Ask Roger

Fortunately, holidays can bring out times of great joy. Unfortunately, for others, holidays can bring out the pain. Could you give us some advice on how to heal some of the hurts we may encounter?

My mom passed away a few months ago. Can she hear me in heaven when I talk to her?

Wondering if your prayers of thanksgiving are from a heart of faith? Here are 3 dos and don'ts of thankfulness.

My daughter, Brianna Barrier Wetherbee, has suffered more than most people can imagine. I asked her to share some of her thoughts about dealing with a crisis.

Dear Roger,I’m a new Christian, and I have been reading in the Bible about the crowns, treasures, and rewards that Jesus will give to Christians who live God-honoring lives here on earth. Recently, I came across a passage where Jesus talked about storing up treasures in heaven. What exactly are the treasures in heaven He’s talking about? And how do I earn them?Thank you,AnaDear Ana,I took a survey of several thousand people, asking them your questions. I think you’ll relate to some of the answers I received:“I don’t know what the treasures are—do they have something to do with the mansions Jesus promised for us?”“I don’t get it. If our salvation doesn’t depend on ‘good works,’ why does Jesus tell us we have to earn something?”“Don’t we get treasures if we do good things? Like every time I do something that the Bible tells me to do, that puts a ‘treasure’ in heaven?”“Aren’t the ‘treasures’ just one of those parables? They’re not real?”I understand the confusion! Yes, the treasures are part of a parable—a story Jesus told with simple examples to help us understand complex spiritual truth. But they’re also very literal, because they’re mentioned many other times in Scripture.God’s Word also tells us exactly how to “store up” heavenly treasures while we’re here on earth, why earning them matters, and what they’ll eventually be used for in heaven. So, let’s dig in!Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/NiseriN

I know that Jesus has not given me a spirit of fear, and that the blood of Jesus has made me whole, and also He is greater than Satan and all of his demonic forces...but why did I dream such a nightmare?

Our small group had a long discussion about the Battle of Armageddon. We wondered where and how Jesus fit in with the Battle? Will America be involved? Do you believe that these things are being fulfilled today?

My heart is so burdened for the people of Israel. I wish I could go over there and fight! What can I do now, today, to intervene for God’s people?

Dr. Roger looks at what the Bible says about God's hate toward evil and how he deals with those who carry out evil acts of terrorism.

Do you think it's appropriate for Christians to be so loyal to a country based solely on its biblical history?

Dear Roger,It has been a rough year. We’ve struggled through problems and sufferings and trials and troubles and sickness and disappointments. I wonder why God won’t reduce the pressure. Could He be disciplining me?Sincerely, Worn OutDear Worn Out,If you thought that when you became a Christian, all of your troubles were over, you had best think twice.We all agree that our children need discipline at one time or another. However, we tend to forget that we sons and daughters of God must be disciplined as well. Unraveling the convoluted twists and turns of suffering has everything to do with the reality of God-given discipline for His children.The number-one biblical chapter on discipline is Hebrews 12. The number-one verse is Hebrews 12:10-11, which says,Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.Years ago, my mother and I were discussing the nature of God. I shared with her how God sometimes allows pain into the lives of His children. My mother was indignant. She said, “You can’t tell me that a loving God would ever hurt His children.” I never could convince her that she was wrong.When we think of discipline, we think of punishment. But discipline is so much more than that. Discipline may include training, educating, practicing, and willpower. These are all positive, life-changing things.By the way, a person who has never asked Jesus to forgive his sins and received Christ into his life as Lord and Savior has an open avenue for God to punish their behavior. This is the basic teaching of Psalm 73.The difference between God’s discipline of believers and God’s punishment of unbelievers lies not in the nature of the pain but rather the purpose of the pain.Lost people suffer for nothing. Christians suffer for Someone.The suffering of believers and unbelievers often may look alike. Both can get cancer. Both can lose jobs. Both can watch loved ones die—but a person without Jesus is being punished for his sins while God is disciplining His children with a definite purpose in mind.According to the Bible, discipline from God may spring forth from several different sources. Let me share some principles about properly handling God’s discipline.Photo Credit: © Getty Images/kaipong

Dear Roger,I’ve been reading about the judgment seat of Christ where we will receive awards according to how profitable or unprofitable our lives have been on earth. It seems to me as I read these passages that some will be ashamed at how poorly they have done. Could that be true?Sincerely, ColinDear Colin,Yes, I think that some will be ashamed. But knowing that while we’re still on earth gives us the opportunity to live lives worthy of reward.Revelation 22:12 introduces the fact of rewards for the believers:“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and Iwill give to everyone according to what he has done.”There is coming a time when we will be judged on the basis of what we have done as Christians. This event is known as the “Judgment Seat of Christ” and it occurs during the seven-year Tribulation on earth.In 2 Corinthians 5:8-10, the apostle Paul explains,“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body."Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/utah778

Angels have a lot to do, especially for those who have eyes to see. I believe that most of their work goes on behind the scenes where they are usually not noticed. Let me give you a short Biblical primer on the nature and work of angels.

I was just reading Romans 12:1-2, where Paul says that total devotion to Jesus Christ is our spiritual worship. I sensed that Paul was talking about a level of worship that I have never experienced. I'd like to move deeper in my worship.

What did Paul mean when he said that, as Christians, our bodies will be raised from the grave? What will our spiritual bodies be like in heaven?