Uncle Dave

Q4. (Romans 6:6-7) In what way has our "body of sin," our "flesh," our old nature been made powerless because of our crucifixion with Christ? In what way have we been freed from slavery? What difference does this understanding make in our struggles against temptation? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=803 The impulse to sin, although still there via temptation has been broken. Triggers that used to set the sinful nature in gear have been neutralized. We have been freed from slavery because before we knew Christ we were slaves to the sinful nature. The difference? We now know sin for what it is which along with the strength Christ gives us we have a whole new arsenal in our defense against temptation. We have died to sin rather than because of it.

Q3. (Romans 6:1-7) Is Paul referring to a figurative "death" to sin, or to a kind of historical, actual death? Whose death is he talking about? How does this death become our own? To what degree is this just theological mumbo-jumbo or does it have some basis in reality? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=802 Paul can be very confusing to understand in this part of the Bible. It is this part that led me to taking this study course, for which I am very thankful. When you think about it, seeing this death has its beginnings at Golgotha, the death of Jesus was very real because that is what we are baptized into. But, on the other hand, our death to sin would be more of a renewing of the mind because we begin to think different. In my own history, it was the point at which I realized I could talk and listen to God (even though I didn’t have an understanding of what was going on). The death, or “whose death” is being discussed in the truest of the physical senses would be that of Jesus, while the death which takes place in us means the end to being the person we used to be. Put in another way, the spirit in us gets reprogrammed (but not brainwashed), and although the body which is controlled by that spirit can still err, the spirit itself is at work leading the body down a new road. There is no way I would call it mumbo-jumbo in any sense of the word but it is a point in the Bible where a person needs to stop and really spend some time with God to gain the message Paul is conveying. Perhaps Paul, when speaking to his audience at the time made perfectly good sense and over time the Greek language may have gone through some changes which now can be difficult to understand. Kind of like when one compares a Geneva Bible from 1599 which was a forerunner to the KJV 1611, which also, btw, used the same grammar type in that year to the way it is printed today: (also, the font used in itself could mesmorize you) 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue still in sinne, that grace may abounde? God forbid. 2 Howe shall we, that are dead to sinne, liue yet therein? 3 Knowe ye not, that all we which haue bene baptized into Iesus Christ, haue bene baptized into his death? 4 We are buried then with him by baptisme into his death, that like as Christ was raysed vp from the dead to the glorie of the Father, so we also should walke in newnesse of life. 5 For if we be planted with him to the similitude of his death, euen so shall we be to the similitude of his resurrection, 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sinne might be destroied, that henceforth we should not serue sinne.

Q2. (Romans 6:3-4) In Paul's reference to baptism in 6:3-4, what does "buried" (6:4a) correspond to in the act of baptism? What does "Christ was raised from the dead" (6:4b) correspond to in baptism? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=801 Buried would correspond to going down under the water, representing the fact that our old life of sin should be dead and done whereas Christ raised from the dead would relate to when we come up out of the water representing the hope we have in being resurrected with him.

Q1. (Romans 6:3-5) In what sense does baptism bring about our union with Christ? In what sense does baptism symbolize our union with Christ? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=800 A most interesting, yet deep discussion here. It is in a spiritual sense that baptism brings about our union with Christ. We are baptized into Christ’s death which would be symbolized by the going down into the water and here is where it gets complicated for me. If coming up out of the water symbolizes our hope of the resurrection with Christ could it be that it also represents being born again, the new person who died to sin? I think I’m trying to view this through worldly eyes because this concept is what led me to this study and I’m still having a rough time taking it in.

Q4. (Romans 6:2-5) According to this passage, at what point do we move from being under the headship of Adam to the headship of Christ? Is there anything we must do to bring about this change in headship? What are the implications of us having died with Christ? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=799 We would come under the headship of Christ according to what it says in Romans 6:3, Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? When we are baptized into his death, we (the old we), in a spiritual sense die also because we become dead to sin. Is there anything we must do? We need to believe the fact that our sins are buried in the deepest deep and accept Jesus as the Head and begin to follow him. We need to unite as one in Jesus’s name and show love to one another. Reminds me of the song “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love”.

Q3. (Romans 5:15-19) By what right does Adam represent all humankind? By what right does Christ become head of all who become his disciples? If Christ is not our "representative" or "head," how can his death for sins be effective for us? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=798 The first question was a real eye opener for me. I had always thought that we were made in God’s image, but according to Genesis 5:3 we have come along the line of Adam, which makes sense because God formed Adam out of the dust of the earth and blew life into him and since then it has been via child birth, the way God said it would be after Adam and Eve sinned. Put into that perspective Adam is the ultimate representative (or, great, great, great… grandfather of all) of mankind today who are born, and ultimately, die. Christ becomes the head of all His followers because He is the one whom God chose to enter into life with us and live under the same circumstances as man and bring us the gift of salvation and eternal life to His followers. It was Christ who brought the gift plus the fact that nobody enters the Kingdom of God in any other way except through Him. He lived a perfect righteous life and died the death we deserve to pay for our wrong doings. You can take it or leave it but it is either eternal life or eternal death one enters on judgement day. To those who do not enter into this life, with Christ as our leader it is not possible for His death to be effective for our sins. One must make a choice. I have yet to see in the Bible where a sanctuary place exists for those who refuse Christ as the head.

Q2. (Romans 5:13, 20) What is Paul saying in these verses? Can there be sin without law? In what sense does the "trespass increase" (5:20) when the law is present? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=797 Paul is saying that even though the law of Moses was not yet given that sin existed in the world. Doing wrong, law or no law, is sin. Adam sinned because he did exactly what God told him not to do. Although I understand the explanation of “trespass increase” meaning that sin becomes exposed, I find it hard to understand why Paul would use the wording he used rather than just put into lay terms, unless that was just the way things were expressed in Paul’s day. Perhaps the 2nd part of the verse is the key to understanding the concept. This is something I will meditate over the next few days. These chapters we are studying have always been stumbling blocks for me and now I see that I was reading, hoping to gain a little out of everything when I should have slowed down and spent time asking God what these things mean.

Q1. What kinds of circumstances in modern life can you think of where a single person acts for an entire group? In what ways are members of the group tied to this person? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=796 This was a most amazing discovery for me and something I don’t know if ever I gave thought to such a cause and effect idea. It was confusing to me (as much of the book of Romans has always been for me) at first but I asked God to fill in the blanks for me and I stand in awe at the answer He gave me. I’m sure everybody has already named the things like how a dictator’s actions result in the deaths of soldiers from more than just his country, etc., but the circumstance I saw nowhere was how Jesus affected His whole group of people by dying in our place. That is the most significant act that will have ever taken place. All the members of the church which follows Jesus are in Jesus and Him in us. We couldn’t possibly get tied any tighter to a person than that.

Q4. (Romans 5:9-10) What does "reconciliation" mean? Why is reconciliation with God necessary? We understand our having been saved by Jesus' death (5:10a, past tense). In what sense are we being saved (5:10b, present tense) by his life? What is Jesus doing for us in the present? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=795 Reconciliation is a word which means the mending of broken relationships, which at one point in everybody’s life, we are in rebellion against God and that is something which needs fixed if we are to inherit eternal life. As far as “being saved” presently, the work of salvation goes much farther into the sanctification process as we live for Christ who is now alive. The concept on this part of the verse in one, which I am currently struggling with (to understand). What does Jesus do for us presently? It would be easier to ask, “what doesn’t He do”? It is through Christ we obtain anything and all we need to do is ask. Jesus is Lord, but at the same time He is the one who provides everything.

Q3. (Romans 5:6, ? Why is it so important to embrace the truth that "Christ died for the ungodly" (5:6), that "Christ died for sinners" (5:8)? According to 5:8, did Christ die for us at our best or at our worst? How does this give us assurance against the devil's lies about us being too bad to forgive? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=794 It is important we embrace that truth because it is such a popular misconception that it was the other way around. If that were the case, none of us would have a chance of entering God’s Kingdom because as Jesus put it "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick ". Mat 9:12, Mark 2:17, and Luke 5:31. In other words, or as put in other words by Jesus, he came to save the sinners. Nobody, but nobody, on their own apart from Christ is good enough to enter the Kingdom of God. It was people like you and me that He came to redeem. Romans 5:8 tells me that Christ died for us at our worst. This is at a time when we had no salvation what-so-ever and very few were even giving thought to seeking it, in fact rebellion best explains our state at that time. This gives us a real assurance because if Jesus died for us while we were still sinners and all we had to do was accept that that fact and let everything fall in place the way Christ brings about change in us on an individual basis, and that means no matter what we may have done. Even a person sentenced to death and might well end up executed as a result is never too bad to receive Jesus’s forgiveness.

Q2. (Romans 5:2-5) According to this passage why should we rejoice in our sufferings and tribulations? One by one, what is the importance to our lives of perseverance, tried character, and hope? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=793 Because of the way they strengthen us morally, and although quite the opposite, similar of the way a person becomes calloused to righteousness by constantly, (seemingly) getting away with paying no price for evil deeds. Perseverance is important when it comes to going the distance. Jesus said that they who endure to the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:13). Like swimming across a river, just because you know the other side exists, you still have to make it there, or fail to. Of course, to swim a wide river one would need much practice and know of the weariness the preparation brings. In much the same way God strengthens us up a little at a time through trials and hard times. Such strength becomes apparent to all and is a testimony to the character of a person. To the person, however the excitement of crossing the finishing line becomes greater with every piece of hard time involved.

Q1. (Romans 5:1-2) According to verses 1-2, faith is a key to salvation. For Abraham (4:3), what was the relationship between faith and justification? For us (5:1-2), what is the relationship between faith and justification? In your own words, what does it mean to be justified? It is faith that activates justification. So, since Abraham believed in and trusted in God, God absolved him from the eternal penalties he may have previously brought against himself. Justified means I can go to sleep at night, even knowing I may not awake in the morning that I have nothing what-so-ever to worry about when awakened for the resurrection. I have had run ins with the law years ago and I know the uneasiness that goes along with wondering what a magistrate is going to levy against me, but to hear the words “you are accused of no wrong doing what so ever” is like having a boulder lifted from the conscience. Knowing of the things I struggle with and used to worry about I feel like I’m 40 years younger with helium filled shoes, in fact the joy which has overtaken me sometimes keeps my awake as I’m so lost for words on how to begin thanking God although a plain, heartfelt thank you does the job but the great-fullness is overwhelming.

Q5. (Proverbs 11:14) Why is it valuable to counsel with spiritual people in the Christian community when we're learning to discern God's voice? How is having a spiritual mentor helpful? What is the danger of always going to another person to confirm God's word? Why is out-growing a mentor a common occurrence? It is possible we could jump the gun and be moving to the wrong voice. I, myself are very compulsive about doing things, perhaps due to a job I once had that required constantly getting things done in an environment where, although doing the same basic thing, every situation was different and some very dangerous. It is good to have a mentor because sometimes we all, no matter how advanced we are at anything, need someone to shed light on a situation to make sure the voice we’re hearing isn’t conning us into doing something that doesn’t align with the Word of God. This also has dangers because there could be times the person you are looking to as a mentor is susceptible to deception. The devil is very cunning. The problem, however with always going to someone else to confirm something God may have told you is the fact they could, although being found dependable not be there when you need them as only one example of how things could go wrong but also a person really needs to discern God’s voice from others. Out-growing a mentor should be a common occurrence to serve as a gauge as to how far you have come at discerning the voices you hear. Hearing voices does not mean you are mentally unstable but acting on the wrong one can be fatal.

Q4. (Mark 14:36; 1 Peter 3:7) Why is it necessary to recognize and then surrender our desires when we are seeking God's will. What happens if we neglect to do this? How can holding on to sin distort what you think you are hearing from God? If we don’t recognize our own desires, we can never know what we need to surrender. How can I quit doing wrong if I don’t know what is wrong to begin with? Once we recognize what our own desires are, we need to surrender them to God because if we are seeking God’s will, and God makes His desires for us known we would become too easily confused between what we want and what God wants for us. Holding on to sin is bad because the longer we regard it, the more we justify it and continue to practice it and after a while we don’t even pay attention to the fact that we are doing it. This makes it easier for Satan to attack on a new front because we have already given ground in one area. Eventually your head gets all clouded up with sin which should have been gotten rid of and we have become so accustomed to justifying it that when God tells us we need to repent of these things we’re not even paying attention to “outside interference”, as we continue in our sin.

Q3. (Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 John 2:16). Give an example of what the voice of the flesh -- our lusts and desires -- might sound like. Give an example of what the voice of the world might sound like. Give an example of what the voice of the devil might sound like. Why is a knowledge of the Scripture necessary for discernment of these voices? Any of these three examples could sound alike although the nature of the voice could be different. Lusts of the flesh could include things like adultery, fornication, alcohol, drugs, power, etc., whereas a voice of the world might just be mainly material things. The voice of the devil might sound like any of the above. Satan is very sly and can adapt to the situation very quickly. Disguised as an angel of light (wolf in a sheepskin), he could go anywhere from telling you something like—"see them people over there? They smoke cigarettes and they’re healthy and strong, quit worrying”, or “you won’t get caught”, or “who will ever know”? Although only a few vague answers here I think that at-least the one about Satan makes it’s point. A good working knowledge of the scriptures will help in many ways because the Bible tells us what kind of person we should be and how we should act, and most of all, how to respond to such attacks. II Timothy 3:16 is a prime example of why we should study God’s Word.

Q2. (Hebrews 5:14) Why will a person have to make mistakes in the process of learning to discern God's voice? If mistakes are part of the process, how can this be of God at all? I think if this were a voice to voice discussion there would be a ton of reasons why the average person is prone to mistakes. Haste—being in a hurry to know you talked to and heard from the most high could be one thing. We live in a society where things not only happen fast but as technology advances we expect results at a faster rate. Not taking the time to verify that it was God’s voice you heard could be another one. This study held a special interest to me because I too have longed to hear God’s voice and one of the things I always promote is listening because we (for the most part) have become a church of doing all the talking and expecting instant results and when it doesn’t happen that way we just move on to the next request. Prayer meetings seem to have become making a list of everybody’s requests and after a few minutes of prayer time the eyeballs search back and forth for the moment everyone is done so we can conclude and move on to the things we have to do. I think listening is just plain uncomfortable for most people. It too, takes practice. I’m no expert on the subject but it is something I have observed. One thing about it though, God is patient with people. He has to be, or I would have disappeared from existence long ago. Most people, unbelievable as it might sound just haven’t been taught that the 10% talking and 90% listening we all talk about is a reality. We talk it like it refers only to everybody else. Problem is, people put God in that little box also and if anything is for sure, it is that we will usually have the last word in. I hope I learn something from what I just said.

Q1. ((Judges 6:36-38; Psalm 95:7-10) Does Gideon ask for a sign because of his unbelief? What is the difference between Gideon's seeking confirmation, and "testing God" in a way that displeases God? Does God mind if we ask for confirmation? When might God be upset with us for asking for confirmation? Not because of unbelief but rather assurance. We’re talking about a man gathering thousands to go to war—a very serious thing whether it be in Gideon’s time or today. Testing God, would be like demanding God do something like the Northern Lights appearing in the desert on demand but what Gideon did was something unobtrusive and just making sure he wasn’t being deceived. Even the second thing Gideon asked. It is written in God’s Word about testing the spirits in 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. God might be upset about asking for a confirmation if it were something like requesting some kind of concession before obedience.

Q4. How can pride corrupt our hearing from God? How do we protect ourselves from being deceived by our pride? There are countless ways pride could interfere with our hearing from God, but the love of money would be high on the list. I started to list some examples I have seen in the past but in the end declined on the idea because that is not the purpose of this forum, but personal gain would be a reason for announcing either to a group of people, or targeted individuals something that “God had told them.” While protecting ourselves from another’s pride is, I believe important, protecting others from our own pride might be of greater importance, i.e., removing the plank from our own eye first, or maybe “clean your own house before commenting on the condition of your neighbor’s rug”. One should think long and hard as to where the “voice” came from and to whose benefit was it. If it was a push for personal gain, and I believe one can tell instantly whether it was right or wrong, then it needs to be dispelled quickly. Does what you heard sound like something from God or is there even the slightest hint of depravity? God is strictly a straight shooter and there is no “pranks” in His words. If it sounds even slightly corrupt, well, it is corrupt. There is no such thing as slightly. The bad apple is trying to spoil the whole batch and if you can stop it, do it. You, not your neighbor will answer.

Q3. (Psalm 32:8-9; John 7:17) Why is a willingness to obey without understanding the reasons for God's commands so important? How does obedience sometimes help us understand God's workings. We could never come close to understanding exactly what God is doing and if it even pertains to what we are supposed to do. It could be part of helping someone we don’t know or have never even met & might never do so. On the other hand, it is only proper because we also never know how another person may have been assigned to do something which has a good effect of us, and it could be someone we may never have met and possibly never will. In other words, we have no idea what all is going on in the world we live in or what is to take place. Sometimes we begin to figure some things out if we do as we are supposed to which we might never have figured out otherwise. Either way, obedience is important because it proves who really loves God (John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.).

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli's counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? Was it good counsel? What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant? Eli instructed Samuel to answer God’s voice as a servant. Yes, I believe that was good counsel for Samuel because he was at the beginning of a lifetime of serving God.

Q4. (Acts 16:6-10; Psalm 27:14) Why does God sometimes not talk to us? Is it always because we aren't receptive? What should we do when we don't hear anything from God? I’m seriously thinking the problem here is the fact that we try to do all the talking and then we “turn the radio off” once we have our order form filled out. I know it was a long period where nobody heard from God prior to Jesus’ coming and I’m somewhat curious if that is the same as what was going on then. Just because there were Levite priests don’t mean they were tuned in, as you called it. I know so many people whose prayer life consists of requests. They adage 10% talking and 90% listening seems to have become a thing of the past with most Christians these days. I think that when you try to tell people this they tune you out as well. Your physical ears don’t have to be in perfect working order to hear God talk. If you don’t hear anything, quit trying to do all the talking, find yourself a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted, get on your knees and raise them holy hands to God (1 Timothy 2:8) and listen, maybe ask God to stop the music of the world if you have to (I have to do that all the time), and listen. You’ll hear something, perhaps it won’t even be close to what you were hoping for but it is a really beautiful thing to listen to God’s leading. Something else I would like to comment on that you mentioned and that was us being the “humble servant”. Perhaps it is like Jesus’ teaching His disciples by example, but it is usually us asking of God and not the other way around. I mean, perhaps we do what God says to do, but it isn’t like He really needs us to get the job done. If He can’t do it, it doesn’t exist. But we ask God for something and most often He is taking care of things we wouldn’t know where to begin with, all because we asked Him to, and how often do we fail Him? I know it is probably not a good thing to dwell on because God is that way and of course we are supposed to follow suit but it its just one of those things that rings through my mind on occasion.

Q3. (Acts 5:1-11; 8:23; 14:8-10) Sometimes God nudges you by giving you insight into the spiritual state of people around you. What should you be asking God about once you receive this insight about them? Have you ever had a nudge from God that resulted in a person receiving help? What did you learn from this? I think it would depend on the situation. If at all possible, I would probably be asking God for more information to be revealed, perhaps as a result of direct conversation with the person in question, however that is not always possible. If time is not an emergency factor, I would want to know what to do but if there was no time for explanations it would be on of them speed-of-thought “please guide me through this. I’ve had something like this happen more than once and if there is one thing I have learned, don’t regard the situation as something to be put off for later unless you are heading into it which gives you more time to ask God to lead you through/do or say the right thing.

Q2. (2 Samuel 5:19, 22-25) What's the similarity between God's brief, inarticulate nudges or promptings, and David's use of the Urim and Thummim to receive direction? What happens when David needs more than a "yes" or "no" answer? First, this is the first time I have ever looked into the Urim and the Thummim. To be honest, I never even heard of them, although I have probably read the words and not even paid the slightest attention to them, shame on me for that, for not investigating what I don’t know that is. From what I have been able to find on the subject I’m thinking that if it were the priest using the Urim and Thummim the answer should have been more than clear, that is, clearer than just a nudge. David was in some serious spots here and would have been looking to hear from God in a more direct, or precise manner than just a nudge. That is my personal opinion of course and although open for discussion I’m at a total lack of knowledge on this one, at least for the time being. When he needs more than a yes or no answer, David would have seeked the voice of God or the words of a trusted priest.

Q1. (Acts 8:26-40; 16:6-10) Are promptings from the Holy Spirit clear enough when we're seeking God for direction? Why is "no" just as important an answer as "yes"? Have you ever felt God's promptings to take some action? If you followed through, what happened? Perhaps there are more “prompts” as referred to here as there are direct messages that go out. How often do you wait for God to literally tell you to talk to someone about Jesus & what he has done for us as compared to “receiving the urge”? I believe that God often tells someone to preach the gospel to someone, but I have a strong tendency to believe that there would be more promptings than direct messages here. I look at no as being just as important as a yes because seeing as these two words are used for stating decisions to requests or permission, or should I/should I not, etc., it is not always in our best interests in getting a yes. If you were a blind person with a severe case of peripheral neuropathy you sure would not God to tell you to proceed directly ahead if there was an armed booby trap in front of you. Perhaps the only promptings I can recall are like I already mentioned (witnessing to someone), and results always were good as compared to when I just strike out on my own but, I wonder how often I was listening for God’s will when I was just nudged into doing something not really realizing that God had even prompted me.

Q4. (Acts 10:19-20) Why was it important for Simon to get a very clear command from the Spirit to go with his visitors? What would he have done if the word weren't so clear? What does he do when criticized for taking this action (Acts 11:2, 12)? What kind of faith does it take to obey the Spirit and take an action you know you'll be criticized for later? Do you disobey when you know you might face criticism for obedience? I’m thinking the reason it was so important for Simon to get an exquisitely clear command was because of Peter’s traditional Jewish roots. Peter possibly could have interpreted the dream in the natural as an attack by Satan to do something which was supposed to have been wrong. This was a very important command as it was a most historic occasion in the church because it marked the end of the 70 weeks the prophet Daniel prophesied about the word going out to the Jewish people only. Even Jesus, when He first sent the disciples out He told them not to reach out to any but the Jews. Knowing Peter, things could have ended up in confrontation because in the natural it just wouldn’t have made sense to go with the gentiles, to the point of eating with them even. When criticized for his action he explains about the vision and how everything unfolded in a very orderly manner as God would of course had arranged things for this glorious event. Concerning obeying the spirit, knowing full well there will be confusion takes faith, but I have had things happen to me when the spirit (very loudly) told me to get up and say something and I believe a certain touch of courage comes from God at such times. There have been times I didn’t do what I was supposed to have done and felt a real shame over, but it was just yesterday morning I was told to speak to a gathering about something that I knew was going to be challenged somewhat heavily. I asked my wife who was supposed to be the speaker (it was a weekly prayer meeting our ministry conducts), and she said it was her turn, but she wasn’t prepared and asked me if I would do it for her (she told me I always have something to say, lol). How perfect. God clearly told me to speak about something before returning to the states and he spent the day telling me what needs to be said. I found a verse to go with everything and it didn’t take but a minute it seemed people wanted to take a stick to me. But, God gave me the words, answers to the questions and with one in particular I had to be pretty forceful (the traditions of man vs the Bible had hit a sore spot it seemed). Anyway, like I said, if God wants something put out He gets it done one way or another and if you’re the one chosen I believe he provides extra courage. I say this never having faced what many Christians over the centuries have faced and I pray the God would strengthen me heavily were He to send me to the lion’s den, stake, (you know what I mean). Sorry for the rant, it just seemed to pour out.