Jehovah's Witnesses versus Atheists

Question:
What is the difference between Jehovah's Witnesses and Atheists? Don't they both NOT believe in God?

My Reply:
JW's believe in "a" god, and believe they are the only ones who are worshiping the correct God (the Lord in the Bible). Yet they misinterpret the Bible and choose to skip over the scripture/passages that don't agree with their beliefs.

So technically speaking, JWs are not Christians, for they separate themselves from Christians and recognize them/us as subjects for conversion to their (mis)understandings.  But JWs are also not Atheists, for they do believe in "a" God.  Some even claim Christ's name, but focus more on His teachings for good works than His doings and free gift of salvation.  Here's a good link to help understand more about JWs.

Atheists, on the other hand, have CHOSEN not to believe in (a) God at all. It's not that they don't know, for those are "agnostics". And it's not that they're trying to find out, for those are "seekers".  Atheists are people who CHOOSE not to know, while also rejecting and fighting everything that points to the possibility of God's existence.  Here's a good link to help understand more about Atheism.

---Pastor Andy

Need Help Understanding God's Word

Question:

Am I the only one who has trouble reading God's Word?  

My Reply:

I used to have trouble reading it.  I'd suggest finding a mentor, such as a Pastor, Youth Pastor, a Christian friend, or somebody in the church to help you understand what you're reading.

Here's what my first mentor said, many years ago:
"Start in the New Testament with Matthew. Read only ONE chapter a day. Try early or in mid-day so you can ponder it the rest of the day. Take notes, highlight or underline anything that stands out to you, pray, and be ready to answer me when I ask you about what you read."

I later learned that in order to understand the New Testament better, I needed to read the Old Testament, also...but also that it was in fact best to read the New Testament first.


A Bible study in your church would also be a great help.

---Pastor Andy

When Did You Start to Seriously Study the Bible?

Question:  Was there a point in your life when you started to seriously study the Bible?  If yes, then please tell me about your experience.  Thanks.

My Reply:

When I decided to accept Jesus, I wanted to get to know Him better. I began with a fictional book called "Joshua". But after talking with a friend (who I soon discovered was a minister), he persuaded me to read the Bible (and told me how to do it).

He told me to start in Matthew, and read just 1 chapter a day. After reading it, pray for understanding, and be ready to talk about what I'd read each time I see him.

I took notes and began getting into it, but once finished with the New Testament, I realized that with all the references to the Old Testament, I should probably read it, also, if not only for better understanding of the New Testament. So I began with Genesis, and not only took notes of the events and such, but also charts of the genealogies (something that previously stumped me and served as a road block in my studying).

So technically speaking, I suppose you could say that I began reading the Scripture (after accepting Jesus) when I began to seriously study the Bible, because I wanted to know everything I could about "this Jesus-guy". And the more I read and took notes, the more I wanted to know!  I began praying more (and hearing Jesus' replies!), finding more time to study, and shared with others everywhere I went about what I was learning.

---Pastor Andy

The Invisible Things of God are Seen?

Question:

Romans 1:20 = "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen..." Okay if it's clearly seen, it ain't invisible. Am I missing something here?

My Reply:

It might make more sense if you try reading it from the New Living Translation.
The scripture is talking about those who see the Lord's works and miracles everywhere, but choose not to acknowledge them as being from God. Though the Lord is invisible to the eye, the works of His hands are VERY visible. The passage also mentions that since the beginning of the world, people who saw these things and knew that they were to glorify God, chose not to. So in their own choosing to deny God's glory, they're guilty.

Issues in the Church

Question: Does the Bible say anything about this?  I'm talking about churches going against each other, and spiritual warfare. I'm having a hard time with the Bible Study I used to teach. Gossip and everything, and people going against another Bible Study, ect.

My Reply:

It's interesting how so many of the issues in the early Church can still be found in the Church today. In my opinion though, if you were to do a Bible study on a book that hits on so many of them, I'd suggest 1 Corinthians.  This letter, written by the Apostle Paul, was in response to issues among the believers who worshiped at Chloe's household (house church).  And in it, Paul addressed many of the same issues we're experiencing in the Church today: Marriage, divorce, remarriage, domestic violence, dysfunctional families, order in worship, politics, stewardship issues (tithing / giving), relational commitments (lack of), lack of and need for church discipline, lack of discipleship, lack of Alignment between vision and implementation, lack of Evangelism of the Good News, sexual ethics, counseling, burn-out, Sabbath, cliques, gossip, divisions, gender roles, spiritual gifts, social status, respect, poor representation of Christ, prosperity gospel, “Worship wars”, Biblical Illiteracy, and so much more!

2 Corinthians is also a good one, for it talks about the effects of such issues, once they take hold. You'll also  like it, for Paul uses some good sarcasm when making his points, all in response to their pride in the first letter. 

---Pastor Andy

Recommendations for a book for bible study?

Question:

I'm looking for something that has scripture and maybe questions for discussion. We're a bunch of 20-25 year old girls who meet once a week. Thanks for you help!

My Reply:

In terms of books in the Bible:

My wife & I went through the book of Joshua (Bible), which is a great book for young leaders, teaches to consult the Lord before every big decision, and fulfillments of promises. It also ends with a great note.

Judges was a fun one, also, for in it, God calls several different people (and different kings of people) to serve Him and rescue His people. It also explains that throughout most of the time then, there was no king and so everybody did as they thought was right. So it's a good comparison with issues of the world/Church today.

1 Corinthians seems to touch on many issues that are great discussion-starters, for it talks about problems within the walls of the Church, and among its people. It starts with conflict, goes into bad representation of God, talks about death and resurrection, and even how to worship (or how not to).
(feel free to email me...I've written a Bible Study for it I'd be happy to email you...free, no strings).

Non-Bible books:
-Max Lucado: "Facing Your Giants"
-Gary Chapman: "The 5 Love Languages"
-Lee Strobel: "The Case For..." (faith, Christ, Easter, Christmas...)
-"Influencing Like Jesus"

---Pastor Andy

What If...?

Picture Courtesy of...

Question:

Born again Christians believe that those who do not believe in Jesus will be tortured for all eternity by a loving God. Suppose someone never had the opportunity to learn about Jesus. For instance they are in a remote African tribe and simply never heard of Christianity or Jesus. Are they damned for all eternity?

My Reply:

Ya know, people often mention the "what about this guy in remote Africa who never heard the gospel" question. But "hypothetically" speaking, if you really cared about what would happen to that one guy in remote Africa, you'd travel out to him and tell him about Jesus so that there would be no "what if" issues. But all honestly, you really don't care about him, but just use the question to justify God's fairness.

Yes, God is a loving God...He died so you don't have to. What else do you want from Him? Eternal life in Heaven? Sure! That's why God raised Jesus from the dead...so you CAN be with Him in heaven for all eternity. All you have to do is:

1. Receive the invitation...tell Him that you want to receive eternal life (by this, you're acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior, for you're asking Him for something that only He can give you)
2. Repent of your ways (let me give you a head start...you've questioned His faithfulness, denied His awesome gift, lived selfishly, etc...)
3. Put your faith into Him (you're doing this even as you're taking the time to talk with Him), and you'll receive it. Why is that so difficult to do?

Then begin reading the Bible, communicate (talk) with Jesus regularly, find a Church to fellowship with His other believers, and begin to learn from and follow Him.  

Then, if you still wonder about and begin to really care about those people in the remote parts of Africa who don’t know about Jesus, travel out to them and tell them about Him.  Then you won’t have to wonder, “What if…?”

---Pastor Andy

Peter Walks On Water

Picture courtesy of...

Question:

How is it even possible for Peter to have walked on water?  What does real faith look like?

My Reply:

Well, he walked on water for a little while anyway.
Man, there's so much to this story! Anyway, after Jesus walking on water and the 12 freaking out about it possibly being a ghost (which is weird that they freaked out since chapter 10 just got done telling us about how the 12 cast out demons and healed the sick), Peter ASKS Jesus, "Command me to come out to you on the sea!" (Dude, that's like begging Jesus to test you! You're just begging for failure!) So Jesus said, "Come." Peter walked for a couple steps, but then saw the waves & felt the wind, and began to sink. Why? Because he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the elements around him that could hurt him. Then he yelled, "Lord, save me!" And Jesus caught his arm, lifted him up, and they both got into the boat.

So long story summarized, real faith is not sinking, but keeping your full focus on Jesus at all times. He commanded you, nothing can (nor must) keep you from going to Him. THAT'S what real faith looks like.

For some more on this, check out my other blog site.

---Pastor Andy

Bible Version Suggestion (1)

Question: I’m a new Christian.  What version of the bible should I read for better understanding?

My Answer:

I'd suggest the New Living translation. It was created specifically for new Christians so that y'all can better understand, while also not paraphrasing it too much.

Check out this link to learn more about it.

A Bible-Thumped Witch

Question:
Why haven't any Christians tried to kill me yet?
It states in the King James bible very clearly "Thall shalt not suffer a witch to live."
Well, I'm a witch. I make no attempt to hide the fact that I'm a witch and I proudly proclaim this fact about myself to Christians and non-Christians alike.
If the entire bible is the infallible Word of God, and a true Christian is supposed to do everything it says, then why has no Christian tried to kill me? Are you worried about legal troubles? Your God is supposed to reward you in heaven for being faithful, so why would you worry about going to jail or anything?
I ask this because I'm sick of people saying that the entire Bible should be taken literally and that none of it should be left out. Also, there is no possible way I'm taking this out of context. This is a direct quote straight from Deuteronomy. That's the verse word for word so it is not out of context.
If Christians are not under old testament Law, then why do Christians always quote Deuteronomy when they tell me I'm a sinner for being a lesbian? You can't have it both ways.

My Reply:
Yes, Christians are under the Law in terms of discipline, but we're not bound by it like the Israelites were in the Old Testament, since Jesus fulfilled it.
When reading God's Law, we need to remember who the target audience was...God's people.  Moses didn't read this to the surrounding nations, He read it to God's people who were in direct lineage of His Covenant and blessings. See, there's a special holiness that's demanded of God's people, and these laws and commandments were in place to train and form the Israelites into this demanded transformation, and away from what they were. The lesbian, witch, animality, certain foods, etc. on the other hand, were all things that the surrounding nations were engulfed in.  God's people were to be different...Holy as God is Holy.
Also, in terms of witches, y'all don't worship God (as I'm sure you fully know), and God's people were not only commanded to worship the Lord only, but several generations also vowed to.  Therefore, anybody who worshipped something other than the Lord was to be put to death, for they had rejected the Lord, as well as broken their vow with Him and the nation Israel.  [This may also account for what Jesus said in Matthew 5:30: “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” If one member of the Body sins, throw him out of the congregation, for keeping him in would cause the whole body to become guilty of sin (leavening). Therefore, cut it off, for it’s better to lose one part of the body than for your whole Body (the whole nation Israel) to go into hell…Also where Paul tells the Corinthians to expel the sinner, casting him out to Satan…for the rest of the church was accepting it and thus fueling the fires of hell to consume them all…so cast out the one part that sins, for it’s better to lose part than all.]
In the sense of judgment, we Christians are not to judge those outside the Church...that's God's job. Those whom we ARE to judge is one another (other Christians), but in the sense of accountability, not condemnation. You are not of God's people (you've even admitted this in your question). Therefore, we are not called to condemn you, but witness to you and represent God with hopes and prayers that you may come to know Jesus Christ with the love that He has for you.  If anything, we're to condemn what you're doing and the spirit behind it, but not you personally.
Now, in the sense of witchcraft (yes, even "white" witchcraft), such is not of God, but of God's enemy. Jesus also said that "those who are not with Me are against Me." This may explain the aggressiveness of those coming after you with Deuteronomy, for they recognize the spirit from which your witchcraft originates.  But as you've noticed, we have not tried to kill you because it is not with you whom we battle, but with the one whom you serve. (And though we battle him every day, Jesus already won the war).
There's a saying that "those who are against Bible thumpers are usually those who have been thumped by Bibles." If you've been thumped, I can only assume it was by those who either fear you, or the spirit behind your witchcraft, or by people who deep down really care about you yet still need to learn how to show you this in love and compassion, versus the harsh swinging of their swords.

---Pastor Andy  :}>+-

Why Did God Send Jesus?

Question: Why did God send Jesus?

I've never understood why. If He wanted to forgive our sins, why not just forgive them? Why make His son (or Himself, depending on which you think Jesus was) suffer and die so that He could forgive us?

My Reply:

It's all about a relationship with God as it was in the beginning:

1. In the beginning, God walked in the garden with His creation
2. Sin entered the picture, separating us from God.
3. All throughout the Old Testament, God tried wooing His creation back to Him, but everybody continued to push Him away and sinned against Him. (If you'll notice, the prophets and patriarchs had a close relationship with the Lord in the way that Adam and Eve did, but even with Moses, the Lord wanted to communicate with the people, but the people begged Moses to be their mediator instead).
4. The punishment of sin is death. The purpose of the Law was to show us where we sinned, thus bringing us to our knees in repentance and hopes of reconciling the relationship with God. But instead, people lost their hope and passion in trying to fulfill the Law.
5. God sent Jesus to accomplish what we couldn't.
6. Jesus, being the perfect and last blood sacrifice, forgave us of our sins, all the way back to the first one committed.
7. Jesus' resurrection allows us to come to Him through faith in Him.

 The whole point was reconciliation, and also so that we may once again approach Him, and be in the type of relationship that He had with humans as in the beginning.

--To your question of why not just forgive us?  God did forgive the Israelites, MANY times, even when they didn't deserve it. But when they got it, they took advantage of it. You don't take advantage of those you truly love.
God wants us to love Him back. He wants us to be with Him for all eternity, but because we WANT to be with Him. That's what makes salvation so confusing...all you have to do is repent and accept the invitation. But as you can see, many still prefer to reject God.

---Pastor Andy

What is Manna?

Question:

What is Manna?

My Reply:

Exactly!

You don’t get it…OK, well you see, in the original language, "Manna" means "What is it?"
Manna is known as "bread from heaven". In the Old Testament, it was the food that God fed the Israelites during their 40 years in the desert. It's described as flakes of wafers and honey.  It obviously had all the vitamins and nutrients needed to live on, also.

In the New Testament, Jesus called Himself "Manna", for He is the bread of life that came from Heaven...the only "food" we need to "live".

---Pastor Andy  :}>+-

Same Gods In Both Testaments?

Question: Why do I always get argued against when I say that the Jewish God is different from the Christian God?

My Reply:

Probably because the Jewish God is the same as the Christian God...they can't be different, for if so, then Christianity would be void.
Before Nero burned down Rome and blamed it on the Christians, Christianity was actually recognized as a sect of Judaism.  Jesus was a Jew.  I suppose you could say that Christianity is an upgrade from Judaism, since Christianity is its fulfillment.

Also, if you look at the Old Testament, you’ll see that everything points to Jesus Christ and all that happened in the New Testament pertaining to Him and what He did on the cross.

So they're not different gods, but One in the same. If they weren't, then Christianity couldn't be real.

Now, if you were to say that the Muslim god is different from the Christian God (another popular discussion topic), then you would be correct.

---Pastor Andy

Proper Image of Women?

Question: Do you believe that women should always wear dresses, never wear makeup, and never cut their hair? Just wondering?

My Reply:

Often times when Scripture tells women not to wear makeup or certain clothing, it's talking about either cultural norms & insults, or keeping order in worship.
In terms of the cultural norm, the length of women's hair was what gave them their beauty. Also, for a woman to have short hair would get her confused with guys. So if a woman were to remain pretty and not confused with a guy, her hair was to remain long (same goes for wearing dresses). It was actually considered shameful for her to cut it for that reason, although women did sometimes shave their heads when in mourning. I think I read someplace that when they did that, their mourning period would last for the amount of time that it took to grow her hair back out.
In terms of keeping order in Worship: During the time of Paul, women would often attend service all decked out, which of course caught the attention of men. Paul addressed this, for in worship, the focus is supposed to be on God, not on some hot chick in the front of the room, ya know? Church isn't supposed to be a pick-up spot, but a place of worship.

Today, a woman's beauty is recognized by so many other means. Although we do still have the issue of women wearing provocative clothing in church, leading to the similar issues that Paul addressed in the Bible.  I believe that in worship, women (and men) should wear clothes that are comfortable and don’t bring attention to themselves (thus keeping the focus on the Lord).  Outside of worship, whatever she wants for the occasion, although I believe it would be most honorable for her if it's modest (especially a Christian woman/girl).  But that’s another blog for another time.

---Pastor Andy