Bible in General

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Bible Question: Hello Doc and thank you for your answers.
I did read Matthew 17:20 , Luke 17:5-10.
I think I get it. I am like the slaves. God is the master. I should be serving him and then ask him for help???
I know in Luke he was talking to the disciples when he was talking about having faith like a mustard seed. But I thought if I have a small amount of faith (like a mustard seed) He would answer my prayer.
I know I am not a disciple or looking to drive out demons into pigs, but it still sound like if you have faith he will answer your prayer. I will keep reading.!!!

Also, I read the Matthew versus,

If I am being punished by god that’s probably a good thing because it shows he loves me.

Should I start at the beginning of the bible or just keep reading different parts?

Thanks again

Bible Answer: Hi, Zeag...

While thinking about you and praying for you yesterday, I was mindful of something that has helped me over the years.

Ancient Israel, complained that God had brought them into the wilderness for no better purpose than to kill them off (Exodus 16:3). Here they were, sitting in the desert all depressed. By that time, God had: brought plagues on Egypt, sparing them; removed them from slavery, with the voluntarily given plunder of their masters; parted the waters of the dead sea, saving them, while drowning their enemies; provided a pillar of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night; miraculously provisioned them with food and water; etc. etc. So, you think, Israel, that God has just done all this so as to wipe you out? Yeah. Right.

None of the miracles that Israel experienced can even compare to the greatest miracle of all, the redemption of a single sinner, by grace alone, through faith alone, in the atonement of Christ alone. If our Father didn't even spare His own Son for us (Romans 8;32), can we really believe that He did all of that just to wipe us out in the desert?

Perhaps keeping that in mind will be as helpful for you as it has been for me.

You are also absolutely right about your suffering being evidence that God loves you. You must have read Hebrews 12 as suggested! I do not think of it as punishment. Instead, think of it as the writer of Hebrews suggested, the loving discipline of a Father who spared nothing to save your soul. The Bible uses the imagery of a potter and a lump of clay (Romans 9:21). God knows what He is forming in us, even when the process is not a comfortable one!

For now I suggest that you keep reading the Gospels.

Again, don't worry about what you do not understand. That will come in time. Now is the time to be concerned about what you do understand. You are gaining the skills and the discipline to read His Word.

In the mean time, we are praying for you, your health, and your walk with God. We are also praising Him for the clear evidences of His working in your life.

In Him, Doc