| 12/31/2024 | Is it right for Christians to live like the world in order to earn a right to tell others about the Gospel? I hear Bible teachers say that this is what the Apostle Paul taught, but I don’t think the Bible teaches that we can be like the world and follow Christ at the same time. |
| 12/30/2024 | Where does The Bible come from? |
| 12/29/2024 | Does God Need My Money? |
| 12/28/2024 | I hear a lot of people talk about Heaven and the streets that are paved with gold and the gates of pearl and about crowns being passed out, but there aren’t too many that talk about worshiping Jesus. Is Heaven about us or about Christ? |
| 12/27/2024 | I am a social worker and deal with many children from broken homes. I’ve also had the privilege of working with the foster care program and other outreaches through my church. I’ve had many chances to encourage children when they are placed in a loving home with people who will treat them well, but one of the hardest things is when children have no background of church, the Bible, or God. Does the Bible speak about orphans? |
| 12/26/2024 | Why did God put us on earth instead of taking us immediately to heaven? |
| 12/25/2024 | The nation of Israel is in the news so much and it is astounding to realize how little people know of its past. Isn’t the Old Testament really just a history of Israel and how God governed a people he called His very own? Why does the Bible have to be constantly attacked just because others choose not to believe its truth? I shudder to think of life without the wisdom, comfort, and truth that comes from this blessed book. |
| 12/24/2024 | My sister’s very intelligent daughter is working her way through college and has turned her back on God and believes everything the professors teach concerning social matters. I often wonder if this is the delusion mentioned in the Bible. |
| 12/23/2024 | Sleeping is a difficult thing for me every night mainly because I cannot turn my mind off. Is there a spiritual reason for this or can it be a mental or physical explanation? |
| 12/22/2024 | I hear people talk about having a personal relationship with God, but I don’t understand what they mean. I believe in God, but I can’t say I feel like I’m particularly friendly with Him. |
| 12/21/2024 | I never knew much about Christianity growing up but when I was invited to a neighborhood cookout, a wonderful preacher sat next to me and talked about Heaven. It was much different from what I imagined and the more I inquired and learned, the more I wanted the joy he spoke about. After talking and praying with him, I turned my life over to Christ. As I left someone said that I was now a pilgrim. What does that mean and what does dual citizenship mean? |
| 12/20/2024 | It is fascinating to read the Bible verse that the disciples of Jesus turned the world upside down. What exactly does this mean? |
| 12/19/2024 | With the amazing advances in technology, particularly in the area of space exploration, is it possible the world someday will discover Heaven? |
| 12/18/2024 | World leaders have failed to bring peace. How can bad people lead the world out of bad behavior? |
| 12/17/2024 | It’s troubling to see the overwhelming focus on the internet, cellphones, and social platforms that consume one of our greatest resources—time. People are so busy expressing their thoughts, troubles, and accomplishments. Isn’t this indicative of super egos? |
| 12/16/2024 | I know it is an age-old question, but why does God allow people to suffer so much in this world? |
| 12/15/2024 | I love the message of Jesus Christ and I share my faith and testimony to all those I encounter. My friends say I should be an evangelist, but I’m actually a medical doctor and I’m given tremendous opportunities to help people who are in physical need, but also spiritual need. Is this the work of evangelism? |
| 12/14/2024 | You often tell people to ask Jesus to come into their lives with a simple prayer of faith. But how do I know if I’m saying the right words? Maybe I haven’t said enough, or I’ve said the wrong things. How can I be sure God has heard me? |
| 12/13/2024 | What is the central focus of the Bible and is there a discrepancy between the Old and New Testament concerning Jesus? |
| 12/12/2024 | My loved one died. How can I deal with my loneliness? |
| 12/11/2024 | Our pastor preached about idols the other day, and he said that an idol can be anything—our money, our job, or anything like that. I guess I always thought idols were just carved religious figures. Was he right to label all these things as idols? |
| 12/10/2024 | What is Real Love? |
| 12/9/2024 | There seem to be a lot of people out there in TV land that claim to be messengers of God but they are constantly getting in trouble. Does God just turn a blind eye? |
| 12/8/2024 | I’m a Christian attending seminary. The Bible’s teaching on God’s love is thrilling but I’m troubled by the teaching about the devil. I believe a lot of fairy tale thinking has overcome people when it comes to Hell, the devil and demons. |
| 12/7/2024 | Why do some people have a strong faith in God and others have a weak faith? Ten years ago, a friend and I became Christians at the same summer camp in high school, but my faith is so weak compared with his. Does God just give some people a strong faith, and the rest of us will always be weaker? |
| 12/6/2024 | If God is in control of everything, why do bad things happen to us? I’d like to believe in God, but I just can’t understand this. |
| 12/5/2024 | My life is so full of uncertainties and fear. My job is at risk and my family life is strained. Anxieties flood my soul. What can I do? |
| 12/4/2024 | If I had to make a list of my faults, the first thing on the list would have to be “impatience.” I wish I was a more patient person, but I’m afraid it just isn’t in me to be that way. Does the Bible say anything about this? |
| 12/3/2024 | I have always gone to church but in recent months, I’ve been fascinated by those who predict the future and it has drawn me in. I find that I worship better by studying this phenomenon. Is there any danger in this? |
| 12/2/2024 | Does God really love me? |
| 12/1/2024 | My health is failing me and I’ve gone from one surgery to another. I’ve tried to keep a good attitude and a strong faith but honestly, I’m at the end of my endurance. Why would God allow my health to continue to deteriorate? |
| 11/30/2024 | My husband and I have agreed that while we were once in love, we have fallen out of love and agreeably are ending our marriage. Divorce is easier these days than when my parents divorced when I was little, but I’ve been surprised how upset our grown children are. |
| 11/29/2024 | You don’t actually believe the devil is real, do you? |
| 11/28/2024 | My dear mother is lamenting her life away as she battles with two of her three children about the importance of choosing the right mate for life. She pleads with them the importance of establishing homes that will be centered on the Lord. My brother and sister think her views are too old-fashioned. How can something this important become “out-of-date”? |
| 11/27/2024 | My son and his girlfriend are preparing for the arrival of their first child. My heart is broken to see them bring this child into the world without parents who are married and committed to one another for life. I’m afraid for their future as a fractured family. When I try to help them understand what they’ve done and the necessity to make their lives right before God, they claim that their church told them God has already forgiven them of any sin they may have committed. Doesn’t this go against Scripture? |
| 11/26/2024 | My cousin is trying to talk me into giving my life to Jesus, but I’m afraid I’ll have to give up some of the fun things I enjoy doing. And anyway, I don’t see what advantage it would be for me. Maybe you can talk me into it. |
| 11/25/2024 | Is converting to Christ a change of the mind or an emotional act, and does it change how a person lives life? |
| 11/24/2024 | My Christian neighbor gave me a book on the darkness of death and how it’s important to be ready to die. Should we live for today or for the time of death? |
| 11/23/2024 | I don’t know much about God but I love to quote a passage my grandmother taught me as a child about the fruit of the Spirit. It seems that if every person would take those wonderful words to heart it could change our relationships, our communities, our country, and the world. |
| 11/22/2024 | What does it mean to be spiritually blind? |
| 11/21/2024 | I love God and believe I do what pleases Him, but most people are unloving and I find it depressing to be around them, so I stay to myself. The few friends I have tell me that I am actually being disobedient to the Lord. How so? |
| 11/20/2024 | My grandparents have been deceased for 40 years. If they could return to this life, they would not recognize the idea of home and family. I don’t think the family unit has ever been under the attack it is today. |
| 11/19/2024 | Will a person who dies ever live again? |
| 11/18/2024 | If there’s a God, he’s cruel to allow what goes on in the world. I’d like to believe in a loving God, but even my friends would turn their backs on me if I believed in a God full of judgment. |
| 11/17/2024 | I’ve worked hard to find happiness and have been successful, but my marriage has failed and my career is eating me up. The idea of happiness seems to me to be very deceitful. |
| 11/16/2024 | Is it wrong to be successful and make lots of money and have nice things? My parents were always poor, and I don’t want to be like that if I can help it. But maybe God doesn’t want us to be successful. |
| 11/15/2024 | Why does God allow suffering in the world? |
| 11/14/2024 | I want to believe the stories of the Bible but they’re so ancient. It seems unreasonable to accept these wonders as reality. |
| 11/13/2024 | What does the Bible say about “the evil day,” and doesn’t it seem likely that the days are about as evil as we’ve ever seen in our nation that is deteriorating by the hour? |
| 11/12/2024 | What is grace, in your view? I hear a lot about the grace of God, and amazing grace, and things like that, but I’m not sure I know exactly what it means. |
| 11/11/2024 | I’m studying the scientific formulas and the motion of astronomical bodies with the hopes of becoming a doctor of science in order to serve mankind in a good way. I grew up in church but have come to doubt much of what I heard as a child. It seems unreasonable to me that one creator could put the world in place. The Big Bang theory seems more plausible. Why do intelligent people believe religion over science? |
| 11/10/2024 | I believe that if all of our politicians could get on the same page we could reach world peace. With the scientific advances and expanded knowledge that have been made in the last 100 years, why is this so hard? It’s frightening to stand by and watch our nation die. |
| 11/9/2024 | I’m having doubts about my faith in God. I’ve just started college and was warned that many professors would begin to chisel away at my beliefs. Where can I turn for strength? |
| 11/8/2024 | I’m an artist and paint the stories of the Bible as a testimony of my love for God’s Word. I give these as gifts to places where there’s so much suffering, like in hospitals and nursing homes, to draw people to God who does care for them. Many people say I am wasting my time and talent. My heart was broken to hear that one of my paintings ended up in the garbage heap outside of a clinic and it has distressed and depressed me in a great way. |
| 11/7/2024 | My husband and I are trying to instill in our children a respect for the older generations, particularly since we’ve realized that we’re nearing retirement age and, quite honestly, dreading what follows. It’s caused us to reconsider much of what our parents taught us—remember what you’ve learned in each stage of life and pass it on to those who follow. As we “remember,” we’ve come to realize that each stage of life is a blessing from the Lord. Younger generations don’t pay much mind to the elderly and they’re missing out. What’s the message from Scripture that would help the young to revere those who have walked the journey of life before them? |
| 11/6/2024 | I teach a class on world religions and they all have some good ideas, but most of my students want to know what a real God is like. I try to help them understand that every religion has differences, but God is the same. Why can’t people come together in unity and emphasize the good and set aside the bad? It seems a simple concept. |
| 10/24/2024 | I enjoy my friend’s company, but sometimes he gets off on racial issues, and his intolerance and bigotry really make me very uncomfortable. I tried to say something to him about it once, but it just made him angry. How should I handle this? |
| 10/21/2024 | I have always gone to church but in recent months, I’ve been fascinated by those who predict the future and it has drawn me in. I find that I worship better by studying this phenomenon. Is there any danger in this? |
| 10/20/2024 | My friend tells me that God’s angels protect us from demonic power. Does the Bible teach this? |
| 10/19/2024 | Are Christians supposed to be happy all the time? I’ve heard people say this, but I just don’t think it’s possible. I can’t avoid getting in the dumps when things aren’t going right. |
| 10/18/2024 | Is it true that all people know about God? If so, why do so many reject His claims? |
| 10/17/2024 | Is converting to Christ a change of the mind or an emotional act, and does it change how a person lives life? |
| 10/16/2024 | My Christian neighbor gave me a book on the darkness of death and how it’s important to be ready to die. Should we live for today or for the time of death? |
| 10/14/2024 | How can I control my thoughts and get rid of all the junk that passes through my mind? I know God must be appalled at some of the things I think about, but I can’t seem to get rid of them. |
| 10/12/2024 | I’ve been hurt by a relative through words spoken. It’s like a knife in my heart and I cannot look her in the eyes anymore and don’t want to attend family gatherings because it’s so uncomfortable knowing what she said. As a Christian, I should be able to overlook this, but I can’t. Though she’s wrong, I feel I’m wrong harboring this feeling. |
| 10/11/2024 | My sister and I are struggling with whether we should continue our ladies fellowship at church or help our mother who is lonely and physically frail, feeling useless. Many people tell us that our ministry is the most important thing we can do for the Lord and it does keep us busy helping and encouraging others. We are in great conflict. |
| 10/10/2024 | A friend of mine is struggling with growing old and feeling that God doesn’t value her as much as a preacher or a doctor or teacher. What can be said to help her understand that God doesn’t see people the way society sees others? |
| 10/9/2024 | I often walk into homes and see a plaque that says, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Does this come from the Bible, and do most people realize that we can make a free choice to follow God or do life without Him? |
| 10/8/2024 | I’m a working mom but struggle daily with being pulled between home and a career, and I’m not alone in this dilemma. The pressure of women doing something more than just raising children is a cultural pressure. |
| 10/7/2024 | Is it true that worry is sinful? If so, I think I’m doomed with no hope in sight. |
| 10/5/2024 | I am a Christian and many of my friends say that they are also Christians, but we don’t seem to be on the same page. They understand Christianity as doing good things as they live but don’t know of a time when they “turned to the Lord in faith.” Is there a precise way to explain a Christian’s position? |
| 10/2/2024 | People keep urging me to vote but I think it’s just a waste of time. I care what happens to our country and all that, but I don’t think one vote makes any difference. And anyway, Jesus never said anything about voting, did He? |
| 9/27/2024 | It’s hard to believe that all people will one day stand before God the judge. How can we really know that? |
| 9/25/2024 | Many in church advocate that we should be happy in life, but the Bible says that God blesses the poor in spirit. Is this a contradiction? |
| 9/24/2024 | Doesn’t the Bible say that the Christian life is trouble-free? I haven’t found this to be true. |
| 9/22/2024 | I suppose I’ve given my life to Jesus dozens of times, but I still worry about my salvation. I don’t really feel like I’m going to go to Heaven when I die. Am I always going to be like this? |
| 9/18/2024 | I agree that people ought to be legally free to believe in God and follow whatever they think He wants them to do. But since I don’t feel any need for God or religion myself, then I ought to be just as free to live any way I want to, shouldn’t I? |
| 9/16/2024 | I’m studying the world’s great philosophers and have discovered that they have more questions than answers concerning the problems of the world. Why then would the peoples of the earth hang their hope on world philosophies? Where does the Bible speak of the vileness that we are seeing before our eyes? |
| 9/15/2024 | I struggle with the claims of the Bible in light of intelligent and well-educated people who have studied human nature and the history of the world. Why shouldn’t evolution be believed as a viable way for mankind to come into existence? |
| 9/14/2024 | Why does the Bible compare a relationship in marriage to a relationship with God? |
| 9/12/2024 | Is it wrong to be proud of your accomplishments? I’ve been very successful in my business and I admit I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish, but I’ve also heard that it’s wrong to be proud. Is this true? |
| 9/11/2024 | Are angels and demons the same unseen powers operating from Heaven or Hell, respectively, and should Christians be able to see angels? |
| 9/9/2024 | I’m headed to college next year, and I plan to major in science. Can a person be a dedicated scientist and still be a Christian? I’ve given my life to Jesus, but most of the scientists I’ve met don’t seem to believe in God. |
| 9/8/2024 | We’ve had some hard times since my husband lost his job and has only been able to find part-time work. Does God still expect us to give something to our church? I don’t want God to get mad at us, but money is really tight right now, and I don’t see how we can give anything. |
| 9/7/2024 | It seems there’s been a cultural change in how grieving over death is handled; just cremate the body and move on. Is this wise? |
| 9/6/2024 | I read that genealogy is the second most popular hobby in the United States. With the breakdown of the family, this has surprised me and I’m making this the subject of my dissertation as I work toward my Ph.D. in philosophy. Who in the Bible lived the longest? |
| 9/4/2024 | I’ve always heard that the Bible is the Word of God. If so, why are there so many terrible stories in it? Shouldn’t we take a more critical attitude toward it instead of swallowing it all? |
| 9/3/2024 | There’s a lot of talk about the world coming to an end. Even Jesus said that He would be with us even unto the end of the world. Why then do Christians believe in eternal life since even Jesus said the world will end? |
| 9/2/2024 | Marriage is under attack as never before. I want to give my granddaughter some food for thought. She’s dating a young man who’s selfish and insensitive but she keeps saying that he will change when they’re married. She’s a good Christian girl but I’m desperate for wisdom to help her and I’m no longer able to read the Bible. Is there a passage I could share with her? |
| 8/31/2024 | My parents criticize me all the time, saying that I spend more time with my friends than studying or helping around the house. I am active in my church. Why can’t they understand I need to have my own life? |
| 8/30/2024 | I am a pretty positive person when I’m by myself. It’s when I get with others and see what they have and how they enjoy life that I become miserable, so much so that I have thoughts of ending it all. I can’t seek help from my parents because my mother is an alcoholic and my father comes and goes. I don’t have money to seek professional help, so where do I turn for direction? |
| 8/29/2024 | Why is my faith so unstable? Sometimes it’s very strong, but sometimes it’s so weak I’m not even sure it’s still there. Is this common? |
| 8/28/2024 | This counselor I’ve been going to tells me I shouldn’t feel guilty over some of the things I’ve done, because everyone does them. And anyway, she says that what’s wrong for one person isn’t necessarily wrong for someone else. But I still feel guilty. Why? |
| 8/24/2024 | When I pray, I never seem to get the answer I want and it causes me to believe that prayer doesn’t really work, yet so many people keep praying. Even people who aren’t that religious pray for our country but things get worse. Why do so many believe prayer changes things? |
| 8/18/2024 | Why doesn’t God let me win the lottery? It sure would solve my family’s financial problems, but so far I’ve won very little and I’m actually in the hole for the year. |
| 8/17/2024 | It’s generally thought that money is one of the main problems that leads to divorce, but I think it is something deeper … a bitterness from the past left unresolved. In trying to help some dear friends through rocky times in their young marriage (involving interference of in-laws), I’m seeking some answers that might help them, but I don’t want to interfere like their in-laws are doing. |
| 8/15/2024 | How can I keep my mind focused on God when I have so many distractions? I start each day saying I’m going to stay close to Christ, but then I get so caught up in my work that I hardly give God a thought the rest of the day. I know I shouldn’t be like this, but I am. |
| 8/14/2024 | I’ve heard my whole life that Jesus was going to return and make things right on Earth, but this has been said for thousands of years. Doesn’t it cause doubt when people see that it hasn’t happened? |
| 8/12/2024 | I’ve tried to talk to my cousin about Jesus, but she says it doesn’t really matter what we believe about God as long as we’re sincere. What can I say to her? |
| 8/10/2024 | I’ve been a Christian for many years and I’m embarrassed to admit that there are things I’ve never known. I heard on a radio program, for instance, that God has given good things to people who continue to defy His truth. Why would people do this and what does the phrase “the common grace of God” really mean? |
| 8/8/2024 | How do you know the Bible is true? People living many centuries ago thought it was true, but we live in a scientific age, and we know a lot more about the world than they did. |
| 8/7/2024 | I get frustrated with my friends who tell me that what we determine as truth, is truth. I reject that but I can’t quite seem to explain it clearly to them. |
| 8/6/2024 | I don’t want to offend you, but why should I bother with God? My life is going along just fine without Him. In fact, He’d probably make me stop doing a lot of things I enjoy doing if I did turn to Him. |
| 8/5/2024 | I can understand why people who have public ministries are said to be doing the work of the Lord, but what does it mean when people say that the church is the body of Jesus on Earth? That is very hard to comprehend. |
| 8/4/2024 | I am a professional arborist and have learned so much about nature. One of my customers told me that the Bible uses trees to tell stories about God’s truth. While I grew up in Sunday school, I never heard this talked about, other than the story of Zacchaeus. Where’s a good place to start to learn more along this line? |
| 8/3/2024 | I think I’ve heard you say that salvation is a free gift, but how can that be? Doesn’t God expect us to try to get our lives in order before He’ll let us into heaven? |
| 8/2/2024 | I’m a Christian, but since childhood I’ve been easily discouraged and find it hard to have friends. I can’t pinpoint any one thing that has caused this and I feel guilty for not being more content than I am. I sincerely want to overcome this battle that brings me emotional pain. Is there a Bible verse that can help? |
| 8/1/2024 | My Christian friends are constantly telling me I need to depend on God. This offends me, because I think we have the ability to run our own lives. It’s insulting to imply that we’re stupid and weak, so we need to depend on God instead of ourselves. |
| 7/31/2024 | My daughter is struggling with pride and defeat. I want to help her but I’m not sure how because I don’t blame her for envying her friends that seem to always have good success. |
| 7/30/2024 | Is prayer a gift from God or a duty to God, and does God only hear the prayers of believers? |
| 7/27/2024 | We’re fools to think God could really love mankind while the world’s suffering and falling to pieces. Instead of blaming one another, shouldn’t we be questioning whether there’s really a God and if so, why is He allowing bad things to destroy His own creation causing misery on good people? |
| 7/26/2024 | I struggle to comfort others in need. I’m not a big talker and seldom know what to say to people at funerals or to those who have been through a tragedy. Does this make me an ineffective Christian? |
| 7/24/2024 | I am a small business owner and my company has earned a respectable standing in the community. I’ve worked hard not to be a taskmaster, but I do expect all my employees to serve the company with honesty, integrity, and a good work ethic. In recent months, I’ve come under fire by an employee who is rebelling against my company policies by stirring up trouble in the community against my business. Some friends have encouraged me to soften my policies, but I cannot in good conscience change how I’ve always conducted my business. Am I wrong? |
| 7/22/2024 | It seems that kids are growing up too fast these days. I have teenagers that can’t wait to get out of the house and “enjoy life.” I wish I could slow them down a bit. I’m afraid they’re going to miss the journey and the real meaning of life. |
| 7/20/2024 | My heart’s been broken with the death of a woman who was more of a mother to me than my real mother was. This dear woman took me under her wing and showed Christ to me in every way, imparting a love of Scripture and the delight of watching her live in obedience to Christ with joy and resolve no matter what she experienced. My grief is beyond comfort. |
| 7/19/2024 | Does God ever get so tired of us that He just decides to leave us alone? We do this with other people sometimes, so I guess I wouldn’t be surprised if God did it to us. I wouldn’t blame Him if He did. |
| 7/18/2024 | A friend and I were discussing the Bible the other day, and we got to talking about how to observe the Sabbath. Why did God tell us to set aside one day out of seven? Is it supposed to be a day of rest, or is it supposed to be for worship and other church activities? |
| 7/16/2024 | I used to think that some day we’d live in peace and harmony with each other, once we learned to be friends and accept each other. But now I’m beginning to have my doubts. Does the Bible say anything about this? Will we ever see a better world? |
| 7/15/2024 | How can I better understand the Christian religion? I’ve tried reading the Bible and it is too hard to understand. Is there another book that tells the story more concisely? |
| 7/14/2024 | We’re having a big family reunion this summer, and I admit my husband and I are kind of nervous because most of our relatives aren’t religious. We don’t want to come across as self-righteous killjoys, but I guess we ought to take a stand somehow for Jesus. Should we just not go? |
| 7/13/2024 | I have a habit of making snap decisions about things, and then realizing later that I didn’t really think it through and it’s only gotten me into trouble. What’s wrong with me? Other people don’t seem to have this problem. |
| 7/11/2024 | Is it a sin to be depressed? The doctor says I have a chemical imbalance in my brain that he can treat with medication, but a friend of mine says I shouldn’t do this because I just need to pray and have more faith. Who is right? I can’t stand this much longer. |
| 7/10/2024 | I’m a high school science teacher, and I don’t doubt that some kind of Higher Power must have created the universe. I can’t believe everything just happened by chance. But I also can’t believe that this Higher Power cares about us. The universe is just too big and we’re just too small. |
| 7/8/2024 | I am pretty much alone in this world. I’ve never gotten along with my family and the older I get, the unhappier I become. Yet I feel there is something more I can do to learn the secret of contentment. |
| 7/7/2024 | Our pastor gave a sermon recently about how we ought to thank God for everything. But how can we be thankful when bad things happen to us? I’m fighting cancer right now, and I admit I don’t feel very thankful. If anything, I feel angry and depressed. |
| 7/6/2024 | Why is my faith so unstable? Sometimes it’s very strong, but sometimes it’s so weak I’m not even sure it’s still there. Is this common? |
| 7/2/2024 | I know God wants us to love everyone, even people that aren’t very lovable. But I just can’t bring myself to love some of the people I have to deal with at work, no matter how hard I try. In fact, I’ve just stopped trying. Am I wrong? |
| 6/29/2024 | How do you know if you’re actually helping someone or if they’re just taking advantage of you? My cousin is an alcoholic, and last year she moved in with us after her family threw her out. But nothing has changed and I’m not sure we’re doing her any good. |
| 6/26/2024 | Recently I went through a painful divorce. A man in my office was going through the same and it seems fate drew us together. We decided to move in together until our divorces were finalized, though we both knew that it was immoral, but our intent was to be married as soon as it was legally possible. I was devastated when he laughed at me when I asked when we would be married. Could he really love me and make such a mockery? |
| 6/21/2024 | I have a friend who constantly talks about how real God is to her. We attend the same church, but I don’t have the same experience she talks about. When I’ve asked her, she just tells me to read more of the Bible and pray. It hasn’t worked for me, and I wonder if I’m missing something more. |
| 6/20/2024 | Years ago I did something that was very, very wrong, and I’ll never get over my burden of guilt. Not only was it wrong, but I disappointed a lot of people. I know you’ll say God is willing to forgive me, but I just can’t believe it. |
| 6/19/2024 | What is Heaven like? Is it just like this world, only more perfect? Or will it be something entirely different from what we see around us? I’ve often wondered about this. |
| 6/15/2024 | I was invited to a Bible study but when I got there, it was a blended faith study where the Bible was only one of three books being used. How can I know what is right and true? |
| 6/13/2024 | I understand why God is important, and I understand why Jesus is important, but what about the Holy Spirit? Where does it fit into my faith? It’s all some people talk about, it seems, but I’m not sure what I’m supposed to believe about it. |
| 6/12/2024 | There are so many emotions involved in adopting a child. Do children have any say in this process or can they decline the offer? |
| 6/7/2024 | My sister and I had a falling out a few years ago and haven’t spoken since. But this Christmas we ran into each other at a party, and she said it was silly for us to keep on like this. However, she also made it plain that she wasn’t going to apologize, and I’m certainly not going to, either. What would you say to us? |
| 6/5/2024 | Someone said that the Holy Spirit was created in the book of Acts and the Spirit enables us to be powerful. Is this true? |
| 6/3/2024 | Does the Bible say that money is the source of all evil, as I’ve heard people say? I’m not sure I agree. I know money can make people do wrong things, but money also can accomplish a great deal of good, can’t it? |
| 6/1/2024 | Every year, I always make a long list of New Year’s resolutions, but since I never keep them I’ve decided this time to make just a few. Does the Bible say anything about making resolutions? |
| 5/29/2024 | It seems at the end of every year there is an increase in suicide. Some say it’s because many people are without families at holiday time and are lonely. Is this really the reason? |
| 5/28/2024 | Is it wrong to set goals and work hard to reach those goals? Some people have told me that God has a purpose for our lives and if that is true, why set our own goals? |
| 5/27/2024 | My fiancé and I are getting married this fall. We’ve been nervous about taking this step, because so many of our friends have already been through at least one divorce. We don’t want that to happen to us, but how can we avoid it? |
| 5/26/2024 | How could Jesus have been equal to God (as Christians claim), when He was only a man? I can understand why you’d want to try making Him into something great, but claiming He was God doesn’t make any sense to me. |
| 5/25/2024 | It’s suddenly hit me that my relationship with God isn’t much different today than it was 30 years ago, when I first joined my church. Have I been missing something? |
| 5/23/2024 | What’s the best way to deal with difficult people? I know my sister hasn’t had a very easy life, but the main reason is because she’s so hard to get along with. She’s coming to visit us in a few weeks, and I honestly dread it. |
| 5/22/2024 | Why did God even bother to create us? He must have known that we were going to sin and turn against Him. This has always puzzled me. |
| 5/20/2024 | By my own bad choices and self-will I’ve wrecked my life. There’s no way to start over again, is there? |
| 5/19/2024 | Why are some people offended when the name Jesus is used as an exclamation? |
| 5/18/2024 | I know God wants us to love everyone, even people that aren’t very lovable. But I just can’t bring myself to love some of the people I have to deal with at work, no matter how hard I try. In fact, I’ve just stopped trying. Am I wrong? |
| 5/17/2024 | People always have the tendency to lash out at others, but it seems that in this new era of social media and everyone having a public voice through the use of the internet at every minute of the day, harshness has gained unprecedented ground. I’m not sure this new way of communication has bettered our world. |
| 5/16/2024 | I’m not trying to be difficult, but if Jesus paid the price for all our sins, then why should we bother to keep the Ten Commandments? After all, the Bible says we can’t be saved by keeping God’s laws, doesn’t it? |
| 5/15/2024 | This past year wasn’t very good for me, and I can’t blame anyone but myself. I know I need God, but how much do I have to clean up my life before He’ll have anything to do with me? He must be very angry at me. |
| 5/14/2024 | We moved to a new town recently, and we seem to be the only family in our neighborhood that goes to church. Those I’ve talked with say they don’t think it’s important, and anyway they say they have better things to do on weekends. How should we react? We don’t want to come across as conceited or holier-than-thou. |
| 5/13/2024 | The Bible tells us not to worry about tomorrow, so does that mean we shouldn’t plan ahead? Even farmers have to plan ahead to raise a crop, and scientists have to plan ahead to send a satellite into space. At what point so we stop planning and trusting? |
| 5/12/2024 | I’ve heard people say that we ought to love God, but how can I love God when I know He’s keeping a record of all the bad things I’ve done and will punish me severely when I die? I’m afraid of God, but I don’t love Him. |
| 5/11/2024 | I respect the Bible and I suppose it has things to teach us, but isn’t it kind of out of date, since it talks about people who lived a very long time ago? At least that’s what it seems to me whenever I’ve tried to read it. |
| 5/10/2024 | I’ve been trying to teach my teenagers how others can influence them for good or bad. The phrase “under the influence” is a powerful thought but I’ve only heard it used in relation to alcohol and drugs. Can it be a good thing? |
| 5/9/2024 | I grew up in a simple but stable home. It grieves me to see so few families who know this kind of life. It seems people have given up in trying to live this way. Is it true that if home life is torn asunder, society is also torn asunder? |
| 5/8/2024 | I’ve heard the phrase “patience is a virtue.” That is a virtue I’m not sure I can attain. I’m a doer and don’t have a lot of patience in waiting for things to happen. I make them happen! Is that so bad? |
| 5/5/2024 | I’m taking classes on eschatology and have been stunned to see how frightened people are to hear anything about the science of last things, especially when these same people flock to the theaters to see the latest sci-fi movie or scramble to be the first to get the 16 best dark movies on Netflix. Why is this? |
| 5/4/2024 | My grandmother is constantly talking about worldliness and I’m convinced she doesn’t think anyone should have fun; yet she is a wonderful grandmother who has invested a lot in me and those in her neighborhood. She says worldliness is made up of the pleasures of the world. I’m not sure this is relevant anymore. |
| 4/29/2024 | If you were to ask me what I believe about God, I’d probably have to say that I’m an atheist. I know some atheists are very belligerent and aren’t open to believing in God, but I’m not like that. Can you give me any reason to believe in God? |
| 4/28/2024 | I stole some money from my employer (a doctor) over 40 years ago, and I still feel very guilty over it. I’d pay it back (with interest), but neither he nor his medical practice is still around. What does God want me to do? Or does it make any difference now? |
| 4/27/2024 | It’s discouraging to pray for things that never come. I don’t mean “things” as much as praying for peace to come to this world, diseases to be exterminated, poverty to be overcome, relationships to be restored, and people to be saved. Why pray if the right answers don’t come? |
| 4/26/2024 | Why does our culture always talk about a broken heart or a glad heart? The heart is simply another part of the body like the brain that does our thinking and our lungs that give us breath. |
| 4/25/2024 | The New Yorker printed a story about cults blurring the lines concerning religion. To me, it’s obvious the difference since cults worship idols and religion worships people, right? |
| 4/24/2024 | It’s fascinating to read stories about young people in the Bible who brought about significant changes in society. What’s hard to understand is why they had to go through terrible circumstances before great things happened. |
| 4/23/2024 | Is it possible to lead a sinless life, if we just try hard enough? I hope so, because I want to please God and go to heaven someday. But I’m not sure I can measure up, at least not right now. |
| 4/22/2024 | I’ve had a lot of sorrow in my life and it seems my friends are weary of my troubles. I suppose others have problems equal to mine but for me it can’t get worse. My family tells me that I shouldn’t share my troubles because it drives people away. How does one go about as though nothing is wrong? Isn’t that dishonest? |
| 4/21/2024 | We’re young parents that want to raise our children right, but we don’t want to nag them and give them endless rules. We’re told that this can suppress their personalities and abilities and make them angry. What’s the best guidance to help raise happy children? |
| 4/20/2024 | My college philosophy professor has said, “The key to life is to have a strong bond with yourself.” On the other hand, my pastor says that the key to life is to become one in Christ. These are very different philosophies and confusing to students. |
| 4/18/2024 | I recently read a blog challenging readers with this question: “What if there’s something bigger you could do … something that would fundamentally change your life for the better? Make this the focus of your life.” The point was to encourage people toward adventure. Is this the answer to living an exciting life? |
| 4/17/2024 | Why is my faith so unstable? Sometimes it’s very strong, but sometimes it’s so weak I’m not even sure it’s still there. Is this common? |
| 4/16/2024 | I’m desperate to find the answer to my dilemma. My friends continually berate me for living a squeaky-clean life because I will not live with my boyfriend and party with them. They call me holier than thou. I’m a Christian but I feel so alone when they tell me they are Christians also. Can this really be the case? |
| 4/15/2024 | Students are so impressionable and as a teacher, I am trying to counter what others are teaching them such as, “There are no absolutes; all truth is relative.” The very comment contradicts itself because it’s an absolute statement. What Bible verses are absolutes? |
| 4/14/2024 | How troubling to hear talking points about social justice standards defined by identity, diversity, and social action. This is causing confusion in areas of education, public service, and even in churches, saying that all people are basically good and deserve to live as they like regardless if it hurts anyone else; and that preaching against sin is robbing people of their individual rights to live free from any imposed standard. Is there an answer? |
| 4/13/2024 | Does the Bible actually use the word guilt, or is this just a personality phobia? |
| 4/12/2024 | My curiosity deepened when I was invited to a retreat at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove. My friends paid my way to join them in learning how to enjoy the Bible. It caught me off guard. I was raised to respect the Bible and obey what it says, but I never heard the idea of “enjoying the Bible.” So I went and found this an amazing truth and I’ll never look at the Bible again and see it as drudgery or an obligation. I’m thrilled! |
| 4/11/2024 | My sister is suffering from repeated rounds of chemotherapy but she brings more happiness to me than I can possibly bring to her. She’s confined to home but so happy that I’m willing to care for her. I don’t know how to express my appreciation for how she ministers to my heart. I wish I could think of ways to bring joy to her. |
| 4/10/2024 | What does it mean that Jesus took our place on the cross? |
| 4/9/2024 | I read an article the other day about a woman who had been a committed atheist, and somehow she became a Christian. But I have some friends who are atheists, and I can’t imagine any of them ever believing in God or becoming Christians. Could they ever change? |
| 4/8/2024 | I have difficulty reaching out to those who are grieving, but I don’t want to remain this way. I want to help those who hurt so deeply that they almost go crazy. Can such compassion be learned? I’m always afraid of saying the wrong thing. |
| 4/7/2024 | Why are some people offended when the name Jesus is used as an exclamation? |
| 4/6/2024 | I get amused when my Christian friends quote the Bible. Don’t they know it’s thousands of years old, and we live in a totally different world today? How can anyone claim it’s of any use to us? |
| 4/5/2024 | Talk of “claim it and receive it” disturbs me deeply, particularly when I see the young generation believing that they are owed whatever they want. Where does this deceiving spirit come from? |
| 4/4/2024 | I am a social worker and a Christian. While I have to follow certain regulations in dealing with people, I want to help them know who can truly help them in their deep moments of depression, which is an epidemic. The world turns to drugs; I pray they will turn to Jesus. |
| 4/3/2024 | How could Jesus have been equal to God (as Christians claim), when He was only a man? I can understand why you’d want to try making Him into something great, but claiming He was God doesn’t make any sense to me. |
| 4/2/2024 | How do you keep bad thoughts from taking over your mind? I’ll be fine for a while, but then something will trigger my imagination and I’ll start dwelling on things I know I shouldn’t be thinking about. God must be very disappointed in me. How can I break this cycle? |
| 4/1/2024 | It seems people are comfortable talking about religion as long as it doesn’t include the saving grace of Jesus Christ. It seems religion has been rebranded. |
| 3/31/2024 | Easter seems to be a time of emerging from the dark winter into hope and new life. But the religious emphasis seems far-fetched. Why does Easter have to be centered on religion? |
| 3/30/2024 | My teenagers think their mother is quite old-fashioned because of my warnings about pornography. The culture has done a very bad thing by teaching young people that there is nothing wrong with obsessing about sensual images, cleverly changing the meaning of words to take the sting away. |
| 3/29/2024 | I became a Christian a couple years ago but am troubled that I’m still drawn by the things I used to love doing. I know now that these things are bad because they lead me to act sinfully. Isn’t Christ supposed to change people like me? |
| 3/28/2024 | I am a life coach and enjoy my job because I can help people be better than what they think they can be. Are there certain points a Christian counselor can use in helping rebellious people who have opinions that are self-destructive? |
| 3/27/2024 | What’s so wrong with pride, which you preachers seem to criticize so much? In my opinion, pride is a good thing, because if you don’t have pride in what you do, you’ll never accomplish anything worthwhile. Why is the Bible against pride? |
| 3/26/2024 | My husband and I divorced when our children were small. Now they’re young teenagers and my husband and I have decided to give our marriage another try. We both were saved recently and are learning things we didn’t know years ago. We’re anxious to make corrections and redo this right. How does one set their lives in order as the Bible says? |
| 3/25/2024 | My friend runs a home for unwed mothers. She wants me to help her but forbids me to share my faith in Jesus Christ as the One who forgives sin. She believes that living out the Gospel is accepting each mother who does not abort her baby and this brings salvation in God’s eyes. Just making people feel good about themselves by demonstrating compassion is not the Gospel, correct? Is there a way I can help my friend understand this? |
| 3/24/2024 | I’m going to become a mother for the first time. I’m excited and afraid all at the same time. I want to be sure that I instill in my child the most important aspects of life. I want to believe God will help me do this. |
| 3/23/2024 | My wife and I are of another generation but have a heart for young people who have little guidance and direction. We’re so discouraged to see the rise in suicide and are stunned to see the rising unbelief in God. The younger generations have great faith in the art of communication technology, yet are the least able to communicate. Couldn’t God be communicating with them and they aren’t listening? We’re praying that He will use us to communicate His message to today’s generation and that God will reveal Himself to this lost generation. |
| 3/22/2024 | My life’s a continual failure. Why do some live the good life and others live one step behind? Can there be no joy for the down-and-outers? |
| 3/21/2024 | How can we love people who aren’t even very likable? I remember that Jesus told us to love everyone, but that’s impossible, isn’t it? |
| 3/20/2024 | I understand the Bible says we ought to love everyone, but some of my relatives are very difficult, and when we got together last Christmas it wasn’t very pleasant. How can I make myself love people who are very hard to love? |
| 3/19/2024 | Why do we need religion today? I think science is able to explain most of the mysteries that religion used to deal with. I don’t mean to offend you, but I think religion is outdated. |
| 3/18/2024 | It’s surprising to see young people fighting for social action and at the same time completely steeped in the pursuit of self-pleasure. It doesn’t seem that these two lifestyles can work together. |
| 3/17/2024 | I am navigating my place in a public school system that is denying me the right to teach truth. No matter how I present it, the educators refuse to accept the truth of God because they cannot prove that God is, yet they dare to talk about tolerance. I wish I knew how to better talk to them from their point of view. |
| 3/16/2024 | We live in a pet-crazed society and it’s good for my business since I’m a veterinarian. But while I’d do anything for the animal kingdom, I won’t worship it. I also teach a Bible class and am shocked to see how people are convincing themselves that animals have souls. No one is teaching that man is trichotomous and animals are dichotomous, yet there are people who claim the Bible teaches that animals are equal to mankind. |
| 3/15/2024 | My school is teaching something called the redistribution of wealth, which will enable everyone to be equal. They say that this is what our Constitution fights for, equality. It seems this could impact society in a bad way. They say that even the Bible teaches that money corrupts. Didn’t wealthy people in Bible times support the disciples in their evangelism work? |
| 3/14/2024 | What does God place the greatest value on, people or angels? |
| 3/13/2024 | A college course recently required students to read a book about the drama of celebrity, and while it was celebrated, the book also exposed the deception of celebrities being other than what they claim. It’s been said that people cannot make themselves celebrities; their worshipers do that. There’s a lot of truth in that thought, but I wonder if many people think of it this way? |
| 3/12/2024 | I didn’t grow up in a Christian home where prayer was taught, but I longed for it when I would visit my friends who experienced this. I’m now married to a Christian man and we have three kids. I want to give them this example but don’t want to cram religion down their throats and turn them off. What’s the best way to do this? |
| 3/11/2024 | With the state of the world and the decline in society, I’m ready for this life to be over and wish Heaven would come down and take me away. I’m told this is selfish and unchristian. What can be bad about wanting to go to Heaven? |
| 3/10/2024 | Is it possible to really know you’ll go to heaven when you die? I’ve always tried to be a good person, but I worry about whether or not I’ve been good enough to get into heaven. How can I know? |
| 3/9/2024 | My friend and I compete to see which one of us can read the most books in a year and we quiz each other about what we’ve learned. She challenged me to read a collection of books she gave me, telling me that there would be stories of mystery, romance, combat, wealth, poverty, royalty, drama, epics, childhood obedience, and adult rebellion. The list seemed endless. I was intrigued. When I opened the box to see what the titles were, there was only one book: the Bible. I never knew there were 66 books inside the Bible. My intrigue turned to discovery and I made Jesus my Lord. |
| 3/8/2024 | Did God know when He created the human race that the people would reject Him? |
| 3/7/2024 | I struggle with emotional instability though I have no clear diagnosis but my own. Is being overly emotional a sin, and if not, what can a person do to tone down the emotional highs and lows? |
| 3/6/2024 | I read a lot about blending various faiths from around the world and many support a one-world religion. Years ago, this was frightening to some, but now people from all faiths are coming on board as “people of faith.” We’re told that we should concentrate only on the common ground of our beliefs, which is to be the best we can, do the best we can, and love others. The world says this is what can bring humanity together. Is there room in Christianity for this kind of teaching? |
| 3/5/2024 | Is prayer a necessary part of living the Christian life, or something that certain people are gifted in doing? |
| 3/4/2024 | What was Jesus’ destination when He came to Earth? Was His mission successful in the realm of humanity or only in Heaven? |
| 3/3/2024 | I often hear Christians say that their weapon is the Bible. Is that really a good thing to say about God’s Word, that it is a weapon? Doesn’t the word weapon indicate something bad? |
| 3/2/2024 | My daughter’s teacher told her she is suffering from a guilt complex. When my daughter denied this, she boldly asked the teacher if this was really her own problem. I was stunned at my daughter’s boldness, and amazingly, the teacher broke down and sobbed, sharing with her a sense of guilt for bad decisions she had made in life. My daughter is praying that the Lord will help her know what to say to the teacher if she is given an opportunity. |
| 3/1/2024 | I grew up in a Christian home and my parents were wonderful believers. They raised me in church and taught me the basics of Christianity, but I am unsure that I’ve been born again. Is this the same as being converted, and do the converted possess righteousness? My parents both recently died and I don’t have the assurance any more that I am really saved. |
| 2/29/2024 | It is concerning to hear all the murmur that science is the answer to all of man’s problems. Now I am hearing that if something in the Bible cannot be supported by science, it reveals that part of the Bible is not true. There are actually intelligent people who believe this. Are they deluded or ignorant? |
| 2/28/2024 | What is the conscience and does it have anything to do with our relationship with God, or is the conscience simply a natural part of the human experience? |
| 2/27/2024 | I’m having to disengage with my friends [fellow teachers] because of their activities that lead to godlessness, which follows their extreme progressive thoughts and behavior. They try to coax me from a traditional lifestyle, which they claim is my soapbox, into a progressive lifestyle they call “their rights” which trample over the rights of others. They seem desperate to woo me into their circle. What makes it especially hard is that many of them grew up as I did, in church and Sunday school. How has this new thinking taken over an entire population? |
| 2/26/2024 | We have more psychiatrists and behavioral specialists available to people than ever before in the history of the world. Yet the emotional roller coaster is out of control. Every friend I have is under the care of these doctors and taking medications they prescribe for depression. What is happening to society? |
| 2/25/2024 | I’ve always been a fiercely independent person, feeling I could solve all my problems on my own (and I usually have). Well, last year I became a Christian, and now people are telling me I need to change and become meek and mild. Does God expect me to change my whole personality? |
| 2/24/2024 | One of my uncles says God is like a stern judge, just waiting to punish us when we do wrong. But another uncle says he’s wrong, because God is like a kindly father who loves us and forgives us, no matter what we do. Who is right? |
| 2/23/2024 | My husband and I have been married three years and the relationship hasn’t grown strong; it has diminished. My mother tells me that I don’t help the situation with my sharp tongue. Doesn’t the Bible command a husband to love his wife no matter what? |
| 2/22/2024 | My brother has been very successful in business and flaunts his wealth and success. It is breaking my mother’s heart. She raised us and worked a job after my father died young. She never made much money, but she provided a happy home. It grieves me that her son won’t lift a finger to help make her last years comfortable. She never complains and always gives him the benefit of the doubt. I don’t know which is worse, my anger toward him or his greed and selfishness. Does the Bible speak to these things? |
| 2/21/2024 | My sister and her husband are always praying about decisions they have to make, but I think they just need to use their brains to decide what to do. After all, why did God give us a brain if He didn’t expect us to use it? |
| 2/20/2024 | There is so much on the news about warfare and weapons of war. In my study of world wars and civil wars, it is hard to imagine anything worse and I’ve decided it will never change—peace is not possible. |
| 2/19/2024 | I work for a communications giant and have been given the chance to address a large convention on the subject of how to find better ways to present contentious news stories. In a day where society is jaded with violence, overt sensitivities, and the like, is there a refreshing approach to this subject and something from the Bible that could make people think differently that can provide some civility and compassion? |
| 2/18/2024 | I heard from a religious friend of mine that Jesus is going to come back to earth someday. But how will we know if He does? Maybe He’ll be born in some remote part of the world and we’ll never even hear about Him. |
| 2/17/2024 | My wife and I are in a quandary about whether we should retire or keep working. So many of our friends retired early and ended up sitting in doctor’s offices with one health problem after another. Others have retired and enjoyed life more than ever because they had less responsibility. Is there a word of wisdom concerning this monumental decision, and are there signposts we should look for as we grow older? |
| 2/16/2024 | I am finishing a seminary paper on the subject of Heaven and Hell and am struggling with how to present Hell. My professor warned me to be careful what I write and that it would be better to present the subject matter as Heaven being real but Hell being allegoric, claiming that I would be a fool to present it any other way. |
| 2/15/2024 | It is disturbing to watch the plummeting of the culture as it rages one against the other, defying tradition, religion, and basic manners. Is it just me, or do people seem much more self-indulgent than ever before? Has society invented this strange environment or is “me-centered” self-inflicted? Where does all of this come from? |
| 2/14/2024 | I’m constantly pushed to attend a home Bible study but am resistant because I’ve attended many and they are simply a waste of time. The Bible is never opened; rather, books by famous authors are discussed. I do desire to learn the Bible but just reading it on my own seems futile. Is there another way? |
| 2/13/2024 | I’ve been studying the Old Testament prophets and it puzzles me that God’s people respected them while at the same time defying their messages and instead listening to the false prophets of the day. Isn’t this a form of wanting our “ears tickled”? |
| 2/12/2024 | Every year, our church celebrates Palm Sunday, the day when the crowds cheered Jesus as He entered Jerusalem for the last time. But I’ve never understood why they turned against Him just a few days later and demanded He be put to death. Why did they? |
| 2/11/2024 | I’m a Christian and do my best to study the Bible but I always get stuck on things that seem to contradict. On the one hand, Scripture says, “Fear not,” and then it says to fear. By faith, I know that God does not contradict His Word, but from my perspective, it appears so. Is this because of bad translations? |
| 2/10/2024 | Some call me an apprentice preacher because I am an inexperienced pastor but desire to be faithful to the call I know the Lord has made on my life. I stay discouraged because I don’t seem to draw people into my messages. When I finish I can’t leave the pulpit fast enough because I don’t want to face those I’ve preached to. I know this isn’t right but I am frustrated. |
| 2/9/2024 | Why is the Bible filled with mysteries? I thought Jesus came to clear things up with people. Why are we left with so many questions about suffering, sickness, and despair? Our world is filled with it, and I am at a loss to help my friends who are not believers to understand where Christians get their hope that someday we will understand this life. |
| 2/8/2024 | With so many terrible things happening these days, I’m afraid that the end of the world may be near. Can you help me? |
| 2/7/2024 | Does a Christian have to tithe? |
| 2/6/2024 | I guess we’re what you’d call “Christmas and Easter Christians,” since those are about the only times we make it to church. But what’s wrong with that? We head to our lake cottage most weekends, and isn’t the Sabbath supposed to be a day of rest? |
| 2/5/2024 | I know I’m supposed to worship God when I go to church, but I can’t say I always do. My thoughts wander, or I get to thinking about the people around me and I come away disappointed in myself for not really worshipping. How can I keep from being distracted? |
| 2/4/2024 | We live in a world that encourages pride in a person and mocks humility. So many of my colleagues brag about their successes, their ingenuity, and their hold over people. This is disgusting, yet few people in the ministry speak out about it. I know the Bible says a great deal about having a prideful countenance. Why do people dignify something God condemns? |
| 2/3/2024 | No wonder Christmas is a more favored holiday than Easter. Christmas speaks of a new life [the infant Jesus] that brought joy. Easter brings thoughts of death [His gruesome death], yet there is the new life found in resurrection, which is curious. What does the Bible verse mean when it says that death is swallowed up in victory? |
| 2/2/2024 | I’m a generous person and would rather give than receive, particularly to those who are on the front lines of getting the Gospel out. But my wife is suspect of those who are always asking for contributions; she is so reluctant that if I left it up to her we would never give to anything or anyone. |
| 2/1/2024 | I admit I’m angry at God, because all my plans for my retirement years have fallen apart. I’ve just been diagnosed with a disease that will seriously limit my mobility, and the doctor says it will only get worse. Why is God doing this to me? |
| 1/31/2024 | My heart was touched greatly by a stranger who cared enough to pray for me when I was sitting in a restaurant alone crying because of some bad news I had gotten on the phone. When she departed, she told me she would keep praying for me and that she would have her friends pray for me. I had never experienced anything like that before. I had always wondered if people who said they would pray for someone really ever did. I also wonder how God can possibly keep up with prayers from so many people. |
| 1/30/2024 | Why is the doctrine of Hell dismissed by so many people today? I am a Christian, but my pastor preaches that this idea of Hell is anti-Christian and does not match the truth of the love of Jesus Christ. |
| 1/29/2024 | Some scientists say that the great flood in Noah’s day happened as a natural disaster to ultimately give order to the continents. But many of these same intelligent people also claim that it had nothing to do with a greater being. What is the truth—God’s judgment or simply a natural phenomenon? |
| 1/28/2024 | I have many people I should pray for, but I wonder if it will do any good. How can we expect God to keep track of every person on the planet? |
| 1/27/2024 | It is gut wrenching to watch politicians deceive with their messages of peace and love of mankind when their attitudes are inhumane and filled with hate. Is there no one who can resolve this conflict and bring mankind to the understanding that love and peace have to begin in the heart and mind? |
| 1/26/2024 | I know it is an age-old question, but why does God allow people to suffer so much in this world? |
| 1/25/2024 | My cousin doesn’t want anything to do with God. The reason, she says, is because she had a bad experience in a church when she was growing up, and it really soured her on religion. What can I say to her? |
| 1/24/2024 | I’m despondent over my continual sin even though I have given my heart to Jesus Christ. My pastor says I must abandon my friends in order to have victory over sin that pulls me into doing things I should no longer do. They don’t mind my new faith as long as it doesn’t change our good times together. Why should I turn away from them? |
| 1/23/2024 | I’d like to become a better Christian during the coming year, but how can I make it happen? Every year I make the same resolution, but when I look back at the end of the year it doesn’t seem like much has really changed. |
| 1/22/2024 | I know the angels were very much a part of Jesus’ birth (for example, in making the announcements to Mary and the shepherds), but do they still do anything? Or are angels no longer active? |
| 1/21/2024 | There are many who claim it doesn’t really matter whether Jesus was literally resurrected because His main purpose in coming to Earth was to teach love for mankind. Isn’t this the true legacy of the man Jesus? |
| 1/20/2024 | I’ve struggled with my spiritual life, examining every form of faith, every god, every proverb, every church, and every truth. I’ve concluded the best way to get to Heaven is to practice each of these theologies and patterns to cover the bases. I believe that the true God will accept this effort and allow me into Heaven when the time comes. The effort certainly speaks for itself, more than those who run after every imaginable evil. At least my thoughts are centered on demonstrating my desire to be in Heaven someday and there’s no evil in that, right? |
| 1/19/2024 | My friend continually asks questions about my faith and the Bible, but it never makes a difference. I think he just wants to stir me up. Should I allow this? |
| 1/18/2024 | A friend has hurt me deeply and told lies about me and while I know I should forgive them, I simply cannot; in fact, I want to retaliate. Why shouldn’t I defend myself? |
| 1/17/2024 | My grandson is full of questions about God that I cannot answer fully. He’s inquisitive, especially about the Bible and the things of God, but I feel inadequate to answer him for fear that I might tell him the wrong thing, and I don’t think he would listen to someone as old as me. What’s the right way to approach these matters? |
| 1/16/2024 | I’ve been in church for many years but there are phrases I hear but never fully understand. What do pastors mean when they preach that our sin is under grace so there’s nothing to worry about? |
| 1/15/2024 | As Christians, how can we escape the evilness in our world today? It is all around us. |
| 1/14/2024 | I get weary of having to defend my belief in God and hearing people say that the Bible cannot be trusted. Yet many of these people harp about the importance of trusting everything society and science tell us. Is it futile to stay the course and keep pointing them back to the God of the Bible? |
| 1/13/2024 | A precious neighbor lady is struggling with “old age” sicknesses and suffers greatly. She’s been good to everyone who lives near her and has always been there to help us all. We’re helping her as we can but are troubled that she has to go through this suffering when she’s been so good to others. Why does God allow this? |
| 1/12/2024 | I know God is supposed to be all-powerful, but why doesn’t He do something about all the misery and suffering in the world? Maybe He isn’t so powerful after all. |
| 1/11/2024 | My husband has been abusive to me and to our children, who are now grown. When he was on his deathbed, he asked us to forgive him. I have done this but my children are struggling with showing compassion and forgiveness, though they’ve been taught to do so. Is there a Scripture I can give them as I continue to pray that they will resolve this in their hearts so that their future lives will not have to carry this terrible weight around in their spirits? |
| 1/10/2024 | Adultery used to be considered bad—even illegal—but in our more progressive society, it seldom raises an eyebrow. Are there sins that God hates more than others and if so, which ones are they? |
| 1/9/2024 | Outward beauty is praised in our society, but seldom do people look deeper into the quiet and peaceful spirits of others that are saints of God, but perhaps without beautiful faces. How does God look at us? |
| 1/8/2024 | I have been attending a Bible study where I appreciate all that is taught about God’s love. Who would not want to know that God loves us? But the teacher has now presented the idea that God tries to get our attention when we may not be living according to what the Bible says, and he is teaching that God’s judgment may fall on those who do not agree with everything in the Bible. This seems extreme for a God who covers us with His love. |
| 1/7/2024 | If angels are real, then why can’t we see them? I know you often see pictures or figures of them with wings and halos and everything, but how do we know what they look like, or even if they exist? |
| 1/6/2024 | How will the world end? Will it gradually get colder and colder until life finally flickers out and dies, or will Earth suddenly come to an end because of some catastrophe (such as an asteroid hitting it)? Or maybe we’ll destroy ourselves. Does the Bible say anything about this? |
| 1/5/2024 | With so much debate about prejudices, few people stop to think about the prejudices against Christians who follow Jesus Christ — the Man of Compassion. He walked on the earth and healed the sick, raised the dead, and died for the sins of the human race. Why are people so quick to follow nearly every “spiritual path” but remain resistant to Jesus’ example of love, mercy, and grace as demonstrated and given by the God who created mankind and gave Himself for us? |
| 1/4/2024 | I am a Christian and try to live my life in a way to point others to Christ, but I do not think it is wise to talk about my faith, and I’m uneasy when someone asks me to pray for them. I figure that is the job of pastors, preachers, and theologians. Some say I’m a reluctant witness. Is this wrong? |
| 1/3/2024 | My conflict is great. I have many health issues and don’t feel that I can help others around me in need. I figure if I can prevent being a burden to others that exonerates me for helping others. Am I selfish? |
| 1/2/2024 | My friend asked me why I won’t accept Jesus as my Savior. My answer is because the things I’ve done are unforgivable; I was so unkind to my parents before they died and I loathe myself. How can I expect God to forgive my wretched behavior? |
| 1/1/2024 | When I was young, my Sunday school teacher helped the class memorize an Old Testament passage when the world was very wicked: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). When I was little I couldn’t quite imagine that kind of living, but doesn’t it seem that the world has regressed? This verse describes our world today. |
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