Question of the Week: Why does God promise joy when we follow Him, yet always leave me feeling unhappy?

Joy isn’t happiness. If you’re looking for joy, you first need to know what you’re looking for in order to recognize whether you have it or not. Joy is defined as hope fulfilled. It is a peace found through assurance and confidence that your hope isn’t being misplaced. The best example of this, as always, is Jesus when He was on the cross. According to Hebrews 12:2, Jesus went to the cross with joy. He wasn’t happy about the process, but the joy of having you and I with Him forever as a result of that action gave Him the confidence and peace to endure it. He trusted His Father to know what price needed to be paid for our salvation. From that faith, His reasons to trust the Father, He had joy. If you want to hear a more accurate promise of joy, hear what Paul promises those who rejoice in God.

Philippians 4:6-7: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

As a result of a prayerful and thankful lifestyle, the peace of God will guard your heart and mind. That is joy. This peace passes all understanding. It can even take place when you’re not happy. Remember that happiness isn’t the pursuit of the Christian life. It isn’t even necessarily joy. They are simply results of having the true prize. That’s Jesus. If you have Him, you have peace. That’s real joy.

A Reason For Hope is a ministry of Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson

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Question of the Week: What is meant in Ezekiel 3:18 about the blood of the wicked being required by his hand?
Jesus observed that greater responsibility also includes greater consequences for negligence. To him whom much is given, much shall be required. This passage is affirming that same reality 600 years prior. Ezekiel, who was a prophet of God to the nation of Israel during their time in captivity in Babylon, stood alongside Jeremiah and Daniel constantly calling them back to a relationship with God. The reason they were in captivity in the first place was the eventual consequence of rejecting that relationship for 700 years. God warned them and they didn’t listen. The only ones they had to blame were themselves. They didn’t listen and their blood, i.e. the consequences of their decisions, was on their own hands. Ezekiel was the most current of a long line of prophets who spoke to Israel of these very warnings to avoid consequences and receive blessings. This opportunity also came with a price. Ezekiel knew what would happen if Israel continued to reject God. Once they heard these warnings, it would be their fault if they ignored them or not. However, if Ezekiel didn’t warn Israel and ignored God himself, then Israel would still pay for their crimes. Ezekiel as an individual, would also be responsible for not sharing the knowledge he was given above everyone else. The reason for this interpretation is found by reading the entire passage. Ezekiel’s conversation with God about this matter didn’t begin and end at verse 18. The full context of Ezekiel 3 begins at first 1 and ends at verse 27. Two illustrations are given. Ezekiel is commanded to eat a book and immediate goes on to explain that this was him being given the Word of the Lord to share with Israel. Ezekiel then is called a watchmen, who would be held responsible if he didn’t warn the city of an approaching army. His higher position would see that approaching army and give him the knowledge meant to be shared. The city would be attacked either way, but he would be responsible for the lives lost given the city was less prepared as a direct result of his negligence. Much like Jeremiah’s ministry, Ezekiel’s warnings largely fell on deaf ears. The benefit to Ezekiel would be that he wouldn’t be held responsible for not warning them. Jesus further affirmed this understanding of evangelism when sending out the 70 disciples to prepare people for His arrival. If they rejected them, then they were to shake off the dust from their shoes and inform them exactly what they were rejecting. The Kingdom of God. The takeaway is that even if people don’t listen, our responsibility from God is to faithfully inform them anyway so our consciences can be clear on the matter.

A Reason For Hope is a ministry of Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson

Listen: Monday – Friday 5-6pm, on 106.3FM Reach Radio

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Question of the Week: How do I combat sin if I only seem to be getting worse?

Paul said in the Book of Romans Chapter 13 and verse 14 that we should put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. In practice, this means we need to recognize where our struggles come from and cut them off at the pass before they have a chance to dominate our lives. For those that struggle with internet pornography, take advantage of internet filters. For those that struggle with alcohol, keep your finances in the hands of people (spouses or family members) who can go with you when you need to buy groceries. For those that struggle with relationships, be willing to cut off those influences in your life. If something stands between you and Jesus, a serious question needs to be asked if it should be removed. There are areas we will always struggle in and can only be removed from our lives to a certain point. Our responsibility as Christians is to proactively pursue a closer relationship with our Lord. If this means the loss of certain things in our lives, so be it. If the result is more of Him in our hearts, the sin that so easily ensnares us will sort itself out.

A Reason For Hope is a ministry of Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson

Listen: Monday – Friday 5-6pm, on 106.3FM Reach Radio

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Question of the Week: What does the Bible mean when it says we should share our faith with meekness and fear?

Meekness and fear are two very often misunderstood words.
Meekness isn’t weakness, it’s strength under control.
Fear isn’t timidity, it’s respect for someone/something.
These are the attitudes we should approach evangelism with. Having strength without being abusive, and being respectful without compromising truth. Knowing the right answers about God’s word is one thing. Sharing them with God’s voice and heart is another. Keeping these things in balance is the heart of evangelism.

A Reason For Hope is a ministry of Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson

Listen: Monday – Friday 5-6pm, on 106.3FM Reach Radio

Email your questions:

[email protected]

Follow Twitter: @ScottR4H

Follow on CCF Facebook: facebook.com/ccftucsonWatch our Frequently Asked Questions on GodTube or YouTube.