Are There Contradictions in the Bible?

Hey, Calvary Youth. Pastor Keegan here. I wanted to connect with you because we had a student who submitted a question on the Calvary Youth page. The question is: “Are there contradictions in the Bible? And how do I respond to critics about that?”

What a great question! There are countless pages on the Internet that talk about alleged contradictions in the Bible. Some people claim, “I don’t believe in the Bible because it’s just a book written by men. It’s ancient and out of date.” So, how do we deal with these alleged contradictions?

Let me start by saying this: No, the Bible does not contradict itself; rather, it complements itself. You have to keep in mind that the Bible is a series of books written over the span of 1,500 years by 40 different human authors across three continents. Given this vast scope, you might expect some variations, but these variations are not contradictions. Instead, they complement the entirety of God’s word.

Addressing Alleged Contradictions

Let me take you to a specific example in Proverbs Chapter 26. This passage may challenge you in your Bible reading and raise some questions that require deeper study. But let’s look at what some might call an alleged contradiction in the Bible.

In Proverbs Chapter 26, Verses 4 and 5, it says:

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.”
“Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”
—Proverbs 26:4-5 NKJV

If I were a Bible critic, I might point to this as the definition of a contradiction. However, it’s crucial to recognize the literary style of the book of Proverbs. This book is based on wisdom, teaching us not necessarily the black-and-white rules for every situation but rather to live with discernment, prudence, knowledge, and understanding.

When I read Proverbs 26, Verses 4 and 5, I see that both verses can be true depending on the situation. There are times when, in wisdom, I should not answer a fool according to their folly so I don’t become like them. Yet, there are other times when, with prayerful discernment, I should answer a fool according to his folly so he doesn’t become wise in his own eyes. This is the essence of the book of Proverbs. 

When you look back at Proverbs Chapter 1, it explains the purpose and reason for its writing:

“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion—A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.”
—Proverbs 1:1-5 NKJV

Understanding the Bible’s Literary Styles

Another important point to consider is the literary style of the writing. Proverbs is a book of wisdom, and in many ways, it resembles Hebrew poetry. To sum up, the Bible does not contain contradictions. There are answers to each of the alleged contradictions, and one of the key tactics of the enemy is to sow doubt. 

He did this from the very beginning with Adam and Eve, asking, “Did God really say this?” This is still true today. The enemy’s goal is to get you to question the authority of God’s word.

God’s Word is Pure

Finally, I want to read one more verse from the book of Proverbs to you. In Proverbs Chapter 30, Verses 5 and 6, it says:

“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”
—Proverbs 30:5-6 NKJV

One of the essential truths about God is that He cannot lie. He is not full of contradictions, and you can trust in that with complete confidence.

God bless you, and thank you for asking these questions.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/are-there-contradictions-in-the-bible/

After God Judges the World, Will He Start Over and Make New Life?

Question: 

After God judges the world, will he start over and make new life?

Answer:

I think we can find the answer to that in Revelation Chapter 20, which speaks of God’s judgment. It’s called the Great White Throne Judgment and is the final judgment that God brings upon Satan and the people who have rejected Jesus. And chapter 21 of Revelation talks about God’s newness, making all things new. 

I’d encourage you to read those two chapters because they’ll give you some insight and context on this question.

I’ll read a couple of verses here. This is John speaking as he has received the vision and the revelation from God. 

Revelation 21:1 NKJV, he says: 

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea.”

In this verse, we see that the old is gone. God has created something entirely new, a new heaven and a new earth.

Verse 2 says that John saw a new city, a holy city coming down from heaven. The new Jerusalem really represents God’s presence.

Revelation 21:2 NKJV

“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

But I think Verse 3 answers the question “After God makes everything new, is he going to make new life in this?”

I think the answer is no because it says here in Verse 3:

Revelation 21:3 NKJV

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

Speaking of people who’ve put their faith in Jesus Christ, this is really a picture of what we think heaven is. And these people, these believers, are now with God. This is the tabernacle of God, which represents the presence of God. And they dwell with Him, and He’ll be with them. These people will acknowledge God as their God. And so, I know this is speaking of eternity for believers.

Speaking of our future as we believe in Jesus Christ, if you put your faith in Jesus, this can be a promise for us. But it says that God will be with them. And so, I don’t think God’s creating new life, but what He’s doing is restoring and redeeming the lives of those who’ve put their faith in Jesus Christ. 

It says bringing them into the eternity that He’s purposed for them, that He’s created for them.

It says that He’s going to wipe away the tears, there’s going to be no more death, sorrow, or pain. The former things have passed away. And so, He’s brought us into this restoration of completeness that Jesus Christ has for us as believers.

This is a promise that you can hold on to. Even though the Bible says our outward man and our bodies are perishing, the inward man is being renewed day by day, and we have an eternity of newness looking forward to what God has for us in a world, in heaven, and in an earth that is not touched by sin but instead fully saturated by the presence of God.

So, read these chapters to get some more insights, and I hope that answers your question.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/after-god-judges-the-world-will-he-start-over-and-make-new-life/

How Do I Repent of Something I Keep Doing? Is Mental Illness a Sin?

So, let me start with this first point, “How do I repent of something I keep doing?” So that’s a really good question. If we have Jesus in us and the Holy Spirit working in us, we should allow Him to convict us and correct us as we fall into sin. And yet, there can be this time where we fall into the cycle of sin, and it’s hard to pull ourselves out of it, whether it’s addiction or just repeating it over and over again.

And what I love to fall back onto is in Romans Chapter 6:11. And this is a truth for you to really memorize and put into your life, especially when you’re tempted to fall back into another sin. 

Romans Chapter 6:11 NLV says: 

“Likewise, you also reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Addressing Repeated Sin

Paul uses very specific language in Verse 11. He says you should “reckon yourselves to be dead to sin–” This word “reckon” can also be translated as counting it or calculating it. It’s essentially a mathematical term where Paul is saying, “Hey, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you’ve been forgiven and redeemed and saved by Him. This is the truth, this is the fact, this is the mathematical equation that you are dead to sin. That is your old life; that is your old man,” as he would say.

We must remember that we have a new nature in Jesus Christ. The old is gone, everything has become new, and He’s paid the penalty for you on the cross. And so, you have the power in Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to turn away from sin even though you keep on repeating it over and over again. 

You have to tell yourself and remind yourself of who you really are in Christ, that you are actually dead to sin. That sin has no control or power over you. You can be an overcomer of that in the Holy Spirit.

And then he says, “Not only are you dead to sin, but you’re alive to God in Christ Jesus.” This is an awesome promise for us to hold on to: You’re alive in Christ Jesus; you’re alive in God. And because you’re alive, you can have victory over sin, the sin that so easily trips us up and ensnares us.

I want you to hold onto that and put that in your mind and heart and memorize this as your identity. You’re no longer a slave to sin, but a child of God.

With repentance, the word “repent” literally means to turn 180 degrees in a different direction. So, if you say you keep repenting, but you fall back into that sin over and over again, I would challenge you if this is true repentance. 

Repentance has to have fruits or results or action. You have to turn away. It’s not just saying “I’m sorry” or having regret over what you did, but it’s actually turning in a different direction and going in a new course of life. And so, again, you’re alive in God. You have the power to turn away from that and you can go forward in that.

I hope that answers the first part of this question. 

Is Mental Illness a Sin

The 2nd part is “Is mental illness a sin?” Maybe this even ties in if you’re struggling with mental illness and you keep falling into something, into sin because of a mental illness, maybe that’s part of the question. 

But to just address this piece, “Is mental illness a sin?” It is definitely not a sin at all to have a mental illness. Think of a physical illness, cancer, or whatever you would think of, any type of physical disease that we can carry. We don’t classify that as sin at all. 

We live in a body that is in a world and creation that’s falling apart because of sin. And so, our bodies and sometimes even our minds don’t work fully as they were created and intended to do because of sickness and illness.

So, there’s no condemnation; there’s no judgment; there should be no guilt with mental illness. And so, with mental illness, you want to get the help that you need. 

You want to seek professional help, and you want to have godly people in your life who are encouraging you and pointing you back to the Lord. Then, you still want to take ownership of how you behave and what you say. We never want to use sicknesses, whether mental or physical, to excuse sinful behavior.

Embracing God’s Grace

I hope that kind of answers it. Just hold onto the grace of God. God’s grace wants to cover you; whether it’s a mental illness you’re dealing with or a repeated sin you keep falling into as you run back to the cross. His grace is sufficient to strengthen us, to forgive us, and to help us move forward in all of these things.

God bless you, guys. I hope that helps a little bit.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/overcoming-repeated-sin-and-understanding-mental-illness/

Should I Strive for a Relationship, or Will It Fall into Place?

Hey, everyone. We have another great question: “Should I strive for a relationship, or will it fall into place?” 

Answer:

I can share a few ideas from the gospel of Matthew. I think this is a really good principle, whether you want a relationship or anything else. In Matthew Chapter 6, Jesus is teaching us not to worry and what we do with the things that we worry about or want.

Trusting God’s Provision

He talks about the flowers of the field and the birds of the air and how God takes care of them, making this point: If God’s going to take care of those things, surely he will take care of you and me as his children.

Matthew 6:26-30 NIV 

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon, in all his splendor, was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” 

Seeking God’s Kingdom First

But then, after Jesus says all of these things, in Matthew 6:33 NIV, he says:  

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

So, I think we can apply this to this idea and this question, “Should you strive for a relationship?” 

I think that it’s a matter of what we are seeking. Are we seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness? Is that the priority in our lives? If we grow in Him and fall more in love with Him, the Lord will help sort out these other things in our lives. 

Even these other desires, even if they’re good desires, we want to make sure that our first and foremost desire is seeking Him, his kingdom, and his righteousness. And the promise is all these other things will be added unto you.

Embracing the Season of Singleness

So, if you desire a relationship and feel like you’re striving for it, I would encourage you to pause that striving and focus on the Lord. 

Ask the Lord, “What does he want to do in your life during this season of singleness?” Maybe the Lord has a purpose for it. Maybe the Lord wants to develop some patience or maturity. Whatever He might want to do in this season of waiting upon Him, seeking Him, and then trusting in Him. Even this word, “not to worry about tomorrow and not to worry about a future relationship,” but the Lord will bring that in in due season.

So, I would say that you shouldn’t strive for a relationship. However, if you continue in Matthew Chapter 7, God also gives us the open door to ask and to pray and to ask Him for the things that we desire. 

Matthew 7:7-7 NIV says: 

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

So, this idea is that the Lord does want to answer your prayers, the Lord does want to bless us, and the Lord does want to give us the desires of our hearts. I think if we couple these two ideas where, we’re seeking first the kingdom of God, and that’s our first and foremost desire of His righteousness and His kingdom. We can also bring these prayer requests.

Praying for Your Desires

If you really want a relationship, ask the Lord. Ask the Lord if that would be His will for you and that you would keep asking and seeking those things. 

As our heart aligns with His heart, He’s going to help us with our prayers of what we need, what we want. But have that boldness to ask the Lord for the things, the desires of your heart, but ask Him in this place as well for wisdom of, “Lord, not my will, but your will be done.“

I hope this helps and applies to this question of wanting a relationship. Seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness; make that priority number one. But then, number two, you can just take everything to the Lord, bring these requests to Him, and see how he will help sort that out in your prayer closet.

So, hope that helps. God bless you guys.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/striving-for-a-relationship-a-biblical-perspective/

Navigating Singleness: Trusting God’s Plan

Question: How do I stay encouraged in singleness and trust that God has someone for me? Also, how do I deal with the doubt and insecurity while waiting?

Answer: Finding Hope in God’s Promises

I’m going to do my best to give a brief but clear answer. In this question, obviously, we have one of our youths who has a desire for a relationship but is struggling with singleness. And just asking the question, “How can I trust that God really has someone for me?”

Psalm 37:4 NKJV says, 

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give the desires of your heart.” 

Patience and God’s Timing

And so, a very important component of this is that I believe even that very desire for a relationship can be God-given. However, if I’m not careful, I can take a God-given desire and then try to have it come to pass or come to fruition in my own ability, and that’s a very dangerous thing. 

If you’re familiar with the Bible story of Abraham and Sarah, they had received a promise, but they were waiting for this promised son. And in their own understanding and wisdom, they had Ishmael, who didn’t come from Abraham and Sarah but came from Abraham and Sarah’s servant. 

Even though Ishmael was not the promised son, we can, in essence, create Ishmaels in our lives by doing things outside of God’s timing. So, patience—waiting patiently upon the Lord—is a big part of that.

Drawing Strength from Scripture

And so, what do we do, and how can we stay encouraged? My big thing for you is in 1 Samuel Chapter 30, which is what came to mind when I read this question. 

1 Samuel 30:6 NLT; it says, 

“But David found strength in the Lord, his God.” 

Or there’s another translation 1 Samuel 30:6 KJV; that says, 

“David encouraged himself in the Lord, his God.” 

Trusting God’s Plan

That’s really the answer that I give to you. You just have to trust that God’s Plan is better than yours.

This is in many areas of life, right? You might be looking at your future careers, or you’ll be looking at, “What am I to do in schooling?” and all these areas of life. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He’ll direct your paths.” 

Seeking Guidance and Support

That’s a very deep question, and I feel like it requires a little personal counsel, too. So, I’d encourage you to talk to a pastor or a parent. A spiritual leader in your life can give you great direction with a question like that. Thank you for asking, and I hope it helps. 

God bless you.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/navigating-singleness-trusting-gods-plan/

Nurturing a Relationship with God

Hey, Calvary Youth! I have a question that was submitted by a student who says, “How do you have a relationship with God?” 

Answer: Building a Connection with the Divine

Let me just start off by saying I love the questions that are submitted. The questions that you young people ask are questions that I even wrestle with and seek answers to in my personal walk with God. 

Understanding the Intangible

Let’s just be clear that God is intangible in many ways because the Bible says that God is Spirit. It’s tough sometimes. Practically, we just need to ask, “How do I do this? I can’t see you. I can’t audibly hear you. And so, God, how do I get to have a relationship with you?” 

Jesus would even call you “blessed.” In John Chapter 20, he was conversing with one of his disciples, Thomas. 

John 20:29 NLT

“You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Faith is the only way. Belief and trust are the only way we can be right with God, and it has to start there. It has to start with, “I just trust and believe that God is who the Bible declares him to be.”

Abiding in Jesus: A Path to Relationship

But to give a clearer answer, and as some homework if this is a question you have. John 15:1-13 gives great insight into a concept we know as abiding or remaining in Jesus. 

An important part of a relationship is that we stay put. That we find ourselves secure with Jesus, walking with him day to day, inviting him in day by day, and receiving his invitation day by day. You might even say “moment-to-moment” because this is just how any relationship is. There are moments when we enjoy that relationship.

Practical Steps in Spiritual Connection

Some key practical things, such as prayer and talking to God, are really important. And then there’s hearing from God. One of the main ways that I hear from God is through His Word. And so, when we say, “Do your devotion,” it’s having a time that we set purpose to read and study, but also to just receive and digest the Word of God.

But I want to share this one verse from John Chapter 15. I said I had some homework for you to read through that whole chapter in context. 

John 15:5 NLT, Jesus says these words; 

“Yes, I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me, you can do nothing.” 

We’ve been trusting Jesus in that, knowing that He is the vine and we are branches. I’m trusting in the very source—the source who gives me the desire and the source who gives me the power—and that’s Jesus Himself.

Conclusion: Seeking Deeper Connection

So, continue to trust in Him. Fix your eyes in a spiritual sense upon Him, and He’ll guide you along that path of a right relationship. 

Great question. Again, if you ever need to talk more personally, come seek out me, Pastor Byron, or any of our youth leaders or pastors here at the Church. We’d love to share and dive deeper into that question with you personally. 

God bless you, students. 

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/nurturing-a-relationship-with-god/

Do Angels Have A Beginning?

Question: Do Angels Have A Beginning?

Hey, Calvary Youth. Thanks for submitting another question. This is Pastor Keegan, and I have the privilege of answering the question, “Did angels have a beginning, and can they die?” 

Answer: Understanding Angels’ Creation and Immortality

What an awesome question! The Bible has so much to say about these supernatural beings we refer to as “angels.” 

Angels’ Origin in the Divine Order

There’s so much I could talk about in regard to the classes of angels, the categories of demonic or fallen angels versus the good messenger angels of God. But just to give a simple answer: yes, angels have a beginning. 

They are part of the created order of God. We can see that in a number of scriptures. However, one of the key ones is Hebrews Chapter 1. If you want to do the research, read through it. It really emphasizes how Jesus, the Son of God, is greater than the angels.

The author of Hebrews, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, summarizes at the end:

Hebrews 1:13-14 NLT

“God never said to any of the angels, Sit in the place honor of my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”

“Therefore, Angels are only servants, spirits, sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.”

So, we’re seeing a class of angels that are spoken of here—specifically, those who are sent as messengers of God. God had a purpose for angels. They’re supernatural beings. Different than humans, of course. And in that regard, we can look at angels and say they’re not in the natural confines that we as humans are. 

Angels’ Purpose and Distinction

Remember, why did humans die in the first place? That wasn’t even part of God’s original design or order, but it was an effect of sin that entered the world. That’s why salvation is so important. 

If you noticed in Hebrews 1:14, God has a special mission for angels. A reassignment, you could say, after the fall, that they would go and be messengers for the saving work of God. Of course, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. 

You can read through Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT, which talks about that.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

Judgment and Immortality

But angels, yes, they have a beginning. They are a created order of God. 

Can they die? 

No, there is a judgment for fallen angels. Revelation Chapter 12 gives a little insight into what happened in the beginning when a third of the angels rebelled. 

Revelation 12:7-9 NLT

“Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels.”

“And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven.” 

“This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.”

The leader, of course, who we know as the Devil or Satan, leads that rebellion. Those angels will be put in what’s known as the “lake of fire.” It’s a place of judgment reserved for angels. 

Angels, Mortality, and Salvation

There’s another place in the scripture that talks about this bottomless pit or the abyss where certain fallen angels are bound for a time and a period.  But with all the best said, angels do not experience a physical death as humans do, nor do they receive the opportunity for salvation. 

So, humans are different from angels, and angels are different from Jesus. And Jesus, of course, is greater than the angels. Jesus is our Lord and Savior. I hope that helps. 

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/do-angels-have-a-beginning/

What Are Ways We Could Spread the Gospel?

Hey, guys. So, I have another really good question.

Question: “What are ways we could spread the Gospel?” 

I love this question because this is something that we, as believers, should really think through. We have been called to be ambassadors of Christ, to share the good news, to be the salt and the light of this earth. And so, what are some good practical ways that we can share the Gospel? 

I think this is one of our callings as believers. But there are many different ways we can do it, many different methods. There are a couple of things I want to pull out of scripture for you guys to hold onto and think about as you go about your days and opportunities to share the Gospel.

The first is in Romans Chapter 1:16 NLT. Paul is speaking here. He says, 

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”

Or in the translation Romans Chapter 1:16 NIV:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

And so, Romans Chapter 1:16 gives us the foundation of what the Gospel is. It’s good news. It’s the work and power of God that would save anyone who would believe in Him. As we think about sharing the Gospel, we want to put our foundation in remembering that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that: 

• Jesus died
• He rose again
• He’s ascended
• He’s coming back again soon 

And, with that, He’s proclaimed victory over death and the power to forgive our sins and to bring us into eternal life. And that’s the power of the Gospel.

In Romans 1:16, Paul says he’s not ashamed of this good news because it is the power of God at work. So, remember that the power of God is at work. That can start to give us the confidence to share the Gospel. 

I know that sharing the Gospel with people can sometimes be uncomfortable, awkward, or maybe even scary. And so, we feel a little intimidated by that. I like to fall back on this verse, knowing, just being reminded, that I shouldn’t be ashamed of it. Instead, I should be reminded that it’s the power of God that’s working. 

And, as I share the Gospel, even if I don’t articulate it very well, or I struggle, or I feel intimidated, whatever it might be, I can remember that as I share just the love and the hope of Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection, that is the power of God that wants to work and save people. So, I want us to rest upon the power of God and the power of the good news. And that’s going to give us some of the confidence as we share the Gospel.

And so, the question was, what are ways we could spread the Gospel? 

I think God wants to spread the Gospel supernaturally but in a very ordinary way. And so, He wants to use your life in an ordinary way as you go about your routine, context, and circle. 

Think about that. What does your life look like? Maybe you’re a student, and you’re going to school. So, you’re at school five days a week, playing sports, and maybe working a part-time job, whatever that looks like. Or maybe you’re homeschooled, and you’re with your family a lot, or you have a co-op that you’re working with, or you have unbelievers that you’re inviting to church, things like that. 

So, there are all sorts of contexts that surround our lives. And God wants to use those contexts greatly for the Gospel. And so, don’t diminish the season of life that you’re in. If you are going to school, share the Gospel faithfully at school. Like, look for the people in your lives that you can build relationships with, whom you can love, and that you can seek opportunities and open doors to share that. Think about that. Just the ordinary thing that God wants you to use.

In my life, we lived overseas for many years as missionaries. And we had this in mind: We wanted to share the Gospel overseas, and God put that calling on our lives. We had this idea of going to the ends of the earth and sharing the Gospel, and thousands would get saved, and God could do that.

But I learned very quickly, even in a foreign country, that I had to go about my ordinary day, and that was going to give me the opportunity to build relationships with people and share the Gospel. 

So, whether it’s meeting someone on the bus, in our language class, or meeting someone in the marketplace, Slowly but surely, God started to build relationships around us that we could share the Gospel with. So, think about that. You don’t have to have some sort of big project or plan. But it’s just like, what does God want to do through your life in a very faithful way?

The next thing I want you to think about is from 1 Peter 3:15 NLT:

“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And, if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” 

A great way to share the Gospel is to worship Jesus and live for Him in everything you do. People are going to see that. People are going to see that there’s a difference in your life. There’s something different about you. There’s an extra amount of patience, love, or grace. 

People will ask, “Hey, why do you have hope? What’s going on?” This will open the door to start sharing the Gospel. 

What Peter tells us here is to always be ready to explain it. So, we need to be in a place where we’re ready to explain the Gospel in a clear way. We want to know God’s Word well. We want to have a personal experience with the Lord and a growing life with the Lord. So when opportunities do come, we’re not caught off guard. But we can be like, “Oh man, I’m glad you asked. Let me tell you a little more about Jesus Christ.” And so, be ready to explain that. Be anticipating people asking questions so that you can share the Gospel.

A third way that I want you to think about sharing the Gospel is kind of like what I shared at the beginning, just in your ordinary context, but be ready to share your testimony. God’s Word has power, so we want to share God’s Word but relate it back to what God’s done in our lives. 

John 3:16 NIV: says, 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Bring that verse into a personal way by describing how the Lord met you, how the Lord saved you, and what God’s Love looks like in your life. Share your testimony, how you surrendered to the Lord, and bring people into the process of what God is doing in your life. 

And that’s a powerful way to share the Gospel.

So, three things for you guys to just think about. 

1. Know about the power of God, and share that in your ordinary life. 
2. Be ready to explain the hope that you have and be ready to anticipate that. 
3. And finally, share your testimony and bring people into your life in a personal way.

And I know God’s going to open great doors for you to share the Gospel in your circles.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/what-are-ways-we-could-spread-the-gospel/

How Can I Stay Humble in My Sport When Everyone Compliments Me?

Hey, guys. So, we got a question that came in. It says, “How can I stay humble in my sport when everyone compliments me? And how can I prevent getting cocky?” 

Answer: 

I think this is a really good question to consider, especially as believers participating in sports and competitions. I love sports. I love to play softball these days. Earlier in my life, I played high school and college baseball. And so, I really have a competitive nature, wanting to succeed and do well in those types of things. But I think the Lord also wants to teach us some things as we walk through this.

Firstly, just walk in thanksgiving. The breath in our lungs and the abilities, even athletic abilities, that God might give us are a gift from Him. And, we should start in that place of just thankfulness that the Lord would give us the ability to live, and to play, and to run, and whatever it would be that you’re into. 

And I think that’s the best place to start, in a place of humility. Even if you’re succeeding in a good thing, it’s okay to succeed, it’s okay to win, it’s okay to compete and do well. But we want to remain in that place of it’s the Lord’s Gift in us that we have that ability to do what we’re doing.

And so, the question here, it’s like, people are giving you compliments. How can you prevent getting cocky? How do you stay humble? And humbleness is key in our Christian walk.

And so, here are a couple of verses I want to share with you guys to consider. The first one would be in Colossians Chapter 3:12 NLT. It says: 

“God chose you to be holy people, and you must clothe yourselves in tender-hearted mercy and kindness, in humility, gentleness, and patience.” 

And so, just these attributes of what it looks like to be a believer, to be a chosen child of God, living for God in this world. Some of the attributes here highlight humility, gentleness, and kindness. And so, these are really kind of opposite to being cocky, and full of yourself, and full of pride.

James Chapter 4:6 NIV says: 

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 

And so, you want to remember that. We want to remember that God has called us to walk in humility, to be humble.

I think that’s really a good place to start, as we start with Thanksgiving and remind ourselves of what the character of a believer is without getting too full of ourselves as we compete, play sports, win, whatever it might be. 

I think of Jesus’s character also. And I want you to just really consider the character of who Jesus is. As believers, we’re called to follow Jesus, imitate Him, and live for Him. And one of the ways we do that is by studying and observing His life and the way He lived here on earth. And so, think about Him. And, think about the very Son of God, the one with all the strength and power and wisdom and knowledge and ability in the world, who came and lived a sinless life here on earth. 

And yet, He clothed himself in humility and meekness. And it’s just this picture of meekness and humility, not a place of weakness. In fact, it’s a place of strength. That He would restrain himself from puffing himself up, and so, think about that. Even just as Jesus went to the cross, He had the full ability to conquer everyone around Him and just proclaim His greatness and His victory over sin and death in that moment. 

But instead, He chose the meek and humble way to go all the way to the cross to pay that death. And then, He rose later from the grave.

Think about this as we apply it to the question: Just about your walk with the Lord. Maybe it’s not even sports. But maybe it’s your academics, or music, or just something that you succeed in. Do it, do it well. 

Colossians 3:23-24 tells us: 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

So, you want to put your full effort into it. You don’t want to feel guilty for being good at something. Go for it and be good at it. But then, remembering that it’s like, hey, we want to just walk in that place of humility.

And I love this verse in Colossians 3:12-14 NLT. I’ll read it again, and I want you to apply this to your life. It says:  

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

And so, He uses this idea: to clothe yourself, to put on, to cover yourself with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. As you go forward, in whatever you’re doing, do it as unto the Lord, but clothe yourself in this humility.

And so, the final piece to this question is really just like people giving you compliments. How do you not get cocky in that? And this is how I would do it. I would direct those compliments back to the Lord. 

If someone comes up to you and compliments you on something that you’ve achieved or something that you’ve done, you can take that and be grateful for that. But then, you direct it back to the Lord. “Hey, the Lord gave me this gift.” Like, the Lord has given me this ability, and I use it in that.

The final thing about how to not be cocky is to remember there are seasons of everything. I succeeded in baseball, just looking at my own life. I succeeded pretty well in baseball through high school and college. And it was a season, and it was good. And I came to a realization that there were people who were still better than me. There were people who succeeded much better than I did and continued on with those things. 

I’m thankful the Lord gave me a season of success in sports, but also things come and go. Our health comes and goes, and our talents come and go. And so, that keeps us humble, and that keeps us not to be in a cocky place. Because we don’t even know what tomorrow might bring, so just keep those things in mind. Colossians 3:12 and James 4:6. 

I hope that helps with this question.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/how-can-i-stay-humble-in-my-sport-when-everyone-compliments-me/

How Do I Escape from Dark Thoughts?

Hey, guys. So, I’m answering another question that came in, and it’s a really good question to think through. It’s a difficult question. And I know that just even a short video might not answer everything on this question. 

Question: “I have severe depression, anxiety, as well as suicidal thoughts. What are some ways to help me move away from all of this?”

The first thing I want to say is thank you for reaching out with this question. I would encourage you to continue to reach out to somebody, whether it’s myself, Pastor Keegan, or someone in your life that you know and trust. You need to really talk through this with someone face to face because it’s a real thing.  

You don’t need to feel condemned or judged for having some of these thoughts, but it is something that we would want to talk through with you because it can be very heavy.  But I want to give you a couple of things to chew on as you think about this.

The first thing comes from Genesis Chapter 1. Going all the way back to the story of the Creation and the foundations of the Earth, Genesis 1:27 NIV reads: 

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

And just this idea of going all the way back to the creation of what a human being is, we see here the great value that God places on human beings.  And speaking to you very personally, if you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts, this is a great foundation to go back to. God created you, and He put so much value in you that He created you in his image.

Regardless of your past and the things you’re going through right now, the truth about you is that you have great value because you are an image bearer of God. And, with that, we know that God has placed tremendous value and worth upon your life.

So, we know, as we look at that, that’s the truth. We know that we don’t always feel that.  I’ll be the first one to share that I don’t always feel worthy or valued. There are moments where depression or anxiety can come into my life. And so, I know that those things are very real. But we have to take those feelings and those thoughts back to the Word of God. 

I really like the phrase, “Feel your feelings. But then, filter your feelings through God’s Word.“ 

So, we feel our feelings. It’s okay to feel. We know that God was an emotional God and that feelings can be used in a very good and powerful way. But we also know that our feelings can sometimes be deceptive. So, we want to feel our feelings and acknowledge them. Don’t suppress or ignore your emotions. But instead, take them to the Lord and filter them through what God’s Word says about you. 

Your feeling might say that you feel worthless and that your life would be better off if you just ended it. That’s a feeling. But then, the truth of God’s Word as we filter that through, the truth is your life is valuable, that God has given you a purpose, and that you have been created in God’s image. So, we can take all of those things, and we can start to take them through God’s Word, which can help renew our minds in some ways.

As you walk through some of these things, remember God’s promises about who you are. And then, something practical I would encourage you to do is spend some time in Philippians Chapter 4. Philippians Chapter 4 is my go-to chapter when I’m feeling emotions of anxiety or whatever it might be. I believe that God wants to speak to you in this. If you’re wrestling with suicidal thoughts, this is a great practical place to start by praying through Philippians 4:6-7 NLT:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

So, I want to pause there really quickly because Paul says, “Don’t worry about anything.” 

In translation, Philippians 4:6-7 NLT: he says, “Be anxious for nothing.” 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

I’m like, “Man, Paul, that’s not realistic. How could I not be anxious for anything? How can I not worry about anything?” 

But I remember the context of where Paul’s writing this. He’s writing these words, “Don’t worry about anything,” as he’s been betrayed by his friend, sitting in prison, locked up, possibly facing the end of his life. And he writes these words inspired by the Holy Spirit. He says, “Hey, don’t worry about anything. Be anxious for nothing.”

I want to tap into what God was ministering to Paul at that moment so that he could have the confidence and the boldness to write this. And so, he says, “Instead of worrying, we should pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.” 

The first place we want to go to with our thoughts of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideations we want to take those to the Lord. Tell Him about it. Verbalize those things to Him. Sometimes, we suppress the emotions and the feelings so deep that we can’t even formulate them in our mind of really what’s going on.  And so, it’s really helpful for us to pray those things to the Lord. Pray them out loud, and bring them to the light. Bring someone else into this prayer with you and really express your emotions before the Lord.  

In that, also thank Him for what He’s done. I know that can be really hard to do when we’re in a season of discouragement, but use that as a model for your life or just try to find something—one thing a day, even just to say, “God, thank you for whatever this is.” The heart of thanksgiving will often saturate the rest of our lives and help us in those moments. 

He says, “Tell God, thank Him.” And then, the promise in these things as we tell God, as we open up our whole lives, and our whole mind, and everything before the Lord, as we do these things. The promise that God has for us, as he says in Philippians 4:6-7 NLT: 

“You will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand, and His peace will guard your hearts and mind as you live in Christ Jesus.”  

Isn’t it true how much we need the peace of God to guard our hearts and our minds? Because as we think about anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, all of these things, that’s where the battlefield is. It’s all in our mind; it’s all in our heart; it’s all internalized, and how we need God’s peace to protect us and to guard us in those things. And how do we do this? How do we allow this? First and foremost, go to the Lord, tell Him everything, and open up before the Lord.

And then, in Philippians 4:8-9 NLT, it continues. 

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

And so the practical thing to do in our lives is to start fixing our thoughts on the true things, the honorable things, the pure, the just, and the right. So, it goes back to that idea of feeling our feelings, but then we filter them through the Word of God. 

• What does God’s Word say about this? 
• What is the truth of God’s Word?  
• Is this a pure thought? 
• Is this a lovely thought? 
• Is this a right thought? 
• Is this excellent and worthy of praise? 
• Or is this a lie? 
• Is this not lining up with what God says about me in his word? 

Spend some time there in Philippians 4. I encourage you to pray through it and really, for real, reach out to someone. Reach out to me or someone who’s close to you because you need people in your life as you walk through these strong and real emotions. 

You’re not alone; God is with you, and there are other people who want to be with you in this. And so I hope that you do. I’m praying for you. I know this is a really real question, and there’s so much more to be said.  So please continue the dialogue in this.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/how-do-i-escape-from-dark-thoughts/

Overcoming YouTube Addiction: Insights from Scripture

Question: 

How Do I Get Over My YouTube Addiction?

Recognizing the Addiction

Hey, guys. We have a question here: “How can I get over a YouTube addiction?”

Great question. It’s not just related to YouTube, but maybe social media and video games. There are so many things that we can get obsessed with, fixated on, and addicted to that as you start it, maybe it’s not something sinful or wrong, but it starts to totally consume your life. It’s a really good thing to address and talk about.

Biblical Insight: 1 Corinthians 6:12

I’m reminded of 1 Corinthians 6:12 NLT. In this section, Paul discusses avoiding sin and addiction. He specifically discusses sexual sin, but I think this can apply to many things and our addictive personalities that we might have to wrestle with.

“You say I’m allowed to do anything, but not everything is good for you. And even though I am allowed to do anything, I must not become a slave to anything.” 

Freedom and Responsibility

In another translation, Paul would say, I don’t want to come under the power of something else. The idea here is that YouTube, in and of itself, might not be wrong or sinful, depending on the content you’re watching. And so, we have the freedom and the liberty to use it and to enjoy it. But at the same time, we see here Paul says we’re allowed to do anything, we have the freedom to do some of these things, but the reminder is that not everything is good for you. 

So, I think this is a really good spot to just remember as you think about addiction to YouTube, social media, whatever it might be. Not everything is good for you. It can really suck you in for hours and just take you to a place where it truly becomes an addiction. 

The idea of a believer is that we don’t want to come under the power of anything other than the Holy Spirit. We want the Holy Spirit to be the thing that controls our lives and has power over them.

Realigning Focus: 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

So, how do we break free from addiction? Well, we want to get our minds back on Jesus Christ. Later, in 2 Corinthians, Paul says: 

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

You might think, “Okay, I want to get back on YouTube.” 

No, you don’t want that thought to take you down that direction, but you want to take that thought and be like, “Lord, is this the wisest thing I should be doing right now?” And acknowledging the Lord and bringing the Lord into these decisions that you’re making.

Shedding Weight: Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Another idea that comes from Hebrews Chapter 12:1 NLT, where the author of Hebrews tells us:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

This idea, as we’re running a race, we don’t want to run with extra weight that slows us down. So, something like YouTube or an addiction like that is just going to slow you down in your walk with the Lord, in your relationships with other people, in your responsibilities, in school, in life, in your job, and whatever you have. You want to be really aware of laying those things aside.

Seeking Accountability

How do we do this? Bring people into your life that you trust and that you love, maybe a pastor, a parent, or someone like that, where you’re just open and honest about your struggles with addiction. 

It’s good to have some accountability in your life for someone to ask you regularly, “Hey, how are you doing in this area?” Open up to someone and bring it to the light. That’s a practical way.

Establishing Boundaries

Another practical thing is that I would imagine that you’re probably addicted to YouTube on your phone, right? So, practice some healthy habits with that. Maybe you want to leave your phone out in the living room, the kitchen, downstairs, or wherever when the evening’s wrapping up. 

Put some limits on yourself, such as, “Hey, you’re turning your phone off at 8 p.m.,” or, for example, “every day.” And that’s going to put some limits on that. 

Jesus would even say, “Hey,” if something’s stumbling us that much, He uses the example of our hand. He’s like, “Cut off your hand or pluck out your eye,” right? I’m not speaking of physical harm to yourself, but this idea of, what is the thing that’s causing you to stumble? We need to cut it out of our lives. 

So, if it’s something that you really can’t cut out of your life, I would suggest going extreme and getting a flip phone. Or just getting rid of your phone for a season. That can be hard and inconvenient, but it’s worth it for your spiritual life.

Dependence on God’s Power: Zechariah 4:6

So, just some practical things, but coming back to this principle, “Hey, you’re allowed to do things.” We have freedom in the Lord, but remember, not everything is good for you. And the Lord has something better for you than just being stuck in addiction.

He wants to give you the strength and the power to break free. The final thought here is that you can’t do it on your own, right? 

The Bible tells in Zechariah 4:6 NLT: 

“Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

The spirit of God needs to be the thing that helps you and gives you strength to overcome this. Submit your life to Him and ask the spirit to help fill your life and to strengthen you, to keep your eyes on Him. And by His Spirit, He can bring victory in your life.

Please let me know if you have more questions about this. It would be great to have a deeper dialogue. I hope that helps.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/overcoming-youtube-addiction-insights-from-scripture/

Navigating Faith: Belief in God When Certainty is Elusive

Question: 

How can you believe in God if you aren’t 100% sure he exists?

Answer: 

What a fantastic question! It’s understandable that we may not always perceive God’s presence or hear Him as clearly as we’d like. But how can we be completely certain? Whether through spoken words or inner feelings, this is a common query, and I commend your courage in asking it.

So, here’s one of the ways that I would answer this question, and I think we have to start with the word of God because it’s by faith. I like to think about how we know God exists. It’s this question of origin. Can anything be self-existing and self-sustaining unless it is in itself supreme and outside of the power of all existence? 

What I mean by that is that there has to be something supreme over time, space, and matter that can’t be bound to those limitations. And so, for the sake of this question, that’s this whole concept of who or what God is. It has to be a supreme being who is outside the confines of natural law and order.

That’s where faith comes in. This faith, this trust, and belief in who God is. We have this Bible, or what I like to refer to as the Word of God. And here’s what it says in Hebrews Chapter 11:1 NLT:

“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for. It’s the evidence of things we cannot see.” 

And then, it goes on here in Verse 3:

“By faith, we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command and that we now see, and what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.” 

This depiction of faith echoes the biblical truth of 2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT: 

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Despite our desire for clear understanding, God’s ways surpass our own. His chosen method of revealing Himself involves faith, as His thoughts and ways are beyond our comprehension. This necessitates trusting in Him, even when we cannot fully perceive or comprehend His actions.

In Hebrews 11:6 NLT, it tells us: 

“It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

In our current relationship with God, He has intentionally chosen not to reveal Himself in a tangible, physical sense. We cannot physically see or touch Him nor have regular audible conversations with Him in a back-and-forth dialogue. This aspect of our relationship with God emphasizes the necessity of faith and trust in His unseen presence and guidance.

But by faith, I see through creation that He exists. By faith, I see the work of His hand upon my life through surrender to Jesus Christ and seeing even signs and miracles that are evidence of this. And those are the reality of what we believe, right? 

So, faith is not blind in the sense that we’re walking in blind faith. There is this concept of a reality we see of God and who He is. It’s especially important to have a full understanding of the Word of God.

And so, my challenge to you is the challenge I received when I didn’t fully believe in God. I had someone give me a Bible with this phrase written in there. They said, “You’ll never know what’s true until you read and judge for yourself.” 

And that, personally, is what got me reading the Bible. And I can tell you, the more I read, the more I understood, and the more I believed, especially after I surrendered my heart to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. And when you do that, in Matthew 6:33 NLT, Jesus says: 

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. All these other things will be added to you.” 

You can find confidence in knowing that God is exactly who He reveals Himself to be through Scripture. 

May God bless you, and thank you for posing such an insightful question.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/navigating-faith-belief-in-god-when-certainty-is-elusive/

Can You Lose Salvation?

Question: 

What do you do when you feel like your salvation can get taken away, and can it get taken away?

Answer: 

Today, we’re addressing a crucial question: Can one lose their salvation? This question probes deep into the core of our faith and warrants careful consideration. Salvation, for a Christian, isn’t merely about a one-time prayer or public declaration; it’s about surrendering to Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him as Lord, and entrusting Him with our lives. It’s about being transformed into a new creation through Him.

Defining Salvation

Firstly, let’s clarify what salvation means for a believer. It’s not merely a one-time event like saying a prayer or making a public declaration. True salvation involves surrendering your life to Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him as Lord, believing in His resurrection, and entrusting Him to cleanse you of your sins. It’s about receiving Jesus and the Holy Spirit into your life, becoming a new creation in Christ.

Biblical Foundation of Salvation

Let’s examine some key scriptures that shed light on the nature of salvation and what it entails:

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV: 

• “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 

This verse emphasizes the transformation that occurs when we accept Jesus, becoming entirely new creations.

1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV: 

• “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 

Here, the concept of redemption through Christ’s sacrifice is highlighted, emphasizing the irrevocable nature of our salvation.

Romans 5:1 NIV: 

• “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Justification through faith in Jesus means being declared righteous before God, a status that cannot be undone.

John 3:16 NIV: 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

This famous verse assures believers of the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus.

But what if we feel like salvation is slipping away? The key is to return to God in repentance, reaffirming our commitment to Him. And in moments of doubt, we can cling to the unshakeable promises of Scripture:

Assurance of Salvation:

In light of these scriptures, it’s evident that salvation is not a fleeting gift that can be lost. Here are some assurances for believers:

God’s Unwavering Love: Romans 8:38-39 NIV:

•  “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

God’s love for us is constant and unshakeable.

Security in Christ: John 10:28 NIV: 

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” 

Jesus assures us that no one can snatch us away from Him or the Father’s hand, guaranteeing the security of our salvation.

Embracing the Unshakable Assurance of Salvation

While doubts may arise, we can find assurance in the unchanging promises of God. Salvation is a gift of grace that cannot be revoked or lost. Let’s hold firmly to our faith in Jesus Christ, knowing that our eternal security rests in Him alone.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/can-you-lose-salvation/

Understanding the Differences: Christians vs. Catholics

Question: 

What’s the difference between Christians and Catholics?

Answer: 

I love the way young minds are spinning, seeing the world we live in and then trying to gauge what we hear from a biblical worldview, even within a church like ours. So, let’s break down some of the key distinctions between Catholics and Christians.

We have to go back to church history. I’ll summarize this as quickly and concisely as possible, but when you go back into church history, when you read the book of Acts 2:1-4 NLT, you’ll see that the early church began and had this beginning where they were gathered together. 

“On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.”

It says that they were of one mind and of one accord, and they would have these gatherings. But then, of course, the church continued to multiply and spread. It’s exactly what Jesus intended, to go from Jerusalem to Judea’s Samaria, that surrounding region, into the uttermost parts of the earth.

But what has happened over time is, and, unfortunately, what tends to happen is that we take something that starts with the right foundation, but then we develop man-made traditions and ideas. And so, Catholicism, when you think of the word in general, Catholicism is actually not a negative word, or a bad word, or an ultimate false sect or religion, but “Catholicism” simply means universal. 

The idea of universality is correct, and we are one church. When I say “one church,” like anybody who is a true believer in Jesus Christ, is part of the church. That is exactly what the word “catholic” means. So, probably to distinguish your question is more in line with the manmade religion known as Roman Catholicism.

You can think of a man by the name of Martin Luther, who was a Catholic priest who realized that a lot of the traditions that came from the Roman Catholic Church in about the 1500s, he recognized that a lot of those were actually contrary to what the Bible taught. 

Martin Luther is most well-known for hanging up the 95 Theses on the door of the church. In these 95 Theses, he shares his struggle with the contradictions he sees in the man-made religion of Roman Catholicism versus what the Bible teaches. This was what launched what’s known as a Protestant movement.

Although Calvary Church is considered non-denominational, where we don’t hold to any denomination, we do find ourselves in the sense that we would consider ourselves Protestant, which simply means we protest against some of the man-made ideologies that the Roman Catholic Church has developed. 

One of the key issues is praying to saints because the Bible tells us that there is one God and one mediator between God and man, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. So, praying to Mary or praying a tradition like praying the rosary, where Jesus said, “Don’t think we will be heard by our vain repetitions.” 

So those are a couple of examples, but let me also be clear: we don’t take this hardcore stance against the Roman Catholics or against people who say they’re Catholic. We have a lot of similarities, too. I think most Catholics would fully subscribe to the essentials of the faith that they believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, they believe that He died for our sins, that He was buried and rose again. And the Bible couldn’t be more clear that if you confess the Lord Jesus Christ with your mouth and believe in your heart, He’s been raised from the grave, you shall be saved.

There are many problems within the Roman Catholic Church. I would strongly caution you from attending mass or participating in those services. But what I will tell you is this: There is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus. And I believe that many Catholics, maybe not understanding, still have that foundation, and that is the foundation that gets us to heaven.

Let me read this verse to you. It’s about what Jesus prayed over his disciples and even over future disciples. John Chapter 17:20-21 NLT, Jesus says:

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”

That’s the idea. Let’s not look for things that divide but look for things that unify, and that’s the very prayer of Jesus. 

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/understanding-the-differences-christians-vs-catholics/

Dating Non-Believers: A Wise Choice for Christians?

Question:

Can I date a non-Christian or non-believer? Calvary Youth Apologetics 

Answer: 

It seems like this question is coming from a believer, a disciple of Jesus, who wants to follow Him. The question is, “Can I date someone who is not a believer, who is not a Christian?” My answer would be no, as it’s not a wise decision and goes against what God’s Word teaches us.

There are a couple of things I want you guys to look at. 

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 NLT says: 

“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil, and how can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?” 

It’s evident here, as Paul writes this inspired by the Holy Spirit, that he’s emphasizing the challenge of being in a partnership or relationship with a non-believer. Considering this in your own life, why would you want to date someone who is not a believer?

You might have feelings and attraction towards that person, and there may be great qualities about them. However, if Jesus is truly the Lord of your life and the center of your life, and if you desire to follow Him and center your life around Him, why would you want to enter into a close and intimate relationship with someone who doesn’t share those same values or prioritize the things of the Lord?

And so, as Paul would say, he just asks these questions. “What harmony can there be between a Christ and the devil, and how can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?” 

Even in a dating relationship, the principle of being unequally yoked applies. Just as it’s unwise to enter into a marriage with a non-believer, the same applies to dating. A dating relationship is special and involves a closer connection than other types of relationships. You want to be heading in the same direction as your partner. If they are headed toward worldly pursuits rather than toward Christ, their life will likely follow that direction, too. It’s not wise, doesn’t honor the Lord, and sets you up for potential failure, heartache, and pain.

Another verse I’d like to share is from Amos 3 NLT in the Old Testament. Amos, a prophet, poses a simple yet profound question that’s worth pondering as you consider who you want to date and the relationships you want to pursue.

 “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” 

So, think about the direction of your life. Is your life headed in the direction of growing in the Lord, serving the Lord, living for the Lord, laying your life down for the Lord? If your life is directed towards Christ, the person you’re dating or pursuing a relationship with must also be headed in the same direction. Otherwise, how can you really walk together? How can you really have a relationship? 

I hope that answers your question. How can you walk together without agreeing on a direction? And if you don’t agree on who Jesus Christ is in your life, how can there be a relationship?

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/dating-non-believers-a-wise-choice-for-christians/

The Voice of the Lord: How Do We Know When He is Speaking to Us?

Question: 

How do we know when the Lord is talking to us?

Answer: 

This is a great question because for anyone who has a relationship with God, and Jesus, we really desire to hear and understand his voice. 

I want to start with a reading from Psalm 29:4 NLT, which says: 

“The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.”

One of the first things that I would share is that you want to remember that God’s voice is powerful and majestic. Sometimes, when we are struggling, we wonder, “Is God speaking to me, or is He not?” Just remember that the voice of the Lord is powerful. 

I’m going to give you a few things to consider.

As I’ve taught a Bible study on this, I’m going to distill this down to some concise thoughts, but I want you to consider some components of the different ways that God speaks to us because God doesn’t speak in only one way.

I’ll start with the first one, audibly. 

God can and does speak, and we see throughout the Bible that he has spoken to people in a loud, audible voice, but that’s not the only way He speaks. We see that with Moses. I think it’s in Exodus 33 NLT, where Moses is having this conversation with God and hearing the audible voice of God. 

“The Lord said to Moses, “Get going, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt. Go up to the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them, ‘I will give this land to your descendants.”

But let’s consider some other ways God speaks.

Another way that God speaks to us is in Romans 1:20 NLT.

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

We get a reference that God speaks to us through creation. Creation itself, as we go out and look at nature or when we go and look at the mirror, as you and I are a creation of God, allows us to see the creative handiwork of God Himself. And so, God can speak to us through creation.

God can speak to us through a sign or an event. 

I would direct you to the Book of Judges, 6:36-40 NLT:

“Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, 37 prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” 38 And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water.

Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” 40 So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.”

We get this reference to a man named Gideon, who was seeking confirmation from God, and he did so through a sign. He would lay out his fleece and say, “God, if this is from you, let the fleece be dry and the ground be damp.” 

And it happened as it was. Then he wanted further confirmation and asked the reverse of that: that the fleece would be damp, but the ground around would be dry. God gave him the confirmation through a sign. 

I think that’s an important distinction, too. Sometimes, we feel like we’re hearing from God, and we just need confirmation. And so, creation can do that, and a sign or an event can do that.

Another way that God can speak is through a messenger or literally through people. 

In the Book of 1 Corinthians, 12:8 NLT:

“To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.” 

In this reference, God uses people to operate in spiritual gifts, somebody can come with a word of knowledge or a word of wisdom, and you can receive that as being directly from the Lord. 

Even as an expression from a believer in Jesus Christ who has the spirit of God dwelling in them, they can absolutely speak a word on behalf of God as an exercising of a spiritual gift. And so, God can speak to us through a messenger.

God can speak through a vision or a dream. 

In Acts Chapter 16:9-10 NLT, Paul was given a vision of where to go next in the ministry venture, even after receiving a closed door, what we call a closed door, he was prevented from going in one direction, but God gave him a vision to go another way.

“That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.”

And so, you can hear from God through a vision.

We can also hear the voice of God through our very conscience. 

This is referred to with Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-13: 

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper.

When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Elijah heard the still, small voice of God. This is similar to the audible voice, which is that loud, powerful, tangible voice you can hear right now, but the still, small voice is kind of like that inner conscience or that still, small voice of God, who would almost be that whisper or that prompting and inclination that you get.

But the key way that God speaks to us is through the Bible. Through the written Word of God. 

The way that I can know for sure that this is God because he will never contradict himself is through the Word. 

I’ll share one more thing with you from 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT, and listen to what it says here: 

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

So, the primary way to know God is talking to you is by prayerfully reading God’s word. I hope that helps. 

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/the-voice-of-the-lord-how-do-we-know-when-he-is-speaking-to-us/

Navigating Between Lust and Innocence in Relationships

Question: So, how do you know the difference between going through with lust or just something innocent? Like if you’re checking someone out and you decide to pursue them, how do you know it’s not a sexual thing but something just fine?

Answer: 

We received a question about understanding the difference between acting out of lust or innocence in relationships. Essentially, it’s about discerning whether our attraction to someone stems from pure motives or sinful desires. It’s an important question that prompts us to examine our hearts and intentions, especially considering the Bible’s call to live in purity and holiness. Let’s dive into this topic and explore how we can ensure our actions align with God’s standards.

“Lust” is often defined as an overwhelming desire or craving, particularly in the context of sexual desires. It’s something that can consume our hearts and minds, leading to sinful actions. This intense craving is not the direction the Lord has called us to follow.

Lust focuses on pleasing oneself. It’s a very selfish thing. It often leads to actions without regard for consequences, and it’s just about fulfilling one’s desires and needs. So, looking at what the Bible says about it, I think lust, in a lot of ways, has something to do with possession, greed, and really unchecked desires of the heart. And we know that’s not from the Lord.

How do we guard ourselves against this overwhelming desire or craving in our hearts? I’m thinking about this because it can be challenging to navigate. God has given us desires in our humanity, right? He’s given us desires of food and water, comfort and shelter, and then even sexual desires. 

These are things that have been created by the Lord for us, but we’re told that we should give no provision to our flesh. Those are the things that should not control us, and they are not our main motivations in life. 

As believers, how do we walk in the spirit? By allowing the spirit to control the desires of our flesh and using those things in an honoring way to the Lord. And so, how do we know the difference? As this question asks, how do we know if it’s sinful lust or innocent?

Consider the story from Genesis 13, where Lot and his uncle Abram part ways, choosing land for themselves. Lot’s actions in this story illustrate a pursuit driven by selfish desires, which aligns with the definition of lust we discussed earlier. There’s a lesson for us to learn from Lot’s example.

In Genesis 13:10-12 NLT, it says: 

“Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain.”

There are a couple of keywords about what Lot was doing here. Number one, “He lifted his eyes, and he saw.” 

So, he saw something that he liked, and then he started to pursue it. It says that he chose for himself what he saw. It shows for himself what he liked, and he went all in after that. And so, I think that that’s where lust starts. 

In the context of this question, if you see someone that you’re attracted to and you respond like Lot where you’re just looking, you’re lifting your eyes, you’re choosing for yourself, you’re pursuing something for yourself, I think that that would be lust and that would not be an innocent motive, right? 

And then, Lot’s deliberate choice to go to that spot, to sit in that spot—he says he’d dwell there—and he pitched his tent. Everything he was choosing was going in that direction for what he liked and wanted for himself. He was not considering Abram, his uncle, at all, but it was all about what Lot wanted, what felt good. I think this is a great picture of what lust is.

Again, putting that back into the context of your question and the things that you might be walking through, specifically in just being attracted to the opposite sex or someone else, it’s this idea of, “Is it lust?” 

Think through that in your own heart: “Is this just something that I look at, that I like, and that I want, and think you’re just self-absorbed?” That would definitely be a sinful action. Jesus has called us to put others above ourselves, so we want to do so.

So, if you find yourself pursuing a relationship solely because it satisfies your own desires or feels good for yourself, it’s important to recognize that this self-centered approach mirrors Lot’s actions in Genesis 13. Instead, strive to prioritize the other person’s well-being and honor the Lord in your choices. Avoid following in Lot’s footsteps by making decisions that solely benefit you, and instead, seek to honor the Lord in all your relationships.

In 1 John 2:15-17 NIV, it’s highlighted that the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are tools the enemy uses to lead us astray. 

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

We must be cautious about what we focus on and pursue, as these can lead to spiritual decay and death. I hope this sheds some light on your question.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/navigating-between-lust-and-innocence-in-relationships/

Ash Wednesday: Exploring its Significance and Biblical Perspective

Question: 

Do we celebrate Ash Wednesday, and if we do, why?

Answer: 

Before I fully address this question, let’s delve into what Ash Wednesday signifies. 

Traditionally, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, observed by Catholics and some Protestant denominations. Lent spans 40 days leading up to Easter, characterized by fasting, self-denial, and spiritual discipline. It’s a time to identify with Jesus and seek the Lord. 

On Ash Wednesday, believers often attend church to confess sins, where the priest marks their foreheads with ash in the shape of a cross. This ritual symbolizes confession, repentance, and self-denial as part of preparing for Lent.

But, as we look at this biblically, Ash Wednesday and even Lent are never mentioned in the Bible. And so, how do we approach this question, and how do we want to understand this Biblically? 

Looking back at the Old Testament, we find practices similar to those observed on Ash Wednesday:

• In 2 Samuel 13, Tamar tears her robe and puts ashes on her head.
• Esther 4:1 describes Mordecai hearing bad news, putting on burlap and ashes, and crying in the city.
• Job 2:8 depicts Job, suffering and mourning, sitting among ashes and scraping his skin with broken pottery.
• In Daniel 9, Daniel pleads with the Lord through prayer and fasting, wearing burlap and sprinkling himself with ashes.

We can kind of see where the tradition that Catholics and some Protestant denominations practice is Ash Wednesday. We see similarities in these Old Testament examples, but the question is, as born-again believers who follow Jesus, should we practice Ash Wednesday? 

So, the thought would be that the Bible doesn’t promote or really condemn Ash Wednesday, so you can take this prayerfully to the Lord if that’s something that you want to practice. But I think that there’s something that we should consider as we have the liberty to practice this. 

While Ash Wednesday offers a valuable time for fasting and seeking the Lord, shouldn’t this be our daily lifestyle with Jesus? We shouldn’t confine confession of sin and repentance to a six-week period. Instead, let’s make it a daily practice, inviting the Lord to examine our hearts and root out any sin or wrongdoing.

My attitude towards this is, “I don’t need a 40-day period to set aside to really confess my sins and seek the Lord. But I want to do this on a regular basis.” And so, that’s why I don’t observe Ash Wednesday. 

Jesus cautioned against making a show of fasting and spiritual disciplines, as mentioned in Matthew 6:16-18 NLT. These practices should be private between you and the Lord in the intimacy of one’s prayer closet.

“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair[a] and wash your face. Then, no one will notice that you are fasting except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” 

Jesus emphasizes the importance of maintaining outward appearances while fasting. In Matthew 6:17, he advises, 

“When you fast, comb your hair and wash your face, so that no one will notice you are fasting except your Father, who knows what you do in private, and he will reward you.”

We want to explore the idea of our prayer closet, this time with the Lord. Ash Wednesday promotes the outward appearance that you’re living a spiritual life and doing things right. But God always looks at the heart. So, where’s your relationship with the Lord in that?

And then, the final verse I’ll share with you, Joel 2:12-13 NLT: 

“That is why the Lord says, Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.”

So, God’s really speaking about this as we fast, as we seek the Lord to matter in the condition of our heart and not just an outwardly traditional observance. That’s kind of my approach to it. I want to just live for the Lord daily. I don’t need or want just to follow traditions and become stuck in a routine of traditions, but really give my heart over to the Lord. 

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/ash-wednesday-exploring-its-significance-and-biblical-perspective/

Understanding the Gravity of Suicide in Christian Belief

Question: 

Is suicide an unforgivable sin?

Answer: 

In responding to that question, let’s first just speak to the obvious that taking our own life is absolutely less than God’s perfect will and standard. And anything that is short of God’s perfect will and standard is exactly what the Bible calls sin. 

But we have to remember that “All have sinned,” Romans 3:23-24 NLT: 

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”

Romans 6:23 NLT highlights that everyone falls short of God’s glory and that the consequence of sin is death. However, the verse also emphasizes the gift of God, as it continues to say:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 Many things we do are considered sins, and God has forgiven them.

But we have to remember this: that suicide is an irreversible thing, that taking your own life is one of the most selfish acts we can do. So, is it unforgivable? Let me be clear and say, no, it’s not unforgivable because Romans 6:23 gives us this insight that “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus.” 

And as mentioned in Romans 10:9 NLT: 

 “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

So, you can be sure that if God grants you eternal life and the Spirit of God dwells in your heart, you can’t remove it by making a poor or bad decision.

It’s kind of like this question: if my last act in this earthly body was a sinful act, would God remove me from the kingdom of God? 

I would say no. God has forgiven us of everything past, present, and even future. But don’t use that as a license for suicide because suicidal thoughts are not from God. That would be one of the key emphases I want to give; to believe suicidal thoughts is to believe a lie.

John Chapter 10:10 ESV tells us, 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

If you’re contemplating suicidal thoughts, I just need you to hear the voice of God and hear the voice of God through my voice and say that it is not him who’s speaking that to you. That is your flesh, and that is even more severe than that. That’s the enemy lying to you and impressing things in your mind that are not from God. He does not desire for us to take our own life. God has ordained our days, and who are we to initiate them?

Reflecting on Paul’s words, “For me to live is Christ,” reminds us of the purpose and significance of our lives. While acknowledging that “to die is gain,” it’s important to understand that this doesn’t mean we should accelerate our departure from this earthly body to be in the presence of the Lord. Doing so would fall short of God’s perfect standard and would not be pleasing to Him. Instead, we should recognize each day as a gift from God and live it with gratitude and purpose. And that I leave behind a lot of hurting people.

And actually, suicidal thoughts and tendencies are one of those things that can spread like wildfire. If you’re contemplating that, seek help, and talk to your parents, a pastor, or someone who can help you through that. If you need another resource, you can dial 988 anywhere in the nation, and that brings you to a suicide prevention hotline. 

So, please reach out if you’re struggling with that, and God bless you.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/understanding-the-gravity-of-suicide-in-christian-belief/