Christians' "Calling"

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Question: 

As an atheist, I had an interesting conversation the other day with a Christian regarding divine "callings" and placements. Philippians 2:13 = “…for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
This verse basically says that God empowers you and places the desires within you to carry out what you're "called" to do.  So, would it be correct to say that if you're a Christian, whatever career aspirations you have are from God?  So God would never call you to do something you hate?

My Reply:

We have to also remember that God created us for His purpose. Everybody has skills that can be used for God's Kingdom, should they use them for Him. But not everybody has chosen or agreed to do so.

For example, since I was little, I always wanted to work in radio. My dad was in radio, so I grew up telling people about his radio station with great excitement and reasons for why they should listen to it. I advertised it, gave away game pieces and bumper stickers, answered the phones in the studios, and was always a part of the family of that radio station. Then one day, God called me to ministry, but He basically called me to continue what I was doing for the radio stations, only for Him now...tell people about Him with great excitement instead of the radio station; give people Bibles and information of how to achieve salvation and a relationship with God; instead of answer the phones in the studio, I answer questions on here...do you get what I'm saying?

Granted there are many who go into ministry kicking and screaming, but that's not because God is making them do something they hate, but usually because they don't want to give up what they're doing. So it's about obedience and trusting God enough to know that His plan for us is better than those of our own.

---Pastor Andy

A little about "Dear Pastor Andy"

The other day, I received a comment. I would just publish it in the comment section, but I prematurely deleted it.   After praying about it some more, I came to the decision of responding to it in a main post.  The responder's name was not given.

Question:
The "Questions" that you respond to seem like they are fabricated by you. Also, you use the Bible to back every answer you give.  Not everyone considers the Bible to be fact, therefore you are only preaching to the choir and nobody else. People who are on the fence of believing/non-believing will be scared off by your lack of common sense.
Also, stop selling yourself out to advertisements like the Kindle. 


My Reply:
First, I would like to thank your for your comments and suggestions (this was the second one).  I'll answer each question separately:

1. "Fabricated questions": I assure you, the questions asked on here are not fabricated, but actual questions that have been asked to me throughout my 15+ years in ministry.
2. Preaching to the choir: Sure, maybe for some questions, but trust me, the choir still needs preaching to, also.
3. The Bible is my only resource: Actually, the Bible's not my only source, but it is my main source. That's because the Bible is where the Truth is. Most of the questions on here are about God, and for such questions, the Bible is the only place for the correct answer (unless of course we're talking about archaeology, research, or physical evidences, whereas I'll often refer back to other books also, then list them below). You'll also notice I often share personal experiences and testimonies. Now there are some questions on here not pertaining to God or the Bible, and yes, I do reply with reference to God's Word. But this should be expected from "Another source for answers about God, Jesus, Christianity, the Bible, Theology, and life" and the host of the site being a Pastor (or any devout Christian). In other words, since Jesus is the center of my life, everything answered here is done so through the lens of the Bible and from a Christian perspective. Now, you are correct in saying that many today don't believe the Bible as Truth (and unfortunately, this is true even among many within the Church itself), and this IS a HUGE problem (and an issue I've been fighting in the Church for some time). But regardless of what people believe, the Bible IS still the Truth.
4. People on the fence / non-believers: If I was Elijah, or the only Christian proclaiming the Word of God, and all the other Christians in the world were hiding in caves, then I can see the need for me to change my approach. But thank God I'm not. With that in mind, each time I post, I pray that readers may be blessed by what they read, or at least that they'll wrestle with it some. Either way, my hope is that if they don't fall to their knees and ask Jesus into their lives at that moment, then they'll either apply my replies, and/or go and get a second opinion from somebody they know (who knows Jesus personally) about what they read from my site, giving God an open door to speak through them, too. I'm also a man of simple, everyday words (which may be why my replies appear so similar to the style of the questions), not fancy, educated words, making it easier for people of many ages and levels of faith (or lack of) to better understand. Also, if you'll notice, a huge number (majority?) of the questions on here are asked by non-believers and people on the fence, most of which ask about the Bible.
5. Too many Kindle Ads: I didn't realize the overkill of Kindle ads. Thank you for pointing that out. I like to include ads for products that I believe in, support, and/or have benefited from myself, and Kindle was one I was very excited about when it was first released. But you make a good point, so you may notice that I've since deleted them (and replaced them with some other products I think my target audience could benefit from). Hopefully it's no longer overkill, but thanks again for pointing that out.

---Pastor Andy

Who's Your Support Team?

Question: Do you receive more support from above than from those on earth? If we got rid of money would people be more willing to help, and comfort people more natural and compassionately.  It's sad in some cases that the people that get paid good to help those in need can't, or won't, and in some cases don't have the time to help because of so many cuts.  It's also sad when it's to do with money and what position you’re in.

I have gotten more help from above through prayer than the professional well paid people here on earth.  And when you get yourself involved with them, they can make things worse for you....sad and so ashamed of some humans.

My Reply:

For more than 10 years, while serving (in several churches) as Youth Pastor, I quickly learned that pretty much the ONLY encouragement/support I ever got was from "above" (the Lord), and then later also from my wife (we've only been married 3 years).
Not to dump on the position, for Youth Ministry is really a blessed ministry!  But in terms of support, Youth Ministry is really a thankless position.  In fact, Youth Pastors usually don't hear anything about how they’re doing unless it's a complaint.  I'll tell you though, while serving in such a position, the passage about focusing on God's recognition versus the world's really speaks to you (and challenges you).

So yeah, my main (and often only) support team (even today) consists of my wife, my dog, and Jesus (not in that order). But as Jesus told Paul in his times of trials, "My grace is sufficient."

---Pastor Andy

When You Received the Holy Spirit

Question: (KJV Acts 8:12-19) "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, 'Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost'."

After reading this scripture, one can conclude that:
1. You do not receive God's Holy Spirit at the moment you are baptized, as is evidenced by this scripture
2. You do not receive God's Holy Spirit at the exact moment you believe

These scriptures prove that believing in Jesus and being baptized are not linked with receiving his Holy Spirit. Scripture states that unless you have God's Spirit, then you are none of his. Are you absolutely sure you have God's Holy Spirit residing in you?

My Reply:

OK, orders of receiving the Holy Spirit:

Acts 2:37-38 = 3000 who experienced those speaking in tongues on Pentecost Sunday:
1) Heard the Gospel

2) Believed & Repented

3) Baptized

4) Received the Holy Spirit.

John 20:22 = Apostles received the Holy Spirit (before Pentecost Sunday):
1) Some were baptized first under John the Baptist

2) Believed

3) Gospel

4) Could Jesus' washing of their feet symbolize Him baptizing them?

5) Jesus breathed on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2: 
Other believers (not the 11) praying in upper room, Holy Spirit came upon them:
1) No mention of baptism
2) Believed
3) Received the Holy Spirit when tongues of fire landed on them.

Acts 8: 
1) Heard the Gospel

2) Believed

3) Baptized (but the Holy Spirit didn't come upon them)

4) Apostles prayed & laid hands upon them

5) Received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:17-18 = Saul / Paul
1) Saul experienced Jesus Christ

2) Saul Prayed / Believed & Repented

3) Ananias laid hands on him

4) Received the Holy Spirit

5) was baptized

6) THEN he heard the Gospel.

Acts 10:44 ff: 
1) Gospel

2) "While Peter was still speaking, the H.S. fell upon those who heard the Word of God."

3) Baptized

4) Ministry (Peter stayed with them several days).

Acts 19:1-6:
1) John the Baptist's message

2) Baptized by John the Baptist for the forgiveness of sins (never received the H.S.)

3) Heard about the H.S.

4) Baptized AGAIN (this time in the name of the Lord Jesus)

5) Paul laid hands on them

6) Received the H.S.

My point:

There's no sequence as to when the Holy Spirit rests upon somebody. 
Also, not everybody who received the Holy Spirit ended up speaking in tongues...even the Apostle Paul said that tongues is just one of the many gifts, pointing out that not everybody has it. Many denominations also believe that the Holy Spirit is the one that brings us to the Lord in the first place.  Either way, I think God does a great job of reminding us that HE is in charge, not us. Also, that He is not bound to our rules or expectations.

As to your question, yes, I am Absolutely, 100% positive that God's Holy Spirit resides in me.

---Pastor Andy

Leap of Faith turned Miracle turned Ministry Tool

Question: What is the biggest leap of faith you've ever taken?  Did it work out for you, or not? Would you do it again?

My Reply:

I was in a class for Urban Ministry in Chicago. We were in a small classroom of an inner-city church with a temporary sliding wall, and a team was talking on the topic of "power".
The presenter opened up the sliding wall and said, "This is my classroom, and everybody needs to leave." Everybody just looked at him and smiled. Then he pulled out a 9mm and said the same thing. Everybody ran out. I got up, but the Lord told me to sit back down, so I did. I even walked to the back of the classroom and sat on a pile of stacked chairs. He ordered me a couple times again to get out, but the Lord said to sit, so I sat.
Now looking down the barrel of the gun, as I'm assuming it's loaded with blanks, I'm also remembering the Brandon Lee incident...even though there were thought to have been blanks in the gun, something shot out of the barrel and killed him. But as I sat there, I figured if the Lord wants me home, He'll take me home. 
The guy asked me if I'm going to leave, and I asked, "What, are you going to shoot me?" And he said, "Yeah." He pulled the trigger, I blinked, and heard, "click". He cocked it and pulled the trigger again, "click." He tried this a few times, every time all we heard was "click".
Finally, I got up, figuring I'm ruining his presentation. So getting up, I said, "for the sake of your presentation, I'll get up."
Once out of the room, he had somebody take the gun outside to see what was wrong. On the first pull of the trigger, we all heard a loud "Boom!" The guy responded, "Sure, NOW it works!"

This was all recorded onto video tape in 2004 (or 2005).

I later learned that in such a room that we were in, the sound of the gun firing would've deafened us both for life. I also learned that at such a close distance (1-2 feet), something, even the paper from the blank, most often shoots out, and if it didn't kill me, it would've seriously fried my face, or I would’ve died from the burns.

The next semester, the guy who presented with the gun began attending the seminary where I was attending. He told me later that my response caused him to look at that school, and after watching the tape, he continues to use the experience from that day to minister to gang-bangers.

Would I do it again?  Sure, if the Lord tells me to do it again.

---Pastor Andy

Click here to read of a very similar event that just recently happened to one of my friends.

 

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