MosesSole
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Posts posted by MosesSole
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On 3/2/2006 at 12:14 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q3. Why do we sometimes resist calling on God to be our Helper? Why do we try to do it ourself first? What is required of us if God is to be a Helper and Shepherd to us? It's not that I resist calling on God to be my Helper, I am just not used to it. I used to think that God wouldn't want to be bothered with my trivial needs but I am now learning to lean on Him for all of my worries, and not thinking too much about whether it's trivial or not. If you've spent your whole life doing things yourself, it takes time to adjust to depending on God to meet our needs, especially if you were not raised in a spiritual home. To make the most of God's goodness, we need to trust and obey Him because as sheep, we need to look to God to provide for us, protect us, and love us.
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On 3/2/2006 at 12:13 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q2. (Psalm 23) Can you remember any times when God has cared for you as a Shepherd -- in times of blessing and in times of trouble? I can feel the blessings on me when I wake up each morning unharmed and in the same health I was in when I went to bed.
What are you facing right now where you realize your need to rely on God as your Shepherd? Right now I am leaning on God to deliver me from my enemies, to lead me back home, restore me of the family, connections, opportunities taken from me. God Most High is my Shepherd, my Savior and Protector. He is fighting for me, defending me, and avenging me for all the wrongs that has been committed against me by the enemy.
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On 3/2/2006 at 12:12 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q1. (Genesis 22:1-14) Do you think Abraham was really expecting God to provide a sacrifice, or that was just what he told Isaac? What support do you have for your position? I think Abraham fully expected to sacrifice his son to God, as was requested of him. He wasn't aware that he was being tested but his faith in God made him obey. He had his child bound up and the knife in his hand in preparation to sacrifice his beloved son as an offering to God.
Did you ever receive a last-minute provision from God? In what circumstances can we expect God to supply our needs? Any conditions? I believe that I get provisions from God when I'm able to wake up every morning, healthy and alert. It's not always easy but I think God will not let me suffer circumstances that which I cannot handle. He will not let me go hungry, nor will he let me suffer from the attacks of the enemy. I have faith that even in my time of lack and discomfort, God is watching to make sure that I'm strengthened enough to get through the hard times. "He gives strength to the weary; and gives power to the weak." (Isaiah 40:29) I know God Most High is looking to see if I can withstand the hard times so that He can carry me to higher plains.
I haven't been perfect through all the tests, but I also think God sees me learning, adjusting and trusting. I need to put all my worries on God, rather than trying to do it all by myself.
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On 2/21/2006 at 1:35 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q4. (Psalm 121). What does it mean that God is our Keeper. In what ways does he "keep" or "guard" us? For me personally, I feel God's protection when I pray about the accusing attacks from the enemies. I can sense the enemies retreating and I feel comfort and relief knowing that God Most High is holding me in the protection of His mighty wings. I'm strengthened because the LORD Almighty goes before me, next to me, and behind me.
5The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore. -
On 2/21/2006 at 1:35 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q3. In what ways is God a Rock in the above verses. The reference to rock is a metaphor that God is unchanging, impenetrable, a mighty fortress that is a shield of protection and of trust. It is the idea that God is permanent, unchanging, unfailing in His protection, His holiness. He is the mighty fortress, a refuge for your body, and soul.
What functions does a rock perform in Palestine? I don't know very much about Palestine so I cannot answer this question.
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On 2/21/2006 at 1:34 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q2. (Psalm 3:3) In what ways is God a shield? In my life, God has become my shield, my refuge when I feel the accusing attacks coming from my enemies. Often times we get overwhelmed by the hostility of our enemies who seek to destroy our credibility and self worth. Seeking refuge in God makes me feel immediately soothed and comforted. I feel the coolness of the shield, the shade coming from his shadow and the heat from the attacks dissipate.
In what ways is he our glory? In what ways is he "the lifter up of my head"? God's protection glorifies us. He honors us through His love by telling us to hold up our head high. He says, "do not be dismayed. for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 40:10)
What does this teach us about God? About ourselves? This shows Yahweh to be a compassionate and loving God. If we seek Him, He will not only protect us from the enemies, He will also honor us and strengthen us so that we feel renewed. If we can remember to always rest in the shelter of God Almighty when we feel under attack, I suspect that most of us would feel empowered to live happier and more productive lives. It is the acknowledgment that God is with us for all the battles.
"A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. "If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent... You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 'Because he loves me,' says the LORD, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.'"
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On 2/21/2006 at 1:33 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q1. (Psalm 91) What is the protected one required to do in times of danger (verses 1-2, 9). What metaphors are used of God's protection in this psalm? We are to take shelter in the shadow of Yahweh. In this case, the shadow refers to God Himself because you need His presence in order to have His shadow. 1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
We are to seek protection by taking refuge in His presence. The word fortress is also another metaphor used to describe the mightiness and the impenetrable nature of God's protection. 9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,
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On 2/14/2006 at 10:15 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q3. What are the implications for governments that Yahweh is the King of kings and Lord of lords? If God was leading our governments, I'm pretty sure that there would be little to no corruption. According to scripture Yahweh, is the God of Justice so we'd actually be in a much better place than we are in right now, which is basically chaos. We have no law and order and maybe God is just what we need to reset everything.
What are the implications of removing God" from a nation's currency and pledges, and ardently secularizing national life? Where does that put a nation with regard to God the King? Well it's basically rejecting God and religion altogether and I think this puts the country in a very dangerous place. Honestly I don't even know why our government would remove God from the pledges and the currency, unless the people in charge are actively rejecting God on behalf of the entire country. I guess maybe the people who are trying to do this is basically doing just that-- rejecting God's sovereignty and choosing to make up their own rules. In other words, it's sinners trying to disregard God as their king. Thankfully this is not the opinion of the majority.
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On 2/14/2006 at 10:14 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q2. What are the personal implications of Yahweh being your King and of Jesus being the Messiah sent from God? What are the advantages of being the subject of Yahweh as King? What does it mean for you to submit to the King on an everyday basis? How does a person reject Yahweh from being King over him or her? For me accepting Yahweh as my King is basically saying that He is my LORD, my God. Scripture says that He will deliver you from evil, strengthen you when you are weak, provide for you when you are faithful and obedient. It is essentially what worship is all about. You let God lead you in your life. "My plans for you is to prosper you, not harm you."
Perhaps someone might reject Yahweh if he or she believed that there was another religion that met his spiritual needs better. Sometime when people get married, they convert to the faiths of their spouses. Sometimes hardships cause people to turn away. Other times, people fall into sin and reject God's commandments, instead choosing to live in sin and without repentance. I think if you can be faithful and trusting of God, there would never be an issue of rejecting Him.
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On 2/14/2006 at 10:13 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q1. Read 1 Samuel 8:15 and Malachi 3:8-10. How did tithing relate to a person's acceptance of God being their King in the Old Testament? Tithing requirements were basically someone's acceptance of God as their King. In the Old Testament, there was a requirement that 10 percent of a man's earnings from work was also to be given to support God's administration in the way that they were also required to pay their appointed human King. It would be akin to our society having to pay taxes to keep the country running. Unfortunately during the days of the Old Testament, there were people that cheated Yahweh of his due tithing, choosing to keep the money for themselves while paying tithing requirements to the appointed King of that time. This was considered not only an egregious sin, but an act of rebellion and disrespect for God, an indication that people were not faithful to their God but instead chose to worship a man-appointed King.
How about for those of us who live under the New Covenant? What place does tithing have for us? I believe that the tithing requirement still exist today, although I have not personally heard of anyone being punished for withholding it.
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On 7/19/2020 at 12:37 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 15 Meditation (Psalm 134). What does it mean to you to bless or to praise the Lord? Do you take time in your daily devotions to bless him, to praise him? For me, blessing and praising the LORD is to remind Him of my gratitude for His presence, protection, and love in my life. Indeed, I make a daily prayer time at least 3 to 4 times a day, but sometimes more, to praise and thank the LORD Almighty for everything He is doing to strengthen me, to encourage me, to favor me into His calling. I would say that worshipping my God Most High is the most rewarding part of Christianity.
What does it mean to you to receive a blessing from the One who made heaven and earth? It's an absolute honor, joy and privilege to be blessed by God of Israel Yahweh. I plan to fulfill every promise that He has put in my heart. I hope to live up to all that He has destined for me. I realized this morning that all the dreams and promises that He put in me, were also the dreams of my neighbors who have also been seeking freedom, restoration, justice and prosperity. I believe that the blessing I receive from God Almighty is to fulfill the dreams of all that have been hurt, suffering, and needing rescue. I will be blessed and in turn I will bless those that seek it.
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On 7/19/2020 at 12:36 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 14 Mediation (Psalm 133). Which word pictures in Psalm 133 do you find most compelling? I love the image of the dew of Hermon falling on Zion, and the metaphor of it being like God's blessings being plentiful for all the people of neighboring nations.
"It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore." (Psalm 133:3)Why do you think lasting unity is so hard to achieve in our world, in our countries, in our churches, in our families? What do you think is the chief obstacle to love in your life? The obstacle to unity is people. The ones in charge are often aggressive and power hungry. They prefer to be a king in a small pond than rule in unity with other nations and all their people. That's why we have so many borders, and languages. There is no obstacle to love in my life because everyone who is near and dear to me receive all of my best self. But first and foremost, "Love thy LORD, they God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength."
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On 7/19/2020 at 12:34 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 13 Meditation (Psalm 132). State the Davidic Covenant or Promise in your own words. How was this promise fulfilled in Solomon’s time? This was God's promise to David that his dynasty will reign forever. David began the preparation for building a temple for Yahweh but it wasn't until his son Solomon succeeded the throne that God's home was actually built. This succession of throne from the bloodline of the kings was the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant.
How was it fulfilled in Jesus? How will it be fulfilled when Jesus returns? The period of the succession lasted over 500 years until Jerusalem was captured by the Babylonian king and the David covenant finally ended. It wasn't until the prophecy of the Messiah, a descendant of David, that the promise of the covenant would be fulfilled again. Jesus was said to be from the line of David and therefore the promise was fulfilled once again.
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On 7/19/2020 at 12:33 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 12 Meditation (Psalm 131). Why does demanding answers from God lead to stress? How have unexplained events in your life made you angry? How do you actually go about calming and quieting your soul? I don't believe I've ever "demanded" anything from God. I think if you kept demanding things from God, you will just end up frustrated and upset. I'm still learning about the process of walking with Him and have just begun put all my worries upon God Almighty. If I don't understand something, I just ask for guidance. "LORD, can you lead me on this? God, do you think I should send that inquiry out or should I just wait upon you?"
Yes I do have questions, and yes I sometimes try to figure things out in my mind but I realize that even doing this causes stress and I just let it go and remind myself that "The LORD will fight for you. You need only to be still." Once I remember this verse, I feel immediately comforted and protected.
Right now, I'm upset that after almost 2 years of being illegally locked out of my home I have not been able to get any help from law enforcement and related housing agencies. I found myself getting short-tempered as the months passed but since finding God, I've been able to cope and manage my stress in a way that is quiet and therapeutic. Doing Bible studies is one way for me find refuge. Praying to God with my daily troubles, has been a lifesaver for me. He is my protector and comforter at the same time!
What does it mean to “hope in the Lord”? For me this means having faith in God Almighty-- and of course trust and hope. If we can believe that God will provide and deliver us, it also means we are trusting in Him. Hoping in the LORD is knowing, believing and trusting. I'm lucky to have an abundance of all three.
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On 7/19/2020 at 12:32 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 11 Meditation (Psalm 130). How does knowing that God forgives us affect our lives? Our faith? For me personally, my faith in God gets stronger when I know that there's room for error-- also known as my failures. I understand that while He forgives, it's not a license to get loose with my morals. That I have a forgiving God is a gift, but it's also greater that I don't take advantage of that gift by living unrighteously with the expectation that I'll be forgiven.
How does knowing God forgives us affect our willingness to forgive others? We always want to walk in the light of God Almighty by following His lead. However, I think God's barometer for forgiveness probably has some limits so I would seek His guidance before determining if someone in my life is deserving of forgiveness. If someone sins against a neighbor by beating, raping, murdering, lying, cheating over and over again, will that person be deserving of forgiveness? Perhaps in the context of Heaven, the sinner will be forgiven. But I think Scripture does say God Most High is also a God of Justice which likely means that the guilty will be punished-- "Vengeance is mine" says the LORD.
My enemy, whom I will call Satan on this forum, will probably not earn my forgiveness but I can be reasoned with.
How is your “expectancy level”? How is your hope? How is your faith? I have great abundance of patience, as I have lived my whole life waiting with the expectation of greater things. I was afflicted with childhood arthritis at a toddler age so it's been a given since then that it takes me longer to achieve things. Waiting on the LORD is not that difficult when you have faith and hope that He will deliver you as He promised. I am not too concerned about delays. I will just keep doing good, and let the results play out. In the end, the road to success is as much the reward as the destination itself.
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On 7/19/2020 at 12:31 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 10 Meditation (Psalm 129). Can you think of times in your life when God has delivered you from affliction? Or perhaps from “the cords of the wicked”? My LORD, my God fights for me, and He never fails. I believe that deliverance is imminent; I'll be on the lookout for the hand of my Warrior God Yahweh who will hand deliver me out of my captivity. I look forward to victory any day now.
How have you dealt with the bitterness that comes from oppression? Have you been able to forgive? If not, what would it take to enable you to forgive your enemies and offer them a blessing? I try to deal with my anger by praying to God often, and leaning upon His guidance. Knowing that my LORD, my God is a God of Justice, I know that He will vindicate me so I don't feel the need to take any action against my enemies. Scripture says, "Your LORD will fight for you. All you need to do is stay at peace." So I'm comfortable waiting on my God to prevail on my behalf.
The anger I feel towards my enemies is fresh and not likely to fade anytime soon unless they stop attacking me. Justice needs to be served in order to stop these relentless attackers. That means seeing them face prison time, and/or capital punishment. Then eventually I'll be able to forgive some of my enemies but that can only happen when I can see true repentance and regret on their part. I say "some" because there are enemies that caused me more physical and permanent harm than others. Forgiveness is a gift, it isn't automatic and not everyone is entitled to it, nor is everyone required to forgive. You have to earn it by accepting due punishment, repenting, and paying the price for the injuries they caused.
The blessings will not come from me, as I am not the judge. It is up to God Almighty.
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On 7/19/2020 at 12:29 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 9 Meditation (Psalm 128). What does it mean to “fear the Lord”? Fear in this case means to revere and honor the LORD. I used to think it was about being terrified of God but apparently "fear" has a different context. It basically means revere the LORD as an almighty and holy being that should be respected and worshipped.
What kinds of blessings has God showered over your life? I've always considered myself pretty lucky and in the Christian context blessed by God. I was afflicted with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age 4 which caused severe deformities in my joints and my ability to ambulate. By the time I was 8, I could not walk or bathe myself. Even tho I came from an Asian nation that at the time, wasn't fully developed, I was blessed to have a dad who was educated in America and had the knowledge, wisdom and resources to put me under the care of the world's best pediatric rheumatologists and surgeons. Within months of arriving in the US I had the first of many surgeries and was soon walking independently. Eventually I became fully independent, ambulating and taking care of my personal needs without help from my family. I finished college and grad school and became successful in the field of journalism.
The road to independence was not an easy one; I had over 14 hip and knees surgeries by the time I was 29. Rheumatoid arthritis is also a disease of chronic pain so coupled with all the surgeries and some complications, I would say a good portion of my life has been spent in pain and recovery. Even though my life has been one of hardship and many struggles, I always realized that I was blessed and lucky because not only did I have access to some of the best medical care in the world, I had a dad who made sure that I received the same level of education as my brothers.
When I think back on it, it was God's hand that led my dad to the doctors I needed. It was His leading that helped my dad find us a perfect home in NY. Even though I didn't realize it at the time, it was always God's plan that I achieve great things in my life through the hardships I endured, and the understanding I gained as a result of it. My blessings came in small increments, over the course of my life, but I think this is what makes someone an anointed child of God.
Why does he allow remaining struggles? I think one's ability to overcome the struggles and barriers to achieve success will yield greater favor from God. He sees your challenges and takes pride in you when you're able to rise above it.
Does faith always result in prosperity? How do you define prosperity? I think having faith in God will result in His favor towards you and your family. Whether that is in financial prosperity or otherwise, it's hard to say. God rewards the righteous and I think Most High God enjoys seeing His favored children prosper. For me personally, prosperity would involve having a home that I could be proud of and be comfortable in, without having to worry about paying the rent on it. In the end, prosperity is about having abundance-- both spiritual and material goods-- without the anxieties.
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On 7/19/2020 at 12:27 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 7 Meditation (Psalm 126). Why doesn’t God always do the stupendous miracles of which he is capable? If we had stupendous miracles everyday, they'd be gifts that wouldn't be deserving. To fully appreciate God's gift of miracles, I think we would first have to understand the test of endurance and perseverance that one often has to bear in life. Maybe God is watching to see who can learn to overcome challenges in life, and still continue to do good, and appreciate all the wonders in the world. If everything was easy, how would be learn to appreciate God and the life He gave us? Hardships create a tough exterior and wise soul.
Why is patient obedience over the long haul necessary to both the success of our labors and our own spiritual maturity? This is God showing us that incremental growth is valuable in that it teaches us to work for success over time, and that the fruit of our labor will yield in due course. If we expected God to give us everything without us putting in the time and energy, there wouldn't be much of a reward. But if you expect to spend several years working the crops before seeing financial rewards, God sees your patience and faith, and will see that you reap a greater reward.
Can we shout for joy now, even before we receive the answers to our prayers? What might prompt that in us? Of course we must shout for joy even before our prayers are answered. In gratitude we have faith, and in faith we have God's love. Not all of my prayers have been answered, but some have been. The important ones like keeping me safe, and sheltered from the attacks of the enemy has been answered regularly. Honestly, I'm just so grateful to have Heavenly Father's help, I'm not going to complain about anything. I'm 100 percent sure that He is working to deliver me, restore me, prosper me, heal me and with a little more patience, I know that ALL of my prayers will be answered-- in over flow! Our God is good. Believe in Him. Trust in Him.
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On 7/19/2020 at 12:28 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 8 Meditation (Psalm 127). Why is work without trust inadequate? Why is trust without work an illusion? I think in order for us to accomplish the best results in everything we do in our lives, we must first accept God's help. When you trust in the LORD, you are allowing Him to set a steady foundation for which to build a home and raise a family in. Without recognizing the need to lean into God's helping hand, you may never find security. I know sometimes we go about our day as our responsibilities require, forgetting to seek guidance from God. But those who trust and put faith in the LORD often consult with Him through the day about the best way to get things done. To build this kind of a relationship with God Almighty is to build a secure, steady ground for you to move on. To live without acknowledging Him is to say that you don't need God, and that's like refusing a fortress in lieu of a house built on cobwebs.
How can we achieve the kind of balance that affords us good rest? Most of us assume hard work equates to good earnings but the metaphor here that even if you can provide for your family through the hard work, it's difficult to enjoy the fruit of your labor if you are too tired to enjoy it. Instead work hard, get enough rest-- God will provide. "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep." (Psalm 127:2)
Why do you think the psalmist stresses that children are both a “heritage” and a “reward”? Children represent the growing love between a husband and wife, thus they are the reward in the home. It's a double blessing that they are heritage for which to carry on the family name and business.
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On 7/19/2020 at 12:25 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 6 Meditation (Psalm 125). What does this psalm teach us about the security that the Lord gives us? The metaphor of Mount Zion is one of strength and permanence; that the believers are compared to a mountain is that our faith in mighty God Yahweh is also unshaken and everlasting. As such, so is God's faith in His believers. Like the mountains that surround Jerusalem, so is His shield of protection that surround those who trust in Him-- immovable and unshaken like the rock that its built on.
What examples do you see of unrighteous rulers? What kind of government happens when rulers are unrighteous? Probably the best example of a corrupt ruler is Barak Obama, who basically lied his way into the Oval Office. It wasn't until he left office that I uncovered the fact that not only was he not legally authorized to be in office, but that his name wasn't really Obama: His past records show him as Barry Soetoro. There is no record of him ever having attended Harvard or Columbia, nor is there any record of a law career-- neither as Barry or Barak. Michelle Obama wasn't really his wife because she in fact wasn't even a woman nor were Malia and Sasha really his daughters. Obama was also using his office to lure young black children-- kids from very famous NBA players-- into a massive pedophile ring and using his presidential authority to cover up his crimes. He also authorized the spending of trillions of US dollars under the guise of a "mortgage crisis" when in fact, he had allowed his corrupt and criminal perverts to pillage the assets of millions of Americans.
I alerted the FBI of these facts more than 2 years ago and where did it get me? Locked out of my low-income home to be incessantly maligned, cheated and threatened by these same criminals that put a pervert in the office.
In short when you have a corrupt and unrighteous leader in the office, the entire government becomes corrupt because it will be run by unrighteous and corrupt people, aka criminals, hiring other criminals to abuse the innocent. Basically this is what we have right now-- no law, no order and no adherence to the fairness and justice.
What happens in the government of our hearts when we allow unrighteousness in us to continue to guide our actions and thoughts? I know that criminals don't usually try to tempt me with any "deals" or "offers" which is likely due to the fact that I don't come across as someone that can be bought, bribed and threatened. It's probably a tricky balance for most people, esp when most of us need the extra cash, to turn away from it for the sake of righteousness. But if you have a good sense of right and wrong, as I do, saying no to unrighteous acts of temptation seem more like traps to avoid. Unfortunately I think there are far too many out there who can easily forego righteousness for the sake of wealth gained by evil acts. How to set them straight can happen only through God.
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On 7/19/2020 at 12:24 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 5 Meditation (Psalm 124). Think back on your own life. In what circumstances have you seen God deliver you from danger from others? I've been repeatedly attacked in the night by a rapist who has been stalking me for the last 7 years. In the past, I woke up to find that my arm had been broken, bruises were on my body, hairs pulled out. My tooth was also broken. Since I've been praying for deliverance, I know that my God Yahweh put a shield of protection around me to prevent the attacker from causing further serious injuries to my body. He also puts his angels on duty to make sure that no harm comes to me.
Even from danger from yourself? How do you explain God’s undeserved love toward you? I think as children of LORD Almighty, we are very much deserving of His love because we are His creations and as such, we look to Him to help us and keep us. I might think I was undeserving if I was sinning against my Most High God, and being disobedient to His laws. But on the contrary, I'm a person that reveres the God's laws and as such I adhere to them closely. I take pride in having contributed positively to the well being of my fellow neighbors and I believe God sees in me a person of good character who deserves helping, keeping and loving.
What undeserving person comes to mind who can be the object of your love and mercy? Since only God can judge others, I will not answer this question on mercy. I will say that love should be reserved for family, friends and spouses. All others who cross your path can be shown respect, as much as you deem them worthy of it. At the end of the day, respect and love are earned.
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On 7/19/2020 at 12:17 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 4 Meditation (Psalm 123). What does this psalm teach us about trust that our Master will right our wrongs? It's the idea that God is in control of our lives and that we can trust in Him for all of our needs. Our LORD, our God Yahweh is both merciful and just. He's a God that will care for you and avenge you if you are being wronged. He is a true Father, the one you can look to for help when in need, and justice when oppressed.
What does it teach us about contempt for others? The psalm allows us to reflect on the suffering of the Israelites and the contempt they endure as they work to rebuild their lives. It is a lesson in endurance, patience and living righteously.
What group of people in your particular community most bear the brunt of prejudice? What can you do to go out of your way to show active love toward them? I think disabled people face the most prejudice because it is often the case that we simply cannot get in the door if there is no ramp up the stairs. Because I am disabled myself, I just do what I can to make sure that people and businesses comply with the laws that protect the rights of those with physical challenges. And if in times I get discouraged, I pray to God. Because our God is a God of justice, I know that He will not only comfort me, but He will also seek justice on my behalf. Like the scripture says, our God looks out for the orphans and the widows. He will also look out for the physically vulnerable.
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On 7/19/2020 at 12:17 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 3 Meditation (Psalm 122). Why do people desert the house of God in our day? Why do so many Christians believe they can mature in Christ without the help of Christ's people? It's hard for me to say because I am born again only 4 months, and I have never even been a part of any Church. That being said, I can say on observation that people just do not worship God in the way they should. And going to church is an anomaly rather than the norm. Worshipping is not just the occasional prayer when you need something. It involves having faith in God and His commandments, leaning upon God for your life's needs. To me this requires having a relationship with God, and communicating with Him for His instructions. Learning about your LORD, your God, is vital so one should diligently seek the answers by reading the scriptures, talking to pastors so you can learn to worship Him and walk in His righteous path. I think if you can please God with your faith, devotion and trust, you will be blessed and loved by Him in return.
How can you pray for the peace of God’s house? What can you do to “seek the good” of God’s house? I generally check in with my Most High God, several times a day and if I have any inner conflicts, I pray for the Spirit of peace to calm my tumultuous heart. In that regard, I think I can pray for peace for my neighbors and my country because God's embrace is infinite. Yahweh is a Warrior God, and if His will desires it, He will do everything in His might to bring about peace. I think just being in a nice Church, or Temple for that matter, is the beginning of finding the "good" that is in seeking God.
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On 7/18/2020 at 8:26 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 2 Meditation (Psalm 121). In what ways is God your Help? How does he help you? My God Most High is my literal rock, and my fortress. When I'm distressed and under attack by my enemies, I feel comfortable turning to Yahweh, who is my Warrior God. He helps me by fighting my enemies for me and keeping them from hurting me. He helps me emotionally by reminding me that I am His special treasure, an anointed one, a loved one. My Heavenly Father lets me know that He is here for me. "Do not be discouraged. Your LORD Your God goes with you..."
In what ways is he your Keeper? How do you perceive that he guards and protects you? How is he your Shade? How do you see that he shields you? My God Yahweh keeps me by making sure that I receive his daily messages through His elect pastors. The messages are always full of hope, encouragement and loving care. It's my LORD my God remindin me that He is with me, near me and always watching over me. Sometimes I can see that He sends His angels to guard me because I can actually see them guard me as I travel about on the roads. The angels are in the form of dragon flies and they fly in close proximity to me to make sure that I don't get into any accidents. My God of Justice is my shade when I'm beaten down by my enemies. He cools my heated heart when I feel injured by my attackers. His provides a cool shade of shelter and sends me His peace which makes my anxieties cool down.
Just now I received loving words of support from Most High Yahweh, who writes: "People fail but God doesn't. The betray you but God won't. He is forever faithful and He won't leave you alone. People can forget about you and take you for granted, but not God. He is your Father and He will hold you in His arms for the rest of your life."
I am blessed to have such favor upon me.
Q4. Spring of Living Water
in 8. The Lord Our Provider
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