Question:
How can we get restored if we start doing bad things and hanging out with bad friends?

Answer:
James 4:4 – “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

·         Get rid of those friends and look to the Lord for friends that want to follow Jesus.  You cannot help your unsaved friends if you are away from the Lord and need to be restored…so get away from them until you are restored and can minister Christ to them.

·         Repent and read the Bible.

·         Get close to the Lord and follow the leading of His Spirit instead of being led by bad friends.

·         We should not try to have things in common with the world, so they will be our friends.  We should be friendly, and show the Lord in our lives, but not be friends with the world.

·         We cannot do these things in our own strength, because Jesus said: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life” (John 6:63). “For the love of Christ constraineth [empowers] us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15).

(Edited)

Question:
How do you know if demons are around you?

Answer:

 Sometimes the presence of demons is very obvious (Mark 5:2-15), but sometimes it can be very hard to detect (2 Corinthians 11:14).  Satan can appear as appealing and sly, trying to sway your judgment.  The best way to detect the presence of a demon would be to ask the person what they think of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 John 1:7 – “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” 

Question:
Where is Satan now?

Answer:

Satan is here on the earth and in the sky: Ephesians 2:2  – “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”

He is powerful, but believers on Christ have the Spirit of God dwelling in them so they have the promise of 1 John 4:4 to enable to resist him: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

(Edited).

 

Question:

Would the devil experience the same pain and suffering in hell as the non-believer?

Answer:

No. The Lord tells us in Luke 12:47 that there are different degrees of suffering in hell: “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” But the devil’s suffering will be far worse than any unbeliever’s torment could possibly be, because he has sinned longer for he has sinned since before God put our first parents, Adam and Eve, on the earth!

Though no one will be in hell until Christ comes to earth as Judge and the first two occupants in the Lake of Fire are the beast and the false prophet (Revelation 19:20), yet every unbeliever and the devil will be in hell for all eternity, as the Lord tells us: “into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched” (Mark 9:43-48).

The Scriptures tell us that all angels (including the devil—who is an angel), were created to serve God and His people (Matthew 4:10; Hebrews 1:14). Of the devil, who is called Satan, we are told that he was “the anointed cherub” (the archangel) from the time he was created (Ezekiel 28:14, 15). God created the angels before He created the earth (Job 38:4-7). But iniquity was found in Satan when he said: “‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.’ Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit” (Isaiah 14:14, 15). This is why hell was prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

 

The devil in the form of a snake deceived our first mother, Eve, and sin came into the world and death by sin (Romans 5:12). Christ came into the world as a man in order to save human beings: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14, 15).

Although the devil is not now in hell (the Lake of fire), hell will be his final place of everlasting torment: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10) (Edited).

Question:
Romans 12:3.  Just exactly how ought we to think of ourselves? 

Answer:

“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith.  Be not highminded, but fear” (Romans 11:20).  The given verse has a lot to say about how we should think of ourselves:  “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).  One person, during the discussion, also cautioned us not to think too lowly of ourselves also.  We are masterpieces from the hand of God, and He has given all of us powerful spiritual gifts that can be used mightily in His service.

Question:

Romans 12:2.  What are some of the ways we need to have our minds renewed or reprogrammed when we become Christians? 

Answer:

Prayer and reading the Bible are the most obvious answers, and their effects are also the most powerful!  We also must be careful with non-Christian friends.  Completely separating ourselves is probably not the best answer, but we must balance and limit our time with them.  “I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil”  (John 17:15).

Question:
Romans 12:21.  What are some ways in which we might overcome evil with good?

Answer:

For one thing, we can start trusting God’s promises now before trials come our way.  “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).  “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil:  but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39).  “And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain” (Matthew 5:41).

Question:
Romans 12:21.  What are some ways in which we might be overcome with evil?

Answer:

Someone said something that stuck in my mind: “The opposite of love is not hate.  The opposite of love is apathy.”  Based on this, not letting our light shine is one way of being overcome with evil.  In addition, whenever we are swallowed by vengeance or let selfishness rule our actions, we are not allowing good to reign in our bodies.  Again, since the opposite of love is apathy, simply doing nothing is a great way to be overcome with evil!

Question:
Romans 12:16.  What does “be of the same mind one toward another” mean?

Answer:

“And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law… I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you” (1 Corinthians 9:20,22,23).  In following the instructions in this verse, we would be completely erasing our pride for the benefit of the gospel.  “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons” (James 2:1).  People know when we are being condescending, and that attitude can tarnish our testimony.  All of this does not mean that we’re okay with what anyone thinks, but it does get rid of selfish pride.

Question:
Romans 12:14.  What are some ways we can bless those who persecute us? 

Answer:

Some ideas that were brought up were bringing meals, not holding a grudge, and helping them in whatever way we can.  The one that hit home for me was that we should be praying sincerely for our enemies.  On a good day, I might quickly pray for someone by name that I don’t especially enjoy, but I very rarely pray sincerely for that person!  Just passing quickly over them in a prayer isn’t good enough; it’s not a duty that we have to quickly fulfill and then move on.  We should be praying sincerely from our heart knowing that God loves them so much!  “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

Question:

Is anger sin?

Answer:

Sometimes.  “Be ye angry, and sin not” (Ephesians 4:26).  “God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11).  He is also merciful when they come to Him.  God is just and holy.  The Israelites killed nations to take the Promised Land.  Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.  These are results of sin.  “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25).  The penalty of sin is death.  The nation of Ninevah repented and was spared.  Jesus came to save sinners.  Jesus got mad at the sellers in the temple.  They were cheating the people.  Jesus didn’t lose control.

 

Gary sat by someone on the plane with a huge ring.  It looked like a Super Bowl ring.  In an interview on the TV program “60 Minutes” with Tom Brady (NFL quarterback), he mentioned that though he has 3 Super Bowl rings, he knows there’s something more out there for him than just rings.  He said he doesn’t know what that is.  “What would you say to Tom Brady?”  Psalm 107:9 says, “He satisfies the longing soul.”  “What would a man profit if gained the whole world but lost his soul?” (See Luke 9:25.)  Don’t be distracted with the world.  Jesus values your soul so much that He died for you.  “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Question:

Why was God sorry He made Saul king?

Answer:

“The Lord repented that He had made Saul king over Israel” (1 Samuel 15:35).

Repent means to change one’s mind.  God is all knowing.  God does not repent in that He changes His mind but was sorrowful that Israel wanted a king.  He was sorry that sin was in the world.

Question:

If the Romans had already written how Jesus was going to die and described the Saviour in their prophecies, why is it that the Jews did not read the prophecy and see that Jesus was the Son of God?

Answer:

Actually, it was not the Romans who were used to write the Word of God, but Jewish people.  The Scriptures did speak of the birth of the Lord Jesus (Micah 5:2). It spoke of His life (Isaiah 53:2).  It spoke of His death (Psalm 22).  It also spoke of how the Jewish people would reject Him (Isaiah 53:3).  It was not that the people could not see that Jesus was the Son of God, but that they would not see Him as the Son of God.

Question:

What would people say if you asked them who Jesus is?

Answer:

– Son of God             – the Man Upstairs   – my Saviour and my God

The answer should be that He is our Saviour.  We need a relationship with God, need sins to be gone, trust Jesus as Saviour and receive eternal life.  Jesus paid for it.  It is free for us.  If you believe the gospel and call on Him, you’ll be saved, a child of God.

 

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5, 6).

Question:
Has the importance of virginity been downgraded as an important factor in the world today in a Christian’s walk with Christ?

Answer:

Yes, the importance of keeping one’s self pure before marriage has certainly undergone much criticism and mockery.  The Scriptures are very clear that one should abstain from sexual intimacy until marriage. (Read 1 Corinthians 7:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3,4; Hebrews 13:4.)  Although today’s attitude towards the value and preciousness of one’s virginity has changed, we must realize the unchangeableness of God and His Word.  “I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6).

Question:

If you are a sinner, does God answer your prayers?  Does God always hear you if you find yourself distant from God?

Answer:

“Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth” (John 9:31).  If one refuses to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour, does it not seem strange that this person would pray and make requests from the Lord?  The Lord will not hear that person’s prayers.  While the Lord may bless a sinner as a response to a believer’s prayer (such as a parent praying for the safe-keeping of their unsaved child), the Lord does not respond to the prayers of one who has rejected His gift of grace.  The Lord will always hear the prayer of a believer if two conditions are met.  First, the request must be according to His will (read 1 John 5:14).  A Spirit-led prayer will always be “according to His will.”  Secondly, if we continue in sin, our fellowship with the Lord is affected and may cause Him to not hear our prayers (read Psalm 66:18).

Question:

Why is it that some people’s faith gets wishy-washy every now and then?  Why do you feel like abandoning the faith when things are not working out for you at the moment?  I know the Bible says that your heart gets harder when you are drawn away and get enticed by your own desires, but how can one’s heart get harder for something else when he or she has been faithful to God for a long time?

Answer:

“And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31).

The Lord’s guidance and warning to believers is that we take up our cross daily and that we die daily.  The life of the believer is one of constant dependence, denial, and putting to death the desires of the flesh.  When we were saved, our flesh (our natural desires) was not changed at all.  Our flesh will always want to have its way…no matter how long we have been saved.  We must “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

Question:
How would you really know if a person’s life is really changed?

Answer:

While only God can see the heart and “the Lord knoweth them that are His” (2 Timothy 2:19), we discern a true change of heart in a person by the new life that is now exhibited in his or her actions and desires. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20).

Question:
How many chapters and verses are in the Bible?

Answer:

It was pointed out that Psalm 118:8 is the “middle verse” of the Bible.  It was also pointed out that the chapter and verse number is also the number of chapters in the Bible: 1188.  What does the middle verse of the Bible say?  Look it up!!!

Question:
How many books were in the Bible in the time of Jesus?

Answer:

Today, we have 39 books in the Old Testament.  These are the same books that were in existence in the days of the Lord on the earth.  While the books may have been separated differently than what we have today (1 & 2 Samuel were probably one book, etc.) the content is the same as what we have today.

Question:

I want to know who made the Bible.

Answer:

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets” (Hebrews 1:1).

Question:

If you are a Christian, but one day you commit suicide, will you still go to Heaven?

Answer:

No clear thinking person would ever commit suicide.  If someone is in a deep depression, it could greatly affect his/her thinking…even to the point of giving up and thinking there is no way out.  People such as Elijah and Jonah became depressed, possibly suffering from depression.  Both expressed a desire to die.  If a true believer should take his own life, there is great comfort in knowing this person would go to be with the Lord.  While we need to realize this is sin, and something that the Lord does not want, we still have the promise of His Word that, “…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Question:

How did God get here?

Answer:

Although everything we can see and touch has a beginning and an end, God is not like that.  In fact, He IS the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8).  As we read from Psalm 90:2: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.”

Question:

Name one word that describes the Lord.

Answer:

Wonderful, awesome, perfect, magnificent, grace, love, peace.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and His name [singular] shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Question:

Is it a privilege to be a servant of the Lord?

Answer:

Yes!  The Lord puts His people into “the body of Christ” (which is composed of every believer) where He wants us to use the gift/gifts He has given us: “Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7).

Matthew 25:14-30 talks about 2 servants who are faithful but then one who is lost, wicked, and lazy.  This is a picture of Jesus in heaven and how He left us gifts to serve Him.  We should not neglect the gift the Lord gave us but we should use it.

Invest the talent the Lord has given you.  Don’t be afraid to share with people.  Peter made a mistake and cut off a soldier’s ear trying to protect Jesus.  We may make some mistakes as well, but just as Jesus healed the soldier’s ear and fixed Peter’s mistake, He is able to fix our mistakes.  A wise man may fall 7 times…and rise again (Proverbs 24:16).

Question:

If your mom says, ‘Clean your room,’ what does that mean?

Answer:

Do it now or get in trouble: “ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—this is the first commandment with a promise: “so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth” (Ephesians 5:1-3, NRSV).

Jesus said you must be born again (John 3:7).  To refuse Jesus Christ is to disobey God. 

God gave you directions: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:22).

Question:

What proof do we have that we have been born again?

Answer:

Faith.  “Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Everyone that loves is born of God (1 John 4:7).  Start loving our brothers and sisters.  We are children of God by faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26). 

The Bible is our proof.  “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). 

If we believe on Him, we will not perish.  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

A sign that you have been born again is a desire to have the sincere milk of the Word of God—hunger for the Word and wanting to share it: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:2, 3).

Also, the Spirit of God reveals sins and bad habits: “And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. And He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us” (1 John 3:23, 24).

Reading the Bible will make you happy:  “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:10, 11). “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper” (Psalm 1:1-3, NRSV).

Question:

In 1 Corinthians 14:34 it says, “Let your women keep silent in the churches (NKJV),” and in 1 Timothy 2:11,12 it says they are to “learn in silence.” So should girls be taking part in young people’s meetings?

Answer:
Yes, because we need to learn and understand more and we don’t have husbands to go and talk to. While some of us may have fathers to go to, what it says in 1 Corinthians 14:35 is, “If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church (NIV).” The Young People’s Meetings aren’t really ‘the church’ and they’re there for us to ask questions about topics or different things that we don’t understand so that is why I would have to say, “Yes.”

Question:

Since in 1 Corinthians 11:5, 6 women are told to cover their heads when they pray or prophesy, then why don’t they cover their heads at mealtimes or when they pray before they go to bed?

Answer:

Because it is the property in worship, what is supposed to be done while in God’s house/church. It does not say that it must be done all the time but it is how it should be done during worship.

The following has been added by Editor:

The Spirit of God gives instruction about head covering in 1 Corinthians 11:1-16. In verse 3 we are told what man’s place is in creation apart from the effects of sin:

“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” This verse declares the headship God has set up, of God to Christ, Christ to man, and man to woman.

The following verses tell us how God desires that this headship is shown:

“Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman that prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven” (1 Corinthians 11:4 & 5). Man is not to cover his head when praying or when the Word of God presented, and the woman is to cover her head when praying or when the Word of God is presented.  

This portion also mentions that angels are watching in verse 10 (because they are learning God’s truth through God’s people). The reason they are watching is: “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” (Ephesians 3:10).

Some Christian men seeking to please the Lord do not cover their heads when prayer or prophesying is made, and some Christian women do cover their heads when prayer is given before eating and before going to bed, etc. The above Scriptures direct to do this.

However, we also know that this order is especially desired by God of His people when they are gathered unto Christ, when “two or three are gathered unto His Name” to represent the truth of the “one body” of all believers. When they “are” gathered by the Spirit of God which He does through the Word of God, Christ promises: “there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). The reason we know that God wants the instruction about showing the truth He has set up about headship when praying or prophesying especially in the assembly, is because at the close of the instruction in 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 we are told: “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God” (verse 16).

Therefore for the man to not cover his head and the woman to cover her head when there is praying or prophesying, especially in the gathering of the assembly is very important to Christ and also to God, because this is the way God desires His people to proclaim glory to Christ as being their Head!

Question:

If you have a significant other, how do you get them to be saved when their parents are atheists?

Answer:

Live Christ in front of your friend.  Show Christ in your actions; speak of Christ from His Word.

We should also be careful of letting a romantic relationship with an unbeliever continue.  Often, we get carried away with our emotions and feel powerless to stop our feelings of love and affection for one who may be lost.  We cannot let a relationship develop and “hope” the other person will get saved. 

2 Corinthians 6:14: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”