Amy E. Mason - Gods Little Book of Answers to Big Questions

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Gods Little Book of Answers to Big Questions

Copyright 2020 by Ronald A. Beers. All rights reserved.

General editor: Amy E. Mason.

Contributing editors: Ronald A. Beers and Katherine J. Butler

Cover and interior images are the property of their respective copyright holders, and all rights are reserved. Fabric texture SPIN/Adobe Stock; hand-drawn decoration Julia Henze/Shutterstock; palm leaf pattern De-V/Shutterstock; floral bouquet lilett/Adobe Stock.

Designed by Nicole Grimes

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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ISBN 978-1-4964-1811-1

Build: 2020-03-18 12:39:11 EPUB 3.0

WHETHER YOUR FAITH IN GOD is new or youve known him for a long time, you may have questions about who he is and what he wants for your life. God invites you to bring your questions to him.

Gods Little Book of Answers to Big Questions provides a quick and easy way to find answers to 150 big and challenging questions asked by believers and unbelievers alikesuch as God, why do you allow your people to suffer? and God, what does it mean to be holy?

The questions and answers can be used as devotional readings, as a reference guide, or as a resource to help others who have questions about how faith in God works out practically in our daily lives. You can search the table of contents for questions you may have about God, or you can just start reading from the beginning. Every question comes with an answer from the Bible, a short devotional reading to add context, and a promise from God.

As you read the questions and answers, pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to you, opening your heart to his guidance and wisdom, and that your faith will be strengthened and encouraged. We hope this little book has a big impact on your life.

ANSWER FROM GODS WORD [Jesus replied,] I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. JOHN 14:16

One of Gods greatest assurances is that he is with you. If you have a relationship with his Son, Jesus, you have received the future promise of eternal life on Gods new earth. And you also receive another giftthe immediate and constant presence of Gods Spirit, also called the Holy Spirit or the Advocate. This is God himself, living in you. Gods presence is a guarantee to those who sincerely follow Jesus, believing that all he said and did are true. Once the Holy Spirit comes to live within you, he will never leave you. This is a promise you can cling to, even when God seems far away.

GODS PROMISE TO YOU Dont be afraid, for I am with you. Dont be discouraged, for I am your God. ISAIAH 41:10

ANSWER FROM GODS WORD The L ORD s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. Its your sins that have cut you off from God. ISAIAH 59:1-2

Sin can disrupt your connection with God. When you knowingly persist in sinful attitudes and behaviors (not living in obedience to God and his Word), your heart becomes hardened, making God seem distant. Obedience (doing what God says in his Word) allows God to lead you along the best pathway for your life and the way to eternal life with him. An open heart and willingness to say yes to God is a step of obedience that moves you closer to him.

GODS PROMISE TO YOU You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. PSALM 16:11

ANSWER FROM GODS WORD In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. GENESIS 1:1

The universe is no accident, and neither are you. Gods love for the world, and for you, existed even before the earth was formed. Everything was made for Gods glory, and you were made to have companionship with him and to worship him, loving and delighting in his holiness and pointing others to enjoy his glory as the ultimate reason for living. Dont get hung up on how God made the universe, but simply recognize that he made it intentionally out of love. Thats how much he values you.

GODS PROMISE TO YOU The L ORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.... The L ORD s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. PSALM 33:6, 11

ANSWER FROM GODS WORD I care about you, and I will pay attention to you.... Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. EZEKIEL 36:9; 1 PETER 5:7

You are important to God, and he cares deeply for you. He wants to walk with you through your problems and rejoice with you in your celebrations. His love pursues you, even before you have voiced your needs. Because God cares about you, he invites you to give your worries to him in exchange for his peace. This is a daily grace for you because you are his child. He promises both to pay attention to your needs and to pursue you with goodness and a love that never fails.

GODS PROMISE TO YOU I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. PSALM 73:23-24

ANSWER FROM GODS WORD My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. JOHN 10:27

Relationships require conversationboth listening and speaking. God is always ready to listen, but there are also many ways in which he initiates conversation with you. Here are just a few: prayer, Bible reading, worship, song, the inspiration of nature, and the wisdom of other godly people. Many people dont think to listen to God during these times or pause long enough to make space for him. If you expect God to speak in a particular way, you may miss it when he speaks to you in another way. God wants to speak to you. Are you listening?