Posts Tagged ‘trials’
Why do people say God sends trials when they are really caused by Satan?
Question: My question is why do people always say when evil things happen, they believe God is using these evil events to strengthen the one who is being maliciously attacked by another, or who has no will or intent in serving or obeying God anymore? Why do Christians always say God uses tragedies and evil…
Read MoreWhy did God force me to live with autism when I don’t want it?
Question: People say God does not force, but why did God force me to be alive? Even He saw my life before I was born, and God knew that I didn’t want to be alive. Why was I born with autism? It is so hard to have autism. Why can’t I be normal like other…
Read MoreWhere Do You Turn?
by Shane Williams via The Lilbourn Light, Vol. 10, No. 4, August 2009. Where you turn when you’re in trouble reveals your character. What does it tell us about young kids whose trouble turns them toward gangs, guns, or drugs? What do we learn about adults whose problems direct them toward alcohol, adultery, or the…
Read MoreWhat a Friend We Have in Jesus
by Ralph Walker, Jr. Joseph Scriven was born Sept. 10, 1819, at Seapatrick, near Dublin Ireland, into the wealthy family of Capt. John Scriven. Joseph’s hopes to follow his father in the military were dashed due to poor health. In 1835 he entered Trinity College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1842. During that…
Read MoreA Voice Heard in Ramah
by Doy Moyer There are no words to describe the horrors of the slaughter of school children and teachers. None. We struggle to find some sense in it, some meaning, some greater purpose, but we come up empty-handed. No philosophizing will help. We cannot even imagine that someone would walk into a school — a…
Read MoreA Prosperous Journey
by Walton Weaver via Truth Magazine Vol. XLIV: 10 p19 May 18, 2000 Paul had a great desire to go to Rome. He knew however that if such an opportunity presented itself, God would have to open up the way. His prayer that God might do this for him is given to us in Romans 1:10: “Making…
Read MoreIf God knows someone will become evil, then why would he allow them to be born?
Question: Someone asked me, “If God knows someone will become evil, such as Hitler, then why would He allow them to be created?” I went to Abraham offering up Isaac as a sacrifice and how God said, “for now I know…” Maybe God chooses not to know if we will become evil since we are…
Read MoreWhat did Jesus mean when he said to take up his cross daily and follow him?
Question: What did Jesus mean when he said to take up his cross daily and follow him? I know that in Luke 9:23 it also says to deny himself. Answer: There are a number of similar passages: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves…
Read MoreExceedingly Abundantly
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/ExceedingAbundantly2.mp3 by Simon Harris God, please use Kelsey to bring glory to your Name. We know the odds are against us, but we trust in You. Please use our daughter as a living example of Your power to heal, that all may glorify You as the Great God of Heaven. That was my prayer when…
Read MoreChanging the Question
The Shock Value of Pain and Suffering https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/2009Fall4ChangingTheQuestion.mp3 by Oscar Miles The Pursuit of Happiness
Read MoreWhy do bad things sometimes happen to good people?
Question: Hello, I stumbled upon your site on accident (or by fate) who knows, but it has been a useful tool for me. I’d just like to thank you! Also, my question is that why do bad things sometimes happen to good, wholesome people? People who go out of their ways to open doors for…
Read MoreWhy does God punish?
Question: So when God punishes someone, with what intention does He do so? With the intention of getting payback? Or is it to correct us from something? For example, punishing us so we can repent and learn a lesson? Or does He do it to see us suffer for doing something bad? Answer: “‘Do I…
Read MoreWould You Pass the Test
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/WouldYouPassTheTest.mp3 by Eric Hamilton
Read MoreIs there a conflict over whether God tries men?
Question: The Bible says God tries men in Hebrews 11:17, but James 1:13 says God does not tempt us. Is there a contradiction? Answer: “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son” (Hebrews 11:17). “Let no one say when he…
Read MoreWhy Do Good People Suffer?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Based on a lesson developed by Darrell Hamilton Text: Hebrews 12:4-14 Write on board: SIN DISCIPLINE GOLD I. We see and experience problems as we go through life. A. Sometimes we wonder why these things happen. B. If a person is trying to be good, why doesn’t God protect him from evil? II. First, what…
Read MoreHis Eye Is On The Sparrow
by David Padfield via padfield.com Photo by Will Bolding on Unsplash In Matthew 10 Jesus sent out the twelve apostles and “gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease” (Matthew 10:1). This commission was limited in that they were not allowed to…
Read MoreThe Myth
by Shane Williams via The Lilbourn Light, Vol. 9, Nos. 4,5, Aug/Sept. 2008. Once we decide to obey God completely, it’s easy to assume that the rest of our life will run smoothly. If it does, we think this proves that we’re doing God’s Will. If we run into obstacles, however, we’re quick to conclude…
Read MoreWhat do I say to people who are suffering great grief?
Question: What do I say to people who are suffering great grief? Answer: Much of what you or I would like to say seems so empty or inadequate. How do you tell someone who has just lost a child you know how she feels when you haven’t experienced such grief? How do you tell a…
Read MoreWhy would God turn His back on the world?
Question: Hello, I’ll begin by describing my situation. A few weeks ago I stopped attending church. I felt that something was wrong, but I wasn’t exactly sure what. It was as if I felt that I didn’t belong. It’s possible that somewhere inside I knew what it was then, but didn’t want to admit it…
Read MoreWhat does “put my tears in your bottle” mean in Psalms 56:8?
Question: Can you help me with the meaning of Psalms 56:8, especially the part “tears into thy bottle?” Answer: “You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?” (Psalm 56:8). Each phrase is a reference to God remembering or recording what has happened to David. This particular Psalm,…
Read MoreWhy did God put the forbidden tree in the garden?
Question: I have a couple of doubts and am hoping to get an answer from you. Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the forbidden tree, which was a sin. Why did God has created that tree? If there is no tree, then there would have been no sin. Why do the innocent suffer? Answer:…
Read MoreCan you help? I’m feeling overwhelmed.
Question: Over the last couple of months, I have had a period of trials. Since September, I have had to break up with my girlfriend, which has left me somewhat lonely, I received a low job review (which I thought I should have challenged, since I felt unfairly rated, but was still feeling upset about…
Read MoreWhy does a good person come down with cancer?
Question: I got a call from a friend telling me that another really good friend’s wife has just been diagnosed with cancer all through her body. It is one of those cases where I have to wonder, “Why?” and “Where is the fairness in this life?” as this lady was tops in my book, just…
Read MoreWhy was I born if God knew I would fail?
Question: In the last couple of months, a question has come up at least three times. I am guessing that many others may be asking it as well. Perhaps you can help answer it. The question is essentially this, “Why was I born, without choice in the matter, into a world where chances for spiritual…
Read MoreThe Book of Job
Text: Job 1:6-12 I. If someone asked you what the book of Job was about, how would you answer? A. Most of us would point out that it deals with the question of human suffering. 1. The book tells the story of a man who loses everything 2. He suffers greatly and wrestles with the apparent injustice of…
Read MoreDoes God Make the Handicapped?
Text: Exodus 4:10-12 I. We desire explanations for the world and its events A. It is not enough that things happen, most of us are curious as to why they happen 1. Even the three-year-old will drive his parents to distraction asking “Why?” B. Hence, when disciples come across a blind man, it brought a question to their…
Read MoreHow do you keep focused in life?
Question: The advice you give is very encouraging and as a young man, it is helpful. My question is that being a young Christian man, it is very challenging to walk the Christian life. Having friends in the world and being associated with a female in a denomination, it is difficult to keep focused. I…
Read MoreTrials of Life
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, believers have been told that God knows our hearts (I Samuel 16:7, Luke 16:15). He not only knows what we at thinking at this moment, but he also understands our inclinations and desires. God knows each of us better than we understand…
Read MoreHow can you take up a cross and follow Christ today?
Question: Regarding Matthew 10:38: What is it to take a cross and follow Christ today? Answer: We see the cross today as the jagged, wooden instrument used in putting to death Jesus Christ our Savior. Yet before His followers had even a slight idea that Jesus would die by that manner, Jesus spoke of the cross.…
Read MoreThe Buzzard, Bat, and Bumblebee
Author Unknown BUZZARD If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run…
Read MoreAre recent natural disasters signs?
Question: What about the sign that is happening in recent times where natural disasters become such a frequent thing? What is your view toward it? Answer: There is built within your question an assumption that frequent natural disasters are a sign. A sign of what, I’m not told, but it obviously must be a sign…
Read MoreIs God cleansing the earth with these recent storms?
Question: Is God cleansing the earth with these recent storms? If so, is it because of divorce and the return of the Nephilim? Answer: While the Bible discloses that God has used storms in the past to accomplish His will, the Bible warns man not to try and second guess God. “”For My thoughts are…
Read MoreWhy Does God Allow Evil?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton No doubt, sin and the evil accompanying it exist in this world. When atrocious examples of evil come to our attention, people commonly wonder why God allows such evil to happen. Atheists will use the very existence of obvious evil to argue against God. “If God were so good,” they smirk,…
Read MoreTrials of Life
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. God knows the hearts of men A. I Samuel 16:7 “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” B. Luke 16:15 “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your…
Read MoreWhere was God’s protection for those caught in the September 11th tragedy?
Question: I recently read a piece lauding the blessings of the people who were supposed to be at the World Trade Center the morning of September 11, 2002, but in small ways, they were detained by the mishaps of life, faulty alarms, children dallying, traffic, etc. These people were saying how good and protective God…
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