Archive for the 'Big Questions (2007)' Category

The Second Coming: Is the World on the Road to Ruin?

Today’s scripture is Matthew 24:36-44.
“Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. [...]

 
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How Can I Understand the Trinity?

Today’s scripture is John 15:26-27, 16:12-15.
“[The Holy Spirit] will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.  All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” – John 16:14-15
What is the Trinity?  Can 1+1+1=1?  [...]

 
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Is there a heaven or hell? Are they physical places?

Today’s scripture is Luke 16:19-31.
“The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.  In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.” – Luke 16:22-23
Do heaven and hell exist?  If [...]

 
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How Much Should We Forgive?

Today’s scripture is Matthew 18:21-35.
“Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me?  Seven times?’
‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven.’”
Does God really expect us to forgive like that?   Won’t that make me a doormat or an enabler of someone caught in sin?

 
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How much does God protect us?

Today’s scripture is Luke 12:4-7
“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!  Are not five sparrows [...]

 
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How do we know how much to give financially?

Today’s scripture is Malachi 3:6-12.
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” -Malachi 3:10
How can [...]

 
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What about other religions? Is There Good in Them?

Today’s scripture is Psalm 19.
“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.  Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words [...]

 
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How Do We Get Into Heaven?

Today’s scripture is Ephesians 2:4-10 and James 2:14-20.
In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God - not the result of works, so that no one may boast.”  That sounds clear.  But then in James 2:24,  James [...]

 
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How Can I Tell When God Is Speaking or Acting?

Today’s scripture is 1 John 4:1-6.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
If God is indeed speaking and acting in the world, how can we tell what is God and what isn’t?  In [...]

 
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Do We Still Have Spiritual Gifts?

Today’s scripture is 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the [...]

 
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How Can God Allow Incredible Suffering?

“If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering.” - II Corinthians 1:6
Knowing that God can use our suffering to console others helps, but is there any [...]

 
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Did Everything Change Between the Old and New Testaments?

Today’s Word is Isaiah 55:1-12.
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD.  ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NRSV)
Did God change between the Old and New Testaments?  What was [...]

 
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How Can We Interpret the Bible

Today’s scripture is 2 Timothy 3:13-4:4.
“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.”
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17, NRSV
How can we interpret the Bible?  Are there principles that will help?  [...]

 
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