You’re always very honest in answering everyone’s questions, so I need yet another honest answer from you. My wife and I have two girls (ages 8 and 6), and we made the mistake of allowing Santa Claus to be “real” to them. Now that the oldest is starting to figure out truth from fiction, it won’t be long before the truth about Santa comes up. When it does, how do we explain that Santa’s not real….but Jesus is? We are a family of believers, so the girls have been taught about Jesus throughout their short lives. Unfortunately, they’ve believed in Santa this whole time, too. So how do we tell them the truth without jeopardizing the reality of Jesus?

I have been a Christian for years. I prayed to accept God and jumped into ministry right after. I heard God through whispers, countless blessings, and saw Him at work. I even brought a coworker to Christ. Then I fell on hard times, and over a period of years fell away from Him. I stopped reading and praying and turned my back on Him. I cursed at Him and questioned if I ever knew him. My heart feels empty and cold and lonely now. My soul is in anguish for what I have done. God brought me to Hebrews 6, 10, and several other passages that spoke of the dangers in falling away. I don’t know what I am now. I know God is there, but I know that I denied Him. I question if I ever knew Him. It seems to be either that, or I was a believer who didn’t maintain fellowship and let sin overtake me to the point that I disgraced God, and He left me. What do I do now? What does this all mean in terms of scripture?

Why is it important that Jesus sit at the right hand of God the father? There seem to be a lot of verses that talk about the right hand, why?

Re: Will I Be Left Behind Because Of My Habits? I read in this article you state “the Bible doesn’t mention drug use” I agree 110% that the only requirement for salvation and being part of the rapture is believe alone, by faith alone and by Christ alone. 1 Thes 4:14 says if we believe that Jesus died & rose again we’re in. However, the Greek word translated sorcery in Gal 5:19-21 is “pharmakeia” where we get the English word pharmacy. It’s talking about drugs.

Could you explain James 2:19 in relation to salvation and works? I’ve heard many use this verse to say “see, just believing isn’t enough for salvation because the demons believe and aren’t saved”. They say your fruit is indicated by your “works”. Can you put this into proper perspective?

Can you please explain the scripture “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house” from Acts 16:31?

A patient and I were discussing the plight of a little girl I’m also treating who recently had major surgery and then 10 days later was rushed back to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. His response was this.

“That poor girl…I’ll never understand what God has in mind with all the pain and suffering the young have to endure. Who could ignore the cries of a child? It seems like we’ve been forgotten and he’s moved on to another project.”

I know he’s not a believer. How can I respond to this in a way that could perhaps change that?

My wife has leukemia and they recently stopped all treatment since it was not working anymore. I think in one of your studies you said that when we get to heaven we will not be bound by time, but will be similar to what God experiences now. If that is true, when my wife gets to heaven will she experience time without her family or will that time not be noticed? Do you know what I mean? If she is not bound by time she will see the rest of her saved loved ones as soon as she gets there even though in this life we are not dead or will she have to wait until we die?

I’m going through a very painful breakup. While in the relationship, I fell away from the Lord big time. I believe He is using this to get my attention. My question is this-What scriptures should I be memorizing to help with my broken heart, forgiveness towards her, and continuing my walk with Him?

I have a question about Rev. 3:10: “I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world.” Is this a literal “hour”? How does this compare to the other uses of the word hour in Revelation, especially the destruction of Babylon in “a single hour”, Rev. 18:10, “the hour of his (God’s) judgment”, Rev. 14:7, and the 1/2 hour of silence in Rev. 8. The implication that you use from Rev. 3:10 is that hour refers to the 7 years of tribulation. How do we know what actual period of time “hour” refers to?