Wednesday night we talked about our questions & doubts on a wide range of topics. There are two camps of Christians. One camp takes the Bible, reads it, and whatever it says is what they believe. The second camp studies the Bible and wrestles with it. We looked at two scriptures that night.

The first was 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, one of the most amazing things that Paul says is to "not quench the Spirit" or "despise the words of prophets" but we are to "test everything; hold fast to what is good." If our desire is for the Holy Spirit to move us/compel us then we should take the word and investigate/examine what we are given and hold on... to what is good.

The second was James 1:5-8, "If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God..." "But ask in faith, never doubting..." The first camp of Christians would say well we should never doubt, those with faith don’t doubt. The second camp would look at the world behind the text to see whom James was speaking too. These people have been beaten and scattered for believing in Jesus. They were worn out by an empire who wanted to squash any other thoughts besides their own. James is not telling them to never doubt but rather to hold on! Be faithful...in what you were told.

Our feelings can get in the way of reality. Our life might be such that we can’t believe in a good God that loves us. Though you might feel that way the reality is that there is a good God that loves us and wants to have a relationship with you. God invites our questions & doubts. In Genesis 32 we read a story about Jacob. He starts wrestling with a man. In this struggle Jacob is injured but continues to hang on. The man asks Jacob to let him go and Jacob says "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." Then the man says, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans and have prevailed." There at Penuel (the face of God), Jacob’s name is changed to Israel (one who wrestles/struggles with God.) The Holy people of God, Israel, are named by God... people who scrap with God!

We are invited as God’s Holy people to wrestle/struggle/scrap and God will be with us waiting for us to prevail. Wednesday night we broke into groups and discussed our questions/doubts. Here are some of those we presented...

Why are there so many denominations? Are they all valid? Are they all necessary?

Why do we have expensive churches when Jesus had no place to rest his head?

If church is suppose to be a safe place then why do some feel judged when they walk through the doors?

Why do I feel like the church didn’t help me get to where I am today?

How do you know if you’re praying correctly?

How are we suppose to pray?

Do you have to repent every time you sin?

How do I know if I am interpreting the Bible correctly?

How do we know our version of the Bible is the true word of God?

What should a Christian look like/ act like?

Why are Christians so hypocritical?

Am I really saved?

Can you lose your salvation?

How do we know Jesus was the Son of God?

This is just a portion of the questions lifted up that night. Maybe you have some questions/doubts? If you do write them on here and as a community we will look at these together. Hope to see you next week as we start our look at Don Everts book "Jesus With Dirty Feet"

Peace,
Nathan