Why does God allow the enemy to inhibit, prevent, stall, interrupt, interfere with, His work on Earth. Paul mentioned that he had wanted to go somewhere but the devil had stopped him. Why does God allow this?

As a new Christian, I was taught that when we become a Christian God gives us a special gift to use for his honor and glory. Is it true that God gives us a specific gift other than, of course, the gift of the Holy Spirit within us? I think that if we’re allowed to ask the Lord questions when we get to heaven, my first question will be “Lord, what was my gift” because I’ve totally missed it in this life.

Thanks for the continued good work. Please explain Gen.49:10 … The scepter shall not depart from Judah … I have read somewhere that this refers in some way to the Roman occupation of Judea at the time of Christ’s coming.

I am a believer. I am eagerly looking forward to meeting the Lord in person, face to face.

Until that day arrives I am curious as to how to grow my relationship with the Lord. It appears that my communication with him is one way (me talking to, and listening for him). To date, (although I feel that I am listening) I have not heard anything but silence. Effective two-way communication seems to be essential in getting to know God. I don’t see any substitute. I am asking for help in this matter. I appreciate your time. Thanks.

I have a couple of questions for you. These are just thought provokers and not a salvation issue or anything like that. First, is time really going to end? Hebrews 1:12 says that God’s years will not fail and in Revelation 20:10 says that people in Hell will be tormented day and night forever and ever. The alluding to measurements of time here makes me think that the people that live on Earth throughout eternity (anyone not a member of the church) will still observe time. What are your thoughts?

Second, seeing how the solar systems and galaxies are all set up like ours is, meaning having planets; and stars for suns; and moons and etc.., etc.., wouldn’t it seem as though these are going to be used for more than a galactic playground for the church and the angels? Just curious about what you might think. Thank you for the great site. I have been blessed much from it and am considering supporting you since you are so true to the Word of God!!!

I see with my own eyes that there are many sinners who are so blessed (stable career, strong financial status, a happy family with a beautiful partner, vibrant health, etc.) and I start to wonder since I am His child, why am I not enjoying all the blessings these sinners have? I also know of believers who are very successful in life and have the same blessings. Then the question is, why do God’s children seem to have different levels of blessing? Does God show favoritism among His children? Then it came into my mind that if I cannot even trust Him to bless me with all these things I see others enjoying, am I being naive to trust Him with my salvation?

I have read in one of your previous posts that if we continually ignore the Holy Spirit’s guidance we will lose the ability to hear him. I believe this is called quenching the Spirit and it bothers me for obvious reasons. If someone did indeed quench the spirit is that a permanent event or can it be restored by restoring our fellowship with God?

Thank you so much for your continued help and guidance. My question is about the significance of Jacob’s wrestling match in the book of Genesis. Was the angel he was wrestling a theophany? What was the significance of the wrestling and the length of the wrestling and the crippling of his hip afterward? Thanks as always.

I read your article yesterday, What Is Sin. It was amazing! I agree with you 100%.

My question to you though is about churches in our times now. We appear to have become very tolerant of sin in people who call themselves Christians and members of our churches. I see so many who regularly attend but who continue to live in sin with boyfriends (for years and years and continue doing it). That is just one example but I think you know what I mean.

You are dead-on right about judging others but are we also supposed to hold one another accountable? I read an article on the Drudge Report tonight about a church in Jacksonville, Florida who are using 18:17 to announce the sins of a particular woman in their congregation to the entire church. It seems a bit rough to me because where does grace fall into any of this? I think there is a fine line between grace and tolerance. What I’m seeing more and more are congregations of people coming to play church and not devoting themselves to the obedience of Jesus Christ. (yes, believe me, no one knows better than me about the plank in my own eye).

I guess what I’m asking is how do we call our churches back to obedience? It seems to me that we have a form of Godliness but lack the power thereof. I fear for the church in these times. I’d be interested to know what you think about this. Thank you so much for your time and may God richly bless you!

Thank you for all your hard work and insight into the word of God. My question concerns the one who sat on the throne in Revelation 5:7. Jesus said in John 4:24, “God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth”. I have always wondered about Rev. 5:7 and have never had an interpretation that I could fully grasp. A spirit is like the wind, you can’t see the wind but you can see the effects of the wind. So would this not indicate that a spirit can’t be seated on a literal throne. It would seem to me that it be would Jesus seated on the throne in his resurrected body. In Mathew 28: 18 Jesus said “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”. Could this some how be what revelation chapter 5 and verse 7 is referring to? Thank you in advance for your answer.