Thank you for your ministry and your willingness to address bible questions. My question comes from Numbers Ch. 1. I am trying to understand the mechanics of the census that was taken i.e., how did they count according to the number of names? It’s probably something very basic I am not seeing. Are you aware of a sample of this type of census that I could view? Is this type of census akin to those taken today by government agencies? Thank you again for your courtesy! God bless you!

Years ago when I was going through a rough time my pastor told me to put on the armor of God but he had no explanation as to how. So every morning I would recite the individual pieces and I imagined putting them on. I did it because I figured my pastor knew more than I did but it never felt right. Still years later I have yet to find an explanation that made sense to me. Can you give me your interpretation of the armor and how to put it on?

What does it mean to not conform to the traditions of men?

In an article you wrote on July 2, 2003, you said, “From time to time friends ask me to pray over them for healing. Usually it’s a serious matter where they don’t feel comfortable trusting the medical community alone for their healing. The last time this happened I was led to connect four passages in scripture where the subject is addressed directly and gained some interesting insights.”

I have and am still studying these passages and I believe God still heals today, I don’t believe it ended with the Apostles. I am a Southern Baptist by denomination but I am first a Christian. I am also a Pastor. What I am asking is how did you word this prayer concerning this person? I have read many of your articles and have not found a worded prayer. I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I know prayer works but sometimes I don’t understand how to word that prayer other than the way they are worded in the Bible (the sharpest sword there is.) Thank you for all the help you send forth in your articles. I read them everyday and they have helped me considerably to learn more and more!!!

I have been wondering if we will recognize loved ones in heaven. I can’t seen to find any scriptures supporting this concept but have heard it preached.

Re: 1 Cor. 9:9-10. This morning, I came upon this verse while reading, and tried to locate from where “this is written” that the writer is quoting. I checked through the Strong’s Concordance, but didn’t find it there. Any help you can offer is certainly appreciated

I’ve been so blessed over the last few years by your teaching. My understanding of God’s Word has grown and it is wonderful to have peace in my heart about so many issues that our pastors never touch on. Thank you for your faithfulness in your ministry. Your daily email is the highlight of my day. May our Father reward you abundantly.

I have a practice that I run from my home, in a building separate from my house. The property has only one entrance shared by family and clients alike. On the pillars and walls of my garage I have beautiful signs of a heart and the cross, made from chickenwire and small stones, really quite rustic.  In my practice’s waiting room I have the words love, peace, faith, hope and healing embroidered on the chair cushions. My clients come from all walks of life and denominations, as well as from other faiths. I have noticed that clients from other faiths seldom return for their followup sessions to complete their treatment. This has made me wonder about the appropriateness of my Christian symbols in my workplace. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ and that is why I have the courage to display these symbols. We have many Muslim shops in our country and they all have Arabic inscriptions over their entrances which I don’t understand, but this has not deterred me to buy from them. What is your view on this from a biblical perspective? I appreciate your insight and wisdom. God bless you.

I read with interest today’s letter and your response to Jude’s mention of Satan’s interest in Moses’ body and your comparison of Old testament Moses as a type of new testament Jesus.

I have always wondered about this and now my conclusion leads me to believe the “body” of Moses may be followers of the law just as Jesus body is the church through grace.

Are you able to shed any light on this matter? It pertains to Matthew 10:5 where Jesus told His disciples not to go among the Samaritans in their missionary journey.  On a Christian FB site we are having a friendly discussion on going.  One person is saying that it is not because the Samaritans were half breed but because they were idol worshipers. But all other studies I have done says they are half breed.  Can you help me figure this out?

I know that Jesus changed the apostle Simon’s name to Peter which means “rock”, but what does the name Simon mean? I tried looking on the internet, but came up with all kinds of different results.