QUESTION:  I know there is a God.  I love Him.  Is it all that important to build a "relationship" with Jesus?

    Yes, God says so.  Jesus says so.  His followers recognized it.  Even Satan and the demons understood that Jesus was the Son of God.  Check out Bible verses like:  Matthew 3:17, 17:5, John 1:34, 11:27, Luke 22:70, Mark 9:7, James 2:19.

    Jesus is God's provision for us.  We're told in John chapter 15 that in order to know God, we need to know His Son, that we learn about God by deepening our relationship with Jesus, that Jesus is our Mediator (as Hebrews tells us), our link or bridge between sinful people and a sinless God.

QUESTION: I struggle with recurring sin, with temptations that I think I've conquered, but that keep tripping me up.  Is there hope for me?

    The Bible tells us that God’s heart is eager to respond to someone who is genuinely sorry for his or her sins.  Being truly sorry means turning away from even the temptation to sin.  When we admit that what we did was wrong, offensive to God and harmful to ourselves and others, the Lord rushes to restore us to Himself. He paved the way for the repairing of our relationship with Him through that same sacrifice that Jesus made to provide eternal life for us.  When He died on the cross and conquered death by rising again, He made it possible for us to be freed from the sin that separates us from God and keeps us from heaven, and to also know the joy of restoration if we stray from the path He lays out for us to follow. 

    Even if you struggle with recurring sin, there is hope for you.  If you let Him, God will empower you, by His Holy Spirit, to resist the temptations that call out to you and gain victory once and for all. One of the most prominent and comforting of all Scriptures is I John 1:9--"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

QUESTION:  It's been a long time since I talked to God in prayer.  How do I start? How can I get out of my “bless the missionaries” rut?

    For one thing, recognize that prayer is not a soliloquy or a monologue delivered on a spiritual sound stage.  It is an avenue of intimacy with your Lord, a two-way conversation between you and God.  Try adding more listening to your times of prayer.  Study the prayers of the Bible.  And don't be afraid to pray about praying!  That's right!  Ask the Lord to help you to pray in a meaningful way.  He is happy to answer that kind of prayer!

QUESTION: I just don't feel anything in my relationship with the Lord.  Is it me or is it Him?

    God makes it very clear in His Word that our relationship with Him is not dependent on feelings, that it is a matter of faith.  If we relied on our feelings, we would be blown and tossed about, as the book of James tells us.  Yes, God touches our emotions, but they are not the source or the basis of our faith.  Just as a professional might counsel a troubled married couple, we would urge you to keep doing what you know is right, keep reaching out in love, obedience, and faithfulness to the Lord.  Feelings do not take the place of faith.  They follow it.

QUESTION: I know that God wants me to talk to others about Him, but I feel totally inadequate and unsure of myself.  What am I supposed to do?

    First, understand that the Lord does not instruct us to CONVINCE other people to believe in God and follow Him.  We're instructed to TELL others about Him, which takes a lot of the pressure off.  It isn't our job to make sure they make a decision.  That's the job of the Holy Spirit.  It isn't even our job to ensure that they understand they need Him.  That, too, is the Holy Spirit's domain. 

    Our responsibility is to find ways to communicate to others how wonderful God is and what He's done for us, that God can be trusted, that His Word can be trusted, and that Jesus offers answers to every problem we will ever face.

    Being a "witness" for Christ is as simple and non-threatening as telling others what you've seen and heard, telling others about the difference He's made in your life.

QUESTION: What do I say to a friend who is doubting that God cares about her?

    Sometimes the circumstances of life make us feel rejected or abandoned or overlooked by God.  But that is far from the truth.  God's Word assures us that we are precious to Him, that we are highly valued, and that He draws especially near to those whose hearts are broken. 

    Encourage your friend to hang on determinedly to the faith that God does care, and the confidence will come as a byproduct. Offer yourself as an ambassador of God's love and concern.

QUESTION:  What do I do with my own doubts?

    There's an easy answer to that question.  James  tells us, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."  In other words, when doubts trouble your mind, dig deeper into God's Word.  Spend more time in prayer-communication with the Lord.  Listen to more of His music.  Surround yourself with godly people; don't withdraw from them.  Immerse yourself in the things of God and He will meet you, doubts and all, and draw you into a deeper, more secure relationship with Himself. ♥