Highohfaith

Q1. (Colossians 3:18-19) Why do you think Paul chose these directions to give to wives and husbands

Q4. (Colossians 3:12-14) Why are Christian virtues so important to Christ? Why are they so important to the church? Why are they so important to non-Christians? Why are they so important in our homes? Christ is interested in matters of our heart and how we reflect his values to the world around us.We are created in His image and will become complete in our fullest glory when Christ returns. He wants us to set an example for the rest of His children To love, honor, serve, and obey Him to the best of our abilities.To use the spirituals talents He has given us! His values should be at the core of every Christian church.The church is the body of Christ,with Him as the Supreme, Sovereign head of the church. It's people should reflect His values.Christ wants to bind His people together in perfect harmony, fellowship. His values are important in every aspect of your life, in the church, in the home, in your heart! His values promote, harmony within the home. Love, commitment, trust,and respect which should be the core values of any human relationship.

Q5. (1:24-25) What does Joseph accepting Mary as his wife say about his character? What is the significance for prophetic fulfillment of Jesus as a Son of David that Joseph "named" the child "Jesus"? It says that Joseph was committed to, and loved both God and Mary. He desired to carry out God's will. And his character reflects the love, commitment and respect he had for both. Jesus means The Lord of Salvation. The prophetic fulfillment was accomplished at the time of Jesus birth as His birth foreshadow a previous prophetic announcement in the Old Testament that a Savior, Messiah, Emmanuel, would be born.Jesus is the Messiah spoke of which completes the fulfillment of this prophecy. He is the Savior which God spoke of in ancient times brought to life as fully Human - like, God - Like Child. He is Gods son and he is God in the flesh!Sent to save mankind from sin!

Q4. (Matthew 1:23) How did the prophetic concept of the virgin conception and the name "Immanuel" find their fullness in the birth of Jesus to Mary? The prophet was foretelling of things, an event to take place at a much later date in history. It was a prophetic revelation for the times in it brought the good news of a Messiah to be born of a virgin. It was however a two fold prophesy in the fact that though it brought great joy for present time. The prophecy would not be completed until a much later time in history, with the birth of Jesus whom was called Immanuel - God is with us. This gave the people at the present time much joy. The prophecy is fulfilled when the Christ Child is born, completed !!

The name Jesus in Greek means Yahweh Saves.So the significance of Jesus' name is that he would be the savior of the world. He would save us from sin. The messenger makes it clear to Joseph that he is to accept Mary's pregnancy as it is not due to an adulterous relationship, but that it is coming to her through the Holy Spirit. The Angel appears both to Mary and Joseph to make sure they BOTH understand God's intentions concerning her pregnancy and that they both understand the Prince of Peace,God's Son is to be named Jesus and that He would be the Messiah.Jesus, Yahweh Saves! AND HE DOES! He wants Joseph to know that he will adopt the son of God into his own family, therefore he will be the one to give the Christ Child his name, making Him heir to the Throne of David. "... You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (1:21)

Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Mary has no options.In these times woman who became pregnant outside of marriage were considered prostitutes or harlots.They could even face death by stoning for adultery. Mary was very young and woman did not work in this society.She has no way to make a living. Her only option was to go home to her parents and hide her pregnancy. Joseph exhibits a great respect for Mary and her family as a divorced woman, Mary would be societies outcast and would never be permitted to marry again.

Q3. (Colossians 3:8) Why are sins of the tongue so easy to slip into? In what ways do they damage us and others? How can we break free of sins of the tongue? Sins of the tongue may be something we grew up hearing.I know it was for me. My mother and father, and my mother still does(my father is deceased) cursed alot in the home. It became a "normal' way of speech for me growing up. As an adult ,I worked in a type of job ( on the backside of a racetrack - likened to a construction site where bad language is predominately and often used) which also exposed me to bad language.It became habit for me because I did not think of it as a sin,I had been exposed to it all my life.Awareness of God's will concerning my matter of speech was absent from my life. In my personal experience with foul and angry language I have found it to be most damaging to children who are of a very impressionable age.It is also most damaging in loving family situations where words of love and admiration should be exchanged, not foul words of anger and disgust with one another. Also In my personal life I have found foul word and anger directed at a particular race or culture to be very damaging. They demean and defiles others beliefs and customs and it is not part of God's plan! Awareness of God's will concerning manner of speech is the key to changing. When we use foul language, stop at that moment and ask forgiveness and substitute the word you used with a different,more respectful term, after doing this for a long time,we will eventually break this very bad habit.I have had to, and am still working to break this destructive behavior.God has done much for me in this area, but I still have "slips". I thank Him for working with me so diligently to break this habit.Thank you Lord!

Q2. (Colossians 3:5) Why is sexual l u s t so difficult for people, especially males? Though we cannot deny that we are sexual beings, how can we keep sexual desire from controlling us and causing us to sin? Since God created all things, he has given us an arena in which to exercise our sexual freedom and that is within the bonds of marriage, anything outside of this, constitutes sexual sin.I believe men and woman are equally lustful.We live in a culture which considers it alright to 'shop around' (sleep around) for a sexually compatibe wife.I think we lose the meaning of God's LOVE for one another when our relationship is based solely on sexual compatibility and ****. I think we must make a CONSCIOUS decision to honor God in this area of our lives, and ALL areas of our lives. In order to avoid lustful situations we must avoid all contact with things which are of a sexual nature, including but not limited to,filthy language, INTERNET sex sites,TV shows, movies, or books, which are sexually explicit.Sexual misconduct and sexual abuse. If one has a problem with lustful behavior or sexual sin pray alway for the Lord to work with us in this area of our lives and ask for forgiveness and seek redemption.If anyone is being abused sexually.I urge you to to bring it to your local authorities, or Pastor, and if you are afraid please pray that God will save your abuser from this immoral sin.Pray for the person who is abusing you. Most importantly pray for God to intervene and get some HELP.You are not the one who is being sexually sinful, your abuser is the one living a life of sin,controlled by lustful behavior.Do not be afraid. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. (NKJV)

Q1. (Colossians 3:1-2) What does it mean to “set your heart/mind” on the things above? Does this mean that we’re “too heavenly minded to be any earthly good”? If not, what does it mean? What happens when we don’t take control and direct our thinking and meditating? To set our mind on things above, simply means to make conscience decisions in your life,mind and heart, decisions to do things according to God's way.Leave earthy things alone and desire the path of righousness. No, being to heavenly minded can only lead to one doing more earhtly good, God's way! Meaning of Decision according to Dictionary.com: the act or process of deciding; determination, as of a question or doubt, by making a judgment: They must make a decision between these two contestants. We must decisively choose to follow God always!

Posted 10 October 2007 - 06:20 AM Q1. What would Jesus have learned as the son of a carpenter? What experiences would this have exposed him to? Jesus would have learned a good and noble trade for the times. He would have learned to build furnisher for the wealthy in town, among other things. He would have learned to use his hands to build with such tools as hammers, nails and saws which were not available to all in those times. Joseph owned these tool and teaches his child, Jesus how to use them. Jesus would have been exposed to the life of a laborer. A life as a builder,and would most likely be exposed to many people whom had more money then He, and His family.He would have been exposed to the ethic of hard work. And the satisfaction of building something from scratch with ones own hand. Carpentry was consider a good and stable trade in those anceint times..

Q5. (Luke 1:42-43) In what sense are the titles "Blessed Virgin Mary" and "Mother of God" appropriate for Mary? Why are we sometimes hesitant to exalt her as "blessed among women"? Gabrial a messenger of God came to both Elizabeth and Mary telling them they both would have a baby. In contrast Elizabeth is very old and past her child bearing age. Mary is a very young teenager (possibly 13 or 14).The miracle is two fold, the old lady conceives a son which she always desired (John the baptist) and the young girl is Chosesn to be the Mother of God's only son! If one truly loves God they cannot discount Mary, but exalt her as most blessed among woman! It is God who chose Her to carry and give birth to His only begotten son.In that respect we must love Her, she is the carrier of God's message ( His new convenant) of grace and redemption to the world, Jesus!

Q4. (Luke 1:38) What is the essence of Mary's positive response to the angel? What can we learn from her response for our own lives? In what sense was Mary's response an "informed consent"? When we respond to God, what do we consent to? The essence of Mary's positive response is simply FAITH in God. her consent was informed because she loved God and had great faith. Her allegiance was to God and God alone. We can learn that whatever God ask of us, we will agree to do out of faith, to honor and to serve Him. No matter what the circumstances of our lives are, we are His humble servant. I consent and most humble beg God to always be the center of my existence, my all in All, my everything. He is First in my life. I ask him always to show me the way to serve Him,reveal my spiritual gifts,and to walk in obedience to Him. I ask him daily to show me HIS plans for the day..not MY plans for the day!

Q3. (Luke 1:35) What does the virgin conception teach us about Jesus' nature? How central is the doctrine of the virgin conception to the Christian message? That Jesus is God incarnate. That he is God brought to bodily form.He is holy and Divine, He is both supernatural and human.He is supreme! The doctrine is the beginning of Christianity and is at the core of our belief in Jesus Christ.Without the virgin conception there would be no Messiah.

Q2. (Luke 1:34) In what way does Mary's "How?" question (1:34) to the angel's declaration differ from Zechariah's "How?" question (1:18)? Why was Mary rewarded and Zechariah disciplined? Mary's question of how was ask out of curiosity, wonderment and faith. Zechariah question was ask out of doubt.And this is the reason Mary was rewarded because of her great faith and Zechariah disciplined because of his lack of faith unseen, he wanted proof. This made God angry. Mary loved and trusted God so much that she accepted what the angel Gabriel told her and did not ask for prove from God.

Q1. (Luke 1:31-34) What did the angel's announcement say about who Mary's Child was and who he was to become? The angel Gabriel announces to Mary, a very young teenager who has great faith,that she will become pregnant with a son, and he will be the son of the most high, he will be given the throne of his father David and he will be great! His name will be Jesus, and His Kingdom will reign forever and ever.

Q4. (Colossians 2:20-23) Why are legalism and asceticism unable to restrain the sinful nature? What alternative to legalism does Paul offer in Colossians 2? They do not keep us from sin because they are man made and they do not come to us by God and the New Covenant which we have in Jesus Christ and was sealed at the cross by his blood. They are of the body not spiritual. They do not lead us to a better understanding and a deep personal commitment to God. The alternative is simply a deep personal relationship with CHRIST!

Q3. (Colossians 2:13-15) How did forgiveness free us from the Law? What is the significance of nailing the Law to the cross? What does this symbolize? How did the cross bring triumph over evil spiritual forces? Forgiveness did not Free us from the law it Completed the law through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The fulfillment of the prophesy for the Messiah. Nailing the law the to the cross signified the law is completed.The old covenant is dead and a new one has replaced it through forgiveness and grace.Jesus Christ took our place on the cross to abolish the law of the old covenant, and establish the law of the new covenant which is forgiveness,redemption,love,and fulfillment through Christ alone, not through ritual, or law. The cross disarms evil powers and strips them of their power, But they are not fully defeated until the second coming of Christ. They are weakened and stripped of power but still very much alive and we must guard against them. When Christ returns Satan will be fully destroyed and thrown into a lake of fire. It is all part of the completion of the prophesy of the revelation, the second coming Christ.

Q2. (Colossians 2:9-10) What does verse 9 teach about Christs full divinity? In what sense are we complete or come to fullness in Christ? What does this mean? Why do we sometimes fail to understand this fullness? God is manifested through Jesus Christ, he is flesh, presented to us through his living son. He is SUPREME above all powers and authorities. He is the most high power. He is the creator of all and the head of all.His supremacy lives in Christ differently than it does in us because God is Christ in Living form.We can only be completed, but never match his supremacy,nor should we ever seek to, through Jesus Christ. We are made complete and find fulfillment through God dwelling in us.Nothing can compare and nothing can complete us. We don't need anything else, but the love and redemption found in Christ. NOTHING of this world can compare. We sometimes fail to understand this fullness because we are drawn into things of this world. We do not keep our focus on God and God alone, we allow other things to come before Him. We sometimes do not allow him to complete us because our priorities are not on Him and Him alone.

Q1. (Colossians 2:8) Philosophy refers to a prevailing belief system. How can a belief system be empty and false? Have you ever personally experienced being captivated by a belief system only to find it deceptive and hollow? Any philosophy or belief system which is not base on the truth of Jesus Christ is false. Many philosophies abound in this world. But there is only one TRUTH, it is not of this world,or created by any 'great minds' of this world, it is hidden in the mysteries of knowing and loving God, through Jesus Christ. Yes, being a baby boomer, and a product of the "60s" generation I was drawn into the so called "Hippie" movement and the Womans Liberation Movement, the sexual revolution, the "drugs, sex, and rock and roll age". It was totally destructive to my life and today I still suffer consequences from my involvement in these movements, it not only reeked havoc on my personal life and my soul, but tore apart my family, my children, and led to years of self destructive behavior. Thanks to the saving grace of Jesus Christ I have been redeemed. THANK YOU JESUS! I'm of a most grateful and thankful heart to you my Savior! My Thankfulness overflows to you everyday, many times during the day I thank you for rescuing me from a life of destruction! I can't express my gratitude,it is so immense and so deep.

(Colossians 2:2-3) In what sense are "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" hidden in Christ? What does that mean? Paul wrote "in whom (Christ) are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:3 ALT) You won't find the wisdom and knowledge of Christ in wordly treasures, or studies,this is a "heart" knowledge, a condition of the soul. They are hidden in Christ and we must be fully enveloped into Him if we are to have this treasure. Paul wrote: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. But we speak wisdom among them that are mature: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nothing: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto [into] our glory: (1 Corinthians 2:5-7 KJV) When we rest in Christ, His wisdom and knowledge can pour into and through us.

What does the call to the Great Banquet sound like when we extend the invitation to those around us? In what sense are we the servants told to "compel them to come in"? In what sense are we those who have been called to the feast in the Kingdom of God? The call to the great banquet will sound differently to some people then to others.To some it may sound like a great invitation to get to know our Lord Jesus, to strengthen their walk with Him, to enter into His family.To those who are non believers it may sound like nonsense.But whomever we are extending the invitation to (which should be to whom all we meet,regardless of circumstasnces,denomination,race,creed,or color). We must be insistent and consistent in our pursuit to invite people into the Kingdom of God! We are compelled to "CARRY ON" the work that Jesus started in us and here on earth! Philippians 1:6 (NLT) And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. All people are called to the Kingdom of God, Jews and gentiles alike, regardless of race, color, circumstances, the invitiation is to all of creation! Those who accept his invitation are the 'chosen ones'. As Christians we are adopted into the family of God, and we become His sons and daughters.

Q3. (Luke 9:57-61) Why was Jesus so harsh with those who made excuses when called to follow him? Why is the call so urgent? Why do our excuses seem so trivial when offered to Jesus? Jesus is so harsh because he does not want us to put anything before or above Him, He is supreme! His call is so urgent because we must ALWAYS be prepared for the second coming of Christ, The Rapture, The End Times. Christ is not concerned with excuses of this world. Nothing in this world can compare to the greatness we have in Christ!

Q3. (Colossians 1:28-2:1) What is the purpose of Pauls labors according to verse 28? What does perfect in Christ mean? How does Paul accomplish this goal? In what way is he struggling for them? The purpose of Pauls labors are to bring Christians into a mature, full grown, adult realationship with Christ, by proclaiming and preaching the Gospel. Perfection in Christs means to mature and keep growing in our relationship to Him, however we are never perfect. But we can contimue to STRIVE for perfection in Christ!

. (Colossians 1:26-27) What is the mystery that Paul talks about? In what sense was, "Christ in you, the hope of glory," hidden prior to this? In what sense is "glory" used here? What does "the hope of glory" mean in this context? To make that mystery fully known. The great doctrine that salvation was to be proclaimed to all mankind, Paul says, had been concealed for many generations. Hence, it was called a mystery, or a hidden truth.But now is made manifest to his saints - It was communicated especially to the apostles who were appointed to proclaim it, and through them to all the saints. Paul says that he regarded himself as specially called to make this truth known, as far as possible, to mankind.To both gentile and Jews..to all of mankind! Inasmuch as I did not have a personal relationship with Jesus, prior to my salvation in 2005, the truth of His great hope, power, and glory was hidden from me. But the great truth of Jesus now lives in me and through me, and is no longer hidden. Paul is telling the Colossians to rejoice proudly (GLORIFY HIM),exult with triumph, be proud of Jesus,and His great splendor and magnificence!To be in a state of great happiness and contentment in Christ Jesus. And to desire, trust and believe with great confidence in Jesus' saving grace.

Q1. (Colossians 1:24) How could Paul’s sufferings in prison complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions? Is Paul referring to Christ’s sufferings on the cross? Or is he seeing suffering in some kind of cosmic sense? If so, in what sense are your sufferings for Christ of value to the church? As Christ suffered it was then Paul's time to suffer. And now it is OUR time to suffer. Christ suffered for us and we suffer for Christ.We SHARE in His suffering. I believe that is what Paul meant, that he was comissioned to share in Christs suffering for the Glory of Christ. He did not mean Christ was, or could ever lack completion of anything! Christ suffering effects us and our suffering effects Christ. There is inspiration in suffering, a willingness to do what ever needs to be done to share the love and the Glory of Jesus Christ.Paul,I believe is referring to the ridicule and abuse Christ endured his whole life in order to bring us to HIS Fathers Kingdom and not only the suffering he endured on the cross. My sufferings for Christ are a value to the church in as much as I have suffered, I have inspired others and I have Thanked the Lord for my suffering because through my suffering I have grown in Christ. I have shared his suffering. and I pass this experience on to other Christians, encouraging, and commissioning them to come to Christ and to know HIM fully.