I am afraid of the end time; I don’t want to die and go to hell.  I don’t want to burn forever.  I want to wage war on the evil new world order.  I am with sin and am lost on a path which once was clear.  I know Jesus Christ, but I am consumed by hatred.  My judgement is clouded by alcohol; I love my girl and my family so much; I feel like a piece of paper that can be folded no more.  I hope it isn’t too late for me; please help me.  I don’t know how to repent.

Sincerely,
Battling Demons

Dear Battling Demons,

We've thought very long and hard about how to answer your question, and the more we think about it, the more we cannot give you any answer that the alcohol wouldn't corrupt.  You've got to get help.  God talks about the destructive effects of alcohol in Proverbs 23.  Alcohol brings sorrow, anger, suffering, and health issues (Pr 23:29-30).  Alcoholism is such a horrific disease because it deceives you into thinking that one drink (or one more drink) will make life easier... but it never does (Pr 23:31-32).  Alcohol distorts our view of life and perverts our emotions (Pr 23:33).

You need a new beginning.  We would be happy to help you find support in your area and a facility to help you start fresh.  Until then, you won't be ready to handle the other issues of life.  It isn't too late.  You can conquer this.

In the Bible in Genesis 1:26, the words “us” and “our” are used.  Besides God, who is "us" and "our?"  Angels?  Other gods?  Immortal beings?  The Trinity?

Sincerely,
Guess Who?

Dear Guess Who,

In Gen 1:26, the word ‘us’ refers to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  In fact, throughout that chapter, every time you see the word ‘God’, it is in the plural if you read it in the original Hebrew.  The reason for this is because all three members of the Godhead were there at the Creation.  John 1:1 states that Jesus was there at the creation of the universe.  Gen 1:2 points out that the Holy Spirit was there, and Mal 2:10 makes it clear that the Father was also there.  When the Godhead decided to make man in “our image” (Gen 1:26)… all three of them were in agreement.

I've been married to my rapist now for twenty-eight years.  I'm not claiming "marital rape", but rather, he raped me when I was sixteen years old.  After several times, I ended up pregnant, and my parents made me marry him.  Over the years, he has cheated more than been faithful, and he has in the past broken my bones.  All these years, he has had a porn addiction to which he still prefers to come in from work and view his garbage on the Internet.  When I complained to someone about it, they apparently confronted him about it, and he apparently told this person that I view this garbage with him.  I do not view such garbage.  I do not stoop to his level.  Really needing your help.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
In Bad Company

Dear In Bad Company,

You have every right to leave him… and for your safety and spiritual health, you probably should.  Matt 19:9 makes it clear that you have a right to divorce your spouse when they have committed adultery (you said he has on multiple occasions).  Abusive husbands paint a picture that their wives can’t leave them… this simply isn’t true.  Even if he hadn’t committed adultery, you should separate from him for your own safety, and if there are still children in the home – leave for their safety as well.  As a victim of domestic violence, you should find a safe place to (at the very least) temporarily move to.  If you need help finding a safe haven for battered women… please e-mail us, and we will help you find somewhere.  Your husband isn’t treating you in a biblical way (1 Pet 3:7), and you have to act.

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

I was wondering about something and was hoping you can shine some light on this situation for me.  Why don't we as christians eat kosher food like the Jewish?  It does mention certain things we are not allowed to eat in Leviticus.  So if it says it in the Bible, why don't most of us christians follow it?  Also, am I sinning when I eat certain things that are not kosher?

Sincerely,
Dietary Restrictions

Dear Dietary Restrictions,

There is a difference between Old Testament laws and New Testament laws.  Christians are not bound to follow the Old Testament law because we are no longer under that law (Gal 3:24-25).  Feel free to read “Out With The Old?” for further details on the purpose of the Old Testament.

The Old Testament laws concerning what could and could not be eaten can be found in Lev. 11, but there is only one type of food that christians cannot eat – blood (Acts 15:29).  When an animal is killed, some cultures will strangle the animal so as to keep the blood in the meat, as opposed to draining the blood out.  Things like blood sausage, blood soup, blood stew, etc. are popular dishes in some countries, but eating them is wrong.  All other food is clean for New Testament christians... Jesus said so Himself in Mk 7:19.