Home
Audio by Sam
Upcoming Events
Messianic Leaders
Programs/Seminars
Women's Ministries
Jewish Believers
Ministry Reports
E-Mail Q & A's
Word Articles

Bookstore
July Specials!
Messianic Tracts

Russian Website
Beliefs & Vision
Leaders' Comments!

The WMM Blog
Support WMM
Links to Israel

Discover these 
Biblical festivals!


 

E-Mail Q & A's
Faith, Doubt, and Steps to Victory!
By Sam Nadler

Hi Sam,
Last summer I wrote asking for prayer for my husband’s niece who was diagnosed with leukemia. She is now in remission and we are all so grateful.  My husband and his family are Jewish but he doesn’t attend synagogue. We have been married for 12 years and there has been much strife due to our differing religious backgrounds. I was raised a Christian. I made a decision when our son was two that I would raise our kids in church and I re-committed my life to Jesus. My husband was OK with this. His parents were not happy but dealt with it.

Since our niece was diagnosed with leukemia, I have prayed, as has our church and my bible study group. For this, my husband’s family has expressed great thanks. We have never discussed our beliefs in depth until this last winter break when my husband’s parents came to visit. His Dad brought it up and  I did my best to say what I believed with great sensitivity-as you suggest  in your books, Even You Can Share the Jewish Messiah and The Messianic Answer Book. I have kept these books close to me for some time and read them over and over. When the occasion came, though, I was still caught off guard. I felt great about our conversation and my father-in-law told me that he felt much better about our relationship, like something between us was now gone.

Days later, though, I have become plagued with doubt and anxiety.  Was I forceful enough, did I say it right, was I clear, etc. I don’t know why this is, do you? I suddenly started thinking: “Why me, why would I be the example? I am a terrible example. I love Jesus-Messiah, but I’m no angel,  I study, but I’m no Bible scholar, I have not always lived my life in accordance with what God wants. I am a rebel. I am a supreme sinner, to be sure. So, why me?”

My in-laws and husband have seen me and my family behave reprehensibly. Why me? I feel I have little to offer because I have struggled so much myself. Why would He put me in this position now?

Well, I covet your opinion. I pray you can give me some insight. I hope you will respond when you have a moment.

Thank You,
Susan* 

Hi Susan,
I am thrilled to hear that your niece is in remission and I praise the Lord that the books have been a practical help to you. As to your questions: After your great conversation with your father-in-law, you were “plagued with doubt.”  You ask me if I know why?  The Scriptures consistently show us that the enemy attacks us after the victory of answered prayer or a powerful testimony. Yeshua was attacked by Satan after His public testimony, His immersion by John (Matthew 3-4). As His followers, we will suffer attacks after victories in Him.  When the attacks come we need to “submit to God and resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, see also Ephesians 6:10-13; 1 Peter 5:7-9).

When we allow self-doubt to plague us this gives Satan an opportunity to steal the joy and blessing of our victory.  Satan can even try to tempt us to resent God for placing us in these seemingly impossible situations. And yes, we can think of all our failures (which are many for us all) and take our eyes off of the Lord.  But we always need to keep our eyes on Him in this “race that has been set before us” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

As for all of us, if there is anything that we did contrary to the Scriptures, then we need to bring it before the Lord in accordance with 1 John 1:9:

• Be honest before God admitting these actions and attitudes for what they are in His sight, sin.

• Accept the truth of Yeshua’s perfect atonement for your sins that are evidently cleansed by your confession to God.

• Thank Him!

• Go and apologize to anyone who may have been offended by your actions.

May He bless and keep you in His eternal grace and love.

Your brother in Him, Sam Y

More Word from the Word

Special of the Month

Previous Month