If there’s one thing we know about the unexpected seasons of life, it’s that we can expect them. Our world presently finds itself in a season it was not fully prepared for and one it did not anticipate. Whether it’s a global health pandemic or something more intimate and personal, we need to navigate through unexpected moments with God-honoring initiative. But, what are we to do when we don’t know what to do? What are we to do when there is no precedent? In this week’s episode, Cameron and Dr. J have a conversation on how to walk through our brokenness gracefully and to navigate uncharted waters in a way as to not only survive them but to thrive through them.

03:07 — What does it mean to be broken?

05:49 — When was a time you felt broken before the Lord? How has He used broken seasons in your own life?

09:36 — What do we do when we don’t know what to do?

19:29— Is there ever a time it’s okay to be a little scared?

25:42 — How can we prepare for the unexpected?

31:48 — Is there a silver-lining in all of this that we are walking through?

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 Broken Pieces series at https://nlag.net/sermons/broken-pieces-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.

The golden rule has been taught to us since we were kids: treat others the way you want to be treated. Jesus comes and tell us, too, that we must love our enemies. But, this word love is one that we use rather flippantly and with a wide spectrum of meaning. So what does it really mean to love? What does this call to love others really entail? Why does the Apostle Paul talk about love when he talks about government and taxes? That’s probably the furthest thing from most people’s minds. In this week’s episode, Cameron and Dr. J have a conversation on the role of love in the life of the believer, and how we could all afford to grow in this area.

02:54 — Can a person lose their salvation or once you are saved are you always saved?

06:21 — What does it mean exactly to live at peace with others? How do we become peacemakers simultaneously navigating the inevitable conflicts of life?

08:55 — Can I be at peace with my abuser?

11:22 — What was your first tax contribution? What as your very first job you ever had?

13:18 — How can we submit to governing authorities who do not honor the Lord?

17:30 — How do we speak out about social justice issues or other political issues without “resisting the authorities?”

19:18 — What should our politics be as a Christian? Would Jesus be a Republican or a Democrat?

22:16 — How do we love our enemies? how do we love the people who have hurt us the most?

25:35 — How do we love someone whose morals and lifestyle is different from our own? How do we treat them in a way without condoning their choices or behavior?

30:00 — How might we better identify how we’re doing in the area of love? How could we honestly evaluate how well we love others?

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

You may have heard it said, “I love Jesus, just not the church.” Maybe those words have even come out of your own mouth. I mean, do we really need the church anyway? We have the bible. We have the Lord. Isn’t that all we need? In this week’s episode, Cameron and Dr. J have a conversation on the importance of walking out our faith in a community. Church ought not be optional in the life of a believer. It’s a gift from the Lord. If you’re not convinced, you’ll want to join us in this conversation.

02:02— What does a pastor do during the week? I thought you only worked on Sundays!

04:59 — Why is it so important to walk the Christian life with other people? I thought it was about a personal relationship with Jesus.

06:25 — What is the Romans Road I keep hearing about?

08:47 — What purpose does the church actually have in the Christian life?

11:32 — Can somebody be a Christian and not go to church?

13:31 — Is there a difference between listening to different church services online and being committed to a local church?

15:52 — What do we do when we encounter problems in the church?

21:59 — What do we do with the problems outside of the church? What is the church’s role in these things?

24:51 — What is my role in the body of Christ?

25:55 — How do I know what my spiritual gifts might be?

27:54 — Why does it seem to be that some people are more gifted and talented? That the things of God come more easily to them?

31:09 — What would you say to the person who has been attending a church regularly but still feels like they are just living their Christian life alone?

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 Romans series at https://nlag.net/sermons/romans-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.

You’ve probably heard ever since you were a kid: you need to read your Bible. But, why? Out of all the books that are out there, why is this the one Christians gravitate toward? How can a book that is thousands of years old have any impact on my life today in a culture that seems so far removed from when it was written? In this week’s episode, Cameron and Dr. J have a conversation on the importance of Scripture in our daily lives. You need the Bible, but if you’re unsure as to why, you’ll want to join us in this conversation.

02:28— How did we come to get the Bible that we know today?

06:31— Why do the Catholic Bibles and Protestant Bibles have a different number of books within them?

07:58 — How can we call the Bible the Word of God when it was penned by men? What makes these words the Word of God?

13:03 — Why does it sometimes feel like we’re unable to do what God is expecting of us?

16:04 — How do we effectively apply the Bible to our lives?

18:49 — Paul says we are dead to the Law. Does this mean that the Old Testament no longer applies to us?

20:35 — What does it mean that there’s no longer condemnation for those in Christ?

23:36 — What are some signs that we might be living a life under the Law rather than a life in the Spirit?

25:16 — What should I do if I’m reading my Bible, but I feel like I’m not getting much out of it?

28:29 — How do I move from just reading the Bible to allowing the Word of God to come alive in me?

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 Romans series at https://nlag.net/sermons/romans-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.

I grew up in church. I went to church with my grandma and wore my Sunday best. I do good things for other people. I’ve prayed the sinner’s prayer. At what point does someone become a Christian? What does it even mean to be a Christian? In this episode, Dr. J and Cameron unpack some of their favorite verses in the Bible to uncover what it has to say about life, sin, grace, and salvation.

02:37 — Dr. J, is there a favorite person or story in the Bible of yours?

03:34 — Cameron, is there a favorite verse in the Bible of yours?

04:58 — How do you know when you are a Christian? Is it really as simple as saying a prayer or is there more to it than that?

06:33 — Why does it seem to be so difficult for some to come to the Lord?

08:36 — Is salvation a 50/50 venture? What’s God’s role in our salvation?

09:59 — What does it really mean to believe in God?

11:01 — What does it mean to believe with our heart?

13:07 — Abraham was declared righteous. What does that mean? What does it mean to be called righteous?

15:12 — Are there signs today that someone is a Christian (while understanding that these things don’t cause someone to be a Christian)?

19:10 — How can anyone be saved? How can we reconcile that with the terrible things people have done?

22:00 — What does it mean to be a sinner?

23:46 — How were we born into this world as sinners? How can that be true?

25:33 — When does something become a sin?

28:23 — How is sin no longer our master? I mean, even after we come to Christ, we continue to wrestle with sin…

30:24 — What do we do when we face temptations?

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 Romans series at https://nlag.net/sermons/romans-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.

You may have never phrased the question this way. Perhaps you have never paused to consider what those barriers might actually be. Yet, in this episode, Dr. J and Cameron will turn their attention to and dive a bit deeper into the book of Romans. In doing so, we’re going to learn a little more about sin, confession, repentance, and salvation. No matter how strong or tall those barriers we have built may be, we serve a God who is infinitely stronger to overcome them.

01:56 — What are some of your favorite books or verses of the Bible?

04:48 — Why did Paul write to specific regions?

06:53 — How would you define the gospel?

08:48 — How is the gospel evident in the church today? Is it just within the sermon being preached?

12:55 — What are some common barriers and idols you see in the church today?

18:27 — How do we discern the things that have become idols in our lives?

22:24 — We read in Romans 2:6, “[God] will render to each one according to his works…” What does this really mean?

26:21 — What are we supposed to do with the barriers we’ve identified between us and God?

27:08 — What does it mean to really repent?

29:02 — How has the Lord forgiven us?

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 Romans series at https://nlag.net/sermons/romans-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’re not joking when we say that this one of the most asked questions we’ve received. The answer is also one of the most important. When we begin to open ourselves up to the work of the Holy Spirit, He will do some miraculous things in and through our lives. In this episode, Dr. J and Cameron have a conversation on the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And, no, the Holy Spirit wasn’t just for the early church. He’s for you. He’s for me.

02:45 — I feel like I’m missing something. What am I doing wrong?

08:30 — Why is it that people don’t see Christ in us all the time?

10:41 — What is the role of the Holy Spirit?

13:52 — Why do some churches seem to place more emphasis on the Holy Spirit and baptism in the Holy Spirit?

16:48 — Who is right, then, on the role of the Holy Spirit? Is there a church that has it figured out?

19:11 — How does someone know when they’ve been baptized in the Holy Spirit?

21:58 — Can someone be baptized in the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues afterwards?

23:03 — If I don’t speak in tongues, do I not have the Holy Spirit? Is there a difference between having the Holy Spirit in us and being baptized in the Holy Spirit?

24:31 — Some say the gift of tongues was only for the early church and not for us. What are your thoughts on that?

27:45 — What encouragement is there for someone who has been asking for baptism in the Holy Spirit but has not yet received it?

31:14 — Where should the person who has not been seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit begin today?

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 You Asked for It series at https://nlag.net/sermons/you-asked-for-it-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.

Hey, wait a second… isn’t that the pastor’s job? Isn’t the pastor supposed to read the Bible and then tell me what it says? Okay, most of us don’t actually think that way, but we do often live that way, don’t we? We need to be a people of the Word. So, in this episode, Dr. J and Cameron have a conversation about the Bible and the importance of opening it up for ourselves each and every day.

02:04 — Why did God create mosquitoes?

03:40 — What does it mean to be still before God?

06:13 — How do we develop thriving relationships?

10:03 — How can I be a better parent? How can we avoid making the same mistakes and be a better father or a better mother to our children?

14:40 — Why is the role of the father so important in the family?

16:20 — What encouragement do you have for the single mother today?

19:12 — Why is it that we have the best news to share, but we’re not sharing it with others?

22:43 — How can we effectively share our faith with others? How do we overcome the social anxiety or fear or whatever it might be that is holding us back?

25:03 — What does it mean to speak words of life?

26:42 — If what’s in our heart is going to come out, how do we change what’s in our heart?

30:26 — What’s so important about the dinner table?

34:56 — What advice would you give to someone today who is honestly evaluating that they do not have thriving relationships? What next step would recommend for that person?

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 You Asked for It series at https://nlag.net/sermons/you-asked-for-it-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.

Hey, wait a second… isn’t that the pastor’s job? Isn’t the pastor supposed to read the Bible and then tell me what it says? Okay, most of us don’t actually think that way, but we do often live that way, don’t we? We need to be a people of the Word. So, in this episode, Dr. J and Cameron have a conversation about the Bible and the importance of opening it up for ourselves each and every day.

02:05 — Is it bad to swear? Is there a biblical response to such language?

04:52 — What does it mean to use the Lord’s name in vain?

07:39 — Does it do any good to pray for things when God already has His mind made up? Does prayer actually change things?

11:00 — How do we study the Bible in such a way to discover the truth for our questions?

13:49 — How can we discern what is intended for us today when reading the Bible?

16:18 — What do I do with the questions the Bible does not directly speak about?

18:40 — Why is it important for us to regularly spend time in the Word of God for ourselves?

21:29 — What are your favorite devotionals or Bible study tools?

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald ChambersMy Utmost for His Highest Online by Oswald ChambersNew Morning Mercies by Paul David TrippWednesday’s Word by Paul David TrippSparkling Gems in the Greek Volume I by Rick RennerSparkling Gems in the Greek Volume II by Rick RennerDaily Power by Craig GroeschelA Psalm in Your Heart by George O. WoodBibleHub app (iOS/Android)BibleGateway app (iOS/Android)29 PlansYouVersion (iOS/Android)

27:46 — What does it mean that the Word of God is alive and active?

32:06 — What’s one thing we can do today to take our Bible reading to another level?

For more content on this episode’s questions, we invite you to check out a sermon by Dr. Jason Karampatsos in the four week of the You Asked for It series at https://nlag.net/sermons/you-asked-for-it-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.

“So, did you hear about so-and-so?” “Yeah, I can’t believe it either.” You’ve been there before, haven’t you? When does a conversation become gossip, and what do we do when it makes that ugly turn? In this episode, Cameron tries to get some information out of Dr. J about somebody else. But, instead of some juicy gossip, it opens an honest conversation about how we guard our mouths, our ears, and our hearts.

02:10 — Was Jonah really swallowed by a whale?

03:48 — How do we honor the Sabbath? Does it apply to us?

10:31 — I question, at times, if I actually believe. What should I do?

15:27 — At what point does a conversation turn into gossip?

16:30 — If it’s just words, why is gossip such a big deal to God?

20:29 — When, then, is it appropriate to involve another person in the conversation?

24:43 — Why is gossip such a big issue within the church?

28:50 — How do I regain control of my mouth and stop gossiping?

THINK! Is it true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind? If not, give up, shut up, and hush up.

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 You Asked for It series at https://nlag.net/sermons/you-asked-for-it-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.