Index:
Another question and answer
Fortune tellers\mediums\spiritualism
Reiki
Single
Things not understood
False prophets
Death
The work of angels
The Rapture
Hypnotism
Another Question and answer
I have been a Christian for several years. Although I still love Jesus and feel sure that I am his child, I know I am not making any definite progress. I seem always to be treading water or marking time. Is there any simple answer to this problem that you can give?
No complete answer to so complicated a problem can be given, but I can offer some specific suggestions.
1. Make sure you have been born again. Don’t leave any doubts about this. Of course no one can grow who is not spiritually alive.
2. Never forget that the real source of all spiritual growth and progress is the Bible. Unless you systematically study the Bible, you cannot hope to make any true progress.
3. Prayer is important. It is a vital part of your life with God. Prayer is your true desire, expressed or hidden. If you desire what is promised in the Bible, then there is communication with God.
4. Obedience is the key to Bible knowledge. You don’t read the Bible to satisfy curiosity but to find the practical answer to a real problem, and when you find the answer, you act decisively upon it.
5. Praise is essential. For every known blessing, give praise to God both privately and when fitting, publicly. Praise is the action that puts you before others as an example. Do not avoid this public display of your love for God. Follow these steps, and you will experience the change at once.
(My Answers by Billy Graham)
Isaiah 8:19 and 20
Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead.
With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.”
But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance?
Should the living seek guidance from the dead?
LOOK TO GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS AND TEACHINGS! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.
Deuteronomy 18: 9-14
When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. For example,….
And do not let your people practice fortune-telling,
Or use sorcery,
Or interpret omens,
Or engage in witchcraft,
Or cast spells
Or function as mediums or psychics,
Or call forth the spirits of the dead.
Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. …
You must be blameless before the Lord your God.
The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune –tellers, but the Lord your God forbids you to do such things.”
Ask Val By Val Waldeck (www.joymag.co.za and click on Ask Val)
Question: Is Reiki Biblical?
Answer: Reiki is all about being a ‘channel of healing’ using the laying on of hands to allow healing to flow to someone else. This is a Christian practice, but the essential difference is that the Christian allows the Holy Spirit to operate the spiritual gifts of healing through them. That is vastly different to ‘healing flowing through’ someone.
‘Channeling’ is really a form of spiritualism with a modern title and involves the practitioner allowing themselves to be taken over by entities which claim to be spirits of the dead, angels, deceased gurus or wise men, or even alien beings. It is a counterfeit of the genuine Gifts of the Spirit. If the Holy Spirit of God is involved, He will always lift up Jesus. “But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” John 14: 26 “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” John 16: 14
Ask yourself the question: Does Reiki lift up the Lord Jesus Christ and honour Him above all others? Is Jesus glorified by its adherents and worshipped with all their heart and mind and soul and spirit? Are His teachings and His inspired Word (the Bible) held as the measurement of Truth?
He is indeed the Spirit of Truth and anything that is not in line with the Word of God will always disturb your peace of mind.
Ask Val –by Val Waldeck
Biblically based answers to your tough questions email: vwaldeck@telkomsa.net or fax: (031) 467 1088
Single
Question: I’ve been praying for the right husband since childhood and the loneliness is really getting to me now. If God wants me to grow old being on my own, why does He not take the loneliness away? Why don’t I hear Him anymore? Why do I keep meeting the wrong men?
Answer: God promises to give us the desire of our hearts if we delight ourselves in Him (Psalm 37:4) The emphasis here is not on ‘our’ desire, but our walk with Him.
Marriage is not the key to happiness. Many married people are still desperately lonely. Only the Lord can fill that “God shaped vacuum’ in our heart and when we find our fulfillment, happiness and joy in Him, everything else falls into place, leaving us free to enjoy our relationships with others. That is why the Bible counsels us to “delight ourselves in the Lord” first.
How do you do that? By spending time with the Living Word and the Written Word, enjoying fellowship with His people (without a hidden agenda) and being thankful for His daily blessings.
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
Col
Things not understood
Deut 29: 29- The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Isaiah 55: 8,9 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways my ways.
Job 26: 14 - …indeed these are the mere edge of His ways.
Revelation 10: 4 “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”
Acts 1: 7 - It is not for you to know time or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
2 Cor 12: …caught up in the third heaven…heard things so astounding… cannot be expressed in words. Things no human is allowed to tel. But I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life, or hear in my message,
John 21: 22… what is that to you? You follow Me.” (ask me Jer 33: 3)
Psalm 135: 6 The Lord does whatever pleases Him.
Psalm 119:91 For everything serves Your plans.
Psalm 103: 19 The Lord has made heaven His throne, from there He rules everything.
2 Peter 3: 16 …in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction as they do all the rest of the Scripture.
False prophets
(make sure that you know the word) 2 Peter 3: 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 6: 5,6,7…useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 10 …strayed from the faith in their greediness,
…
Philip 1: 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice.
Mat 23: 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works. For they say, and do not do.
2 Tim 2: 14,15 Remind your people of these great facts, and command them in the name of the Lord not to argue over unimportant things. Such arguments are confusing and useless and even harmful.
Acts 5: 38 …for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing. But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God.
DEATH
1Phil 1: 21 - For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
2 Timothy 4: 8 - Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day.
Acts 7: 55 – But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” :59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”…”Lord do not charge them with this sin.”
John 21: 19 – This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God.
John 10 : 28 and I give them eternal life,…never perish.
John 11: 25 I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live :26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.
Matthew 10: 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
:39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
The Work of Angels
(Taken from an article from Joy Magazine – March 2010 issue)
ANGELS ASSIST AND MINISTER TO BELIEVERS
“But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool’? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit Salvation?” Heb 1:13-14
The angels assist us in a way very much like waiters. They fetch and carry. (See also Rev 22:9; 1 Kings 19:5-7; Matt 4:11)
The angels assist us in a way very much like waiters. They fetch and carry. (See also Rev 22:9; 1 Kings 19:5-7; Matt 4:11)
QUESTION: HOW CAN WE BE SURE THAT ANGELS ARE INVOLVED IN OUR AFFAIRS?
Answer: : with our words (Dan 10:12; Eccl 5:6; Matt 18:18). Our words often determine the response of Heaven towards us and the resulting circumstances or situation. Pray. The Sword of the Spirit is the spoken Word of God. You bind your angel when you fail to confess the Word. Angels are obedient to God and His Word.
“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8-9
We see that there is no such thing as a silent disciple. We must speak God’s Truth. There is no place for anyone who is ashamed of the Gospel. When soul winning, expect the angels to minister to those you are witnessing to. It is important to remember that angels cannot preach the Gospel - only we can. However, we can ask God for the angels to protect and strengthen those to whom we are witnessing.
“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8-9
We see that there is no such thing as a silent disciple. We must speak God’s Truth. There is no place for anyone who is ashamed of the Gospel. When soul winning, expect the angels to minister to those you are witnessing to. It is important to remember that angels cannot preach the Gospel - only we can. However, we can ask God for the angels to protect and strengthen those to whom we are witnessing.
ANGELS PROVIDE PROTECTION.
The angel of the Lord encamp all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” Psalm 34:7
“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11-12
The latter verse was misquoted by Satan to Jesus, but is an example to us that angels do protect us, but we must not provoke them or the hand of God to action.
Examples of where angels helped believers include the story of Daniel in the lions’ den. (Daniel 6:22). Note Daniel’s confession (or the words he speaks). Another example is in Genesis 21:8-21 where we see Hagar and Ishmael protected from thirst. Again read Matthew 18:10 for an example of the work of angels.
In 2 Kings 6:17 we see Elisha shielded from national foes. In Acts 12:5-11 Peter is guarded from a sadistic government official and in Acts 27:9-44 Paul and his companions were kept from death during a shipwreck. another instance we see angels at work helping believers is in Acts 5:19 when the Apostle is let out of prison.
“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11-12
The latter verse was misquoted by Satan to Jesus, but is an example to us that angels do protect us, but we must not provoke them or the hand of God to action.
Examples of where angels helped believers include the story of Daniel in the lions’ den. (Daniel 6:22). Note Daniel’s confession (or the words he speaks). Another example is in Genesis 21:8-21 where we see Hagar and Ishmael protected from thirst. Again read Matthew 18:10 for an example of the work of angels.
In 2 Kings 6:17 we see Elisha shielded from national foes. In Acts 12:5-11 Peter is guarded from a sadistic government official and in Acts 27:9-44 Paul and his companions were kept from death during a shipwreck. another instance we see angels at work helping believers is in Acts 5:19 when the Apostle is let out of prison.
ANGELS MINISTER STRENGTH AND ENCOURAGEMENT
God may give guidance in various ways:
Through the Word; the Voice of the Holy Spirit; through dreams, visions, an inner witness (conviction); through circumstances, a word from other people, through the gifts of the Spirit (like prophecy) and through angels.
The following Scriptures detail situations where angels ministered guidance to individuals:
Through the Word; the Voice of the Holy Spirit; through dreams, visions, an inner witness (conviction); through circumstances, a word from other people, through the gifts of the Spirit (like prophecy) and through angels.
The following Scriptures detail situations where angels ministered guidance to individuals:
· Mary and Mary Magdalene told on the morning of the resurrection to tell the others that Jesus has risen. (Matthew 28
- Philip told which road to take to find the Ethiopian. (Acts 8:26)
- Cornelius told to send for Peter. (Acts 10)
- Paul told that he must stand trial before Caesar. (Acts 20:23,24)
ANGELS HAVE A MINISTRY OF ANSWERING PRAYERS
This ministry can be clearly seen in the following two examples: in Acts 12( when the church was praying for Peter’s release from prison) and Daniel 10 (after 21 days of prayer, Daniel’s answer arrives via an angel).
ANGELS HAVE A MINISTRY TO THE DYING- ANGELS TRANSPORT A SAINTS SPIRIT AFTER DEATH.
So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.” Luke 16:22 Lazarus’s spirit was carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom. When God’s saints fall asleep in death, the angels escort the spirits to Heaven.
ANGELS PROSPER OUR WAY
Angels work towards prospering the way of believers: “See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you.” Exo 23:20
Rapture
Question: Why do people differ so drastically on theories about the Rapture? I don’t know what to believe, please help!
(By Val Waldeck. Taken from Joy Magazine "Ask Val".
Answer: My research has convinced me that the Rapture of he Church is a fact and I was delighted to find literature demonstrating that the very Early Church Fathers taught that too. Tim La Haye’s book ‘The Rapture” makes very interesting reading as he looks at all the objections to the Rapture of the Church (i.e. The doctrine that Christ is coming for His people prior to or during the reign of anti-Christ). My final conclusion, however, (that has been a lifelong belief) is that we don’t have all the information. John had some information he didn’t share –see Revelation 20 where he was told not to write what he seven thunders said.
So with our incomplete information, it is something like a jigsaw puzzle. We are trying to make a picture with some pieces missing. Therefore we can’t lay our head on a block and say it is like this or that. The best we can do is say – “This is how I see it, but I don’t have the complete picture so I have no fight with others who see it another way.” Lets be ready to meet Him – whenever He comes for His Church.
(Also from "Ask Val")
Hypnotism - what's the Word on it?
Hypnotism results in an altered state of consciousness where the mind becomes susceptible to outside influence and is less able to tell what is real and what is not. For example, the mind can refuse to acknowledge the reality of pain in the body. It also leaves the mind - the gateway to our spirit - open to far more dangerous and subtle influences, which can bring us into the realm of the occult. The Bible warns strongly against "charmers and enchanters" Deut 18:10-12. The Old Testament heathen practice of what has recently become acceptable in medicine and psychiatry as hypnosis.
The Word is clear on this. We are to love the Lord out God "With all of your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Matt 22:37 God has given us a "sound mind" 2 Tim 1:7 and we should not lose control of any part of it at any time. Our minds must be set on things "above" Col 3:1-2, fully concentrated on the Lord (Isaiah 26:3). sober (to be in your right mind - Titus 2:6) and fully committed to and open to His suggestions.
The potential dangers of this practice are such, that the Christian would be well advised to steer clear of it!
(Also from "Ask Val")
Hypnotism - what's the Word on it?
Hypnotism results in an altered state of consciousness where the mind becomes susceptible to outside influence and is less able to tell what is real and what is not. For example, the mind can refuse to acknowledge the reality of pain in the body. It also leaves the mind - the gateway to our spirit - open to far more dangerous and subtle influences, which can bring us into the realm of the occult. The Bible warns strongly against "charmers and enchanters" Deut 18:10-12. The Old Testament heathen practice of what has recently become acceptable in medicine and psychiatry as hypnosis.
The Word is clear on this. We are to love the Lord out God "With all of your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Matt 22:37 God has given us a "sound mind" 2 Tim 1:7 and we should not lose control of any part of it at any time. Our minds must be set on things "above" Col 3:1-2, fully concentrated on the Lord (Isaiah 26:3). sober (to be in your right mind - Titus 2:6) and fully committed to and open to His suggestions.
The potential dangers of this practice are such, that the Christian would be well advised to steer clear of it!
