Today we being to explore some questions that people have wrestled with and I am going to share how they found their own answers and comfort in God’s word. Two Bible verses helped this person. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”...
- Why does God require me to “surrender all” to Him? Why is this so hard for me to do?- I believe that what God want’s us to surrender to Him is our selfish, sinful will. Sin creates a distance between God and us. God has a plan for our life, which is much better than our own. The Bible tells us, “For I know the plans I have for... 
- Why is prayer such hard work? What are ways that I can grow in relating to God in prayer?- God did not intend for prayer to be complicated. He desires to talk with us, but this is a challenging concept. For many, the idea that an all-powerful unseen God has the time or desire to listen to us is hard to grasp. Maybe we are intimidated by “prayer... 
- I have prayed a lot about my struggle with “X (sin)” but God has not taken my desire away. Why isn’t my prayer working?- This is an interesting question. We must first ask ourselves if the sin we ask for help with is something we secretly still desire in our hearts. The apostle Paul struggled with this also. He tells us, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I... 
- Why am I supposed to go to church? I can worship God in my own way better.- If you feel this way, I must admit there was also a time when I did. Sunday was my time, and I had better things to do than spend it in church. After many years of this selfish thinking, I now understand that God desires us to journey through this... 
- Why does God permit suffering in the Christian Life?- Today, I will begin a new series of Faith Journey questions and reflections. Over the coming weeks, I will offer some brief perspectives on various questions that I have encountered myself or have been asked by others. I hope this series is helpful to you. Today’s is probably one of... 
- Mentoring and Discipleship – Part 5 (Final)- The most effective changes in a person’s life come from an interaction of three places. First, is the person growing, second is God, and third are spiritual mentors. When we lead someone in their spiritual journey, it is essential to remember that growth is personal. We need to recognize where... 
- Mentoring and Discipleship – Part 4- God is glorified when we live by Jesus’s teachings and lead others to the Gospel message of redemption. Salvation is not a reward for good things we might have done but a gift for those who love Him. The good we do as a new being redeemed in Christ is... 
- Mentoring and Discipleship – Part 3- When we start a small group in our church, it is typically made up of two couples. That is not a requirement, just the dynamic as it happens here. One of the keys to a discipling relationship is time. We must spend time getting to know one another, understanding each... 
- Mentoring and Discipleship – Part 2- Willard notes that “feelings are a primary blessing and a primary problem for human life.”[1] We live in a society overwhelmed with how people feel, and many allow the need for feelings and emotions to be satisfied to drive them. Anger, fear, sex, and appearance have become gods in people’s... 
