rhondak30

Q1. What about our lives and words "hallows" the name of our Father? What desecrates and besmirches it? How should we "hallow" the Father when we begin to pray? The name of our Father is hallowed when His Spirit has filled our lives. When God's glory is seen by all in how we live day to day and moment by moment. If I say that I belong to the kingdom of God and I do not love and display a life that is of God, then I desecrate the Father's name.

Hello, I am in Harker Heights, TX. I work in a middle school and an elementary school. I am attending the University of Phoenix online. I have a very busy schedule and I miss the time that I was had to study. I try to read my Bible daily and I am constantly seeking to do all that God has designed and purposed me to do. I am looking forward to this study.

Q2. (Jude 20a) Why does God make you responsible to "build up" your own Christian faith? We were created and given choice. We have what animals do not have the ability to choose. If I have chosen to believe in Jesus, I must also choose to live what I believe. I can not live what I do not know. I must build or add to what I have received. To Him that has more will be given. What are you doing on a regular basis to obey this command? Studying the word of God. Listening for direction and opportunity to grow and follow what God has desire of me to do. What should you begin to do that will help you be built up better? I need to listen to God and do what He says. I need to take advantage of the opportunities that God presents to me to know Him more.

Q1. (Jude 1) Which of these three privileges catches your attention more than the others? Being Kept by God Why is it so special to you? I feel so unworthy. I know I am unworthy and unable to meet the standard of Holiness that God desires. How does it encourage your faith? MY faith is encouraged because God does not expect me to go it alone.

Q5. (2 Peter 3:11-12, 14-16) What effect should a belief in Christ's return and coming judgment have on your life? The effect of my belief in Christ's return should be a life that is lived with mindfulness of the work of Christ in my salvation and the return of Christ's in His judgement. I should be living like I am saved and will not stand condemned. I should live where others can see and believe in Jesus. What effect does an underemphasis on Christ's return have on a Christian's life? When I underemphaisize Christ's return, I live for today. I live like there is no tomorrow and no promises.

Q4. (2 Peter 3:9) Why does our culture resist the ideas of sin and repentance? Can there be salvation without repentance? Can you think of a time in your own life when repentance was difficult for you? Why was it difficult? Our culture resist the idea of sin and repentance because of the false teaching that Peter warned the church of. Our society is bent on doing it my way and not God's way. Can their be salvation without repentance? If we look only at John 3:16 and Romand 10: 9,10, it would appear so. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. The word believe requires an action. You do what you believe. To believe on the Lord Jesus would mean to do what He says and repent. Repentence is difficult when I do not commune with God and can no longer see my self as God sees me. When I look through my eyes, I can justify my sin and find no need for repentance. When I allow God to search me, He reveals my need to repent.

God has not returned because He is patient. He is not willing that anyone perish. Even though God is not willing for anyone to perish, many are willing to perish because the truth of the gospel has been destorted. Sin and repentance are no longer taught in church. Without recognizing the need to repent, where has one to place his hope of salvation. It is today that is the acceptable time to repent and be saved. I have been struggling with the gospel message that is to save for this very reason. What must I do to be saved, asked Jesus. I am going to find what Jesus told Nicodemus and study that.

Q2. (2 Peter 3:7-13). Why is it important for us to understand what it means to "perish"? Understanding that perish means perish and that perishing is permanent for the unbeliever, helps me to appreciate the eternal life that I have in Jesus. I strongly believe and cannot be convinced otherwise that Jesus is the only way to have life eternal. I no longer dwell on this life and when I do I find myself embittered or saddened. When I remember that I have eternal life to look forward to this world looks different. Why are these truths underemphasized in our day? FEAR, Our society is always looking for the easy way. No one wants to make anyone made or hold anyone accountable. We want everyone saved but not God's way. God requires repentance for salvation. How can we get an understanding of judgment into proper balance in our churches and teaching? The proper balance is to teach the word of God as God as given it. It was very refreshing on this week to hear the preacher acknowledge the truth of the word of God in his life. He has trouble in the area of the amount of food that he eats. God's word doesn't change and what we have no accomplished doesn't negate the fact that God's requirement is for us to accomplish His will in every area of our lives. Balance is sound teaching. No, excuses. Sound teaching requires personal conviction and relationship with God that causes us to live as we ought. We live in the hope of Christ arrival knowing that we do not know when He is coming again. We live in the fear of His return and people not knowing Him being destroyed. There is so much work to be done.

Q1. (2 Peter 3:1-2) Why are reminders so important for Christians? Reminders are important because we live in the flesh. There is a war against our flesh and our spirit. Our flesh is at an advantage to being satisfied when I as a believer forget what God has already told me. Reminders are important because we forget. We can live holy if we forget what we have been taught. How do you remind yourself of God's promises? I remind myself of God's promises in my mind and heart. If I have not remembered or hidden his word in my heart with the intent to do it, I can not remind myself of what I am to do or what has been promised to me. What I remember allows me not to fall into depression or pity parties. How do you remind others? I remind others based on what I remember. When the word of God is needed to minister, God can not use me unless I am willing to be reminded.

Q1. (Jude 3) Why must we "contend for the faith"? Just as the heavy weight champion must contend for his title, we must contend for the truth. We have an enemy that desires to steal the life and truth that God has freely given. What is the danger in not challenging the doctrines of false teachers? Danger is in lost souls and defeated living in the lives of believers. What is the danger inherent in challenging them? When challenging false teaching, feeling are hurt. Pride is damaged and deceived people will fight back. You may feel isolated, but knowing that Jesus will never leave or forsake you gives courage to stand for sound bilblical teaching. How can we keep the correct balance? Be led by the Spirit of God. Speak when he says speak and pray without ceasing.

Q4. (2 Timothy 3:16) If Scripture is "breathed" by God, how can it help us draw close to God? I believe that scripture is the breath of God. It is God revealed to mankind. What God wants us to know of Him, He has breathed into the Holy Scriptures. When I read the word, I ask God to open up the eyes of my understanding to know Him more. The more I know Him the more I desire to please Him and be what He desires me to be. Why do you think God's Spirit (pneuma, "breath, wind") so important in helping us understand Scripture? Without God's Spirit living in us the awesomeness of His word would be beyond our comprehension. Remember it is by God's design that He filled us with His Holy Spirit. God knew and knows exactly what we need to bring glory and honor unto His name. Nations will rise up and call you Holy. That only happens when God is in control

Q3. (2 Peter 1:20-21) How can a person be speaking and God be speaking, too? The input on this question is very much varied. I see the Holy Spirit living on the inside of the believer yet it is the believer's choice to yield to what the Spirit is saying. Also, God is God, it is recorded that He spoke to Balam by using a donkey. What I believe authenticates that God is speaking is the fact that God's thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not are ways. What is of the flesh is flesh and What is of God is of God. When ministering by the call of God, He promises that He will give you what to say and this is best because He is God and He knows all especially what He wants to say at a particular time in His story or in the life or lives of His people. How does the image of a ship being moved by the wind help you understand this? (Greek pneuma means "spirit" and "wind.") This was a great analogy for understanding. God doesn't force himself on mankind. When mankind is available to be used, God does the work. My desire is to live and move in God. Just like Isaiah I want to say "Here am I" I present my body a living sacrifice as Paul exhorts in the book of Romans.

Q2. (2 Peter 1:19). In what ways do the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments act for you as "a light shining in a dark place"?The word of God illuminates my life the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is because of God's love that He speaks light into our lives. Just when I think I am remotely pleasing God, He reveals more of the darkness that I live in . I am so glad that He doesn't take the covers off all at once. I appreciate that He is developing from glory to glory. What does the darkness represent? Darkness represents that that is not like Christ. example anger, envy, disobedience What does the light represent? That that is like Christ. example patience, love, godliness

Q1. (2 Peter 1:13-15) Why does our culture avoid talking about death? I believe many in our culture are not ready to die. Many are deciding that yes I know Jesus as my savior but I am not ready to live with Him as my Lord. The uncertainty of God's response to an ungodly life is cause for the fear of death. The opposite is true of the believer who has surrendered their life to Christ and lives for Him daily. We know that our suffering with Christ is to yield His reward upon our departure. How is describing your earthly body as a "tent" freeing and motivating? A tent is temporary. With the sin of Adam and Eve, came the pain of living with the results of a sinful world. We have been promised new glorified bodies. We have been informed that this earthly bodies are going to return from which they came. I often have to remember it is only temporary. What is the significance of Peter referring to his death as a "departure" or "exodus"? I am so glad for the exodus account. There is a promised land. The sad part is that everyone that God wants to exodus may not choose to go. The journey through requires our dependence and faith in almighty God to deliver His promise the Holy Land. I am grateful that this point was brought out. Thank you.

Q4. (2 Peter 1:10) Why is Christian character an essential indicator of being saved or rescued by Christ? This question is somewhat perplexing because character can be developed to a certain extent without Christ. A christian's character is not optional. Jesus came and died and rose again so that those who believe on Him can have life. Life is being changed from the old nature to the new nature. It is not life without challenge, but challenge faced with faith in the one on whom we believe. What Biblical assurance of salvation can you offer the fruitless, barren "believer"? Salvation is an area that I have been struggling with for the past 4 to 5 months. I go to the county jail to minister and I wonder about the salvation of the inmates. My journey has led me to consider the term conversion. I am being led to believe that conversion takes place after profession of faith. Conversion being the development of christian character due to a change of mind to follow after the knowledge of Jesus the Lord.

Q3. (2 Peter 1:7) Why do we imagine that "agape love" is easier than loving church members? We recently were exhorted to not see agape love as impossible by our minister of christian education. I do not see any love being possible outside of Jesus Christ. God is love. Inorder to love our knowledge of the love of God affords the hope that we too can love as God loves when we trust the love that God shows us enough to demonstrate that same kind of love toward others with the help of the Holy Spirit. Loving fellow christians is not a seperate category for me. Loving fallen mankind beginning with myself is what I believe the second of the greatest commands denotes. Love your neighbor as yourself. When I don't love myself, I can not love my neighbor. If we avoid church because of our hurts at the hands of church members, can we mature fully in Christ? Why or why not? If we avoid church, period. We can not mature. I believe that God instituted the Church. He is coming back for the church. He expects believer to be equiped in the church inorder to complete the great commission given to the disciples. It is not easy loving people, but with God all things are possible. He would not have asked us to do what He would not equip us to do.

Q2. (2 Peter 1:6) Why is a disciplined devotional life important to you? What happens when you forget or don't have time? What Christian disciplines do you employ to help you open your spirit to God's Spirit? A disciplined devotional life is important to me because the world does not change, my flesh will not change, and the war continues with the god of this world. When I do not put God first and spend time with Him daily, I do not feel God's presence and direction for the day. I am not sure what is meant by christian disciplines employed to help open my spirit to God's spirit. I listen for the voice of God to direct me in how I can spend time with Him and how that time is to be spent. Sometimes it is in written prayer, oral prayer, media presentations, and this Bible study. God is God alone. He knows what is best for me and I will trust Him to mold me and my devotion to Him so that my devotion is not formulaic but that I please God.

Knowledge is the easiest for me because it is how God made me. I love to read and I love to get an understanding. The most difficult for me is perseverance. I expect the knowledge that I have of God often leads me to expect God to bring me out of situations right away. I am learning that in the situation is when God speaks to me most clearly the revelation knowledge that I lack. For example, When I was struggling with a situation God says I know the plans I have for you. I thought yes Lord, I know you have plans for me. What God was saying was for me to understand that I do not have to know the plans when God tells me He knows the plan. My trust must be in God's knowing and not my own. My knowledge is limited and God's knowledge is perfercty limitless.

Q4. (2 Peter 1:4) How can strong desires erode our faith and corrupt our lives? What strong desires can build our faith? What does a strong desire for God have to do with the "knowledge" of God, or "knowing" God? How are God's promises and evil desires at odds with each other? How does one build and the other erode our Strong desires represent the flesh, the world or the devil trying to take our eyes off of God and his will. When the desire is strong, the battle is bigger. Some areas are easily overcome. Yet, some are strongholds and require more faith, knowledge, or obedience to God's word. The more I know of God's will the less I should fall prey to. The word of God not only defines what God expect, but the word also makes a way of escape for me. If I know what God has said , I have a weapon to fight against the flesh, the world, and the devil.

"Called by His own glory" God could have chosen to leave mankind alone. We choose to be disobedient and He choose to call us. David, wrote "What is man that thou are mindfull of him" Being called by God is to know the true glory of God. He is not like us and will never be like us. I recently reread the Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul and realize that God is a Holy God. I could do nothing to save myself only a glorious God could choose to save me and demonstrate His glory through my life on earth. "God's glory and God's presence" Because we live in a world of flash and cash, glamour and gold, we could be tempted to look down on ourself until we remember our God and His glory. Until we are touched by his presence in our daily living and life situation. God's glory and presence are the blessed assurance of knowing that I can be changed from the old man to the new man because God will be present in making the change for His glory "God's goodness and God's moral excellence" It is in "bad times" that I am challenged as a believer to realize and acknowledge God's goodness. My situation does not change the goodness of God. By faith I know that all things work together for my good. I like David have God's goodness and mercy following me. Who wouldn't serve a God like that? God's goodness is often in question in this world when wars and catastrophe strikes. In the life of the believer God's goodness is evident and easily recognizable as well as the manifestation of a fallen world. God is good!!!! and not because I said it. God's moral excellence - God writes his word in my mind so that I can understand it and in my heart so that I can obey it. God calls me to His moral excellence and what He says I must do. He encouraged me to count all joy when I am persecuted for His name sake because He knows the moral standards present today and tomorrow until He shall return. Moral excellence is the light that can not be hid.

Q2. (2 Peter 1:3) Meditate on this verse for a few minutes. It is a verse about provision. What is the scope and extent and boundaries of "everything we need for life and godliness"? What does "knowledge" or "knowing God" have to do with this promise? The scope is eternal, the extent is everlasting, the boundaries are endless God has given us everything we need for life (personal) and godliness (personal). The evolution of my faith is evident in the progression and pace at which God is allowing me to experience the scope and extent to which he has given everything I need for life and godliness. I know him just as the term knowledge says in a personal and intimate way that allows me to experience the wealth he has invested in me, as unworthy as I am. I am amazed that God loves me and knows everything about me. What I know about me is that without God I am lifeless and ungodly. I give God praise for His excellency in giving me life and godliness.

The faith, the belief , the hope we have in Jesus is the same. There is only one faith that saves and it is prescious (valuable, of worth, esteemed) to all who have received it. Our faith is equal to Peter's as God gives us each a measure of faith. We are responsible for exercising our faith through our live experiences and choices here on earth. I may not exercise my faith in a like manner to Peter, but I have the faith to exercise my faith equally as Peter. I have come to understand as our church is studying faith that God is the author and finisher of my faith. Without faith it is impossible to please Him and because I desire to please Him, He gives me the opportunity to exercise or put my faith into action. Truly, faith without works is dead.

God's grace and peace to you, in you, and through you, I am the Lord's servant. My name is Rhonda, I live in Harker Heights, TX in the USA. I love the Lord and I love studying His word. His word has changed my life and I am grateful and desire to do the greater works that God has promised that I would be able to do as a believer in His son, Jesus Christ. I am happy to be apart of this study and to meet you all.