How did people get married in Bible times?  Was it a large ceremony like the ones we have now?  I know the Bible tells us that unmarried sex is wrong, but I was just wondering how people went through marriage then; like, were they married by a preacher/pharisee?  What qualified them as being married in the eyes of God?

Sincerely,
Going To The Chapel?

Dear Going To The Chapel,

The Bible doesn’t say much about marriage ceremonies because they vary so much from culture to culture.  The only detail about marriage that the Bible mentions is the importance and the sanctity of the vows (1 Cor 7:39).  Marriage is meant for a lifetime, and the marriage vows carry the weight of lifetime promises (Mk 10:7-9).  The legal requirements for marriage will vary from one country to another.  God does tell us that we must obey the laws of the government (Rom 13:1-2, 1 Pet 2:13-14).  Make sure to not only make your vows before God, but also do what is right in the eyes of all men (Rom 12:17) by making sure the marriage is legally recognized.

Okay, so I have just been struggling lately with this: at church, I have been taught that Jesus is God... but then I am confused because why would Jesus pray to God?  Isn't that like praying to Himself?  And why would the voice of God speak when Jesus was baptized?  And then last night, my mom and I were reading the Bible together, and she found a footnote that explained that as God's Son, Jesus has all the authority of God.  This I can understand, but I guess my question is: Is it wrong to say that Jesus is God the Creator?

Sincerely,
Who’s Who?

Dear Who’s Who,

This is an easy thing to get confused over.  We often say that there is only one God… but technically, that is not accurate.  There are three Gods in the Godhead, and They all work together in perfect unity.  Jesus is God (Matt 28:9), the Father is God (2 Thess 1:2), and the Holy Spirit is God (Gen 1:2).  The word ‘God’ just means ‘deity’.  Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit are all deity.  They function with complete unity (Jhn 10:30), but They are separate Beings.  This is most clearly seen in Matt 3:16-17 when the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, Jesus comes out of the water, and the Father speaks from heaven… total unity, but definitely distinct entities.
Each of Them (known collectively as ‘the Godhead’) was there at the creation of the universe.  Jhn 1:1-3 says that Jesus created everything, Gen 1:2 shows that the Holy Spirit was part of the creation process, and Mal 2:10 makes it clear that the Father created us.  They all took part in the creation process; therefore, it is perfectly correct to say that Jesus is our Creator.  To better understand the roles of the Godhead, read “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”.

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.

This is a painful sin.  I know that having sinful thoughts is a sin, and I am a christian.  I've been having horrible thoughts about God; I don’t want to have the thoughts, but they just pop up.  Is that the devil putting them in my head, and will I go to hell for it?  I’m scared.

Sincerely,
Wandering Mind

Dear Wandering Mind,

Dwelling upon evil desires is sinful (such as lusting after a woman – Matt 5:28), but a thought popping into your head is not the same as dwelling upon evil.  We don’t exactly know how much power the devil has to influence our thoughts, but we do know that in certain circumstances, he has put thoughts into people’s minds (such as Judas betraying Christ – Jhn 13:2).

You don’t have complete control over what thoughts come into your mind (this is also true of emotions), but you do have control over what you do with those thoughts.  Jas 1:13-15 points out that sin occurs when we allow our thoughts to dwell upon sinful behavior until we actually act upon it.  Make a choice to think about something else.  The story of the demon tells us that we must remove sin from our lives and replace it with positive things (Matt 12:43-45).  Meditate and dwell on wholesome things (Php 4:8).  Fight evil thoughts by replacing them with holy thoughts.

For many years I have been disabled with constant pain from osteo-arthritis.  I have asthma and struggle with major depression.  I have pain in my knees, feet, neck, head, spine, etc.  Each day I can barely function, walk, or stand up for very long.  I am 54-years-old and have a lot of fatigue.  I don't have a job because of all the pain and trouble breathing in hot and humid weather.  I feel weak and frail.  I have to be careful how I move, or I might hurt myself.  I move slowly and do everything slowly.  I have prayed to be healed physically, emotionally, and mentally.  What does God think of people who are disabled with pain... people who are sick... who can barely function?  What does God expect me to do in this world... when I can barely get through each day?  Please answer me soon.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
No Stranger To Suffering

Dear No Stranger To Suffering,

Do what you can – and don’t worry about the rest.  God has a lot to say about those who are sick and ill in this life.  Sickness is a result of Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden of Eden (Gen 2:17).  Sickness and pain are not what God wants for us; they are the consequences of our choices.  God will eventually remove all sickness, pain, and death when we get to heaven (Rev 21:4).

When Jesus walked this Earth, He showed constant compassion for the sick (Matt 14:14).  Jesus is the same today, yesterday, and forever (Heb 13:8).  You may never know this side of heaven why it is that you’ve had to suffer, but know that it wasn’t because God doesn’t have compassion.  There is some reason why He has told you “No” when you’ve prayed to get better.  Paul had a physical ailment that he prayed God would remove, and God didn’t give him what he asked for either (2 Cor 12:7-9).  Paul learned to trust in the Lord more because of his illnesses and how dependent it made him.  Your illness has the potential to draw you nearer to God as well.  God only holds us accountable for what we are capable of doing (2 Cor 8:12).  If you are ready to work, but are unable to because of sickness, God understands.  Do what you can: write letters of encouragement to others (1 Thess 5:14), read your Bible for encouragement and comfort (Rom 15:4), continue to go to services when you can because your example will do wonders for others (Heb 10:24-25), and stand fast in your convictions and morals (1 Cor 16:13).  We don’t know how or when, but the Lord will cause your circumstances to turn out for good (Rom 8:28).