Discipleship Answers Podcasts

Great is Thy Faithfulness?

By Brother Michel Lankford Question: Is the word faithfulness in the song “Great is Thy Faithfulness” misused, since faith is trusting on things not seen and God can see us? Your confusion is completely understandable on one level. This is WHY CONTEXT matters. The big problem is that you are making a classic mistake when it comes to Scripture interpretation. Don’t feel bad. Many people fall into this classic mistake. You are operating on the incorrect ASSUMPTION that a key Bible word or phrase has only ONE meaning. Every language, (including the Bible languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), all Read more…

By michel, ago

The Bible is the Handbook for Living

Brother Michel Lankford Question: Do the Scriptures offer guidance on how to deal with difficult or pressing life issues? The Bible is the handbook for living a good life. It has guidance for how to be a good person in general, and for how to solve more specific topics. The problem is that you have to dig for what the Bible teaches on various issues. Sometimes the answers are obvious, but other times they are not as obvious. A few years ago I was discussing this very topic with a friend of mine. He pointed out some of the most Read more…

By michel, ago

The Law of God is INDESPESABLE for the Christian

By Brother Michel Lankford Today’s Question: I have heard some people say that God’s Law and His Commandments are ‘indispensable’ for the Christian. Since we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and not saved by the Law, then how can any such statement be true? God’s Law DOES Have a Purpose, but the Purpose of the Law is to Train Saved People, and NOT to Save Lost People The reason that you have such a problem is because you are approaching the whole question with a FALSE assumption. You are operating under the false assumption that the Read more…

By michel, ago

How Do I Make a True Confession?

By Brother Michel Lankford Today we are exploring the question: This is a question that crops up once in a while, either in private correspondence or in public forums. So, I’m not sure who to attribute this to, since this question is cross my path at different times in different ways, but I do thank you for your question, and for caring enough to want to make certain that when you offer God something, He will accept it. That is important, and again I do thank you for the question. Different Types of Confessions One big issue that we encounter Read more…

By michel, ago

What Does the Bible Say WILL NOT Make it into Heaven?

We will All be Judged By Brother R. Michel Lankford If you were accused of a crime, (even falsely accused), where the possibility was a lifetime of imprisonment, would you not prepare yourself in some way? Would you not at least educate yourself with what the laws are, what your rights are, and a little bit about how NOT to purposely OFFEND the judge who is deciding your case? Of course you would, if you were using the brains and intellect that the Almighty gave you.Should we not prepare for eternity with at least as much consideration as we would give Read more…

By michel, ago

Can We Sin and Think that We are Not Sinning?

By brother Michel Lankford Yes, this happens a lot. Do Not Ignore Messiah’s Warnings Jesus said that this would happen to MANY people. They will be confronted by their great error on the future Day of Judgment (see Matthew 7:21-23). So, how do people who think they are living righteously actually end up living in sin and lawlessness, and end up promoting sin and lawlessness to other people? That’s crucial to know because we don’t want to end up in this group of people on Judgment Day. The reason that this will happen to so many “Christian Believers,” is because Read more…

By michel, ago

Is It Curiosity or Gossip?

By Brother Michel Lankford Question: Is asking about someone out of curiosity still gossip and still a sin? Everything first hinges upon answering the “WHAT,” the “WHY,” and the “HOW,” of any situation. It is the true answer to those questions that ultimately determine whether or not you are sinning. First, always make sure that when you are asking about an issue of theological importance, (such as, “is this a sin?“); You are ALWAYS defining your key terms the same way that God defines things in His Word. Remember, changing God’s Definitions for things is a sin, for certain (Isaiah Read more…

By michel, ago

Whole Testament Discipleship Overview Pt. 1

Defining Whole Testament & the 3 Core Questions for Effective Bible Study By Brother Michel Lankford What Is Whole Testament Discipleship? In the interest of Keeping It Simple Saints (K. I. S. S.), Whole Testament Discipleship (WTD) is merely the functioning engine for obeying (2 Timothy 3:12-17), in a practical way. Let us get this established at the outset before going any further. At a MINIMUM a Bible study MUST accomplish three basic things to be considered a truly “GOOD” Bible study. It can do more than these three basic things, but these three basic things must NEVER be absent. Read more…

By michel, ago

“It’s ALL Good”?! Are You SURE?!

By Brother Michel Lankford Here is an important “TRUTH Nugget” to ponder and keep in your truth file. Consider the phrase… “It’s ALL Good.” I confess, that I have often used that phrase myself. We usually mean to express that something someone did, or something they said does not offend us or we are not going to hold it against them. The intent and desire to be forgiving and magnanimous is a good and gracious thing. However, using the phrase “It’s ALL Good,” to express that noble desire to be forgiving, is a HORRIBLE and unclean way to express that Read more…

By michel, ago

Does Diligence GUARANTEE that You Will Have EVERYTHING You Want?

Brother Michel Lankford The truth is that ALL diligence produces SOME results for better or for worse. If we are diligent at planning and working for good things, our diligence will produce good results. Conversely, if one is determined and diligent to work for evil results, people will achieve that as well. Diligence does not discriminate. Whatever you are diligent about determines what you will produce. Diligence, if one is determined for good, will always produce good, and diligence for evil will eventually produce evil. At the same time it is also true that while we cannot achieve anything we Read more…

By michel, ago

Self Control IS a Salvation Issue

Brother Michel Lankford Question: What are some scriptures that talk about self-control? To be “Self-Controlled” is a FRUIT of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26). That means that self-control is a RESULT that will occur when we allow the Holy Spirit to rule over us instead of being dominated by our sinful nature. To be self-controlled means that you are MODERATE and NOT extreme or excessive in anything. It means that you are balanced and temperate. A person who lacks self-control is like an unprotected city with no defenses (Proverbs 25:28). In other words, a person with no self-control is unprepared Read more…

By michel, ago

Grace At Meal Times

Question: Can I say grace during a meal? You can say grace before, during, and after a meal if you choose. The point is to be thankful and remember that without God’s Grace, you wouldn’t have what you have. In Western culture we typically are taught to pray BEFORE a meal. The idea is that you put God first; before your appetite. However, if were going to put a fine point on it, Scripture actually directs us to pray AFTER a meal. This is so that after our appetites have been satisfied we do not forget the Most High, who Read more…

By michel, ago

What About Those Who Have Never Heard the Gospel?

By Brother Michel Lankford Question: How can a person be saved if they are unaware of their need for salvation? We must remember that God is love (1 John 4:7-8). It is His desire that everyone is saved and that no one will be condemned (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). God wants everyone to be saved who is willing to be saved. With this in mind, I am reminded of a testimony that I read or heard about a man who was born in a remote jungle island that had been untouched by modernization. He and his entire village Read more…

By michel, ago