I have a question about the following verses:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2)

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith; of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”(1Peter 1:6,7)

These two verses always used to back why God allows suffering in a believer’s life. When you wrote about Job, you said God doesn’t cause us to suffer arbitrarily, but when we have unconfessed sins in our lives and are out of fellowship, He, being perfectly just, has to allow Satan to torment us. So I don’t understand the true meaning of the verses and they distress me. What is the right perspective?

I have just read a question from someone else to you and need to check something. Basically it was asking about sin and you said obviously we need to confess our sins.

Most times when I sin, like laugh at someone else’s misfortune or say something nasty I immediately think I shouldn’t have done that and say sorry to the Lord in my head. Is this enough? What should I be doing if not?

Thank you very much, all the questions and your answers are helping me greatly.

When we’re in the Word – the devil distracts us. When we receive revelation on the Word – the devil comes to steal it. When we’re ready to receive a breakthrough – the devil distracts us or keeps us too busy.

How does he know where we are at? How does he know what we’re receiving? How does he know what we’re about to receive? Or is he in general just wreaking havoc at all times? Is he omnipresent? Thanks for any insights.

I have been reading opinions on what Bible to use for reading and studying. One teacher I very much think is a true scholar of the Word says he only uses the authorized version of the King James or the New Scofield Reference Bible.

I have a difficulty using both these Bibles as I have difficulty understanding what they are saying. Could you please give me your advice about what translation would be best to use?

I’m really confused. Over the years I have read so many commentaries on the Bible. And so many seem to contradict each other. God said ” seek and ye shall find” So I guess I just keep trying to find the truth. Your answers make so much sense. I’m going to think a lot about what you have written. Thanks so much, my brother in Christ. And God bless you.

Could you please help me with a question that has been on my mind for a while now. The Muslim religion worships Allah, I believe that he is not the same God as we worship. I’ve had conversations with people who tell me that they are one and the same. I would love to hear your views on this.

Thank you for this wonderful website and the many blessings it has brought to us.

Your website has been such a blessing and I sincerely thank you for all your wonderful advice. God Bless your ministry.

My daughter and I had an interesting conversation the other evening. Could you please tell me where Satan is physically right now. She thinks he is in Hell, below the earth’s surface. I couldn’t find anything scripturally to show her.

Thank-you so much for your reply.

I have heard you talk about the fact that there are no “lost tribes of Israel”. What do you make of this story: “The Bnei Menashe are descendants of the tribe of Menashe, one of the ten “lost tribes” exiled from the land of Israel some 2,700 years ago. They wandered through the Far East, finally settling in a remote area of northeast India along the border with Myanmar and Bangladesh. Miraculously, despite the extended passage of time and their isolation, they in recent years have returned to their Jewish roots – and with this has come a profound longing to return to their ancient homeland, Israel.”

I have been told that the September 11 attacks were prophesied in the Bible, however, I am unable to find the correct verses. Can you tell me where to find them?

How does one go about increasing his faith in Christ and His power. It would be nice to have the faith to move mountains. I pray for it, and wisdom. I read His word continually and I do believe that He has that kind of power and that He lives in us, but my faith is so weak, as if it is non-existent, especially in regards to things that might apply directly to me. Maybe I feel unworthy of His love in this way, although I believe He has love and mercy towards me. Is there some key element I am missing in obtaining and increasing faith?