Do dogs go to heaven?  My dog died, and I had her for twelve years.  I am 52-years-old, and she was a BIG part of my life and family.  I think about her all the time.  Thanks and God bless.

Sincerely,
Canine Caretaker

Dear Canine Caretaker,

Dogs don’t go to heaven, but we can really sympathize with your loss.  One of our AYP writers still has pictures of his hunting dogs up in his office, and another is deeply attached to his family dog.  Animals are a blessing from God (Gen 1:26).  God says that when they die, animals return to the earth while humans ascend into the heavens (Eccl 3:21).  Animals simply don’t have eternal souls like humans do.  We are so sorry for your loss, but we want you to know that God comforts us through all our sorrow… and He will bring you through this loss (2 Cor 13:11).

I was in and out of a relationship for about five years.  Things were pretty good with her, but there was one period that we were apart for a whole year during the five-year period.  I felt that this girl was the love of my life, and we got back together.  During the year apart, however, I sinned with another woman...then I lied about it when I got back with the original girl.  Finally, I told her the truth after being with her for about a year more, and she broke things off.  It has been about six months since we broke up, and I still feel like I love her and that she is the love of my life.  I am feeling discouraged and a bit hopeless in finding another woman that I will feel the same way about since I live in a somewhat remote area from other young people.  It is even affecting my faith as it is on my mind quite often.  I know I sinned greatly and have repented of those sins, but is this feeling a scar for my sins?  Should I try to win her back again?  How can I get rid of this feeling and be more optimistic towards love?

Sincerely,
Love Lost

Dear Love Lost,

The pain you are feeling is a consequence of sin.  We reap what we sow (Gal 6:7), and you have the battle scars to prove the cost of poor choices.  The most important thing is that you seek and get forgiveness from God for your sins (1 Jn 1:9)… regardless of whether your ex-girlfriend ever forgives you.  We recommend you read “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” to see what the Bible teaches on the subject of salvation and forgiveness of sins.  Making your life right with God is the most important step in repenting of sin.

It is always difficult when a romantic relationship ends (especially near Valentine’s Day – also known as Singles Awareness Day), but God promises that if you serve Him, all things will work together for good in your life (Rom 8:28).  God tells us to not rush love and romantic relationships (Songs 8:4).  If you work on becoming the kind of person you ought to be, the Lord will bless you.  Make a decision to become a person prepared to serve God in whatever capacity He sees fit (2 Tim 2:21).  When you allow Christ to live in you, life turns out right (Gal 2:20).

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

What are the 5 points of calvinism?

Sincerely,
Counting To Five

Dear Counting To Five,

Calvinism is best described using the TULIP theory.  TULIP is an acronym developed by Calvinists to explain their philosophy; each letter of the acronym stands for a fundamental part of the Calvinist doctrine.

‘T’ stands for “Total Depravity”.  Total Depravity means that Calvinists believe that everyone is born completely sinful and depraved.  A totally depraved human is incapable of doing good or pleasing God.  This is completely false.  All babies are born without sin and perfect in God’s sight (even David recognized that his dead child was going to be in heaven [2 Sam 12:23]).  Sin is not a birthright; it is a choice (Gen 4:6-7, Jas 1:13-15).  Humans sin when they choose to do wrong; they are not born in sin.

‘U’ stands for “Unconditional Election”.  If you are born totally depraved and incapable of doing anything good through your own power, then it makes sense that Calvinists also believe that God saves you without any requirements.  You can’t require someone to do the right thing if they are incapable of it.  This, too, is false.  The entire Bible is a book of commandments for mankind to follow.  It is FULL of conditions.  We cannot be God’s friends unless we obey His conditions and commands (Jhn 15:14).

‘L’ stands for “Limited Atonement”.  Limited Atonement means that Calvinists believe Jesus only died to save a limited amount of people.  Since they believe everyone is totally depraved and only a few are chosen by God to go to heaven, it follows that Jesus only died on the cross for those few that were chosen.  This is blatantly opposite of the Scriptures’ teachings (Jhn 3:16).

‘I’ stands for “Irresistible Grace”.  Irresistible Grace means that if God chooses you to be saved, you are incapable of resisting that salvation.  If God chooses you to be saved, you cannot tell Him, “No!”.  This is a complete lie.  People reject God all the time.  People rejected Christ as He walked this planet – even one of Jesus’ apostles rejected Him (Matt 10:4).  Jesus specifically says that those who reject Him will be judged (Jhn 12:48).  Mankind has always had the choice to accept or reject God.

‘P’ stands for “Perseverance Of The Saints”.  Perseverance Of The Saints means that christians will always persevere no matter what sins they commit.  Calvinists teach that it is impossible for someone to be lost once they become a Christian.  That is rubbish.  Heb 6:4-6 directly states that someone can enjoy the blessings of fellowship with God and then fall away.  Even the apostle Paul believed if he didn’t continually strive to serve God, he would fall away (1 Cor 9:27).

Calvinism is a lie created by man to blind people from the truth of God’s Word.  Calvinism teaches a lack of responsibility for our behavior and eternal destiny.  It makes God out to be an evil villain that willfully seeks the destruction of the majority of mankind, instead of the loving God that sacrificed His own Son in hopes that all would come unto Him (Jhn 3:16).  Calvinism leaves most of mankind tearfully unloved and alone, without the hope of salvation.

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