What about the mediums that help solve crimes against children or anyone else. They are helping to keep evil doers off of our streets. I am grateful for those.

Before we discuss this further, let me suggest that you check out two places on the web related to your comment. The first is an article by Joe Nickell entitled, Police Psychics: Do They Really Help Solve Crimes? Click here to go to it. Then look at this page on ABC News website. John Stossel did an investigation around this subject and here is what he reported on the air click here. The overwhelming evidence when investigated is that psychics and mediums DO NOT solve crimes. I am reminded of Isaiah 8:19, “When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”

 

While you’re at it, here are some other Scriptures to check out: Leviticus 19:31 and 20:6; 2 Kings 21:6 and 23:34; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Isaiah 19:3 and Jeremiah 27:9.

 

-David Corts

 

 

Are abilities to help others not God given? (I.e. Sylvia Brown, missing children?)

Sylvia Browne may not have been as helpful as the reports you’ve read or heard about. In the response to the next question I’ve given some links to read before you accept the fact that Sylvia Browne has helped find missing children. She is specifically mentioned in John Stossel’s report on ABC 20-20. click here

 

-David Corts

Jesus knows our thoughts. Does Satan have that ability?

The answer is “no”! Satan has powers different from ours but they certainly are not even close to God’s power. Satan didn’t know the true heart of Job, for example, but God did. God is everywhere present, Satan is not. God is all-knowing, Satan is not. God is all powerful, Satan is not. Since he is a fallen angel, he would have the powers and abilities of an angel but not of God. You may put I John 4:4 in your heart to remember. It says, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

 

-David Corts

Does God tell us the future today? If so, how does He do it?

I recognize there could be varying responses to this question. I personally believe that God does. How does He do it? He does it as He did through the prophets of old, through dreams, visions, and revelations. The second coming of Christ is accurately predicted by the prophets of old and recorded in Scripture. Their words are up-to-date and many prophesies are still to be fulfilled. This is still a valid study for knowing the kind of things that will happen in the future.

 

In addition to this, there are individuals who appear to be used by God in the present time to issue us reminders and warnings before his wrath is administered. Such information will never contradict the written Word and will never go contrary to the Spirit of God. Remember also, the test is the same as mentioned in the previous question. It must be 100% accurate if it is a word spoken from the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:21-22).

 

-David Corts

How do you minister to someone who believes in astrology, psychics and spirit guides without seeming judgemental?

I think you will find in the life of Jesus, that ministry always precedes message. So the quick answer is that you love and serve them as best you can without consulting them or letting them try to deceive you into believing they have special powers.

 

If you are thinking of witnessing to them, it would be helpful to have in mind some biblical truths about this. READ the following passages as a beginning: Leviticus 19:31 and 20:6; 2 Kings 21:6 and 23:34; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Isaiah 19:3 and Jeremiah 27:9.

 

Next, be aware of the fact that the Bible gives us the test for someone who believes they can foretell the future or uncover secrets of the past by psychic means. It is the same test given to prophets who predict things and claim to be speaking on behalf of the Lord. The test is 100% accuracy according to Deuteronomy 18:21-22, “You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?" If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.”

 

When you have earned the right to speak more directly, you might quiz a psychic about how revelation comes to them. The conversation might be developed in such a way as to learn their accuracy rate. From there, your conversation can go in a number of directions. You might point them to the 100% accuracy of Jesus Christ and the value of taking all of your inquiries to the Lord through Jesus Christ.

 

This is very brief but hopefully it gives you a track to run on.

 

-David Corts

 

Allowing God to fight my battles sounds great but it sounds too easy. Do I have any responsibility?

You are correct in thinking that we do have responsibility! But let us remember that man’s part is not always as complex as you might suspect. I think you will find that in most of our dealings with the Lord, there is God’s part working in tandem with man’s part. God does allude to this in 2 Corinthians 6:1 when he says, “As God's fellow workers…”  Having said that, I think you will find that many of our personal battles are really the Lord’s and not ours. This is especially true for those who make it their aim to please Him. Try to imagine a circumstance you have faced when there was little more to do than to “Stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord” (Exodus 14:13)! But notice, one is still to “stand firm” and “see the deliverance” – which is man’s part.

 

Prior to the Iron Curtain coming down, several friends of mine were part of a ministry that smuggled Bibles into the Soviet Union. The penalty if caught could be imprisonment after a period of torture. Every one of them had some hair-raising experiences at the individual borders. But they also testified of remarkable instances of how God delivered them supernaturally. God would actually make the Bibles invisible to the border guards and other phenomenal things like that. Even in such instances, the individuals had responsibility. They had to be willing to trust God and approach the danger regardless of the price they could have paid. Even though man had a part, it was God who came through big time and his servants could only say, “God won the battle.”

 

Pastor Steve mentioned Jericho as the “Place of Battle” where Elijah returned as he approached being taken to heaven. Part of remembering included the dramatic way in which God brought the walls of Jericho down in the time of Joshua. While God did that difficult part, man’s part was to march around the city seven times, blow the trumpets, and take the city. When you partner with God, your activity will always be associated with demonstrating trust and faith in the Lord. Again, our Pastor told of Naaman going to the Jordan River and dipping seven times – his part – and yet when healed of leprosy, he could only celebrate that God had performed the remarkable cure by Himself. Elijah became part of a drama like that when he struck the water and it parted so he and Elisha could cross the river on dry land. There was again man’s part and then God’s mighty acts.

 

I guess the point is the perspective we use to view the activity of God in our lives while recognizing that man’s part is to trust and obey God.

 

-David Corts

 

 

 

 

What does building an altar look like in 2008?

Altars do not need to be elaborate things. Sacred spaces are being created by many people in ordinary places around their homes such as closets, bedrooms, and quiet places on patios or in backyards. They are places prepared especially for prayer and meditation - places that often serve as soul-quieting antidotes to modern stress. I remember Dick Eastman at his Change the World School of Prayer encouraging us to set up a devotional spot in or around our home called The Gap. It was based on Ezekiel 22:30 “"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.” He urged us to pursue intercessory prayer on behalf of our nation and the nations of the world. I did that in our home at the time and kept it for a number of years. It was a surprising experience of great worth. But really, as Pastor Steve mentioned, God’s people set up altars in many places and for varied reasons. One can use picnic tables at State Parks, desolate areas in woods or wherever you find an environment that is conducive to embracing God. An altar is a place that you make sacred space because of the way you use it to carry on two-way communication with God Almighty. It is a space where He has done some special work on your heart or in your head in the past and you might return from time to time to ask God to do it again. It is a place to commune with our Maker remembering that it is in Him we live and move and have our being.

 

-David Corts

 

 

 

Tom Spangler, 928-526-6441 or 928-606-4440, re: golf meeting

Marie Meyer
Christ's Church at The Crossroads

42201 N. 41st Drive - Suite 100

Anthem, AZ 85086

Office: 623 466 7964
Fax: 623 547 5368
marie@thecrossroadsaz.com
www.thecrossroadsaz.com

I appreciate your message today. How do I not repeat the sin that pulls on me? I just don't want forgiveness, I need freedom.

Perhaps, you need to know first that we all struggle with sin. The Apostle John says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” These sins will vary depending on the season of your life and the maturity you are achieving in Christ. One sin conquered, however, allows you to begin dealing with the next sin. Satan is relentless with his temptations.

The first order of business is to get acquainted with how Satan operates and how one led to sin. James 1:14-15 lays down the process like this. “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” The frontier for gaining freedom is in the heart where desire is initiated. Desire has a short shelf life when ignored. So one has to feed it, massage it, linger on it, for it to give birth to sin. Once you identify the battleground, you can take some other steps.

One action is to shield yourself from the things that cause the desire. The biblical words are “flee from” (see I Corinthians 6:18; 10:14; I Timothy 6:11, etc.). Avoid the situations where harmful desires arise in your heart. I have a friend who took his clothes each week to a cleaners that was next to a topless bar. One time he left his clothes at the cleaners and had a momentary battle with himself about taking a peek inside the bar. He didn’t and the next week he started going to a cleaners located in a different place.

A very important next step is to allow yourself to be accountable to others. There are a few accountability groups that have already formed in our church for this purpose. These are excellent because no one can conquer temptation and sin alone. One of the lines from Satan himself is “leave me alone. I can do this all by myself!” Biblically, we are urged to “confess our sins to one another” (James 5:16). An accountability group is three or four men or women (never mixed sexes) who get together intentionally on a regular basis to ask a few questions regarding sin and righteousness in their lives. Over time, you get to the place where you trust one another with everything that is going on in your life. Also, each person prays for one another. Permission is given to contact any of the others when temptation arises in your heart even between meetings. More help can be given in this area by contacting our iCare Ministry. They can give you more assistance about organizing one yourself.

One principle I believe applies to the process of achieving victory is this: develop a new passion in your life that will compete with the one that is dragging you toward sin. When you occupy your mind and heart with some new activity that is pure and useful, something that calls for new skills and techniques, you will find there is less time for the thoughts that drag you into sin.  In a way, this is what Peter is suggesting when he says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord” (I Peter 3:15).

-David Corts

Are there prophets that speak for God today?

Yes, I believe there is. The literal meaning of the word “prophet” is one who foretells future events, and/or one who declares the truth of God. Some scholars have described a prophet as one who foretells, and or forth-tells the things of God. I believe that both are still in existence. Deuteronomy 18:18 and following speaks about the role of a prophet. The test for a true prophet is given to us in Deuteronomy 18:21-22. God says, “You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD ?"  If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.” One hundred percent accuracy is the standard.

-David Corts

When speaking the truth to someone what place does grace play if any?

The Apostle John tells us that Jesus was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Think about that for a moment and you will realize they are opposites. Truth hurts while grace is warm and fuzzy, the loving-kindness we all like. Jesus was able to hold those two opposites in perfect balance. Our goal is also to hold them in balance. If one majors only in truth to the exclusion of grace, they will become legalistic and rigid thus missing many of the joys of life. On the other hand, if one majors in grace, they tend to show only loving kindness overlooking the truth that is violated. After doing this so often, they can easily find themselves off the path of righteousness.

Truth can hurt. Grace overlooks error and accepts a person as she/he is. If someone walks up to you and says your deodorant has failed and you stink. That hurts, even if it is true. If it is handled in grace, it would probably leave off the word “stink” and be done only by someone who has earned the right to speak frankly with you. It would also be done in a private place and may even be couched in different language all together and remain truthful. Proverbs 25:11 says, “a word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”  That’s not a bad formula.

Spiritual maturity is characterized by one who is capable of “speaking the truth in love…” (Ephesians 4:15). That is another way of saying “keep your balance between truth and grace.”

Truth is always received best from people you know love you and have spent some time building a relationship with you. Jesus speaks the truth about our sin, but holds out the offer of grace simultaneously with it. Perhaps you remember the “sandwich method”. When presenting the truth, begin with a compliment, state the truth, then repeat the compliment or add a different one.

Just one other thought. Most people’s shortcomings are very closely related to a strength of character. If you can identify the strength, you have the material for a genuine compliment when using the “sandwich method”.

-David Corts

How do we know what God wants us to do? vs Is it maybe just our random thoughts ?

This is excellent question. God has given us a great guidance system but it takes a little time and skill to use it with confidence. If you think about it, effective guidance systems use three points of reference to line up their pathway. I didn’t grow up on a farm but I married a woman who did. Her father taught me how to plow the first furrow of a field using three points of reference. The tractor was one, a fence-post at the end of the field was the second, and a tree or some landmark beyond the field as the third. He told me to align those three and keep my eye on that line and not the ground in front of me and I would make the first furrow very straight. Planting rows used the same system.

Later in life, I learned that guidance systems on aircraft use the same concept to land by instruments. The nose of the plane, the electronic beep marking the end of a runway, and a third the emits from those white cone-like things you see over the land.

The Christian has three things also: the Word of God, the inner urge, and the outward circumstances. If you line up all three, you can move with certainty that it’s the will of God. If the first two line up, one can proceed also, if for the third item you do not go against common sense or common duty. If there is a clear directive from the Lord, you can proceed without any other verification. This is the first and overriding principle in guidance. Many decisions do not have a corresponding directive from the Word of the Lord. In these instances, you look for precedents or examples in the Word. If there is nothing that seems to apply, then use the five filters that come from Romans 14 and are mentioned in an earlier entry.

The second point of guidance is the inner urge. This is where the Holy Spirit uses our trained consciences (Hebrews 5:14) as a second reference point to form a straight line with the Word of God. The Apostle Paul teaches that we can know God’s will through our consciences. He says in Romans 2:15, “they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.” It is important to remember that consciences can be cleansed and trained but also they can be damaged (I Timothy 4:2).

Thirdly, outward circumstances play a role in discerning what God wants you to do. Circumstances play a role in our understanding of law and grace (Romans 4:10). The Apostle Paul wanted the church in Colosse to know his circumstances (Colossians 4:8).

Some of the circumstances that are important in decision-making are: where you live, your family, your financial situation, and the influence your life can have. Again, God does not ask you to do anything that goes against common duty or common sense. He would not prompt you to run in a race, for example, if you have no legs. He would not ask you to forsake your family for some mission adventure. So these cautions are necessary.

Outward circumstances also include the advice of family, friends, counselors, pastors, etc. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”  Circumstances include even things such as personal likes (if the first two points are in alignment), financial considerations, etc.

When all three of these points line up, you can act in confidence that God is directing you. If just the first two line up, you may move with caution. If only one is the basis for action, wait.

There is not room here to explore all three items in detail, but let me suggest a great book that has been reprinted entitled Does God Still Guide? By J. Sidlow Baxter.

-David Corts

Where is the line where grace ends and judgment begins?

This question is a good one since it prompts some serious reflection on two life-changing concepts – grace and judgment.

The grace of God most often is distributed on the conditional basis of faith and repentance. That is, it settles on the hearts that have put their trust in God completely. This makes it difficult to picture grace and judgment in linear terms.

Grace is also administered “unconditionally” as seen in the selection of Israel as God’s chosen people and in other covenants of God. For example, the covenant of the rainbow that God made with Noah is given unconditionally. Despite the floods of 2008, we are assured by God’s grace that mankind will not be destroyed by water. Since God can extend grace on whomsoever He pleases (without our permission, I might add), we still find it difficult to picture this in linear terms. This is supported by the teaching in Romans 9:15. The Apostle Paul quotes God speaking to Moses in Exodus 33:19, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

Judgment, on the other hand, begins at the point of un-repented sin whenever and wherever it appears. Sometimes God allows the fruits of our own sinful choices to bring judgment on ourselves. We generally view this as consequences to our actions. It is based on the biblical principle, “

But if you are thinking of the specific judgments for the unbelieving, God usually allows a prolonged period of time interspersed with many warnings. I believe you will find that in every instance of specific judgment being administered, God always precedes it with warnings. The Elijah Chronicles show us a pattern of this. God sends prophets ahead of judgment to alert and to warn of impending trouble. Elijah issued a warning to Ahab and accompanied the warning with a drought to allow him and the people of Israel time to change their worship habits. Then, he upped the ante with the dramatic intervention at Mt. Carmel. Finally, several thousand people repented as Pastor Steve taught us. It is God’s mode of operation again and again throughout the Bible when judgment is impending.

Pastor Steve told us of Ahab’s envy and covetous desire for Ahab’s vineyard. Jezebel’s cunning plot brought death to Naboth’s family and seized the vineyard. God sent a warning to Ahab through His prophet Elijah. The Prophet expressed God’s aroused anger with these firm words, “I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin.' And also concerning Jezebel the LORD says: 'Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of [a] Jezreel.' "Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country."

There is an interval of several weeks between Elijah’s warning of King Ahab’s doom and when it was fulfilled. Think of the period of grace given for opportunity to make amends. For Jezebel the interval was several years, but God kept His word and judgment did come. There was a Pastor several years ago named R.G. Lee who preached a sermon on this theme of Naboth’s vineyard entitled “Payday Someday!” It highlighted the reality that what God says will happen always comes true. But even with Judgment there is evidence of God’s grace.

Most people are given 30 days “grace” if they miss paying the premium on their life insurance policy. God gave Ahab and Jezebel weeks and years to repent and change their ways. When repentance didn’t happen, the judgment foretold came just as Elijah had said.
You see how extensive the loving-kindness of God is, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

If there is a line, it is where genuine repentance is set in motion by a believing person. When a person’s heart has grown so hard that they are incapable of feeling genuine sorrow for their wrong-doing and lack desire for God’s favor, they have approached the end of God’s grace. This is not because God isn’t willing, but the person becomes incapable of wanting it or receiving it. They no longer care about it at all. Hebrews 10:26 puts it this way, “no sacrifice for sins is left”. Here is a principle that appears to me to be operating in our sin life. With every sin left un-repented, a process of heart-hardening begins. There is a point when one’s heart becomes too hard to feel sorrow for their sin and they no longer care what God or anyone else thinks. That is the line where grace ends and judgment comes. God alone knows when that is.

God’s grace is amazing and beyond a mere human’s ability to fully comprehend. God has made it possible for us to know enough about it to receive it and live in it. The Bible says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). This reality covers all of us but another reality is also found in the Bible, “where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20). I love the captivating words of Titus 3:4-7: “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

-David Corts

How does one distinguish between a ‘keep on praying’ and a ‘no’ from God?

It is usually our hindsight that lets us know. Until we have a clear understanding that God has said “no”, we “keep on praying.” One of the great prayer warriors was George Muller who lived in the 19^th century. He was an English evangelist and philanthropist, a man of faith and prayer, who established orphanages in Bristol, England. He ran the orphanages with God’s provision but he never asked anyone for anything EXCEPT God in prayer. He provided for thousands of orphans in that manner for many years. But he prayed for other things too. Once a reporter knew that he had prayed for the conversion of a certain man for many years to know avail. He asked Mr. Muller if he had ever had a prayer that wasn’t answered. George Muller answered “Never!” It was at George Muller’s funeral that the man for whom he had prayed 53 years accepted Christ.

 

Until you have a clear “no”, keep on praying!

-David Corts

 

 

 

 

What does it mean to pray without stopping?

This question arises from the admonition in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray continually.” There are several ways to look at this. You could have a day-long prayer dispersed intermittently throughout the day. One could begin a prayer at a stoplight, and pick it up at the next light. You could start a prayer at night and fall asleep but pick up the remaining prayer the next morning.

 

I like to think of it as being included in the self-talk we have all of our lives. This means in the ongoing conversation with ourselves, we includes our God. Sometimes the conversation is direct talk with God and at other times you are aware He is listening in. If you’ve seen a version of the play Fiddler on the Roof, you have a good example of praying continually.

-David Corts

 

 

 

How can one tell if a promise of God is personal or universal? I am no scholar.

This is not always easy even for scholars to agree on. The context of a promise is the guide for us in distinguishing for whom the promise is made. You might filter a promise by asking a few questions. (1) Who utters the promise? (2) To whom is it given? (3) What is the reason the promise is given? (4) How is my circumstance the same or different?

 

When God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation, it is a personal promise. God even re-stated it to his son Isaac just so people would know it was now a personal promise to Isaac and not to Abraham’s other son, Ishmael. This is repeated with Jacob so it became personal to Jacob and not to Esau his brother. Personal promises are usually stated very clearly to a people, a nation, or group of people.

 

General promises may be applied personally or corporately depending again on the context and the help of the Holy Spirit. Most of the promises in the Psalms were made during a personal period of suffering and reveal how God provides comfort for the individual. We can claim many of these. Proverbs is a book of axioms and practical wisdom that simply make good sense. Promises embedded in this Book are often ones we can claim as well.

 

Promises made in the New Testament are generally for Christ-followers, people who are members of the church. If you have placed your faith in Christ and are part of the body of Christ, you can be sure that such promises include you. Pastor Steve gave us promises to use in the prayer time that closed the service on May 18. One was from Psalms. Six of the seven were from the New Testament and you will find that the context gives us encouragement to claim them. I will list the passages that were given and perhaps you can train your eyes to recognize others like them.

(1) Matthew 7:7-8; (2) 1 Corinthians 10:13; (3) John 14:27; (4) 1 John 1:9;

(5) Psalm 55:22; (6) Philippians 4:13; (7) Philippians 4:19.

-David Corts

 

 

 

What is the purpose and biblical use of applying scriptural promises…practically?

Scriptural promises play a big role in one’s prayer life. There are several examples of prayers in the Bible where the person praying reminded God of His promise and God proceeded to answer the requests based on those promises.

 

Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem and at the dedication his prayer contains several reminders of God’s promise. While praying he says, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.”

 

You can see that the promises of God were a source for thanksgiving and praise. In a different setting, Jacob and his family were on their way back to the land that would be his home. He would soon be passing through the territory where his brother Esau lived. His last meeting with Esau was several years before. They separated in anger and hatred and Jacob was fearful. The Scripture says, “Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,' I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. But you have said, 'I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted' "(Genesis 32:9-12).

 

Do you see how Jacob reminded God of his promise? God answered his prayer by preserving him and the meeting with Esau was very cordial

 

These are examples of how to use the promises of God that are appropriately yours to claim. Pastor Steve gave us in his sermon seven such promises and then asked for prayers to be crafted in light of the promise you chose. Keep working with these and they will bring you a lot of comfort, joy, and peace.

-David Corts

 

 

 

 

It seems God is a little less flashy these days with His expression. Am I correct in my understanding?

It may be that we don’t have eyes to see and ears to hear the remarkable things that God is doing. Or, it may be that we have not because we ask not. Missionaries in many third world cultures without back up resources like we have here, report often of spectacular things that God is doing. I have witnessed some rather “flashy” expressions of God’s power and work. True acts of God are always consistent with the written Word of God and exalt our Mighty God. They never are for mere show or exhibition to dazzle a crowd.

-David Corts

 

 

 

 

 

When Christians oppose another Christian…how do you deal with that?

It is sad but true that there are Christians who oppose other Christians. It is certainly not the Lord’s desire. The Apostle Paul said, “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

 

Your question, however, is how to deal with that. First, it is important to identify the issue at the heart of the contention. It has been said that if one can write down the problem in a clear sentence, it is 90% solved. From the Christian viewpoint, if there is some violation of God’s Word, we have clear biblical instruction how to handle that in the Christian community. Jesus gives us those instructions in Matthew 18:15-17. If it is a grievance, the Apostle Paul says it should be handled by mediation arranged by the community of believers (1 Corinthians 6:1-8).

 

If the issue is over methods or style and not a sin or not a grievance, we have a couple of examples of steps to take.

 

Paul and Barnabas went on a very successful missionary journey and returned to Antioch to give a report. Next, they planned a second trip but had a disagreement over taking Mark along with them. He went on the first trip but returned home prematurely. Barnabas wanted to take him the second time; Paul didn’t. The Scripture says in Acts 15:39, “…They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.” Barnabas took Mark and went to Cyprus. Paul took Silas and went to Syria.

 

They both continued to do the work of the Lord, they just didn’t do it together. We know from reports years later that they still loved and respected one another.

 

Whatever the resolution, love for one another is very important. Jesus said by this (your love of one another) you’ll know that you are my disciples. John R. Stott said in his book Between Two Worlds, “The price we’ve paid for a divided Christendom is an unbelieving world.”

 

There is a verse in Romans 15:7 that ought to serve as the Christian community’s Magna Charta. “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” When Christ accepted us, we had many flaws in our understanding and in our character. All of us are a work in progress.

-David Corts

 

 

 

 

How can we challenge the status quo with those close to us and still show the love of Jesus?

The answer to this question is not easily answered with a simple reply. If you could subtract the phrase “with those close to us” for a moment, we can list the options the Bible demonstrates for us through the Prophets and Jesus.

 

Pastor Steve’s lessons from the Chronicles of Elijah have shown us the method Elijah used on Mount Carmel and at other times with Ahab. It was confrontational. This will certainly be one approach you will need to use from time to time according to circumstances and the Holy Spirit’s leading even with people close to you. Some call it tough love. Elijah’s message to the people of Israel was, “"How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." This was very frank and straightforward.

 

Jesus also shows us this confrontational style when he overturned the money changer’s tables (Matthew 21:12-13). He did it again with his straight-forward response to the Pharisees in Matthew 23.

 

Jesus sometimes used stories (parables) with a point to expose intransient positions. Mark 2:18-20 is an example and so is the parable of the Prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32.

 

Another method was the artful use of questions to help the status quo person discover a clearer reality on their own. A couple of examples would be Mark 2:18-20 and Matthew 22:15-22.

 

I must mention that Jesus never manipulated the Pharisees so as to overcome their status quo position but he did assert truth and/or used stories and questions to expand their understanding so a better decision could be made for their lives.

 

Now let me get as practical as I can and hopefully this will be useful in dealing with people close to you. The artful use of “how” questions is a technique that a Psychologist taught me several years ago. You frame such questions more specifically than the following examples, nevertheless they will follow a pattern that reflects, “How does this help you?” and “How does this not help you?” These questions do not usually prompt defensiveness in the same way that “why” questions do. A person may not answer, but it will most likely stay lodged in their mind as they reach for reasons to justify their action or inaction to themselves.

 

When there is imminent danger, confrontation is necessary? Most other situations can be helped by the use of story and questions that allow for self-discovery. One other thing, the endorsement of another person whom they respect, will go a long way toward changing their status.

-David Corts

 

 

 

 

 

Does God still do acts like the fire on the bull today?

Yes, I believe He does. One reason is because God says, “I the LORD do not change” (Malachi 3:6). I think we sometimes don’t recognize the mighty works of God in America. It may be because God has blessed this country with such abundance that we believe we can handle all contingencies on our own. It may be that we simply don’t have eyes to see or ears to hear what God has done. But there are many parts of the world where it is absolutely necessary for the purposes of God and it does happen. If you have opportunity to read about what God is doing in China today, you will find testimony of some spectacular things still being done. One thing you can be sure of, God never does acts like this for mere show. It is always connected directly to his purposes.

-David Corts

 

 

 

How does good anger and bad anger mix? If bad happens; His anger. If good; His goodness. Is this true?

Good anger and bad anger don’t mix. It is important to recognize that not all bad that happens is a direct result of God’s anger. By that, I mean that God isn’t on duty looking for people to zap out of anger for their injustices. Neither can we lay the responsibility for all bad things at His feet. There are laws at work that make this a livable planet for us to enjoy. Some person or group of persons can defy those laws and pay a dear price for it. It would not be appropriate to say “God in His anger zapped that person or group of people for some wrong doing. The tragedy of 9/11 is an example. He didn’t command us to build tall buildings we call “skyscrapers” or to devise airplanes to fly like birds. He allows us to do such things but all his laws are still working. Gasoline explodes; gravity pulls planes and buildings down; people choose to follow the wrong god, etc. The people who lost their lives in that horrible event were not on some divine hate list that God keeps. Many of them went to heaven because they loved God and followed Jesus. It was still a bad thing that came about because of evil devised by those who serve a god who is no god at all (Isaiah 45:5).

Yes, it is true, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:7). So in one sense every good thing done has at its root, God. But please don’t let that overshadow the reality that Pastor Steve has mentioned on more than one occasion, there are good people who do good things who are not intentionally following God’s way in Jesus Christ. Good happens!

There is room for his anger for specific wrong-doing that defies spiritual laws and violates other’s well-being. A person’s evil may get to a place beyond repentance that God moves in with wrath like He did with Sodom and Gomorrah. Bad anger and God’s anger don’t mix because God’s anger annihilates the bad.

I would also want you to remember that “good” anger is desired when in the presence of injustices. Ephesians 4:26 tells us anger is appropriate but do not let it become sinful by turning into bitterness and revenge. It is not only appropriate but necessary to get angry over child molesters and other evils. In other words, God isn’t the only one who has good anger and He isn’t the only one who does good.

In summary, try to maintain clarity about how God is involved in the affairs of mankind. -David Corts

Do we have to go through the wilderness and what does today’s wilderness look like?

Pastor Steve indicated in one sermon that we will have our trouble (wilderness). Yes, I believe we all will. Remember Jesus taught in John 13:16 “I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” Later he reminded his disciples of this teaching in John 15:20 to prepare them for persecution.

Prior to leaving this earth, Jesus gave some final instruction in John 16. That instruction included verse 33 “"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

You ask for a modern day look at what that could be like. It is as complete in scope as any other age. If you think globally for a moment, there are Christians undergoing persecutions in several parts of the world this very day. In my mind, that is the severest form of trouble. Perhaps Paul’s description of the last days that he gave to Timothy will show us practical possibilities. “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). There you have the root source of trouble in any wilderness. -David Corts

Can you talk about the sins of the father visiting their children?

I presume you are referring to the expression that comes from the second of the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:5-6, we have the statement “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” You will find that the phrase “the third and the fourth generation” is a Semitic phrase denoting continuity. It is not to be understood in an arithmetical sense otherwise, after a thousand generations God’s love for us would cease. God is speaking to those who HATE God, who refuse to live their lives in accordance with His will. Since this is God’s world, and since we are all involved with one another, breaches of God’s law by one generation do indeed affect those of future generations to come. Slavery, exploitation, imperialism, pollution, immorality are all examples of this principle. What we call “natural results” are just an expression of God’s law in operation, punishing a disregard for His will.

In several passages we are reminded that each person will be held responsible for his own sin, both father and child. Check out 2 Chronicles 25:4 Ezekiel 18. The 18th chapter of Ezekiel is very specific about the Father and the son thing. The principle that is upheld is this: “The soul who sins is the one who will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). In Ezekiel 18:17 we are told that the son “will not die for his father’s sin” if he walks uprightly before God. The father, on the other hand, “will die for his own sin” (Ezekiel 18:18). The converse of this is true also. If a father is righteous and his son is wicked, the father will not die for his son’s evil (Ezekiel 18:13).

So the conclusion is this: the person who is righteous will surely live (Ezekiel 18:9).
-David Corts

Do prophets exist today? If so, what is a prophet’s purpose in the body of Christ?

Yes prophets exist today! It is included in the list of gifts given to the church for building it up (Romans 12:6; Ephesians 4:11; I Corinthians 12:10,28). The word for prophet in the original language means to speak forth the mind and the counsel of God. A close study will show that there is great similarity between the Old Testament prophet and the New Testament prophet. The prophet sometimes foretells events and circumstances and at other times is a “forthteller” warning people to repent of their wickedness and turn to God. The gift of prophecy is basically the gift of preaching. The prophet points out sin, and when people with sin in their lives respond in repentance, his preaching results in edification, exhortation and comfort (I Corinthians 14:3).

It has been said that the modern day PROPHETS are the Ralph Naders of Christianity. They have the ability to see that which is wrong. A prophet can walk into a room and immediately see a number of things wrong but has to concentrate for a while in order to see something right. An encourager, on the other hand, walks into a room and sees a number of things that are right and has to concentrate for a while in order to see what is wrong. Both gifts are needed in the church for successful ministry.
-David Corts

Why would James need to clarify that Elijah was a human being?

James is challenging us to pray effectively and fervently and he uses Elijah as an illustration to motivate us (James 5:17-18). It would be quite natural to say, “I’m no Elijah!” Some of the miracles that God performed through Elijah could give the impression that he was NOT just like us humans. Remember, Elijah warned King Ahab there will be no rain, dew, or moisture “I give the word” (my paraphrase of I Kings 17:1). Pastor Steve painted a pretty spectacular scene for us of that remarkable feat, but there was more. Elijah’s word brought fire from heaven in a demonstration of God’s power being superior to Baal’s (1 Kings 18:36-38), and raised the sick and afflicted. He lived a unique life and was used powerfully by God. He avoided the usual death process and was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11). So the reminder that he was “just like us” is very appropriate. James is suggesting that any righteous person can pray effectively and fervently and see powerful things happen.  -David Corts

Do I have to wait to stop cursing before I can be a someone

If you mean by “someone” a Christ-follower, then I don’t think that cursing or not cursing is a prerequisite. I do know that thoughtful followers of Christ pay close attention to the words they use. Jesus the One whom we follow said, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).

 

-David Corts

 

 

How do we show God that we are ready to do his bidding?

There are many practical ways if we gave time to make a long list. The way I think does it best is to remember the words of Jesus in Mathew 23:11-12, “The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus is our example when he washed his disciples’ feet before going to the cross.

There is a principle at work in regard to our service to God. If you will do well what some might call the “little” deeds of duty, God will enlarge your effectiveness. I base it on other words of Jesus in Matthew 25:23, “'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!”

 

-David Corts

 

Are the descendants of Anak (and Anak himself) bred from human and fallen angels? I have been told that this is how giants come into being...aka Goliath. By fallen angels sleeping with humans.

There are many wise and respected scholars who teach that giants came about because of a marriage between the fallen angels and the sons of men. The basis for this is Genesis 6:1-8.

There are perceived problems with the four main interpretations usually given to this passage. My understanding is to think of the “sons of God” as of the lineage and race of Seth. In Genesis 4 and 5 we see that it was Seth’s lineage that remained close to God. In chapter 5, we notice the Sethites having a very special relationship with God. It is said of Enoch, one of the family line, that “he walked with God.” Chapter 6 presents us with a comingling of these two family lines and of the evil that resulted.

 

I personally don’t think it was a comingling of angels and humans for a couple of reasons. Jesus indicates in Matthew 22:30 that angels are not sexual beings. There are to be no marriages in heaven. Secondly, no angels are mentioned prior to Genesis 6 which gives a reader no reason to interpret the “sons of God” in Genesis 6:2 to mean angels. The descendants of Anak may well have been transmitters of the DNA for bigness. If you were look in the Guiness Book of World Records, you will find that the tallest man in the modern era was Robert Pershing Wadlow of Alton, Illinois. He was measured by a medical team shortly before his death in 1940 at 8’11½”. The Bible account of Goliath reports his height as 6 cubits which would be approximately 9 feet tall.  I take from this an understanding that one does not need a comingling of angels and men to produce giants.

Please remember, this is not something we need agreement on in order to go to heaven.

 

-David Corts

 

When you don't believe in Jesus, is it possible to believe?

This is a curious question and I’m not sure I understand completely what you are asking. Let’s see if I can clarify the thought process. It is certainly true that people who don’t want to believe, will not believe. If, however, they change their “want to”, they will very likely become a believer. The reason is they will discover the many solid evidences for belief. It will seem reasonable and very compelling for them to believe that Jesus is God and the way to eternal life.

 

-David Corts

 

 

 

How did God get here, where did he begin, where did he come from, how was he created?

I admit it is hard for us finite humans to get our minds around the concept of an Infinite Being. The truth is, God is ORIGINAL. Revelation 1:8 provides the answer. “I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." He didn’t “begin” because He is the Beginning. He will not “end” because He is the “Ending.” (See Revelation 22:13 also.)  No wonder the Apostle Paul breaks out in praise in I Timothy 6:15-16, “God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen” (underlines are mine).

 

-David Corts

 

What are some absolute values that are constant despite our culture?

An adequate answer to this question would take some time, but certainly we are on solid ground when we begin with the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

 

-David Corts

 

 

How do we (Christians) make a change that could reverse the direction this country is headed?

I would think that we have the greatest influence by letting our “lights” shine. If there is a prescription that could be used it would be found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

It will only happen by changing one life at a time. Pastor Steve has reminded us many times that God is the only one that can do that. We give our best effort by making sure that every person has an opportunity to hear how they can become God’s friend.

 

-David Corts

 

 

How evil were their people (the people of Elijah's day)?

Pastor Steve showed the progression of evil expanding its influence by showing us the Bible’s commentary on Ahab’s father, Omri. In I Kings 16:25, the Bible says, “But Omri did evil in the eyes of the LORD and sinned more than all those before him.” Omri’s son went further and the Bible says in I Kings 16:30, “Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him.” In other words, the situation was bad.

 

It helps one’s mind get around evil by agreeing to a good definition. The definition that helped me the most was this: “Evil is NOT doing the right thing.” When evil grows in volume, it means that one is finding more and more ways to NOT do the right thing!

 

There are several paragraphs in the Bible that could serve as a list of evil, but I will point you to one of them. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 we read, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”

 

Is this the same Ahad as in Ahab he Arab?  I don’t believe so. The Ahab about whom Pastor Steve spoke was not an Arab. He was an Israelite which is to say he was a Jew.

 

-David Corts

 

 

Is this the time of Sodom and Gomorrah?

What I am hearing you ask is this. “Is our generation like the generation of Sodom and Gomorrah when God brought judgment to those two cities? Genesis 13:13 says they “sinned greatly”.  Genesis 19:24 says “the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah.” To determine if our time is exactly like the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, one would have to be God and I wouldn’t want to go there. We all recognize, don’t we, that there is a lot of evil in our time and it is compounding rapidly. Jesus spoke of the “increase of wickedness” (Matthew 24:12) as history comes to a conclusion. Sometimes I feel like Ruth Bell Graham, the wife of Billy Graham when she said a few years ago, “If God doesn’t hurry up and do something, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.”

 

Why Am I Here?

 

This is a question all of us have most likely asked ourselves at some point in our lives. The specific purpose is usually something you and God work out together. The “big picture” for your life is best worded in the first statement of the Westminster Creed. “I believe man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” To glorify God literally means to extend God’s reputation among men. When we glorify God, we cause others to have a favorable impression of God.

 

A guide to discovering your specific purpose might be explored by taking the word “call” and making an acrostic of it with these words.

 

Consecration  – commit your life to God’s purposes before you even know the specific

purpose for your life. Ask God in prayer what He would have you do. If you ask with the intent of having the option of refusing if you don’t like it, He will never show you. If you commit first with abandonment of your own will, He will always show you.

 

Abilities -       consider your natural gifts and abilities. Sometimes we use the word

“aptitude” meaning an acquired talent or ability, an inclination.

 

Learning -     is the acquiring the skill sets necessary for the optimum success of your

abilities.

 

Liking -                       If you keep in mind the order of these words and this process, you will

discover God calls you to things that you really enjoy.

 

 

Text a question. Get an answer

We at The Crossroads started a new series entitled "Fire and Rain - The Elijah Chronicles."  In this series we are trying a new method for us to create a dialog rather than the standard monologue that happens in church.  

Nothing wrong with the monologue, we just know at times questions arise during a message that an answer would be great!  During this series we are encouraging questions via text message to a particular number given on the screens.  At the end of service, the pastor will take on a select few and answer live - on the spot.  

Unfortunately, time will not permit us to answer all of them.  This blog is an attempt to answer those unanswered questions.  If you feel inclined to respond, not just to dissent or affirm, but to ask another question, that would be great.  It may start a Dia-Blog - that is our hope.