I can look back over my Christian life and can see how much I’ve grown in my knowledge of scripture. But recently, I’ve noticed that there is something missing now. I prayed about it and God revealed that it is my intimacy with Him that’s missing. I can remember when I was younger in the faith and didn’t know as much as I have learned over the years, but I was so passionate and Christ felt as close as ever! Now I’m not even sure how to get that passion and intimacy back. It feels as if I’m at a standstill. I confess my sins daily. What do you think? How do I get that closeness back with my Savior?

Re: Matt. 27:52-53. Who were the many saints who came out of their graves? I thought all that were saved before the cross were in Abraham’s bosom. It appears they received their body (was it the old or new) because they appeared unto many. Is there any indication that they ascended to heaven with Jesus, or did they die again? Was this told to give us a glimpse of the rapture?

The more I know, the more I learn, the more I confirm through knowledge that God exists and the Bible is true. Does this lessen my faith? Christ said to Thomas that those who believe but haven’t seen will be blessed. My question is by gaining more information about this world, like the discovery of the Ark, the evidence of Intelligent Design, end times, does this lessen my faith?

I’ve been reading a series by a well known pastor whom I respect very much. But on the issue of election I disagree with him. He says that we can’t say that God foreknew who would choose Him and then elected people according to that foreknowledge because if that were true then God can’t be sovereign. He also says that if God chose some for heaven and lets others go to hell by not choosing them, then He is right because He is God, and His ways are higher than our ways. We are not to question Him– you know, the clay talking back to the potter. I feel like it makes God into an unfair tyrant and humans into some type of pawns in a game, basically worthless. Why would God even create the human race since He would be condemning some to hell without them ever having a choice?

My dear friend has a daughter who is now deciding that she will observe the Old Testament feasts and dietary laws and teach her children to do the same. This is causing some concern for my friend over her daughter’s and grandchildren’s salvation. I do not know if her daughter has ever accepted Christ as Savior. As I understand, her daughter was raised a Protestant, but now seems to be doing some Spiritual exploration. What advice do you have for my dear Evangelical friend?

I had an abusive father. When he was on his death bed in the hospital he requested that I come see him by having a nurse call me. I did not go to see him. I thought now you will know some of the pain I endured when I was growing up and could not protect myself. I’ve come to regret very much that feeling of anger and have asked God to forgive me for it, but I don’t know if I’ve ever really come to a place of truly forgiving my father. Whenever I believe I have forgiven him another thought appears at some point and I’m angry all over again. Is forgiveness more of a process?

Man is in a depraved state and sin was passed down thru Adam to us. Because of our sinful nature, how are we able to make the decision to be saved without God helping us? Are we that able to have something to do with our salvation? Wouldn’t that mean salvation isn’t just up to God and that it’s our work and His grace combined?

What does it mean when Christian friends of mine tell me to turn all my troubles over to Jesus, or lay it (them) at the foot of the cross. I’m going through some difficult personal issues and all I hear from my Christian friends is that I need to pray about it and lay my troubles at the foot of the cross or turn it all over to Jesus. When I ask them to explain, they can’t. They just tell me that Jesus will take care of it. Does this mean I say a prayer about my circumstance, tell Jesus that I am turning it all over to him, and then ignore the problem and move on hoping the Lord will take care of the issue?

I just read your answer about cremation which confirmed what I always thought about cremation being okay, but wanted to know what your beliefs were on organ donation. I would be an organ donor if I could get over the feeling that when the Lord resurrects our bodies, I will have given away part of mine. I know this must sound ridiculous, but was wondering what your studies have led you to believe. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts.

I look forward to your daily messages. Your explanations really add depth to my knowledge of the Bible. Could you explain how one might reconcile Matthew 7:13-14 (the narrow gate & the wide gate) with Acts 16:31 (Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved)? Isn’t belief in Jesus Christ the only criterion necessary for salvation?