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The leader of a Bible study I attend uses Listening Prayer exercises in our homework and in her presentations. I have had some major breakthroughs using this form of prayer and feel like I finally have a real two-way relationship with God by listening to Him at the end of my prayer. I ask Him to let me hear only His voice. I have tried to research Listening Prayer, but can’t find much about it. Is it a false teaching?

James 2: 1-13 appears to be an admonition primarily against showing partiality to the rich in any given church. Is there also an underlying principle implied not to show partiality or favoritism in any way, shape or form towards anyone in the Body for any reason (not just the wealthy)?

Every so often I come across a negative statement about Free Masonry. I have a very close Christian friend who is also a Speculative Mason. What is it about the Masons that causes (Religious?) people to be suspicious? hateful? distrustful? Am I reading too much into those negative comments? Thanks and God Bless, I look forward to your questions and answers daily, and I’m learning a lot.

I am currently unemployed and have been for the past 8 months. I currently collect unemployment and am barely making it by right now. I do thank God because it is better than nothing! I love God and serve Him to the best of my ability and do desire more of Him but I find myself being really frustrated with Him as of late.

You see, I am a tither and have been so obediently and faithfully for years. I have no problem with tithing, in fact, it has become automatic and satisfying for me when I recieve my check to give back a tenth of what I have been blessed with. Even tithing the tenth of what I receive from unemployment.

One of my desires (when I get more money) is to consistently give more (over and beyond tithing) for the advancement of the kigdom of God and to organizations/causes that support poor children in the poorest nations of the world like Haiti. But last night, in my frustration, I had a heart to heart with God and asked Him why am I still going through what I am going through? Why wasn’t I prospering? I feel like I am lacking, stuck and not moving.

I have even received prophetic words from men of God telling me that my situation getting ready to change (and they even said by certain dates). And I believe what was said and stood on what was said because I believe the Lord says to believe in His prophets so that you may prosper. But many of the specified dates and time has come and gone with NO CHANGE! Which naturally causes me to become discouraged. Maybe I am not understanding right regarding tithing? Your insight is greatly appreciated.

From the Parable of the Sower, is being fruitful referring to the nine Spiritual fruits born in our character? Do ‘deeds’ or ‘good works’ then have to follow ‘fruits’? At the believers’ judgment for rewards, will our Lord judge us on works or fruits or are they both the same thing? Thanks for your help.

Throughout my life as a Christian, I was always taught that the Body of Christ was made up of all born-again believers. But lately, I’ve been hearing some pastors are teaching that the Body of Christ refers only to members of a local church. I’ve read the scriptures they use to justify this teaching, for example 1 Corinthians 12:27: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” I’m confused and upset, since I’m disabled and can rarely attend church. I would greatly appreciate any insight you can provide.

I have a question for you regarding ‘the fruit of the Spirit’. Jesus said we would recognize Christians in the same way as we would recognize a good tree – because it bears good fruit. As Christians though, we continue to sin and constantly bear ‘bad fruit’ – easily recognizable by our un-Christlike behavior. Does this mean that we are not truly saved or born of the Spirit?

After you are saved and when the Bible refers to works, what “works” is talking about? Is it just reading your bible, praying, going to church, or is it like being a witness or doing something kind for others? And then what is “fruit”? Is it the fruit of the spirit?

I used to hold to the pre-trib position simply because I was taught it and given a few “fine threads” of “evidence?” After wiping the slate clean and letting Scripture speak, I have come to the conclusion that there are too many problems and passages I can’t explain if I hold to that view. For example, I was taught that 2 Thessalonians 2:7 which is often used to “prove” the rapture since “the one restraining is taken away” must be the rapture of the church. The problem with that is the verb translated “taken away” doesn’t mean that at all, it’s the verb ginomai which is never translated “taken away”. It always refers to birth, or coming into existence. What do you say in response to this?

Question, both Mattew and Luke talk about “Judge not and you will not be judged” but we are to inspect for good fruit, right? I have a sister that I try to witness to but she makes me feel guilty because of this. She is a great person but used to be part of a church that thinks everyone is going to heaven.