Christian Questions Bible Podcast

Life can get heavy sometimes. It can happen for all kinds of reasons – our own poor judgment or mistakes, circumstances beyond our control, accidents or a tragedy. Whatever the reason, the fact is that sometimes life just becomes a heavy burden. When life does get heavy we begin to doubt and to fear, which opens the door to begin down that ever-consuming road of discouragement and even depression. So, how do we fight this? How do we find a formula that will help us to stand up and walk under the weight, to fight through the fear and to persevere through the pain? How can we transform the heaviest experiences of our lives into the best growing experiences of our lives?
The first and perhaps most important part of the answer to this question is that it is possible – it is possible to transform our heaviest, hardest and most ominous experiences into the fertile ground of acceptance, growth and change.  To make this transformation happen, we need a specific pattern to follow, and it just so happens that this pattern is neatly laid out for us in the first chapter of James.  Verse two of James 1 shocks us into paying attention to what is about to follow:
James 1:2: (NASB) Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials...
Now, on the surface this may not seem unusual as it seems that James is telling us to consider – to think about a different perspective – to try on a different way of thinking.  Well, as is so often the case there is much lost in translation here.  You see, to “consider” in this particular context carries the meaning of “fix in your mind as truth” an absolute statement of perspective rather than a mere idea or suggestion.  So if we were to paraphrase this seemingly benign statement to try and really capture its meaning, I think it would sound more like; fix in your mind as truth that it is a cause for calm delight (joy) when you encounter (are surrounded with) various trials (various ways of being proven). 
Now, let’s be practical...who in their right mind is going to have calm delight when their life is falling apart?  Actually, to really be practical, the question needs to be rephrased.  We should rather ask; who would like to know that when their life seems to be falling apart, there really are powerful and positive reasons behind it and the end result will be amazing beyond their comprehension?  You see, this is what James is driving at – this is how he is getting our attention!
Please check out our June 26, 2016 broadcast entitled, “How do You Stand When Life gets too Heavy?” and see how to fill in the process James lays out for us to bear the heaviest burdens of our lives.  It is a truly remarkable journey that has the potential to take your burdens, reveal their blessings and give you the strength to carry them - and who doesn’t want that?

To figure out how important the substance of what we believe is, we really need to go back before the varied traditions of Christian thinking developed to the time when the original messengers of the Gospel were on the scene.  That would be the twelve Apostles and what we find there is telling.  For instance, the Apostle Paul, while in prison and knowing that he was near his death, wrote a touching and profound letter to Timothy, a young man who Paul considered to be his spiritual son.  In this letter, Paul tells Timothy that he is almost spent and that Timothy would have to step up and become a leader within the young and vibrant Christian movement.  Paul encourages, directs and warns Timothy about what is to come and even gives what would probably have been a surprising prophecy about the future of Christianity.
The Apostle’s prophecy is short, simple and direct.  He said there will come a time when they – many who are operating within the confines of the name of Christ - would not endure sound doctrine and instead would be looking to hear only those things that they wanted to hear.  Paul is saying there would be a rampant epidemic of selfish ambition, laziness and mediocrity that would permeate the church.  This would result in those who are coming to learn and be transformed ending up being those whom church leaders would seek to please and prop up.   In other words, the sound and solid foundation of the true Gospel teachings delivered by Paul and the Apostles would be replaced (subtly at first) with pagan and idolatrous thinking and activity which would lead to Christianity becoming "unchristian."
We live in the very day the Apostle Paul prophesied about.  That means we each need to look around our own Christian environment and ask ourselves, what do I believe a Christian life should look like?  Is my belief in accordance with the original Gospel or has it been hijacked by convenience and popularity?  What do I believe is God’s plan for the world?  Is my belief in accordance with the original Gospel or has it been hijacked by tradition and fear?  Check out our June 19, 2016 broadcast, “Is What You Believe That Big of a Deal?” because what you believe IS a big deal!
 

…But do you trust me? Such a question pierces right down to the heart of any matter, for true trust is sacred. Any relationship - be it family, friends, business or otherwise - will thrive when trust is intact. With trust, growth, change and the conquering of obstacles are all not only possible but probable. With trust there is security. When trust is broken – and it can be broken in an instant with a single word or action – any relationship is headed for shipwreck upon the rocks of disappointment and despair. Rebuilding after such a shipwreck is a long and difficult process. So, how can we learn to trust the right things in a deep and secure fashion?
"Trust" according to Merriam Webster Online Dictionary means, "assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something."  Think about it – trust is not just relying on someone or something; it is assured reliance, a reliance that is deep and convicted, a reliance that has no doubts.  God through Jesus is unequivocally trustworthy - unequivocally worthy of our assured reliance - and to learn to have this kind of trust in Him will absolutely change your life...so how do we learn it?
The Old and New Testaments have different shades of meaning for trust.  In the Old Testament, trust is described in a very physical way, as its meaning is to flee for protection or to hide for refuge.  So, when you have serious issues in life that cause stress or cause you to need to find safety and security, you go to the person or place you believe will absolutely cover and protect you from danger – you go to the person or place you implicitly trust.
The New Testament describes trust very much in the context of hope and persuasion.  That might sound odd until we think it through.  Trust is hope in that as we look to the future in the context of this very unsettled world, we need to have something to anchor our souls.  The Bible’s teaching and prophecies provide us that anchor, for they give us solid reason to hope for – to have utter confidence in – to trust the future, because if God revealed it, then it will in fact come to pass.  To hope, to truly look forward with convicted hope, is therefore to trust.
Persuasion is trust as well, for when we are persuaded of something, when we are shown the proof and clarity of something to the point of our adopting it as a basis for our life, we have then put trust into play.  To be persuaded is to trust.
Now that we know what trust looks like, how can it in a very practical way become an integral part of our lives? Check out our June 12, 2016 broadcast entitled, “How do We Learn to Truly Trust?” and see how the Bible not only gives us living examples of trust being developed, it also shows us how to step-by-step make trust real and vital in our lives!

It turns out that someone has not only already asked that question but answered it as well.  Todd Alexander was our guest for the June 5, 2016 broadcast titled, “How can I Inspire Like Jesus?” and he brought his answers with him.
We began our conversation by reviewing the depth of inspiration that Jesus gave and then began to look at how he did it.  Now, obviously being the perfect son of God put Jesus in a natural position to be inspiring, but there was much more to it than that.  Jesus used seven very specific methods to inspire others, and by observing how he used them, we can we can begin to unlock the secrets of being inspirational ourselves.
The first key is “Question.”  Now, that may seem a little odd, but stay with me.  Jesus would ask questions to create a thought or a thought pattern in the hearts of potential followers.  By asking a question instead of declaring a truth, Jesus actually gave ownership of whatever the lesson was that he was teaching to the potential disciple, and when we own something we tend to take better care of it.  So, questions really can be tools to guide others and to lift them up to a higher level of thinking.  In short, questions can really inspire.  We just need to make sure the questions we ask are for the benefit and betterment of those we are addressing, otherwise our results will be far from inspiring.
The second key is “Love.”  Because “God is love,” this key to inspiration can actually bring the recipient of our expression of love to catch a glimpse of the face of God through us!  Just thinking about that is inspiring!  Remember, we as Christians are to love all men and that includes our enemies, so while thinking about implementing this key is exciting, it is certainly not without its challenges.
Keys three through seven?  No time for those now, but that does not mean they do not have the same potential impact as the first two.  Please check out our June 5, 2016 broadcast titled, “How can I Inspire Like Jesus?” and give yourself the full opportunity to not only be inspired but to learn how to pass on true, deep and transformational inspiration to others!

Inspiration elevates people. Everyone loves inspiration and wants to be inspired. We love to hear or watch stories that bring us inspiration, and we will go back to those stories again and again to refuel. Even more than going back to those stories, we would love to be inspiring to others – we would love to be that story that people go back to again and gain. Jesus was like that. He was a constant source of inspiration in everything he said and did, and for the last two thousand years, billions have gone back to the accounts of his life to be inspired and directed. Well, what if you could learn how Jesus inspired others and begin to become an inspiration yourself?
It turns out that someone has not only already asked that question but answered it as well.  Todd Alexander was our guest for the June 5, 2016 broadcast titled, “How can I Inspire Like Jesus?” and he brought his answers with him.
We began our conversation by reviewing the depth of inspiration that Jesus gave and then began to look at how he did it.  Now, obviously being the perfect son of God put Jesus in a natural position to be inspiring, but there was much more to it than that.  Jesus used seven very specific methods to inspire others, and by observing how he used them, we can we can begin to unlock the secrets of being inspirational ourselves.
The first key is “Question.”  Now, that may seem a little odd, but stay with me.  Jesus would ask questions to create a thought or a thought pattern in the hearts of potential followers.  By asking a question instead of declaring a truth, Jesus actually gave ownership of whatever the lesson was that he was teaching to the potential disciple, and when we own something we tend to take better care of it.  So, questions really can be tools to guide others and to lift them up to a higher level of thinking.  In short, questions can really inspire.  We just need to make sure the questions we ask are for the benefit and betterment of those we are addressing, otherwise our results will be far from inspiring.
The second key is “Love.”  Because “God is love,” this key to inspiration can actually bring the recipient of our expression of love to catch a glimpse of the face of God through us!  Just thinking about that is inspiring!  Remember, we as Christians are to love all men and that includes our enemies, so while thinking about implementing this key is exciting, it is certainly not without its challenges.
Keys three through seven?  No time for those now, but that does not mean they do not have the same potential impact as the first two.  Please check out our June 5, 2016 broadcast titled, “How can I Inspire Like Jesus?” and give yourself the full opportunity to not only be inspired but to learn how to pass on true, deep and transformational inspiration to others!

Resentment! How dangerous is it? Is there a way to prevent resentment within us? Resentment is a potentially lethal evil that can cause great harm inwardly and toward others. It has the power to enslave us to the past. When we resent people, we give them power over us. Resentment is based on a way of thinking that suggests, I have been wronged or deserve better. It comes from an entitlement or victim-type mentality and it leads to bitterness. How do we avoid this sinful state? How can resentment lead to death?
Our May 29, 2016 broadcast titled, “How Can Resentment Lead To Death?” focused on six related emotions that can cause resentment: Selfishness, Anger, Discontent, Pride, Jealousy and Humiliation. We examined biblical characters who experienced these related emotions to see if they fall into this awful trap of resentment or rise above it. To add to our discussion we took a look at the poem “Gaining Victory Over Self” and discussed how to overcome the emotions that can lead to resentment.
Holding a grudge against someone can harm us and the other person. When we nurture anger, selfishness, and other emotions that lead to resentment, it turns into a concentrated dose of emotional poison! If we don’t get rid of anything related to resentment and we allow this to happen in our heart, it is almost like idolatry! Why - Because we are replacing God in our heart with the resentment instead.
Resentment is something that eats away on the inside of us and we have to be the one to let it go. When resentment and bitterness are a firmly established condition of the heart, it is more difficult to get rid of. We need to weed out resentment so it doesn’t destroy us! It is important to weed out the smaller things, like selfishness, pride, anger etc. before it turns to resentment and creates damage in our own hearts, minds and bodies.
Mark 11:25: (NASB) “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” Forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and to keep it out of our hearts and minds. Forgiveness changes our destination!

The whole idea of being our brother’s keeper comes up very early in the Bible, and it comes up under some really bad circumstances – the murder of Able by his brother Cain. God had watched the circumstances develop that would lead to Cain’s growing rage and God actually intervened with a potential solution. The Bible shows us the thought pattern of Cain – the downward spiral he willingly stepped into and followed rather than following God’s solution. It is a really scary sequence, because it is the all too common spiral of rage that is alive and well today. Cain inevitably chose to ignore God’s direction and followed his own rage instead with the result of a murdered brother. When God rhetorically asks Cain where his brother is (he was laying dead in a field) Cain’s response is the infamous line “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
The answer to that infamous question is a resounding yes! We are to be our brother’s keeper – but what does that really mean? First of all, the word “keeper” literally means “to hedge about, to guard” “generally to protect, to attend to”. So, the first thing to notice is that being our brother’s keeper is much more than just acknowledging or noticing our brother – it means to be protective of him, to work towards his best safety and welfare.
The next thing we need to think about is another really good age old question “Who is my brother?” Who should be on my radar to “protect and defend”? Here again we see that all of humanity is not and should not be treated in the same way by each of us. Whoa, really? Are we saying that we should be discriminating in the way we treat others? Yes – but please remember that the word “discriminating” does not always mean prejudice – it means using wisdom as well!
Think about it – we treat our family in a special way because we have a special physical bond, a commonality with them. We treat our brotherhood in Christ in a special way – similar to family – because we have a special spiritual bond and commonality with them. We treat our neighbors and associates in a different way, in accordance with whatever our common ground is and we treat our enemies differently, because of a lack of commonality.
What do all of these relationships have in common? Love! We are to love all of them. Check out our May 22, 2016 broadcast “Should We be Our Brother’s Keeper?” and see how to apply this “protect and defend” principle in different ways depending on the relationship involved, as it just might make your day!

Equal pay for equal work. When you hear that statement, you think – who wouldn’t think that is a good idea? Who in their right mind would argue against such a thing? Did Jesus teach us a contrary lesson to this principle of equality? When we read the parable of the workers in the vineyard, it sure seems to be teaching that God cares more about playing favorites than about treating people equally. Is that really the lesson that Jesus is teaching here?
Parables are tricky. They are stories designed to teach a point or a principle in picture language. The pictures are taken from everyday life. Back in Jesus’ day farming, fishing household servants and social differences were some of the common denominators that all could relate to and Jesus used these things freely as tools for teaching. The parable of the workers in the vineyard told a common story of a land owner looking for day laborers to work in his vineyard and how he gathered more and more of them throughout the day. What was uncommon in the story was that when the work day ended, the landowner paid all of the laborers the same wage, even though some worked twelve hours and some worked only one. How can this be good, especially if God is represented by the landowner?
Like we said, parables are tricky. The other part of the equation is why – why did Jesus see a need to teach a particular lesson? In the case of this lesson, Jesus was teaching his Apostles about social standing and self importance. What made this parable necessary was that just before it, Jesus had been discussing entering God’s Kingdom with a young, well off and educated Jew. This young man knew, respected and followed the Jewish Law and because he was blessed with wealth, the Apostles thought he was a prime candidate for the kingdom. Jesus read the young man’s heart and saw that he was too attached to his earthly wealth and stature and told him to leave it all behind and follow him. The man could not do it and went away sad. The Apostles who had left all and were already following Jesus figured they were in line for something great. Jesus saw in them some of the same attachment to their standing and stature with him that the wealthy young man had to his riches.
So Jesus taught. He captured their attention with the story and as a result imparted to them a timeless lesson of serving God with humility. While he was at it, Jesus also gave them a prophetic look at how the Gospel would spread throughout the world. It is so much like Jesus to teach more than one thing at a time!
Parables are tricky and because of that, when we figure them out, they are really cool as well! Check out our May 15th 2016 broadcast, “Did Jesus Support Wage Discrimination?” and see how a parable that on the surface seems to support inequity actually teaches the grace and wisdom of God!

We live in a time of great contradiction. There are voices that shout, rant and insist for all in our society to embrace and accept everyone no matter what their choices in life are and no matter what their actions in life may be. Their message in many ways is framed as one of love – love for those who are opposite, love for those who are different. Then there are those like myself who say that while I am willing to accept and love people regardless of their choices, I will not embrace anything I believe is not moral or righteous. I will love the person but not the action. For this I have been called a "hater" by those who preach that you should embrace those who are different than you. Jesus told us to love our enemies, but what exactly does that mean? Am I not loving enough? Do I need to change?
Love your enemies. It is a principle for living that is looked up to and striven for by some and laughed and scorned by others. No matter how you look at it, loving ones enemies is a difficult and rare occurrence because it involves some level of acceptance we are not inclined to want to give.
There is a lot of talk around about accepting and embracing those who are different than you – those who in some ways would represent an enemy or opposition. Not only is there talk, but there is a movement as well – a movement that demands an unequivocal acceptance and embracing of people and their alternative behaviors. At first glance this movement appears to be founded in love and respect for all, and that would certainly be a good thing. The problem arises when those of us, who for the sake of moral belief and conviction, are willing to accept peopl, but not embrace behavior that we deem inappropriate or immoral. It is here where, based on personal experience, we suddenly become enemies who are to be shut down and ridiculed. ...Hardly an example of the very acceptance that this movement claims to preach!
Jesus lived and taught the concept of loving our enemies. He not only told us to love our enemies, he told us to pray for them and even to bless them. Wait a minute. Bless them? How do you bless someone who you think is wrong? How do you bless someone who does evil? How do you bless someone who wants to hurt you? Isn’t this going a little too far?
Our May 8th, 2016 broadcast entitled “Why Should We Love Our Enemies?” focused on these very questions. We not only examined what Jesus was saying about loving our enemies, but we took significant time learning the why and how of what he said. And no surprise, it turns out that in Jesus’ words and actions there are several profound lessons for every day application waiting to be put into practice. Jesus didn’t make loving our enemies an easy task but he did make it a desirable and attainable one.
One lesson that is an important building block for learning to love our enemies is that of blame. Sometimes we think that in order to love our enemies we need to not blame them for wrongs they have committed but this is not right. Blame is not only appropriate it is a necessary step in love. That being said, we need to understand how to blame in a godly way. On top of this we need to learn the other necessary steps that help us to complete the process of loving our enemies. Check out the broadcast and see how loving our enemies can not only work but can enhance our everyday lives!

“I think that God is telling me to look for another job,” or “God wants me to buy this house instead of that one,” or “It’s God’s will that I be happy.”  As Christians, we may have made statements like this and we would assume that anyone making these types of statements has some way to know what God wants for them.  The real question is how do we really know?  Is there a formula or a ritual or a feeling that shows us what God wants for us?  You would think that if God is working with real and true Christians, then he would have a really clear way to show them what He wants.  So, is there a really clear way for us to see God’s will?
This answer, like any answer to really difficult questions, has several moving parts because the subject of God’s will is enormous.  Is God’s will explicit or implicit?  Is His will specific or general?  Does God really care about the mundane parts of our lives - is His will present in the kind of phone we have or the dish washing detergent we buy?
In this broadcast, we tried to simplify and focus the matter.  We began by establishing what God’s will is not. It is not like a dot on a piece of paper - so small and precise that the odds of hitting it are like the odds of nailing the exact center of the bulls-eye on a dart board.  These odds would be slim and frustrating at best.  Rather, God’s will is much more like a circle.  There is room for creativity, diversity and thoughtfulness within this circle because we as Christians are a collection of creative, diverse and free moral beings.
So, if we can picture God’s will as a circle, then the next logical thing to look at is what makes up the borders of that circle.  Are there things (be they principles, actions or morality) that present themselves as definitive guidelines that separate us from being able to operate within or outside of God’s will?  Can we know what these borders are and therefore better know how to keep the scope of our decisions within the "safety zone" of the will of God?
It turns out the answer is yes.  There are many clear and concise scriptural guidelines that define what kinds of decisions would be within the scope of God’s will and what kinds of decisions are wandering around outside those protective borders.  Check out our May 1st, 2016 program “How do You Know What God Wants You to Do?” and see if it can help to define and hone the relationship between God’s will and your decisions.