I’m trying to prepare a children’s sermon. How do we explain to children that death is a time of rejoicing, as well as a time of grieving. When relaying the stories of Jesus raising Lazarus and others from the dead- it is hard to convey that all is fair and right to be content to wait til we see our loved ones in heaven. Why is it that He physically raised Lazarus whom He loved, but will not bring back our loved ones and we must wait (and be content to do so) to be reunited with them?

I know that God The Father, is present in everything in the universe. But I wonder if Jesus, being God in human form with an immortal body, is present in many, if not all, places in the universe. Or can He only be everywhere at the same time spiritually?

I just read Luke 20: 17-18 and don’t understand what the Lord was saying. “But Jesus looked at them and said, What then is this that is written : The stone the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces ; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” Can you help me clarify this?

In regards to Is Satan A Christian? a question from a little boy, it would do well for all to know that just believing in Jesus alone is not enough to be resurrected to life. We must have the spirit of God indwelling us. We must be baptized into His Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit revealing truth to us all we have is a historical Jesus.

My 7 year old son asked my wife a question on the way to school this morning. He said that Satan was a Christian because he believed in God, that Jesus Christ was the son of God, that he died for our sins, and that God rose him from the dead. All of those qualify us as believers to gain eternal life in Heaven with the Lord. What can I say to my son to disqualify Satan from being a Christian when the scripture implies that Satan knows scripture? One cannot be a Christian and be against God. It seems to be an interesting paradox.

I’m confused at times with the meaning of the word “if”. Several places in the Old Testament God promises Israel that He will bless them “if” they follow the commands He gave them (i.e., Deut. 7:12). However in the New Testament the word “if” sometimes is used to mean “since”. I think I read in one of your postings that the Greek word for “if” is “eige”. The reason I need this sorted out is some are using the word “if” not in the “since” translation but as being a conditional “if” to try and prove we can lose our salvation. Can you help?

Actually it says in the Bible if we don’t forgive we won’t be forgiven. Jesus spoke this in Matthew just after Lords Prayer. “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Mat 6:14-15) Your post Do I have to forgive him? says it doesn’t matter if you do or not.

I was recently part of a large argument in our family. A family member continually lies and uses me as a scapegoat, but my mother in law says I am required to forgive.

I know this person is lying because I was there. Since he does not have a repentant heart, do I still need to forgive him? I don’t want to allow Satan to play divide and conquer with us, but I also don’t feel I can forgive when there is no repentance.

I have realized that I have trusted too much in my feelings and my thoughts instead of the word of God, however learning to rely solely on God’s word is difficult, what advice can you give regarding that? How can I learn to trust in what is written in the Bible and not what I feel or what thoughts pop up in my mind?

I know the Bible says not to store treasures for yourself here on earth but to store your treasures in heaven. I believe the Bible entirely and try to follow Gods word. However, I do believe God gave us a little thing called common since. With the increase of natural disasters and the threat of terrorism, I have started putting a supply of food and water away. Not because I don’t trust God to take care of me and my family, because he has all this time, but because he has given us warnings as to how evil the world is and will become. Do you think I am being foolish for storing or do you think it is a wise idea just in case something like a natural disaster were to occur?