James on Trials

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/JamesOnTrials.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 1:1-27   I.         The book of James is written to Jewish Christians who were scattered by persecution – Acts 8:1-4             A.        This is one indication that James is one of the first books written             B.        It is that persecution that sets up the theme for the first part of the book…

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Why did Elihu tell Job that his suffering was a chastisement from God?

Question: In Job 33:19 Elihu tells Job that his pain and suffering are a chastisement from God. What did Job do to cause God to put this sickness upon him to start with? Thank you. Answer: Elihu scolds Job for complaining that God has caused him to suffer without explaining why. “Why do you complain…

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Ultimate Deliverance

by Doy Moyer What if… we actually were put to death because we are Christians? What is our attitude about this? Consider Paul’s attitude: “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that…

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I’ve been going through a lot and I’ve just had it with life

Question: I need help. I’ve been going through a lot right now. But here is what is going on: We couldn’t afford to stay at my original house, so we had to move into a smaller house. Money is really tight right now. We’re poor. I don’t know if God is doing it to us.…

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Do you think earthquakes are from God?

Question: Do you think earthquakes are from God? I’m so hurt to see so many lives lost due to this earthquake in Mexico, and I question whether this is the wrath of God. Answer: Without God telling us, it is impossible for mankind to determine if any natural disaster was triggered by God or naturally…

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The Suffering Savior

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2017Fall2TheSufferingSavior.mp3 by Christopher Scott Wyatt Praise to Our God

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Would God give us more than we can handle?

Question: Hello, I have heard the saying, “God does not give us more than we can handle” being used quite a lot. Is this biblically correct? I am a Christian and I feel like I am being crushed. I am a teenager, but I cannot enjoy my youth. I have stomach issues, so there are…

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I recently learned I have ALS

Question: I have recently been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gerig Disease, I think it’s called in the US). I am a strong, committed, and faithful believer in God; however, I am not immune to fear of the unknown. I know I only have a very short time left on earth, and will soon be joining…

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Doesn’t Psalms 91 promise protection from harm?

Question: Hi, Thank you for this opportunity to send in questions. I read through another question on your site, one about why God allows suffering, innocent children to die, etc. Your response was enlightening. Thank you. I would like to find out if you know why God actually allows the suffering (let’s say a child being…

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God, Satan, and Suffering

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2016Summer7GodSatanAndSuffering.mp3 by Tommy Peeler God Has a Plan

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Solace in Solitude

by Andrew Hamilton Sometimes, you have one of those days. You had a stressful day at work, or you received some bad news. You have a lot on your mind. Where do you turn? “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. It is good that he…

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Farther Along

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/FartherAlong.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 73   I.         When you were young, you might have grumbled about why you had to clean your room, why were there so many chores, or why you could not stay out late with your friends.             A.        The adults in this room look back and realize that there were good…

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Jamaica Patois Wisdom – Problems

by Jefferson David Tant The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique, and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come…

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Can I use quotes from your answer on why God doesn’t prevent harm?

Question: Hello, I am in the midst of a time of pain and tragedy for my family having two terminally ill, close family members. I am nursing one and cannot see much of the other terminally ill one. While reading on the Internet someone’s question about ”Why doesn’t God prevent innocent children from being harmed?”…

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Making the Best of Bad Situations

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/MakingTheBestOfBadSituations.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 1:12-18   I.         As much as we might wish it otherwise, we aren’t often in control             A.        Things aren’t always optimal             B.        Things don’t always go our way II.        Better than you might think             A.        The Philippians had hear of Paul’s imprisonment – Philippians 4:14                         1.         Such would normally be a concern             B.        Yet Paul…

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Is God telling Americans to straighten up?

Question: There are so many terrible things going on in the world today.  I have a friend that is saying God is trying to warn us as Americans that we need to straighten up in this country or  God will turn His back on us. What are your views on that? Thank you. Answer: Every…

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Does God hate me?

Question: Hello sir, I’ve often thought of this but would like some clarity if that is OK. I have been looking at the advice you give others online, and you give really good and useful advice! I guess my question is, why does God make me suffer? Does he hate me or something? I know…

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Things have been getting really hard for me. I need to change my life

Question: Good morning, I just had some things to get off my chest. I have been laid off for about seven months now, and it feels like I am just losing everything slowly: first my job, then my house, my unemployment. It’s like everything is going downhill for me. I have been married for under…

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Two Trips and Suffering

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/TwoTripsAndSufferings.mp3 by Scott Smelser

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When Strength Is a Disadvantage

by Gary Henry “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses,…

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Is God punishing me?

Question: I have gotten very ill with a blood disease, and it doesn’t seem to be getting better. Please pray for me to reunite with God, but I actually think that He has left me to die. It really does look like leprosy. I didn’t mean to say what I did, but there has been…

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Will God heal my brother?

Question: Hello, My brother is going through cancer right now, and the doctors say he is not getting better. I have accepted Jesus into my heart, and I want to trust Him that He will heal my brother, but my mom, who is also a Christian, wants me to face the reality that the Lord…

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I’m tired of living with this medical condition

Question: What’s the purpose of my life when I’m suffering from a socially isolating and debilitating medical condition? I kid you not, I’m so sick and tired of reading platitudes; I’m tired of begging, pleading, imploring God for help. What’s the point of living, if you can’t function as a whole person? What’s the point…

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Did my sins cause my pain? If I stop, will my disease go away?

Question: Dear preacher, I am 25 years old. For the past six years, I have been walking with severe heel pain in both legs. I have consulted many doctors, and I have taken many pain killers, steroids, and anti-inflammatory medications but I am unable to walk properly. I was once a district volleyball player, but…

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Why Is Evil Allowed?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/WhyIsEvilAllowed.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 8:6-13   I.         It has happened again. Incomprehensible horror has struck to kill innocent children.             A.        But we want to know why? Why did it happen? Why couldn’t it be stopped?             B.        I’ve seen guns blamed, drugs blamed, psychological problems blamed, schools blamed, and, yes, even God blamed – Psalms 10:1…

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Does God care about all the surgeries I’m going through?

Question: I was an evangelical Christian over five years ago. I am still a believer. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t do drugs or anything like that. I don’t have a girlfriend. I stopped going to church about two years ago. It was because I had surgery (Palatal Expansion). I was born with…

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When the Good Die Young

Text: I Kings 14:1-18   I.         It is a sad occasion when a young person meets with death             A.        We think about the potential that was suddenly cut short.             B.        The older people think about the experiences they enjoyed that this person didn’t have an opportunity to experience first hand             C.        We realize we will miss their companionship, especially…

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Why is everyone blessed but me?

Question: I always see people being blessed — everyone except me. I used to be closer to God than I am today. Five years ago I miscarried a child, and I was so discouraged.  Before that, I would pray all day but after that happened,  I didn’t see any reason to. I dusted myself off…

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Why hasn’t God blessed me?

Question: I have nowhere else to turn at this point. I have prayed, but I guess I’m not doing it right. I have changed my ways, but I guess I haven’t changed them enough or the right ones. I have strived diligently to be obedient to the word of God as best I can, yet…

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Why doesn’t God just end the world and stop the corruption?

Question: We know, as a fact, that our God does not want anyone to perish and wants all to come to the knowledge of Him and salvation. We even deduce that he created us out of love, as He is love. At the same time, we expect that most people will not be saved, and…

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My life is a misery

Question: I have been living in Africa since I lost my dependable job due to political or governmental changes. I think God has left Africa because of the poverty, destructions, killing, famines, homelessness, and many more which is happening here. Now it seems the whole world is against me because I have reached out to…

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Why am I suffering like this?

Question: I’m in my early twenties. I’m suffering from arthritis for several years. I took many treatments, but I’m not able to find a cure. I’m a Christian. One more thing is that I was in a relationship with a girl. I loved her like anything. I have touched her several times and I have…

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