turned their back on me when I needed them most? How Do I let go of the hurt and anger towards these people?

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What you are experiencing is not a good feeling. You need to understand that forgiveness is for you to let go of the hurt and pain that others have caused you. You are releasing those people from you. Forgiveness is not saying that what they did was ok. Forgiveness is a choice that you make to follow God's word. God asks us to forgive others so that He can continue to forgive us when we do wrong.

How do I fight depression with Joy?

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 CDT

I am going through a rough situation, how do I really put all my trust in God and have complete faith in Him and not fear, and count it all joy no matter what is going on? How can I have that joy of the Lord no matter what is happening so I'm not depressed and stressed with all this going on?

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We are sorry that things are tough for you right now. It all comes down to a choice you need to make. You can choose to feel fear, depression, and stress during your rough time or you can choose to know that fear, depression, and stress sometimes are part of a rough time however you can choose to not allow those feelings to control your life. Look up and repeat the following scriptures as many times a day as you can to allow the power of God's Word to control your life! 2Timothy 1:7 which says God did not give you a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind! Philippians 4:6-8 says you are not to worry or be anxious about anything but be thankful, present your requests to God, receive His peace and only think on things that are lovely, just, right, and of good report. Only think on things that are praiseworthy and nothing else.

Why wasn't Moses allowed into the Promised Land?

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:34:56 CDT

In Numbers, specifically 20:24 --Aaron died on Mount Hor and was stripped of his garments and then placed on his son Eleazar because he and Moses rebelled against the Lord at the water of Meribah. What was the rebellion? I couldn't find it. And why couldn't they just do a forgiveness or sin offering? After everything they had done for the Lord, couldn't the Lord forgive these two important people? Is this the same rebellion that the Lord would not permit Moses into the Promised Land for? I need to understand why GOD was so harsh on two beloved servants?

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Lets first start with your question on what was the rebellion. We see the Lord tell Moses and his brother Aaron, the High Priest, to go before the people and to SPEAK to the rock, and it would pour forth water for the people.
Numbers 20:7&8
7 The LORD said to Moses, 8 Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.
Now that we have seen the Lord give specific direction to Moses and to Aaron lets see what they instead chose to do:
Numbers 20:10-12
10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock? 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out...
Moses and Aaron were commanded by God to speak to the rock and the water would come out. In the presence of the people of God Moses and Aaron loose their temper at the people and instead decide to do it their own way. They strike the rock and the water comes out. This is in clear violation of what they were commanded to do by the Lord.
So this is the sin that placed both Moses and Aaron on the outside of the Promised Land. The sin was not that they hit a stone with a rod but that they disobeyed the Lord in front of the people. You have asked why they could not simply be forgiven for this and still be allowed into the Promised Land. The first thing to realize is how serious God takes obedience and how when a man is placed in doing God's work especially as a leader, he is held to a higher standard then others. He is held to this standard because he knows what he should do and may choose not to. Secondly, nowhere is it said that they were not forgiven for what they did. They were allowed to continue to lead the Israelites until the time that they were to head into the Promised Land. God did forgive His servants. We must be very careful though not to confuse forgiveness with a lack of consequence. If we ask God to forgive us our sins He will, but that does not mean that we will now be free from all consequence of our choices. God can absolutely forgive a man that commits murder for the life that he took. However, this does not mean that God will keep him from being placed in jail as a consequence of his actions. The addict who has for years tormented his body with drugs can be forgiven for what he has done, but once again this does not mean that the person will not continue to deal with the mental and physical consequences of his choices. You asked why God would be so harsh on these two servants. He is not harsh, but just. He forgave his servants but could not allow them to enter the Promised Land when they had turned from his command.

Should we pray for our dead family members to ask for them to be forgiven and hope they too can go to heaven?

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:52:25 CDT

What you are referring to here is a practice that has been placed into the Christian faith by outside influences. The practice of praying for the dead is a practice in which Christians should never involve themselves. Hebrews 9:27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. The Catholic Church has for many years taught that when people die they are then placed in purgatory. They can at this point hear the prayers of those who are still alive. We must understand that this practice is not biblical and that it is only while the person is alive that we should intercede for them.
Romans 2:3-9

3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God will repay each person according to what they have done.[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;
This along with many other scriptures in the Bible show the importance of praying and ministering to friends and family while they are still alive and can make a choice to follow the Lord.

Does (Legacy Church) provide ministry to drug and/or alcohol addicts?

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:20:49 CDT

The short answer is yes. Through our homeless and prison ministries we do end up ministering to drug and alcohol addicts. We also provide groups for people who don't fall into the two categories above. The groups we provide are Living Addiction Free for men and women, which meet on Tuesday nights at 7.

Why is tuition to Legacy Academy so expensive? Christian Education should be in the lead, not by costs...

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:10:10 CDT

Legacy Academy offers a quality Christian education for the tuition that is charged. Legacy Academy is an accredited school by ACTS, the Association of Christian Teachers and Schools. Being accredited requires that our teachers and staff are held to the higher standards set forth by the accreditation agency. You will find that several Christian schools do not require their teachers to have a degree nor is their school accredited. Therefore, more costs are involved in being an accredited school.

Based on a price comparison completed this year, our tuition is right in the middle when compared to other Christian schools in Albuquerque. Our initial registration fee of $75 is one of the least expensive offered. We also offer discounts for tithing members of Legacy Church and for parents whom have multiple students enrolled. All students, grades K4 through 8th, are offered Spanish, P.E. and Music. We strive for excellence and are extremely blessed to have quality staff and high academic standards. Above all, the level of God's word and the student's relationship with Jesus Christ is of utmost importance.

Why does the beginning of the Bible, Genesis, say "we" created them in "our" image? Who does "we" refer to?

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:05:31 CDT

When God says "we" and "our" He is referring to the Godhead. The Godhead is the three parts of God that are seperate, but one. The three parts are: The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. They are all parts of the same God, just as we have a body, soul and spirit.

Is it true that GOD talks to us differently, does it depend where our relationship is with GOD?

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:58:12 CDT

God does speak to each of us differently. There are a few reasons for that. As you know, not everyone has the same personality and since God knows us better than anyone, He knows exactly how to speak to someone like us. Our maturity in Christ is also a factor. God will correct or encourage a new Christian differently than He will correct or encourage a mature believer. God will also speak to us differently depending on our attitude at the time as well.

Stay at home Mom

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:37:54 CDT

I'm a stay at home mom and my husband tells me I need to get a job to help with bills. In my opinion its his responsibility not mine. Mine is to nurture and take car of our daughter. What does the Bible say about the man being the breadwinner and providing for his family? Should a wife also help provide?

This is an issue that the two of you should have talked about and settled before even getting married. Finances and communication are the #1 and 2 killers of marriages. That's why it is important to do some pre-marriage classes before getting married. Now there's a ton of other questions. How messed up are your finances? What would it take to get them straightened out? Does your husband want you to help with finances so you can have lots of "toys" or so you can get yourself out of debt? Where can you cut back in your expenses to make it possible for you to stay at home?

Do I think that the best of all worlds is for the woman to stay home with the children? Absolutely. Any woman can tell you that it is a full time job in itself. Do I know that we have to live with the consequences of bad decisions? You bet. Now you and your husband have to spend time with God and with each other talking and listening to each other to find out what the best solution is. See if you can put aside your own individual desires and figure out what is best for your family. I also know that the Proverbs 31 woman was industrious and had some income coming in, it just didn't hinder her relationship and nurturing of her family.

Two recommendations: Marriage Enrichment class, so you can learn to better communicate and David Ramsey's Financial Peace University class. Both classes are offered here at Legacy. To find out the times visit www.lifeatlegacy.com/classes or call the church office.

Baptism

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 12:31:40 CDT

I was raised going to a catholic Church and baptized as a baby in
the catholic church. My question is that now that I am a member of
legacy Church should I be re-baptized in a christian baptism?

When a person is baptized as a baby they are not the one making the choice. The significance of baptism is the fact that we choose to make that decision of our own free will as a declaration that we have dedicated our life to follow Christ. I would suggest being baptized as an adult, because you can now consciously make the decision on your own.

Genesis 44:5, Genesis 44:15 Did Joseph practice divination?

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:27:08 CDT

The term divination in our society recently is more commonly associated with the occult. Some translations of the Bible do use this term to describe what Joseph is able to do. Joseph's ability is a God given one and is not to be confused with someone's perceived ability to see the future or know seemingly hidden things through the occult or other ungodly "spiritual" sources.

God's Name & The Bible

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:51:48 CDT

Why is it that some Bibles do not have God's name? Are we not to use His name in prayer or worship? Are there many gods? Will our Heavenly Father know we are praying to Him if we do not use his name?

I'm not sure I really understand what you are asking, but Jesus said that if we asked the Father anything in His name, that it would be done for us. There are many gods (evil beings that are trying to act as God), but there is only one true God. I don't know of any Bible that does not have God's name in it.

Is getting cosmetic surgery wrong and does it go against Gods will for us?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:50:09 CDT

God is the one who has given doctors the brains to know how to reconstruct parts of our body. Questions are: can you afford it, is your spouse in agreement, are you just being overly vain and the money could be put to much better use elsewhere?

How do you know when God is at work in your life, and blessing you, as opposed to you just following your own ambition?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:48:26 CDT

As you are studying and growing in the Lord, your heart will become more and more sensitive to the things of the Spirit. His word (the Bible) will begin to speak to you in awesome ways. We all have to take a step of faith when we know what we are doing is lining up with the word of God. Then we just keep letting God lead and direct us. Proverbs 3:5-6 says to trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Loved Ones In Heaven?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:47:43 CDT

Will we know our loved ones in heaven? I have always wondered if I will know my children, my mother and my wife in heaven. Will they still be my mother, my children and my wife?

We will know one another in heaven. We will have a different relationship than what we had here on earth. Remember when Jesus was questioned about the woman who's husbands had all died and who would be her husband in heaven? We will all be brothers and sisters in Christ in heaven.

When Loved Ones Are Sick

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:30:28 CDT

Why did my mom have to get cancer so young? Why couldn't she just be healed with the first surgery? How can I tell her not to worry or to be scared when I myself have these things? I just want her to get better.

Keep praying. I think some things we will never understand until we get to heaven. What we do know is that we live in a fallen world. Sin destroys so much. The bible tells us that the devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy. That is what he is trying to do to your mom. What we do know is that as born again believers, we have the ultimate victory. Even if we die in this flesh we will live forever. Our time here on earth, and the pain and suffering we have here on earth, is only a temporary thing. This is not our home. Heaven is our home. While we hate to lose those we love, we can be assured that it will only be a temporary separation. Again, keep praying and let God speak to your heart. Let Him give you just the right words to share with your mom. We're praying for you too.

In Genesis Pharaoh was kind and generous to Joseph, is he the same Pharaoh that would not release the slaves from Egypt?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:27:12 CDT

No. Joseph died in total favor with the Pharaoh. It was as later generations of Hebrews multiplied and became strong in Egypt, that the Pharaoh began to worry about them and put them under bondage so they could not take over the country.

What is unleavened bread?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:25:44 CDT

Bread that has no yeast added to it. A kind of flat bread. The children of Israel were asked to use unleavened bread on different occasions because the yeast represented sin and in some cases pride. It's impossible to seperate yeast from dough once they're mixed. Only a miracle can seperate them. Just like it takes a miracle to seperate us from our sin. We have that in Jesus Christ. Yeast is also like pride in that it causes things to be puffed up.

How do we know how many kids we should have?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:18:58 CDT

I think you may be wondering that if you don't have more than two kids you aren't being "fruitful and multiplying". Let God give you "peace" about how many children you have. Ask Him.

What does the bible say about fictional characters like Santa Claus? How does the bible feel about telling children about

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:18:32 CDT

I think the bible has used characters to help draw us to the truth. Jesus told plenty of parables or fictional stories to reveal truth. The problem for many of us is that we are trying to make Santa Claus into a real person. St. Nick is who Santa was created from. He was a godly man and pointed many to Jesus. We need to make sure our children know the difference between a fun character and the truth of Jesus birth. Christmas is not about Santa Claus and what I get, but it is about Jesus and why He came down to earth for us.

Concerning the beginning population of the world, was there the sin of incest during Adam and Eve and Noah's time?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:14:03 CDT

Genesis 5:16, refers to Cain dwelling in the land of Nod on the east of Eden and knew his wife. Gen. 6:1 tells us that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. Some where God created more humans, we're just not given all the details except for the lineage of Adam and Eve.

If I would like to go out and feed the Homeless on my own would I have to let the Church know before I plan on doing it?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:08:30 CDT

No, you can feed the homeless that is what God is asks us to do in John 21:17 Feed my sheep. Lets come together in numbers to help not just with food but clothes, haircuts, Praise and Worship, Prayer and serving the homeless a home cooked hot meal. But most of all the message of God and the alter call to receive Jesus as Lord God.We do have a homeless ministry here at Legacy that you can get involved in. Just ask for Pastor Paul at 505-831-0961 or email paullovato@legacychurchnm.com.

Does God want us to be friends with, and hang out with, people who are not Christians? If not, how do we minister?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:49:37 CDT

Just because someone is not a Christian, that does NOT mean that we shouldn't befriend them. We should view non-Christians NOT as the enemy, but as victims of the enemy (i.e.,Satan). According to Philippians 2:5, Christians are to have the same attitude as Christ , so we should be caring for their lost souls and sharing the Gospel of salvation with them, assuming they will hear it. Sadly though many non-believers, especially atheists, flat out refuse to hear The Word and will let us know in no uncerrtain terms NOT to preach it to them! When we respect their wishes and go on our way we are all of a sudden labeled as not wanting to be their "friends." My thought for you would be to get your unchristian friends around you and your Christian friends more than the other way around. That way you can be a positive influence in their lives, instead of them being a negative influence in your life.

Trusting In God

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:30:55 CDT

My mind is my worst enemy, how can I really give everything over to God and trust that He will work everything out instead of picking it back up and thinking other things?

You need to make a choice to believe in God's word and do exactly what it says. The Bible tells us exactly what we are supposed to do in Philippians 4:6-8. God tells us not to worry or be anxious about anything but to bring our requests to Him with thanksgiving so we can receive the peace of God. Then the scripture goes on to tell us that we are only to let our minds think on what is lovely, just, right, and pure. 1Peter 5:6-7 tells us that we are to cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us. Romans 8:28 tells us that all things will work for the good to them that Love Him and follow His commands. If you will follow these scriptures you will be able to turn everything over to God.

What does God or the Bible say or think about mental illness?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:30:19 CDT

Mental illness is not specifically mentioned in the Bible however Jesus does say many things about demons, physical sickness, and deformity with one example being in Mark 5. One of the best examples of mental illness in the Bible is Saul. Saul's behavior is consistent with manic depression ending in his suicide (The book of 1Samuel). God appears to actually attribute problems with our thinking to be the influence of the enemy and demonic spirits because there are several scriptures that tell us what God has given us in our thinking. 2Tim1:7 tells us we have been given love, power, and a sound mind not a mind of fear and we have the mind of Christ (1Cor. 2:16). God tells us not to worry or be anxious about anything but to bring our requests to Him with thanksgiving so we can receive the peace of God. Then the scripture goes on to tell us that we are only to let our minds think on what is lovely, just, right, and pure.

If someone has sex with their partner before they even get married does that mean the relationship is going to be doomed?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:29:28 CDT

The Bible tells us that when we ask for forgiveness of sin God provides absolution and there is no more atonement for sin necessary (Hebrews 10:18) This means you ask for forgiveness one time for each sin and you don't need to do anything else. This is possible because the Bible tells us that in Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood (because of the cross) for the forgiveness of sin (Ephesians 1:7). In other words God made a way. The Bible goes on to say that if we are faithful to ask for forgiveness He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9). Micah 7:19 tells us that God will once again have compassion upon us, will tread our sins underfoot, and will hurl our iniquities (sins) into the depth of the sea. God tells us in Hebrews 10:17 that He will remember our sins no more! So if you have asked for forgiveness you have received forgiveness and God remembers your sin no more your relationship can be honorable unto God from that moment forward.

Joy Of The Lord

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:27:57 CDT

I am going through a rough situation, how do I really put all my trust in God and have complete faith in Him and not fear, and count it all joy no matter what is going on? How can I have joy of the Lord no matter what is happening so I'm not depressed and stressed with all this going on?

You need to make a choice to believe in God's word and do exactly what it says. You need to believe Psalm 91:14-16 which says; Because He loves me, says the Lord I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him salvation. Also you must believe that God will never leave you or forsake you or give you up which brings you comfort. (Hebrews 13:5-6) The Bible tells us exactly what we are supposed to do in Philippians 4:6-8. God tells us not to worry or be anxious about anything but to bring our requests to Him with thanksgiving so we can receive the peace of God. Then the scripture goes on to tell us that we are only to let our minds think on what is lovely, just, right, and pure. If you will follow these scriptures you will not feel depressed or stressed.

Sterilization In Marriage

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:27:14 CDT

If your spouse purposefully performed a sterilization procedure preventing pregnancy without both partners consent, how would God feel about divorce to fulfill that desire of motherhood for oneself?

God does not like divorce and divorce was not ordained from the beginning. God is a God of restoration and reconciliation. 1Cor 7:10-16 gives us instruction regarding marriage. God is telling us here that wives are not to separate from their husbands; if either spouse has a spouse who does not believe in God but wants to stay married, they are not to divorce; if the unbelieving spouse leaves, let them leave. God does allow for some exceptions to this such as in the case of adultery or abandonment however God is still able to restore the marriage when both spouses are willing. God tells us in His Word that He will fulfill the desires of those who reverently and worshipfully fear (respect) Him (Psalm 145:19).

Praying For My Spouse

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:25:41 CDT

When you have a spouse that is always negative about church and everything else how should we act as Christians, especially when it comes to giving, serving, and tithing? How should we pray for them daily so that God will begin to work in their lives? Romans 12:9-21 are God's rules for living like a Christian without regard to your circumstances. God tells how we are to love one another, bless those who hurt us, how not to repay wrong for wrong, to live peaceably with others, and how to allow God to work in other people's lives. 1Cor. 13 4-8 helps us to understand when we love someone how we are to love them such as being kind not rude, not seeking your own, and believing and hoping in all things. God has told us that each one of us will give an account of himself to God for what we did here in this life (Romans 14:12). Therefore since we are responsible for our own behaviors we need to follow God's commands of giving, serving, and tithing whether our spouse does or not. There are books called The Power of a Praying Wife and the Power of a Praying Husband that will help you as you pray continually for your spouse.

Does being raped mean that in God’s sees you are no longer a virgin?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:24:47 CDT

Being a virgin or not is a physical state of your body dependent upon sexual activity that you consented to or that which was forced upon you. God is not concerned with whether or not you are a virgin He is concerned about the sexual activity that has harmed you and that you need to get some help. God has provided comfort and help to those in need and then He instructs us to provide that same kind of comfort and help to others in need with the same kind of comfort that we received (2Cor. 13-4). Christian counseling is a great way to get the kind of help you will need. You can request counseling with us at 505-831-0961.

What is the best way to handle regret over past sin and bad decisions?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:22:23 CDT

First, the Bible tells us that when we ask for forgiveness of sin God provides absolution and there is no more atonement for sin necessary (Hebrews 10:18) This means you ask for forgiveness one time for each sin and you don't need to do anything else. This is possible because the Bible tells us that in Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood (because of the cross) for the forgiveness of sin (Ephesians 1:7). In other words God made a way. The Bible goes on to say that if we are faithful to ask for forgiveness He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9). Micah 7:19 tells us that God will once again have compassion upon us, will tread our sins underfoot, and will hurl our iniquities (sins) into the depth of the sea. God tells us in Hebrews 10:17 that He will remember our sins no more! So if you have asked for forgiveness you have received forgiveness and God remembers your sin no more why would you choose to live with past regret, God doesn’t.

My Marriage?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:21:05 CDT

What can I do if I have tried and tried for years to keep my marriage alive and my partner is not interested in continuing?

God does not like divorce and divorce was not ordained from the beginning. God is a God of restoration and reconciliation therefore a struggling marriage should not be given up on. You cannot force or make your spouse stay in a marriage with you however from your stand point you can choose to do all that you can to maintain the marriage according to God's Word. 1Cor 7:10-16 gives us instruction regarding marriage. God is telling us here that wives are not to separate from their husbands; if either spouse has a spouse who does not believe in God but wants to stay married, they are not to divorce; if the unbelieving spouse leaves, let them leave. In addition Matthew 19:9 tells us that adultery is a cause of divorce however you must keep in mind that God is able to restore the marriage when both spouses are willing. Christian counseling is always a good route to take in saving your marriage. If you are interested in meeting with some one at the church about Marriage Counseling please call us at 505-831-0961

How should we act as Christian’s when it comes to step children? Should we discipline them?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:13:50 CDT

The Bible teaches us that we are to train a child up in the way they should go and they will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) We are also told in Ephesians 6:4 that parents are to rear children tenderly in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord. Discipline is not about punishing wrong behavior, discipline is about laying a good foundation in the Lord with the child which is essential to raising moral loving children. Some of the Hebrew definitions of discipline include instruction, correction, and rebuke. Blended families face unique challenges however the Bible does not differentiate between biological and step parents. However, I would tend to let the biological parent take the lead in the area of discipline until they are comfortable handing over more of that resposibility to you as a step parent. Gaining the respect of the family will make that transition much easier.

Do you believe that condoms should be passed out in school? Why or why not?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:09:40 CDT

What does the Bible say about interracial marriages?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:08:11 CDT

God tells us in Genesis to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it. (Genesis 1:28) Nowhere in this scripture does it say not to marry someone if they are of a different race or culture than you. In Judges 2: 2 God instructs his people not to make any covenants with the inhabitants of the land that the Israelites were taking over because those inhabitants worshipped other gods building alters to them and they would ultimately be a hindrance to God's people. There are multiple examples of God telling His people this throughout the Old Testament. This brings us to 2 Corinthians 6:14 where the apostle Paul tells us not to marry unbelievers for the same reasons that God told the Israelites not to make covenants with other people who worshipped other gods as they would be a hindrance. God does not forbid interracial marriages He forbids us making covenants with unbelievers as they will hinder our faith in God.

I was told that since I was sexually abused that I was no longer a virgin, and have therefore sinned against God, is this true?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:06:57 CDT

Being a virgin or not is a physical state of your body dependent upon sexual activity that you consented to or that which was forced upon you. The sin issue is the sexual activity not whether or not you are a virgin. When sexual activity is forced upon you, you have not sinned against God; the person who abused you sinned against God. Sexual abuse is always the sin of the person who commits it and no other. Ephesians 4:32 tells us that we are to treat others with kindness and consideration; we are not to abuse them. Therefore the person who abused you has sinned against God not you.

Putting God First

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:04:14 CDT

What steps must I take to put God first in my life, what is the first step to a new Christian life? How do I keep sin away? I pray to God every night. What do I say?

Accept Jesus as Lord and God of your life and read God's word. Accept Him as your Savior. Keeping sin away is a decision you must continue to make. The enemy will constantly try to attack you in new ways. The good news is, that the longer you choose to turn away from sin the easier it gets. Avoid situations and people that will help you fall into sin. Galations 5:22-25 says this: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. When you pray to God remember that he loves you and wants to see you succeed. You need to pray about the things that are in your heart. I would also suggest as a new Christian to pray the Lords Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13.

Where does your soul go after death here on earth? Is there a purgatory or a place you go till judgment day?

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:15:09 CDT

The notion of Purgatory, a place where men and woman go to be temporarily "purged" by fire for their sins, was created because it was felt that some people on this planet were neither good, nor bad. God had to give them another chance through the purification ritual of the purgatory. However, that notion is not Biblical at all.

First of all, nowhere is there any mention of a place like purgatory in God's Word. This whole notion is based on salvation by work and not on salvation by faith in the sacrifice that Jesus did for us. That notion that we can earn heaven by works is unbiblical.

The apostle Paul clearly indicated that in Eph 2:8-9 "It is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast." In fact, to depend on our works to gain salvation is a direct rejection of the offer Jesus gave us through His sacrifice. It is like saying to Jesus: "Your offer is not good enough. I can do better than you. I will earn my own salvation because your offer is not enough."

The prophet Daniel wrote that the dead, who "sleep in the dust of the earth," shall awake (Daniel 12:2). It is only the body of man that returns to the dust of the earth in death "and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." The apostle Paul also says in 2 Cor. 5:8 that when we are absent from our bodies we are present with the Lord. This means that the instant our spirit leaves our bodies it is taken into the presence of the Lord.

Catholics and the Rosary

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:26:59 CDT

So why do Catholics believe in the rosary? What is the significance of repetitious prayer? I do not understand why the Catholics worship saints and confess their sins to a priest? What does the bible say about that? Also, why do they hold the pope with such high regards as though the pope is Christ himself? The chanting of the Roman Catholic Rosary is vain repetition. God is not impressed with such empty and meaningless prayers. Matthew 6:7 clearly states: ;And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Some Catholics try to justify vain repetitious prayers with Scriptures such as Matthew 26:44, "And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. But, asking God three times for the same thing, is very different than mumbling the same words (the Rosary) over and over for a lifetime. Catholics view Mary and saints as "intercessors" before God. They believe that a saint, who is glorified in Heaven, has more "direct access" to God than we do. Therefore, if a saint delivers a prayer to God, it is more effective than us praying to God directly. This concept is blatantly unbiblical. Hebrews 4:16 tells us that we, believers here on earth, can "...approach the throne of grace with confidence..." ??1 Timothy 2:5 declares, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." There is no one else that can mediate with God for us. If Jesus is the ONLY mediator, that indicates Mary and saints cannot be mediators. They cannot mediate our prayer requests to God. Further, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ Himself is interceding for us before the Father, "Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25). So we are to pray directly to the Father in the name of Jesus. Regarding the Catholic Priest, Matthew 23:9 forbids us from calling any man (it is referring to men in the church who are not our biological fathers)"Father" (i.e., to respect men as God); yet, this is exactly what Catholics call their priest. Followers of Catholicism have been instructed to believe that their priests can forgive sin. We know from 1st Timothy 2:5 that only Jesus can forgive sin. This is similar with the Pope. Because of misconceptions of how things in the body of Christ should be done, the pope has been placed in a seat of near deism. Unlike a pastor of a church who is also supposed to hear from God and communicate His instructions from His word, the pope dictates to people things they should follow that are not biblically sound and are mostly legalistic rituals with little to no spiritual value. When Catholicism started it desired to give structure to our beliefs in Christ, but ended up creating too many rules and regulations and lost sight of the relationship we can have with God through Christ. Catholicism is not all bad, in fact if it were not for organized religion we would not have the Bible in the form that we have it today.

Why were we created?

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:06:20 CDT

Why were we created? What could we possibly offer God Almighty? Solomon said that the heaven of heavens can not contain Him. Our answer lies in the Bible, which is God's word. Let Him explain why He created us: ...thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Rev 4:11).

We were created for God's pleasure! It was His whole purpose in creating mankind. The Bible draws an analogy between our relationship with our earthly parents and God, our heavenly Father. Let us therefore consider why a man and his wife desire to have children: the joy of a little child, to replicate themselves through creation, to have fellowship with that little kid, to have life. God uses the family relationship to illustrate our relationship to Him, our Father in heaven.

How do I tell myself, force myself to leave my worries to God and do what He instructs?

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:22:41 CDT

You must make a choice to do exactly what the bible says even though your circumstances and thoughts may seem otherwise. You must realize that if you have been hanging onto your worry it will be new for you to let God have your worry and you must practice this new behavior to create a new habit. It takes about 2-3 weeks to create a new habit. You must repeat the following scriptures over and over to yourself to help form this new habit. Say it this way: I am not anxious or worried for anything, but I am thankful to you God and I am asking you to help me with my situation; (be sure you name the situation);so that I can receive your peace which will guard my heart and my mind. I will think only on what is true, right, just, pure, lovely, good, and praise worthy. I will only think on those things and I am casting, with great force, my cares upon you Lord because you love me and have asked me to do so. (Philippians 4:6-8 & 1Peter 5:7). Now, you may have to pray this 100 times in one day for 2-3 weeks depending on how much you are struggling that day to form a new habit in your choice to turn over to God all your worries, but you can do it!

How do we know that Jesus believes in the whole Bible?

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:22:10 CDT

We know that the trinity includes God the Father, Jesus the word, and the Holy Spirit and these 3 are 1 (1 John 5:7). We also know that the bible tells us that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, if all scripture in the entire bible is God inspired and Jesus is one with God then we know that Jesus believes in the whole bible because He is the Word of God and was with God and is God (John 1:2-3).

What does the Bible say about jealousy?

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:20:13 CDT

The bible tells us that jealousy is the same as envy and envy causes our bones to rot (Prov. 14:30). Since envy and jealousy are so closely related I will be referring to it as envy. Envy is about being discontented with your circumstances and/or your possessions and wanting what someone else has. You can also be envious of someone when you think they will take something away from you or you don't measure up to them. Physically, envy is the spiritual root cause of osteoporosis and problems with your immune system. Envy also causes broken relationships and separation from others because envy leads to anger, hatred, bitterness and competition. At its very core envy is the root cause of violence and murder (Genesis 4:3-8). When we allow envy to dominate our lives we essentially are saying that we know better than God concerning what we should have or what our lives should be like. Envy was what motivated Satan to rebel against God by saying that he would be exalted above all things and ascend into heaven and be like the most High (Isaiah 14:13, 14). Only God’s Word and having a proper perspective of self (Mark 12:30, 31) can help you to overcome envy.

When I’m blessed with a job, why is it I end up getting fired?

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:19:31 CDT

You might be blessed with a job but it is up to you and/or the boss if you keep it. God gives all of us the power of choice and He doesn't usurp that choice. We must choose to be the best employee possible, not only to keep our job, but also as an example as a Christian. If you are being honest with yourself and know that you did the job to the best of your ability and were still let go, you need to have faith that God will take care of you and has something better in store for you.

If you don't speak in tongues are you still going to heaven?

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:18:38 CDT

Absolutely, as long as you've accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord and are living in obedience to God's Word (the Bible) you will have a home in heaven.

How can I pray in the spirit or speak in tongues?

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:18:01 CDT

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second encounter with God after salvation (Romans 10:9-10) whereby we receive the supernatural power from the Holy Spirit. Praying in the Holy Spirit, or speaking in tongues is the supernatural evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, and 19:6). It is a supernatural language with which to pray to God out of your spirit and not your mind (1Corinthians 14:2 and 14:14). The Christian provides the vehicle (voice and vocal chords that make speech) and the Holy Spirit, supernaturally, provides the words. We have a class on this subject during the 12:15pm service on the third Sunday of the month.

Did Jesus have a sense of humor?

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:17:13 CDT

Yes, after all He's the one who created all the crazy looking animals we have on this planet. I know he has to just chuckle at some of the crazy things we do when we try so hard to do something that we think will please Him. Remember we were made in God's image. How often have you laughed at something your kids or someone els's kids were doing? He doesn't, however, have a sick sense of humor, the kind that likes to poke fun at others, is very sarcastic, or just plain unkind. I know this because God is good and God is love.

Does God hear our prayers?

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:14:29 CDT

God always hears our prayers, but there could be hindrances to receiving the answer. Daniel 10:12-14 is a great example. Daniel was delayed in receiving an answer to his prayers because of demonic influence. The Bible tells us to put on the full armor of God so we can be prepared for the devils schemes (Eph 6:10-13 NIV). That's why we need to be like the persistent widow who kept asking until she received her answer (Luke 18:2-8 NIV). If we are not receiving an answer it may be because we are asking with wrong motives in our heart (James 4:2-3 NIV). Last, we often get our answer, but it is not the answer we wanted. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts(Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV). We need to trust that God really does know what’s best for us. The more time we spend in prayer and reading His Word the better we will know what He desires for us.

Does tithe money cover the cost for the LC fashion show?

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:54:45 CDT

The short answer is no. The Ladies Fashion Show is a paid admittance event. That means that people must pay to attend the event. The money from the ticket sales is then used to cover the cost of the event. The only events that are paid for by tithes and offerings are those that are clearly ministry or teaching based.

Where did Pastors Smothermon and Smith go to Bible School?

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:51:05 CDT

Pastor Steve went to Rhema Bible College in Tulsa, OK. Pastor Derek went to Central Bible College in Springfield, MO.

How does God choose to forgive and not to forgive?

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 14:11:18 CDT

The Bible tells us that we all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23). Because we have all sinned we all need forgiveness. It is not by anything that we can do for God that we receive forgiveness. We must confess our sins (1 John 1:9) and repent which is to change your mind for the better and enthusiastically change your ways, with hatred of your past sins (Luke 13:3). When we do this God will forgive us no matter what we have done. There is a story about a man named Jonah in the Bible. Jonah was sent to the town of Ninevah to preach the gospel to the people to get them to repent. These people were very wicked and God was going to give them one chance to change their ways or they would be destroyed. After listening to Jonah they all repented and were made right before God. One thing we must remember about forgiveness is that even as God is so willing to give it to us so we must also be willing to give it to others (Matt. 6:14). God will always continue to forgive as long as we purpose to do what is right and stay in good standing with him through confession and repentance of our sins. We do not, however, need to confess to any particular person. We do have to make sure that our heart attitude is in the right place and when we do repent we do it because we have no intention of falling into that sin again.

What is your opinion on organ transplants?

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:15:06 CDT

God has given each and everyone of us talents, gifts and abilities (1 Cor. 7:7b). Some are gifted with the ability to heal other people through medicine. Human life is sacred to God (Psalm 139:13-16) and when we can maintain another person's life with organs from someone who will not be needing them we believe that is a good decision. There are some people, however, that believe when our bodies are resurrected when Jesus comes back that if our entire body is not intact that our body can't be resurrected. We don't believe this is an issue. God created the entire universe and everything in it. If He can do that He can resurrect our bodies no matter what condition they're in. Besides, every body will have a certain amount of decay in any grave. Hope that answers your question!