Ask The Pastor
November 2007
When God told Noah to get two of every animal and put them onto the ark, he did so. But here's my question: If the whole earth was to be flooded, were there penguins on the earth yet, or did they come after the flood? I just can't see penguins being on that ark since they need and can only survive in the cold arctic air. So the question is, were there penguins before the great flood?
This is a great question that I will begin to answer by posing another question. What about the polar bears and other Icelandic mammals? It’s not just the penguins that need a specific environment to survive.
The answer is that the ark was a supernatural, miracle environment that allowed all of the creatures of the earth to survive together, along with 8 human beings. Notice that the dogs did not kill the cats, and the cats did not kill the birds, and the birds did not consume the worms.
Just as God’s Spirit kept Israel when they crossed the desert by providing a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day, God kept every creature safe in the ark by His power and provision. He keeps each and every one of us the same way today. (See Philippians 4:19.)
We all have needs that are very different from one another, and yet God provides for us all. To the sad, He is the joy-giver. To the sick He is the Healer. To the lost, He is the Savior. I hope you will get this revelation because God is everywhere, but He is still very personal and absolutely available to everyone.
What do you do when you have lost your faith in God and know you need it back, but you can't seem to pray or want to hear anything?
Evidently you have not lost your faith because you mention that you still believe in God. Certainly, your time of struggle is a result of the plans, schemes and assault of the enemy through some experience you have had.
We all go through dry places where our faith seems lost, and seasons come and go in our lives. These are not the times to give up, but to dig in and refuse to go down.
I would recommend that you find a faithful Christian, whether that be a spouse or a friend, and ask them to help you stay steadfast in your faith. Tell them you want them to refuse to let you slip again, and that you need their investment in your spiritual life.
Then, make yourself read the Word of God out loud. Remember, Satan wants to weaken your faith and make you give up for good. He wants you to remain lukewarm, but God wants you to return to the joy of your salvation and to fellowship with Him.
The prodigal son story in the Bible tells us what God thinks about those who return to their rightful place. The father in the story ran to meet his lost son, and God will run to meet you when you return to Him.
It’s a fight of faith, so I won’t say it will be easy, but eternity in Heaven is worth any struggle we have to endure.
God tells you that He is going to use you, but the last days are here and you haven't been used yet. If Jesus comes back and you haven't fulfilled the purpose that God has for your life, will you still go to Heaven? Isn't you not using your gift and talents the same thing? Or is that different?
Yes, you will still go to Heaven, and yes, your gifts and talents are the same thing. Here’s what I recommend. Do what you can do right where you are. As you do what you can do, God will come alongside and will use you more.
We sometimes forget that life is a growing process. Just because we are not used in the greatest capacity of a gift right away, it does not mean we have failed or will not be used again. We are all growing in our gifts. What we need to do is use what we have, and expect that God will multiply it as we use it. It’s a matter of trust.