What is Prayer Really About?

Question:

From a Christian understanding:
1) What does prayer really do (for you)?
2) What is prayer really about?
I really am curious and I need the answers for an assignment.  Also, when I say PRAYER, I mean what does PRAYING do for you. And I do NOT mean what being a Catholic does.

My Reply:

Prayer is communication with God, pure and simple.
Prayer keeps me in communication with God. Some people see prayer like the old dial-up modems...they'd log on when they want something from Him, then log off when their done. But for me, it's more like a Cable-modem connection, or satellite connection. In other words, I'm always logged on.

Another thing about prayer is that it's not just me talking, but I also listen for God's communication. A real conversation with somebody is 2-way.  If it's only you talking, then it's not a conversation.  You must also listen to what He's saying.

So what's it do for me? It keeps me in constant communication with God.

---Pastor Andy

Is Hell the Only Consequence for Not Believing in God?

Question:

I am a christian and i pray every night, but the main reason is that i think if i don't pray my life will be worse, because god only helps you if you pray and believe. but is this really true? will my life be worse if i don't pray and believe? because i want to be an atheist, but honestly the only thing that's stopping me is my fear of what god will do besides sending me to hell.

My Reply:

Interesting...you say you believe in God, but want to be somebody who doesn't, but you're afraid that the God who you don't want to believe in will then target you with a lightening bolt.

Christianity was never meant to be seen like fire insurance. From the beginning, it's always been about having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  And in a relationship, you communicate, which with God, is prayer.

The Bible says that even the demons believe in Jesus/God, yet they shudder. So if you're praying because you don't want things to go sour, then you're already praying for the wrong reasons, and obviously don't know God after all. 

So to answer your question, "Will you go to hell if you don't believe in God?" Well, you're in a different position than some other believers, for you believed once, and now you're rejecting God and His salvation, for God and salvation are a package deal.

---Pastor Andy

Praying while Drunk Easier Than When Sober

Question:

Why is it easier to pray when I get drunk than when I'm sober?  Every time I get drunk, I get this urge to pray wherever and when ever.  But when I am not drunk, most times I seem to forget to pray.  Can you explain that?

I want to make some changes in my life.  I want to live a life that pleases God and fun.  My previous attempts were all seemed failed.  Every time I thought I was making improvements, its all a drawback. So because I always remember to pray when I am drunk, I just want to get drunk.  

Some practical suggestions please.

My Reply:

Here are some suggestions to help:

1) Try praying now, asking Jesus to help you pray when you're not drunk.

2) Make a schedule of your day, and write in a time for you to pray, and be sure to be sober at that time.

3) It's possible that the reason you're more comfortable praying when you're drunk is because that's when emotions become more recognized. Also, you're already relaxed, not restless, as you may be when you're sober. So when you're sober but don't know what to pray, force yourself to just sit there in a quiet room, and ask the Lord to join you in your presence and thoughts.  Heck, sometimes you just need to get everything off your mind.  Jesus is a good listener for even the things that seem pointless, but are obviously taking up space in your brain.

4) Read a chapter from the Bible (just one chapter), then talk with God about what you just read. Ask questions, reflect, etc.

5) Venting about what's going on in your life is praying, too.

6) Imagine Jesus asking, "How are you doing today?" Then after you answer, imagine Him saying, "No really. How are you doing?" Then really answer.

Remember, prayer doesn't have to end with "Amen", and it doesn't have to contain any particular words or phrases. Prayer is communication with God. The more difficult you make it, the more difficult it will be to do it.

Seriously also, as for the fun part you're pursuing, once you get on track with Jesus, I promise you you'll experience a whole new type of fun you never knew existed!

---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

Can Character Be Changed?

Question:  Can character be changed?  Can there be a return to good character if somebody was to fail Jesus?  If so, how?

Additional Details

Character is primarily taught by our parents…they are our major building force.  Everyone has their own idea of what constitutes a good character.  The six pillars of character, according to universal values that define the qualities of a good person, are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. These are core. 
Look at King David and how he fell, how a leader failed.  As we look to our future, we know that our leaders will fail us somehow.  So where should we trust and what in?

Personality and character are different things. People are born with certain traits or tendencies.  Some are shy while others are talkative. Some are extroverts and make good leaders.  Character is a learned from parents, teachers, friends, etc.  You are either honest or not, depending on how your belief system was orchestrated.

My Reply:

OK, your additional details don't match your original question…
Anyway, according to the Bible, the only quality of being "good" is accepting and being in a relationship with Jesus Christ. All the other stuff you mentioned are nice, but they don't constitute somebody who's "good" in God's eyes, and should thus be judged about the same by us as those who don't have those characteristics.

The parable of the Prodigal Son tells us that even when we fall away, even far and to the point of basically giving God the middle finger, He's awaiting our return, and when we do, He'll welcome us with open arms, even reinstating us to full-blown heirs.

King David was "a man after God's own heart". He was a great leader, but he was also human, and humans fail.

Our leaders today, many are liars, and those who aren't will fail us some time during their time in power, just as David did his people. I think that looking at the story of Daniel might help in answering your question. Daniel supported his leaders, and prayed for them, the kingdom, and himself in serving them. But He believed in and trusted God.  Also in the history of Daniel, his devout loyalty to the Lord influenced many of the kings/leaders and their decisions in leadership.


As for your original question, can you change? Yes, you can. Actually, the Bible tells us that just fact that you want to change shows that God is already working on you.  In fact, the Bible also tells us that we can change how we act, but if we're really to be changed, we have to be changed from the inside out.  So in other words, you can't truly change without God.  Sure, you can change some things about you, but you yourself cannot truly and fully change without God working on you from within.
For example, when explaining to youth about beauty, I'd often use the example of an egg. When you look at a fertilized bird egg, you may or may not know what sort of bird is inside.  All you know is that something's growing inside of it.  As it grows, the shell casing around the bird becomes too small to hold the bird, causing it to peck at it.  Soon you see the beak, then the head, maybe a foot, and before long, the whole bird will be out and its type will be fully exposed.  Then you have the other egg...the empty egg.  You may know the type of bird it originated from, but it's also obvious that there's nothing inside.  You may decorate it all up (as we do with Easter eggs), but either way, all it does it makes it look pretty...but it's still empty on the inside.
That's like religions versus Christianity.  Religions change a person from the outside-in (or try to).  Christianity, on the other hand, allows God to change a person from the inside out.
Notice, Buddhism, Scientology, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism, New Age...you name it.  They all tell you what to do in order to be better people, or to see yourself as right in God's eyes.  Some even tax on almost impossible tasks to accomplish what they think is needed to do this.  But all they do are make you look good on the outside, while leaving you empty on the inside.
God told us how to be right or good in His eyes, and that's to trust in, and enter into a relationship with, Jesus Christ, not by works but by faith.  When we accept Jesus, He sends God's very own spirit (the Holy Spirit) into us, and works from within us, like the live chicken in the egg.
And accepting Jesus not only changes our character, but even our whole mindset.  Let me explain.  When we're living according to sin, we're in the mindset of of sinning.  But when we have the mindset of Jesus Christ, we no longer even WANT to sin, but live to please Him.  But this isn't something we can do without Him, for even if we try to live for Him, if we don't belong to Him, we're again working from the outside-in, and we've already established that this doesn't work.


Our church is currently doing a series about change, and I'd like to share the first sermon of the series.  When you get to the page, click on the date: "09/12/10" titled "How to Start the Change Process".  If it doesn't help more in answering your question, it will help you know how to start the process of changing.

---Pastor Andy

I believe in Jesus and God, but I also make a lot of sins

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Question:

My parents don’t go to church, so then I can’t (not SO I cant) but they just don’t go, but they believe.  I tend to sin a lot (never stolen anything, or killed a human, but I tend to lie but I try not to).  I pray a lot and ask for forgiveness.  I’m only 15. Is there a big chance that I go to hell?  I just get worried sometimes.

My Reply:

In the Bible, we're told of a woman who was literally caught in the act of adultery, being brought to Jesus for judgment. After Jesus shamed her accusers, He forgave the woman for her sin. But we have to remember what He said after that: "Go, and sin no more." In other words, I've forgiven you for this sin, now stop doing it.
Liars are not good representations of Jesus, are they? Then stop doing it...don't try to stop...stop!
As for church, I can understand being a Christian and not going to church, but Jesus did call us to be a Christian community, united in Him. If you're not going to church, are you at least meeting with other Christians to worship as a united community?  You need to find a church and get involved. Among the great many things, they also serve to keep us in check, help us from sinning, and support in prayer. Talk to your parents and tell them that you all need to go to a church. It could be near home or a little distance, but you really should go (use Acts 2 if you need).

---Pastor Andy

I Feel Like I'm Wasting Away

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Dear Pastor Andy, I feel like I'm wasting away my youth/20s, and need advice on how to live it in a more fulfilling way.

OK, this is going to be lengthy. If you get to the end of this and proceed to give me some advice I would like to thank you very much. 

So the story is I'm a 21 year old woman who's gone through some pretty tough times. I was the slightly chubby and extremely awkward girl who had a very difficult time going through puberty. I tried to get over that and spent 2 years of my life (from 14-16) devoted to school. I would call that period in my life achievement #1 . I am probably most proud of myself when considering ambition and drive. It was a thrilling intellectual journey although socially unfulfilling. 
Achievement #2 happened probably from when I was 15 to late 16. I gained more confidence about myself than I ever had before and I finally formed a social group. It was probably one of the happiest moments of my life, having friends and feeling at least comfortable with my looks and etc.
The dark parts happened afterwards and since then I would relate that to being caught in a dark and turbulent tornado, excuse the dramatics but thats really how it was. The truth is I developed a very embarrassing condition in which I was unable to control my flatulence. I attribute all the misgivings from my depression to my suicidal thoughts to my anxiety attack and the pushing away of family, friends, and etc to this very problem. I would go deeper into my sob story but then that would require me to write a novel. 
I know that what I have gone through was necessary, but I do regret spending the those years in which I should've been crazy and living it up... 18, 19, 20, and 21...miserable, depressed, detached and etc etc etc. I have sought help and while I have not been able to figure out exactly what is medically wrong with me, I have somewhat sort of reclaimed enough control where I am able to go to school without too much fear again. Socially though, this mysterious medical problem has left me mentally very weak and worn. I have had to reclaim all those simple things I used to take for granted...like looking people in the eye, or looking your own mother in the eye or making casual conversation with the cashier...or enjoying outings with your friends. Or even feeling relaxed and safe in your own home. I feel tired and sorry that I had to spend all that time so tormented.
My 22nd birthday is approaching and before I know it I'll be 30 and then i'll be 35, 40. I'll wake up one day and there it is. Retirement. I don't want to become an old lady who has spent the majority of her life awkward and miserable. Putting this strange medical problem of mine aside, I really just want a few suggestions on trying to prevent this regret that might creep up on me later in life. 
On a lighter note, there might be an achievement #3. I defied my parents and went to art school. It hasn't really given me or anyone else real fulfillment yet but it's a possibility. If I could take this further and make this a full fledged achievement I would try to create a story or a movie that would move or inspire people in a deep way.
They say you can't have it all, so maybe I'm being greedy. What I want to happen before I turn too old for anything to happen is to be in a loving relationship a couple of times (I have not been in a relationship for obvious reasons), to help others, to be able to find those things I thought I lost...home, comfort, family, true friends..
And a curious thing I have not been able to do is enjoy my feminity. I have always been extremely embarassed about attracting attention whether good or bad, so I haven't been into shopping or having fun being a girl. A lot of times its a question of who I would be dressing up and feeling pretty for? And why. I once tried to dress up and embrace the girlier side in me last year but I got treated pretty horribly by one of my teachers who probably thought I was an airhead who wasn't serious about art school. It's a problem I'd like to fix as I know I won't be young forever and I want to be able to feel beautiful without having that be the only thing that comes across when I communicate with people.

My Reply:

Wow, what a life's journey you've had so far! Granted time is moving fast, you are still only about 22, and have a lot of time before you have to worry about 40 (not that pushing 40 is much to worry about though).
All throughout your life though, all I hear is sadness, and trying to fulfill the void with life's accomplishments. And as you enjoyed some for a little while, the joy never lasted. So you want something to fill your void, and you want direction in your life so you can stop feeling so worthless. Is this right?
Here's what I suggest:
1) Come to know Jesus Christ (I'm serious here). If you've never prayed, then imagine Jesus asking, "How are you today?" Then after you answer, imagine Jesus asking, "No, really...how are you today? Tell me what's going on." Then tell Him everything you just said here (and whatever else you're feeling, experiencing, and fearing). It may feel like you're talking to a wall or thin air at first, but trust me, He's listening to every word.

2) If you don't have a Bible, get one. Any Christian bookstore will have them and anybody at them is more than happy to help you find the perfect one. (They may even help you get started on reading it if you ask.) Carry it with you everywhere. Read a chapter a day from it (anywhere in it), and pray about anything you don't understand.

3) Get connected with a church. You'll need to be around others who know what it's like to have lived a broken life, such as yours, and who've given themselves to Jesus. People who will love you where you're at, and who you won't have to prove yourself to.

How will this help you? 
1) You've got a void that you've tried to fill, but no matter how hard you've tried, can't. Jesus will fill that void permanently, if you ask Him to.
2) You want direction in your life. As you begin to pray, keep your eyes open for daily answers to your prayers. And as you continue to be filled with joy, learn to listen as you pray...prayer is meant to be a 2-way conversation between you and God. So as you ask the Lord for direction and guidance, He'll answer, take you places you've never been, and introduce you to people you never knew.

At the age of 21 (1993), I hit rock bottom. About that same time, I accepted and came to know Jesus Christ. My life's never been the same since, and I'd never go back.

I'll pray for you, too.

---Pastor Andy

Necessities for Living?

Question:

What 4 major elements are necessary to live?

My Reply:

1) Food/Water
2) Oxygen
3) Prayer
4) The Word of God

---Pastor Andy

Things Keep Getting Worse

Question: Over the last 15 years, my luck has been so bad, and it’s just getting worse and worse, especially with regard to health, family and finance.  I just can't seem to get back up again…it seems the more I try the worse it gets.  I have prayed for help but, got none.  I'm seriously contemplating help from the dark side (black magic).  I'm that desperate!  Any tips for changing my bad luck?  The worry is making me ill.

My Reply:

First of all, I'll pray for you.
Second, Trust me on this...you do NOT want to turn to the dark side for help. The Lord won't let you down...keep asking for help, and keep your eyes peeled for His answer.  Just because you don’t see Him working, doesn’t mean He isn’t.

Can our Leaders ever be Trusted?

Question:
Can character be changed? Can there be a return to good character if one fails Jesus? If so, how? As we look to our future, we know that our leaders will fail us somehow. So should we trust, and if so, what in?

My Reply:
According to the Bible, the only quality of being "good" is accepting and being in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. All the other stuff you mentioned are nice, but they don't constitute somebody who's "good" in God's eyes, and should thus be judged about the same as those who don't have those characteristics.
The parable of the Prodigal Son tells us that even when we fall away, even far and to the point of basically giving God the middle finger, He's awaiting our return, and when we do, He'll welcome us with open arms, even reinstating us to full-blown heirs.

The Bible tells us that King David was "a man after God's own heart". He was a great leader, but he was also human, and humans fail. Our leaders today: though many are liars, even those who aren't will fail us some time during their time in power, just as David did his people.  I think that looking at the story of Daniel might help in answering your question: Daniel supported his leaders and prayed for them, the kingdom, and himself in serving them. But He believed in and trusted God.  Also in the history of Daniel, his devout loyalty to the Lord influenced many of the kings/leaders and their decisions in leadership.

---Pastor Andy

OK Pastor, I Challenge You To A Debate!

Here’s my argument:

ANYTHING is perfectly okay before marriage as long as your virginity remains in tact.  God said not to have sex. He never said anything about hugging, holding hands, kissing, making out, touching, oral, masturbation... Note that all of those things keep your virginity in tact, and therefore cannot be sins, and if even thinking about sex is wrong, then every single person is going to hell.  Also consider; 95% boys masturbate, it is a sexual act.  In fact, even Christian boys masturbate, so if any sexual act is a sin, then masturbating must be a sin too right?  So all those boys are going to hell, even though they gave their life to Christ?  But they’re virgins until they get married, but since they masturbated they have to go to hell.  As for anything with your hands, its just touching another body part, besides God made us naked anyways, so why can't we see each other if we choose to without it being a sin?  So when a mother changes her baby's diaper, she's sinning eh?  Or when a couple holds hand, OH NO THERE TOUCHING THERE GOING TO BURN IN HELLLLLLLLLLL AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. No, they’re still virgins, sometimes it may be slightly sexual, but what isn’t slightly sexual?  So what do you have to say?  This is my statement and I'd love to hear your words. I analyzed your own Bible and your God's words.  Oh, and by the way, might I add that He is against birth control?  WHO IN THEIRE RIGHT MIND IS GOING TO HAVE ALL THOSE CHILDREN???? And He's against mutilation of a body.  Yet, he is a fan of alcohol…He is very contradicting and starting to sound in fact, hypocritical to me…


My Reply:
Honestly, I don't see what your purpose is. Are you trying to justify something you did? Are you trying to justify premarital sexual behavior? What's your purpose? What's your need to know? Why such a venting session on sexual behavior outside of marriage?


You said, "Anything is OK before marriage as long as virginity is in tact".

I think that one of the main problems is when we think of virginity as only physical. Notice, Jesus said that when a man thinks about a woman lustfully, he's sinned against her in his heart. And Paul said that if have sex with a prostitute, we merge our bodies with her. See, sex isn't only intercourse, and virginity can also be lost through oral sex, anal sex, etc. How? Because there's more going on than bodily sharing, and such intimacy was created only for a married couple.


When you have sex with somebody, there's more than emotional intimacy. You're also sharing your whole self with that person, and such an awesome experience was meant only for a married couple. Why? Because God created and designed it as a blessing to be shared in a committed relationship that was blessed by God. 


The next problem is when a couple who's not married wants to experience even a small part of this blessing outside of marriage. You know that annoying game siblings play where they're told not to touch the other? The parent says this so that nobody hits the other or whatever. So what's the other one do? They get as close to them as possible, totally in their face, maybe even centimeters from touching them, and claim, "I'm not touching you." True, they're not touching, but the reason for the rule in the first place was not to keep them from touching, but to keep them out of trouble.


God told us to only experience the awesome blessing and gift of sexual contact with our spouses. But our emotions, adrenaline, feelings, hopes, imaginations, hormones, etc. often take over and we want to do other things similar to what we were told not to do. So instead of having intercourse, we do other stuff (like fondling, licking, sucking, caressing private areas, etc.), and then we justify our actions by saying that there's nothing in the rule book saying we can't.

You seem really upset at God...have you told Him all this yourself? If not, why not? Try asking God these questions. Will He answer? Maybe not in the way you expect or hope, but He'll answer, and when He does, you'll know it.


Go on...even in the tone of voice you used in this question. Yell, "God..." Heck, He's God...He can take anything you dish out. And maybe the reason you haven't gotten your answer yet, the one you really want or need to hear, is because you haven't asked Him.

---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

Do you ever get pissed at Jesus?

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Question:

Do you ever get pissed at Jesus, like when you think about all the death and suffering that has stemmed from "Jesus"?

  

My Reply:

I don't understand the part about it stemming from Jesus, but either way, getting mad at Jesus is OK. Believe it or not, yelling at, cussing out, raising your fist, etc. in anger or frustration can qualify as prayer, for it's communication with God (of course, if you cuss God out, there's no saying how He'll communicate back).  ;)
Check out Psalm 88 sometime and see how David cried out to God in anger and frustration. He really lets God have it! But even his anger soon turned to praise.
Don't be afraid to ask God the hard questions...and no, He doesn't like to be called names, but then, He's God...and He's God enough to take it.

---Pastor Andy