There is some confusion among my husband and me and some of our close friends over the meaning of 2 Cor 9:8-9. All of us believe in tithing and practice it, plus we all give above the tithe to other ministries. Some of us believe it says we should give to everyone who ask us for money no matter what. Others say we should try to be discerning in who we give money to. We all want to be generous. If we do not give to everyone who ask us for money or financial support, are we being disobedient to this scripture?

Re: “Cheap Grace” A question arose regarding giving an account for ourselves. It’s mentioned more than once in Scripture (Jesus and Paul making such statements – sorry don’t have the verses to back them up this time), and has caused a few discussions I’ve had with others. Will you please help us on this issue, as we know our sins were paid for by Jesus’ sacrifice for us on Calvary?

Thanks so much for your ministry and the time and energy you devote to it. I have a question about the faith of Abraham.

Romans 4:10-20 says that Abraham did not waver in his faith, in regards to the Promise. I believe that this is true. Clearly, he believed in the promise of a son in order to continue to do the things that are necessary for a couple to have children. Doing this even unto very old age.

What I’m trying to understand better is why Abraham took Hagar when she was offered.

I’m just trying to reconcile how saying his faith in a promised son didn’t waiver with his decision to be with Hagar for the specific reason of producing a son. Is it that GOD doesn’t expect our faith to be perfect to be acceptable? What was GOD looking at when He said Abraham’s faith did not waiver? I think understanding this better would help me understand the state of my own faith better.

I always thought that God knows from beginning to end and knows all the choices we would make for our lives so how does prayer change things? Are there scriptures that support this idea? I want to pray effectively for my family and friends in need.

Would you please give us your thoughts on the concept of a believer cheapening the grace of God?

It is written in Philippians 2:9-11 that every knee shall bow at the name of Jesus, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In reference to those in heaven, does this mean that the archangels Michael and Gabriel will also bow at the name of Jesus and confess Him as Lord, or is this just referring to the saints in heaven?

Do you ever get the feeling that born again believers should try to focus more effort on so-called believers in name only instead of trying to reach “sinners”? Seems like an even more difficult task to me, but I ask because with the nearness of the rapture. I can’t imagine a more surprised, disappointed, and terrified group than they will be after the rapture.

I am saved and love the Lord and want so badly to honor him but I am in a relationship that does not honor the Lord. Many times, way too many to count I have tried to end the relationship. And I confess the sin desiring to make my relationship right with God. I hate that I am caught up in this relationship and my life is truly miserable because of it. I haven’t been able to free myself from it and I feel like a total failure before the Lord. I hate what my life has become; the sin entanglement is sucking the life out of me. Why can’t I muster the courage to end it once and for all? What hope do I have? I don’t want to pretend I will go to Heaven when from scripture it appears I am bound for Hell and I am sure many would agree that is where I will end up. I want the truth even if the truth is this ungodly relationship is sending me to Hell. What a failure and disappointment I must be to the Lord. I am not asking for a stamp of approval for my behavior( I know it is sin) but please help me sort through the misery I find myself in.

I was recently talking to someone I know about Christianity and my friend said to me that he can’t keep up with all these made up things from Santa Claus to the Easter bunny and even the tooth fairy. How do I respond to this? How can I show Jesus to be the one true thing in all this?

The Bible tells us that Jesus appeared to many people after his resurrection. Thomas touched his body and Jesus ate fish with his followers. Obviously, it was a physical body. In what state did the Lord Jesus ascend to Heaven to be seated at the right hand of God the Father, physical or spiritual, and in what state is he in now as far as his body is concerned?