grace

1. Listening the bible teaching alone is fooling ourselves. In hearing , we look for counsel and direction, but when we study and meditate on it and apply it, it turns to spiritual life-Do not forget the remedy, APPLY IT. 2. The nature of the self-deception is looking into the gospel mirror, seeing the spots, and not wiping them off. AS JAMES says, faith without works is DEAD. If we talk the talk , we must walk the walk. P.S. Thank all of you for praying. Management decided to side with the evil and not acknowledge the truth which was so evident. In Canada, it is more popular to be politically correct, than to deal with evil. However, Psalm 35 is powerful, and God says that He will plead my cause with them that strive against me. I endured a lot of inner pain over this matter and many doubts and anxieties flooded over me. I truly believe that God will be my champion and render the evil that was planned for me, to be returned unto them . For anyone going through trials, Psalm 35 is an excellent healing balm for you. God Bless.

1. We are given spiritual birth by the word of truth in the sense that it's the Word that gives life, just as it did in the beginning; we must receive our new life by the ingrafted Word of the Living God; the Word makes us clean. 2 Spiritual life and the Word compliment one another. We CANNOT live the spiritual life without the nourishing power of the Word of God-our necessary daily intake.

l. Verse 5 indicates that we can ask God for wisdom.However, that wisdom is to know how God would have us direct our lives. Solomon asked wisdom to guide God's people, and because of this request, God bestowed riches as well to Solomon. 2 The condition is that we ask in faith, not with a half-hearted request. We must not be double-minded , but have ourselves committed to what God would have us to do. 3. Trials help us receive wisdom because they point out the areas in our life that need correction, they drive us to our knees to cry out to God for direction in our lives. They allow us to look forward to overcoming in the next trial.

l. God promises us wisdom, but I believe he wants us to ask for the wisdom that will glorify Him, as was the case with Solomon. Solomon put God first and more was given unto him as a result. 2. The condition attached to the promise is that we ask in faith knowing that God requires us to be obedient, and not half-hearted in our asking. 3. Trials help us because we often feel alone in these trials and know that in our own strenght we are unable to come out victorious. I am presently going through a trial that has taken its toll on me physically, emotionally, and spiritually resulting in pain. This trial has resulted in' finding myself continually UPON MY KNEES. p.S. I covet all your prayers.

l. Trials bring us back to ground zero where we can throw off our preconcieved ideas and examine just what God has allowed to happen in our lives for His honour and glory 2.Trials help us to grow and mature as followers of Christ Trials take away the dross from our lives and cause us to more fervently call upon the Lord in our distress.

Why do people blame God for evil? I believe that most people believe that God is in control of this world system and therefore He is responsible for all that happens to us. Jesus called satan the PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR. People fail to realize that satan is in control of all evil and he has multi numbers of fallen angels at his disposal to do his biding and wreck havoc in this earth. 'God does not tempt us or any man with evil. We are tempted when we are drawn away by our own ****; we make the choice to do wrong. God allows people to sin, because that's a CHOICE that He has given to every man.There are consequences for our choices, which will defeat us or bring us to maturity. If we were not conscious of sin, then why would we turn to God for deliverance and salvation? Evil is allowed to exist because man has to make a choice to follow evil or to follow the paths of righteousness, which we are not prone to do. To resist evil with God' help, is one way to show God, that His will is best for us.

I believe that trials in my life are unavoidable if you fully intend to make a mark for God. A faith that is not tried is NOT faith. A tried faith is evidence that you are walking in the Spirit. The trials are difficult and sometimes downright unpleasant, but they serve a purpose in the household of faith. Trials and temptations build a maturity and completeness in us. No, I have not been destroyed by my trials, but they do cause discouragement After I have been tried, God's word states that I should come throught like FINE GOLD. Trials have helped me see God's perspective in the situation. They have caused me to live with greater urgency, serious holiness and a desire to live in unconditional obedience.

1. The achievement of Abraham that inspired me most was the offering up of Isaac, in obedience to God. This was a step of faith that most christians could not comprehend. 2.The thing which stands out of me as I reflect on Abraham's life is the readiness of Abraham to obey the voice of God especially when the way seemed unclear.

l. I am thankful for the study on the faith of Abraham. The life of Abraham was a life of walking by faith, a life of compromise, a life depending upon God, holding unto the promises of God, for He believed that what God had promised , He would perform. 2. This study helped me to THINK about the answers to the question and to research in commentaries and other sources to find out the truth that God wanted me to learn and apply to my own life. 3. I hope that there will be further study courses. May all the forum members have a wonderful and happy Christmas. 'BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD' Grace.

1.The servant's prayer is a very appropriate one, because he knew he was on a god-sent mission , inasmuch as Abraham told him that he would be guided by an angel. Quite often, I believe that God answers our prayers with the help of others being involved. If we focus too much on Abraham, we miss the work that God is doing in the servant in being part of the overall will of God. All things and persons WORK TOGETHER for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. 2. I,also, do not believe his prayer to be hasty. The servant had a long journey, and definitely wanted to obey his master's orders. I'm sure having been in the house of Abraham, that the servant was very aware of the hand of God upon the House of Abraham. I would say that the servant wanting to do the right thing and not do things amiss, would have called on God unceasingly for the success of his journey to find a wife for Isaac. He certainly did find the right girl, for what woman would have responded the way Rebekah did, knowing all the work that was involved, as well as the servant being a stranger.

Sarah was strong in the sense that She respected the role of Abraham in submitting to him as the spiritual leader of the home. Also, she knew what had to be done in expelling Hagar, in making sure that Isaac did not lose his rightful inheritance. As indicated by others, Sarah was unbelieving and doubted the promise of God. As well, she took matters into her own hand, instead of waiting upon God. And of course, trying to lay blame on others, instead of repenting for the wrong she brought to others. I believe she had faith in accepting the fact that her son,Isaac, would be a blessing to all nations. She lacked faith in not leaving the promise in the hands of the Lord.

The near sacrifice of Abraham's son is a SHADOW of that which was to come. As Abraham gave his best, God could do no less than offering His BEST, the Lord Jesus Christ. Abraham knew that in Isaac nations would be blest, so also in Jesus the whole world would be blessed . As the offering up of Isaac pleased God as He seen Abraham's obedience, so also the offering of Jesus Christ FULLY satisfied God the Father, in that it was full compensation for the souls of men and women.

1.I trust God to provide for me, simply because He has promised to do so, and cannot go against His Word. It , however, sometimes proves to be difficult as I am still waiting on a 12 year old promise from the Word. 2.God's word tells us that He loads us with benefits every single day; maybe they are things we take for granted. I would say that if we really knew all the things He has done for us over our lifespan, we would be amazed and probably fall upon our face in repentance for questioning His provision. 3 I am presently facing some health problems, and a desire to know where I can serve in the body of Christ , either in the church or outside of the church. eg. I noticed that several people have expressed their needs; this is an excellent opportunity for all of us to pray for one another.

1.To say that any man can KNOW God is a difficult thing to comprehend. I believe that we can only come to some understanding of God, as we allow the sanctification process to take place in our lives. I believe that we all at sometime or another compromise in some area of our lives.The best example is the apostle Paul, who himself said, "That I may know Him...". My wife's brother in law in Atlantic Canada is the closest that I know of anyone who says they know God. He has seen angels in the sanctuary while he was preaching God's Word and numerous times seen the power of God bringing healing to people, so much , that he said miracles are common-place there. I wish I could say that I KNOW God, then I would certainly know each day the direction my life is going in. However, I believe that as a man lays his ALL on the altar of sacrifice, he will walk closer to God than most men. I sometimes wonder in church when they sing that old classic hymn, I SURRENDER ALL , do they really take time to understand what they are saying? We really do have to know God in order to trust Him with all of our lives. I know I am born again and look expectantly to Him every day waiting to see what He will do in my life. God has given to me a MEASURE OF FAITH and I will be satisfied to be able to live up to that measure. Surrender means giving over those things to God, which will only hinder our walk with God and to be ready in obedience to do what He calls me to do. I believe I have been blessed with the things we take for granted in life, as well as the eternal benefits that he promised would be ours.

1.Satan wants our trials to bring DISCOURAGEMENT to our lives, so that we will despair and complain about our walk with God and maybe for us to see God in a different light, causing us to wonder where God is in our affliction. 2.The effect that God wants us to have in our trial is for the trial to refine us and mature us into the kind of people God can use for His glory.For He knows when we are tried, we shall come forth like pure gold and be fit for the Master's use. He wants to refine our character so that we will walk more closely with Him. 3. I have been through trials where my faith was tested. I would like to say that I have seen victory in them, but I found myself struggling to understand what God was doing, or questioned whether God was involved at all. But I believe over a period of time, the result of these trials will become evident. 4. I am unable to say that my trials inspired others, but I most certainly have been inspired by others who have given great testimony to the faithfulness of God in their trials.

God being Eternal means to me that He is not subject to time , not confined to any form of rules or regulations, not a God that needs to be appeased by His followers. GOD IS THE GREAT "I AM" .

1.God blessed Abraham in that his offspring would be named through Isaac, the child of promise and also that God would bless Ismael as the head of a nation,(although I don't understand why God would place his blessing on what appears to be such an militant people ) 2. As indicated by others, it was a blessing that Ismael was sent away because there would no doubt be feuding in the family constantly, and most importantly, Isaac would have to fight for his birthright. 3.Answered in above. 4. I'm sure I have been rejected many times, but I have to believe that God is trying to work out something in me , to bring me to a confidence that He has not forgotten me, but will work it all out for my good and His glory.

1.Sarah was motivated to demand Ishmael's explusion from Abraham's encampment because Ishmael was not A CHILD OF THE PROMISE and therefore did not have the right to be joint heirs with Isaac. Those that are our friends, but that are outside of the Lord cannot be heirs with us until God calls them to be His own. In the natural , one might say that Sarah was unfair, but I believe that Sarah, this time, fully knew what she was doing and this time in obedience to the Lord. I would only ask my spouse to go against her principles if I felt she was going against the Word of God. I believe I may have been tempted to go against my principles, but was probably cautioned by the Holy Spirit to do the right thing.

. When Sarah received the promise, she laughed with distrust and doubt. When God gives us mercies we begin to despair of, we ought to remember with sorrow and shame our sinful distrust of His power and promise when we were in pursuit of them. Now it is with joy and wonder. . Maybe in Abraham's case, this laughter of his may be toward himself as he clearly was told that the child of promise would come, and now laughs at his own efforts to concieve a child as per his own personal plan instead of holding on to God's promise. . God's favours to His covenant people are such as surpass their own thoughts and expectations.

Some excellent understand from the forum members. Lot's daughters turned to incest, because it was not only the custom to make sure the family line continued, but it was also frowned upon by the community if the daughters went without children. I would also believe that this practice was not unusual in Sodom, where anything was acceptable. The daughters had no values because I believe Lot was self-centered (as indicated by choosing the best pasture lands, instead of giving the choice to his elder). Such a person would not have given Spiritual guidance to his children, thus rebelling against God , to bring up his children in the way that they should go.Also , the sins of the fathers will be visited upon the children. Intoxication for Lot was probably what most members have indicated- the loss of material things and family.I still believe that Lot has some faith having been with Abraham, and therefore, he looked back at the wrong decisions he made regarding God's position in his life and knew that HE BLEW IT. The lesson I believe we should learn from this story is , "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you". "BRING YOUR CHILDREN UP IN THE NUTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD".

Lot's wife stopped and looked back because as the bible states, "Where your heart is , there will be your treasure also". I believe that the desires of her heart were upon the materialism of that city, where also she probably became friends with the ungodly neighbours around her, and rather win them for God, they drew her away from her FIRST LOVE. I believe we all look back on occasion to our past , but careful assessment of the things we previously indulged in, makes us realize the goodness and grace of God that caused us to escape the wrath to come. The lesson, I believe, Jesus drew from Luke 17, is HE THAT LOVETH HIS LIFE IN THIS WORLD SHALL LOSE IT. This world is only a temporal place of abode until we are called to the New Jerusalem, where we shall ever be in the presence of the Lord.

Lot and his family hesitated because they vexed their souls from day to day living in Sodom's wickedness and ungodliness. If one runs with those who run with the devil , they will soon be overcome. The result of lingering would most definitely be their ruin. I'm sure I have hesitated when I should have been on my guard against the enemy's advances in my life. The lesson learned is the result of that hesitation, which can be very costly to one's spiritual health and fellowship with the Father. As the scripture states, "Be sure that your sin will find you out".

Christians can keep balance on the issue of homosexuality by STANDING FIRM on the Word of God and offering no compromise . Let there be no misunderstanding, that those who blatantly practice such perversion will not inherit the kingdom of God. It is possible to be loving and compassionate toward practising homosexuals because Jesus died for all men and for all types of sin. God is not willing that any should perish , but that all men may come to REPENTANCE. No. The church should take a stand against such a practice. It is abominable in the sight of the Lord. We should be saying it whenever we are approached on the subject for our view of stand in this matter.

PROVIDING I UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION? To keep the way of the Lord in the 21st century is to say the least, A CHALLENGE, as being a christian is becoming more unpopular every day with this secular-minded society in which we live. 2 Tim 4 describes the kind of people there will be in the last days- lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, coveteous, blasphemers, unnatural affection etc.. The sad part is that even moral people are buying into this type of lifestyle, and accepting it because it is politically correct. It is difficult because more and more , Christianity is being attacked on all fronts (while cults are embraced). In Canada , our motto WAS "God shall have dominion from sea to sea": that is now a joke. I now can go to jail for saying anything derogatory about the gay life style which is an abomination in the sight of God. Being a christian is NOT easy, but knowing that we already have the victory through Christ makes me press on, knowing that our labour is not in vain in the Lord. The special challenges involve standing fast in the Lord, when the way is not clear; trusting God when there is no evidence that it is the right thing to do. Preaching the Word in a God-rejecting society Prayer request: Please pray that I might know where God would have me to minister this church year. Stand Fast, Grace.

*Great responses from the forum. To strike a balance of being godly carintg leaders, Husbands (as the role of spiritual leader) should give due respect unto the wife as a co-heir in Christ. He should bring up his children in the care and admonition of the Lord. He should pray with the family and teach them the ways of the Lord. Wives can strike the right balance by being submissive to the priestly office of the husband and to be supportive in his endeavours to please the Lord. Those who expect family blessings must make conscience of family duty