What should I pray for?

Question: I am confused about praying. Say, for example, I really want to be signed up to a dance class, but I know the possibility of that happening is zero, or I want a job, do I pray to God and expect these things to happen eventually? I know you have to put effort into…

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Is disobeying my parents a sin?

Question: Is disobeying my parents a sin? What if I did something that’s not sinful (like daydreaming or not concentrating on school), but they told me not to do it. If I disobeyed them, did I sin? Answer: The commands are: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father…

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What is the proper way to distribute an inheritance?

Question: What are the biblical guidelines in regard to the proper way to distribute an inheritance? In regards to emphasis, should it be based on sex, capability, relationship, need, character, or other factors? For example, should inheritance be given more to a male, a wise person, or a close family, or a needy one? Ref:…

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I keep falling back into sin. Does it mean I’m not determined enough?

Question: Since I keep on falling back into sin further and further, repeatedly. Does that mean I don’t have a real determination to change? I want to change, yet I find myself just behaving worse than before. What should I do? Answer: There are a few possibilities. The most likely problem is a lack of…

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How can the church exist without a succession of apostles?

Question: I happened upon your website today and you mention a few things I’ve been wondering about. I’ve studied Catholicism quite a bit, and am continually searching for Truth, and you seem to be headed there as well. Of course, Jesus is Truth, but how well has that Truth been handed down in 2000 years?…

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What does it mean to gird yourself with strength?

Question: Hello brother, My question is: would you explain Proverbs 31:17 to me? Thank you. Answer: “She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night” (Proverbs 31:17-18). “Girding” refers to the older style of clothing. If you had a…

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How do I handle a husband with a drinking problem?

Question: Hi, I am a member of the Lord’s church, as well as my husband. We have been married for about five years with a couple of kids. When we first move to where we currently live, we both attended church; fast forward a year later, he started hanging out with friends who drank, and…

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What if I don’t know I’m sinning?

Question: Are you saying we are not judged based on our ignorance or things we don’t know are sin? If so that doesn’t apply to those outside of Christ does it? Can you give me some Scriptures so I can get a better grasp? Answer: “For there is no partiality with God. For as many…

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Will God condemn a new Christian who still has a lot to learn?

Question: Will God condemn a newborn babe in Christ who is striving with every fiber of his being to grow and mature as the Bible commands? This babe in Christ realizes the urgency of studying to rightly divide God’s word, and every time he learns he is guilty of sin, he repents.  But because he…

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Some questions about judgments

Question: Please forgive me for taking up your time, but I became so excited when I came across this site! I understand that ignorance is not an excuse, and that transgression of God’s laws is sin. However, this is my question:  What if my brother who was just taught the gospel of Christ a few…

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Your lessons made me smile

Question: I have been attempting to find faith in God for some years now. I am off work today due to being very sick with a cold and started to research why some books were left out of the Bible when I came across your website, and I find I really feel good after reading…

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Does John 14:15 mean we are under the Ten Commandments?

Question: I love your website! It has been very helpful to me in my studies.  I have been studying with a friend of mine who still believes that we are under the ten commandments.  He wants to use the verse John 14:15 “If you love me keep my commandments” as proof that we are still…

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I got a chance to teach some young adults. Any suggestions?

Question: I am going to host a Bible study in my home for my son’s friends who have indicated an interest (17 to 21-year-olds).  Any pointers, subject, etc.?  I plan on starting out with the reliability of the Bible. Answer: At this age range, the ability to reason has kicked in strongly, so it isn’t…

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I really messed up. How do I restore my relationship with my fiance?

Question: Hello, I am 24 years of age. I have been in a very serious relationship for over three years. We have had so many challenging times, but somehow we always pulled through. My boyfriend and I got engaged about a year ago. We are Christians, and he is such a good spiritual leader to…

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I want to be baptized but my dad won’t let me

Question: In Spanish class, we had a test. This guy asked me for the answers; he is an upperclassman. I knew it was a sin, and I didn’t want to do it, but I did anyway. I feel stupid and hate this blasphemous sin I have committed. Only now did I realize I could have…

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Does God have an ordained and permissive will?

Question: Like many times in the past few years, I was lost as to God’s will for my life. So I typed into Google: God what do you want me to do? Stay where I am or move? I have been out of work for several years and my money is running out. This time…

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Is survival preparation sinful?

Question: First of all let me thank you, brother Hamilton, for maintaining such a wonderful, informative, godly website for these past years. I can personally attest to how your advice has helped me to understand, more clearly, the Word of our Lord and apply it to my life, not only for my benefit but for…

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If a guy is drunk at his wedding, is he really married?

Question: My “soulmate” had gotten himself in a messy situation about ten years ago. We had been dating but had split due to distance. While I was gone he started seeing another girl (at the time he was 18) whom he slept with. When I returned, however, he told me that it was me he…

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Does God give us our names?

Question: Does God give us our names? Answer: Depends on which name you are referring to. If you mean the designations like Christian, disciple, or child of God, then, yes, those come from God. If you mean your birth name then, no, that was the name your parents picked out for you. There are times…

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If God condemned something in the past does that mean the law remains?

Question: Hello! I came across a website today about Leviticus and homosexuality. At the bottom it said the following: “Now, if God never changes and never goes back on His word, what He says in Leviticus stands for all time. Thus, what He condemns in the Old Testament remains condemned into the New Testament and…

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Should I divorce my husband of less than a year?

Question: I came across your website by chance while searching for information on divorce and separation. Below is my question: I have been married since earlier this year and separated from my husband only a few months later. I am older than my husband, and unfortunately, we didn’t date as long as we should. I…

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Why do the Jews teach different doctrines from the New Testament?

Question: I was wondering why the Jews think Satan isn’t evil and of God to test people. They think that hell isn’t eternal. And that the Messiah will be a normal man, not the Son of God, who will rebuild the church in Israel and bring people back to Judaism. If the New Testament doesn’t…

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How does the Holy Spirit testify to people today?

Question: Hello, I was reading your page and I was wondering if you thought that the Holy Spirit testifies with people today. I can see what you mean by churches making a following off these emotional responses but are you saying that God doesn’t have a way of testifying with us to let us know…

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Your articles are enjoyable as well as a learning tool for me

Question: Greetings! I have been reading the articles consisting of different topics on your website. It has been an enjoyment as well as a learning tool for me personally. I greatly appreciate it for sharing with everyone the articles. Answer: I’m happy to be of service.

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Can Christians receive massages?

Question: Can Christians receive massages? Answer: It would depend on the purpose of the massage. There would be nothing wrong with a massage to loosen sore muscles, but a massage that arouses sexual feelings would be wrong. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each…

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Do I have to give up my girlfriend to become a Christian?

Question: Hello, I am a 19-year-old young man studying with a church. I have been studying for over a year and a half and now I am ready to get baptized. I have made it my effort to not only learn the word of God, but to also apply it to my life. I pray…

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Is staying home because of an illness “forsaking the assemblies?”

Question: Hello, I read a section of your website that had to do with “not forsaking the assembling.” Could you give me your thoughts considering the following: Because I have been very low physically (adrenal fatigue State II and related diagnosis of hypoglycemia and extreme hormone imbalance) I have not attended church these last two…

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Should Christians fill out census forms?

Question: I would like to know how a Christian should react to government requests to fill out census forms. Answer: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of…

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Why can’t I repent of my fornication?

Question: I’m a 26-year-old female. I got saved at the early age of 10. My grandmother is the one that first took me and my sisters to church, taught us how to pray and read the word of God. I learned from that early age that as a woman I had to stay pure until…

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Why do we need both redemption and forgiveness?

Question: I’ve read The Living Redeemer article. But why do we need redemption and forgiveness? (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14). Is redemption not enough? Kindly explain. Answer: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness…

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Did Jesus physically arise?

Question: When Jesus rose from the dead, what form (human, spiritual, or something else) was he in when he appeared to the women and the apostles? Upon death, He gave up his spirit (Matthew 27:50) or his soul (Isaiah 53:12) but yet he did not want Mary to “cling to me”. Some apostles saw Him…

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How do you honor a bipolar mother and an autistic brother?

Question: I’m trying to follow the whole honor thy mother and father thing. My father is not around and my mom is hard to deal with. She and I argue sometimes, but she is also skitzo and bipolar. She seems like she’s a normal person, but she told me I have no idea what she…

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