Dove81

How does God's steadfast love in the Old Testament relate to his mission of love in John 3:16? In the Old Testament they were required to sacrifice animals in atonement of the sins they committed. God knew we needed someone that could completely take on our sins, sickness and disease. I believe that God knew that we would never be able to fulfill the law that was required in the Old Testament. You'd have to have been perfect and we know the only perfect man without sin is Yahshua. God came in the form of man, Yahshua and took sin away for all man kind by the shedding of His blood. In John 3:16 it shows Gods steadfast love for the past sins, present sins and future sins.

Q2. What does faithfulness have to do with trustworthiness and keeping one's word? In order to be trustworthy and faithful you must be one who keeps their word. Otherwise it would be hard for people to trust you. God is faithful, trustworthy and His word never returns to Him void. Im just grateful that He is my Lord, Savior and Redeemer. What does the Faithful God inspire in you? To be who He called me to be, to be a doer of the word and not just a hearer. To share His word and my experiences with non-believers and believers. Why must faithfulness be part of our character as believers? We have to have faith in God whom we’ve never seen or touched. We have to have faith and believe that He sent His only son Yahshua to die on the cross for our sins. We have to have faith in God to get us through life.

Q1. Why was God's willingness to forgive essential to Israel's survival in the wilderness? Without God’s forgiveness the Israelites would not have survived. They were constantly rebelling against God. Complaining that they’d have been better if they'd stayed in Egypt . Was Israel contrite after turning away from the Lord in Exodus 34? Yes Israel was contrite after turning away from the Lord. They continued to rebel and as for forgiveness. What is so amazing about God's forgiveness? God is so amazing to forgive us of our sins, we are a rebellious and stubborn people. An yet He continues to love us and cast our sins into the sea of forgetfulness. Giving us new mercy and grace each day!

Q5. What do we miss in our understanding of God if we remove the metaphor of Father and Son from our church vocabulary? It is very sick and disturbing that people want to bring politics into understanding God and His word. It’s upsetting that people want to change the narrative to fit whatever agenda is of popularity at the moment. It’s demonic and just shows that we live in a fallen world. God is a spirit how in the world can you give Him a gender? We call Him Father because He created everything and Jesus was a male which would make Him Gods son. Fathers are the authority figure in the home, the provider, the defender all traits of God. I really believe that people like Ruth Duck have daddy issues and this is her way of not dealing with it. Which feminine metaphors of God especially help you understand God's nature? Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you. As a mother I cant imagine ever forgetting my children, but I understand that every mom isn't like me. This verse brought me comfort not too long ago when I was feeling like God had forgotten me. Funny thing is my teenager read this verse to me and it reminded me that God never forgets us and He never stops loving us.

Q4. In what sense was God the Husband of Israel? God protected them and defended them. He sustained and provided for them. They completely depended on Him to lead them through the wilderness. He made the decisions that best suited them. What is the New Testament extension of this metaphor? The Church is no the bride of Christ with Jesus being the bridegroom. What causes God to be jealous? When we put everything before Him. We start to worship creations instead of the creator.

Q3. In what sense are Jesus and the Father one? Jesus and God are one of the same with the Holy Spirit. Jesus is God in the flesh. Since God who is a spirit couldn't come to earth to take on our sin since we are flesh. He came in the flesh as Jesus to be a living sacrifice for all man kind. Taking on every sin possible to man by dying in the flesh. Then returning to heaven in spirit form. Jesus obeyed the Father and did only what he told him to do. In what way was Jesus distinct from the Father? Jesus was fully man which makes him different from the Father who is spirit. Is Jesus God in the sense that the Father is God? I believe that Jesus is God in the flesh, He is the living word. God knew that we couldn't possible save our selfs by fulfilling the law. We needed Jesus to take on our sin so that we could be saved. God is a spirit, we needed a savior in the flesh, so God sent His son Jesus to fulfill the law. God is the Father since he created Jesus yet they are one and the same with the Holy Spirit. Who was sent after Jesus to dwell within us, so we have God in us.

Q2. How was the intimate way that Jesus taught his disciples about God as "Abba" and "Father" different from the Jews' understanding of God as Father? The Jews looked at the word Abba as something a child would say to address their father. Jesus taught the disciples that Abba is our father in heaven. Almost like addressing God as Abba makes God greater and on a different level than Father which is more for an earthly parent. How does God as Abba influence your relationship with him? Knowing Him as Abba for me makes our relationship more intimate. It makes it easier for me to trust His guidance, to depend on Him, to pray and know that I'm speaking with someone who really truly cares about my well being. He knows me in a way no one else does. Im comfortable with God, i can be myself and know that no matter what mistakes I make He’s never going to stop loving me.

Q1. What does the concept of "father" teach us about God, especially the formal way in which the word is used in the Old Testament? It teaches us that the father is the head of the household, the decision maker and the provider. God should be the head of our lives, our provider and sustainer. He is who we should trust to lead us in every area of our life. According to the quote from Otfried Hofius above, which two aspects of a father underlie our understanding of Father in the Old Testament? The father rules, he’s head of the household, the decision maker and the one who everyone depends on. He is respected and has complete authority over his household. God being our creator, is our father. We are to give Him authority over our lives, respect Him and depend on Him. All our trust should be in God and He should be the one leading and guiding us. How should they affect our behavior? We need to be obedient to Gods word, allowing Him to lead us and guide us. Have respect for Him and put all our trust that He will protect, provide and sustain us. That God knows whats best for us in every area of our lives.

Q4. Meditate on the concept of God as a Spring of Living Water or a Fountain of Living Water for you. What does this say about God? God is my everything, the only one I depend on. He will take care of me and everything that pertains to me. Im never alone, God is always with me. About your thirst? I’ll never be thirsty because Gods well never runs dry. About your future? Its is safe and secure in Gods hands.

Q3. Why do we sometimes resist calling on God to be our Helper? We often think we can handle things on our own and don’t need help from God. Why do we try to do it ourself first? We’re stubborn and think we know what’s best. What is required of us if God is to be a Helper and Shepherd to us? To believe and trust Gods as our helper and shepherd.

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? Yes I can remember times that God has cared for me in times of trouble and in times of blessings. God cares for me continuously, He’s so gracious that He even cared for me while I was still in sin. I don’t believe there is a time when God is not caring for all of us, after all He created us why wouldn’t He care about His creation. What are you facing right now where you realize your need to rely on God as your Shepherd? There is so much going on in my life I depend on God for everything. He is my everything.

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? No, I don’t believe Abraham was expecting God to provide a sacrifice. I believe Abraham thought that God would just bring Isaac back to life. What support do you have for your position? Abraham tied Isaac up and pulled his knife out. He was going to go ahead with what God had told him to do, he only stopped because God called out to him and told him not to lay a hand on Isaac. Did you ever receive a last-minute provision from God? Yes In what circumstances can we expect God to supply our needs? In all circumstances. Any conditions? You must first believe in God and accept him as your Lord and savior. You also have to believe that God can and will supply all your needs no matter what the situation looks like.

Q4. (Psalm 121). What does it mean that God is our Keeper. God watches over us, and thinks about us more than the grains of sand. He is faithful to never leave us or forsake us, He love ex us with an everlasting love. He is our rock eternal. In what ways does he "keep" or "guard" us? He is always aware of what is going on is our lives and is with us to help us get through everything that comes our way. We are never alone for His spirit is in us.

In what ways is God a Rock in the above verses. God is a rock in that He is strong tower, a shield, and defender. He’s a place of refuge, a fortress, He can not be moved, he’s sturdy and dependable, He’s never changing. What functions does a rock perform in Palestine? Rock in Palestine is used as a hiding place.

Q2. (Psalm 3:3) In what ways is God a shield? God protects us all day long from seen and unseen dangers. He watches over us and our homes at night while we sleep. In what ways is he our glory? Through God we are able to conquer danger. Healed of incurable diseases, sustained when we’ve lost jobs or homes. Comforted at the loss of a loved one. He gets the glory out of our lives and strengthens us along the way. In what ways is he "the lifter up of my head"? When we are weak, God gives us strength and makes us strong. He send His angels to encamp around us so that we don’t stumble and fall. His word encourages and strengthens us when we we’d encouragement or a reminder that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. What does this teach us about God? That God loves us with an ever lasting love. He cares about His creation making sure that every detail of our life is known to Him. He’s all powerful and we can trust Him. God knows what’s best for us at all times and will protect and defend us. About ourselves? I know I can’t nor do I want to live life without God being the head of it. I’ve tried my way of living for years and it brought heartache and pain. I need God’s guidance, grace, mercy and love everyday. I need His strength and I need Him to restore me, to heal my body when I’m sick. I need God in my life all the days of my life. He is my EVERYTHING!