My First Q&A in a Long Time! Part 1- The Rapture? Disney? Testing Fruit? Marriage Advice?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ม.ค. 2023
- It's Q&A time! A few weeks ago, I asked you all to email me some questions you'd like me to answer. The questions were compiled and this is part 1. I did my best to answer them and I hope it helps!
01:04- If God knew that Satan and the other angels would do what they did, why did He create them?
07:16- Testing Fruit- How do these several scriptures actually apply in the New Testament when it comes to discerning a false teacher by their fruits?
15:22- I wonder what your thoughts are on the end times. Are you a post rapture, Pre rapture or mid?
17:58- Do Christian parents need to prohibit the reading and/or watching of things with magic or non-Christian spirituality present? Also should play time be monitored to stop children from pretending that they have magic?
23:48- Would you have any godly advice for husbands and wives?
👀WATCH👀:
●What the Bible Says About True Love: • What the Bible REALLY ...
●Attributes of God and why God Must be Triune: • The Attributes of God....
📚RESOURCES📚:
●www.amazon.com/shop/melissado...
🤗SUPPORT🤗:
If you are led, consider donating:
paypal.me/MelissaDougherty77
📲FOLLOW📲:
●Facebook: / newagetochristianity
●Instagram: @melissaldougherty
●Twitter: / meldougherty77
●My Website: www.melissadougherty.co/
💡SEMINARY💡:
In addition to new age confusion in the church, moral and theological confusion abound in our culture. Christ-followers are called to combat these false ideas that stand in the way of the Gospel. To effectively engage with this post-Christian culture, you will need a deeply integrated understanding of theology, philosophy, and apologetics-the bedrock of a degree from Southern Evangelical Seminary and Bible College (SES). SES is actually where I currently attend, and they offer accredited degrees and certificates that use this integrated approach to equip you to proclaim the Gospel, engage the culture, and defend the truth. Learn more at ses.edu/
I will trust in God. Even though it’s difficult, I will continue to walk with faith and not by sight. Please pray for me. My husband passed away years ago. I’m a single mother. Both of my sons are autistic, they require a lot from me because they are non verbal. Every month is a struggle. Since I lost my job as a social worker at Forsyth hospital. I lost my job because I declined the vaccine. I declined because of my pre existing health condition lupus, and heart disease. I was denied my medical/religious exemption. I wish I could go back but the mandate is still in place for hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid all employees must have covid 19 vaccine. I get harassed constantly and mocked for sharing my testimony and for asking for prayers but prayers are all I want and I also want to bring awareness of how vaccine mandates are ruining many ppls lives. I’m now waitressing and I’m so thankful but not making nearly enough to get by. I’m tired of struggling putting food on the table it’s so discouraging. But even as I’m put down and harassed because of my situation. I have faith that our Heavenly Father will provide he has THIS FAR! Faith over fear. Please pray for me and my boys! God bless! 🥰
Hi Tiff. I just read your post & my heart went out to you. So I prayed & prayed. 🙏🙏 Please stand firm in your faith like you have been doing. I know that's easy to say.. right now that's all I have. But I am and will continue to pray 😘
Prayed for you. God in Whom you trust will give you more than was taken away from you in Jesus name
Prayers for you.
🙏
🙏💜
Well spoken Melissa, good gracious i got a $9k relief check yesterday from a charity organization
Correspond with a relief officer in California
they can only be accessed on Telgram
Fundingusa00
will i get a relief check im on SSDI very low income
Thank the lord for being there for the American people. I have been praying hard for the relief the American people needs it as badly as American people do. Thanks again for the updates and will catch you later
I think doing a Q&A in this manner is much better than live. This way you can focus on God's Word while offering answers. Good job. Be a blessing.
You said something that I have never heard anyone say and is so powerful given the state of our self-serving, self-centered, narcissistic culture. And that is You’ll have to be unselfish “even if it seems unfair”
For sure! I hear so many people asking why they should get married when they feel they can't get enough. They can't remain greedy about their lustful addictions etc. They don't see why they would look to compromise, but that's what any healthy relationship is about. (Friendships, work relationships...any..)
I am not a great example but I married my husband because we had a child together. Yep a "shotgun" wedding. Lol 😆 I did not like him, he didn't care for me either at that time. But I convinced him to propose as a sort of business arrangement. To agree to be the best possible team for our child.
I reconsidered leaving a few years in, around that time we both allowed Jesus into our lives. I referenced my Bible for confirmation. (There *are* Biblical allowances for divorce). But it only confirmed I need to remain and try harder. I also felt terrible thinking of if I were to leave him when he was just exposed to Christ, would I help trigger him to abandon faith?
Now over a decade together and only about 5 years after we were saved, though it seems a lot longer. But we had to shift to working for one another. Less "what can you do for me" and "what can I do for you" came with serving in the name of the Lord. And for being a family!
In today's mainstream "parent" and "love" have become commonly used as nouns and left alone when it comes to the verb forms. You have to choose to love, choose to parent...anyway better stop my rant. Lol Thanks for listening!! ☺️✨🕊️
@@ari3lz3pp Beautiful! Marriage is hard work. I’m glad you worked for yours.
Thank you for your biblical thoughts, you inspire me when I watch your videos. I have been married for 21 years and have a 19 year old and 14 year old. It’s a lot of work but when you put the LORD 1st in all you do things just become more peaceful.
gotta humble our spirits unto the Lord sweetie im 59 an just come back to the Lord and im learning this and to be patient the Lord showed me patience an maturity go hand in hand amen
Hey everyone. Happy New Year! I pray that when you look back on this year that you would do so with a smile and joy for what the Lord has done in your life. I just finished prayer time about an hour ago and this comment really cemented what I was praying about.
My dad has been a believer all his life but has never truly been a father I could depend upon financially, emotionally etc. He was always there but never present...if that makes sense. I am a believer as well and it grieves me that I feel this way about him as I feel that a believing dad or just a dad in general should've been there for his family. To me he was the prime example of what not to be.
He fell ill last year and had to have his left leg amputated. I feel that I now have to be for him what I feel he was never to me. I pray for those...for us, who have been so let down by parents that God would bring healing and restoration. What's worse is that in his mind he was a good parent even though I've made it so abundantly clear in the past that he was not.
So yeah, sometimes we've gotta be unselfish even if it seems unfair. That's what Christ did for us, we are instructed to be imitators of Christ. Unforgiveness is a prison cell that we created and have the keys to...forgiveness is the key to freedom in this case.
May God enable us to forgive those who wronged us as he forgave us.
Fun fact: The philosopher she mentioned, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, is the namesake of a delicious cookie called Choco Leibiniz. Yep, they named it after him. And in my opinion, it's the" best possible" cookie.
THIS
wins the comments section.
Don’t be too sure, have you ever eaten a Candide Biscuit? Really kicks you in your backside and sends you on your way.
Quote: _"...in my opinion, it's the" best possible" cookie."_
Alas, that's only because I have been unwilling to share my fig bars. So the true 'best possible' remains a secret to this day! 😄
Oh my goodness, just ordered some Choco Leibniz on Amazon! Thanks for the recommendation, I'm always up for trying a new cookie. :)
Ohh yes, it's pretty popular here in Germany 🍪
Hey Melissa and all my other brothers and sisters out there. I think scripture does answer the "why" question. Jesus was having a conversation with the woman at the well one day, and she said "you Jews believe we should worship God in the Temple, and us Samaritans believe this mountain is the correct place." She was basically asking Jesus who is right? Pay close attention to Jesus answer to her. He says, "The hour is coming and now is that they who worship God will not worship on this mountain or in the Temple, but will worship Him in spirit and in truth FOR GOD IS SEEKING SUCH TO WORSHIP HIM." This statement from Jesus gives us exactly why God created everything just as He did. It is because He is seeking real worship and relationships not robotic ones. Think of it like this. If I program my computer screen saver to tell me "I love you," every time I'm inactive for more than five minutes, then those words wouldn't mean anything. They are just robotic programming. However if my wife sends me a random text that says, "I love you," well then my heart skips a beat and I get excited. Why? Because I know she chose to send me that text and that it was real.
Likewise here is Jesus saying that God is SEEKING real loving relationships with us. Real worshipers not robotic ones. Well think about it... there are four things required in order for real love to even exist. "L"- Liberty. Just like my example with my wife, love is not real unless the person has the ability to or liberty to choose to love or not to love. "O"- Opportunity. Yes God knows the future, but if He only created those who He knew would love Him, then He is A. denying people the opportunity, and B. not giving those of us who choose to love him the ability to see that it was a choice. I mean if everyone who was ever born grew up to love God, then how would we know that our love wasn't just programming? So there must be opportunity. "V"- Value. Real love requires value. If my wife didn't place any conditions on her love for me then her love would have no value. I mean if she allowed me to cheat on her and abuse her without any consequences then her love would not have any value to me. Likewise God has shown us His love has great value. The consequences for cheating on Him is eternal judgment. And yet He sent His Son to redeem us from judgment showing us how valuable His love really is. Finally "E"- Expression. Real love must be expressed. If a guy just watches a girl from afar and says he loves her, but never expresses to her or others how he feels, then it can never become a real loving relationship. At some point he must approach her and take the chance of being rejected. Love must be expressed. God expressed His love for us in the ultimate way. He died to redeem us and reconcile us to Himself. In turn we must express our love back to Him by confessing Jesus as our Lord to the world and believing in our hearts that He has risen. (Rom. 10:9)
We don't know if Satan was created with free will or not. I suspect he was. However we do know that God saw his rebellion and actually planned on using that to create the conditions for Liberty, Opportunity, Value, and Expression.
You explained it nicely 👍🏼
Well said
"God saw his rebellion and actually planned on using that"
Exactly. The same goes for every person who rejects God. In everything we all do, we are serving God's purposes and end.
Good.
🤭wow....👏👏👏👏👏👏so clear
I totally understood the "8 year-old version" answer. What an EXCELLENT explanation. And Thank you for giving the "8-year-old" answer not just for this precious boy, but also for the rest of us. Lol!
I assumed the 8-year old was a girl 🤷♀️
"6x3 is potato. And also man are women." I really appreciate your sense of humor mixed with so much information about Christian faith and The Bible! Your channel has been a TREMENDOUS help for me. I'm of Catholic background (most of my country is traditionally) and some inconsistencies and hypocrisy made me stray away from God at 14-15 yo. Now I'm starting to come back to my faith. Thank you Melissa, God bless you! ❤
6x3 doesn’t equal potato???😮
Putting God first has worked in our marriage (2023 will be 50 for us). Loved this thank you, Mellisa!
Congratulations!
putting shiva first worked for thousands of indian couples also...what is your exact point here ?
Thank you, Melissa. As an elderly lady, I can honestly say that I have FINALLY learned that WITHOUT HISTORY, there is absolutely NO truth that can be gleaned from scripture! Almost everything mentioned in the Bible is somewhere, in history (One of the many reasons it NEVER ceases.) While it is NOT a history book, it is IN HISTORY, one of the ways it proves itself. And, because I have learned history of the scriptures, it is SO much easier for me to catch false stories and teachings today. It took a missionary to lead me to that type of study. It IS a study, NOT a doctrine! Time tables on every book are so important. One thing I have learned that helps me so much is God telling me (ALL of His children) to 'rightly divide the Word.' Our doctrines have become so ingrained, I can almost tell any person what denomination they belong to once I visit with them. God tells us to, "Let every Word of God be our doctrine and not the doctrines of men." He also tells us to beware of false teachers/ings and prophecies, and to be pleasing only to GOD, and NOT to MAN. So few verses carry such impact, but they are RARELY read or discussed. Like you, I am STILL studying and learning, and I have moved so far away from my many church doctrines, and to God's Word only. The Grace is, when I die, I will know immediately! Thank you for your studied, considered, and kind words, Melissa. I enjoy your messages.
The best thing a person can do is to study the scripture and stay away from the so called churches of this world, because we are the church, not those buildings. Satan wants people to never read the Bible and study it, because he knows the truth in the Bible will set you free from confusion and lies and deception and the false teachings you find everywhere. God bless you and keep up the good work. The messiah is coming soon.
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse...
God has made the proof of his Word self-evident. The truth of God's Word should be self-evident with or without history.
Back in about 2009, I began to study the Rapture, role of Israel in the end times, Jewish wedding, and other pre-tribulation topics. I would recommend viewing the Before the Wrath video and looking into the following ministries: JD Farag (prophecy updates every Sunday on his web site), Tom Hughes of Hope for Our Times, Brandon Holthaus of Rock Harbor Church, Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries, Jack Hibbs on You Tube, and the Daniel/Revelation series of the late Chuck Missler. All of these helped me understand the topic of the Rapture better. Love this format and enjoy following you!
My personal rule about magic in fiction is that it’s fine if the magic is part of the imaginary world and either “natural” to the characters or a sort of science or tool. Where I draw the line is if the magic requires calling on supernatural forces outside of that imaginary world or describes real occult practices (a graphic example of doing a spell that can be replicated irl vs. a spell with impossible imaginary ingredients or just a random word that doesn’t invoke demons irl) and the irl occult magic is portrayed in a good light.
that's a very good distinction to make. Thanks for sharing.
Agreed. That’s pretty much my rule. If it’s made up stuff that has nothing to do with actual occult practices such as, for example, a cartoon that features some kind of candy fairy in some kind of candy world and the fairy says some kind of magical phrase like ‘Candy, candy, fine and dandy’ or whatever, then I am ok with it. If it’s something that’s literally used in actual witchcraft and/or it involves things such as the characters calling up known evil entities such as Apollyon, whom the Bible mentions, for guidance and protection, then I stay away from it.
It’s like parlor tricks magic, which consists of a bunch of slight of hand tricks vs. actual black magick which literally invokes evil spirits and the dark portions of the spiritual realm.
@@apexone5502 The only place I’ve seen real occult magic done right is Princess and the Frog. Granted, the “good” witch uses a light form of voodoo (which is again not described in graphic detail or accurate to the real practice but is worth discussing with kids), but the main villain calls on demons and surprisingly Disney portrays them as completely dangerous. It’s the only time that the villain doesn’t scare me; I’m scared for the villain because he’s so naive about what he’s dealing with. I saw the movie as a preteen and it stuck with me that the occult is NOT a toy, much less anything good.
Good standard, though it does get really tricky sometimes. For example doctor strange presents magic as science and when I saw that I thought this is actually okay and pretty cool. Then I learned that the occult often claims they are doing science and doctor strange has a lot of references to the real occult.
I have noticed that that if a show references the Bible but incorrectly it is usually also occult. (to continue the example, in the comics doctor strange visits Sodom while it is being destroyed... he tries to save it.
Another one, manifest, seemed like it actually had some good Christian themes. Turned into the worse attack on Christianity I have seen. It was so subtle too as it slipped in a lot of the things Melissa warns about.
I love your honesty on your eschatological views. I have some strong viewpoints on these things, and love discussing them, but never feel that it’s something to divide over. I just think we should always be ready to be with Jesus, whether by natural death or by rapture.
❤
I completely agree with the parenting question and answer. All I do is talk to my kids about what the Bible says and compare and contrast what the world says and what God says. My daughter is 11 and my boys are 9. Even my son with special needs gets it. Unfortunately they are in a liberal public school, so I have to constantly fight against the narrative, indoctrination, and God knows what else. Raising kids now is increasingly difficult. I'm 49 and old school. Not easy. "Inoculate" is a great way of putting it! Thanks again Melissa!
The best response is to use a person who wants a baby analogy. Parents know there’s so many dangers in having kids, along with them potentially becoming criminals or drug addicts, they will have a sin nature, why would they still want kids?
Well, that's exactly why I decided to not have children.... And that I didn't want to give God anyone to possibly throw into Hell.
@@robertsandberg2246 lol ok
@@robertsandberg2246 God doesn't "throw people into hell."
@@skatter44 That’s just semantics. He created Hell (by traditional Christian theology) and bars entrance to Heaven for people that don’t meet His requirements. He’s the one that created the situation where people can go to hell in the first place. What kind of loving God would do that?
That’s like not feeding your child for two days and saying “I didn’t starve my child, I just didn’t feed her because she was having a temper tantrum. It’s really her fault.” What kind of loving parent would do that?
Or placing sharp knives and bear traps around your living room and then being shocked when your puppy gets hurt and then saying “well it wasn’t my fault, I tried to train him but he just wouldn’t listen.” What kind of loving pet owner would do that?
Hmmm. Not a very good reference. I understand what you mean but the question is actually unanswerable - God is omniscient so He knew Satan was going to turn out to do what he did. The same reasoning applies to the creation of people that are predestined to Hell. 🤷♂️
I agree with most of what you said in this video. I would like to add to the godly marriage advice. One mistake I made is trying to make the marriage into what I thought a marriage should be. In doing so, I ignored some of my issues and ended up becoming and very mean person and began to participate on extremely ungodly behaviors. My advice would be that you need to work out your own salvation before God and really focus on maturing into who God is developing you to be while supporting your spouse. If you believe God brought you together you must believe there is a reason for it and that both of you togethrr as a unit are meant to work like a well oiled machine. It isn't one spouses job to change the other. Only God can change a person. If you make sure your relationship with God is the driving force in your life than your marriage will be able to develop and grow. God works in the individual and through that individual pursuit, God can then work in the marriage. Through the roughest times God has restored my marriage as I grew closer to Him and continues to to this day. God bless.
Amazing!
Yes. Time and time again I fail in the matter of bringing our marriage or differences to God, even though time and time again He adds something of Himself when I do and He makes bitter waters sweet. I am reminded of a story our christian celebrant told at our wedding of Jesus being invited into the wedding in Cana. There He turned water (death) into wine (life) but the main point our celebrant pointed out is that Jesus/God is a gentleman, and He must first be invited in, I recommend you invite Him into your marriage". So true.
I’ve been happily married for 30 years (so far) and I think your marriage advice is spot on. If you commit to serving your spouse and working to know them and their needs so you can help them feel loved and respected, and everything you do is lined up with God’s Word, you will only grow closer over time. Great video!! ❤️
Going on 24 yrs here and I agree, solid and humble marriage advice there. 🙏🏽💗
These important points for having a sound and loving marriage never seemed to come my way or perhaps I wasn't listening but after two failed marriages in which I did not commit myself to the needs of my spouses I find myself alone and wondering what went wrong.
🙏 GOD bless your marriage ❤
@@denisea.9033💗
When I was in high school I was delighted that we had a visiting speaking who encouraged abstinence.. they defined love as always choosing the highest good for another person. That way of defining it struck a chord with me, especially when thinking about how big His love is.
Thank you Melissa, this was very helpful! I been watching you for awhile now and i truly appreciate what God is doing through you!
Thank you for such thoughtful answers. Your answer to question 1 was incredibly helpful. I’ll be referring back to this to help answer the young people in my life.
Thank you, Melissa. The "freedom" position you present for your argument addressing the first question is scripturally sound and consistent with God's attributes. Your logic is solid and your argument is compelling. It also addresses the "multi-verse" theory which has become popular.
And this is one of the reasons I reject calvinsm/reformed type of theology, is because freedom is required for their to be true love.
God says he wants us to love him, but if he forces us to love Him through a change in nature, and that this prevenient grace is irresistible...then it's not actually love.
I'm not saying God is incapable of forcing us to serve him, but we can't call forced servitude loving God.
Secondly, even if the idea of so called arbitrary "choosing/election" of people to salvation breaks down the love of God. Because God said he loves those who hate him. So he didn't choose those who he knew woulf accept him, or select people force them to be saved...he gave his son to those who hated him to make a way for whoever will, to enter into the election of salvation. That's love.
It isn’t except to the unlearned. But it does appeal to the flesh very strongly
@@beaberean3286 As a Calvinist with reformed theology, I agree with you my brother (my sister?) that the concept of free will is one of the most difficult things to reconcile in Calvinism. I am working that part of my salvation out with trembling. The "choosing/election" part is logically simple but practically difficult to accept. Logically, if God is ultimately sovereign and his will cannot be thwarted, He must choose. Also, as we are dead in sin and trespass, we are incapable of choice. Yet, the practical implications appear to negate free will. However, as you and Melissa point out love requires free will which God clearly gave to us and to the angels. Loving God with our entire mind is difficult, but rewarding as it draws us closer to Him, yes?
@@johnwalker4221 I am a brother lol but I actually spent over a year wrestling with calvinsm/reformed theology and it was issues like the love of God that kept me from accepting it. I would say I am partially reformed, but I cannot accept the tulip in full.
In regards to your first point, why do you think that God must choose in order to maintain his sovereignty? Isn't God the one who stipulates his own actions and desires, therefore if He chooses in His sovereignty to give us free will, then he remains sovereign. He is powerful and sovereign despite the free actions of man. Nothing we do in our free will can take his glory. Nothing we do in our free will can thwart His will either. That is the basis of the entire Bible, that man in free will is trying to fight against God's plan but nothing stops God. Let's just run through a few names - Egypt, The nation of Israel, Goliath, Babylon, Jonah, Judas, the pharisees, Saul...God knew what they would act and try against Him, but he still accomplished the fullness of his plans despite their disobedience. That's the point, is that free will brings God more glory!
One more example is this - you don't look at a little girl choosing a doll from her toybox who then makes that doll portray certain actions and say "wow, look at how powerful and sovereign she is" - because it takes no real power to control a being with no free will. But on the other hand, it takes great power to control and change beings that have free will and autonomy. That is God's power. His glory is greater when men are free to choose.
Many reformed folk will say God elects who He will give saving faith and he leaves everyone else unable to believe. I believe the better explanation is that God elected to salvation those who have faith. Because the Bible says in Rom 1:16 and Rom 10:17-18 that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation and faith comes by hearing the word of God. Which is why in vs 18 paul says we needed preachers to proclaim the gospel so people can encounter this powerful gospel! The word of God is enough.
And that's where my partial rejection of total inability and prevenient/irresistible grace comes in to play.
Are we depraved and sinful? Absolutely! But the word of God is the method God chose to bring about the power unto salvation to depraved mankind, not irresistible/prevenient grace. I believe the word of God is powerful enough to cut to the heart of depraved mankind and show him his sinfulness like the Bible says it will in heb 4:12. By saying we need God to do something before we hear the word means we reject the power of his word. The word of God is the only prevenient grace we need, but once we hear the gospel, it is up to us if we accept or reject it. Remember, heb 4:2 says the gospel was preached to them (Israel) as well as us, but they rejected it. Mankind has the free will to accept or rejected the gospel when it is presented because God made us free will beings. His glory is already shown because of his free gift that none of us earned.
Blessings to you on your journey of faith.
@@beaberean3286 please prove scripturally where the bible teaches that free will is required for true love. If it is, why is our love going to be at its most pure and best when we are no longer free to sin? This position is not consistent or biblical
Loved this Q & A, and so happy you will be doing another!! Thank you!
The first topic was such a nice big juicy one!! I love the perspectives you offered. Best explanation I’ve ever heard.
Wow you explained this perfectly! I now understand better about things from watching this video. You are so practical and down to earth, thank you! ❤
I’m glad I stuck around. I’m not usually a question/answer video watcher kind of person. Great questions and very thoughtful answers.
Especially the first question. It was one I have thought on. I really loved your answer. ☺️
These answers were so spot on and well thought out. Thanks for a great Q&A!
Thanks for the video! You r touched on some really pertinent topics. Can’t wait for video 2! 🙏🏻
Melissa, thank you for answering my question! That was a huge help and encouraging. In response to 23:59, thank you.
I think you are gifted with amazing insight and your answers are spiritually aligned with scripture. I admire the way that you share your wisdom. Thank you for using your gift!
I have struggled with question #1 internally for 30+ years. That was the most logical and beautiful explanation I’ve EVER heard. Thank God for using you and thank you for being willing to do what he says! I will rest easier having that so succinctly settled in my spirit now. God bless.
One more time thank you. Lol.
Hi Melissa, I'm enjoying your teaching style. It's simple but so wise. Your kids are blessed to have you there to help them to think about what it means to be set apart from the world, but still in it. Thank you for this 💗
Hi Melissa, I think your answers were well reasoned with great Bible deductions. Your input has been very helpful! God bless.
Wow, that was an amazing answer!
"Love can only exist with freewill."
I'm listening to that a second time. Thank you!🌷🎉
So excited that you brought back Q & A! I loved your apologetics videos from a few years back. Your thoughtful views always helped me think thoughtfully about things too. So super excited to watch more of these Q & A’s to come!
This is absolutely excellent, Melissa… But then, of course, you always give excellent content, but this is above and beyond.… And so much needed not only for Christ followers, but for Christ seekers, God’s truth needs to be told no matter who the recipient is.
Please please, please do more of these
That first question was answered perfectly. Thank you for that! I’ve always wondered.
I respect when someone can say they don’t know it’s not a bad thing and not disappointing ❤️
I enjoyed this so much! I love and appreciate your videos! You’re a full time Mom, that homeschool’s her children and still makes time for this channel! I want you to know how much I admire you and I also want to encourage you to please continue to make more! I could watch them everyday! Literally! Thank you for being so obedient ! Love you sister ❤
Fantastic teaching, love listening to your biblical viewpoint. I am in agreement with everything you've said.
Leaning every day❤🙏🏻
Love how you answered the rapture question. The fact that you didn't take a stand one way or the other, but said you're still digging into it and trying to come to your own conclusion is awesome.
Thank you so much! All answers were amazing but the one about parenting is what I needed to hear! 🙏🏼
Thanks for your video, God brought it to my attention just as I’ve been reading Genesis and pondering that same question about why God created humans and angels who would rebel. Thank you for your thoughtful answer. It reminded me of a section in Mere Christianity where Lewis talks about God giving man free will being the most loving thing He could do.
Loved this! Looking forward to more Q&As!
So nice! Looking forward to more of these Melissa
Great! I agree looking forward to the next part. God bless.
Thank you sister so much for your in-depth study of God's word, cultivating your relationship with him, and growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. For one so young compared to me, it is a blessing to see you blossom and nurture the body of Christ. Just a few questions, but you gave us much to "chew and digest". My children grown now, but I also have a passion for mentoring young mothers. Its great to hear that there are many mothers watchful of the mental and emotional items their children take in. We need to pray daily for God's wisdom and guidance to navigate this world. May God continue to bless you and your ministry. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! A great way to start the new year.
Great answers, Melissa. Well thought out and Biblically based. Thank you!
You are bright and intelligent and I appreciate your approach to answering difficult questions, going to the scriptures. Thank you.
Your response to question #1 was excellant! And "right on the money". That response also applies to our current state of affairs in America today. All Americans need to recognize their creator and the freedom he has provided to them, seek the truths in reality in order to reveal the evil at play in our country, and to act in ways to correct it. Thanks for that response, I'm glad you are on the side of truth. May God contunue to bless you and your family.
I have to say I truly enjoy listening to your YT channel. You are listening to the Holy Spirit and letting Him guide your answers with love and truth. I am a wife and a mom and I struggle with allowing our son to play video games. Truly it comes down to God first all else under that. Do we need to work on our family yes! Thank you for letting God use you as a vessel. All glory and praise to Him, but He also says we can honor each other. Thank you also to your Assistant Ashley!
Happy healthy new year to You, and Yours. 16 Years married, bravo! Well done you. Great advice BTW. I'd love to see you painting again! 🖼 🇬🇧 fan.
Great job Melissa! This was very helpful, thankyou
Wow! This was really good! The response on Testing Fruit was eye-opening. Also as a husband and specifically as a parent, I am always looking to protect my family from ungodly everything. Your comments bring great balance to this. Thank you!
To quote Donnie Lamon of “What Shall I Cry Ministries” God made it ALL to put the excellency of Christ Jesus on display! It’s all about Him! Thank you for your ministry! God bless you!
I really enjoyed hearing your answers to these questions, Melissa! I actually had an online friend a couple of weeks ago to ask me the first question that you addressed here, & I gave a very similar answer to her which was focused on God’s desire for us to have freedom to choose . There are so many unbiblical theologies these days that teach that we don’t have “free will” or freedom of choice, but even if those exact “terms” are not found in scripture, the concepts are found throughout scripture & are consistently found as attributes of God throughout His Word (and I’m glad that you mentioned this in your answer). I am also convinced that there are some things that God does simply because He wills it, & He doesn’t owe us an answer or explanation because He is God & His ways & wisdom supersede our understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9; Job 38:4-30). It doesn’t mean that we’re not allowed to ask or that we shouldn’t search the scriptures for answers to our questions (2 Timothy 2:15), but I do think it’s good for us to humbly acknowledge when we don’t/can’t always find a definitive answer for some of our questions (as you’ve done so well here). We should all keep digging & studying for sure so as to better know the God that we serve & with whom we will spend eternity (those of us who follow & know His Son in a personal relationship). 😇🙌🏻✝️❤
Congrats Melissa on your first Q&A. Full of biblical knowledge and humility where required. Been following for a couple of years, blessed to hear and see your work with LDS and JW.
One passage that helps me so much with married ( and all other parts of) life is Phil 2:3-4. God bless. Bruce.
Thank you so much! I loved your answers. You did great! You have me some things to talk through with God☺️🙏🏻
Love this girl! Keep it coming!
Wow! That was such a great perspective on parenting your children in a world of darkness. I just had an issue yesterday with my daughter wearing an “evil eye” stone necklace… I probably could’ve handled that situation better, but thankfully she understood what I meant telling her she may not wear it.
We forget too that we as Christians are to bring the light of Jesus with us into the darkness. We must be the “salt” of the earth, and give that “illuminating flavor” to the world through how we live or lives for Jesus in following His way of Love. Thanks for sharing this!
Ironically enough, I told my mom to get rid of the evil eye ornament in our living room, but she was stubborn about it.
Thank you for your insightful answers, Melissa. I always enjoy watching your videos because you speak truth in love with a gentle spirit. Keep up the great work!
Thoughtful and philosophical to practical. Good stuff!
Good Questions. Good Answers. And we should never stop Asking for Answers: *_Matthew 7:7_* God Bless & Happy New Year!
This was so good! I especially loved the multiple universe perspective-- I've been recently thinking about this and wondering if the Lord "knows" EXACTLY which future will happen or if it's more of knowing all possible outcomes and what decisions/actions lead to each one. Just a thought. I hadn't heard anyone talk about that before though so I was pretty excited to hear it. Also enjoyed your other responses, of course! And agree on end times. Just, ditto. Thanks!
I’m so grateful for this video. I reflect on your first response over and over again and share it as much as possible. Thank you!
You give great advice Melissa!! I've started reading the book of proverbs and WOWWWW....the wisdom and good advice.... whether you're a Christian or not....keep on making these....you, Mike Winger, Allan Parr and Ruslan are my favorites 😉 started to watch you beginning of COVID and then you all stared to feature on each others programs. Love it!!! ✝️🇿🇦
So glad to see you got out of this new age doctrine and focused on Bible. I love how you explain the fruit. Keep studying Revelations. I’m still learning too but I’m loving it!
Great podcast, Melissa. I especially liked your parenting answers. The marriage advice was wonderful, too. I’d like to add something my husband and I learned early on in our now 50 years of marriage. It made all the difference for us. This is: when a disagreement comes learn to ask for forgiveness from God and the other person quickly (no matter whose “fault” the tussle appears to be), saying it this way…”will you forgive me for….” whatever your part is. This can engage the other person more. Humble yourself and put the other person first. “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” - Ephesians 4:26
Wonderful advice Esther, I will remember this as I often have problem with asking for forgiveness. Thanks
Girl I love you! Content is always on point with the Bible thanks for that. Hair looks GOOD like that love it up!
Hi Melissa, I really enjoyed this video. Especially your response to the questions about fantasy and imagination and your response to the gentleman's question about marriage and ultimately loving his wife like Christ loved the church. That's so key in a marriage. My husband and I have been married for 25yrs this year. If people who are married live by how you answered that question, it'll do every marriage good!! Thanks for another great video.
Just saw and heard you for the first time. As a Christian and a serious student of the Bible, I agree with all your answers. Well articulated. And the more I study apocalyptic prophecies, the less sure I am of exactly how everything will come about. But I know one way or the other, Jesus is coming to take his people back. Thanks Melissa. I look forward to more!
I think she mentioned freedom and choice
Love you Melissa and love the important work you're doing! If I can recommend the documentary Before the Wrath to you, it is awesome because it explains the Rapture in the context it was described in... Using the analogy of a Galilean wedding. Also the books The Non-Prophet's Guide to the End times or to Revelation are both amazing reads for explaining eschatology.
Agree about Before the Wrath movie. Excellent
Answer to question #1 was extremely helpful. I always "knew" what you said. But I was never able to verbalize it nearly as well. Thank you Melissa. God bless you.
That was awesome! Thank you ❤ I especially loved your first answer also your last 😂God bless💙🙏⛄️
Great video! As the parent of now-adults (24 & 22), I am not sure how I would answer the "things that include magic" question. We always viewed and treated books and movies as entertainment only. Now, my 22 yo daughter is involved in occultic practices, and I can look back and see how she had more of an interest in such things as a child. If she had such a bent and that was her area of temptation, I hate that we opened the door to it. But I know it's not that way for every child. I know nothing is impossible for God, and I continue to pray that God will deliver her from the domain of darkness and transfer her to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
If you completely block kids from exposure to things like Disney etc I think it most likely will go the opposite way. If they live healthy lives in the real world as part of society, (even if society as a whole is going downhill lol...) They will be exposed to it at some point. So I don't see anything wrong with enjoying some of it.
I was exposed to that and used to be into the occult fairly heavily, but was saved. Now I see how crazy it was and that I was on the wrong path.
I have a close friend that I didn't share that with at all, she was actually a terrible influence and her family was extremely strict "Christian "...no Disney or anything. It pushed her the opposite direction. She saw others enjoying these things and started to distrust her parent's teachings vs being tempered and taught good boundaries against it. She is a very troubled adult now. I'm very abusive relationships, drug and alcohol abuse etc.
My two other very Christian friends (one father is a pastor, other family very involved in the church) are also now lost as adults. But there of course was other contributing to their delinquencies. The pastor cheated on his wife, and they are very left leaning, so differebt perspective that simply tends to go against the Bible. My other friend was always trying to "save" people, idk if her church was a sect that pushed being Christ-like, but her family was open to Disney etc and yet they didn't seem to really walk the walk either...adultery, and neglecting their kids.
Ironically we all went to public school together, but I ditched a lot (undiagnosed ASD, I felt detached from avoiding meltdowns in the halls etc). I had great test scores but poor attendance. I had an issue with the school system back then only from an immature world-view, but it wasn't all wrong. My friends thought that was silly, and were "blind follower" types.
The more I've studied the Bible and keep my eyes open to possible bad in media, the more it's clear the Word of God is the truth. But if I were to try to fit in with the majority where we live, I'd never get there. I think that's the most important aspect. Prioritizing God actively with your children, in a way that is intended (to be loving, open, and honest). Teaching them how to make good choices and to sheild themselves with faith regardless of what they are exposed to. To teach them to critique for themselves, not to do it ALL for them. Definitely a balance.
Sorry if too much, I feel we think similarly and it's exciting! Don't have much of that out where I live. Lol
@@ari3lz3pp I do think there is a balance, and if I could only change one this we did as parents, it would be how we handled phones before I changed how we handled books and movies! Thankfully, her salvation is not dependent on me. The seed was sown, and God can save her in spite of anything we did/didn't do. Testimonies like yours are very encouraging!
Your own worldview defines you as a bag of chemical reactions with no free will. You have no basis for “opinions” and for some reason the chemicals force you onto Christian TH-cam to write incoherent drivel, but drivel over which you have no control. Even if you were hypothetically completely correct and Christianity was entirely wrong, you would still end up in exactly the same places as Christians so there is literally no benefit to you being right. Everything you do, here and in life, is meaningless.
@@TryingtoTellYou Demonstrate the meaning of life using the scientific method and I'll join you. Do respect and innocence too just for kicks.
As a parent, my wife and I are very selective in what we read and allow our 8yr to watch. In a lot of ways we play as a filter, reading or watching it first, then doing so as a family or giving permission for our little one to do it themselves.
That said, we are much more worried about the sexual and gender focus more than we are on the magical/fantasy books. And, maybe it’s just our kid, but we’ve always been able to explain how a story either is or isn’t biblical, and how it relates to the Bible and Christ.
Love this! My husband and I do the same. Our family members constantly keep on telling us that one day we won’t be able to “control” everything. But I keep on telling them the beginning years of our children is so important and having a blibical perspective will shape their view of the world.
Agreed!! I am glad we homeschool to limit unsavory exposure but we still consider that happening out in the world. Heck we can't supervise every single minute and sometimes insane ads come up on TH-cam or what not. Or just in the world in our blue state. 🙈
I use plenty of TH-cam and similar as a resource for learning for my disabled child. But definitely need to watch it first. Even the same channel, same series can have drastically different and creepy material. Very important to be a buffer! "Little eyes be careful what you see..little ears be careful what you hear..."🎶 That song comes off a bit creepy to me tbh lol But really good message!
We are Disney fans and more, but we talk about when things vary from the messages in the Bible, and also like to point out similar messages. Like for Sofia the First, we like to mention ways she shows the fruit of the spirit lol. We feel a good defense can be just exposure with proper boundaries.
I've seen friends overly sheltered and things like Disney banned, and those kids tend to grow into teens and adults with little self control and poor boundaries. I think it's the troupe of the temptation grows when it's something novel, sometimes the less exposure to something the more tantalizing it can be. Especially when there's obviously parts of that idea that others are drawn to...the kid will get curious then be less likely to listen if you've just been extreme.
Prioritize the word of the Lord and his teachings, prayer etc and I think that goes the furthest.
Oh and we never cared to really push Santa or similar. Lol Due to public school at the time, and family that were all about it we lazily "went along" with it. But for our disabled child by age 6 or so that was all done and she didn't seem to care. Lol We mention ppl think it's rude to tell little kids the truth...for sake of make believe fun. But I definitely think that's another can of worms....
@@Jesslisbeth It’s all about giving them the tools to think biblically eventually without you. It seems like the Christian kids who fall away or rebell are often the ones who were simply told what the Bible says and how to act but never really did the work of using and applying it themselves.
@@Jesslisbeth That’s a hard response for me to understand when I hear it from people. Like, yeah, I can’t always control what my kid puts in their mouth either, but that doesn’t mean that when they first start walking I’m gonna leave the kitchen cabinets, that have cleaning products, open.
As parents it’s our job and privilege to regulate, manage, and sculpt our child’s lives, and when the time comes they will hopefully able to handle what comes their way with the knowledge we, as parents have bestowed on them.
We have our little one in a small private Christian school (public wasn’t an option) and one of the proudest moments of my life is when my mom said something, and my kid replied, “the Bible says not to handle it that way, instead you should do this. I can’t remember the exact scripture or what my mom said, but it showed me we were on the right path.
Either you control culture for your children or the groomers will control it for you. Tolerance is why Christendom was overthrown and replaced with globohomo.
Spot On!
Even your non-answer-answer about end times! I loved it! Christ's return is an essential belief. But it's not essential to understand how God's mystery will exactly take place.
Thank you for this video! First time watching you and I learned a lot and saw things from a very different perspective!
My mom wouldn’t let us read the Harry Potter books because she said they were too detailed…but the movies were okay 😆
I really enjoyed this thoughtful q&a. And I do agree with my mom now. Even if I was maybe a little bummed we didn’t get to read those.
This was extremely helpful - I am an actress that was super into new age and was saved a couple years ago. I have been stressing about how to be - what is too much “living in the world” how can I move forward being the best that I can be for God - thank you for this guidance
God bless you. So cool that you're an actress. :) From my experience of what I learned...
I would say focus on loving God first, and knowing his love for you, and your standards second (even though they're important). Because if you don't, your standards will be more of your God. I grew up very fundamentalist, and I had "Christian standards," but not a real walk with God much of the time. Not that standards aren't important. But then you can go in the opposite direction and think that having standards aren't important, and that's not good either. But if you really love God, then it should naturally flow from you to want to please him, and what's important is keeping that desire, rather than knowing everything about what to do. It's important to remember though, that standards don't save us - they simply keep up healthy as Christians so we don't fall into things that would hurt us or others. Also, God understands what you don't know, and he won't blame you for not having it all figured out. He just wants your heart, and the rest will follow (because if you care about God's thoughts, you won't want to live "worldly" - but worldliness starts in the heart first, not with the absence of rules and standards - and good principles will follow from keeping your heart in the Lord). After-all, the Bible defines true religion as, visiting "orphans and widows," in their affliction (caring for others), keeping yourself pure (but again, that starts in the heart and God understands what you're uncertain about,) and loving God first. Any Biblical principles/rules that follow are God's protection of you, not an arbitrary box that you're supposed to be in. And not all man-made "Christian" rules are necessarily Bible-breathed. If something seems arbitrary or unclear, question it (Biblically,) before you accept it. Ask for the leading of the Holy Spirit, and ask him to show up with his presence in your life. But remember that the absence of feelings don't mean that God or his love are absent. You have to know God loves you without having to chase a "feeling" of that. Lastly, Christianity always comes/leads back to Christ and his cross anyway. If it doesn't, if it leads down some weird rabbit-hole instead, then it might not be real Christianity. Hope that helps in some way. Have a wonderful week. :)
@@sherrih5068 Gah! Sorry ! I never write comments and I hadn’t realized you are just an incredibly Good Samaritan offering advice ! That is so insanely helpful Sherri! Thank you so much - honestly, I loved everything you said. Focus on God, don’t be freaked out if you don’t catch feelings - All fantastic advice. Thank you so much. It can be stressful sometimes even with my job. Is it ok to be a performer. My heart loves the craft of acting so much but sometimes what we think is right doesn’t always mean it is in the Bible. My Hope is that I am living the life that I should be as best I can. But I will try not to harp too much on it. Thank you so much for the advice. ❤ Christy
Melissa I just want to thank you for being a resource I can trust. I have pointed my wife my daughters and my son to your ministry because as a parent I know family needs to hear the ins and outs of the Gospel from someone other than me. Thank you
I really loved the explanation for question one. Hope you do more Q&As!
Hey Melissa, I've been confused about my beliefs about the Rapture as well, and I was wondering if you could make a video just expaining all the different interpretations and views on it, even if you don't have a specific one you hold to. I love your content, thank you for doing such good work. God bless! 😊
Growing up my parents always asked us to think about what we were watching, and over time we would discuss the story situations, the worldviews, as well as the creative and storytelling elements. So for example, The Little Mermaid was my favorite Disney movie. We talked about what he father did that was wrong first, (because leadership is always held to higher level of accountability, I think.) So we talked about his prejudice and temper and how that was wrong. Then we talk about her rebellion. We also talk about how unrealistic it is at the end that he forgives her and let's go of his prejudice and devices to transform her into a human as a result of her rebellion. She almost got everyone killed by making a deal with Ursula! We talk about how maybe she should have been patient and tried to respectfully disagree and show him the truth over time so that he would come around eventually and turn her into a human.
Then we also discussed how that wouldn't make a very interesting story, so we can learn from the story. Terrible things happening in a story make it interesting, but when they happen in real life, it's not so exciting. So we have to learn not to act the way people act in movies or shows.
Anyways, I love to encourage folks to interact with what they watch and to train their kids to do that too. Those skills of evaluating some simpler stories when you are young, can translate into being able to weigh and measure what you listen to as you get older.
I really enjoy your TH-cam. I find your answers thoughtful and Biblical and entertaining! The ultimate Triumvirate. Thank you for all you do. Praying for you, sister.
Very good video Melissa! These are very insightful and Important topics! Keep up the good work!
“Oh and actually I LOVE talking about parenting.” -Melissa. Yeahhhhhh more on parenting!!!
Hi Melissa, can you share the video you mentioned about the attributes of God that you made previously? Thanks so much, i'm a huge fan!
Sure, it's in the description already if you'd like to check it out. :-)
Another great video Melissa, thank you. So true to teach children to critically think & balance to this. Not just one side of allowing witchcraft but also some imagination for a child & then discuss these topics age appropriate. Amen.
Great answers all around but I particularly love the first one. I never thought about it like and it really explores that question deeply and frames it in a powerful way. I feel like it would give many unbelievers something to think about
I appreciate your answer on end times. I'm still working on figuring that out too. Unfortunately it's turned into a controversial subject with many Christians. It's not something that should divide us. I actually had a Christian tell me if I don't believe in a pre-trib rapture then I won't make it when it happens.
That attitude is nonsense - the best bet is always prepare to enter into Christ's suffering in this age so that we might be raised with Him in glory in the age to come.
2 Jhn 9 says whoever doesn't abide in Christ's doctrines does not have a relationship with God. And since Christ prophesied that He will return after the Tribulation in Matt. 24, any doctrine that claims Christ will return at any other time is a falsehood. I simply cannot understand why "Christians" think this isn't important when Jesus literally started the prophecy by warning of ppl using His name to spread false doctrines.
Coming from a German, you pronounced Leibniz’ name almost perfectly.. just the z in the end is pronounced like the ts in Etsy :)
correct and well explained
Always learn something when I listen to your videos. Keep pointing towards our King. God bless.
Wow. You seem like a very thoughtful, intelligent person. I appreciate these responses. Very impressive.
Seed, time, and harvest. Fruit takes time to come from a seed. Jesus' parable of the Wheat/Weeds (Matt 13:24-43) reveals that God won't judge everyone immediately but waits until judgment day. In the parable, the servants are asking the land owner about removing the weeds immediately, but the master says they must wait until harvest time or else they will dig up the weeds with them because they look similar in immaturity. Likewise, we should wait until the seeds mature into fruit before we can judge them.
I think also that unbelievers will not be able to "fake" all the fruits of the Spirit. And I think a true believer will exhibit all the fruits of the Spirit when looking at the overall pattern of their life. So someone might have a loving (think, nice) personality, but if the overall pattern of their life shows a lack of self-control, then they don't really have the fruits of the Spirit.
Hi Melissa. First time poster, just subscribed. Thanks for creating this video - wonderful job! Thoughtful answers that were presented in an engaging and personal way. I think that was the key. You have obviously 'done your homework' but what I most appreciated most was that it was 'your' authenticate answers. Looking forward to the next 5 and many more to come!
your brother in Christ,
John
This is one of those questions that we have to wait for to fully understand.
Regarding magic i just want to share that i plainly told my 2 toddlers that magic is not from God but from evil and i tell them also the difference between tricks and magic and that miracles is what God does and not magic.. interestingly my kids who are 6 and 5 started to filter what they watch online and the games they download and play online by this fact. They watch something like disney shows andthey understand that the magic part is not from God. They avoid it themselves sometimes like in games they download and sometimes they stop and tell me when what they see in youtube kids videos is about magic and that they exclaimed that it is evil and then we all just continue with what we do or with their watching.
Truly we cannot exclude them from the world but we should arm them and inform them so that they can do it themselves especially when we are not around to monitor at all times. The spirit of the Lord will also guide them and remind them once they know the truth.
Hello comment section. if you see this could you pray for me please? I don't want to get into the details because there embarrassing, but I'm currently not saved and am struggling with mental problems and sin problems. Any prayer is appreciated.
🙏
Me too. Many health problems. Why God
I loved all your answers, especially the Marriage one!❤️🔥👍
Awesome questions, very helpful answers. Thank you ❤😊🇿🇦