I have been reading about predestination. God knows our whole life, before conception. It is all planned out. He knows if we will choose Him (salvation) or not. He knows when people will die. Why pray for your loved ones, when God knows It is His will. All through the Bible, it talks about praying for people, but our lives are already planned out, according to God’s will.

My mother died of cancer several years ago. I’m wondering … Why did I pray so fervently, if I knew it was God’s choice to bring her home. Why do churches have “prayer requests”? We cannot change God’s mind. My mind is “reeling” about these thoughts. Hope you can help!

I confess my sins as quickly as I realize that I’ve sinned. There are times however where I don’t confess anything because I can’t remember sinning at all. I spend my time either working, studying God’s Word and being on sites such as yours, and spending time with my wife, not necessarily in that order, and do nothing that goes against His commandments (as far as I know.) Should I confess on a daily basis anyway?

Romans 8: 13 says, “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” Can you please explain this more thoroughly? What exactly is this implying, and to whom was Paul addressing it?

Please help me to perhaps understand what Paul is trying to tell us here. In the early verses I seem to understand him that he is telling us about Israel that is eventually going to be saved after the full number of Gentiles has been saved. Verse 23 confuses me a lot because Paul speaks as if Israel will have to show some belief in Jesus in order to be saved, although in the early chapters he speaks as if God intentionally made Israel not to understand Jesus. Then in verse 26 he speaks as if Israel is eventually going to be saved without any effort, which is what I believe on. But Paul confuses me when I read verse 23 and 25 as they seen to be contradicting.

I know there is a verse that states that if a Christian refuses to repent God might take his physical life. I’m not referring to losing salvation, which we both know doesn’t happen; but to physical death. Can you tell me what that reference is?

How did you arrive at what each of the churches in Revelation 2-3 represent, i.e. Catholic, mainline protestant, evangelicals, apostate, etc.? Also, why would the church of Smyrna not represent those Christians being martyred today?

Please explain where in Romans 7:9 it says children have eternal life because their sins are not counted against them. I cannot find any reference to children in the verse.

I have a question regarding Matthew 12:36 and the correct application of it. It says “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” I know you have said Jesus was addressing the Pharisees. But some preachers say this scripture is a warning for all Christians and unbelievers. If Jesus was only addressing the Pharisees, why did he say “everyone”?

I have a desire to share the Gospel and yet I’m also aware of the warnings of being a teacher, handling the Word of God, etc. My problem is that every time I share my knowledge of Jesus, I find myself walking away thinking, “Boy did I blow that!” and this fear of not handling God’s Word correctly comes over me. So in my sincerest desire of wanting to share and witness I find myself being a blubbering idiot most of the time. I so badly want to decrease so that He may increase but so far sharing the Gospel like trying to speak a totally different language. Is this normal? What advice can you give me?

Are Romans 8:32 and Eph 1:3 related in that the latter explains the former? What else could be meant by all things if they are not spiritual in nature. There are many believers who have little or nothing material, I am wondering if this is the correct interpretation.