I was sexually abused when I was 13, I’m 24 now, and I’m still having trouble ‘getting over’ it. I know eventually Christ will erase all pain associated with the abuse, but right now I’m suffering from the memory of what was done to me. Are there any bible verses that will help me get through the tougher days?

Matt. 7:22-23 confuses me a bit. I understand that these people who will be uttering these statements are non believers, but what doesn’t sink well to me is how can they drive out demons and perform miracles in the name of Jesus Christ if they are not believers?

I have a family member who has about 8 dogs, but not because he wants them. They’re his girlfriend’s. He kicks them, hits them, etc. He recently got bitten on the leg. He claims to be a Christian , but how can a Christian be cruel and uncaring to any animal? My question is about the following verse.

Proverbs 12:10 ….”A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” I don’t understand the “tender mercies” part. How can the wicked have “tender mercies”?

After reading your answer to a previous question I sent in, I got to thinking about how do we know when to blame the devil vs. blaming ourselves for the bad thoughts that come into our mind?

I got a letter from a Jewish organization yesterday. Included was a blank form for me to write my prayer requests and return to them. They say they’re going to Israel later this summer and will recite my requests at the Western Wall. My question is, is it okay to do that? I thought we’re only supposed to pray directly to God.

I was wondering about the crowns that we can earn. Why do we want to get them? How can we get them? When will we give them to God? Will everyone have them or will some have none?

I have a question about the second commandment, Exodus 20:4. With my decorating scheme in my home I have carved fish, some wood, some stone, some metal, etc. Should I dispose of these items? I like them because they are pretty and fit in with the decorating. In most homes, offices, etc., you are going to find images of the likeness of Heaven, Earth and Sea. Are we not to decorate?

Re: Luke 15:32 “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” This verse of the prodigal son sounds like the Son who went away to riotous living was dead until he came home to his father. How does this work with OSAS? I understand that the son knew the father before he left home and then was lost/dead. When I was about 7 years old, I asked the Lord to save me. Later I went on to riotous living for a number of years. Then I came back to the Lord and have since been blessed like never before. I feel like I am the son spoken of in this verse. Does this mean that while I was engaged in riotous living, I was not saved, or “dead”?

My question is how can I know for certain that I am in the middle of God’s will for my life? And also how can I stay continually on fire for God?

In Isaiah 14:12 why is Lucifer referred to as the son of morning? I am reading the NKJV. Thank you for your help.