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Answer from Polly: Do not misread James. James is not saying that any and everything we want, we only have to ask God and He gives it to us. He is saying that in all things we need to ask God, but we need to ask with motives of love and service, not motives of selfish power, envy, and pleasure; the object of the request being to glorify God or advance His Kingdom. Christians fight because we do not control our self-centered desires and use improper methods to get whatever we want, trusting our own skills and not depending on God's strength in trust and submission. We cannot say that Satan made us do this because he is not only a liar but a coward and will flee if we resist him. Life is temporary and utterly dependent upon the sustaining power of God; therefore we cannot boast or plan tomorrow. The last thing James warns about is a Christian knowing what is right but not doing right; this is called the sin of omission and after being enlightened through salvation Christians cannot claim ignorance.

Question: Please provide scripture for grateful or gratefulness

Answer from Polly: The word most used in the Bible for grateful is thankful and the Book of Psalm is filled with thanks and thanksgiving to God (30:12, 107:1, 14:13 as examples). Jesus Himself gave thanks to God as He broke the Bread and took the Cup at the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-28). Paul writes about the service to the needs of others, overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. God gives this gift of giving and everyone was grateful and thanked God for this indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:12-15). It is God’s will for us to pray and be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Since God loved us enough to send His One and Only Son for our sins, then we should show our love and gratefulness to Him by loving others (1 John 4:7-12). Even all the creatures and elders give thanks to our Lord and God (Revelation 4:9-11). I realize you would like “gratefulness” in human form, however, if you have not love of God within you for others (1 John 4:4, 3:18-20) then it is hard to be thankful (gracious) to or give thanks (gratitude) to others.

Question: In Proverbs 10:27 it says OBEY THE LORD, AND YOU WILL LIVE LONGER. THE WICKED DIE BEFORE THEIR TIME. Does this mean all people who die young died because they never obeyed the Lord? What does it mean by untimely death? Doesn`t the bible tell us every thing was planned when a person was created?

Answer from Polly: Life, joy, safety, security and longevity for the righteous are seen from the perspective of eternity and not earthly life. The 'dead in Christ' will come to life and reign with Christ a thousand years (during the Millennium Reign) and then live forever in the New Jerusalem. The wicked will have none of these blessings after death, as they will go straight into judgment and then into the second death, which is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:4-6, 21:1-7. 20'11-15). This is the ultimate death for the wicked. Yes everything was planned in detail before the foundations of the earth but God did not create robots and has given us a choice as to being saved or not. 'Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved' (Acts 16:31); everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved' (Romans 10:13).

Question: Can you explain what the meaning is in Deuteronomy 23, `The assembly of the Lord`. Thanks

Answer from Polly: The assembly of the Lord probably referred here to the people gathered together for religious purposes and this is dealing with the exclusion from Israel's 'worship service'. The laws were ceremonial like the laws of uncleanness (Leviticus chapters 12-15) and did not exclude an individual because of his own specific moral sin but rather they had a symbolic function. The exclusion from the 'worship service' did not prevent an individual from believing in the Lord and receiving the gift of eternal life. Israel's history demonstrates that these laws (Deuteronomy 23:1-8) were never meant to be strictly adhered to without regard for the circumstances of each individual who may have wished to worship with Israel. Excluding an emasculated male may refer to a person who intentionally had himself castrated for pagan religious purposes and not meant to exclude an eunuch committed to obeying the Lord (Isaiah 56:3-5). Remember that the assembly in the Old Testament was 'run' by the elders and rulers of the people and it was impossible for everyone to live under their laws. This is the reason for God's grace which came through Jesus Christ His Son.

Question: What is the meaning of Ezekiel 3:18-21? What does God mean when He said you 'have saved yourself'? Is that possible before Christ's death on the cross? People can actually SAVE THEMSELVES?

Answer from Polly: This passage is not referring to eternal salvation, but rather God is speaking to Ezekiel about 'saving himself' from the judgment God would bring on him if he did not warn the people to turn from their evil ways so they would not be destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar's army. God had appointed Ezekiel as a watchman for the house of Israel. Watchmen were to be alert for approaching enemies (Nebuchadnezzar's army) and warn the city's people of any impending attack. This gave them the opportunity to seek protection (in this case God). He was to warn the wicked to turn to God and the righteous not to turn away from God. This does not mean that a righteous person could lose their salvation but would die a 'physical' death if they continued to disobey God. If Ezekiel failed to warn of approaching danger, God would hold him accountable for the blood of the people (Genesis 9:5-6, Galatians 6:1). If Ezekiel did not warn them and they were murdered it would be as if he murdered them himself. However, if Ezekiel fulfilled his responsibility he would have 'saved himself'. The word 'saved' is translated 'delivered or rescued' and does not refer to eternal salvation. Rather, by giving warning he would have delivered himself from any responsibility for the coming calamity. People who refused to listen to his warning had only themselves to blame. And no! A person cannot save himself. 'It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth... salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved' (Acts 4:10-12).

Question: I am looking for a bible verse that discusses the human need to be well-liked? Can you assist?

Answer from Polly: Actually the Bible speaks against trying to be well liked asking 'am I trying to win the approval of men or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ' (Galatians 1:10). Scripture warns us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought (Romans 12:3); do not be proud or conceited and be willing to associate with the lowly (Romans 12:16). Do not try to be someone else, someone more important or someone more likeable (Luke 14:7-11, Proverbs 25:6-7). God made you who you are (Psalm 139:13, Job 10:8); put you where He wanted you to be (1 Corinthians 12:18). Be humble so that you will be exalted in due time (1 Peter 5:5-6). There certainly was the human need to be the favorite (to be well-liked) or Cain would not have killed Abel (Genesis 4:1-6), Joseph's brothers would not have sold him (Genesis 37:3-12), Absalom yearned to be better loved than his own father, David (2 Samuel 15:1-12) and so it goes all through out the Bible. Jesus' teachings against all of this can be found in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12).