| 12/31/2023 | I have aging parents and the end for them is near. My father is strong of mind but my mother is frail of heart. They both believe that death is the doorway to Heaven and I hope that soon they can have peace in their hearts and be in the presence of their Savior and Lord. Is that a selfish wish on my part? |
| 12/30/2023 | I recently read a book that claimed the most important thing for Christians is to show love and that other things are not as important because “love covers all.” Is this really true? |
| 12/29/2023 | My mother and I hadn’t spoken in over 15 years, but now that she’s gone I feel overwhelmed with guilt and regret. I wish I’d swallowed my pride and reached out to her, but I didn’t, and now it’s too late. Maybe some of your readers will learn from my mistake. |
| 12/28/2023 | I’ve become a Christian but struggle with forgetting my past. I grew up in a place filled with anger, hostility, and violent behavior. My parents didn’t love one another and there’s no evidence that they loved my siblings and me. They did provide our choice of fast food and movie rentals, even the horror flicks. The images in my mind still haunt me today. How can I change my mind to think about good things instead of bad? |
| 12/27/2023 | I read the Book of Martyrs and was horrified at what they suffered because of their faith. We’re seeing a rise in the persecution of Christians. So many people accept God’s love but are violently against Christians who speak of Christ’s judgment. Why is this? |
| 12/26/2023 | A relationship with my dearest friend has been destroyed because she believes I have been a hypocrite as a Christian, speaking of God’s love but not accepting ungodly behaviors from some of our mutual friends. I’m accused of being selfish and misrepresenting Jesus, who, she says, wants everyone to have the desires of their heart, and that the world should have brotherly love toward all. I’ve done all I can to help her understand that God’s love is offered to everyone, but He doesn’t love the sin that we continue in, nor are we to follow worldly culture. Am I wrong? |
| 12/25/2023 | I hear more news commentators proclaim that the world’s in a real mess with no answers on the horizon, completely dismissing that Jesus is the answer. Yet much of the world still celebrates the birth of Jesus while denying who He really is. |
| 12/24/2023 | I am trying to teach my children the real meaning of Christmas and about God’s gift to the world. It seems that things have become too commercialized and it’s important for children to understand that this holiday is not about receiving gifts as much as it is recognizing the gift that God offers and our call to worship Him. Is this wrong of me to make Christmas more than Santa Claus and presents under the tree? |
| 12/23/2023 | My daughter was brought up in church and in a Christian home. But since being away at college, she has come to believe that God is the one who brings evil things into our lives. How does a mother answer such absurdity? |
| 12/22/2023 | 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. |
| 12/21/2023 | When I see so many organizations raising money for every kind of need, I just don’t believe my few dollars every month can make a dent in resolving anything — but these few dollars sure could help my bank account. I don’t think God really expects us to give to other needs when we have our own. So why do people say that God needs our money? |
| 12/20/2023 | I know that when I worry, I am not trusting God. But sometimes I feel that God is not even paying attention. To look at the future is frightening, especially when I see the world spinning out of control. |
| 12/19/2023 | I’ve heard many times that God loves me, yet when I ask Jesus into my life, nothing changes. There must be something for me to do to gain salvation that changes me. I’ve done many things in hopes that it pleases God, but there is no indication that He even knows who I am. Does God choose certain ones to love and the others are on their own? |
| 12/18/2023 | I’m trying to be an example for Christ on campus. Everywhere I turn, there’s immorality and people looking out for number one, but it’s covered in deception. How can I be sure I won’t stumble into this and hurt my testimony for Christ? Is this what Jesus meant when He said to take up our cross and follow Him? |
| 12/17/2023 | I’m in a religion class and studying the great sermons ever preached. To my surprise, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount isn’t included. When I questioned the professor, the answer was that it wasn’t Jesus’ finest sermon because of His teaching on meekness, which does not fit into the success-driven society in which we’ll be ministering. I began preaching my own sermon to the professor about meekness (not weakness) being an attribute of God. Isn’t this true? |
| 12/16/2023 | I know it is an age-old question, but why does God allow people to suffer so much in this world? |
| 12/15/2023 | My coworker and I enjoy discussing biblical topics. We want to learn more about faith and works. Which is the most important in the Christian faith? |
| 12/14/2023 | 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? |
| 12/13/2023 | My loved one died. How can I deal with my loneliness? |
| 12/12/2023 | No one likes to invite my aunt to family gatherings because all she does is talk about herself. She never listens or shows any interest in what’s happening to anyone else, and it’s hard having her around. What can we do about this? |
| 12/11/2023 | 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? |
| 12/10/2023 | My mother claims to be a Christian but there is no evidence of it at home. How can this be? |
| 12/9/2023 | Is it true that Jesus Christ is intolerant—or narrow—as some Christians claim? |
| 12/8/2023 | My circle of friends is diverse; some wealthy, others brilliant, and a few of us are average but content—we enjoy volunteering to ministry outreaches. Those considered “successful” say I haven’t reached my potential because I don’t have a big home, a fancy car, or an ideal job. Is money God’s outward blessing on a person’s life? |
| 12/7/2023 | 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? |
| 12/6/2023 | 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. |
| 12/5/2023 | Slavery is looked down on, and rightly so, in society today. Why does the Bible say that Christians should look to Christ as their Master? |
| 12/4/2023 | 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? |
| 12/3/2023 | If God made us in His image, why are so many of us empty and disappointed with life and running around frantically trying to find the next happy thing to do? I’ve just returned from Disneyland and I’ve never seen so many cranky and unkind people, and this is supposed to be the “happiest place on Earth.” Most of the people there were alive and breathing, but their eyes looked empty. |
| 12/2/2023 | I’m just out of college and want to serve the Lord somehow, somewhere. I want to be obedient to Scripture and tell others about Christ. Is this what is meant by being a “fisher of men?” |
| 12/1/2023 | 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? |
| 11/30/2023 | I make my living as a tech freak and admit that I spend hours each day on my devices. But I’m getting weary of it all and find myself going through each day groaning as I click from one site to the other. I try to pull away, but the instant connection to the world draws me in and has invaded even my personal time. I feel addicted! |
| 11/29/2023 | You don’t actually believe the devil is real, do you? |
| 11/28/2023 | I have two adult children. My daughter wants to move in with her boyfriend because they don’t have enough money to get married. My son wants to get rich fast by investing in cryptocurrency. I brought them up in church and taught them God’s Word and I’m at a loss of what to tell them that I haven’t already told them. |
| 11/27/2023 | The church today seems much the same as the world. What does it mean to take up the cross of Christ, and would this make the church stronger? |
| 11/26/2023 | 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. |
| 11/25/2023 | My elderly father is living with my husband and me following my mother’s death. He is a joy to have around and we are anxious to provide whatever comforts he needs. While he doesn’t complain, I don’t understand why he just wants me to sit with him and visit. If I just “sit,” I won’t be able to provide for his needs. I’m at a loss of how to reconcile this conflict in my soul. |
| 11/24/2023 | It’s a difficult thing to comprehend what Christians call “being born again” in order to go to Heaven. Once we’re born, we can’t do it all over again. What’s the key to unlocking this idea? With the state the world is in, we must find the solution to making life better. |
| 11/23/2023 | My longtime neighbor is agnostic and doesn’t want much to do with my family or me because we go to church. But we try to be good neighbors to her, and when tragedy strikes her, we are the first ones she calls. I don’t quite know what to make of it. Should we keep doing what we’re doing and respond to her in love only when she decides she needs it? Is she impossible to reach? |
| 11/22/2023 | There’s a phrase about being in the center of God’s will and I’m not sure how to go about that. Some of the people who attend a Bible study with me say that if we have our needs (and some of our wants) met, we can be certain we’re in God’s will. But this sounds a little more like another phrase I hear frequently, the prosperity gospel. |
| 11/21/2023 | I sometimes wish that we could live back in Bible times, particularly when Jesus was on Earth because surely the people around Him had to feel the peace that He brought to Earth. The world we live in today is full of darkness, hopelessness, and despair. I know that Christians are to be the light of the world, but if we are doing this, why is the world still so dark? |
| 11/20/2023 | Can we bargain with God when it comes to what He offers mankind? After all, God is the one who gave mankind its own will, right? |
| 11/19/2023 | Why didn’t someone tell me how hard it is being a parent? We have three children, and it seems like all I do all day long is try to keep them from fighting. Will it ever get any better? |
| 11/18/2023 | Doesn’t it seem the spirit of greed has overtaken the spirit of giving? |
| 11/17/2023 | There isn’t much said these days about people practicing self-control. This used to be part of society’s social graces. Is the lack of self-control considered sin? |
| 11/16/2023 | 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. |
| 11/15/2023 | Why does God allow suffering in the world? |
| 11/14/2023 | I recently attended the National Day of Prayer and it was a wonderful event. Going for a meal later, a man and woman approached our group and informed us that our shirts were offensive to them (the shirts had a Bible verse about the power of prayer). There is such outward hostility to Christianity, yet society is taking away the Christian right to express themselves. This is a scary time in the “land of the free,” however, we still took the opportunity to pray for them right there in the restaurant! |
| 11/13/2023 | My husband and I are retiring and he plans to play golf and rest. I want to do something worthwhile. Is it wrong to spend retirement years enjoying all the things we couldn’t do when we were busy working and raising our children? |
| 11/12/2023 | 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. |
| 11/11/2023 | While in a group setting, our host asked each of us to express our greatest fear. Being young, I hadn’t really thought about it; when we went around the room, the predominant fear was death. Why is this? |
| 11/10/2023 | This world is falling apart at the seams. There doesn’t appear to be any way to stop the avalanche that is destroying society. Shouldn’t we come up with a new moral order that can stop some of the insanity that we’re being forced to accept? |
| 11/9/2023 | I have stage 4 cancer, but I know I’ll go into the presence of the Lord when I die. I have not had to endure persecution or the possibility of martyrdom, something that is talked of more these days. So many have faced these horrors with praise to God on their lips. I pray that I can do the same as death hovers over me. Is this a reasonable prayer? |
| 11/8/2023 | The Bible instructs us to avoid foolish controversies because they aren’t profitable or useful. It seems that the high amount of time spent on social media has increased this foolishness, giving people an outlet to provoke one another or to find common ground in useless emotion. |
| 11/7/2023 | I’m a Christian but I don’t understand the purpose of praying about things if we’re first to pray for God’s will. If God’s will is the overriding standard, then what good does it do to pray at all? |
| 11/6/2023 | After 25 years, my husband and I are calling it quits. Our children are grown and our home is empty and unfulfilled. We’re both ready to invest time in our careers and develop other friendships that aren’t so oppressive. We’ll always love each other, but it’s no longer enough. Why do some say this is wrong? |
| 11/5/2023 | Will the battle between good and evil ever be solved, or will it take Christ’s return to settle it once and for all? |
| 11/4/2023 | I often hear that Jesus is called the Great Physician. Where is this in the Bible, and does He claim to have a prescription to relieve the ills of society? |
| 11/3/2023 | My husband’s brother is a cruel man to everyone he knows. He’s filled with hatred and is his own worst enemy. He continues to dig in where he should let up. My pastor tells us to keep praying for him, but he only gets worse. We had hoped that our Christian witness would speak to him and convict him. Should we put our prayer time into others who have more hope? |
| 11/2/2023 | I’ve been a Christian a long time but must admit that I don’t know much about the end times. We’re all watching the world spin out of control and I’m beginning to believe that the human race will destroy itself before Christ returns. I fear for my family, my friends, and especially those who do not believe in what the Bible says about how we should live on this earth and how we should get along with those around us. |
| 11/1/2023 | I have terrible pain all the time from a bad back, and the doctors can’t seem to do anything about it (except to prescribe strong drugs, which I don’t want to get hooked on). What good is God to me, if He won’t relieve my pain? Is it wrong for me to ask Him to take it away? |
| 10/31/2023 | 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. |
| 10/30/2023 | The Bible says that we should eat, drink, and be merry. This seems contradictory to what I’ve learned in other parts of the Bible—that we as believers should not participate in feeding fleshly desires. These opposite sayings disturb me, yet I know that God does not talk out of both sides of His mouth. What am I missing? |
| 10/29/2023 | I lived a wild life on campus when I was in college. My experience was different from my dad’s time when authority meant something and God was acknowledged. My fraternity acknowledged a higher power—someone who wanted people to be good and feel happy, and someone we could involve in our lives when we needed help to get out of a mess we’d created. Now that my son is in college, there’s been even a greater breakdown; young people who say God is dead, that people should satisfy themselves on whatever gives them thrills, and looking at self to find inner peace. With this serious breakdown in who God is and what He has done for mankind, what hope is there for the next generation? |
| 10/28/2023 | I have met a woman whom I think may be my future wife but I have many questions about the way we feel about each other and what we should consider before we take the next step to being engaged. |
| 10/27/2023 | I have just begun going to church on Sundays and every week they invite people to be saved. The preacher says that we must be born again to be saved. What does that mean? |
| 10/26/2023 | I’ve been challenged by my pastor to teach a Bible class for “nominal” Christians. Is there really such a thing as nominal Christians or do they first need to be born again? |
| 10/25/2023 | In my college course work, I’m learning the history of the United Nations and that the UN headquarters had designated a meditation room where people could go to withdraw into themselves, a place where a higher power to whom man worships is known by many names and in many forms. No wonder the world is in the chaos it’s in. |
| 10/24/2023 | 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? |
| 10/23/2024 | I was horrified to realize that tenets of the New Age movement have become part of churches that teach a philosophy that appeals to propping “self” up instead of living for God in humbleness. People don’t know enough of the Bible to counter the deceit. God gives mankind free will, but my concern is for those who think they’ve accepted Him and are as lost as those who follow the ways of the world. |
| 10/22/2023 | I’m a product of the turbulent ’60s and understand the grief I put my parents through, now that I hear my children claim they can practice safe sex outside of marriage. My wife and I would give anything to redo our past but thankfully we were saved just before the 21st century exploded. We’re grieved to watch the massive destruction of the culture. How can we get through to the younger generations that are unknowingly destroying their futures? |
| 10/21/2023 | Why does God sit in the heavens and watch the demise of the world He created? It seems He could do something to straighten up this messed-up planet. |
| 10/20/2023 | Is it true that the word Armageddon means “battle between good and evil”? I fear that Christians will have to go through this awful time when the world comes to an end, but I fear most for those who go through it not knowing God in a personal way. It doesn’t seem that the book of Revelation is clear on the state of the church at that time. |
| 10/19/2023 | 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. |
| 10/18/2023 | Is it true that a large percentage of people have never believed in God? |
| 10/17/2023 | Since attending an evangelistic meeting recently, I sense a nudging to offer my services in some way to my church, but I feel inadequate to teach the Bible, though I am a high school history teacher. Since my education is not in religion, should I look for another way to serve? |
| 10/16/2023 | It is said that God judges and Jesus loves, yet God and Jesus are one. Does the Almighty withhold love and judgment on mankind until the world ends, or does He judge and love us while we live? |
| 10/15/2023 | God wonderfully saved me and at times, I feel like a new person. At other times, all I can think of is my past and all the things I’ve done to hurt others and myself. The guilt oppresses me and I know that having a relationship with the Lord is not meant to be filled with anxiety but with joy. The Lord forgives me but my mind doesn’t. |
| 10/14/2023 | 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. |
| 10/13/2023 | I know a few people who live charmed lives. They want for nothing and they spend their time living life to the fullest, experiencing everything the world has to offer. When their end comes, will they see that they lived foolishly? |
| 10/12/2023 | Does Satan know that he will one day be defeated, and if so, why does he tirelessly work to undermine Almighty God? |
| 10/11/2023 | There’s a new movement stirring some debate claiming that God wants people who love Jesus to remain as little children. This is contrary to Scripture and I believe this group is misinterpreting the story of Jesus speaking of having the faith of a child. Preachers are not speaking out against this, and I wonder why. |
| 10/10/2023 | Does God determine everything that happens to us or can we make our own decisions regardless of what God would prefer we do in life? If he directs our every action then we are not responsible for the outcome, right? |
| 10/9/2023 | I heard a song that says, “I thank God for unanswered prayers.” It troubled me because I believed that God answers all prayers and that we often think that the prayer is only answered if He gives us what we ask for. When I finished school, I wanted badly to open a medical clinic in a large city and become a humanitarian. The door closed over and over for the strangest reasons. Dejected, I went on a cruise and met a group of physicians that offered me a position to travel to various clinics in remote villages around the world. My life is fulfilled in ways I cannot fathom and I now thank God for the prayers He said no to, realizing that I had prayed “according to His will.” I believe that many people miss blessings from God even when He gives us a no. |
| 10/8/2023 | Most people are comfortable to say that Jesus was a great man. In spite of the fact that culture defies Jesus as the Savior, they have made him a pop icon. But why do Christians insist that Jesus was more than a man—divine? |
| 10/7/2023 | As a student of psychology, and also a Christian, I’m struggling with the subject of conversion and how to understand it from both thought processes, since both speak in terms of conversion having the potential to change a person’s life as they move forward. Many in my field say that the Christian view of conversion is strictly emotional. Is there a difference between intellect and emotion? |
| 10/6/2023 | The lines of truth are not clear any more. The church once preached that there is only one way to God, but because this doesn’t fit in with popular belief (that we can all have our own truth), the lines are very gray. Has the church been enlightened, thereby broadening the way to salvation? |
| 10/5/2023 | How does a Christian deal with temptation? |
| 10/4/2023 | I grew up learning popular Bible verses, but grew to resent the pastor preaching on nothing but sin, never about the love of John 3:16 or the encouragement of Philippians 4:13. I don’t see how anyone can take serious a preacher who is obsessed with people’s sins, when often people are just struggling with human weaknesses and reacting negatively to disappointments in life. |
| 10/3/2023 | Why is there such an overwhelming separation between God and His creation? |
| 10/2/2023 | Societal standards are a sham. Educators at schools, churches, and homes shun the idea of teaching young people personal responsibility. Even more upsetting are parents who become irresponsible themselves, obsessing about retirement while chasing after the fountain of youth. Why is the human race so shallow and discontent? |
| 10/1/2023 | My father suffered dementia and my mother is going through the stages of Alzheimer’s. I fear this will be my lot. My doctor only offers antidepressants. Is there a spiritual anecdote? |
| 9/30/2023 | We’ve lived with threats of nuclear war for decades. The messes that man has achieved are hitting home more personally from threats of financial downturns to health crises. Can we really survive much longer with such relentless attacks? What nations and political bodies are technically responsible for all of this chaos? |
| 9/17/2023 | Most people feel that Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is filled with beauty and sound advice, but I’m not sure I properly understand the Beatitudes, and I’m most troubled when Jesus gives blessing to those who mourn. Are we to be in a constant state of mourning over the sick and the dead? |
| 9/16/2023 | There isn’t much said these days about “the pure-hearted.” We are surrounded by a vile environment filled with hatred and corruption, filling hearts with fear. When I go just about anywhere, it’s hard to find many smiles or acts of kindness. If I extend kindness to someone, it seems difficult for them to receive. |
| 9/15/2023 | I was raised by my grandmother after my mother died of alcoholism. Grandma instilled in me a love for Jesus by leading me to Christ and teaching me how to read and understand the Scriptures. When I would try out a nasty word on her, emulating my friends, instead of slapping my mouth, she opened the Bible and helped me memorize 1 Corinthians 15:33. To this day at 55 years old, whenever I hear a friend or colleague express themselves using corrupt language, these words come to mind. It seems that society has successfully convinced the populace—even people within the church—that vile speech is acceptable, particularly if a person is simply quoting someone else. Surely, man cannot redefine the standard. |
| 9/14/2023 | The phrase, “‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord God,” is troubling to me as a Christian. Can we only be righteous if we have nothing to do with others who also need the righteousness of God? We are to be the light in a dark world. How can we come out of the dark world and still make an impact for Christ? |
| 9/13/2023 | Aren’t there some positive aspects of alcohol, and if alcoholism is a disease that plagues a person’s mind and body, why do some Christians so clearly denounce drunkenness as a sin rather than a disease? |
| 9/12/2023 | 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? |
| 9/11/2023 | Is an enemy always a person or does an enemy manifest itself in other forms? Why do people talk about the three enemies of the soul: the world, the flesh, and the devil? |
| 9/10/2023 | Some Christians take a public stand for their right to practice their faith in the workplace; others feel that the workplace is “no place” to display personal faith. What does the Bible say on this matter? |
| 9/9/2023 | 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. |
| 9/8/2023 | 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. |
| 9/7/2023 | Worldliness is a curious term and a turn-off to people who say Christianity is a religion of “don’ts.” Is worldliness still a relevant spiritual truth? |
| 9/5/2023 | The home and family are under attack today like never before. Much of society wants to eliminate these foundational pillars—and they are making successful strides to demolish traditional beliefs. Governments and educators want to seize the minds of our children, claiming they can do a better job! Some young parents are feeling pressured and giving up their responsibility. Hasn’t God given parents the full responsibility of their children? |
| 9/4/2023 | Are angels as culture portrays them, and are they more powerful than demons? Are their powers limited only to the Bible stories? |
| 9/3/2023 | What’s the standard used to give advice to those struggling with life, and what modern era has impacted the culture most significantly for the bad? |
| 9/2/2023 | My friends look at life as though it is all about fun and accomplishing things of their choosing. While they face obstacles they cannot overcome, they laugh at me when I tell them I want to walk with God as long as He gives me life and strength to accomplish His purpose for me. Isn’t it wrong to live to satisfy self? |
| 9/1/2023 | It is difficult to comprehend prayer, and I am discouraged. When I pray, it seems I am speaking into the air. I understand salvation found only in Christ Jesus, but I am not sure I grasp the reality of fellowship with Him when I can’t see Him. What is the secret to communing with the Lord? |
| 8/31/2023 | It is said that Christians make up the body of Christ and are to be like Him. How is this possible seeing that we are still in the flesh? |
| 8/30/2023 | I have it good. I have an interesting career. I travel. I have no money problems. I even have a good family and have developed volunteer programs at my church in order to reach out to the community. I thought my efforts would fill the void in my life, but this has not happened. It frustrates me when my friends say I have everything anyone could ever want, but down inside I’m still restless. Does the Bible address this condition? |
| 8/29/2023 | 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? |
| 8/28/2023 | 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? |
| 8/27/2023 | If you could deliver just one message to the youth of our world, what would it be? It seems like they have so many problems that we never faced when we were growing up, and I wish I could help them in some way to get on the right track. |
| 8/26/2023 | The world today is focus-driven and goal-oriented, and it seems that the thinking and teaching of this way of life is to do “whatever it takes” to be better than the next guy. This is sending a terrible message, particularly when some of these people are the very ones who motivate others to do volunteer work and reach out to those in need. Is living to please self the right way to live? |
| 8/25/2023 | All my friends are sexually active and having a good time, so why shouldn’t I? You’ll probably tell me that God wants me to say no, but doesn’t He want us to enjoy life? |
| 8/24/2023 | I work in the entertainment industry. Honestly, watching people chase after the rich and famous leaves me weary and troubled, particularly when I see many celebrities so messed up. Why are most people absorbed by celebrity personalities? Is it because they want to be like them and can’t, so they worship others they believe are greater than themselves? Why can’t they see the folly of wanting to be someone else they think “has it all?” |
| 8/23/2023 | I am teaching a children’s Bible class and have been astounded to see how quickly kids pick up on things. I’ve learned more than I could have ever imagined. However, I struggle with how to answer some of their questions because I’m afraid I will mislead them. Is there a secret to teaching children things about God? |
| 8/22/2023 | A spirit of thanksgiving is a good medicine for those going through difficult times. A friend of mine went through cancer and before starting chemotherapy, she took a jar and named it “Gratitude” and filled it with little sayings and Bible verses that would keep her encouraged and looking to God for strength as she faced the journey ahead. This is inspiring. Does the Bible speak to such encouragement? |
| 8/21/2023 | The designation “people of faith” has become widely accepted in describing various belief systems, many denominations, and even different religions. It seems there is great compromise when religious people come together around faith, regardless of the object of faith. While many may believe this is a more relevant type of religion, is the idea of faith-based religion Biblical? |
| 8/20/2023 | I have watched many of my friends enjoy life for years without much struggle at all. Now that we are getting older, many are in financial trauma and physical distress. Some are turning to the Lord out of despair, but I wonder if it is more helpful to prepare for these times before they swoop down upon us? |
| 8/19/2023 | Many years ago, my sister and I had a sharp disagreement about something and haven’t talked to each other since. But recently I realized this wasn’t the way God wanted me to act, and since then I’ve tried to reach out to her (without success). My Christmas card to her even came back unopened and refused. Should I just give up? |
| 8/18/2023 | 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. |
| 8/17/2023 | Mother’s Day is always a painful time for me, because my mother gave me up for adoption when I was a baby and I never knew her. I’m thankful for my adoptive family, but I still have this hurt inside me, knowing that I’ll never know my real mother. Why did God do this to me? |
| 8/16/2023 | My adoptive parents are great, and I couldn’t have asked for a more loving and generous family. But I’ve always felt that their families looked down on me because I’m not a blood relative, and that’s very hurtful. Can I do anything to get them to accept me? |
| 8/15/2023 | 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. |
| 8/14/2023 | My aunt has a lot of personal problems, but whenever I try to get her to deal with them, she refuses. She says she’ll soon be in heaven anyway and then all her problems will be gone. But if we have problems, shouldn’t we go ahead and face them? |
| 8/13/2023 | Every year we debate whether or not to invite my aunt for Thanksgiving. She’s a very negative person who spends her whole time complaining and criticizing everyone, and it gets very unpleasant. Would she get the message if we didn’t invite her this year? |
| 8/12/2023 | 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? |
| 8/11/2023 | My baby sister died when she was only a few months old, so I barely remember her (I was 6 at the time). Do you think I’ll recognize her when I get to heaven? It may sound strange, but I’ve always felt lonely without her since I didn’t have any other brothers or sisters. |
| 8/10/2023 | 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. |
| 8/9/2023 | 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. |
| 8/8/2023 | 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. |
| 8/7/2023 | My brother and sisters don’t have much to do with me because they’re all real religious and I’m not. You’ll probably tell me I need God, and maybe I do, but aren’t Christians supposed to be kind and loving? They sure aren’t that way with me, so why should I be like them? |
| 8/6/2023 | 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. |
| 8/5/2023 | My brother never wanted anything to do with God, and always got angry if we tried to talk to him about his soul. But now he’s very sick and probably doesn’t have much longer to live. Should we try talking to him about God — and risk making him angry at us? Or is it too late, because God has already given up on him? |
| 8/4/2023 | My brother rebelled against our parents and against God as a teenager. He’s in his 50s now and has really messed up his life, but he won’t even talk with me about it. Why do two people from the same family take such different paths? |
| 8/3/2023 | 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? |
| 8/2/2023 | My children and grandchildren keep asking me what I want them to give me for Christmas, but truthfully, at my age, I don’t need anything. How can I tell them this without sounding like I don’t care for them or don’t want them to bother me? |
| 8/1/2023 | 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. |
| 7/31/2023 | My cousin has lots of personal problems, and whenever I see her she spends hours telling me about them. I’ve tried to advise her, but now I’m wondering if maybe she doesn’t really want to solve her problems but just wants to be the center of attention. Is this possible? |
| 7/30/2023 | 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. |
| 7/29/2023 | My family doesn’t believe in God and is very opposed to religion. Well, last month I met some Christians at my school and I ended up giving my life to Jesus. I’m afraid to tell my parents because I know they’ll be upset. What should I do? |
| 7/28/2023 | My family has been torn apart by drugs, divorce and other things, and I worry all the time about what’s going to happen to them. I feel so helpless, and no matter what I try to do it doesn’t seem to make any difference. Pray that I’ll know what to do. I just don’t have any hope. |
| 7/27/2023 | My family never had anything to do with religion, and they’ve always made fun of people who did. Well, recently I became a Christian, and now I’m the butt of their jokes. I feel so alone. I admit I don’t like being an outcast from my own family. Have I done something wrong? |
| 7/26/2023 | My father abandoned my mother when I was 4, with no money or anything else. I’m about to get married, but I’m worried that I’ll end up doing the same thing because someone told me the Bible says a father’s sins will be passed on to the next generation. Is that true? |
| 7/25/2023 | Our father bailed out of our lives when I was 10, and neither my sister nor I have seen him in over thirty years (although he’s tried to make contact occasionally). Why should we bother with him? All he ever gave us was trouble and heartache. |
| 7/24/2023 | 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? |
| 7/23/2023 | My father has always been a very prejudiced person, although I got over my prejudices long ago. But now he’s saying things around our children about people of other races that I don’t like for them to hear. How should I handle this? |
| 7/22/2023 | My father has always been a very strong, independent person, and I think that’s why he never felt any need for God or Jesus. But now he’s got terminal cancer, and I’m very worried about his spiritual condition. Should I say something to him? I don’t want to alienate him or make him mad. |
| 7/21/2023 | My father called the other day for the first time in over 10 years. He says he feels bad over the way he treated us and wants to reconnect, but how do I know he’s telling the truth? He’s always been a very manipulative person. It’s hard to forget how he walked out on Mom and left us on our own. |
| 7/20/2023 | 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? |
| 7/19/2023 | 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. |
| 7/18/2023 | 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? |
| 7/17/2023 | I admit that not seeing my three children after I divorced and moved away didn’t bother me much. But over 20 years have passed and now they’re married and having children, and suddenly I’d love to reconnect with them. But they’re still angry and don’t want anything to do with me. Is this a hopeless situation? |
| 7/16/2023 | 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? |
| 7/15/2023 | I am fearful that my husband and I may not be able to provide the right kind of home for our children. We both came from broken homes and don’t have any experience in knowing how to create the right environment. Is there a formula? |
| 7/14/2023 | 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? |
| 7/13/2023 | 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. |
| 7/12/2023 | I know I ought to think about God more, but I simply don’t have the time. I’m so busy that it’s all I can do to concentrate on what’s happening at the moment. I suspect lots of people have the same problem. Do you think God understands this? |
| 7/11/2023 | 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. |
| 7/10/2023 | 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. |
| 7/9/2023 | My mother and I do not get along. Our personalities clash. When Mother’s Day comes around I struggle with how to respond to her because she always wants me to spend the day with her, but it is dreadful. What is the answer to difficult relationships? |
| 7/8/2023 | My mother (who had a strong faith) passed away from cancer recently, and I don’t know what to say to our 4-year-old daughter. She’s looking forward to visiting her this Christmas, but how am I going to tell her this isn’t going to happen? |
| 7/7/2023 | 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. |
| 7/6/2023 | 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? |
| 7/5/2023 | My mother and I always had a difficult relationship, and for the last 10 years we didn’t even speak. Now she’s gone, and I’d give anything to have just one minute with her to tell her I’m sorry. I hope you’ll tell people not to wait until it’s too late to try to mend a broken relationship. |
| 7/4/2023 | I own a small business that hires a lot of young people, but I’m frustrated because I can’t find very many who are reliable and actually want to work. Doesn’t the Bible say we’re not supposed to be lazy? |
| 7/3/2023 | 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? |
| 7/2/2023 | 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? |
| 7/1/2023 | 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. |
| 6/30/2023 | 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? |
| 6/29/2023 | 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. |
| 6/28/2023 | My mother was always an angry, critical person who never got along with anyone, and while I was growing up I vowed I’d never be like her. But now I find that sometimes I’m just like she was, and it alarms me because I don’t want to be that way. What’s wrong with me? |
| 6/27/2023 | 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. |
| 6/26/2023 | 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. |
| 6/25/2023 | When I see so many organizations raising money for every kind of need, I just don’t believe my few dollars every month can make a dent in resolving anything — but these few dollars sure could help my bank account. I don’t think God really expects us to give to other needs when we have our own. So why do people say that God needs our money? |
| 6/24/2023 | I hear preachers say that we need to accept Jesus, but I’m not sure I understand what that means. I’d like to be sure that I’m a Christian, but I don’t know if I really am. |
| 6/23/2023 | My mother’s sister hasn’t had anything to do with our family or with God for years. Mother prayed and prayed for her, that she’d visit us and also turn back to God. But when Mother died a few months ago, she didn’t even come to the funeral. Should we just give up on her? |
| 6/22/2023 | What’s wrong with getting involved in things that are usually labeled occult practices? My late aunt was a great believer in things like out-of-body experiences, talking with the dead and so forth, and I admit I also feel a strong pull in that direction. What’s wrong with these things if they actually exist? |
| 6/21/2023 | 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? |
| 6/20/2023 | 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. |
| 6/19/2023 | 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. |
| 6/18/2023 | I am a believer and I have been taught how much love and comfort Jesus has to offer at a time of loss but my wife just died and I am at a loss for what to do next. Will the pain of losing my wife never end? |
| 6/17/2023 | My nephew has broken the hearts of his whole family, because he got involved in some very bad things and has just been sentenced to prison for at least seven years. I don’t even know how to pray for him, because it seems like it’s too late. |
| 6/16/2023 | I am a new believer and excited about sharing my faith with others but they always say the Bible is an old book and translated from other languages and its stories are hard to believe. What should I tell them? |
| 6/15/2023 | 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? |
| 6/14/2023 | My parents waited until I was in college to divorce. It devastated me. I didn’t think anything could be more painful. Then my father remarried. I found myself wishing for only the agony of their divorce, but a stepmother on top of it is too much! I don’t think she is such a bad person, but seeing another woman in my father’s house is more than I can bear. How can I handle the pain? |
| 6/13/2023 | 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. |
| 6/12/2023 | I have recently accepted Jesus as my Savior and am attending church regularly. Our preacher keeps preaching about how God has a purpose for everyone in this life on earth but I don’t know what mine is. How do I find out? |
| 6/11/2023 | 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. |
| 6/10/2023 | My daughter, not yet a teenager, is going through a rebellious stage and I am at my wits end. She threatens to leave home if I don’t let her do what she wants. She says I am denying her happiness. As a parent I cannot go along with the things that she is pursuing to find happiness, yet if I dig my heels in she will run away. What is a parent to do? |
| 6/9/2023 | 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. |
| 6/8/2023 | 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. |
| 6/7/2023 | My sister and I had a falling out a few years ago and haven’t spoken since. But this past 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? |
| 6/6/2023 | I am 65 years old and have been living with a man for the sake of pleasure, but I am feeling guilty. He has suggested we marry, but at this stage in my life I don’t know if I can give up my independence, but I don’t like to be lonely. Is this wrong? |
| 6/5/2023 | If God is a God of love, mercy, grace, and salvation as The Bible teaches, then please help me understand why there is so much suffering in this world. |
| 6/4/2023 | I went to church for the first time in my life with a friend last Sunday and the preacher was talking about heaven and how we can know we will be going there when we die. He spoke about salvation and needing to be saved to go to heaven. Just what is salvation? |
| 6/3/2023 | 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? |
| 6/2/2023 | My sister and I always had kind of a rocky relationship, but now she’s gone and I feel terrible because I didn’t visit her or try to patch things up, although I knew she was dying. I wish I could tell her how I feel, but it’s too late now. Will God forgive me, even if she can’t? |
| 6/1/2023 | I believe in God and I believe I am going to heaven when I die but I just don’t feel like me and God are on good terms. How can I get right with Him? |
| 5/31/2023 | My sister and I had a falling out almost 30 years ago and we never spoke again. Now, I’ve learned that she died a few weeks ago, and I feel terrible that I didn’t do anything to heal our relationship. I don’t have a question, but maybe someone will learn from my mistake. |
| 5/30/2023 | My sister and I said some pretty hurtful things to each other about a year ago, and we haven’t spoken since. I’ve apologized to her, but so far she hasn’t shown any inclination to apologize in return. Doesn’t she need to apologize, too? |
| 5/29/2023 | My sisters and I never got along, and it’s been many years since we’ve even tried to get together. But I understand one sister just survived breast cancer, and I’m beginning to regret all those lost years. Is there anything I can do to make up for lost time? Or should I even try? |
| 5/28/2023 | I own a small business that hires a lot of young people, but I’m frustrated because I can’t find very many who are reliable and actually want to work. Doesn’t the Bible say we’re not supposed to be lazy? |
| 5/27/2023 | 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? |
| 5/26/2023 | 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. |
| 5/25/2023 | 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? |
| 5/24/2023 | I don’t think we have to look to God to find out how to deal with our problems. After all, hasn’t He given us the ability to deal with them on our own? We just need to use our minds and approach our problems logically to find the answers. |
| 5/23/2023 | 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. |
| 5/22/2023 | 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. |
| 5/21/2023 | I hear preachers say that we need to accept Jesus, but I’m not sure I understand what that means. I’d like to be sure that I’m a Christian, but I don’t know if I really am. |
| 5/20/2023 | As a believer I know I will never be sinless until the day I can spend eternity with my Lord but I want to do the best I can right now. Can you give me some advice on fighting sin? |
| 5/19/2023 | My teenage granddaughter has lost her eyesight and is devastated. I am at a loss to know how to encourage her. She is a Christian but doubts that she will ever be of use to the Lord. |
| 5/18/2023 | 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? |
| 5/17/2023 | My wife walked out on me a few months ago and left me with our three young children. How can I be a good father to them when it’s all I can do to keep my head above water? |
| 5/16/2023 | 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? |
| 5/15/2023 | I remember giving my life to Jesus in Sunday school when I was about 10 years old. I was sincere at the time, but eventually I drifted away from God and the church. If I died tonight would I still get to go to Heaven? This worries me now that I’m older. |
| 5/14/2023 | 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. |
| 5/13/2023 | Are science and religion opposed to each other? I’ll be entering college in a few weeks, and I hope to become a doctor someday. But I’m a committed Christian, and I’m wondering what kind of problems I might have to face in some of my science classes. |
| 5/12/2023 | 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. |
| 5/11/2023 | 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. |
| 5/10/2023 | Our daughter’s husband walked out on her and it’s really been hard, especially since she has two small children and has to work. We’d like to help somehow, but we’ve not had the best of relationships with our daughter (especially since we urged her not to marry this man), and we don’t know what to do. Any suggestions? |
| 5/9/2023 | 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? |
| 5/8/2023 | 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? |
| 5/7/2023 | Our extended family is getting together for Christmas this year, and I have to admit I’m not looking forward to it. Some of our relatives don’t get along with each other, and I’m afraid we’ll just end up squabbling. Any suggestions? |
| 5/6/2023 | I don’t think we have to look to God to find out how to deal with our problems. After all, hasn’t He given us the ability to deal with them on our own? We just need to use our minds and approach our problems logically to find the answers. |
| 5/5/2023 | Our extended family is showing up for dinner this Christmas, and I’m really dreading it — not because of the work, but because some of them are very hard to get along with. Should we just be gracious and pretend everything is OK, or should we confront them if they start getting out of hand? |
| 5/4/2023 | Our marriage finally ended after 18 years. The sad thing is, our two children (both teenagers) are taking opposite sides, with our son sticking up for his dad and our daughter taking my side. I hate this. Is there any way to overcome it? |
| 5/3/2023 | I remember giving my life to Jesus in Sunday school when I was about 10 years old. I was sincere at the time, but eventually I drifted away from God and the church. If I died tonight would I still get to go to Heaven? This worries me now that I’m older. |
| 5/2/2023 | Are science and religion opposed to each other? I’ll be entering college in a few weeks, and I hope to become a doctor someday. But I’m a committed Christian, and I’m wondering what kind of problems I might have to face in some of my science classes. |
| 5/1/2023 | I am a new believer and I hear so much about the peace God will bring into my heart. I want to know more. Where can I find something simple enough for me to understand? |
| 4/30/2023 | Our mother had some nice things — and after she died, the arguing over who would get what became very bitter. I know she would’ve been shocked at the way some family members acted. Why are people so greedy? Most of it wasn’t worth much anyway. |
| 4/29/2023 | 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? |
| 4/28/2023 | 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? |
| 4/27/2023 | 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. |
| 4/26/2023 | Our nation was once known by strong families. Why are so many homes shattered by disappointment, grief and pain? |
| 4/25/2023 | Our son and his wife just had their first son, and we’re very excited. Does the Bible say anything about what we ought to do to be good grandparents? |
| 4/24/2023 | Our son divorced his wife two years ago, and now we get to see our grandchildren (who are with her) only a couple of times a year. This breaks our hearts, but neither our son nor his ex-wife seem to care. Can we do anything about this? |
| 4/23/2023 | 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. |
| 4/22/2023 | Our son got engaged over Christmas. I suppose we should be happy, but we honestly wonder if our future daughter-in-law is right for him. Should we say something, or is it best to keep out of it? They seem to be deeply in love, and they both feel God brought them together. |
| 4/21/2023 | Our son got hooked on drugs, eventually got caught dealing drugs and now is in prison. This has broken our hearts, of course, but what hurts almost as much is that no one in our church ever asks about him or says they’re praying for him (or us). Shouldn’t they be concerned? |
| 4/20/2023 | 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? |
| 4/19/2023 | Our son has been living with his girlfriend for over a year, and now they’re going to have a baby. He wasn’t brought up this way, and as Christians we don’t know how to deal with it. My husband says we ought to just cut them off until they get married (which may never happen), but I hate the idea of never knowing my grandchild. What should we do? |
| 4/18/2023 | I recently accepted Jesus as my Savior and want to let Him know just how much it means to me that He died for me. I go to church every Sunday and am wondering if there is more to worshiping Him than just singing a few hymns and listening to the preaching. |
| 4/17/2023 | 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? |
| 4/16/2023 | Our son no longer believes in God. He’s been influenced by his high school science teacher, who says we should only believe in things we can prove, and we can’t prove God exists. What can we say to him? I’m afraid it’s causing a lot of conflict in our family. |
| 4/15/2023 | Our three grandchildren live in a different part of the country and we almost never get to see them (maybe once or twice a year, at most). We’d like to be a good influence on them (especially spiritually), but how can we when they’re so far away? |
| 4/14/2023 | My brother and I are only two years apart, and our parents were very devout. Over the years, my faith has meant much to me, but my brother has always been very rebellious and hasn’t wanted anything to do with God. Now he says it’s too late to change. Why did we take such different paths? |
| 4/13/2023 | Years ago, my brother and I had a conflict over our father’s estate, and he vowed he’d never speak to me again, and he hasn’t. I feel terrible about this and have tried repeatedly to reach out to him, but nothing changes. Should I just give up? |
| 4/12/2023 | I want to share my faith with others but do not know how. What is available to help me? |
| 4/11/2023 | All my close relatives have passed away, except for my youngest sister. I really wish we could get along, but she’s a very critical person, and every time she comes to visit she tells me what a bad housekeeper I am, and things like that. Why are some people so negative? |
| 4/10/2023 | How can we know for sure that Jesus actually died and rose again? And what difference does it make? |
| 4/9/2023 | 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? |
| 4/8/2023 | Thirty years ago, I abandoned my wife and family for another woman. Recently, I tried to contact my kids because I’d heard they have children now, but they don’t want anything to do with me. That’s really broken me up. Can you suggest anything to make them change their minds? |
| 4/7/2023 | 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? |
| 4/6/2023 | 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? |
| 4/5/2023 | My mother and I always had a rocky relationship, but I’ve been filled with remorse ever since her death. I’d give almost anything to be able to tell her that I’m sorry for all the hurt I caused her, but it’s too late. Please encourage people to make things right while they can. |
| 4/4/2023 | I am a Mormon. Why should I consider becoming a Christian? |
| 4/3/2023 | 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. |
| 4/2/2023 | 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? |
| 4/1/2023 | How can I overcome sin in my Christian life? |
| 3/31/2023 | Since I became a Christian recently, my friends are still trying to figure out what has happened to me and what it all means. There are things I want to share with them but do not know how since I am very new to reading the Bible. How can I explain to them how Jesus rose up from the dead? |
| 3/30/2023 | My parents got divorced two years ago, and I chose to go with my father. Now I’m not sure I did the right thing, because he doesn’t really want me around. Sometimes I wish I could just run away somewhere. What should I do? |
| 3/29/2023 | I am a new believer and have just given my heart to Jesus. I have been listening to different preachers when I can and they all talk about the blood of Christ. What is so important about that? |
| 3/28/2023 | What does it mean to shine our light for Christ and exactly how can we learn to do that? |
| 3/27/2023 | What’s so wrong with pride, which you preachers seem 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? |
| 3/26/2023 | 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? |
| 3/25/2023 | My mother remarried last year and now we have what’s supposed to be a blended family — four kids from my stepfather and me — but it’s not working. I don’t think my stepfather likes me, and I don’t get along with his children. I want to run away. I’m 14. Do you have any advice? |
| 3/24/2023 | On the outside, everyone thinks I’m good — I’m active in our church’s youth group, have no bad habits, etc. But sometimes I can’t wait to get away from home and leave all this behind. I know it’s probably wrong, but can you understand how I feel? |
| 3/23/2023 | I am a new believer because I have failed in my marriage, my job, and my life goals and I need to believe in something I can count on lasting forever. What do you recommend? |
| 3/22/2023 | I am a recently converted new believer and trying to read and understand my Bible. I understand that God is holy but do not know what it means for me to be holy. |
| 3/21/2023 | 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? |
| 3/20/2023 | I am a recently converted born again Christian but what I didn’t expect was the way my family and friends would make light of what I have done. This hurts me deeply and I need something to help me. |
| 3/19/2023 | 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. |
| 3/18/2023 | I’m usually calm and in control of my emotions but sometimes I get upset and before I know it I’ve lost my temper. How can I get this under control? |
| 3/17/2023 | 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. |
| 3/16/2023 | I am drowning in the responsibilities of life and feel empty, discouraged, and exhausted, with little energy left for my family or job and even for God. What should I do? |
| 3/15/2023 | Often when I pray I can feel something is trying to tell me something. How can I know that it is God speaking to me and not the devil? |
| 3/14/2023 | 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? |
| 3/13/2023 | I am a new believer and am very excited to start telling my friends about The Gospel of Jesus Christ. How do I explain what The Gospel is and what it means? |
| 3/12/2023 | I am a Christian but I do not read the Bible and pray like I should. How can I do that and know His will for my life? |
| 3/11/2023 | Why is it so hard for me to control the things I say to my family and friends? Sometimes I hurt their feelings before I know I have done it. |
| 3/10/2023 | 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? |
| 3/9/2023 | My work is rewarding to me, but my employer is asking me to do unethical things that make me uncomfortable. I am wondering if I should look for another job before I get fired for insubordination. What’s the answer? |
| 3/8/2023 | My children are fast becoming adults and I fear that as they begin to make important decisions, they will make wrong ones. Is it wrong to advise children when they begin to make life-changing decisions? |
| 3/7/2023 | The Bible mentions sin so frequently and that it is sin, our sin, that separates us from God. Will God really leave me if I sin? |
| 3/6/2023 | My family never got along very well, and over the years we just drifted apart and don’t have anything to do with each other. Now that I’m older I’d like to do something about this, but I’m not sure they even care. Should I try, or just leave it alone? |
| 3/5/2023 | My wife and I have been married 10 years and she is reluctant to have children because of the terrible condition the world is in now. I can’t say that I disagree with her, but I feel that we are cheating ourselves of having, and raising, a family. Am I wrong? |
| 3/4/2023 | What kind of person does God want me to be in view of the end of all things. |
| 3/3/2023 | I am a new believer and did not get saved until I was 30. I grew up in schools that taught evolution contrary to what I am now learning about creation. I am having trouble trying to determine what is true. |
| 3/2/2023 | I am a new believer and have been reading the Bible. When Jesus says “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” just what is He saying is the truth? |
| 3/1/2023 | I just read Philippians 4:8 that said “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things”. Exactly what does that mean to me? |
| 2/28/2023 | Did people in Bible times celebrate special days like we do, such as Father’s Day? I’m not close to my father (my parents divorced when I was 10), but I want to do whatever the Bible says I should do for him. |
| 2/27/2023 | I have just lost my wife who has suffered from cancer for the past year. My heart hurts so much. Can you give me some hope that will help me deal with the grief and pain of this heartache? |
| 2/26/2023 | I’ve seen references to the fruit of the Spirit in my devotions this morning. Where can I learn more about this fruit? |
| 2/25/2023 | 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? |
| 2/24/2023 | 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? |
| 2/23/2023 | As a believer, I read in the Gospel of John that Jesus is called “the true light which gives light to everyone” and that followers of Jesus are called to be lights in the darkness. What does it mean to shine our light? |
| 2/22/2023 | I recently saw in the news that young people were forming clubs to worship Satan. Why would they want to do that? |
| 2/21/2023 | 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? |
| 2/20/2023 | 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? |
| 2/19/2023 | I am a believer but still have trouble saying things I shouldn’t before I know that I have. What can I do? |
| 2/18/2023 | 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. |
| 2/17/2023 | My wife and I gave our hearts to Jesus this past Sunday and now we are anxious to find out more about Heaven and what happens when we die. |
| 2/16/2023 | I fear for the attack on our homes, our families and our children—the future of our country. What can we do to combat the assaults? |
| 2/15/2023 | I have joined the church. I have been baptized. But how will I know that Jesus has come to live in my heart as my Lord? I covet the peace beyond all understanding The Bible speaks of. |
| 2/14/2023 | Does anyone really appreciate the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children? |
| 2/13/2023 | I’ve heard that the present generation is filled with more knowledge than at any time in history. If this is true, how can society be so messed up? Is knowledge the same as wisdom? |
| 2/12/2023 | I know God expects us to love everybody, but how can you love people who aren’t very loveable? Many in our extended family are coming to our house for the Fourth of July, and I dread it, to be honest. Some of them are simply obnoxious. |
| 2/11/2023 | As a new believer I have been taught that Romans 8:28 says all things work for our good. Please help me to understand this. There are things that have happened to me since I was saved that just do not make since. |
| 2/10/2023 | 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? |
| 2/9/2023 | What does the Bible have to say about money as it relates to our lives today as we tithe, pay taxes, and manage our money? |
| 2/8/2023 | When I got saved I was taught that as long as I live in this world I would face temptation but that Jesus Christ my Savior would give me the power to overcome temptation. What can I expect? |
| 2/7/2023 | Does a Christian have to tithe? |
| 2/6/2023 | How can we explain the senseless acts of violence that seem to happen almost every day? I was brought up to believe we all have a conscience, and therefore we all should know the difference between right and wrong. But this doesn’t seem to be the case with some people today. |
| 2/5/2023 | 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? |
| 2/4/2023 | Two years after our mother died our father remarried (someone he’d known in high school). But he never discussed it with us, and he just can’t seem to understand why my sisters and I are having such a hard time accepting her as part of our families. Are we wrong to feel this way? |
| 2/3/2023 | Someone in our family is always having a crisis, and all of their problems end up in my lap. I get so tired trying to deal with them. They mostly ignore my advice anyway. Sometimes I just wish I could leave. Why is our family so messed up? |
| 2/2/2023 | I have given my heart to Jesus but I have questions about Heaven and whether it is real or not. I want to believe it is real. Can you shore up my confidence that Heaven is a real place and that I will go there when I die? |
| 2/1/2023 | 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? |
| 1/31/2023 | I love my pets very much, and they seem to love me also. Do they have souls the same way we do? Sometimes I think they must, because they all have such expressive and affectionate personalities. |
| 1/30/2023 | I gave my grandson a nice Bible for his high school graduation, but his parents got upset and told me in his presence to quit shoving religion down his throat. I knew they didn’t go to church or anything, but why would they react so strongly? Was I wrong to do this? |
| 1/29/2023 | I am a new believer and am anxious to share the gospel with my friends but how can I convince them that Jesus was resurrected on the third day? |
| 1/28/2023 | We don’t know what to do, because the doctor says our mother has terminal cancer, and yet she refuses to admit it or do anything she ought to be doing (like making a will). How can we help her? She gets angry if we even mention it. |
| 1/27/2023 | We don’t understand our son-in-law. We had a close relationship at first (especially since he and our daughter live nearby), but now he tells our daughter that we irritate him and he wishes we’d just back off. What have we done wrong? We pray about this every day, but nothing changes. |
| 1/26/2026 | I know it is an age-old question, but why does God allow people to suffer so much in this world? |
| 1/25/2023 | I know I made a lot of bad decisions over the years, but I always hoped my children would learn from my mistakes. Well, I’m afraid that hasn’t happened, and now my family seems to be coming apart at the seams. Why won’t they learn to do what’s right? |
| 1/24/2023 | 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? |
| 1/24/2023 | I am a new believer and I want to share my beliefs with my family and friends but I am afraid to because I don’t know what to say. The few times I have tried sharing the Gospel nothing has happened. Am I doing something wrong? |
| 1/23/2023 | 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. |
| 1/22/2023 | 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? |
| 1/21/2023 | We’re in shock because we usually have a large family gathering every Christmas, but this year one of my cousins isn’t coming because she’s gotten involved in a religious group that says she shouldn’t have anything to do with her family. Is this a cult or something? |
| 1/20/2023 | We’ve been invited to a family reunion this summer, and to be honest I’m dreading it. Some in our extended family haven’t spoken to each other in years, and instead of being a happy time I’m afraid it could be tense. Should we even go? |
| 1/19/2023 | I am a new believer and want to be obedient to my savior. How do I know what God wants me to do? |
| 1/18/2023 | I grew up in a home filled with chaos: no structure, no teaching. I am amazed that I became an adult that had any ability to discern right from wrong, but thank God neighbors took interest in me at special times. Now as a young mother, what are some of the lessons I can pass on to my children to better prepare them for life? |
| 1/17/2023 | Families and homes that were once the backbone of society have become victims of society. Is there any hope of restoring what has been lost? |
| 1/16/2023 | I read in the New York Times and other articles about a movie entitled “Apostasy.” Several ministers have commented on it so it must have something to do with religion but what does apostasy really mean? |
| 1/15/2023 | What Does It Mean to “Die to Self”? |
| 1/14/2023 | I am elderly, but when I see the way the world is today, it seems nearly impossible for young people to ever know what purity is. I have to say that the older generation has not set a very good example. The language alone that comes from our politicians and entertainers has deposited utter filth in young minds. What does the Bible mean when it says that people should be “pure in heart”? |
| 1/13/2023 | We are living in an age of complete lawlessness. Is this what it means to transgress against God’s law? |
| 1/12/2023 | 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. |
| 1/11/2023 | I know this life is not supposed to be easy for anyone but I would like to understand why do people suffer? And why do they die? If God is good and loving, how could He allow that? |
| 1/10/2023 | What does it mean when the Bible says we should walk the narrow way? What does that really mean? |
| 1/9/2023 | I used to laugh at religious people when they would talk about the end of time. But as I witness the volume of storms that pound the world and health scares that paralyze the world, I am reconsidering what they’ve had to say. Exactly what does the Bible say about these things and why doesn’t God intervene for the sake of mankind? |
| 1/8/2023 | We live in a world that provides so many different choices: religions, careers, and relationships. Even the Bible commands that we make choices, right?? |
| 1/7/2023 | 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? |
| 1/6/2023 | I’ve heard many predictions of when the world will end. I am a believer and know I will go to heaven but I am too afraid to even think about it. What is going to happen and when and how can I keep from being so afraid? |
| 1/5/2023 | I am a new parent and seem to struggle trying to understand why it is so hard to be a parent. I have questions I need answers to. |
| 1/4/2023 | I am a believer but with all of the evil that fills this world I am overcome with fear and anxiety and constantly worried about the future. What can I do? |
| 1/3/2023 | The internet is filled with more danger than good things. It just seems that modern technology has given a platform for everyone to talk about themselves and some say that people’s obsession with it is dangerous. Does the Bible address this? |
| 1/2/2023 | I am a new believer and have been going to church regularly and reading my Bible daily but I want to grow closer to God. What else do I need to do? |
| 1/1/2023 | What does the word “apostasy” mean Biblically and is it even a relevant word in today’s society? |
