In Paul’s short letter to Titus, he mentions 4 times that the people should be sober (Titus 1:8, 2:2, 2:6, 2:12). But in his letter to Timothy, Paul mentions that it is okay to drink a little wine (1 Timothy 5:23). Did the people of Crete have a problem with drinking alcohol in excess? Are born-again Christians considered backslid if they drink alcohol in excess?

Is there Biblical evidence that Satan needs permission to start events that have prophetic significance, or are they not his to start anyway? For example, since everything in Bible prophecy depends on exact timing, and everything has to follow a pre-written plan, even if we as humans do not have all the details, can Satan just have his human comrades escalate events (like rocket fire on Tel Aviv that may lead to Psalm 83) if it isn’t yet time for it, prophetically?

Recently, our pastor gave a message on the Holy Spirit regarding the Greek words ‘en’ and ‘epi’ (the Holy Spirit being ‘in’ a Christian and ‘upon’ a Christian) and said there was a difference. He explained that ‘en’ happened at the time of salvation, which I already knew, of course, but the ‘epi’ , I had not heard of before happened when a Christian had a deeper relationship with Christ and then would receive miracles and blessings. I know blessings happen when we are in fellowship with Christ. I didn’t know about the Holy Spirit being upon us as different from being in us. I would like your thoughts on this and did I understand him correctly?

My brother and his wife are not very well off and have begun remodeling their house on a pay as you go basis. Recently they discovered they are pregnant and at the rate they’re going the baby will come long before the remodeling is complete. Currently the house has only been gutted and would not be safe for a new born. I have some money I could give them so they could complete the house in time, but I don’t know what to do because they are confirmed unbelievers. Would God be pleased with me if I help them, or would it not be His will for me to do this?

I grew up in church whose founder believed that he was the Elijah quoted in Malachi 4:5-6. Others have refuted his claims on the basis that Jesus said, “Elijah has already come and you did not recognize him”. But if that were so, why does Malachi 4:5 say ‘before the great and terrible day of the Lord? That sounds like a messenger (Elijah) is meant to show up before the tribulation. I’m no longer a member of this church but I am confused about whether such a messenger is yet to come onto the scene. What do you think?

Thank you for taking the time answer our questions. I was reading Luke 11:29-30. It is the passage where the crowds asked Jesus for a sign, but answering them, Jesus said that no sign would be given them except the sign of Jonah. I’m a little baffled as to why Jesus would phrase it this way since He’d been doing miracles left and right all this time. Weren’t those signs as well?

I know what I want in a wife, (besides looks) like a love for God, desire to raise children, and common mission. But, does the Bible say much about choosing? Where is the balance between what we want and what is best?

Last Sunday at church the worship leader was leading us in prayer and mentioned something to the effect that “God is not mad at you” It got to me to thinking…Does God get mad at believers who willfully and deliberately want to stay in their sin?

I have a question about the Bema Seat Judgment, when we are judged for our works during our lifetime. I’ve listened to a evangelist who states when we get to this judgment Jesus will ask each one of us what work we did for Him in our lifetime, and some of us will feel remorse in that we didn’t do anything to earn a crown. He then went on to say how badly we will feel to have nothing to give back to the Lord when many others are casting their crowns at the Lord’s feet. I’ve been quite upset since hearing this man talk. Is this really how it will be?

Heb. 4:15 Says that Jesus was tempted in all ways. Was this the same temptation we experience? If I understand correctly He had no sin nature as we do, so how was it like our temptation? I’m not being contrary I just want to understand.