How Do We Know When God Answers Our Prayers For Spiritual Growth?

How do we know when God answers our prayers for spiritual growth. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity will happy Friday. This is Bill Meyer along with pastor Adm. Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. Our phone lines will be open for the next 25 minutes or so.

So if you have a question give us a call at 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 always push a question on one of our social media accounts. In fact, you can watch a drill right now live on YouTube and you can send us a message through the YouTube channel as well and you can always email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to voicemail. We received from one of our listeners named Sarah, the famous Christian author asked the question where he basically said if you can have all the good things that happened without Jesus actually being there. I use this question is a test for whether or not a person is a Christian sometimes I'm afraid that I could be set aside. Since I don't love Jesus as well as I should check this for me question my salvation will no I don't think that it should make you question your salvation. Assuming that this this point is a point that's being made from Psalm 73 and in Psalm 73. The psalmist Asaph is reflecting on his life and on the lives of the wicked around him, and he cc the wicked people around him and how they seem to be blessed. It seems like there's no trouble in life for them. They're rich, they're healthy there. You know they have enough to eat that kind of thing and he looks at his own life and he feels chastised by God. Even though he's devoted himself to God really is just a side point really is. I think a Psalm that completely demolishes the idea of a prosperity gospel that the godly are always supposed to be healthy, wealthy and and so on so forth. And that that that's what God intends.

That's that's not what that says there but at the very end of the Psalm.

Asaph says whom have I in heaven but you and on earth. There is none that I desire besides you might my flesh in my heart may feel me, but God is the strength of my my heart. The strength of my life and my portion forever. He realizes that that she's right with God that he has a relationship with the Lord and that God is his ultimate treasure now all of us as followers of Christ. Those of us who have devoted our lives to Jesus. Not a single one of us loves God as perfectly as we ought to our love for God pales in comparison to his love for us and if we want to to assure our hearts before him. It's far better to meditate upon his love, then it is to meditate upon our own love because when we look inside we realizes as much as we hate it. God I fall short of your law of obeying your commandments. That doesn't make it okay but if you want confidence that God is for you that that you you know are secure in the hands of the Lord you have to look to the cross into the love that God has for us. First and foremost I think that that's one of the things that John brings out in in his first letter in first John chapter 4 verse seven he says, beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God is really important.

There anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love in this the love of God was made manifest among us that God sent his only son into the world so that we might live through him.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

What encouragement there. This is this is how the love of God was manifested to us. He sent his son into the world. We love because he first loved us, is a when you think about your own life and you think man I I'd I just don't desire Jesus like I should. I don't love him like I should we confess that we turn to the Lord.

We cry out to him, but we rest in his love for us and that's what gives us confidence. You're listening to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez and if you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life is a call right now at 833.

The core let's go to Paul in Muskogee, Oklahoma Paul, I hope I said the name your town right out your question what your question for pastoral program oil someone having a drink in public, God the father Jehovah was drawn up to the I can't get anything really counted. Your gotten out there a little bit Paul, but it sounds to me like your your wonder what is this third have been there and so either there's a simple answer. You know, this is just referring to being in the presence of the Lord, that you think of you know John and the vision he had in the book of Revelation were he's lifted up, if you will, into the heavens where he gets his.

This glimpse of God's throne room.

This is not just like floating around in the stars. We might refer to that is the second heaven you know that the atmosphere above us. This is being in the very presence of the Lord and then Paul says I must go on boasting, though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who 14 years ago was caught up to the third heaven, whether in the body or out of the body. I don't know, God knows and I know that this man was cut up into paradise eats or confirms what I just said or whether in the body or out of the body I do not know God knows any heard things that cannot be told which man may not utter and so he's talking about this individual who he knew had this this miraculous experience where they were caught up into the presence of the Lord and experience these visions and revelations he does go much more into it than that but the third heaven there is is that is a reference to being in the presence of of the Lord. Thanks for your question Paul, thanks Paul appreciate you listening to core Christianity.

We always love to hear from you with your questions, so feel free to call us. By the way, if you get our voicemail. You can leave a voicemail question for us and call us 24 hours a day at 833-843-2673 we have a brand-new resource want to tell you about today and it's pretty exciting because it focuses on a beautiful attribute of God. Yeah, this is I think our third day offering this free resource now 10 ways God reveals himself as our father. One of the reasons I I just love that were offering this resource in particular is because so many people have a misunderstanding of who God is, is it's interesting, you know, oftentimes, and Jesus wants to talk to us about the goodness of God in the Gospels when he was referring to the generosity of God, how he cares for his children. He talks about God as it is a good father. If you being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. Jesus said in the gospel of Luke that we need to know God as father and how he reveals himself to us as father and so get a hold of this resource. 10 ways God reveals himself as our father. It's absolutely free and you can downloaded to PDF. You can find it on our website. Core, Christianity.com/offers again core Christianity.com/offers just look for 10 ways God reveals himself as our father.

Let's go to a voicemail we received from one of our listeners. This is from Danielle know when God answers our prayers when we I know that the book of James talks about how we are to ask for wisdom.

God gives without reproach, and on that we can believe and not doubt. But where does the fruit coming for us to recognize God get any place them in my day-to-day think you a Danielle thank you for that question. And what a great encouragement. That is, that the Scriptures give to us is and it did the prayer for wisdom is a prayer that God wants to answer and it's a part of our own sanctification growing in grace. Of course we know that the apostle Paul said to the Thessalonians. This is the will of God, your sanctification that you be sanctified so we know we pray for these things. God hears our prayers because John says in first John that we pray for anything.

According to the will of God. He hears us.

And he answers those prayers. When we ask in faith. And that's precisely what James gets out in James chapter 1 verse five. If anyone of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him, let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind for that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. Now you're asking what does this wisdom look like, how can we be sure that we have it. Well, a little bit later in the book of James. James gives us a very clear description of what this wisdom looks like. He says in James chapter 3, beginning in verse 13 who is wise and understanding among you by his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But now, here's how wisdom doesn't look if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic. There is a demonic wisdom that people can have its selfish it's a full of selfish ambition, bitter jealousy, you know, wanting to be better than others may be wanting to be wise so that we can put people in their place. That kind of the thing in James is that's not the kind wisdom that comes down from God for where jealousy and selfish ambition exists there will be disorder and every vile practice with the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere and a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. And so I think we were praying to God for wisdom and we we we see ourselves by the grace of the Holy Spirit and of the Lord is answering that prayer we see ourselves more peaceable, willing to reason with the people around us gentle, full of mercy, full of good fruits, love, joy, peace, patience, but that's that's how we know God is beginning to to manifest the answer to that prayer if you will, and we need to pray that because especially in days like the days were living in brothers and sisters. We desperately need the wisdom from above and so let me just encourage you is James encouraged his audience here and in the epistle of James. Pray for it. Pray that God would give you wisdom and then believe that he will because he wants to man by the way, we have a great core question that ties in with that. It's called what's the difference between justification and sanctification.

You can find that by going to core Christianity.com/questions. Let's go to Buck calling in from Leavenworth, Kansas buck what your question for pastor atrial residential about lacrosse. I did learn in one's life. You know when I was younger in our in all things were different in my life. Your arsenal called on the learn little DeLorean and thought I got saved one of your surgeon or there was things in my life all throughout that I did not give up the drum about five years ago. You know, I felt more and more general drugs boys to do you know couple of things open my life partner to have very strong addiction to drugs that I have in my life.

Earlier you know and will you know all or some of the more more arduous. You know my heart is grown cold and hard, and sensitive to you to know not been able to have discernment and carnivores would eventually come alive and also on the want to just all went away drawn and you know I'm I'm here and all the stuff is going on my little eyes and replied to my situation on two folders old and I you know I don't want that my life and is the most scariest thing in the world and reaching out.

Many times I don't know what to do are to: in although you won't get me out but I want to say and do not want to spend your turn on almost any attorney hosted box. I'm grateful that you called in and it sounds to me like you.

You know what you need to do but but you feel like your heart is grown cold and I know for for many people they wonder boy have I just send away God's grace is God not there for me anymore. The gospel buck is for you the grace of Jesus Christ is sufficient for you, you have to lay hold of that reality. I think of what the author the Hebrew said in Hebrews chapter 3, beginning in verse seven. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says it now. Keep in mind buck he's writing to a group of professing Christians who were being tempted to go back to the old system of religion under Judaism that the sacrificial system there being tempted to depart from Christ you're saying I want Christ. I need Christ. The other the Hebrews as is writing to people who are thinking that maybe we don't need them totally. Maybe we can get a contribute to our own salvation with these animal sacrifices and so forth.

And he says therefore is the Holy Spirit says, today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. On the day of testing in the wilderness where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for 40 years. Therefore, I was provoked with that generation, and said they always go astray in their heart they have not known my ways as I swore in my wrath will not enter my rest.

Then he says this take care brothers, lest there be in any of you when evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day as long as it is called today today's the day of salvation. He said earlier as long as it is called today that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end as it is said, today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, and I want to exhort you with those same words, the words of Scripture here. Take care my brother. I want to exhort you today if you hear his voice, Jesus speaking to you through the word, the promise of the gospel. Buck my salvation is for you. Don't harden your heart. Don't think that it's not sufficient for you because of your sin or because of your past.

It is my blood is sufficient for you, receive my grace and my forgiveness and buck if the if the you know the that the Hebrews living. Back then, in the presence of the of the apostles experiencing many miracles. The author, the Hebrews mentions us earlier in chapter 2. If they could struggle with this wandering away from Jesus people today very much will as well and that's what we need to focus our eyes over and over again on Christ and lay hold of that hope that is set before us, and so I just want to assure you one that it's there for you. I just preach the gospel to you a sense even you know it, but it's one thing to note that I think we got a lay hold of it for ourselves and I just want you know it it's for you lay hold of it and rest in it and be sure that you're in a good community of faith we are hearing the word of part of God preached every week we are going to be exhorted, day after day as long as as it is called today is the author the Hebrews said to hold fast to Christ and to know also. Buck that he holds fast to us in the very fact that your calling and is a sign of the fact that he's the one who's drawing you to himself, and that his grace is there for you. Ask for your call. This score Christianity with pastor atrial Sanchez you know, Israel. We often talk about the importance of being plugged into a community of faith, I'm I'm struck by we do get a lot of calls from people who don't currently have a church are currently a fellow shipping in the body of Christ, and I just wonder if you could just briefly explain why that is so critical to our Christian growth boy.

Briefly, it's just the reality bill is it just the assumption of the New Testament right like the assumption is, you know, were baptized into the body of Christ into Christ's death and resurrection were part of this community. If united to Jesus Christ by faith united to the head of the church. So you're also united to the rest of the body, and you need to be. Let me plead with you if you're someone call yourself a Christian, but you're not in it in the church you need to be in a gospel preaching Bible believing church.no church is perfect, but Christians are never called adjuster to do the Christian life on their own. We grow together as we bring our gifts together in the body of Christ in and under the ministry of the word that's that's how sanctification happens. So you need that God intends for us.

I meant this score. Christianity let's go to Darren in Peoria, Illinois during what your question for pastor atrial ministry.

Okay Bible also verse Isaiah 42, three, could I get some clarification on that plate.

Isaiah chapter 42 verse three will begin in verse one behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights I have put my spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice or make it heard in the street.

A bruised reed he will not break in a faintly burning wick he will not quench. He will faithfully bring forth justice.

He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth and the coastlands wait for his lot now.

Isaiah frequently. Darren talks about the servant of the Lord and there's been all sorts of discussion and debate about who this servant of the Lord is. Some people have said, maybe it's Isaiah himself or another one of the prophets. Maybe it's referring to Israel the Israel at times is referred to as God's servant, but I think that the best answer and you see this throughout Isaiah in particular, the servant songs is that the servant of the Lord brings about justice to the coastlands is none other than King Jesus himself. Remember later in Isaiah in places like Isaiah 53 it talks about the suffering of the servant of the Lord, how he suffered on behalf of his people, so Christ brings justice to the coastlands first and foremost to his death, his suffering and his resurrection so that we might be justified in one of the things I love about verse three that you brought up a bruised reed he will not break in a faintly burning wick he will not quench. This is talking about the gentleness if you will, of Christ, and of course, this is exactly how Jesus himself described himself. We know what he said come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in spirit.

I read this in Matthew chapter 11 and so this Messiah. This great King. This great ruler. He came to bring justice to the nations through his death through his suffering, the servant of the Lord and he is the gentle Savior riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as prophesied in the book of Zechariah. So here we have this beautiful prophecy of the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the heart of Christ. If you will, towards sinners, towards the broken. He doesn't just cast us off the end of the bruised reed he doesn't just break it. He doesn't quench the faintly burning wick and sometimes that's how we feel is in it. In the Christian life like I'm barely burning well Christ doesn't put you out.

He breathes his love into you through his Word through his gospel and he sets us aflame. If you will with that truth. So thank you for giving us a call. Darren, what a greater picture your pinafore, sir Israel.

Thank you.

This is score Christianity by the way, don't forget we have our our free resource available to you today is called 10 ways God reveals himself as our father, you can find that@corechristianity.com/offers is a question that came in through our YouTube channel for Melinda. She says what is it made in first Corinthians 5. Nine not to company with fornicators, does that apply to family members who are gay in first Corinthians chapter 5. In particular, Paul is talking about not keeping company with so-called Christians. That is, those who are a part of the church and are living lives that are completely contrary to the law of God.

Verse nine, I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people nodded all meaning the sexually immoral of this world for the greedier the swindlers are idolaters since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I'm writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed or is in idolatry, revile her drunkard or swindler not even eat with such a one, what have I to do with judging outsiders is it not those who are inside of the church whom you are to judge and so if you have a family member who you know is gay or lesbian and they don't profess to be Christian, abolishing the action just the opposite. We ought to pursue them in love have relationships, you know band and and friendships. Those those kinds of things the kind of thinking and extend the love of Christ to them. Jesus himself did this and in the Gospels was a part of his ministry, but if someone within the church and are they claim to be a Christian.

They go to church every Sunday, but there living in ways that are totally contrary to the gospel and to the word of God for that person poses no you need to help them understand that what they're doing is wrong and so don't just eat and drink with them like everything is fine. That's what Paul is getting at. Thank you for your question.

God bless.

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