You’ve been praying and praying, asking for God to do some crazy—something miraculous—in your life. But, you wonder if it’s even possible. Have you ever been there before? In today’s episode, Cameron and Dr. J tackle a few questions on some perplexing passages of Scripture before looking at how we pray. If how we pray matters, the next question sort of begs, “Does how we pray make a difference?” Are miracles possible? What do I do if I’ve been praying and not seeing the miracles I’m asking for? Well, let’s join the conversation and find out!

02:06 — The Bible says that there is a time for war and a time for peace. It also says that we should be peacemakers. What exactly do they mean by a time for war then?

05:05 — In Romans 8:17, it speaks how we are to share sufferings with Christ in order that we may also share his glory. How can we/do we suffer like Christ?

08:14 — So I have this theory that God only gives the hardest times to those with enough integrity and strength to deal with it. What are your thoughts on that?

11:05 — Is there a right way—is there a wrong way—to pray?

13:36 — What does it mean to pray without ceasing as Paul encourages us to do, or to pray fervently as James says? What does this look like practically?

16:30 — Is there anything wrong with repetitive type prayers? Is there anything wrong with praying a liturgical prayer or something written by someone else?

19:53 — Is there anything wrong with prayer beads or other items that are used to assist with prayer like a cloth or a shawl? What’s the idea or thought process behind a prayer room or closet?

23:46 — Do miracles still really happen? Isn’t it just a coincidence—like, how do we know when we have experienced a miracle?

24:55 — In a previous episode where we talked extensively on prayer, you have mentioned miracles you have experienced but did not elaborate. What miracles have you witnessed in your life?

33:33 — What encouragement would you have for someone today who has been waiting and praying for a miracle they have not yet received?

For more content on this episode’s questions, we invite you to check out a sermon by Dr. Jason Karampatsos in the third week of the Life’s Healing Choices series at https://nlag.net/sermons/lifes-healing-choices-week-three/.

If you would like to share any feedback or ideas for the podcast, or submit a question to possibly be answered in a future episode, please email us at [email protected] or check us out online at https://askthe.church.

Follow New Life Assembly of God in Janesville on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanesvilleNLAG.

In this week’s episode, Cameron and Dr. J tackle a few of the most commonly asked questions in the church before turning their attention to the things we carry. The truth is that there are things weighing us down that the Lord desires to free us from. Then, in a departure from their normal Q&A time, Cameron and Dr. J turn to Scripture and take an extended look at who we are in Christ.

02:10 — What does the Bible say about tithing? Is it only for the Old Testament?

04:21 — What exactly happens after we die?

07:12 — I’ve made some mistakes. I believe that God forgives me, but I’m not sure others forgive me. I’m not sure if I forgive me.. What am I to do with the shame I carry?

09:08 — Is there a way to minimize our shame without sweeping the things we have done under the rug?

10:26 — Is there a difference between being ashamed of what I’ve done and living a life of shame?

14:18 — How do we change what is defining our identity?

15:40 — Who does God say that I am?

John 1:12Romans 8:1Romans 5:1Colossians 1:13-14Jeremiah 31:31 Corinthians 3:16Proverbs 3:32John 15:7Romans 8:171 Corinthians 12:27Ephesians 2:6Romans 8:35Romans 8:31Colossians 3:121 Peter 2:9-101 John 5:18Ephesians 3:12Colossians 1:131 Corinthians 2:16Colossians 2:10Ephesians 1:5Ephesians 2:18

22:29 — How are we to treat those who are sinning (and sinning against us)?

24:30 — How do we address the sin in someone’s life without bringing more shame to them?

For more content on this episode’s questions, we invite you to check out a sermon by Dr. Jason Karampatsos in the second week of the Life’s Healing Choices series at https://nlag.net/sermons/lifes-healing-choices-week-two/.

If you would like to share any feedback or ideas for the podcast, or submit a question to possibly be answered in a future episode, please email us at [email protected] or check us out online at https://askthe.church.

Follow New Life Assembly of God in Janesville on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanesvilleNLAG.

Okay, so chances are you know there are some areas in your life that need to be changed. And, maybe you’ve even tried to bring about that change in the past. Now, you’re left wondering, “Is it even possible? Is freedom truly possible for me?” In this episode, Cameron and Dr. J will tackle a universally popular question before diving into this subject on

02:19 — If God knows all things, did He plan for this bad thing to happen? Why do bad things happen to good people?

05:22 — How does the sovereignty of God fit in with that?

07:01 — What encouragement would you give to someone who says, “I can’t believe in a God who would allow ____________”?

10:07 — If there is victory in Jesus for us already, why do we feel like we are losing?

11:46 — What does it really mean to have freedom from life’s hurts, habits, and hangups? What does it mean to have victory in this life? Is that actually possible?

17:02 — How do we discern what it is that God wants to bring freedom to in our lives?

19:02 — What are some specific things you have seen people held in bondage by?

22:00 — Why are we so hesitant to change?

25:20 — Even with all the different things that might need to change in each life, are there some common steps we all should be making toward change in our lives?

For more content on this episode’s questions, we invite you to check out a sermon by Dr. Jason Karampatsos in the first week of the Life’s Healing Choices series at https://nlag.net/sermons/lifes-healing-choices-week-one/.

If you would like to share any feedback or ideas for the podcast, or submit a question to possibly be answered in a future episode, please email us at [email protected] or check us out online at https://askthe.church.

Follow New Life Assembly of God in Janesville on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanesvilleNLAG.

We like to play all the roles: judge, jury, and executioner. But, is there a better way? Is there a way for us to be a light for the gospel to those around us and not be judgmental, hypocritical, or bigoted? How ought we lovingly reprove those around us? In today’s episode, Cameron and Dr. J circle back to their time in Romans to bring a conclusion to this series. In their conversation, they will unpack the question, “Who made you the judge?,” and the answer may surprise you.

03:14 — What food could you not live without?

05:17 — If I love people in the way that God is describing, won’t I just become a doormat? Won’t people just take advantage of me?

08:10 — I can look to the world around me and see the problems and my need to be rescued, but in what ways do I really need to be rescued from myself?

09:53 — Is there ever a time where we ought to judge another person?

11:41— How do we confront serious sin issues in another person without being judgmental?

13:35 — Are there certain activities that may be right for one person but not for another?

15:10 — How do we discern between Holy Spirit conviction and personal conviction? Is there a difference?

16:46 — What should you do when you are around your friends who believe an activity is wrong but you think it is permitted?

19:03 — Why do we find it so easy to judge others? What underlying attitudes does judging come from?

24:07 — Are Christians going to stand before the judgment seat of God? If so, for what purpose?

For more content on this episode’s questions, we invite you to check out a sermon by Dr. Jason Karampatsos in the sixth week of the Romans series at https://nlag.net/sermons/romans-week-six/.

If you would like to share any feedback or ideas for the podcast, or submit a question to possibly be answered in a future episode, please email us at [email protected] or check us out online at https://askthe.church.

Follow New Life Assembly of God in Janesville on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanesvilleNLAG.

As the #SaferAtHome orders begin to lift, Cameron and Dr. J locked themselves away in the studio to tackle more of your questions. We know that forgiveness is available to us through the Lord. We know that He has taken care of our past, but what about our future? Can God use a person like me—even with the things that I have done? If you have ever wondered if God could use you or why He even would want to use you, Cameron and Dr. J tackle these questions and more in today’s episode.

02:42 — How do I choose a good Christian counselor or therapist?

04:53 — What resources or options are available in finding a counselor?

07:40 — Who is Jacob?

09:58 — What’s up with God changing people’s names?

13:29 — What does the Bible mean when it says God loved Jacob, but hated Esau?

18:31 — What are the things God has saved us for? What is our purpose?

19:29 — How do we really overcome our past and our past mistakes?

21:08 — How do we deal with feelings of rejection from other people?

22:55 — How could David be described as a man after God’s own heart?

24:34 — What is the Christian hope? Are we talking about heaven?

26:21 — What encouragement would you give to a person who feels unusable because of their past or another reason?

For more content on this episode’s questions, we invite you to check out a sermon by Tyler Berbereia in the seventh week of the Broken Pieces series at https://nlag.net/sermons/broken-pieces-week-seven/.

If you would like to share any feedback or ideas for the podcast, or submit a question to possibly be answered in a future episode, please email us at [email protected] or check us out online at https://askthe.church.

Follow New Life Assembly of God in Janesville on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanesvilleNLAG.

It’s more than just a catchy limerick by R.E.M. It’s a question we have all wrestled with at one point and will continue to wrestle with: is this the end of all things? In this conversation, Cameron and Dr. J tackle some serious questions and have a little fun while they’re at it. And, while they discuss these important questions, they offer—perhaps—an even better question to answer in the midst of it all.

03:35 — Why is the Book of Revelation so weird and with so much weird imagery?

05:09 — How am I supposed to understand the book of Revelation?

06:03 — What is the mark of the beast? Is it a microchip? A tattoo?

07:50 — What does the Bible say the end times will look like?

09:53 — What is the rapture?

11:06 — What happens if we miss the rapture?

12:24 — Do we need to live in fear of being “left behind?”

15:04 — How dogmatic ought our theology be regarding the end times? Is there some latitude here?

17:15 — Is there such thing as a “Bible code?” Are there hidden messages in the Bible?

21:39 — If there are signs of the end times, what is so wrong about trying to know the date of the end?

23:38 — Is there comfort for us, especially knowing that all things will end?

For more content on this episode’s questions, we invite you to check out a sermon by Dr. Jason Karampatsos in the sixth week of the Broken Pieces series at https://nlag.net/sermons/broken-pieces-week-six/.

If you would like to share any feedback or ideas for the podcast, or submit a question to possibly be answered in a future episode, please email us at [email protected] or check us out online at https://askthe.church.

Follow New Life Assembly of God in Janesville on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanesvilleNLAG.

We talk a lot about free will, but is it actually a thing? Cameron and Dr. J have approached the subject in other episodes, but today, it is the main topic—the full episode. Is there really free will? Is it my fault how I respond to other people? What if they’re being a jerk and made me mad?! All fair questions, and so we spend some time in today’s episode addressing choices and what do we do with our bad ones.

02:46 — How could Judas have betrayed Jesus?

06:04 — Was Judas forgiven? Was Judas saved?

09:18 — Did Judas really have a choice, though? Like, Jesus knew He was to be betrayed…

10:52 — Is there room in our faith for our doubts?

16:00 — Are reactions really my choice? Can I really help it if someone just makes me mad? Isn’t that their fault?

20:05 — People don’t really seem to consciously choose bitterness. So, in what ways do we choose to become bitter rather than better?

24:07 — How do we really know when we are in a critical moment of life making a critical choice?

27:56 — If we’re remembered by those critical moments, what hope is there for us who have already messed up those critical moments? Like, what do we do, then?

For more content on this episode’s questions, we invite you to check out a sermon by Dr. Jason Karampatsos in the fifth week of the Broken Pieces series at https://nlag.net/sermons/broken-pieces-week-five/.

If you would like to share any feedback or ideas for the podcast, or submit a question to possibly be answered in a future episode, please email us at [email protected] or check us out online at https://askthe.church.

Follow New Life Assembly of God in Janesville on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanesvilleNLAG.

What’s “that” exactly? Well, it could be anything really, and chances are you’ve asked this question before. Whether it be the current global climate regarding COVID-19 or something intensely more personal, our minds often chase after the answer to the why-question. After all, we tend to be meaning makers. So, is there a purpose behind all of it? Is there a reason I’m going through what I’m going through? In this week’s episode, Cameron and Dr. J have a conversation on why God would allow ______________ to happen, and you can fill in the blank however you please.

03:55 — How do we prepare ourselves to receive from the Lord? Is there anything we should be doing before going to church, spending time in prayer, or reading God’s Word?

11:04 — Is it wrong to be depressed?

15:02 — Why would God allow _________? Why would God allow COVID-19?

17:15 — Is it wrong to question and to ask God, “Why?”

20:09 — How could Jesus see us struggling and intend to go right by us? I thought He was here to help us?

23:13 — How do we lay our burdens down before the Lord and then not pick them right back up ourselves? How do we really leave them at His feet?

26:20 — What does it mean for us to “fix our eyes on Jesus?”

28:52 — What encouragement would you have today for someone who is questioning why God allow something to happen in their lives—whether it be COVID-19 or something else entirely?

For more content on this episode’s questions, we invite you to check out a sermon by Dr. Jason Karampatsos in the third week of the Broken Pieces series at https://nlag.net/sermons/broken-pieces-week-three/.

If you would like to share any feedback or ideas for the podcast, or submit a question to possibly be answered in a future episode, please email us at [email protected] or check us out online at https://askthe.church.

Follow New Life Assembly of God in Janesville on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanesvilleNLAG.

The novelty and newness of quarantine may be wearing off or well-worn off by this point. Chance are no matter what these past several weeks have looked like for you, you would agree that you wish we weren’t in the season we are in. And, that’s probably not a brand new feeling; have you been there before? Yet, the Bible is pretty clear that we are called to have joy. Not just in the easy moments, but in all circumstances. How is that possible? Does the Bible really mean in all circumstances? In this week’s episode, Cameron and Dr. J have a conversation on what exactly is joy and how do we find it when we walk through less-than-desired circumstances of life.

02:42 — Can God have regret over something?

08:56 — Are we living in the end times? Are the current events a sign to us that these are the end times?

15:20 — What do we mean when we talk about joy? Are joy and happiness the same thing?

19:09 — “The pathway to joy often begins with fear and joy.” What does that mean exactly? Those feel like they might be opposite emotions, but you’re saying they coexist with another?

23:32 — But, I thought we weren’t supposed to live in fear?

25:39 — What are some proper checks for our fear? How do we walk through life with fear but in a healthy and God-honoring way?

30:39 — So, how do we find joy in all circumstances?

For more content on this episode’s questions, we invite you to check out a sermon by Dr. Jason Karampatsos in the fourth week of the Broken Pieces series at https://nlag.net/sermons/broken-pieces-week-four/.

If you would like to share any feedback or ideas for the podcast, or submit a question to possibly be answered in a future episode, please email us at [email protected] or check us out online at https://askthe.church.

Follow New Life Assembly of God in Janesville on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanesvilleNLAG.

Being caught in-between makes things difficult to navigate. Yet, that’s precisely where we find ourselves today. And, it’s clear that we can’t sit around and wait for things to back to normal. If we do, we will be waiting for quite some time! So, what are we supposed to do in these transitional seasons? Specifically, how are we to be the church when we can’t go to church? How do we continue this mission when the church buildings are closed? In this week’s episode, Cameron and Dr. J have a conversation on our calling to love one another—and it doesn’t have to be all technological either.

02:23 — In light of everything occurring in the world today, what are some things you have been thankful to see occurring in the church

08:25 — How do we effectively preach the gospel moving forward?

15:57 — To what degree ought the church adapt to what’s going on around it? I mean, should the church really look different over time?

19:56 — What are some safeguards we can implement so that we don’t produce anxiety or division or general toxicity through our social media platforms?

25:44 — What about those who are less tech-savvy or don’t have the means to stay connected virtually? What can the church be doing to reach out to them?

31:42 — What is something creative and tangible we could do this week to love another person, even at a distance?

For more content on this episode’s questions, we invite you to check out a sermon by Dr. Jason Karampatsos in the second week of the Broken Pieces series at https://nlag.net/sermons/broken-pieces-week-two/.

If you would like to share any feedback or ideas for the podcast, or submit a question to possibly be answered in a future episode, please email us at [email protected] or check us out online at https://askthe.church.

Follow New Life Assembly of God in Janesville on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanesvilleNLAG.