Questions

Do you remember having some questions as you were growing up? I had lots of them bouncing around in my young head – I finally quit asking because I wasn’t very pleased with most of the answers -- so I started making a list of my questions. Some of our early questions were no doubt answered by our parents in some fashion similar to “Because I said so.” Sometimes the questions were met with a dismissive attitude – or the eye-roll. I might have heard the words, “You’re too young -- you’ll understand later.”
Sometimes I have questions I’d like to ask God -- like why good people suffer, why people are mean, why people do bad things, why people are selfish. I know it’s because we are a fallen people, but I want to understand more about that. But if I ask those questions, I guess I should also ask why some people are kind, why some people give sacrificially, why some people have an enormous capacity for love and grace. And actually, the last set of questions may be even more important than the first!
In our passage today, the scene is following Jesus’ resurrection. His followers are curious about something too, so they ask Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel?” (Acts 1:6 AMP)
This wasn’t really an odd question to ask, considering that they are in the presence of the resurrected Christ. And throughout His earthly ministry He had spoken about the kingdom of God. They were probably even thinking that this was a great time for all that to happen – a perfect time for the kingdom to be reestablished and restored to Israel – at least in their opinion.
The days surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection were an emotional roller coaster for Jesus’ followers; and now that He was once again in their presence, perhaps they were hoping things would settle down and the promised kingdom would become a reality.
Before we get into Jesus’ answer (tomorrow), I want to confidently inform you that it’s perfectly ok to ask Jesus the questions that are on your heart – knowing that He will lovingly tell you what you need to know. You might even show Him your list of questions.
But you and I know that when we see God face-to-face, we won’t need a piece of paper with our list of questions on it. When we see Him face-to-face, He will BE the answer to all our questions – and that will be more than enough.
By Judy Shrout
Sometimes I have questions I’d like to ask God -- like why good people suffer, why people are mean, why people do bad things, why people are selfish. I know it’s because we are a fallen people, but I want to understand more about that. But if I ask those questions, I guess I should also ask why some people are kind, why some people give sacrificially, why some people have an enormous capacity for love and grace. And actually, the last set of questions may be even more important than the first!
In our passage today, the scene is following Jesus’ resurrection. His followers are curious about something too, so they ask Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel?” (Acts 1:6 AMP)
This wasn’t really an odd question to ask, considering that they are in the presence of the resurrected Christ. And throughout His earthly ministry He had spoken about the kingdom of God. They were probably even thinking that this was a great time for all that to happen – a perfect time for the kingdom to be reestablished and restored to Israel – at least in their opinion.
The days surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection were an emotional roller coaster for Jesus’ followers; and now that He was once again in their presence, perhaps they were hoping things would settle down and the promised kingdom would become a reality.
Before we get into Jesus’ answer (tomorrow), I want to confidently inform you that it’s perfectly ok to ask Jesus the questions that are on your heart – knowing that He will lovingly tell you what you need to know. You might even show Him your list of questions.
But you and I know that when we see God face-to-face, we won’t need a piece of paper with our list of questions on it. When we see Him face-to-face, He will BE the answer to all our questions – and that will be more than enough.
By Judy Shrout
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2021
January
New BeginningsBe a LightPraying for the Gospel to AdvancePraying for Church LeadershipPraying for RestorationPraying for the Persecuted ChurchPraying for Our NationBridging the GapJesus UnderstandsYour Spiritual TankMade to WorshipProtection and WisdomDeliver Us From TemptationWholly Following the LordDistinguishing Characteristics of a True Disciple of ChristLoving Others as God Loves UsOvercoming Resistance to the GospelHow to Love Your EnemiesWinning Influence with Reciprocating LoveF-O-C-U-SA Job RejectionRejected by Your FamilyRejected by Church PeopleRejected for Your ViewpointThe Most Dangerous Rejection of AllWhat Are You Seeing?
February
112 YearsJesus Is Followed - Beth's StoryJesus Is Followed - Bryce's StoryJesus Is Followed - Jeff's StoryJesus Is Followed - Lily's StoryJesus Is Followed - Sarah's StoryClean SlateTake. Your MatHe Ain't HeavyFind Another WayPick Up And GoIt's Not About This LifeMan's Rules & God's LawLord of the SabbathTo Do Good or HarmWithered-Hand FaithGrace and TruthLooking for the RootsThe Wandering PathA Powerful ForceFinally!Do You See Them?Is Your Faith Enough?Ebony and Ivory
March
The Price You Pay for Free GraceThe Most Important Question of AllThe Nature of Saving FaithThe Way Down is The Way UpThe Effect of Shame on SinnersLet's Memorize Scripture!Extra CreditA Mailbox FriendBeing a NoticerInterruptionsThe Other GuysName Above All NamesCelebrateFilled to OverflowingCliffhangerTwo Dead EndsThe FeastGod's GoodnessOne Great ParableA Tale for All SinnersTwo Prayers, One JustificationGrace and HumilityCome to JesusWhat To Do?What is Worship?The Stones Would Cry OutJoyful Noise
April
The Lifting of HandsWorship Your WayGod Is The WindThe Trap of Human WisdomThe Danger of ComplacencyThe Quest for Meaning Apart from GodThe Futility of Living for the MomentThe Illusion of Self-righteousnessHe Is Risen!Lightning BugsIf?Pure WorshipStanding in LineI Surrender...Releasing ControlReplacements
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
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July
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August
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