Are we supposed to go out and preach the Word, or are we supposed to wait until we are asked?  My own experience says that if someone is being called by God, they will reach out (it's what I did before being saved), but there are those who believe it's their duty to go out and preach.  Thank you and God bless you.

Sincerely,
Ready And Waiting

Dear Ready And Waiting,

When Jesus walked this Earth, He sought those who were lost (Lk 19:10), and we should do the same.  Though it is true that some people are already looking for the truth, and God guarantees that those who seek Him will find Him (Matt 7:7), there are others that blindly live in ignorance until we bring the truth to them.  Jesus’ great commission to His apostles was to go and make disciples from every nation (Matt 28:19).  Christians must be searching for opportunities to spread God’s Word – look for those open doors (Col 4:3).  There are two types of converts: those who went actively searching for the pearl of God’s wisdom and found it (Matt 13:45-46) and those who stumbled across the treasured salvation found in Christ (Matt 13:44).  We must be ready for both.

What scripture shows that God laughs or has a sense of humor?  Thanks.

Sincerely,
Funny Bone

Dear Funny Bone,

God definitely has a sense of humor, but just as a child often struggles to see his parents’ funny bone because they are busy raising the child, we often miss God’s sense of humor because we are His children and the works of His hands (1 Jn 3:1).  One of the simplest proofs of God’s ability to find humor is that we are made in His image (Gen 1:27), and we are able to laugh.  Since man has a sense of humor, God must have one also.

Ps 59:8 talks about God laughing at those who think they can outwit Him, and Ps 2:4 says the same.  There are other things that point to God’s sense of humor.  When we look at the animals and created world, we see the invisible attributes of God (Rom 1:20).  God made the platypus – that animal is downright hilarious-looking!

Lastly, there are other anecdotes in the Bible that show God’s sense of humor: the way He destroys the false god, Dagon, in 1 Sam 5:1-5 or how the false exorcists were put to flight in Acts 19:13-16.

     Can you tell me all you know about blasphemy?  How do I know if I have done it, how do I make sure I don't, and can it really not be forgiven?  What if you did it without knowing or before you realized what it was… or before you got saved?  Please help!  I was told if you're worrying about it, you probably haven't.  Just wondering!  Thanks!

Sincerely,
Watching My Mouth

Dear Watching My Mouth,

Blasphemy can be forgiven, like all other sins, but it definitely is wrong.  The word ‘blasphemy’ means ‘to speak evil of’; any language that speaks poorly of God is blasphemy.  When we use God’s name as a cuss word or exclamatory term, we demote Him in our minds from the lofty position He deserves.  God tells us to revere Him (Heb 12:28).  All our speech needs to be both clean and reverent, so God’s name is spoken well of amongst His people (1 Tim 6:1).

[This question is a follow-up to “Real… For Real”)

      Thanks for answering my question about whether or not God exists!  I have another question if it isn't too much trouble; well, truthfully, I have a lot of questions, but you said, "It is important that everyone asks this question at some point in their life."

Why is that?  I contacted a few churches with similar questions, and one even told me that he had never doubted it and made me feel as if this wasn't normal.  It isn't that I don't believe as much as I can't help but wonder.  I was raised in church until around the age of seven or eight, and my parents quit going, and I continued to go by myself until I was around ten or eleven.  I haven't faithfully gone to church since, but now at the age of twenty-one, I feel as if God is calling me.  I can't help but have my doubts, well, my anxieties about it.  I have started church again, but I guess my first step is figuring out my beliefs and learning as much as I can and just looking for help/answers.  Thanks so much for your time.  It's an amazing thing you're doing.  God bless!

Sincerely,
Asking

Dear Asking,

The reason it is important for people to ask themselves whether or not God is real is because it is important that we think about what we believe and get real answers from the Bible.  If you don’t look for answers, then you are just being spoon-fed whatever the preacher, pastor, professor, etc. you are closest to says.
God expects us to think through these spiritual questions and study His Word for ourselves.  Php 2:12 says that we must each work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.  In Isa 1:18, God says, “Come now, let us reason together…”.  Far too many churches provide only shallow teaching, and sadly, inaccurate shallow Bible teaching.
Expect more from any church or preacher you talk to than just a superficial answer.  Don’t feel bad for asking questions, and don’t let them treat you condescendingly just because they haven’t got an answer.  After all, 1 Pet 3:15 says that we ought to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us.  If they can’t give you a straight answer… you don’t want the hope they are selling.

     Is it a sin against God to drive a car without a driver’s license?  I have my learner’s license, but I still drive my car on my own.  I am a born-again Christian, and I have given my life to Christ, but I want to know if I am sinning against God.

Sincerely,
Behind The Wheel

Dear Behind The Wheel,

God tells us that as Christians, we must obey the laws of the land in which we live.  Rom 12:1-2 says that God is the one that puts all governments in place, and we are to be in subjection to those governments.  The only exception to that rule would be if the government creates laws that would be immoral to follow (like forced abortions or banning Bibles).  In that case, we obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).  In your circumstance, if you only have a learner’s license, you should only drive when and how the learner’s license allows.