Rapunzel

The tongue cannot be tamed if our hearts are corrupt. A changed heart results in a controlled tongue. We must deal with the stink in our heart first which scripture says is deceitful and desperately wicked, so that what emanates from our mouth is pure.

I believe this is called the Royal Law because it is the foundation on which all the other laws are built. It is the law that supersedes all other laws. If we get that right, then it is easier to obey the other commands. Favouritism breaks the royal law because we show preference to one person over another. Love should not be selective based on a person's economic or social status. It shows that our love is conditional.

This is a very, very interesting question. My life is such that I am not in a position to discriminate against anyone, but if I had to it would be against homosexuals. I have an overwhelming aversion to this sin because they always try to justify their sinful behaviour by saying love is love. I cannot answer the second part of the question as I am not a member of a local church. I resigned a few years ago from my church because I got tired of the erroneous teaching, the unbiblical worship, and poor leadership.

The Shepherd guides me in my life's purpose, how and what to pray and understanding of the scriptures. And all this requires absolute trust in Him. The springs of living water represent to me worship and I will never exhaust them. The only tears I need wiped from these eyes are my failure as a parent to raise my son in a proper way. Don't know if I can ever forgive myself for doing such a lousy job.

Blood is gory, seeing it makes one squeamish, some people even faint at the sight of blood. The reality is spilled blood is not a pretty sight. Thank Hollywood for that! A cop investigating at the scene of a brutal murder can attest to that. Because people do not understand that this is a spiritual cleansing and not a physical cleansing then the image would be jarring to some. I don't know why it would be embarrassing. If that is the case then you don't really understand what scripture says or the significance of the cross. I believe what we should see in this is the price Jesus had to pay in redeeming us to the Father. Jesus' literal blood was spilled for humanity to make us spiritually clean.

1. The Kingdom of God is totally opposite to the kingdom of this world. The way up in the kingdom (success) is the way down (humility). Jesus said the last shall be first and the first shall be last. To be exalted we must exercise humility. We must pray for our enemies. According to God's economy losing (humility) is really winning (victory) 2. The Lion shows the overcoming, kingship side of Jesus; the Lamb shows His humility and submission to the will of the Father as well as His servant's heart. 3. Jesus humbled himself through His obedience; by submitting to His Father's will for mankind. 4. It is vital that we humble ourselves before God because a proud person can never properly handle power. Pride always results in destruction.

I only want to address the question as to why we get bored with worship after a few minutes. First of all, I think the words 'sometimes' and 'tired' could have been inserted in this sentence. Sometimes I am (physically) tired or bored (detached) during a worship session because of several factors, but it doesn't mean that I have lost my relationship with Jesus or that I am far from Him or that I have sinned. As long as we are in these mortal bodies we will struggle. We don't have glorified bodies yet. Until Jesus comes again and we receive our immortal bodies, the flesh will always be at war with the spirit. In heaven we will never get bored or tired worshipping Jesus. Heaven is a place of constant, ongoing, never-ending, eternal worship.

a. We are commanded to rejoice always because it helps us to focus on God and what He can do rather than our circumstances. It gives us a different perspective on our situation, creates a shift in our attitude, prevents complaining and it invokes God's blessing in our lives. b. When we are under stress our natural tendency is to give up, worry, complain, give in to frustration or get depressed. c. Rejoicing and giving thanks involve faith because it requires us to believe that God will come through for us even though our circumstances may be dire. d. I find it difficult to praise God when I am physically tired, emotionally stressed or if there is unconfessed sin in my life.

a. Paul had Timothy circumcised, not for the sake of his salvation, but so there would be less to hinder ministry among the Jews. b. Paul was free to do what he wanted, but bringing people to Jesus was more important to him than using his freedom selfishly. c. Serving Jesus requires humility rather than demanding our rights, because humility puts others before ourselves.

LESSON 4 Q3 a. I really don't know how to answer this question. How do I reconcile predestination with Jesus' quote many are called but few are chosen? The subject of predestination is too deep for me. b. If we believe that God has predestined only certain people to be saved then we may see evangelizing as unnecessary and think we have no role to play in pointing people to Christ. c. God doesn't need anyone to do anything - He is God! But God chooses to partner with us in pointing people to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God sent His Son for a brief time on earth and now we have been left behind to tell others about Jesus. The church is now God's mouthpiece to tell others about His Son. God will not come off His throne and say Serve My Son.

Our part is to believe; God's part is to shield us by His power when we believe.

If God forgives me of any sin, then it means I must live out that forgiveness by completely turning away from that sin. It makes no sense God forgives me for lying yet I continue to tell lies. Grace is a gift; it has nothing to do with anything we have done. We cannot work to earn grace or salvation.

The Bible says in 1 John 2:15-16 (NKJV) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the **** of the flesh, the **** of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. That about sums up the behaviour of a believer whose heart is focused on the world rather than eternity.