Windcatcher

What is the significance of the confession "Jesus is Lord"? Why is this necessary for salvation, according to Romans 10:9? It proclaims and acknowledges that Jesus is God Himself. I don't know. God made the plan and for some reason He made it neccessary for us to proclaim or profess outloud what it is we have believed in our heart. I know Jesus is the only way. So. perhaps it's about professing Jesus for who He really is; who He claimed He was. And that He indeed was God. We can't profess a Jesus who is just a nice guy or a great prophet. We must confess and acknowledge Him as God.

What are the implications for governments that Yahweh is the King of kings and Lord of lords? 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? It implys that we have a charge, a duty of service to God. It implys that we have rejected Him. In trouble.

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? That I have an absolute authority and I will be held accountable. I live in His kingdom, and under His rule. Protection. A King who knows and sees all. Care and provision. It means I don't always get my way; that I may have to do things against my fleshly desires. It means my life is in service to Him; my life should not just service me. By diliberately disobeying Him.

Read 1 Samuel 8:15 and Malachi 3:8-10. How did tithing relate to a person's acceptance of God being his or her King in the Old Testament? How about for those of us who live under the New Covenant? What place does tithing have for us? It seems that a King could rightly take from an individual. It also stated that a tenth would go to him for his attendents and officials. So, to give God a tithe would indicate your acceptance of Him as King. Under the New Covenant, He is still the King. I choose to accept that and willingly offer my tithe and offerings.

Q4. Define "justice," "vengeance," and "mercy." Can a Holy and Righteous God justly forgive sins without punishing them? What is the significance of the cross in God's righteousness? Juctice - giving someone what they deserve. Mercy - not giving someone what they deserve. Vengeance - punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense. No. A penalty was needing to be paid. To keep right with His (God's) own righteous standard, He had to give the penalty and it had to be paid.

Q3. (Psalm 68:5) Since our God is the Helper of the Fatherless and the Protector of Widows -- that is, the poorest and weakest of society -- what does this say about a Christian's commitment to social justice in our communities? How should it affect our actions? We should do what He does.

If we believe that truth and morality are all relative to one's culture, how can we know and understand the Righteous and Upright God? I don't think it possible. We may claim to know God with this belief, but we would be denying who God really is, and really deceiving ourselves and others. The true God of the bible would be distorted and made into what we want Him to be. Again, we really could not understand Him as the Righteous and Upright God because He would never be the same and always changing. Extra credit for present-day evangelists: How can we declare God and his Son Jesus Christ in a relativistic world? What is an effective approach? (There is no simple answer here. What is an effective communication strategy in your community?) My answer is slow and steady; like the turlte. It seems people have so many layers of issues and needs that each person requirs a personalized approach. It all begins with love, it just looks different for each person as you reach them where their at. So, a relationship is key, as well as long term commitment. We all need to be truth speaking foot washers; telling the truth plainly, while loving sincerely.

How does a realization of God's holiness affect Isaiah? Scares him. Why is Isaiah afraid? He recognizes plainly his own unholiness; in vast, vast contradiction to God's. He also recognizes that the two cannot be together. How does God make Isaiah holy? By touching his lips with a coal from the alter. What is the symbolism of the coal from the altar? An alter is where sacrifices are made. This coal is hot - for its says "live coal." Perhaps this piece of coal was from a burning or burned sacrifice. This sacrifice would attone for Isaiah's sins, just as the sacrifice of Jesus attones for ours. Now made holy -- dedicated to God -- how does Isaiah respond to God? Ready and willing.

In this passage on the "Creator of the ends of the earth," which words are repeated in verses 28-31. tired and weary What application are we disciples to derive from this passage so that we might understand God's might as Creator? He is beyond what my finite mind can even fathom. Just when I feel I know Him, He reveals something of Himself that makes me stop in awe. I can't beleievt this is whom we get to serve. He never tires or becomes weary, and He is never without knowledge of what is happening. He is el Roi, the God who sees.

How many names, titles, and metaphors of God can you find in this passage, both explicit and implicit? I count nine. What does the Psalmist call on us to do in response to God revealed in his Names? Sing, shout, thank Him. extol Him with song, bow and kneel in worship. Why are these actions appropriate? Lord, the great God, the Great King, Owner of all things, Creator are names that imply that He is above all. That is why we bow and kneel before Him. Salvaltion comes from Him, this makes thanksgiving appropriate. Singing to Him and extoling Him is a natural response to being cared for and loved.

What inherent rights does a Potter, Creator, or Maker have over what he has created? He has the right to do with His creation anything He wants - anything. How should that effect our lives, our self-image, our sense of purpose? Perhaps I do not understand, but to be honest, it makes me feel a little sad. My Creator gets to choose whatever He decides for me, even if His purpose for me is of little importance in the Kingdom. It also makes me question if God really does create people meant for destruction to fulfill His will. It fits with being Creator - He really can do anything He wants, but it rubs against my understanding of God as being a God of love. It scares me a little bit.

Why is it ridiculous for a pot to second-guess the Potter? Because the Potter is superior in all ways to the pot. And your right, it is ridiculous. How do we Christians do this? By berating ourselves, or wishing we were more like someone else. By not liking ourselves. What is a better attitude and behavior before our Creator? Acceptance of who God has made us to be and contentment in what He has gioven us to do. Also, faith to believe that what He has made truly is fearfully and wonderfully made.

How do you think David's understanding of the Living God enabled him to challenge Goliath? David knew his God was not dead like the idols, but was indeed "living". He knew that he knew that he knew this to be true. He had absolute trust. Read Hebrews 10:31 in context. Why should the Living God inspire fear and dread? Because this "God thing" is no joke. He is real. Heaven is real. hell is real. And we will be held accountable in our decision to follow the Son of God or not.

What does the idea of "first" and "last" tell you about God? I love the comment made by JanMary who wrote, "When you're the first...there has been no one before you.....and when you are the last...there will never be another." Also one made by Reva who said, "To say that God is the beginning is insufficient. There was no beginning of Him. To say that he is the end is insufficient because there will be no end." These two comments sum it up beautifully. How does Revelation 1:8 relate to God's revelation to Moses, "I AM THAT I AM? They somewhat relate in the idea of God being eternal or always present. The name I AM, however, suggest no time element. It makes me think that He just "is" always. Saying God is the "first" implies a past, saying He is the "last", implies future, but the name "I AM" seems timelesss.

What do you think it is like to "inhabit eternity"? I have to make myself think beyond where my mind understands. It's hard! My first thought is that a place without time must be peaceful. What will it be like when you inhabit eternity with the Eternal God, seated with Christ Jesus in heavenly places? I loved how JanMary put it in her response. She said, "WOW! To know Him as He is....to see Him face to face....no veil between us. Perfect intimacy." Oh man - I can't wait! What emotions does this inspire in you? Anticipation. Longing.

What does God's name Yahweh reveal about his person and his power? I am a little confused, but if i am just referring to the name of Yahweh, then that simply means Lord. Lord is a name that indicates absolute authority; that He is master and above all. There is no power above Him. How would an understanding of Yahweh's name contrast him with the idols worshipped by the Egyptians? I don't know anything about the Egyptian idols, but I would imagine they were specific to a certain area; such as the god of the sun or something. Yahweh, however, is Lord over all. He is not the Lord of the Sun, He is simply The Lord, period. It would put Him, Yahweh, above them all or better put, they would all be beneath Him. No god would be greater.

How should the knowledge that the battle is the Lord's affect the way we approach life? I should not fear man , but God. I should also make sure I am fighting on His side. Knowing that I am on His side, and He is fighting for me and with me, should help dispell fear and encourage boldness. In what way do both timidity and brashness get it wrong? Strong and courageous, not timid. We don't run, we fight! Brashness makes me think of pride. Brashness also hurts people. We fight with love. Are there any instances in which the Lord will not fight our battles? In the scripture examples given, I could only see one - disobedience.

In what sense was Moses' rod like a signal pole in this battle? It spoke unspoken truth. The battle was the Lord's. I can only imagine fighting like this, yet it is not hard to believe those fighting kept watch on that rod; their despair and discouragment when it was not visible, and the energy and power it produced when it was. In what sense is the LORD our banner in the battles we face? If I set my eyes upon Him as I face my battles, I too will come through victoriously. However, if I loose sight, I too will become discourage and despaired.

He choose to obey the will of the Father. They follow Him

Why was Elisha's servant afraid? Because he could not see God's army. What was the difference between Elisha and his servant? God had given Elisha the priveledge of seeing spiritual things with physical eyes. What does it take for our eyes to be opened? I have been a believer for 14 years. I have never seen the spiritual realm with my human eyes. The only way I know to "see" is by believing scripture. It comes down to faith - faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. How can 1 John 4:4 strengthen you in your spiritual battle? I can't see with my physical eyes any battle, but i believe by faith that there is one because scripture says so. I also than must believe and remember 1John 4:4

Why did the Commander say he was on neither side? Because it is we who need to choose which side we are for. As Commander of the Lord's Army we side with Him, He doesn't side with us. What is the significance of this? It is not about me, them or us. It's all about Him. Am I with Him? What did Joshua feel like during this encounter? A quess - A mere man in the prence of God - fear, respect, and a sense of surrender to this Almighty God. How did he feel after this encounter? A mere man in the prence of God - fear, respect, and a sense of surrender to this Almighty God, but also a great confidence in knowing that he was indeed on the side of the mighty Warrior and Commander - Yahweh Sabaoth.

I know I am being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory. As He is King of Glory, His glory is complete. Not only that, but He is Lord of it. Ruler of it. I like what Fred wrote - "more than just a title it belongs to Him." As Father of Glory, He is the author of it, the protector of it, the provider of it.

The phrase "who inhabits eternity" makes me think God does not just live in eternity but rather He possesses it, He fills it. "Whose name is Holy" could be understood several ways. Holy means set apart, also sacred and consecrated. Meaning His name is set apart; His name is sacred, His name is consecrated. How blessed we are to be able to just say it. My hope is that I will not take His name for granted, but rather have a deep reverential respect for it.

I love to use a thesaurous to help expand my understanding of certain words. When I looked up "High," one definition stated - important, with words such as; eminent, prominent, high rank, superior, distinquished, and lofty. As I added "Most" to those words, I got a fuller idea of what God Most High means. As I continue to think on this my hope and desire is that it will affect my worship of Him - which is really just my daily actions towards Him.

As stated in the question - they both believed He was "God Most High. " They also agreed He was "Creator of heaven and earth." My footnote says Creator could be Possessor. I love this implication. Not only did He create everything, but He owns it and has possesion of all things too.