Ask the Pastor Archives

Remember if you'd like your question to be anonymous, using only your initials is a good idea.    Thanks. Oh, and don't forget to check out our church's calendar, you'll find my preaching schedule, upcoming services and events at the church. 

 

 

Dear Pastor Green,

I am a member of your church and I know from the teaching that I receive that God will never leave me and that He will always take care of me.  But, knowing that hasn't been enough to get me through my problems.  I mean, I worry that I won't be able to pay my bills, that my children are not getting everything they need, that my life is not what it should be and that my ministry is suffering because of all my worry.  How can I tell others to trust in God, when I don't know how to?  How can I tell others not to worry, when I'm up all night?  I tell my family that God will help them with their problems, but I feel defeated?  I know what the Bible says and I've heard your sermons, but why doesn't it help me?

Please Help!

 

Dear Please Help,

Thank you for your question! 

You question was the bases of my sermon "An anchor for you Soul". Let me first acknowledge that I know how difficult it can be to let the words of a sermon penetrate your life.  There is a big difference between what you know and what you do or between what you hear and what brings about change.  Scriptures are just words in a book if they don't impact the way you live.  So, the question you are really asking is "Why is it that my problems seem bigger than my faith and how do I fix that?"

 The question has been asked before and it’s a healthy one.  After all, it does you no good to suffer in silence. “I know I shall die in hope, But hope needs a foundation” Is a quote from a famous atheist by the name of Jean-Paul (Sahrtruh). Your hope needs a foundation and that foundation is the bases of your FAITH.

The whole letter to the Hebrews offers encouragement to believer’s encouragement for the Christian on this Christian journey, knowing that difficulties wait at every bend.

 If you ever find yourself struggling to keep pressing on as a believer or assaulted by doubts or tempted to throw in the towel and give up as a follower of Christ. Or maybe you just have become sluggish in responding to the trials that come in life, then I encourage you to read my sermon notes “An anchor for your soul.” I hope that after reading these notes when your doubts surface you will be able to remind yourself that “there is an anchor for your soul ”Remember the same help and hope offered to original readers is yours as well.

 

Dear Pastor,

I study my Bible and I watch religious television so, Do I have to go to church or is staying home okay? 

Thanks,

YG, Boston, MA   

 

Dear YG,

The Scripture teaches that we are one body in Christ…that if one part of us hurts then our whole body should hurt. We rejoice with them that rejoice and we weep with those that weep. (Romans 12:5, Romans 12:15) It is therefore, natural for members of the Body of Christ to gather together in fellowship.

We should also recognize that Satan desires to cause dissention among God’s people – to separate and weaken us. To stay in fellowship with the people of God is to continually be strengthened and to be a continuous source of strength for others. Here's a scripture to remember:

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.” Heb. 10:25 KJV

Be Blessed and Know that God Loves You,