LWooten

Q1. (Mark 1:33-39) What pattern do you see emerging in Jesus’ prayer life? I see that Jesus takes the time to commune with the Father during the early morning hours. He purposefully made it a point to meet with God in prayer. The word says that I love them that love me and those who seek me early shall find me. Why do you think he spends Quiet Time with the Father before the day begins? I think He spends quiet time with the Father to hear from Him in how He should handle the day and the people - to receive divine instruction. He also is being empowered by God to do the work. I also believe that He want to take hold of the day before the business of man comes (with the demands and the noise of the day). How does this prepare him for his ministry? It prepares him to trust in God for strength to do ministry so that He will stay connected and focused on Him to do what he was called to do. It also trains him to obey instructions because I believe God was telling him what to do next. How did the disciple desires for Jesus differ from what Jesus felt impelled to do? (Mark 1:37-38) The disciples desired that Jesus should fulfill the immediate need of the people there, but Jesus knew - due to prayer and dialogue with the Father - that he had to go to a different place to preach. Why? Jesus' assignment was over where he was and he had to move on. It was God's will for him to go to the next towns. Do you have a Quiet Time? Yes, I have a quiet time now. At first, my environment was hectic, now it is quiet where I am able to spend time with Him, although it could be more quality. What could you do to improve the quality of your time with God each day? I need to learn how to lay down my busy thoughts to focus more. My "To-Do" list seems to pop into my mind during my quiet worship and prayer times. I have to overcome this aspect of my time alone with my Father in Heaven.

I should be offering up the sacrifice of praise to God with offering up thanksgiving. This is something I must do. It is required. It is a sacrifice because sometime I may not feel like praising God, but I must do it anyway because of who He is and what He has done. Alleluia!

The mindset of a priest towards God is one that seeks Him with a pure conscience for who He is in His awesomeness. He also trusts God and is willing and obedient to do His will. The actions of this mindset inspires in me a desire and willingness to be obedient as well and to seek the deep and secret things of God and fellowship as opposed to just carnal things.

(1:5) According to 1 Peter 1:5, what is God's part in securing your salvation? What is your part? God's part in securing my salvation is to keep me by His power and to keep me and reveal Himself to me. My part is having faith in Him and believing in Him; knowing that He will keep me and reveal himself to me.

Q2. (1:2) Why do forgiveness (sprinkling) and obedience come together as a package? I believe forgiveness and obedience go hand in hand because Jesus' blood was shed for us for the remission of sins, once we have repented and become clean, we are instructed on what to do for Him and must obey by following Him. Why is it deceptive to think you can have one without the other? It is deceptive to think we can have one without the other because it can lead to living in error and being full of lawlessness. Not taking heed to the Word, therefore still living a life of selfishness, not understanding their salvation.

Q1. (1:1) How would you describe the behavior of a Christian who identifies more with his present homeland than his heavenly one? I would describe the behavior of a Christian who defines with this present world as being carnal. Have you ever caught yourself doing this? Yes, I have caught myself doing this and pray for myself and/or go for prayer about certain areas where I am weak or find myself looking after other things. What has to happen to get our spiritual priorities straight We must redirect our focus on God and turn from worldly things in order to get our spiritual priorities straight. Reading (feeding) on the Word of God more and developing a deeper relationship with Christ is a great place to start.