iam4_1god

Q4. (2 Corinthians 3:6a) Why is a Christian’s spiritual health so closely related to his or her involvement in ministry? What are the consequences of dropping out of church – for the believer? For Christ’s Kingdom? We need the encouragement and fellowship of others who are like us. It's like people who drink alcohol-they only want to hang out with people who drink alcohol. I don't go to church. I don't want to be entertained, and I don't like "clicks". I refuse to go to a church where the pastor spends one hour talking about all the activities and all the stuff going on at the church, and then spends 30 minutes patting himself on the back because he went to the nursing home, and spent 30 minutes ministering to the retired folks, then he spends 10 minutes preaching. I am looking for real, down-to-earth Christians who practice what they preach and then pass it on. Sometimes I think I'm asking for too much.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 3:4-6) What is the balance between the need for training in ministry (either in the local church or in schools) and personal submission to the Spirit of God? Are you able to “listen to the Spirit’s voice” in your own life? Why would this ability be so important in being a competent minister? To be a competent minister, one would have to be able to live a godly life, and also be able to give sound spiritual wisdom and advice. I've known preachers and teachers that can quote scripture front and back, but their lives tell a different story. This would indicate to me that the minister or teacher doesn't know the voice of the Spirit of God. This, in turn, would seriously hurt the ability to be a competent minister.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3) In what sense are we “living letters”? In what way can people “read us”? Why is it so important to be authentic, not phony, in our lives? What happens when people “read” something in you that they admire and mention it to you? How might you respond appropriately? We are examples of Christ-like living, in that we are suppose to be more and more like Christ. I know from experience that people will "test the waters" to see if I will be willing to join in. They want to see if I am real, or "just another hypocrite". If someone complements me I simply say to God be the glory-I am merely being obedient. <p class="ipsLikeBar right clearfix">

Q1. (2 Corinthians 2:14-16a) In what sense is knowing God fragrant to people who are open to God? In what way is this fragrance repugnant to people who are closed to God? Have you suppressed your “fragrance” because some people are allergic to Christian perfume? If so, how can you regain the fragrance of Christ’s gospel? If I spend a little bit of time around someone who says they are Christian, it won't take long to realize whether they are being honest or not. I don't suppress my love for Jesus at all, and I get in trouble sometimes. Mostly with my family. They find me "repugnant" because I am a believer and they aren't

Q4. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11) How does Satan take advantage of our unforgiveness? What are the symptoms in our own heart of unforgiveness? According to Matthew 6:14-15, how does holding unforgiveness hurt our spiritual lives? What would you have to do to really let go of your resentment and give it to God? We are separated from God, and cannot be forgiven if we harbor unforgiveness toward someone else. satan can dog us to death over this! I know that I am separated from God when I pray and don't feel the presence of God. When I read my Bible and pray for understanding and get none, I know there is something I'm not doing that I should be. In order to be released from unforgiveness I have to confess and repent, and ask God to help me let go and move on.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 2:9) How does obedience to servant leaders help the church of Jesus Christ? How does obedience to self-serving leaders hurt the church? Are you obedient to those whom God has placed over you in the Lord? Why or why not? What is the relationship between obedience and church unity? I don't think it matters anymore. I have been in churches that split because of one thing or another. This is one reason why I don't go on a regular basis. There seem to be so many differing opinions as to how things should be done. Church leaders are so afraid of saying something that offends others that their sermons are almost dead. It's very distressing. I stress daily reading the scriptures for one's self so that the truth will be known.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 2:9) How does obedience to servant leaders help the church of Jesus Christ? How does obedience to self-serving leaders hurt the church? Are you obedient to those whom God has placed over you in the Lord? Why or why not? What is the relationship between obedience and church unity? I have been in many churches where respect was not a two-way street. And-I have been in churches where the truth was mixed with half-truths and lies. If I am in a church where the pastor puts the truth first, that pastor will have my respect and I will be there whenever the doors are open. If I'm in a church where the opposite is happening, I would just leave.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 1:24) What does it mean to “lord it over” someone? What is the balance between (1) good, strong leadership, (2) micromanaging, and (3) a complete laissez-faire approach to leadership? What are the dangers of an authoritative leadership style? What are the dangers of a weak leadership style? To lord it over someone means imposing my will, and not allowing someone else to offer info, or whatever. Treating others like dummies. Someone who has a good balance of leadership qualities is someone who has gathered info and shares it with others, and at the same time, allows others to give opinions and share info.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 1:21b-22) According to this verse, what does the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives signify? How does the Spirit unite us with God? What is the promise of future blessing inherent in the Spirit’s presence? We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. This means that the Holy Spirit is looking out for me, and He's teaching me, and letting me know when I'm in the wrong. I can never be plucked out of God's hand because the Spirit of God protects me and keeps me from straying.

Q6. (Romans 8:15-16) How does the Holy Spirit inspire us to pray 'Abba, Father'? What is the significance of us referring to God as our Dad? What happens in our lives if we don't have some kind of personal assurance of our salvation? How do we receive this kind of personal assurance? I realized that, the closer I got to the Father, the more I realized that I wanted a personal relationship with Him. I love Him with all my heart, and I desire a closer walk with Him every moment of every day. My spirit is on the same page as the Spirit of God in me, and reassures me that I belong to god through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

Q5. (Romans 8:13-14) What does it mean to "mortify" or "put to death" the deeds of the body by the Spirit? What would it look like to watch a person do this? What does it mean to be "led" by the Spirit? What does this look like in actual practice? How do "putting to death" and being "led" by the Spirit fit together? How much of this is the Spirit and how much is us? When I accepted Christ as my Savior, and I received the Holy Spirit as my down payment, it was as if I were telling God that I would obey His commands, I would read His word and apply it to my life. Also-I should be praying and asking the Lord to take control of my life, and lead me down the right path. I don't want to ever go back to the old ways-I want to be lead by the Spirit of God, and be obedient to Christ. Now, I just repeat what I said in the previous answer, where I said that my flesh and my spirit are at war with each other, and the battle rages on. I have to choose to be lead by the Spirit, and believe that God is in control of my life. Then, when God's Spirit speaks to me and leads me, I can and will obey. When I mess up-Jesus is my Advocate, and He will cover me with His blood, and make everything right. Thank God I am forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ, my Savior!

Q4. (Romans 8:12) Do we have to sin? Are we compelled to sin? Is it possible to live for two hours of wakefulness without sinning? Four hours? One day? Two days? Where do we Christians get such a defeatist attitude towards sin? From Scripture? I believe that my flesh is at war with my spirit, and as such, I am constantly being enticed or tempted to do or say various things that don't line up with the Word of God. No, I don't have to sin. It is possible to live without sinning. However, the war between good and evil rages on, and it will until such time as God sees fit to end it. Until then, I know that, when I do sin, I have an Advocate in Jesus, and He will vindicate me!

Q3. (Romans 8:9) Is it possible to be a Christian without the Holy Spirit residing in us? What is the difference (if any) between the indwelling of the Spirit and the fullness of the Spirit? How do we remain "full" of the Spirit? No. We receive the Holy Spirit when we are saved, and we have evidence of the indwelling Spirit of God when we receive the gifts of the Spirit. To remain full of the Spirit, I must remain IN the Spirit. This includes, prayer, praise, worship, and obedience.

Q3. (Romans 8:9) Is it possible to be a Christian without the Holy Spirit residing in us? What is the difference (if any) between the indwelling of the Spirit and the fullness of the Spirit? How do we remain "full" of the Spirit? No. We receive the Holy Spirit when we are saved, and we have evidence of the indwelling Spirit of God when we receive the gifts of the Spirit. To remain full of the Spirit, I must remain IN the Spirit. This includes, prayer, praise, worship, and obedience.

Q2. (Romans 8:5-6) Exactly what does it mean to set your mind on the things of the Spirit? How do you do this? How can you recognize when the things you're setting your mind on relate to your sinful nature? How much of this is deliberate? How much is habit? What part does the Holy Spirit have it this? Or is this primarily right living by force of will? Setting my mind on the things of the Spirit means devoting my thought-life to things of Christ. Reading my Bible every day, and praying/talking to God about things. Confessing and repenting of my sins, too. I believe that habits are what keep us from doing the things of God-we have habits that control our thoughts and how we talk. It takes practice to move away from the old man, and toward the new man! Part of the process includes getting my thoughts in line with the word of God. Resist the temptation to revert back to the old way of thinking. The Holy Spirit is all in when I allow Him to be! I find that when I ask Him to help me, He is just all over that request! God knows our hearts! He knows when we honestly seek His face, and when we are just yanking His chain! The Holy Spirit lets me know when I am in trouble-I better turn it around or I will have to confess and repent! I have confessed and repented when the Spirit of God told me to, and I cried precipitously! That means a lot! My heart was broken! But-God put it back together again. I knew that I had to change-me. I wanted to change. I don't ever want to go back to the old man. She is dead!