Q&A
PCD answers for this week.
February 8, 2025
1. Pastor thank you for your inspirational word and messages. Could you please pray for me. Struggling with porn and gambling. I believe in God and are reborn but sometimes it feels if i am two persons. I need help and prayer.
Answer: I will certainly be praying for you. Addictions have become a serious problem in this world. We hear all too often of people losing their families, friends and even sometimes their lives over the terrible effects that addictions have.
You will find comfort by going to God in prayer and asking for His help in overcoming. The answer may not come immediately, but the Bible is full of promises that God hears us when we are in trouble and can give us the strength to overcome.
Pornography, as I’m sure you already know, affects us both mentally and physically. It works its way deep into our mind and psyche. Human nature also makes a person vulnerable to pornography’s dangers. Consequently, the mind is never satisfied with what it has seen; it never says, “That’s enough.” Once hooked on pornography, the mind always wants to see more.
Gambling has the same destructive behavior as I’m sure you know. You can take heart in the fact that God has helped other people successfully overcome these addictions. I recommend you read several articles that address various aspects of these challenges. (None of our articles is overly long, but each is substantial enough to cover the subject it discusses.)
• Gambling
• What Do You Do in Your Free Time?
One can count on God’s help in overcoming addiction. He promises to enable us to obey Him, and He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). But if we do not do our part, we block God from giving us as many blessings as He would like to give (Matthew 6:33). We must put into practice what God expects us to do.
I have prayed for you and I am hopeful this material will be helpful in overcoming both pornography and gambling.
2. How do I have scriptures off head as other people have and also quotes accordingly sir?
Answer: I am not exactly sure what you are asking. Are you saying you would like to know the Scriptures better? If that’s the case, then learning to study the Bible effectively is a great place to start.
Through the Bible, God reveals information about life and our purpose for existing that cannot be found in any other place. We have a section of Study Guides in our Learning Center that contain various Bible study starters and resources I believe you will find helpful.
I think you would also benefit from a Bible study series we call Journeys. This will take you step-by-step through some of the most basic and fundamental questions in life and help you find the answers in the pages of your own Bible.
Finally, you may be especially interested in our Bible Study Course. This in-depth and interactive course will take you systematically through some of the Bible’s most important teachings. It will not only help you discover what the Bible teaches, but will provide you with the tools to help you become a better student of the Bible. As with everything we offer, you can enroll for free.
I really believe this material will help you to “jump start” your personal Bible study! And if we can be of further help to you, feel free to write again.
3. Should you tithe of your social security? Please refresh on the third tithe.
Answer: Thank you for your question about tithing on Social Security. The simple answer is no, you do not need to tithe on it. When the Bible speaks of tithing, it mentions “increase.” Increase is not the same as income. In modern language, increase means earnings or profit. A Social Security pension check is neither earnings nor profit. You are no longer part of the workforce, and you are not generating an “increase.”
There are several broad categories of income that are not considered true “increase.” In addition to Social Security, there are other pensions (including disability), unemployment insurance, veterans benefits, gifts, inheritances and loans. None of these types of income result directly from a person’s work or investment, so the person receiving such money does not need to tithe on it.
Use your Social Security pension check to cover your expenses. Any amount you choose to give to God from your Social Security check would be an offering, not a tithe. But just keep in mind that God does not expect you to give what you do not have!
The Church’s teaching and practice on third tithe was amended several years ago. You may be aware that, decades earlier, Herbert W. Armstrong recognized that many countries in the world taxed their citizens for social services at a rate that was often higher than what they would pay as a third tithe. For that reason, he decided that our members should not pay what essentially would be an additional third tithe, and that the third tithe statute of Deuteronomy 14:28-29 did not apply to them.
Following his example, the Church of God came to the judgment that the U.S. tax laws had reached this category too. Therefore, we teach U.S. members that God does not require them to give the Church a third tithe either.
We provide our pastors with information about how members can obtain assistance from the government. However, the funds provided by government agencies do not always completely meet the needs of Church members. In such cases, the New Testament urges us to care for the poor among us.
God inspired Paul to write, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Many other references in the New Testament echo this injunction.
In order to fulfill this instruction, the Church has established a fund to assist those whose needs are not met by government programs. We encourage our members who can to contribute to the Assistance Fund. Any monies you contribute to that fund would be used exclusively for that purpose (they are tax-deductible in the United States and in some other countries as well). There is no set amount or percentage of income that a person is required to give to this fund.
4. I have known a couple for several years. I am a widow now and I know with this couple that there is an element of wanting to help. The wife has watched and waited for me to leave my house and then done things on the outside of my house, such as visibly suggesting things that I need to do. She has been in my house when I have not been home and has been critical of things such as what she feels as excess, with a mutual friend. Now, I believe her husband has come in as well. He was very close to my husband who developed early Alzheimer's at 52. She has denied something she has done in my house before, so I feel that she wouldn't be truthful if I went to her to discuss this. I feel with this invasion of my privacy, that she does not respect me. Picking my lock and coming into my house, I feel that crosses the line and there was no reason for it. How should I handle this? I have put more distance between us, sadly.
Answer: I’m so sorry that you have been taken advantage of in this way. As you know, trust is a very important component in all relationships, and lost trust is difficult to regain (Proverbs 18:19). However, we encourage you to continue making the effort to rebuild the trust and the relationship if possible.
I believe the following articles from our website may be helpful:
• Broken Trust: Who Can You Trust?
• Mending Broken Relationships
I’m sure you have considered changing the locks, if you feel they are able to access your house while you’re away. There are other security measures you could take of course, but it might help to try and have an open and honest conversation with this lady first. And, of course, pray about the situation and that God will provide wisdom and guidance in dealing with this.
5. Is a Christian commanded to pay tithe?
Answer: Thanks for your question. The answer is yes. Our article “Tithing: What Is It?” explains why tithing still applies to Christians today and how it is to be used.
I encourage you to read this article in its entirety, along with our related blog post “3 Reasons You Should Tithe.” Both of these articles will help you learn more about this very important topic. I recommend you have your Bible with you as you read so that you can look up the passages referenced and prove, for yourself, what the Bible teaches on this topic.
January 25, 2025
1. Can you help me to know the Similarities and differences between Old and New testaments?
Answer: Thank you for your question. The Old and New Testaments have distinct themes, purposes and historical contexts. I’ll list just a few of them.
The Old Testament was predominantly written before the birth of Jesus Christ on earth, covering a broad historical range from creation (in Genesis) through the history of ancient Israel, all the way up to a few centuries prior to Jesus' birth.
It focuses on the covenant between God and the people of Israel, the law (e.g., the Ten Commandments), history of the Jewish people, prophecies, poetry and wisdom literature. It covers the Old Covenant, which is based on the law given to Moses and the Israelites. It also contains prophecies about the coming Messiah, but the Messiah is not yet revealed.
The New Testament, on the other hand, was written after the birth of Jesus Christ and focuses on his life, teachings, death and resurrection and the early Christian Church. It really centers on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the establishment of the Christian Church, letters (epistles) to early Christian communities and prophecies of the end times (Revelation).
It introduces the New Covenant—established by Jesus Christ—emphasizing love, faith, grace and salvation through Christ. It reveals Jesus Christ as the Messiah, which fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament.
The apostle Paul wrote that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). In fact, the Greek word translated “inspiration” means “God-breathed.” The many authors of the Old and New Testaments were divinely inspired to write down the Word of God for the benefit of mankind.
Both the Old and New Testaments emphasize God’s love, justice and mercy toward us and provide moral and ethical guidance. They are both important for us today.
We offer many resources that can help you better understand the truth revealed in the Bible. Here are just a few to get you started:
• Article: “The Bible: God Speaking to Us” (This introductory article includes links to many related articles at the bottom of the page.)
• Booklet: Is the Bible True?
• Course: Bible Study Course
• Study guide: 7 Keys to Better Bible Study Guide
• Resource page: Books of the Bible (This page includes an introductory article to every book of the Bible.)
2. What is known to us concerning the return of Christ, is it the time or the hour?
Answer: Indeed, it would seem that Christ is coming soon. The signs of the end times are coming to pass in many ways. At the end of the Bible, Christ is quoted as saying, “Surely I am coming quickly” (Revelation 22:20). And yet Christ also said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32). So, we do not know when Christ will return, but we certainly know that He will return. Even while the disciples were standing on the Mount of Olives watching Jesus Christ ascend to heaven after His resurrection, angels said to them: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
You can read much more about Christ’s return in the following Life, Hope & Truth articles:
• Why, When and Where Will Christ Return to Earth?
• Return of Christ: As the Days of Noah Were
3. Why there is no: (You shall not LIE) in the Ten Commandments?
Answer: I’m not exactly sure what you mean. As you know, the Ten Commandments are listed in Exodus 20. In verse 16 it says, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” The phrase “bear false witness” means to lie. This means that the Ninth Commandment is an admonition against lying.
We explain this in our article “Ninth Commandment: You Shall Not Bear False Witness.” It contains a brief video, which also explains the purpose of this Commandment.
Here are a couple additional articles that you might find beneficial:
• God Cannot Lie. Why Do People Lie?
• A False Witness 4. What is the place of grace in our salvation?
4. What is the place of grace in our salvation?
Answer: The terms used in English translations of the Bible are sometimes hard to understand. We appreciate you asking about the difference between grace and salvation.
Here are several articles that discuss salvation as defined in the Bible:
• Salvation: What Are We Saved From and How?
• Plan of Salvation: How God's Festivals Reveal His Plan
To learn more about grace, I recommend you read the following articles:
5. Am good. My worry is not whether God Yahweh exist, for that goes without saying for He exist, my worry is, when to expect an answer to a prayer. THAT'S MY WORRY. Could you assist?
Answer: There are many examples of answered prayers in the Bible. Sometimes the requests are immediately approved, and sometimes the answer is “no” or “not yet.” In all cases, God does provide an answer, and His answer is always in our best interest. God is our Father. Think of prayer as our method of requesting something of our Heavenly Father. As in human families, there are times when a parent acts immediately on a child’s petition. However, there are other times when a delay or a firm denial is given. As a perfect Father, God always knows when and how to answer our prayers.
Again, as in human families, children might not always understand or appreciate their parent’s answers to their petitions. But the parent’s main concern should always be the child’s best interest. Should God’s response to our prayers be any different?
Consider the apostle Paul’s request for delivery from a trial: “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
Paul came to understand that his Heavenly Father was doing what was best for his eternal life. While Paul may not have understood this the first two times he brought the matter before God, Paul eventually came to understand that he would be strengthened through this suffering.
I would like to recommend you read our article “Does God Answer Prayers Today?” I believe you will find solace in this review of prayers given in the Bible and how God responded to them. The related articles listed at the bottom of the page also offer advice on how to talk to God and how to pray from the heart.
January 11, 2025
1. Hello, I have been reading Revelation, and in Revelation 10:9, why is John told to eat the little book? What does the little book represent? And why was it bitter to his stomach but sweet to his mouth? Thank you very much.
Answer: Revelation 10 does not provide explanations for all the symbols mentioned in this chapter. There are similar references in other biblical passages that may be of help. However, to be clear, we are not fully certain of the meaning of Revelation 10.
By comparing Revelation 10 with Ezekiel 2:9-3:3, it seems probable that the little book is actually a small scroll, not a book as we understand the format of books today. Like Ezekiel, John ate the little scroll, and it was both bitter and sweet.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary comments on Revelation 10, as well as the passage in Ezekiel:
The angel has in his hand a small scroll (v. 2) ... It should be connected with the symbolic scroll of Ezekiel (Ezek 2:9–3:3; cf. Jer 15:15–17). This prophet was told to “eat” the scroll just as John was told to eat the scroll given him (vv. 9–10). Such an action symbolized the reception of the Word of God into the innermost being as a necessary prerequisite to proclaim it with confidence. John could see the words on the scroll because it “lay open” in the angel’s hand. The angel standing on both land and sea symbolizes that the prophetic message is for the whole world.
When the angel shouted (v. 3), seven thunders spoke, and John proceeded to write down their words. But he is interrupted and is commanded, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down” (v. 4). Conceivably, this might have been another series of sevens. Either the seven thunders were intended for John’s own illumination and were not essential to the main vision of the seven trumpets or the reference is designed to strike a note of mystery with reference to God’s revelatory activities (cf. 2 Cor 12:4). As the visible portion of an iceberg is only a small part of the iceberg, most of which is hidden from man’s sight, so God’s disclosures reveal only part of his total being and purposes.
Some have also noted that biblical prophecy is a mixture of bitter and sweet. Many bitter and extremely difficult events have been prophesied by God’s servants and have come to pass throughout human history. Other prophesied events will grow to catastrophic levels in the end times prior to the return of Jesus Christ. Sweet, or good, times will come with the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth during the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ and His saints.
There is much that we don’t know or understand yet about God’s plans for mankind and the future. However, much knowledge has already been revealed to us to aid our understanding of prophecy and the future. I recommend you read these articles on prophecy for your studies:
• How 7 Trumpets of Revelation Will Affect Humanity
• Understanding the Mysterious Book of Revelation
2. Thank you for remembering me in your prayer please help me pray for me I have problem in my life that God to forgive my since like lie is my big issues in my life, I don't want to be lie please help me to go are way from this thing please thank you the men of God.
Answer: Overcoming bad habits, such as lying, can be very difficult, especially when one has been practicing them for a long time. But with God’s help, you can break bad habits and learn to be obedient to His laws.
Our booklet Change Your Life is an excellent resource to show you what true repentance and change look like. Here is some additional material that deals directly with your desire for change
: • Ninth Commandment: You Shall Not Bear False Witness
• God Cannot Lie. Why Do People Lie?
• 6 Steps to Overcoming Bad Habits
3. Hello, I struggle with this question and I was hoping to see what your response is. I really enjoy doing yoga. I stopped for a long time and now since I’ve been finding out about the Lord, some people say yoga is forbidden because of the poses. Before when I did it, I was never into the ending parts at some of the classes. I was always there strictly for the exercise. I find now I have arthritis in my hips because of my job I use to do. I really overdid it at my workplace. And I know yoga will really help with the pain and will help get me stronger. What do I do? If the Lord says it’s forbidden as what people have said in Christian chat groups, I am apart of? Thank you for your response.
Answer: I understand your concern. As you may know, yoga is a group of physical, mental and spiritual practices, with the latter two aspects based upon religions of ancient India and the worship of multiple deities. For that reason, participating in a yoga program could involve breaking the first of God’s Commandments, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3).
However, some yoga exercise programs involve only the physical practices of yoga. They promote mental health in a more general sense, without incorporating yoga’s traditional religious roots. In such cases, these exercise programs likely do not conflict with biblical teachings.
While the Bible certainly promotes mental and spiritual health, it does not teach chanting mantras or striking “prayer poses.” Our articles “What Is Meditation?” and “Christian Meditation” explain the proper type of meditation that is described in Scripture. The Bible teaches a way to peace and spiritual strength through contemplative study of God’s Word, coupled with concentrated thought and prayer.
Additionally, in our article “How to Pray,” we show that the Bible does not suggest that there are unique “poses” that one must strike in order for prayer to be effective. As you review the biblical guidelines on these topics, you will see that many fundamental aspects underlying yoga are contrary to the Bible.
4. Could you guide me how to marry according to God?
Answer: It’s very refreshing to know that you want to include God in your marriage. Unfortunately, too many couples leave God out of the picture when it comes to marriage and often end up getting divorced. God doesn’t dictate who we should marry, but He does give us a set of guidelines to follow in the Bible.
We have an entire section of our Life, Hope & Truth website dedicated to “Relationships.” Underneath the introductory article are topics of interest that can help you develop a proper, God-centered foundation from friendship to dating to marriage.
Our article “What Is Marriage?” may be of particular interest to you. This section is for those who are truly ready to pursue a godly relationship leading to marriage. All the articles are very helpful, and I especially recommend “How Great Marriages Should Work.”
Marriage takes a lot of work, and it shouldn’t be entered into lightly. By following the godly guidelines shown in these articles, you will be well on your way to having a marriage that is in accordance with God’s will.
5. I would really appreciate it if you can help prepare for me a short devotional quote to lead devotion in our organization next week. I have been asked by our organization Director to lead devotion on Monday, next week. I would like to have a quote that will encourage "team work, and productivity" in an organization. I acknowledge your inspirational testimonies, and encouraging bible quotes and explanations.
Answer: Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately, The Church of God, a Worldwide Association, sponsor of Life, Hope & Truth, does not write devotionals or other types of teaching materials specifically for use in other organizations.
May I suggest drawing from Jesus’ own teaching from the Word of God which shows we must live by “every word of God that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4)? You are also welcome to download any of the resources from our Learning Center, although we ask that credit be given to Life, Hope & Truth where applicable.
December 7, 2024
1. I'm interested to join in worldwide association. I’m an elder of Tipinini Seventh Day Adventist Church, Porgera District in Enga Province Papua New Guinea?
Answer: Thank you for your message. I’m not sure if you mean you want to learn more about the Church or perhaps support the work in some way. You mentioned you are an elder at a Seventh Day Adventist church. We do not partner with other churches or organizations.
If you mean becoming a paid employee or minister, we do not have such job openings. Potential ministers of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, are selected from among those who are baptized members of our church and attending one of our congregations. We believe God shows who He is calling to the ministry through the fruits in a man’s life. Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus about the characteristics, temperament and abilities necessary for a member to be ordained to the ministry (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; see “What Is a Pastor?”). Since we follow these guidelines, we don’t ordain either new Christians or men unknown to us. Rather, we select baptized members of the Church of God—members we know well and whose life history demonstrates these biblical qualities.
You have probably seen from our Life, Hope & Truth website that we teach and practice the same way of life Jesus Christ and the first-century Church of God followed.
You can learn about us by going to our “Who We Are“ page. This page includes a link to our booklet Welcome to the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, which will give you an overview of our Church beliefs, practices and programs. We also invite you to get to learn more about our biblical beliefs by reading our “Fundamental Beliefs,” a summary of 20 foundational beliefs. You can learn more about the mission of the Church in our article “What Is the Mission of the Church?”
2. Is it ok to use tech on the sabbath?
Answer: Thank you for your question. It is certainly fine to use tech on the Sabbath. Many of the programs and podcasts we use are only accessible through the internet. We also have many articles and booklets that you can use for study purposes. The Sabbath is a great time to read and study this material.
3. Pastors who focus only on Healing & Deliverance & do not preach Repentance, suffering for Christ & Obedience to the Word——-Are they preaching the True Gospel or the Prosperity Gospel
Answer: You asked about pastors who focus only on healing and deliverance. Are they preaching the true gospel or the prosperity gospel?The simple answer is, they are not preaching the true gospel. I believe you will find our article “What's Wrong With the Prosperity Gospel?” very revealing and helpful.
Next, we have to ask, what is the gospel? Gospel means good news. So, what is the good news that Jesus Christ preached when He was here on the earth? The good news is that the Kingdom of God is coming! It will be established by Jesus Christ at His return. To learn more about this Kingdom and what it means for all of mankind, I recommend you read the following articles
• What Is the Gospel of the Kingdom?
• Seek First the Kingdom of God
4. Did Jesus allow these various religions pursuant to 1 Corinthians 12:4-8. How could man assure that we need a genuine religion?
Answer: There were various religions during Jesus Christ’s time, as there are today. What most people assume is that the Church Jesus founded is, in fact, a false religious system. Please read “Christianity's Hidden Apostasy,” which explores how the Church Jesus founded was changed into what we see today. Then follow that with “What Is the Church?
There is a true religion that Jesus founded, and it does still exist, but not in the organizations of the Roman Catholic Church or mainstream Protestantism. You must search deeper, but the answers are there.
5. How can I master my prayer's life? What do I need to do to be strong in prayer?
Answer: I perceive your question has to do with God not forgiving you. Feel free to write back if this isn’t what you meant. Many come to this conclusion because of their failure to stop sinning. They feel embarrassed to go to God again, asking Him to forgive their transgression(s) against Him. We can think this way because humanly speaking we would have a hard time forgiving anyone who came to ask us repeatedly to forgive them for the same offense.
I encourage you to read our articles:
• “What Is Forgiveness of Sins?”
• “Forgiveness: How Can We Be Forgiven?”
In some cases, we simply fail to understand there are certain requirements put upon us in order to be forgiven by God. In a nutshell, God requires our genuine repentance before He will forgive us. Repentance is more than an emotional “I’m sorry,” although genuine repentance is an emotional experience (Act 2:37-38). I encourage you to read “What Is Repentance?”
Learning to forgive others and even ourselves will bring about emotional healing that otherwise would continue to wear us down and enslave us to negativity, depression, anger and other destructive emotions. When we learn to forgive others and ourselves, those destructive emotions are healed and removed from us. We become free of emotional baggage and can begin to live the life God intended.
These steps—asking for forgiveness, repentance, forgiving others and emotional healing—are all part of the process Christ outlined for us so we can have a proper relationship with God our Father, Christ our Savior and other human beings.
You also asked about having a better prayer life. God hears the prayers of those who are striving to obey Him. Not only does God hear, but He answers them too! God tells us to ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7-8). How wonderful it is that we have the opportunity to go before God with our requests. He welcomes those requests, but we must be persistent in our prayers. If at first we do not receive an answer, we need to pray, then pray and pray again.
We are told by Paul in Romans 8:28, “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” I don’t know what your trials may be, nor any of the struggles going on in your life, but be comforted that God does. He knows how to help, but you must continue to pray daily and study as you seek His help and His will. I would also recommend the following articles regarding prayer:
• “Five Keys to Answered Prayers”
• “The Key to Effective Prayer”
• “The Most Important Key to Answered Prayer”
Besides prayer, it’s also very important to study God’s Word, to see what God desires for us, His plan for us and what we need to be doing individually. Bible study is very important because it gives practical help and amazing benefits to those who live by it. Did you know that reading the words of the Bible is, in fact, learning and understanding what is in the mind of God?
So many people neglect or even despise the words written in the pages of this amazing Book. They fail to realize the importance and power of it. To help in your Bible study, please read “Why Study the Bible?” and “How to Study the Bible” along with the related articles listed at the bottom of each page. GeneralAnnouncements
November 30, 2024
1. How do I get up again to stand on my feet despite the challenges of life. My memory deleted all, the powerful verses?
Answer: As you stated, life is challenging, and to want to get back on your feet and change your life is a wonderful way to pursue a life that is pleasing to God. I would suggest you download our free booklet Change Your Life. This booklet addresses God’s expectations of us, and the steps involved with the process of change using God’s inspired Word, the Holy Bible.
We also have several articles that I believe would be of help on this journey. “How to Please God” and “How to Honor God.” Both articles give practical ways to give glory and honor to God. They are also very encouraging and inspiring.
You may also benefit from the following articles that can provide encouragement during life’s trials
: • Hope in the Midst of Trials
• Seven Keys to Coping With the Trials and Tribulations of Life
• 4 Ways to Find Joy in Trials
2. I want to learn about daily, weekly, monthly and annual Christian prayers and worship And Christian occasions and knowing everything that strengthens my faith in God and Christ with a trustworthy reason.
Answer: Having the desire to strengthen your faith is commendable, and God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
If you read Hebrews 11:6 in full, you will see it shows that in order to have faith, we must believe that God exists. He is the creator of all (Romans 1:20). Our website has a specific section to help you understand the existence of God and His involvement in our lives. We must also believe that His promises to us in the Bible are true. We need to put our faith into practical use and follow what God tells us.
So, what would be a good start?
The first thing we can do is get down on our knees and pray for God to help us grow in faith. If we believe Christ’s words in Matthew 7:7—ask and you shall receive—then we are already on the road to building faith. God wants to help, so we should ask Him for help.
Second, we should study God’s words to us in the Bible (Romans 10:17). The evidence of God is in those pages, and His instructions for us are a path to unfathomable rewards. Learn the Scripture, and continue to ask God for more understanding.
Third, and perhaps most difficult, we should begin to live by those inspired words of the Bible. Faith is nothing without action (James 2:14-26). Turning to God and having faith in Him and His Word is a process—one that we can continually grow in. Don’t give up—continue to seek God in all that you do.
You may benefit from reading and studying our article “How to Grow in Faith.” Below this article, you’ll find links to other thought-provoking articles on the subject of faith.
3. Thank you so much for much information about end time preparation and waiting! I would love to know if possibly and time predicted is tabled?
Answer: Thank you for your question. There are many in this world who would love to know the timing of end-time events, but the truth is that Jesus Christ Himself said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36). The simple truth is that we can’t know when these events will play out—but they most assuredly will transpire and He will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 17:14; 19:16).
However, we can have a good, general idea of where we are in the order of prophesied events. I recommend you read a number of important articles in our “End Times” section. This page will give you a lot to consider with links to articles on various points. In particular, I think you’d find it helpful to read “Discerning the Signs of the Times,” which lists a number of signs of the end times we must be alert to, and “Where Are We Now in Bible Prophecy?” which identifies a number of events that must occur before the Great Tribulation.
I also recommend the following articles to give you more information:
• End of the World? Why It Is Good News!
• How Will the Times of Refreshing Come?
• What Are the New Heaven and New Earth?
4. This is Seventh Day Adventist teaching! It has no foundation in scripture. It suggests that those who rose from the dead at the resurrection of Jesus ‘and appeared to many’ had to return to the grave. It also denies the power that Jesus had even on the cross when He told the repentant thief “TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE!”
Answer: Thank you for writing. There is much confusion about this passage and the meaning of it. Nearly all modern English translations seem to say that Christ promised he would enter into the Kingdom of God that very day. However, there is something we need to consider, and that is the punctuation.
The Greek manuscripts of the New Testament do not have the punctuation marks, such as commas, that we generally use. Those marks were inserted by the translators to try to clarify what they felt the text was trying to say. Consider the following:
1. I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.
2. I say to you today, you will be with Me in Paradise.
Both use exactly the same words, but when the comma is moved to after “today,” the meaning is changed from when the thief would be granted this blessing to when Christ was saying it. In order to determine which understanding is correct, we need to look at what else is revealed in Scripture. God is very consistent throughout the Bible. The Bible does not speak of a consciousness after death. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 9:5 that the dead do not know anything. Paul echoed the same thought in 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, where he describes death as sleep— we are not conscious or aware. And Jesus stated clearly in John 3:13 that “no one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
” When we consider just these few verses, we realize it would be inconsistent to believe Jesus decided to change the rest of revealed Scripture and take the crucified thief someplace no one else had gone!
There is much more to consider, but rather than repeat it all here, allow me to direct you to a couple of articles on our website: “What Happened to the Thief on the Cross?” and “Do We Go to Heaven When We Die?”
5. Sir, you said those that died are unconscious and are in the grave awaiting the first resurrection. What about Moses and Elijah that appeared to Jesus in the transfiguration in: Matt. 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-9; Luke 9:28-36? Can you please explain and give us more light?
Answer: Your question is very important to all of us. What we know, according to the Bible, is that Moses’ and Elijah’s bodies are here on the earth somewhere—in a grave awaiting a resurrection back to life. In John 5:28-29 Jesus said, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”
We have an article that discusses the transfiguration in detail and how it was simply a vision and not real, since Moses and Elijah were both dead and in their graves. I encourage you to read “The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ” in full.
Most of the world does not understand what happens after death because they rely on tradition or culture to provide the answer. The only reliable source, provided by the One who gave life to mankind, is the Bible.
The Bible tells us that it is “appointed for men to die once” (Hebrews 9:27). It does not say that we will be conscious after death, but rather it likens death to sleep (Job 14:12; John 11:11; Acts 13:36; 1 Corinthians 11:30). That sleep is a state of unconsciousness. As Ecclesiastes 9:5 says, “The dead know nothing.”
The idea of an immortal soul does not come from the Word of God. After death, we are simply “sleeping” in the grave. However, what gives us so much hope is that this “sleep” is temporary! The Bible tells us that there will be a resurrection of the dead. The first resurrection—when Jesus Christ returns to earth in the last days—is when the followers of Christ will be resurrected to eternal life. The second resurrection is for the “rest of the dead”—those not called to be followers of Jesus Christ in this lifetime (John 6:40; Revelation 20:4-6). Eventually, all will have the amazing opportunity for salvation.
Here are some articles for you to read to get more detail on what the Bible has to say about what happens after death and what the resurrections are.
• Do We Go to Heaven When We Die?
• Will You Spend Eternal Life in Heaven?
• Is Heaven Real? What Is Heaven?
You can also study our free downloadable booklet, The Last Enemy: What Really Happens After Death?
November 16, 2024
1. In the light of Peter and Paul’s calling do we have it right in the church today?
Answer: I’m not exactly sure what you meant by your question. In the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, sponsor of Life, Hope & Truth, we believe the Bible describes the process by which God the Father calls a person. John 6:44 says, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” God is the only One that does that calling. That drawing or calling begins with God opening the mind of an individual so he or she can begin to understand the truths found in the Bible.
Once people receive that calling, they will begin to understand God’s purpose for them, feel the need to live by His commandments and know that they should repent of their sins. God’s calling is not something that we are forced into—it is an invitation that we must respond to.
The process of conversion starts with that calling, but God wants us to continue by taking the steps that Peter instructed in Acts 2:38. Repentance, baptism and the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit are steps we must take to become part of the Body of Christ, the Church of God.
Christ said, “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). God’s calling is special and should be treated with reverence. Hopefully it will prompt us to choose God’s way, which leads to our conversion and ultimately to our salvation. Those who do that become God’s chosen. If we choose to ignore the calling, then God will stop working with us at this time.
“Many Are Called, but Few Are Chosen” is a great article that explains more about God’s calling and even lists some questions that will help you determine if you are truly being called.
You may also want to check out our free, downloadable booklet Change Your Life to get a great overview of the life that God wants for you.
2. You miss interpret my words, please read my text very well before you reply back to me, and don't joke with the Name of God please, thanks.
Answer: I’m sorry if I misunderstand what you were asking. It appears that you desire to change. Change is not easy and comes only when we begin to think differently. As a result of our change in thinking, we also begin to act differently.
Consider the following quote from our article “Change Your Life This Year”:
When we finally come to the point when we can no longer put up with the problems in our lives or their consequences, and when we recognize our personal responsibility, we are ready for change. At that stage, the situation may feel hopeless, but there is hope. There is Someone who wants us to change—and to succeed in life—even more than we want it ourselves.
The Eternal God created us with the capacity to change, and He will show us the way to transform our lives. If we choose to change, He will give us the help we need to break the chains of the past and prepare for a future beyond our wildest dreams!
We have a series of articles in the “Change” section of our website that will give you biblical instruction about how you can change and improve yourself with God’s help. Also, please read our booklet Change Your Life. As the booklet states in its opening comments:
“In order to change we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired,” someone once said. In other words, until we are no longer willing to accept the bad results of our actions, we won’t make the effort to change. Are you sick and tired of how things are going in your life? Do you see the need for change, but wonder what to do?”
Our booklet discusses helpful principles and practical suggestions about how to accomplish such change. If I still have not understood what you are asking, then please write back and clarify.
3. What is the difference between you and Seventh Day Adventists?
Answer: Thank you for your message. As you might imagine, many ask us to compare our beliefs with those of a different church or organization. The obvious teaching we have in common with the Seventh-day Adventists is our belief that the seventh-day Sabbath should be kept holy as a day of worship.
Attempting to say how we differ would require us to define their beliefs. Rather than attempt to speak for any other organization’s beliefs, we prefer to explain our own. That way you will be fully informed, and you can make any comparisons that you wish to make.
We invite you to read our Fundamental Beliefs for a synopsis of our beliefs and practices. There is a link to these beliefs on the “Who We Are” page on lifehopeandtruth.com. Additionally, we publish hundreds of articles on our beliefs, Christian living, difficult-to-understand scriptures, the Sabbath, the annual holy days and many more topics on Life, Hope & Truth.
I encourage you to especially look at “The Kingdom of God: The Best News You Could Hear!” Once you read this short introductory article, take note of the links to related articles at the bottom of the page. All of them address various aspects of the Kingdom of God and God’s ultimate solution for the problems in this world.
4 Today's lesson is really amazing. Can you recommend which kind of study Bible should I use? I mean what kind of version of study Bible?
Answer: Thank you for your message. Buying the right study Bible is an essential step in studying God’s Word. We recommend literal, word-for-word translations like the King James or the New King James Version. That type of translation is especially valuable when one wants to study the Bible without the strong doctrinal biases of translations that are less literal. Our article “What Is the Most Accurate Bible Translation?” further details why we use the NKJV in our articles and recommend it for use as one’s primary Bible for everyday use and study.
Beyond which translation of the Bible to use, it is also important to consider your purpose and approach to Bible study. Asking yourself why you want to read the Bible is important. Is the Bible true? Is it really God’s inspired Word for mankind? If so, what will you do with what you learn from it? Our page “I Want to Explore the Bible” can direct you to resources that will help answer questions you may have about the main themes of the Bible, proving the validity and accuracy of Scripture and seeing how the Bible can impact your life now and in the future.
I also recommend the following resources to help you get started:
Where to Start Reading the Bible
7 Things to Know Before Reading the Bible
5 Can I as a Christian attend a same sex marriage?
Answer: Since I don’t know all the details regarding the wedding, whether it’s family or a friend, it’s difficult for me to give specific advice by email. I believe that it would be a personal choice whether to attend a same sex wedding, based upon your own conscience and convictions.
God, as you know, hates sin, but He doesn’t hate sinners. His long-term desire is that all would be saved, that all would repent and follow Him (1 Timothy 2:4). But He does not force people to repent or obey Him against their will. God has given human beings free will, free moral agency.
The Bible tells us to cast all of our burdens and cares on God because He does care about us (1 Peter 5:7). Continue to pray for His wisdom, mercy and insight. Here are a couple of articles from our website that might be helpful.
God's Problem With Same-Sex Marriage
Is the Definition of Marriage Really Ours to Change?
November 2, 2024
1. What does it mean to come to the fullness of Christ?
Answer: Thank you for your question. God has ordained various offices in the Church so that the Church can be unified. The ministry has been given the responsibility of equipping the saints, or members, because they have been set apart for a special calling by God for works of service.
Ephesians 4:11-13 says, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
All this builds up the Church, leading toward the beautiful unity and maturity that come from fully following Jesus Christ. He is our example and the One we measure ourselves against. Please listen to our Verse by Verse, “The Measure of the Stature of the Fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).”
2. As Christians, the institution of marriage is at stake, we know Satan hates marriage, to the biggest extent marriage is misused as people totally hate it, remaining single up to their old age never to, what should be done to restore its meaning.
Answer: You are correct, the institution of marriage has been attacked from the very beginning of creation, starting with Adam and Eve. Satan does not want us to have happy marriages. He does not want us to understand the special relationship that Christ has with His Church, and he knows that our worrying about our relationships causes us to lose focus on God and His way of life. Ensuring that we are actively engaged in proper Bible study and prayer can provide us with a more balanced approach to handling all of our problems, including issues within marriage. This is such an important topic that we have dedicated a portion of our site to answering questions about marriage. “How to Have a Happy Marriage” is a landing page for a series of articles on marriage. Once you have read this short introductory article, scroll down and you will see a list of additional articles. Here are a few that I believe might interest you:
•