In reading your posts on Daniel chapter 9 about the 483 years till Jesus’ Crucifixion. How did the Persian Priests know what year to look for the star as the sign of Jesus birth?

I have a nagging feeling all the time about my salvation. I read that salvation is from faith in Jesus Christ alone not works. But I get conflicting answers when I read things people say on different Bible sites. For example, some say when you’re saved you should spread the gospel to everyone you meet. I sometimes talk to people about what I believe but not everyone I meet. I am afraid people will think I am weird and won’t like me. Is that normal to a believer? And if I don’t share the gospel am I still saved?

In 1 Kings 8:9 it says there was nothing in the ark save the two tablets of stone. Then in Hebrews 9:4 it says Aaron’s rod and the golden pot of manna are also in it. I would like to know why they are not mentioned in Kings. Is it spiritual somehow? Aaron’s rod and the pot of manna are mentioned in Exodus and Numbers as being in the ark. So again why were they not mentioned ? I am doing a study on 1 Kings 8 and would appreciate your input.

John 6:29 says, “The work of God is to believe in the One He has sent.” As a child of 10 or 12, I used to ask God to make me more like Jesus, but I never specifically asked Him to “save” me. Even so, was my belief sufficient to save me during those childhood years? Can one be saved before reaching an age of accountability and knowledge of the concept of sin and its eternal consequences? Is it enough to believe, even if one never specifically asks for salvation?

In my past I did something at this couples house that I felt bad about. I felt it on my heart to confess to my leader and I did. I had confessed to the Lord before that and prayed for forgiveness. Then I felt it on my heart to confess my sin to the couple. When I called the wife and said I had a sin to confess to her she stopped me and said, “You don’t have to do this.” She told me I didn’t have to tell her, that I was already forgiven, and that I need only confess to it God, walk away from it and not mention it again. What is the biblical role of confessing sin? I look at Proverbs 28:13 and it seems that I am supposed to confess my sins even to other people that I have wronged. What is your take on the whole confessing to other people?

I have thought long and hard about the ‘predestination’ argument and I think that ‘pre’ meaning before, and ‘destination’ meaning ‘the end of the journey’ simply tells us that those of us He foreknew would reach our destination, previously prepared for us. Does this fit with the Greek of which I know nothing?

Absent a “professional” explanation, I have always thought that the dispute over the body of Moses and the reason God secretly buried it was to prevent a subsequent apotheosis of Moses and his burial place becoming a shrine of towering importance to rival even the Temple in the minds of the people. What, in your thinking, was the reason for the dispute?

A Bible teacher whom I respect greatly wrote an article concerning our judgment for sins after we die as Christians. My whole Christian life I have been painfully aware of my sins. The only hope I have is the knowledge that all my sins are covered by the blood of Jesus. I have been looking forward to the Rapture when all the things of this life will be no more and we will be free from this burden of sin.

But according to the Bible teacher this won’t happen. As soon as we die or are raptured we will face God’s judgment and and have to answer for every sinful thought and deed we ever had. I am almost in tears thinking of the shame I will feel. Now the rapture doesn’t seem like something we can look forward to but is something to dread. How can we encourage each other about the rapture if there’s a big judgment coming right after it?

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine the other night and she asked me what you have to do and what does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I tried explaining to her that you repent of your sins, ask the Lord for forgiveness, and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I also said that once you are (filled with the Holy Spirit) you will feel conviction when you have done something wrong because the Holy spirit within you will grieve. Then she asked how do you know conviction from guilt? Can you please explain these things to me in a way that I can explain to her without confusing her more? Thank you so much.

Your website is wonderful and I believe Holy Spirit led! You have helped me tremendously with 2 other questions I had and I have another one today that is weighing on my mind. I know we must forgive others. I have worked hard and work hard daily to forgive others as I am so graciously and wonderfully forgiven by Jesus Christ my GOD.

What is bothering me though is forgiving on behalf of others. For instance one circumstance I am having difficulty with is forgiving a step-mother who is divorcing my Dad and being very selfish and greedy about it in my humble opinion. Another instance is forgiving my father-in-law who we recently found out molested at least 2 of our nieces.

My guilt about not forgiving and the anger I feel in these situations is driving me to seek the counsel of someone like you who may be able to shed some light on how Jesus wants us to handle the situation.

I would like scripture to back up your answer; if you have an answer or some guidance for me. If you feel led to help me with my questions I would be very grateful. Of course I know to pray for all parties and I know how to say I forgive; but I don’t know how to REALLY forgive or if the Lord even expects me to. Can you help?