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Can people cast out demons by their own power?

Question:

DO WE HUMANS HAVE THE ABILITY TO CAST OUT DEMONS?

Answer:

II Timothy 2:24-26 says, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of THE SNARE OF THE DEVIL, who are TAKEN CAPTIVE BY HIM AT HIS WILL.” Unsaved people can be taken captive by the devil at his will, so people cannot cast him out by their own power.Continue reading

Is all temptation from the devil, and how was the devil ever tempted, if heaven is a perfect place?

Question:

I know that when we are tempted to do wrong, it is the devil attacking us. I also understand how the devil came into existence as being a fallen angel. When he tried to overthrow God in heaven, the Heavenly Father threw Lucifer out of heaven with 1/3 of the angels. My question is this, since heaven is a perfect place, always has been and always will, who tempted Lucifer into believing he could overthrow God? Just thinking that he could do that was sin. Who or what tempted him into thinking that he could do such a thing?Continue reading

Christian Suicide?

Question:

I have an advanced case of lime disease. I have been in pain and mental anguish for over two years now. I am having trouble getting proper medications and it seems I am terminal. I am a Christian and have been for a long time. I have deep faith in Jesus Christ. I have decided to stop all medications and I will not go into the hospital any more. This will hasten my demise. I have been told as a Christian I have work to do for Jesus and this is not an action I can take. But, I’m tired of living. Am I doing wrong to refuse meds and just let death take me? Also, if I were to kill myself, would I lose my salvation?Continue reading

Do the dead communicate with us through dreams or thoughts?

Question:

When I was a child I spent a great deal of time with my Grandparents. I loved them dearly. When I reached my early twenties they began to fail in health and I fretted terribly over the thought that they would soon be gone. In short I agonized over this. At different times their health worsened and I guess I reached a point where I fixed an image of what they used to be in my mind. My Grandmother went first, May 93, and I did not weep. Grandpa went in 97 and I did not weep. Here is the second area I need your input on. The day that Grandpa died I immediately drove home to get some things for the funeral. Out of the blue it came to me that one of my good friends children was going to die, and wouldn’t you know it about 2 weeks later my friends boy was diagnosed with cancer and just recently pasted on this spring. The next thing that happened was this. Almost one week after my grandfathers passing I believe God sent me a dream. I am awakened in the dream by someone rubbing my arm and it is my grandmother. I look at her and she says to me ” it’s OK Mike we are all right. I get up of the bed and begin to leave, and I turn the corner to go down a hall way and there stands papa. He did not speak, just looked down at the floor. Pastor, I believe the lord was speaking to me. Do these dreams and ideas carry any weight. Since these events I am careful to pay attention to my dreams and thoughts. Tell me what you think.Continue reading

Is every death God’s will?

Question:

Some friends and I were discussing the topic of death. Some in the group believe that every single death is the will of God. In other words, if God didn’t want so-and-so to die, He wouldn’t have allowed it. “We all have an appointed time.”

Others believe that God is often very sad (just as we are) when a loved one dies tragically (e.g., drunk driver). But, because we live in a sinful world, God often permits these kinds of deaths.

I’ve tried to search the scriptures for answers, along with prayer. But, I end up having more questions. Can you help me please.Continue reading

Does our soul sleep until we are resurrected?

Question:

What happens after death. Do we sleep until we are resurrected or do our souls ascend to heaven?

Answer:

The Bible is clear that when the body dies, the spirit of a person leaves it. James 2:26 says, “For as THE BODY WITHOUT THE SPIRIT IS DEAD, so faith without works is dead also.” The Seventh Day Adventists teach “soul sleep,” but that is not what the Bible teaches at all. When the body dies, the spirit of the person leaves that body, and does not sleep with it in the grave.Continue reading