Good Sex

Dear Victorious,

I know you've addressed masturbation and maybe some other sexual questions in the past. But can you tell me what exactly good sex consists of? I'm a Christian of course, and am taught that God created sex and wants it to be good. So how exactly does sex become good sex?

Natalie S. - Livingston, TX

Dear Natalie,

For starters, good sex is limited to the context of marriage. Anything outside of a committed marriage is ungodly --- meaning it won't be blessed by God because it isn't pleasing to Him. Once inside a committed marriage then, sexual intercourse is the celebration of the relationship. Therefore, the relationship must be worth celebrating. Each of you must have completely forgiven the other and extended God's grace to each other. Each of you should have sought God together. For example, a couple that prays together is more likely to have a satisfying sex life.

The thing is it's not the mechanics of sexual intercourse, or the timing that make a sex life good. Rather it is the lack of guilt or shame or anger in the relationship, and steady supply of good feelings and attitudes that come from God's grace and leadership in the marriage.

Again, sexual intercourse is the celebration of the relationship. Make sure you have a relationship that's worth celebrating - and you'll have God's favor in pursuing a satisfying sexual dimension to that relationship.

Freedom

Dear Victorious,

The Bible says that the truth shall set us free. We sing songs about freedom and it seems that freedom is one of the key themes of Christianity. What exactly is freedom? How would you define it?

Edna P. - Metairie, LA

Dear Edna,

Freedom is often thought of in the simplest of terms. Most people tend to think that freedom means being able to do whatever they want, whenever they want. But true freedom is actually obedience to God and having the wisdom and discernment to know what not to do. So the Truth (Jesus) that sets us free releases us from the bondage of ignorance and the habitual bondage of sin - doing wrong things.

Bible Reading

Dear Victorious,

I know that we are supposed to read our Bibles every single day. Honestly I try, but I just can't seem to get this habit firmly established. Do you have any advice on how I can get there?

Ted M. - Celina, TX

Dear Ted,

What worked for me was to start small. I picked up a pocket devotional, with a short page and Bible verse to be read each day. It took me about a year or so to get that habit established, where I could do that daily. Eventually I "graduated" up to my Bible. My teen-age son recently started something called the "One Minute Bible." It's actually a devotional that can be read in a minute each day. I'm surprised at his faithfulness to read it. Taking small steps like this does wonders to build the habit.

You can buy all sorts of daily devotional books at any Christian book store or kiosk. But two that I recommend are also available on-line. They are:

My Utmost for His Highest - by Oswald Chambers
http://www.myutmost.org/

Insight for Leaders - by A. W. Tozer
http://www.litmin.org/tozer.php?t=27

Marriage Secrets

Dear Victorious,

My fiance and I are planning our wedding for next April and would like to write our own vows. We're thinking that the wedding vows should relate to the priorities that the marriage will have. That said, what is the secret to a good marriage? What are the priorities in a godly marriage?

Tyler E. - Longview, TX

Dear Tyler,

Well, there are probably dozens of opinions about what that answer should be. I'm assuming you want my opinion though. So let me answer based on two things. First is my faith in Jesus Christ and submission to His priorities in my life. Second is my personal experience of being married for 26 years.

People talk about marriages that last. You may hear a comment like, "They've been married for 26 years." Or some might say something like, "Our marriage has lasted for 26 years." But I think the distinction needs to be made between the duration of time and the definition of success in a marriage.

I don't think a successful should be defined by the duration of time. My grandparents, for example, were married for over 50 years. They slept in separate bedrooms for as long as I knew them. They kept their money separate and my grandmother spoke badly about my grandfather behind his back. I never saw them kiss, hug or hold hands. I never knew them to show any kind of affection toward each other. They never even spoke well of each other. Would you call that a successful marriage?

The thing is God designed marriage to be so much more than that. Woman was given to man as a complement to him. She completed him and made him whole. That's the picture of a successful marriage. We are best friends. We truly admire each other and hold each other in high regard. And there's never a day when the people in this marriage ever wish that they weren't. So how do you get such a marriage? That is the question.

I believe the highest priority we can make toward building a successful marriage is to put God first in the marriage. That means each person in the marriage is committed to and devoted to serving and obeying Jesus Christ in all aspects of their lives. They don't make decisions without Him. Any decisions - including the decision to marry! Along with that priority will come a secondary priority, which is all about compromise. When we commit to serve and obey Christ, we lay aside our right to be right, our right to have our way.

Good & Evil

Dear Victorious,

What exactly a "Polly anna attitude?" Wouldn't all Christians fall into this category?

Sheila T. - St. Paul, MN

Dear Sheila,

I don't know if defining the term "Polly anna" is such a worthwhile endeavor to take on. Suffice to say that it's cynically meant to trivialize those who tend to see the good in everything. The fact of the matter is our souls become filters, as we mature, through which we perceive good and evil. The pure (those who have Christ in control of their lives) learn to see goodness and purity, even in this evil world. But corrupt and unbelieving people find evil in everything because their evil minds and hearts shade even the good that they see or hear.

Jesus' Miracles

Dear Victorious,

Jesus performed several miracles during His time here on earth. And when our preacher talks about one of them, he talks as if they are the thing that made Jesus so special. Honestly, didn't Satan do the same miracles? Are the miracles of Jesus really that relevant to His story then?

Candace R. - Las Vegas, NV

Dear Candace,

Some people point to the miracles performed by Jesus and think they're significant because they demonstrated His awesome power. While that may be true, the fact is that Satan has many of the same power to perform feats that humans would consider miraculous. So what set Jesus' miracles apart was their purpose. Jesus' miracles had the purpose of helping to heal people that were broken and to point people to God. That's a purpose Satan could never share.

Learn To Pray

Dear Victor,

I want to be better at prayer. Seriously, I'd like to become a real prayer warrior. I've seen some people pray and it seems like they pray with all the power and zeal of an angel of God. I guess maybe it's a gift some people have. I don't think I have it. But the question is could I acquire that gift in some way? Is there a class or book you'd recommend for someone who wants to be better at prayer?

Charlene M. - Springfield, MO

Dear Charlene,

I don't think prayer can really be taught by principles or rules, or learned through seminars or books. Rather prayer has to be developed out of a heartfelt need and desire. If I say, for example, "I ought to pray ..." (about anything) I will soon run out of motivation and probably quit praying.

Effective prayer that comes from the heart works just the opposite way though. The more we pray the more we sense the need to pray - and the more desire we have to pray. So if you want to be better at prayer, look at the condition of your heart. What are the things that you care about? Are they the things God cares about?

I'm aware that there are all kinds of books, seminars and other formats that purport to teach us how to pray. However, I will argue that heartfelt need that is aligned with God's heart will trump those every time. We should just view prayer as that time of communing my heart with God's over things that we both care deeply about.

Reconciliation

Dear Victorious,

My parents got a divorce a few years ago. I'm 15 now and they're talking about getting a reconciliation. I've tried to talk to them both about what this means. Dad says it's "because of prayer." Can you help?

Marci D. - San Antonio, TX

Dear Marci,

Typically reconciliation means re-establishing relationship. There are many barriers or differences that come about in the normal course of life, and they can separate us from each other. Most likely they caused your parents to divorce in the first place. But Jesus can break these all down for us. Jesus can transform our most hopeless relationships ... to the point that they can become our most hopeful relationships. Ask your parents if this might be what's happening to them.

Spirit Filled?

Dear Victorious,

I hear people talk about being "filled with the Spirit" of God. Quite honestly it sounds like a bunch of charismatic crap. Aren't these people just making that stuff up to make themselves look important? Isn't it just another way for them to be religious? I've been a Christian for years and have never thought of myself as being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Gary C. - Rowlett, TX

Dear Gary,

In the New Testament book of Acts, the Apostle Paul explains that the Holy Spirit is given by God to those who obey Him. So yes, being Spirit-filled is real. People don't just make that stuff up. So if you aren't sure that you're filled with the Holy Spirit, or if you're pretty sure that you're not, you may want to look at your level of obedience to God. Giving His Spirit is a natural reaction on God's part to obedience on our part.

Aliens

Dear Victorious,

My brother-in-law claims that there could quite possibly be intelligent life on other planets that we don't know about. I don't think this is a Biblical position to take. From the beginning to the end, there's no mention of other creation. But I can't seem to convince my know-it-all brother-in-law of this point. Can you help me?

Steve C. - Kidron, OH

Dear Steve,

It has been said that we don't know what we don't know. In other words, it's impossible for humans to know everything. Even if we think we do, there will also be more out there that we are unaware of. Think of it as levels of ignorance that we don't even know we have. This concept applies in your situation.

That the Bible doesn't mention other created beings besides those on this earth does not mean there aren't any. In fact, it doesn't address the subject one way or the other. The Bible does tell us that we can never fully know God because He is so complex and multi-dimensional. It also says we will never fully understand God because His ways are different than ours. So the reality is that we can only possess the knowledge that God chooses to give us access to.

Personally, I believe that there could be other planets that have created beings on them. Notice that I used the plural form of the word too! But if this were information that would be of value to us, I also believe God would have given it to us or given us access to it. That He hasn't tells me it's not worth the debate.

Let our brother-in-law have his opinion. The fact is we'll never know which one of you is right on this issue. It's a level of ignorance that God seems content to leave us with.

God's Healing

Dear Victorious,

The Bible is full of miracles of God's healing people from sickness and disease. He even raised the dead! So here's the thing. Why doesn't that happen all the time? Why, when we pray for someone in to be healed of cancer, for example, does God not do it? I know He heals some people some of the time, but why doesn't He heal all people all of the time?

David C. - Nairobi, Kenya

Dear David,

Think about the question you just asked. If God healed all of the people all of the time, nobody would ever die. There would never be any sickness. It would be heaven!

You have to remember a very important fact here --- and it is that our purpose on this earth is to serve God, please God and glorify God. We exist for His purposes only. So when I pray for God's healing in someone, that healing is only going to come if it would serve God's purposes.

It may please God to heal someone of cancer, for example. Then again, it may serve His purposes to have the individual walk through cancer and die of it. Maybe that individual has finished all He wanted them to accomplish on this earth, and it is time for them to go. Maybe God wants others to learn as they watch this individual walk through cancer. (The same could be true of any disease or malady someone may be suffering from.)

When I am afflicted with pain or suffering or sickness of any kind, I should only expect God's grace to be sufficient for me as I walk through it. You have to remember though that God engineered this human death experience that we all get to have. And God doesn't do anything without a purpose. So even if we can't see the reason or understand His purposes, they are still there and they are still good (because God is good.)

After Life

Dear Victorious,

When people die, do they really go to heaven? Are they really looking down on the living? My grandmother died and she was a very good Christian woman. The family speaks of her as being in heaven, fellowshipping with Jesus ... and watching what we do (like God does). Is this right?

Corrie Lynn - Copperas Cove, TX

Dear Corrie Lynn,

This may be a pleasant way to look at or think about the death of a loved one. But I don't believe it's an accurate perspective. Look at 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. This makes it about as clear as it can be. Those who have died "in Christ" (as Christians) are "sleeping" until Christ returns. Their body decomposes, but their soul is sleeping. When Christ returns, those who have died in Christ will be awakened and rise up to meet Him first, before those Christians who are alive are taken.

In this truthful view, those loved ones who have died before us are not fellowshipping with God, didn't become angels, aren't looking down on us, etc. While it may be comforting to think of them in that way, it is not an accurate view. They are resting, waiting for Jesus to call them out and raise them up. We will all enter heaven together when that time comes, regardless of when we died our earthly death, or if we died our earthly death.

Special Preachers

Dear Victorious,

Do you think that preachers are special people? I mean, do they have supernatural powers or insights that would make us think more highly of them?

LaVonda M. - Dallas, TX

Dear LaVonda,

I like to think of modern day preachers as Biblical prophets from the Old Testament or as Jesus' disciples from the New Testament. In that context, I believe they are anointed and ordained by God Himself. I expect their messages (sermons) to be fresh words from God Himself. So yes, I believe preachers are special people, with supernatural anointing.

The problem is when preachers sin or allow their own relationship with God to deteriorate. They compromise that anointing. Unfortunately, we may not know the status of the preacher's relationship with God when he preaches. So we still need to listen with a discerning ear.

Christian Etiquette

Dear Victor,

My grandmother is getting on in years and insists on living what she calls a "proper" life. She is fastidious about everything. How the table gets set, what you wear and when, and a whole list of other so-called rules of etiquette are often the topic of conversation. Just this past weekend, she laid into my brother for wearing his ball cap at the table when we were eating lunch. Is all this Biblical? Didn't Jesus tell us not to live according to the law? Aren't humans supposed to stop making up these silly "rules" for each other?

Lakeisha V. - Metairie, LA

Dear Lakeisha,

It sounds like you're trying to find Biblical support for a position that you've already taken. The Bible may not call for us to live according to strict rules (i.e., which fork to use for what). But it also does not provide for us to live like heathens or animals. Having good manners and being polite and respectful of others should always be hallmarks of Christ-followers.

So removing your hat at the dinner table is simply a sign of respect for whoever else is dining with you. Or politely excusing yourself when you leave the dinner table. Or apologizing if you've done something that's gross (like farting or belching). Or holding the door for a lady to enter first. Or opening the door for a lady.

I can think of two specific Scripture verses that would help guide your thinking about manners and matters of etiquette. Luke 19:18 says to love your neighbor as you yourself would want to be loved. And Philippians 4:8 says to focus on things that are excellent and worthy of praise. These verses tell me that politeness and proper, respectful behavior are God-honoring --- and therefore to be aspired to and practiced diligently by His people.

Questions Answered

Dear Victorious,

I have a two part question. You don't seem to quote much Scripture in your answers to the questions people ask you. Why is that? And where else could someone get questions answered that would be more straight from the Bible?

Jonathan H. - Columbia, MD

Dear Jonathan,

You're right. I don't quote much Scripture because people who write to me most often demand that. They already know what the Bible says. But they are looking for practical application. You can be sure that my answers are based on my understanding of Scripture ... as revealed to me by the Holy Spirit. I want to make sure that any advice I give is Biblical.

There are plenty of places to get answers to Biblical questions. Most of them tend to be technical in that they simply answer the questions and maybe fall short of the practical application in our every day lives. But I have no problem in recommending those sites. Moreover, I definitely don't intend to compete with them. In fact, I'd say they are complementary to my ministry work. Here are some of my favorites:

http://www.bible.com/
http://www.bibleanswer.com/
http://www.gotquestions.org/
http://www.christiananswers.net/
http://www.bible.org.nz/
http://www.bibleinfo.com/
http://www.biblequestions.org/
http://www.bibleanswers.us/
http://www.biblesearch.com/
http://www.biblestudy.org/
http://ww.simplebibleanswers.com/
http://www.bibleanswermachine.ww7.com/
http://www.equip.org/
http://www.bible-researcher.com/
http://www.studybibleforum.com/
http://www.biblegateway.org/
http://www.biblos.com/

As you can see, this is a generous list. And while it seems comprehensive, I can assure you that there many, many more sites than this. In fact, the Internet seems to have given rise to a wealth of information and knowledge availability to Christians and others seeking Christian answers.

I have one very important caveat as you look at these sites I've listed or any other sites. We are told to test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21) that we are taught. Not everything is true, and the teaching of even the best theologians can still be wrong at times. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us understanding of Scripture ... and not any man, brochure, book, magazine or even web site.

While God may use a variety sources to reveal Biblical truth to you, not everything that comes through these channels is the truth. We are to test everything - which means we should consider everything against what else the Bible says (because it's impossible for the Bible to contradict itself) and to test everything against the character and nature of God.

On Fear

Dear Victorious,

I know the Bible says that perfect love drives out fear. And I've read you saying that Christians don't fear. So the thing is that I still have fear. There are things that I'm afraid of. Does that mean that I'm not a Christian or that I'm not spiritually mature? I feel like other Christians are better than me because I'm still stuck with this fear.

Randy E. - Auckland, NZ

Dear Randy,

No, that's not what it means. As long as you're human, fear will stalk you. It will try to convince you not to act. It will try to steal your serenity. The thing is that people who are firmly grounded in Christ know that fear has no power over them. But fear still tries. So we give our fears to Jesus in prayer. We remind ourselves of who He is and who we are in Him. And then we go forward in spite of our fears. A friend of mine says that we "do it afraid."

Spiritual maturity doesn't make us immune to human frailties. Rather it makes us able to overcome those frailties. You must always remember that your feelings are not truth. So when you feel afraid, you can still choose to move forward based on truth instead.

On-Line Bibles

Dear Victorious,

What are some good on-line sources for Bible research or Bible study?

Zach E. - Freeport, TX

Dear Zach,

I use two different sites most frequently. The first is http://www.biblegateway.com/. The second is http://www.biblos.com. The latter is a much more comprehensive site with more tools.

Catholic Divorce

Dear Victorious,

I grew up in the Catholic church, which teaches that divorce, along with things like birth control is just not allowed. But I'm divorced. Where does that leave me?

Caroline W. - Plano, TX

Dear Caroline,

To be sure, God hates divorce. It is never His will for us. However, God initially allowed divorce "because of the hardening of our hearts." (Matthew 19:8) So while it grieves God that we divorce, He understands that we are human and the relationship bonds can be so broken that we just don't have the heart to continue. So He also forgives divorce. He has never forbid it, as the Catholic church does.

Suffering's Role

Dear Victorious,

Thanks for answering my question the other day on suffering. I have another question now. If bad things are going to happen to good people and we should rejoice in our suffering, why do people have so much trouble with suffering?

Edwin A. - Alice, TX

Dear Ed,

You're welcome. I think that people have so much trouble with suffering for at least one of two reasons.

First, we want to know why. And the fact that we can't seem to get a straight answer only serves to increase our suffering. In fact, we stay so focused on the question of why that we can't seem to look at God's purposes.

Second, even if we think we know the why, most explanations are inaccurate and don't serve as much comfort to us. People will (a) believe in God only when they are prospering and not suffering (this is wrong), (b) think that suffering is God's judgment for sin (this may not be true), (c) think that suffering is God's way to teach, discipline and refine (this is incomplete). But there is another answer: (d) suffering helps us to focus on who God is and not what He does.

This final view I believe is the point God wants to make in the midst of our suffering. We should not be asking why. Rather we should be asking who ... God is. Only by knowing who God is can we really walk through our suffering successfully.

Annoying People

Dear Victorious,

I know that Christians are supposed to love our neighbor. But honestly, does God really expect us to love annoying people who can be just absolutely repulsive?

John S. - Tulsa, OK

Dear John,

Let's be clear, in the face of a holy God, all of us are repulsive. It is only His forgiving grace through Jesus Christ that makes us acceptable. So yes, He expects us to forgive them for whatever it is that we think makes them annoying or repulsive. It's no more than He does for us.

Pre-Destination

Dear Victorious,

Is predestination real? If so, where is that in the Bible?

Janet Z. - Waukesha, WI

Dear Janet,

Yes it is. There are two passages of Scripture that make that clear for me.

The first is Jeremiah 1:5, where God says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart ..."

The second is Ephesians 1:4-5 where Paul tells us, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world ... In love he predestined us to be adopted as his ... through Jesus Christ ..."

So God knew you and had a plan for you before you were even conceived in your mother's womb. In fact, God knew you even before He created the world!

Bad Things Happen

Dear Victorious,

Our pastor recently preached a sermon on why bad things happen to good people. I know there's a book on that too. What I haven't heard preached is what good people are supposed to do when bad things happen to them! Care to comment?

Edwin A. - Alice, TX

Dear Ed,

I'll first make the assumption that we define the good people who experience bad things as Christ followers. (I'm not sure if that's an accurate definition, but for the sake of this discussion, we'll use that assumption.) When bad things happen to good people, here's what I believe God expects us to do with them.

1. Confess known sin.

2. Call on God for strength.

3. Resist self-pity. Believe that there are reasons why God is allowing you to go through this. Look for opportunity (i.e., learning, etc.).

4. Accept help from the body of believers around you.

5. Don't blame God. Recognize that in a sinful world both the good and the evil people suffer from the consequences of sin.

6. Don't withdraw or isolate in your pain. Instead, proclaim your faith in God and remember that He cares and loves you deeply.

The Apostle Paul said something about rejoicing in our trials. There is always a purpose to our suffering - even if we can't see it. For example, perhaps God will use your suffering to teach me something as I watch you. So we rejoice that He is God, that He is purposeful, and that He will sustain us through each trial we face.

God's Breath

Dear Victorious,

There is a Beatles' song with the lyric that says something like, "The New York Times says God is dead ..." What if that could actually happen? What if God actually did somehow die? Where would that leave humans?

Derek J. - Tempe, AZ

Dear Derek:

That's a pretty big question actually. I don't think there is any theological answer to such a question. However, I can think of two specific responses that would be truths.

First, if God could die, then we have not actually even known God. For one of His most innate characteristics is that He always was and always will be.

Second, if God were actually dead, then all life would cease and all humanity would turn to dust. He breathed life into us. Without His breath then, we have no life.

So in conclusion, it would be impossible for the New York Times (or any other newspaper) to accurately report that God is dead. For if it were true, then He wasn't God or there wouldn't be anyone to report it!

Used By God

So I wonder if truly great men and women of God are consistently aware of their being used by God, being effective vessels for His ministry, etc. It's a feeling I can only imagine - but one that I'd like to become intimately acquainted with!

Effective Prayer

Dear Victorious,

I want to be good at prayer, especially praying for others. (I think that may be my spiritual gift - intercessory prayer.) What are the elements of effective prayer?

Tori N. - Tucson, AZ

Dear Tori,

Well, most teachers would point to models of prayer in the Bible and conclude that effective prayer has five (5) specific elements:

1. Praise for who God is.
2. Thanksgiving for what God has done.
3. Repentance (with confession) for any sins committed.
4. Specific requests of God.
5. Commitment to be faithful and obedient to God.

Those are all well and good, but I think there is one more element that may be the most important. That would be faith --- or believing that God answers our prayers. The Bible says that if you ask without believing that He'll answer, then you have no right to expect an answer. (James 1:6-7).

In addition to specific granting of our requests, we should also understand that God uses our prayers to help us in other ways. For example, heartfelt prayer can help clarify the problem we may be facing and put it into its proper perspective. Prayer can help us focus on God's power at work in the situation. Prayer can even help us clarify our role in the resolution of the problem.

When God's people pray effectively, difficult decisions or circumstances fall into their proper perspective and appropriate actions will follow.

Rich in Heaven?

Dear Victorious,

Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. Does this mean that rich people cannot go to heaven? If so why? I thought salvation was for everyone. (My brother and husband say that Jesus wasn't talking about a literal needle, but rather a needle gate in the Jerusalem wall.)

Betty Ann - Conshohoken, PA

Dear Betty Ann,

I've heard the needle gate argument. But whether Jesus was referring to an actual sewing needle or a needle gate doesn't change the context or meaning of what He said. Jesus used many metaphors and stories to make a point.

We don't for example, talk about how many sheep, how many coins, what kind of wine, or any of the other details of Jesus' stories. Neither do we need to spend time on what kind of needle Jesus was talking about. Such details really don't offer any real value. Moreover, the would not be able to change what Jesus said.

So what did Jesus say? What message did He want us to get from Matthew 19:24, where He said, "... it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God?" Most theologians and Bible scholars agree that Jesus was referring to the condition of the heart of the rich man.

People who have wealth often have hearts that are not contrite, surrendered, humbled or tender. Rather the hearts of the wealthy are often filled with greed, selfishness and pride, to name a few. Consider how they got that wealth. Consider what they do with their wealth. Consider how they regard their wealth. Consider what role that wealth plays in their priorities. What will they do for money?

Jesus also said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) What Jesus meant here is that even though someone may look good and righteous by the world's standards, even if they acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, and even if they are generous souls - they still won't get into heaven unless they've met the specific criteria for heaven.

Rich or poor, anyone who expects to get into heaven should have tangible evidence that they have made Jesus lord of their lives. They must have put Him first in all things. And the fact that they have acknowledged His lordship will be demonstrated by their obedience. It is as simple as that.

The bottom line is that I do expect to see rich people in heaven. But if I do, it will be because they were able to put their money in its proper perspective and keep it there. It won't be because they said they were Christians or went to church.

Church Expecatations

Dear Victorious,

What, in your opinion, are the right expectations for a Christian to have when they go to church?

Nadine M. - Plano, TX

Dear Nadine,

There are a number of them. Based on the whole direction of the Bible regarding corporate worship and assembly, here's what I go to church expecting.

1. Worship - standing in awe of who God is and praising Him for who He is. Giving God glory and honor and celebrating Him and all His attributes, as well as celebrating my relationship with Him.

2. Sermon - an anointed word from God Himself, given to us through the preacher, who serves as a Biblical prophet to the listeners. This is no different than when Moses came down off the mountain to tell the Israelites what God said to him. The pastor comes down off the proverbial mountain on Sunday mornings to tell the people what God has to say to them.

3. Fellowship - greeting and meeting my peers in Christ. Celebrating those relationships and being thankful for those relationships. Encouraging each other, and connecting with each other.

4. Tithes and offerings - obediently bringing the first 10% of my income to the temple and to the Lord. Bringing other offerings (above my 10%) because of my gratefulness to the Lord, to be used to care for the poor and needy through my church.

There may be other things that we should expect when we go to church, but for me, these are the basics.

Fear

Dear Victorious,

Fear seems to be an inherent part of the human experience. What then does God expect us to do with that fear?

Tad R. - Moran, WY

Dear Tad,

You're right, it is part of the human experience. However, we are first spiritual beings who are having a human experience. God knew us before we were formed in our mother's womb. (Jeremiah 1:5) We are to rise above the human limitations of that human experience we are having. We are, after all, spiritual beings. We should not fear anything in the physical world!

The Bible is also replete with numerous passages that tell us not to fear. Fear itself is not Biblical for Christ-followers. In fact, His perfect love drives out all fear. (1 John 4:18) Now the fact that we are Christians does not mean that we have no fear. Rather it means that we are called to rise above that fear, overcome that fear.

I have a friend who says simply that Christians are called to "Do it afraid." When Christians have fear, they should give it to the Lord and move forward as if the fear weren't there. His perfect love will drive out the fear as we move forward, trusting in His provision.

Technology

Dear Victorious,

What do you think of religions that eschew technology? I'm talking about the Amish or the Mennonites, for example. Some of these religions won't even drive a car! They don't have a TV or a telephone. It seems that they function in society without being a part of that society. Is their position really Biblical?

DeShawn W. - Coffeyville, KS

Dear DeShawn,

The religions that you mention are both high regarded by most other religions. I believe this is because they live virtuous lives and behave in godly ways. That they eschew technology is not part of the criteria that gives us that impression though.

I don't find anything in the Bible that would suggest we shouldn't embrace, leverage and exploit new technologies as they emerge. In fact, these technologies can be wonderful blessings and be very useful in doing God's work and advancing His Kingdom.

On the other hand, Satan has proven very adept at exploiting most things that man meant for good. Consider how many people are killed in automobile accidents. Or consider the proliferation of pornography ... on the same Internet that a great deal of ministry work gets done on.

The Bible tells us to resist temptation and flee the devil. Certain religions have defined certain technologies as being unworthy of the risk (temptation) that they carry.

I see no difference between the Amish not having a TV or the Mormons not drinking alcohol. Both groups of people have decided to refrain from something that could corrupt them. Frankly, I think the country would be better off if more of us would do that!

Obama's Faith

Dear Victorious,

Do you think Obama is a Christian or a Muslim? What do you think it would take for Americans to believe that he is a Christian?

Ted G. - O'Fallon, MO

Dear Ted,

I don't believe Mr. Obama has demonstrated publicly enough devotion to convict him of being a man of any particular persuasion when it comes to faith. The truth is that we don't know. Only God knows the condition of this man's heart. And the President has said the he will not respond to such accusations. He believes his faith is a more private matter and isn't willing to put it in the public domain or allow it to be criteria for how he is measured.

If Mr. Obama were to convince the American public that he is a Christian, I don't believe it would require any change in his demeanor with Islam. It is the second largest religion in the world now (bigger than Catholicism, etc.) and is the fastest growing religion in America. He's been respectful of it and defended its rights in this country. But such convincing would require him to change his demeanor toward Christianity. He would be celebrating Christian holidays publicly. He would be praying publicly. He would have a public board of known Christian advisers. He would be reading his Bible publicly. He would be in an accountable relationship with another spiritually mature man (and we would now about it).

I don't think that George Bush, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, George Bush Sr. or even John Kennedy presented us with any better evidence that they were Christians than has Barack Obama. But in the absence of such evidence, showing respect for Islam and defending its rights calls the matter into question. Were the evidence of his walk with Christ more evident, I don't believe Mr. Obama's demeanor toward Islam would be a problem for the American people.

Question for God

Dear Victorious,

If you could ask God just one question and knew He'd answer it, what would you ask Him and why?

Zach N. - Conroe, TX

Dear Zach,

When you walk with God, there are a lot of unanswered questions that you must find peace with. But the one question that I most struggle to find peace with is the question of evil. Simply put, I don't understand why God would allow evil to continue as long as He has. I know and trust that He has a purpose. But my inferior mind cannot begin to imagine such a purpose. Said differently, I tend to think that if I were God I would have eradicated evil long ago.

And why I would choose this question to ask is simply because it is the one piece of ambiguity in the Christian life that I have the most challenge finding peace with.