I’ve been thinking about the statements you wrote like, “If what we say we believe doesn’t result in action, it’s doubtful that we really believe it. True faith will manifest itself in Spirit led work” and, “Faith brings salvation, which brings gratitude, which brings a desire to express our gratitude through acts of service.”

I am one of those Christians who have had doubts about my own salvation ever since I asked the Lord to save me. Often I wonder if I have truly believed he died for all my sins. If not, I really want to believe. It’s been already 3 years since I asked the Lord to save me and there’s has been absolutely no gratitude from my heart because of doubt. And because of my doubts, there hasn’t been any expression of my gratitude in the form of acts of kindness toward others. Was I even saved from the start?

When Jesus says that he is the vine and that all who do not produce fruit are cut off and thrown into the fire what did he mean by this? Does it mean if we are not able to produce fruit for God then we aren’t saved?

Regarding Luke 2:13-15. The last sentence of verse 15 reads, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” When did the Lord tell the shepherds about going to Bethlehem etc? Did the angels tell them or Did they know from reading the scriptures?

I have a few questions that have been bugging me. They are really getting between me and my faith. This is one of them. Jesus was God’s perfect follower, and perfect role model representation for us. How come He questioned God on the cross. ‘WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME???’ If he was this perfect follower how come he questioned God?

Re: Does He Want To Be Saved. So if a lost tribe in Africa has never heard the Gospel you are saying they get a pass on God’s judgment? My 2 sons have always been tripped up by this very question and I have never heard it answered this way.

I have zero doubt Jesus died on the cross for MY sins- personally for ME. He is my Savior and for me that is unshakable. I had a discussion with a good friend, who is a good and compassionate person but does NOT believe Jesus died for him. He believes we should live as Jesus preached, but he does not buy the fact that Jesus died for us. His reasoning, which was impossible for me to refute, is the untold millions of people that have never had the opportunity to hear the name of Jesus–if an undiscovered tribe of people in some far off land has never heard the name Jesus, is that whole tribe doomed to hell? How do I answer this question?

My biggest struggle with tithing is that at the very last moment when I go to hit the ‘pay’ button, I am flooded with thoughts of the blessings that could return to me. Guilt follows immediately, because my heart is no longer in the correct place for giving with an attitude of gratitude – it has now become an attitude of greed. I end up not paying anything in an effort not to be caught in giving with a greedy heart. I have set up automatic tithing payments to causes that I truly believe have God at their focus, but I wonder if it’s okay to tithe through automatic payments each month, or have I just replaced one sinful attitude (greed) with another (a separation from the tithe where I feel nothing). Can you help?

I read much of your material on the 12 tribes of Jews. Some of us have Jewish blood which we were not aware of. Some were raised Christian and yet have discovered Jewish ancestors. Some of these ancestors may have come from the original 12 tribes and some may have been converts. I am pretty sure I am one of these, way way back. So many of us are “partly Jewish” even though we are fully Christian.

And my half-Jewish husband, who was also “born again”, is part of the Church already in Heaven, even though he knew positively of his Jewish roots and even of which tribes his ancestors came from (Judah and Levi). I would assume that he is not among the “tribes of Israel” who will be identified in the last days?

Re: your comment. “The Jews stretched Isaiah between two horses and sawed him in half.” I just read this and was curious how you found this out. Is it mentioned in the Bible? If yes then could you please send me the bible verse?

Thank you so much for the wonderful teaching of God’s Word. You are doing a great job in helping so many others to understand fully what is written there. May God bless your life. In Expressing Our Gratitude you said, “When we’re walking with the Lord we have to override the Holy Spirit’s direction to prevent Him from manifesting good works in our life.” I don’t understand us having to ‘override’ the Holy Spirit’s direction. I thought we are to obey the Holy Spirit’s direction or allow Him to lead us. Can you explain?