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.