JSF

Q1. (Haggai 1:8) God wishes to "take pleasure" in the temple, but the people have stopped working on the project. When is God displeased with you? When does he "take pleasure" in you? What is keeping you from serving him deliberately and joyfully? I suppose He is displeased when I let myself just act in ways that are natural and easy and selfish - ways of my "old man". I hope He takes pleasure when I surrender to Him and His Spirit's leading and then really want to be His light. What keeps me from serving Him deliberately and joyfully is simply idolatry - self ishness.

Q5. (Ezra 6:20-21) What do repentance and separation from the sins of our culture look like for a disciple today? How should we prepare ourselves to worship Jesus in the Lord's Supper? How should we prepare to serve him with purity day by day? We choose our actions based on obedience to God, even when no one is watching. It is so important to come to the Lord's Supper clean and forgiven. We should pray each day for forgiveness and the strength of the Spirit to stand firm and live for Him.

Q4. (Ezra 6:1-12) When faced with "insurmountable odds," why do we give up so easily? What are the characteristics of a disciple who retains a robust faith in the God of amazing breakthroughs and impossible solutions? I think when I hit barriers, I back off, assuming I was not really on track with what I was supposed to be doing. it is so easy to doubt oneself and one's reading of what God wants. A disciple who is sure is confident, faithful, persistent, dedicated.

Q3. (Ezra 4:1-3) Sometimes uncommitted people try to co-opt true worship for their own ends, as did the enemies of the Jews. What is the danger of letting people without a deep heart commitment and close walk with God redesign the church's image in the community? Redesign worship? Redesign the preaching? How can we be innovative and still be faithful to God's heart? While, of course, we much reach out to people who do not know God and His salvation, we must remain true to Scripture or the Christian faith stands on nothing.

(Ezra 3) Rebuilding the temple in order to restore worship is the point of all this work. Is your personal worship what it should be? Nope. I've been going through a time of little doubts and some skepticism. I know the truth and my faith is solid. I've just lost some "fire". And that's on me. I need to abide. What foundations do you need to lay again in your personal restoration and revival of faith? I need to be in the Word...feeding on it...being sustained by it.

(Ezra 1:5-6) Why did only some return to Jerusalem when given the opportunity? The family heads went, and the priests and the Levites and everyone whose heart God had moved. One thought is that God allowed some to stay behind to be His people in Babylon. What are the likely characteristics of those who return vs. those who stay behind in Babylon? Loyalty to Judaism and /or to their God. Enthusiasm for Jerusalem. Why do only some answer Jesus’ call to follow him on his journey to a radically different kind of lifestyle and mission? It is certainly not the comfortable route. What are the characteristics of true disciples? Willing to give all to follow God's will, whether that means to stay or go.

Q1. (Judges 6:7-10) According to the prophet, what is the reason for Israel's oppressed state? What commandment did they break? In what way hadn't they "listened"? In what way does this same sin affect Christians today? God said, " I am the LORD your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.' But you have not listened to me." His people directly disobeyed. Oh there are so many "gods" surrounding us. Whatever we awe or fear or pursue, giving first place to, that becomes a god to us.

Q3. (Joshua 3:13-17) How was Joshua able to announce the miracle of Jordan stopping its flow ahead of the event? What kind of faith did it require to do so? What did this do for his credibility as a leader? God had told him to tell the priests to go stand in the river, so he made the assumption that at that point the river would become cross-able. He knew God would make a way. He knew that without a doubt. He predicted, it happened and his credibility was strengthened.

Q2. (Joshua 3:5) Why did the Israelites need to consecrate themselves? What might this entail? In what ways do you personally need to reconsecrate yourself? What would this require of you? What would your congregation need to do to reconsecrate itself? They were not just any people on any mission of conquest. They were God's holy, chosen people on His mission of conquest. Therefore, they needed to prepare for it by consecrating themselves. I so agree that we can take the mission of being one of God's ambassadors, either in church work or in daily life, for granted and not pray and prepare and think about the sacredness of it.

I also have to add that once we are redeemed, God expects us to NOT blatantly continue living in sin, but to allow him to change us and to daily struggle with and repent of our sin. " [ Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ ] What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ... " Colossians 3:5-6 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, ****, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. Galatians 5:19-21 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Q4. (Joshua 2:4-6) Does God honor Rahab for lying to the king's men? Is her lying justified in this case? Is there ever a time it might be permissible to lie? We live in a world of sin and it will never get better until we are with Jesus in paradise. When Pastor Wilson says life is messy, that is so true. There are so many instances of the absence of "black and white". Who knows what God would have done if Rahab had told the truth? He would have fulfilled His plan regardless. But he brings good even of our muddling around because He is gracious that way. I do think motive figures largely in cases like this.

Q3. (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:5; Matthew 1:5) Why is a prostitute honored by being mentioned three times in the New Testament? How does God look on prostitution? On prostitutes? How did Jesus treat prostitutes? What does this teach us about God's attitude toward sinners and sin? God loves to see faith in us. He loves to forgive and cleanse. He loves hearts that are open and loving toward Him and others. He hates sin, but loves to welcome sinners. He never shunned the "unlovelies" but reached out to them and welcomed them. He is so great that He forgives our rotten sins and gives us a second chance.

Q2. (Joshua 2:2-11) What indicates that Rahab believes in Israel’s God Yahweh? What does she believe about Yahweh? How deep is Rahab's faith? How deep a faith does someone need to have in order to be saved from the destruction of a city? From eternal punishment? Rahab risks her life to hide the men from Israel. She believes in God's power. Her faith is deep enough to risk her life. For saving faith, one needs to believe that there is a need for salvation and that it comes from the Savior Jesus.

Q4. (Joshua 1:8) What does it mean to meditate on the Word? What is the difference between Christian meditation and Eastern meditation? How does God work through his Word to renew our minds? To chew on it, to compare Scripture with Scripture, to apply it, to discuss it, to listen to teaching about it. Eastern meditation attempts to clear the mind, to empty it, thereby creating a vacuum. Who knows what will fill it? It also assumes, I think, that answers are found within oneself. Ha! God retrains our thinking and in His mystical power, used the Word to grow and change us.

Q3. (Joshua 1:6-8) What kinds of things might Joshua be tempted to fear if he were to allow himself to dwell on his anxieties? What does it mean to “be strong and very courageous”? What is the distinction between weakness and strength in Joshua’s situation? What is the relationship between fear and faith? Can you be courageous and still be fearful? Fear of indigenous peoples, fear of mis-reading God's directions, fear that if they lose in battle or if things don't go well, the people will come back on him. To be strong is to act in faith. Strength is going forward. Fear is human. Total faith would be without fear. Humans can have courage and move forward and still be terrified as in a soldier in battle. He obey orders, moves forward, but still is fearful.

Q2. (Joshua 1:5b) Why is God’s promise to be always with Joshua so important to him? Why is this promise so important to you in your present situation? If God is with you, what limitations do you have? Joshua was only one man and had an enormous leadership responsibility. He knew he could not fulfill that without God. I cannot fulfill my roles well without God in me. I will still have the limitations of a sinful nature and a sinful self, but when I let Him be my strength, He can work through even me.

Q1. (Joshua 1:3) In what way is God’s promise to Joshua, “I will give you every place where you set your foot,” a conditional promise? What’s wrong with a faith that consists primarily of the philosophy: “If God wants me to have it he will give it to me”? What areas that God has promised you that you must press forward to receive? God only promised to give the land where they set their feet. They had a part to play - in faith. I think I am too timid in terms of reaching out to people with the truth.

What is the danger of "running ahead" of Christ's teachings to "deeper truths"? What is the danger of "running ahead" of Christ's guidance for our lives? What does it mean to "abide" or "continue" in Christ and his teachings? Why is this so important? If we are not grounded in the Word and relying on it as our source of truth, then teaching can go absolutely anywhere. The human mind is very creative, and often can be very twisted, as shown by leaders who have deceived people and led them into great falsehood. If we are not getting our teaching purely from the Word, then it is not Christian teaching or guidance. We abide in Christ...being content with what He has chosen to reveal to us through the Word He has given to us.

Why does John exhort his "children" to "keep yourselves from idols"? What idols distract us from the true God? What idols compete with God for attention in your life? It violates a commandment, it detracts from our worship of God, and leads us astray. Anything that captures our attention and focus can be an idol. I think my biggest struggle with idolatry is putting myself on the throne: my desires, my time-use, my thought of how others should treat me.

What are the two conditions to answered prayer in 1 John? (See also 3:22.) How do we determine God's will so that we can pray boldly, confidently? How often will our prayers be answered when our main motive is to achieve our will? The conditions are our obedience and praying according to His will as revealed in the Word. We cannot tell the almighty God what to do with regard to the earthly things we pray about. We always must pray respectfully for His will.

What is the difference between saying "this life is in the Christian Church" and "this life is in his Son"? What should we be doing differently so that we teach a faith relationship rather than a religion? What is the difference between "faith" and "faith in Jesus"? The temptation exists to place one's confidence in the church - to rest in the fact that I am active, accepted, ever-present in the church. But while the church is essential as a gathering of believers for teaching, preaching and fellowship, our faith is in the Son, not the church. We must continually point people to Jesus. Faith is belief and trust. That can be place in anything - including ideologies. Faith in Jesus means confidence and Hope in His love for me and that His sacrifice for me is sufficient to rescue me and that He is strong and able to answer my prayers and is active in the world today and in control of the outcome.

How does a defeatist mentality differ from a belief that in Christ we have overcome the world? What part does faith have in this overcoming? What part does unbelief have in a defeatist mentality? I think a defeatist mentality says, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em." I am afraid that even Christians in our society have been and are being conditioned to tolerance and acceptance of sinful practices that are so rebellious against God and a general societal move away from God. Either that, or we panic. Faith must stay strong and confident that Jesus has overcome Satan and his influences and it must continue to stand by the truth. I love this quote from the study: We have victory, John is saying, because our Master has taken on the world and won. Maintaining this victory over the dominant culture in our own day requires (1) an understanding of Jesus' victory over sin, the world, and the devil, and (2) our faith, that is, our willingness to stand in this truth in our day and live by it. Even though the call of the world rings in our ears, the voice of Jesus is louder still.

What kind of fear should we have towards God? What kind of fear is extinguished by his love perfected in us? What kind of attitude should we have towards future judgment? We should always have a healthy fear, respect and sense of reverence toward the almighty God. We should not have terror. We should anticipate Jesus' return and the judgement with the healthy fear - wanting to be ready - but not with terror, for we are protected by the blood and sacrifice of Jesus.

What kind of fear should we have towards God? What kind of fear is extinguished by his love perfected in us? What kind of attitude should we have towards future judgment? We should always have a healthy fear, respect and sense of reverence toward the almighty God. We should not have terror. We should anticipate Jesus' return and the judgement with the healthy fear - wanting to be ready - but not with terror, for we are protected by the blood and sacrifice of Jesus.

Why is the statement, "God is love," so important? What does it say about God's nature? How does love being the essence of God's nature affect us? If we were created in God's image of love, but fell, what does this say about the road to healing in our lives? Why does love demand a willingness to forgive? Love is the essence of God. To know Him is to know His love. If we carry His spirit, then we carry His love. Because of the fall, we do not love perfectly. We need constant forgiveness and God must love through us. To be like Him, we must forgive, or we will be resentful and bitter rather than loving.