Brothers, pray for us. - 1 Thessalonians 5:25

Q: How important is it to pray for the body of Christ?

A: The scripture says the harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few, and it says to pray for more to come into the harvest (Matthew 9:37-39).   I’ve been praying so much for the unsaved people, that I really wasn’t praying that much for the people of God.  I   heard a young preacher say that an elder told him to always pray for the people of God. I realized I wasn’t doing that. I was praying for the unsaved. The people of God are having a lot of problems. Some are struggling financially. Some have children that are on drugs, in gangs, and doing all kinds of unlawful things. The people of God really need prayer because a lot of them don’t have joy.   They come to church burdened down. We as the people of God are supposed to overcome like Jesus overcame (John 16:33).

It is important that we pray for the people of God as well as the unsaved. We must pray for the people of God, so [burdens] can be broke off of them, so that they can physically go out and reach people.  When you go out physically to reach people, it’s marvelous! It’s like Jesus in the flesh.  Sometimes you might be the only Jesus that a person can see. When you are are out there touching the people. It’s very important.

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren - Luke 22:32

Q: Is the church building or the church assembly the only place to go and minister to people? What about the Christians who are overwhelmed in caring for others?

Although there was the temple, the early Christians went house to house. You can start a little prayer meeting at your home.  As long as you can reach people, touch people, and change people’s life through the Gospel.  Whether you go out in the street, the way will be made for those people to be taught. God will have some place for these people. Your church might be an internet church. Some people have been hurt in the church, and don’t have anywhere to go.  They go on the computer to get comfort and fellowship.  It may not be a physical fellowship, but a spiritual one. It’s good if you can go out and touch people physically. Thank God the internet can be used for good; it can be used for so much good.

Q: Is it important to have a balance, in prayer for the harvest  and laborers (Christians, body of Christ)?

I say, do it equally. When you’re praying for the unsaved, include the body of Christ. Just try to do both.

Q: How do you feel about preachers who say that God is judging the United States the same way he judged Israel.

A: It came to me that the U.S. is under an Abrahamic experience (Genesis 20-33).  

When Abraham talked to God about Lot being in Sodom, he asked if the righteous would be destroyed with the wicked.  He asked him six times.  God said that as long as there were at least 10 righteous left in that city he wouldn’t destroy it.

It came to me that it was the same way with the United States.  I’m not saying that God isn’t judging the U.S.  But, the righteous people in the United States are keeping the country from being totally destroyed.

Q: What are ways to get out of depression without medication?

A: My answer is [through music]. I sing a little tune to the Lord and, it doesn’t matter if you’re a singer.  That helps get you out of depression, if you try it.  You can tell people to pray, but  I’ve heard people say, “I’ve prayed, and prayed with no results.”  But, according to the scripture, we are told to sing spiritual songs and uplifting songs (Collosians 3:16).

The scripture speaks about laughter as medicine (Proverbs 17:22). With my son, he listens to music or watch humorous programs because he experienced depression as a child.

As Christians, we definitely have to know how to deal with depression, because that spirit will try to come on us too.

Q:   What was your response to President Obama’s announcement of support for same sex marriage? 

A: I don’t think I was too surprised because there are signs before something comes out.  When he repealed Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, that was like a sign.  A lot of people have friends that are gay, and they love their friends.  Being a Christian, I heard him say that he and his wife were “practicing Christians.”  When he said that, to me, it just meant [the same] as when someone say we’re “practicing Muslims.” It’s like you’re in a religion, but there’s something that comes before that.   To me, he’s a politician first, and Christian second.  I also find this in the conservative movement, when they say they are Christians, they put conservative first.  He’s just on the opposite side [of that.]  It’s like the same thing.  

Q:  Has your opinion of President Barack Obama changed after his response?

A:  I still like Obama because he has a heart.  He cares.  But, I have to define what a true Christian is because a lot of people are “practicing.”  Christ came with love and kindness.  He really didn’t condemn people, but he did say this [about] the woman who was caught in adultery, where people wanted to stone her. He said, “those who are without sin cast the first stone.”

First he addressed the people who wanted to stone her. That was Jewish law, but Jesus came to fulfil the law. He was God in the flesh.  He addressed them and said, “He that is without sin, cast the first stone.”  He began to stoop and write on the ground. Some people think he was writing out the people’s sins.  And they slowly left one by one.

And he said to the lady who was caught in adultery, “Who is condemning you.”  She said, “No one, Lord.”

And he said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more!”

We as Christians, we are not here to condemn, but we are here to say, “go and sin no more.”  If you are a true Christian, as a follower of Christ, you are going to imitate Christ.  Jesus said, “If you don’t bear my cross you are not fit to be my disciple.” Bearing your cross means, that you are not going to agree with some things in the world.  There are things that people who say they are Christians may succumb to.  “Gay marriage” is a worldly thing, that is not of God.

Can you define a conservative Christian?

Q:

 I want to know the meaning of conservative.  Does that mean storing up your goods for a season?  Many people who call themselves conservative have values that aren’t in line with stewardship of the environment.  When I hear conservative, I wonder, ‘What are they being conservative about!’  Is it putting your money in an IRA or a stock market; improving life for another generation?

A:
 I could be wrong. To me it’s like another word for stingy.  I mean. I could be wrong. But people will put conservative before Christian. Stingy, Christian. That’s doesn’t go together. That’s just like saying gay marriage. That doesn’t go together because marriage is honorable and the bed undefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God shall judge.  When you read Revelations, it tells you about who’s going to enter and who will not enter the Kingdom.  I’m not trying to bash a certain lifestyle. But if it’s sinful, it’s sinful.  Whether you’re a prostitute, that’s sinful. You’re an adulterer. That’s sinful. Fornicator, that’s sinful.  Jesus came to wipe out sin in your life no matter what sin, and his love overcomes all of the sin that’s in the world today. His love is greater than all of that.

What do you think about Christianity and Socialism?

Q:  Do you see socialism in Christianity?  Many Christians in the U.S. aren’t being persecuted as the early Christians or Christians globally.  We’ve had three generations of prosperity, until recently. I hear a lot people  bringing up socialism as if it’s equal to abomination. They’re comparing it to governments that have failed, man-made systems that have failed. These early Christians were generally socialists. Nobody knew this whole faith would take over an empire and tumble an empire.

A:

Well, I know that the early Christians were persecuted. But,  whether they were persecuted or not, Jesus came and  taught about the Kingdom of God. The scripture speaks of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Eventually, the Lord is coming back and he’s going to take over this world. The system that’s going to be in place when he takes over, we’re going to have all of our needs met. If that’s what you want to call socialism,  to me, that’s not a bad word. But, I think it should be both.  As Christians, we make sure our brothers needs are met, but we can work. God gave us skills. You do both.  And with your gifts, you can reach out to people like the early Christians, and bring them in.

Q:

They’re comparing it to a man-made system. Does that means we are taking care of our household and making sure we care for our brethren?

A:

The scripture says, “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain, that build it.” So if you’re going to do it in a secular way, it’s not going to be perfect like if you did it God’s way.

When the bible speaks on poverty what are your views? 

Q:

When bible speaks about poverty I hear some people say that there are certain factions of Christians who believe you should stay in poverty; and then you have others who are more prosperity-minded.  When the bible speaks on poverty what are your views?

A:

I can say what Jesus said.  ‘The poor you will always have with you.’  He told his disciples that before he was crucified and ascended back to heaven.   I believe the reason why the poor will always be with mankind is because mankind is unrighteous, naturally. People of God, they’re supposed to walk like Christ and have the mind of Christ.  Christ fed people when they were hungry. He healed them. He supplied their needs. 

Is there a solution to poverty?

Q:

A friend told me there was no solution to poverty. He said, no matter what we do, there will always be poverty because of that scripture, “The poor will always be with you.”  Do you believe there is no solution to poverty no matter how wise we get? Do you believe the source is greed?

A:

 The reason why there’s always poverty, it has to do with greed and the heart of mankind.  The heart really has to be changed.  Even the people who profess they are Christian, if you just really judge—and Jesus said you can judge if you judge rightly, there are a lot of people that profess to be Christians, but are not doing  Christian things when it comes to giving to the downtrodden and poor.  I hear people say conservative Christian, when they put conservative before they put Christian, that’s dead in the water right there.  You’re not really confessing Christianity [as a priority].