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In Paphos, while evangelizing to the people and the deputy of the country, Paul confronted the sorcerer who was confronting them, was blinded by the Lord for his false prophecies about them and the Lord. Witnessing this miracle, by the power of the Lord, the deputy became a believer. However, in Iconium, the Lords power was displayed through miracles signs, the people turned against the disciples. Thus the Lords power was displayed before the people. However, just because these people witnessed the signs and miracles of the Lord it may produce faith in some, it is not always enough to bring people to saving faith in the Lord. It is belief, hearing the word and trusting the Lord for forgiveness of our sins that brings us to a heart felt faith. (answered both questions) I have not seen anyone healed of a physical disease or handicap, but I have witnessed those who have confessed their belief in Christ for his saving grace to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Why have I not witnessed these signs and wonders? Only on myself have I received a miracle from the Lord. I was once diagnosed with gall stones and was scheduled for surgery. The day before was a Sunday. The elders of the church gathered, laid hands on me and prayed. Next thing I know I was lying on the floor, slainen in the spirit. The next day before surgery, the Dr. took a final x-ray. No stones were present. I was speechless and so was the Dr. He said he had heard of these healing miracles happening before.

The common ground that the gospel of Jesus have for Judaism is; Jesus was the promised messiah in the line of King David; John the baptist points to Jesus; Jesus was rejected by them, was crucified and raised from the dead; resurrection was supported by the old testament scriptures; through Jesus comes forgiveness of sins by those who believe in him; believers were to be rejected with scoffing and unbelief. Paul's approach to common ground when preaching to the Jews in the Synagogues was his testimony of how God had appeared to him and the truth he proclaimed was given to him by the Lord. The essence of the gospel is that Christ was rejected, crucified and rose from the dead on the third day.

Paul views his calling as one he is compelled to do. He is trusting Christ for his ministry and very obedient to the Lord. Paul is obedient to the Lord and does not allow his flesh with it's desires to interfere with choices he makes. Paul is very humble and excepts no credit or honor for himself, but only gives glory to the Lord. We should follow the example that Paul gives us for serving the Lord, well disciplined and obedient. The opposite of faithfulness to using God's gifts is not being obedient to the Lord. Not taking our gifts seriously or using them only when we feel like it, at our own convince.

Church leaders in Antioch seek Gods help and direction for the church through corporate prayer and fasting. The Lord answered their prayers by the Holy Spirit, that they are to separate Paul and Barnabas for the work for which he has called them. Today many church's have set up their constitutions, bylaws and values of conduct. Many believe that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and gifts are no longer needed in this day and age. In the early days of the church the gifts of the Holy Spirit were depended upon for guidance, especially in the ministry of prophecy and teaching. Being supported by the Holy Spirit was of great importance to the missionaries, by the spirit they were directed to preach the gospel and share the word of the Lord.

Ambitious Christians who are struggling to do anything but seem to be doing nothing are not waiting for the Lord's purpose in their lives. Having patience for God's plan for us and our ministries is important, with out his help we will be inadequate in our ministries or even disastrous. Spiritual formation is very important for future leadership positions. We must wait on the Lord to prepare us, to be spirit filled, with much prayer and fasting and open to his voice to lead us.

Abraham came into a right relationship with God because he believed God and obeyed him. He put his full trust in the Lord. A person today can become righteous by putting his full trust and dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ. Trusting Christ involves putting your total trust and confidence and well being in the Lord.

Legalism and spiritual pride will keep us from trusting and having faith in Christ because we are totally depending on church doctrine for our righteousness. We become prideful in our achievements and the inherent goodness and because of this goodness we think God will accept us into his kingdom. Even pride in the work I do for the Lord can keep me fr be hard to keep a om fully coming to know Christ, it can be hard to keep a humble spirit.

When we accept Christ as savior we become part of his church and we are indwelt with the holy spirit. When we are being persecuted he is being persecuted also. Living in this chaotic world there are lot's of things to keep are minds occupied and remove our interest and love off of Christ. When things get me down and burdened the Lord goads me by his spirit to remind me that I am to rely on him for guidance and the love he has for me. Kicking against the goad is harder for me because I am usually going on my own will instead of his.

Because we are human we easily fall into the trap of doing things our way instead of the Lord's way. Zechariah 4:1-10 means that through our own human power we fail at doing the Lord's will as he wants it. if we will be still and let the Lord do things through his spirit we will accomplish his task. As above we get carried away doing the Lord's work. We usually end up trying to do it according to our own imagination or our own ways of doing things. The lesson here is to let the Lord guide our lives in his work instead of our human ways getting involved.

The prophet Zechariah 3:1-7 filthy clothes represent the sins in his life. God deals with this by telling Joshua that if he will walk in the Lord's ways and keep his requirements, he will be given a place among the people (place of honor). The message conveys to Joshua that the Lord will have mercy on him if he walks in the way of the Lord. Christian leaders who have sinned need to repent and follow the way of the Lord as he had intended them to do. Then he will restore them to their place of leadership.

Zechariah 2:13 calls all mankind to be still (silent) before the Lord. When we become frustrated, giving up or rather from fear or abuse, it is best to trust in the Lord for he will show us the way. During the time Moses, the Lord commanded the people to be still and witness his great strength and power for there is no other god but the God of heaven and Earth and his people the Israelites. For the enemy of God, silence represents his great power. For the believer silence represents awe, wonder and most of all our trust in him.

The gospels stress the importance from sin because sin keeps us from closeness with the Lord. #2 If we remove repentance from the core of Jesus message then his message is useless. #3 God wants us to repent of all our sin so we can have a closeness with him and be a holy people to him.

Zerubbabel, who has God's promise as being his signet ring, should be well encouraged to perform God's work and word. This is a great honor for him. The signet ring gives authority and power of the one who has been given this ring. Listening to the spirit (Holy Spirit) of the Lord has a direct command from the Lord. This spiritual guidance is the same as the signet ring, obeying the command makes us an effective agent of the Lord. We are authorized to speak and act for the Lord by acting in authority and with humility and love.

Things that defile a disciple today is in the participation of unclean practices of the world. Just doing church work by no means we are made holy, repentance from sins and obedience to the Lord is what makes us holy.is the only way The believer today must deal with spiritual defilement, repentance, prayer, and guidance from the Lord is the only way we can overcome these sins.

In Haggai 2:1-5 the command the Lord gives to Joshua the high priest is "be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged". The assurance he gives to the high priest is that "I am with you and God is with him wherever he may go". I would implement these commands as being directly from God, do not be discouraged but instead be strong for He is with me at all times.

Hardships, circumstances or not having all I need to do the Lord's will teaches me that I should depend on the lord to work things out so that I can do that which he wishes me to do. Through this I have learned to wait for the Lord's timing to accomplish things. I always experience hardships of some sort or another. Patience is a virtue indeed. In the midst of all this I know God is trying to tell me to wait on him.

God is displeased with me when I fail or procrastinate doing his will for me, putting it off till later usually the decision I make when I fell I will fail. The Lord takes pleasure in me when I immediately do what his will for me to do. No procrastination, no deciding that someone else can do it better. Usually what keeps me from doing the Lord's will is the fact that everyone else wants me to stay put and let someone else do it. But, when I do get the opportunity to do his will I feel immensely joyful that I have accomplished what he wanted me to do,

In today's culture, separation from sins and repentance seems to be doubtable. Even though the fields are ripe for harvest secularism and humanism seem to be the fad of the day. Christians are being accused of being racial in their beliefs, they say the bible is out of date. We should prepare ourselves before partaking of the Lord's supper by self examination of sins we may have committed against the Lord and our neighbors. We should seek forgiveness and repent of the offenses against those offended. By praying early in the morning we should ask the Lord to guide us in our daily life. Studying the Bible daily will also keep us in the will of the Lord.

When faced with insurmountable odds we usually give up because we simply can not see our goals being accomplished. We forget that God has no obstacles. The characteristics of a disciple who robust faith in God sees no obstacles before him when doing the Lords will. He trust in the Lord and his faith helps him accomplish the Lord's will.

The danger of letting people who do not have a close relationship with the Lord would ruin the church's image in the community. They would insist that their ideas and ways of belief would be better because of changing culture of society and it's ideas of the bible. Their preaching would be more on the lines of prosperity instead of the trails and tribulations that come with being a true believer in Christ. We can be innovative and still be faithful to God's heart by relating how things of this day and age are no different then the days of old. We are still sinners.

My personal worship has a lot to be desired, time seems to rob most of it. Foundations I need to revive m faith is more time during the day and prayer time needs improvement. However during the day I do get to thank the Lord for all I have and his caring for me.

There were some Jews who returned to Jerusalem when given the opportunity because they wanted to return to the true worship of the Lord and rebuild the temple. Those that wanted to return to Jerusalem were not happy living in a land that had many false gods, they wanted to return and worship one true God. Others who did not want to return to Jerusalem were complacent living where they were. It would haave been too much trouble to pick up and leave the land of Babylon. Only a few people who have come to the faith of believing in Jesus as their savior are comfortable living as they are, they wish not to change their life style and follow the Lord. True disciples of the Lord are more than willing to change their life style and follow the Lord reguardless of where he leads them.

The promises most meaningful to me right now are, the call for eternal glory in Christ; God himself will strengthen us in time of suffering. These two promises above are important to me right now because through faith Christ has suffered for me and stands before the Father as an ambassador for me, he strengthens me when the devil brings mental and physical troublesmy way. knowing he understands me helps me endure many trails and tribulations.

Instructions to guide us in spiritual warfare are; self control; be alert; resist the devil; keep the faith and be willing to suffer for the faith. In Ephesians 6:10-17, Paul calls the armor of God as; girding the loins with truth; the breastplate of righteousness; feet shod with preparation of the gospel of peace; the shield of faith; the helmet of salvation; and the sword of the spirit which is the word of the Lord.

it is important to be aware of Satan's existence because he is a dangerous entity looking for someone to devour. This verse teaches us that the devil is dangerous. The teaching is important because it tells us to be aware of the devil and his schemes to interfere with our relationship with Christ.