Tue. Feb. 14, 2012 Waiting on the Lord's promises
QUESTION: I know some promises in the Bible are for the future and for heaven, but others are for right now. How can I know which are which? How can I avoid "claiming things" I am supposed to be waiting and hoping for. ANSWER: Great question! I will be dealing with that over the next month or so in my messages but let me address that at least partially now by giving a quote from D.A. Carson's book "How Long O Lord." Carson says: In this day when...keep reading»»
Wed. Feb. 01, 2012 Revelation 21:8 - being courageous in faith
QUESTION: Dear Pastor Paul Carter, I was reading sections of the bible and came across a verse that concerns me a little bit and I have a few questions. I read Revelations 21:8 "But the cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars-their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (NLT). For starters I am a Christian and therefore saved by faith in Jesus and the cross. However...keep reading»»
Thu. Jan. 19, 2012 Forgiving before apology and confession
QUESTION: I want to be a forgiving person but there is someone who has wronged me deeply that has never apologised and never even acknowledged the hurt that he has caused me. How can I forgive someone like that? ANSWER: I want to answer this carefully and compassionately. I have been asked this sort of question by women who have been raped, children who have been molested and wives who have been abandoned for a newer model. This is real life stuff. Let me first...keep reading»»
Thu. Jan. 19, 2012 Turning back and the lack of progress for a Christian
QUESTION: What happens if a truly saved person, either because of youthful temptations or bad teaching, "turns back" or fails to press forward? Does lack of forward leaning and progress mean they can't be a Christian ANSWER: I want to handle this one very carefully. The natural mind, the one you were born with, is oriented in the direction of sin and hostility toward God. When you welcome the Holy Spirit into your life, when you get saved, you are given a new...keep reading»»
Thu. Jan. 19, 2012 Hungering and seeking after God
QUESTION: I am confused about this whole "hungering after God" thing. Do we hunger after God or does God "hunger after" us? Who is leaning towards who here? Who seeks who? ANSWER: Great question! The answer is kind of "both/and" but the sequence is wildly important. Do you remember the story of Zacchaeus? Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus but he was short so he ran ahead of where Jesus was walking down the road and he...keep reading»»
Thu. Jan. 19, 2012 Christianity and ambition
QUESTION: Can a Christian be ambitious? Can we try to succeed and climb the ladder ANSWER: The Bible treats some traits with a certain sort of ambivalence, meaning that it is not quite as cut and dry as we might think. Take jealousy for example. Most of us would assume that jealousy is always wrong but is it? Is it wrong for a husband to be jealous if his wife should sleep with another man? No, I think that is a good type of jealousy. A man should...keep reading»»
Thu. Jan. 19, 2012 Protesting and civil disobedience
QUESTION: 2011 was the year of the Protester. Can a Christian protest? Are meekness and civil disobedience mutually exclusive? ANSWER: Great and timely question! North America is a funny place to do faith. Because many of the founding fathers (and mothers) of this land were believers, we tend to feel as though we are owed some sort of Christian government and official endorsement of our beliefs. It is very common to hear a "Christian" say...keep reading»»