I was wondering why in the Gospel of Mark, generally characterized by using the word “immediately”, the fig tree cursed by the Lord did not appear to have withered until the following day whereas in Matthew, not necessarily a book of “speed”, the fig tree withered immediately.

First I want to say I love this site! I am a newer Christian and A friend just sent this site to me to help me answer some of my questions and I check it now all the time. My question is this…I have loved ones that are very close to my heart daily who say and have said they believe in the Lord, I’m not sure if they actually were born again? They don’t live the life to Glorify him in ANY way. Of course I pray for them but I can’t seem to get it off my mind and continue to walk in faith about it. Please help me see this God’s way!

The bible says that we are to confess our sins one-by-one and ask for forgiveness-and God will forgive us. I also understand from the Lord’s Prayer, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” that in both cases we ask God to forgive us. If someone has done wrong to me -why should I forgive them if they don’t ask forgiveness from me-when I have to ask God to forgive me of MY sins. And if I fail to ask forgiveness for an overlooked sin, will I still be permitted to enter eternity with Christ?

I wonder what you might think about the Jubilee. Since the Jubilee year starts on a Day of Atonement and since the Day of Atonement is a fall feast that Jesus will fulfill, it seems logical that Jesus will fulfill the year of Jubilee, too.

In your post about the Fall feasts, you quoted the following statement from Jesus, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” My question is, what age was being referred to here?

My question is concerning Matthew 14:28. I understand why the disciples were terrified out on a boat during a storm and why they would not be expecting Jesus to come walking by and thought it was a spirit. Peter showed tremendous faith by stepping out of the boat to go to Jesus. The scripture is “And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water”. Why did Peter say IF it be thou? Would he not have been 100% sure before taking that first step?

Should a Christian choose to have something like a chorionic villus sampling test even when they know that they will keep the baby whatever happens? I ask this because it has a risk of miscarriage, and who am I to bring this on if God has other things planned. I don’t know where in the Bible that is says not to but I know I’m to trust in God. However, being prepared for the worst case scenario will help emotionally and we’ll have a specific problem to pray about.

Since we’re living in the End Times, there are times I wonder if the things I’m doing matter at all. I know I should be a good steward of the gifts and blessings God has given me, but sometimes I get discouraged. I’m a 20-year-old college student, and when I think that the rapture is going to happen soon, I sometimes wonder if the things I’m doing for the future even matter at all if they never come to fruition. Honestly, the sooner we go to Heaven, the better it is. But I also feel sad at times when I think that I won’t receive any rewards at the Bema Seat. I haven’t lived life out as long as others nor do I feel like I have done much for God’s Kingdom.

I have placed my faith in the saving power of Jesus’ sacrifice and therefore I am standing on the promises found in Scripture regarding salvation. However, I am troubled by my inability to find joy in life. I am amazed by persons at church who always seem so happy … who walk around with perpetual smiles on their faces. I know that we live in a sinful and imperfect world that is full of trials … just watching the way people (even professing Christians) treat each other wears me down. I LONG for the rapture or even my own death (though not enough to take an active part in producing it). What am I missing?

I don’t have a problem with the trinity but I have a friend who does. He asked me why did Jesus say “My Father is Greater than I.” How would you answer that question?