Ask a Bible Teacher

Asking For a Lethal Disease

Published: June 20, 2016
Q

Is it a sin and an offense to the Lord if I ask Him for some lethal disease? I know He doesn’t give out diseases (rather His enemy). But somewhere the Bible says that the righteous perish early and nobody notices it and they do not understand that the Lord carried him away to spare from this world’s evil things and this life’s pains. Our blessed hope is the rapture but what if this is many years away and everything just gets worse?

Once I pondered on this how would it feel to come to know that I have cancer or any incurable lethal disease and I felt joyful expectancy, gladness and so much looseness from this life’s cares, that I will be in heaven with Him soon and that “soon” is very certain. Of course maybe I would feel fear from death too. At times I ask for this in prayer but as in other things in that too I ask Him for His will!

I don’t want to offend the Lord. Please tell me if is this legitimate to ask for in prayer.


To Teach Or Not To Teach

Published: June 20, 2016
Q

I am an adult Sunday School teacher. I read my Bible just about every day. I pray to God that my lesson each week will glorify Him, and I ask for His help when preparing my lessons.

When I started teaching over a year ago, I had support rather than criticism. Now it seems some in my class would rather criticize me than support me. My husband who is in my class said my lessons are great, and not to worry about trying to please everyone.

I have always gotten my facts right when teaching, but I made a mistake a couple of weeks ago. A man in my class corrected this mistake and I thanked him. But now that one mistake is being criticized by many. In fact during our revival, one man stood up and gave praise to a woman who used to be the adult Sunday School teacher who was visiting our church that evening. Then he made the remark, if you have a question about the Bible, call her, she really knows her Bible…..it was a direct attack on me for having messed up.

I feel at this time I have no alternative but to quit teaching the adults. Its a shame though, because I love teaching the adults, and spend about 10 hours each week in preparing the lessons because I enjoy it so much. Also, no one else at the church wants to teach. But, when I tried to prepare the lesson this week, I can’t get the criticism off my mind, and my heart is no longer into teaching this group at the church.


Can You Identify My Spiritual Gift?

Published: June 20, 2016
Q

I am a born again Christian and have been since 1988. I have been given a gift but no one has been able to tell me what it is. Maybe you can help.

God shows me things that are either going to happen after he has taken his own away, or sometimes things that will happen in a few hours or a few days.

I have asked many pastors and people who know the Bible about where mine fits? What can one call this gift that I have?

Oh, and this gift only it works when God wants it to, and not on a regular basis, just every once in a great while. Its’ like I`m watching a movie in my head, but am awake while doing other thing like house work or taking a walk. I just stop when it happens until it ends. So what would you call this?


Best Of Both Worlds?

Published: June 20, 2016
Q

I have been following this “Once Saved Always Saved” discussion on the website the past few months. I think this issue causes most of the confusion in our lives, because we all know somebody that claims to be saved once, but does not live up to it…

I’ve seen that you quoted Eph. 1:13-14 to confirm the statement “once saved always saved”. Well, I think it is wonderful for scripture to state such a graceful thing, but what about the following:

1) My sister was born again when she was 10 years old, but now when she is 25 years old she believes in reincarnation, there is no hell, the Bible is not all true, and that homosexuality is perfectly normal, but still believes in a God and a Jesus. She believes what she finds acceptable to believe.

2) My bother who was born again when he was about 12 years old, just turned 21 and his way of living doesn’t confirm his beliefs… he is partying, drinking, smoking and swearing, but still goes to church every Sunday.

According to your point of view, my brother and sister will still go to heaven despite their lifestyles and beliefs… So they are having the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS…some people will say. Can you please add some clarity to this confusion please? I would like to hear your opinion on this.


Denying God

Published: June 17, 2016
Q

My friend has accused me, and I admit I’m guilty as charged, of believing in the Hebrew God, Jesus and the Bible without considering every possible alternative god, theory, or ancient writing. He seems to think there any many Christian-like writings that preceded the Bible and therefore detract from its uniqueness.

I’ve tried to sum it all up for him with a bible based world view, and the need to be born again and sealed with the Holy spirit to be led to all truth but he thinks its a intellectual cop out. I don’t want to give up on him, but it may have to come to that point as everything is “yes, but …” for him. The one final thing I’m looking to provide for him is the uniqueness of Jesus. What He did that no one else or no other created entity or “god” could have done.


A Perfect Body?

Published: June 17, 2016
Q

When we are raised (or raptured) and given the perfect bodies, will we be able to sin? Will we have the capacity for it or even the conception of it? Or even temptation? Thank you so much for answering questions, and may God bless you a thousand times!


The Best Study Method?

Published: June 17, 2016
Q

I have been following you for such a long time; and finally decided to ask a question I’ve long wondered about. You have become such an expert on answering scripture related questions; and I trust and respect your wisdom. Would you share with me the technique (method) you find most helpful in studying the Word? I’ve tried several methods and have lots of reference books, but still don’t seem to have a handle on the best way. I, too, believe time is short; and I want to learn all I can while I’m still here.


Do Jewish People Go To Heaven When They Die?

Published: June 13, 2016
Q

When Jewish person die, do they go to heaven or hell? Based on Salvation, I would think they unfortunately would go to hell because they rejected Jesus in their heart and His offer of salvation. However, I know the Jews are God’s chosen people, so sometimes I struggle with would he do that? I just don’t know how much Favor the Jews have with the Lord.


Questions About No One Knows The Day Or The Hour

Published: June 13, 2016
Q

Re: No One Knows The Day Or The Hour I have a couple of questions. I always thought that the tribulation starts with the signing of the peace treaty the anti-christ makes with Israel. Am I wrong? Second, are you saying the Church will be here for the first 3 1/2 years but be gone the last 3 1/2 years? I always thought we would be out of here for the entire 7 years.


Careless Words

Published: June 13, 2016
Q

Last night in our Bible study, we talked about judgment which I have no problems with at all. In regard to it, when we are faithful to confess our sins to God (say on a daily basis) for things we know are wrong such as envy, inappropriate words, hurtful actions, etc, will we be judged on them again when we see the Lord in the future? Since the Bible says we will be judged by every word or action, does this imply we are forgiven now but will be judged later or will God remove our transgressions as far as East is from West?