Jesus Follower
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Posts posted by Jesus Follower
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On 4/14/2007 at 4:46 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q2. (Hebrews 1:2-3) What about the author's description of the Son makes you think that the Son described is himself divine? What role does the Son have in doing the Father's will according to these verses?
That He made the universe and that He is the exact representation of God.
He performs all of it by His word. Very powerful.
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On 4/14/2007 at 4:45 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q1. (Hebrews 1:2) In what way do you think the author of Hebrews is using the word "Son"? As a metaphor? As a biological relationship? How would a Son's words have more weight than a prophet's?
Literally.
Yes. Biologically and spiritually.
The son's words carry more authority. They can be legally binding and carry "enforcement" capability in terms of consequences for disobedience, likewise assuredness of blessings when given.
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On 7/19/2020 at 11:37 AM, 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? What does it mean to you to receive a blessing from the One who made heaven and earth?
To praise and thank God for who He is and for all He has done for me.
I try to. It helps foster an attitude of gratefulness if I remind myself of all God has done for me.
It is a source of great encouragement. God's blessings are eternal and not dependent on man's strength, wisdom, or other abilities.
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On 7/19/2020 at 11:36 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 14 Mediation (Psalm 133). Which word pictures in Psalm 133 do you find most compelling? 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 dew of Mt. Hermon falling on Mt. Zion. I love the imagery of the refreshment that the dew brings to plants& that unity can have the same effect on a community.
Sin. (Pride and self centeredness).
Self- centeredness and pride. Also, fear can keep me locked away in my own world not sensitive to the Holy Spirit, while preoccupied with my own worries.
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On 7/19/2020 at 11:34 AM, 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? How was it fulfilled in Jesus? How will it be fulfilled when Jesus returns?
David will never cease to have a descendant on throne of Israel and ultimately whole earth.
Solomon took the throne and built the temple.
Jesus was born, died, resurrected, gaining throne of Israel and whole earth for eternity.
Every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the father.
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On 7/19/2020 at 11:33 AM, 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? What does it mean to “hope in the Lord”?
Because we put ourselves in a position of control, not God. I am not smart or powerful enough to control anything in a helpful way.
When I didn't get my way, I became resentful and doubted God's goodness. This happened in a broken relationship.
Being honest w/ God @ how I feel. Praying for help to see things how He wants me to. Staying faithful in prayer, worship & study.
Hope by expecting God to bring me to a place of rest and trust in Him.
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On 7/19/2020 at 11:32 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 11 Meditation (Psalm 130). How does knowing that God forgives us affect our lives? Our faith? How does knowing God forgives us affect our willingness to forgive others? How is your “expectancy level”? How is your hope? How is your faith?
It gives us hope. Otherwise we would be hopelessly mired in our sins, with no hope of rescue.
Our faith in Jesus starts w/trusting in His sacrifice for our sins. It is the bedrock of the faith Jesus gives us as believers.
Makes me willing to work @ forgiveness.
With God helping.
My expectancy is growing. For now, for me and my family and for the end of the age.
My hope has grown as I have seen God provide during this pandemic.
My faith is growing as God enables me to grow.
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On 7/19/2020 at 11:31 AM, 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”? 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?
Have had affliction while serving the Lord and in family circumstances where I was treated unfairly.
I have been able to forgive gradually as God has comforted my heart.
He has helped me pray consistently for those who have behaved in a thoughtless and cruel way. Also, my emotions have been getting calmer over time.
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On 7/19/2020 at 11:29 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 9 Meditation (Psalm 128). What does it mean to “fear the Lord”? What kinds of blessings has God showered over your life? Why does he allow remaining struggles? Does faith always result in prosperity? How do you define prosperity?
To hold Him in awe and reverence.
Family. Professional. Health. Financial. Vehicle. Free society to worship Him.
To mold me into the character of Christ. And to yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Not financial. Spiritual and eternal, yes.
Being close to Jesus.
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On 7/19/2020 at 11:28 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 8 Meditation (Psalm 127). Why is work without trust inadequate? Why is trust without work an illusion? How can we achieve the kind of balance that affords us good rest? Why do you think the psalmist stresses that children are both a “heritage” and a “reward”?
Because God is sovereign and in control of all things. We are not.
God expects us to work. Those in New Testament who weren't willing to work to care for their families were considered worse than unbelievers.
Prayer for discernment of when to work and when to rest. Have a humble, teachable heart, willing to obey the Lord.
People will remember what we were like thru the lens of what our children do.(heritage). Children can minister to us as we age(reward).
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On 7/19/2020 at 11:27 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 7 Meditation (Psalm 126). Why doesn’t God always do the stupendous miracles of which he is capable? Why is patient obedience over the long haul necessary to both the success of our labors and our spiritual maturity? Can we shout for joy now, even before we receive the answers to our prayers? What might prompt that in us?
Obedience in the midst of suffering brings about Godly character. Submitting to the discipline of the Lord brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
We can. We are guaranteed victory when God renews all things. Even if we don't see it here on earth.
An eternal perspective can help us with that.
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On 7/19/2020 at 11:25 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 6 Meditation (Psalm 125). What does this psalm teach us about the security that the Lord gives us? What examples do you see of unrighteous rulers? What kind of government happens when rulers are unrighteous? What happens in the government of our hearts when we allow unrighteousness in us to continue to guide our actions and thoughts?
It is complete and trustworthy.
Dictatorships. Corruption even in democratically elected officials. Oppressive government comes from wicked rulers.
Our hearts become callous, and we bring hurt/harm to ourselves and others through sinful thoughts, words, actions.
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On 7/19/2020 at 11:24 AM, 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? Even from danger from yourself? How do you explain God’s undeserved love toward you? What undeserving person comes to mind who can be the object of your love and mercy?
I have seen Him deliver me from dangerous illnesses, motor vehicle accidents, and danger in swift river currents. He has spared me from being hunted by people up till now.
He has delivered me from poor and foolish choices where I have endangered myself.
His grace is the only explanation. I am not deserving of it.
I will ask God to show me who I need to extend mercy to.
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On 7/19/2020 at 11:17 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 4 Meditation (Psalm 123). What does this psalm teach us about trust that our Master will right our wrongs? What does it teach us about contempt for others? 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?
We can place our lives and circumstances in God's hands even when they are awful and not what we would pick. Contempt for others should not characterize the life of a believer or a church. Muslims? Try to be kind to them and pray for them at work.
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On 7/19/2020 at 11:17 AM, 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? How can you pray for the peace of God’s house? What can you do to “seek the good” of God’s house?
It takes effort and the willingness to suffer w/others. Despite the rewards, obedience does have a cost that some people are not willing to pay.
They misunderstand Jesus' love and devotion to the church. And His plan to help us grow.
Pray for unity and effective living out God"s Word by the power of His Holy Spirit.
Obey and serve God in the context of His church
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On 7/18/2020 at 7:26 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 2 Meditation (Psalm 121). In what ways is God your Help? How does he help 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 shields you?
He gives me wisdom, peace, endurance. Protection and strength to live for Him.
He helps in my job, as a father, as a husband to treat those he has entrusted me with, in a way that glorifies Him.
He has kept me safe traveling, from sickness, has kept me safe financially.
He has been my shade physically, through giving me a home and office to shield me from the sun/ elements. Also, spiritually and emotionally from discouragement from difficulties in life.
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On 7/18/2020 at 7:24 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Day 1 Meditation (Psalm 120). In what ways does stress pull us away from God? In what ways does stress draw us closer to God? Have you given your stress points to God fully? What are you asking him to do about your stresses?
Stress can cause us to focus on problems and our inability to solve them, resulting in frustration and discouragement.
If we have the right view of God and ourselves, our faith can grow as we turn to Him, relying on Him to see us through.
A work in progress?. It is a daily struggle to turn my face/heart toward God and away from covid 19, economic issues, relationship struggles. When I allow Him, God is faithful to give me His peace and joy and endurance every time.
Increase my faith to see circumstances and people like He does.
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On 2/6/2003 at 9:52 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q5. (Judges 8:28-31) How does Gideon influence Israel during his life? What is the positive continuing effect of his leadership as judge?
Unified but idolatrous worship.
Peace for 40 years. So political stability but spiritual waywardness
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On 2/6/2003 at 9:50 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q4. (Judges 8:24-27) What is a snare? In what way does Gideon's ephod ensnare his family and the people of Israel? How can something be a sin if we don't see it as a sin? What was the essence of the sin the Israelites committed? What is the essence of Gideon's sin?
A way to trap people to where they aren't devoted to God.
They worship the ephod instead of God.
Anything that distracts from or replaces our devotion to God can be a sin.
They replaced worship of God, whom they couldn't see with an ephod that they could see. Walking by sight NOT Faith.
Pride, he could more easily oversee the worship of an object, than listen to & obey God as part of walking by faith. He chose his own way over God's way.
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On 2/6/2003 at 9:51 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q3. (Judges 8:24-27) Why is spiritual unfaithfulness looked at as prostitution or adultery? What is the concept of God's relationship to his people which underlies this analogy? What kinds of temptations to spiritual adultery do you face today? (This is not a place to dump on denominations or sects, but to examine your own personal temptations to spiritual adultery.)
Because Israel and now the church are the bride of Christ.
Self reliance, not trusting God to care for me. Also, seeking comfort and ease over obedience.
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On 2/6/2003 at 9:48 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q2. (Judges 8:24-27) What does Gideon ask for his reward? Was Gideon wrong to take a reward? Where did the sin begin?
He was not wrong in taking the gold. It was what he did with it.
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On 2/6/2003 at 9:47 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q1. (Judges 8:22-23) Why does Gideon refuse to be king over Israel? In what sense would becoming king be treason? Why didn't the Israelites see bestowing kingship as treason?
He understands that God is Israel's King.
He would be acting against God and God's people.
Their hearts are far from God. And they are very forgetful.
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On 1/31/2003 at 10:11 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q4. (Judges 8:4-17) Why do the cities of Succoth and Peniel refuse aid to Gideon's army?Why does Gideon punish these cities later? What is their sin? Is Gideon just? Can you think of a circumstance when a Christian might be guilty of the sin of Succoth and Peniel?
They are afraid they will be punished by the Midianites if Gideon loses.
They wouldn't feed his army as they pursued the Midianites.
They fear men (Midianites) more than God. Lack of faith.
Too harsh, I think.
Not caring for or helping missionaries or others called to serve the Lord in very dangerous circumstances.
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On 1/31/2003 at 10:09 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q3. (Judges 8:10-12) Why must Gideon vanquish the Midianite force of 15,000 men in Karkor? What danger do we face when we deal with problems only half-way?
To make sure they are completely free. Left unfought they can return later to oppress the people or lead them astray.
The problem can recur later as bad or worse than before.
Q3. The Phenomenon of Drift
in 1. Jesus, the Father's Own Son (Hebrews 1:1-2:4)
Posted
We can drift away by not paying attention, treating the gospel like human opinions.
Pay attention. Be careful to obey and believe the gospel.
Seed sown in poor soil that won't bear fruit.