What is the meaning behind Psalms 56:8? What does God do with the tears He collects?
Sincerely,
Kleenex Please
Dear Kleenex Please,
The Psalms are poetry, and they use poetic language. God doesn’t physically collect tears, but He is aware of all of our sorrows (Ex 3:7). God numbers the hairs on our head and is aware of all that goes on in our lives (Lk 12:6-7). No matter how deep our suffering may be, God has compassion on us (Heb 4:15).
Can a woman be a pastor? Please provide me with verses that back up your answer. Be blessed.
Sincerely,
Lady In Waiting
Dear Lady In Waiting,
No. Pastors (Eph4:11) – also known as elders or bishops (Tit 1:5-7) – are always men. The qualifications for pastors are given in 1 Tim 3:1-7 and Tit 1:5-9. One of those qualifications is that he must be “a husband of one wife” (1 Tim 3:2, Tit 1:6) – that clearly rules out females from becoming pastors.
Please let me know if there is any Scripture(s) in the Bible when that Jesus told anyone, “I love you.” I am being challenged by a friend who says that Jesus never told anyone while He was on Earth directly that He loved them.
Sincerely,
Affectionate
Dear Affectionate,
There are several examples in the Bible where it is clear that Jesus loved someone. Mk 10:21 says that Jesus loved the rich young ruler who asked Him what it takes to be saved (Mk 10:17). Jesus told His disciples that they should love one another the way He loved them (Jhn 13:34). The book of John refers to “the disciple whom Jesus loved” on multiple occasions (Jhn 20:2, Jhn 21:7). Jesus says that He loves us like the Father does (Jhn 15:12). There is no doubt that Jesus loves us and specifically told His apostles that He loved them.
Hi, I had a kidney transplant six years ago, and I am doing fine now. I have been a faithful servant of God for many years, but I am afraid to go out there and share His good news because I am afraid of one question because I don’t know how to answer it: if you have been a faithful christian and if God says He loves you, why didn’t God heal YOUR OWN kidneys, so that you didn’t have to go through all that dialysis, suffering, and the transplant? How should I answer this question? I really don’t know the answer.
Sincerely,
On The Mend
Dear On The Mend,
God doesn’t heal everyone’s problems miraculously because there is a purpose to suffering. As you probably know, after going through difficult struggles, we learn things we could have never learned without those trials. That is why Paul tells us to rejoice in tribulations because they increase our perseverance and hope (Rom 5:3-5). The apostle Paul had physical infirmities, and he asked God to heal him; God’s answer was, “No.” (2 Cor 12:7-9) Eventually, all of our bodies will succumb to sickness and death (Eccl 7:2). What are important are the lessons we learn between birth and death. All christians will suffer (Acts 14:22); it is how we react to the suffering that matters.
Is it plausible to say that “Wisdom” is an actual spiritual being of some sort? Reading Proverbs seems to give me that impression.
Sincerely,
Scratching My Head
Dear Scratching My Head,
Proverbs uses figurative language to talk about the importance of wisdom, but wisdom isn’t a physical being. The verses you are referring to are found in Proverbs 8. The figurative language being used is called ‘personification’. Personification gives human characteristics to an object, animal, or in this case, an idea. Pr 8:2 talks about wisdom standing in the streets, and Pr 8:12 says wisdom “dwells in prudence”. These are both great examples of personification.
Is it okay for Christians to purchase lottery tickets?
Sincerely,
Pick Of The Litter
Dear Pick Of The Litter,
The Bible never specifically mentions the lottery as a sin, but it doesn’t have to be specifically mentioned to be wrong. There are a great many things surrounding gambling that are sinful. Consider that:
