wilma m

If a government seeks after God, they will rule righteously and God's blessing will be upon them and their subjects. Unfortunately people love power and just as Saul did in the OT, most governments decide to do their own thing. They think they can rule in their own power and forget that all power is coming from God and that they will have to give an account before the Great Judge one day of the way they used their powers. When a government does not follow God and remove God out of their currencies and pledges, they will lead the people astray form God and God will remove His blessings and send curses. We see that in all the floods, earth quakes, and other calamities that the earth is facing- God often uses the forces of nature to remind people that they are weak and often that will bring them back on their knees. God is a fearful God, but also a God of mercy.

As Messiah Jesus reconciled us with God, we are now His brothers and sisters, but just as Jesus totally submitted His will to the Father, we must also submit our will to Yahweh The King of Kings. Even though we are His children, we are te be His servants, ready to do His will and commands. God is good, His will is perfect, He does not change and that is very comforting. We can serve Him out of love and not fear. Every day we should be open to His council and learn from His word what He expect us to do and to listen to the Holy Spirit who wants to lead us. When we deliberately refuse to do His will and rather choose to follow after the world or decide to life our life the way we want without considering what the will of God is, we reject Yahweh as our king

In the OT the people were acquired to give one tenth of their belongings to the Lord- that way they would recognize Him as their King. This also provides for the priests. It was required by law and in Malachi God said that if they gave Him what is due to Him and not rob Him, He will bless them abundantly. In the NT we are not under the law but under grace. We belong to God and everything we have belongs to Him. We should give out of love and not obligation and not to get something back from God . We live in a loving relationship with our King - He is the ultimate provider. Our money will help to pay our pastors and further the kingdom of God.

Justice is to give the offender what he deserves- noting more and nothing less. vengence punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense." mercy -- not giving someone the punishment they deserve We all have sinned and deserve death. God is a righteous God who hates sin. He is also a just God and cannot pardon sin. If He decides to punish some people and pardon others, He would be unjust, so sin MUST be punished. Rom 3:23 We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace(mercy) through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. In his great love, God made provision for justice in the death of His Son, Jesus Christ for our sins so that in His great mercy we can be pardoned and gave everlasting life with Him if we believe in Jesus.

By helping the poor and needy we demonstrate God's love and compassion. God bless us with work, finances and health, not to enrich ourselves, but to be able to help those in need. We should always stand up for social justice and not turn a blind eye to the suffering of the needy. There are enough food and money in the world so that nobody needs to go hungry or have any need, but people are selfish and just want to enrich themselves.

God's Word, the Bible should be our standard of living and not the culture that we live in.What people find totally unacceptable today, is acceptable tomorrow. God does not change, He is Righteous and Upright, He sets the standard, not human society. Our lives should honor Him, we are called to be a light in the darkness. By living a life that is holy and righteous we are a witness to the Living God. Jesus said we are in the world, but not from the world and we must live a life that is separate and holy. When people look at us, they should see that we are different and we are called to proclaim Jesus as our Savior.

When Isaiah saw God on the throne in His holy splendor, He himself immediately saw himself as he was- sinful and unholy. He realised that his words and actions did not bring glory to God and he realized that he cannot live in the presence of the Most High God and that he was sure to die. He cried out to God and God answered him - an angel took a coal from the fire and touch Isaiah's lip, I think its was like the burnt offerings for sin.The coal from the fire burnt away his sins so that he can stand before God. He then was totally dedicated to God and was ready to do whatever God wants him to do. If we have a clearer vision of God and His holiness, we would also be more dedicated and willing to be used by Him

God Almighty is the everlasting God, the Creator who does not become weary or tired. He is not like a man, His understanding is inscrutable. We are small and like grass, here today and gone tomorrow. God is everlasting- He can see my life going by in one second Ps 139:17 How precious to me are your thoughts O God, How vast the sums of them. Were I to count them they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake I am still with your God created everything, from the smallest atom to the biggest galaxy and He takes care of them all. And yet, His thoughts of me are more than the grains of sand- that would be more than all my thoughts combined in my lifetime. Just to think that God looks down from His throne to me, insignificant little sinful creature and instead of wiping me off the face of the earth, He has good and loving thoughts about me, He said that He will strengthen me like and eagle, that He will be with me always.He is never too tired to listen to me, He is my helper - He is the Mighty One of Israel - what enemy can stand before Him How many time do I not give Him the love and adoration that He deserves

GOD is The LORD, the ROCK,, the GREAT GOD, the GREAT KING and our MAKER. He is the Creator of the sea and the Potter of the land. He is our SHEPHERD and we are the sheep of His pasture. We are to kneel down in worship and extol the Name of God is music and song. These actions are appropriate because HE IS WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE AND ADORATION

God is the creator and builder of everything and everyone. That means everything belongs to Him. God created me, He is perfect and His will for my life is perfect. When He created me, He had something in mind for my life and have a specific purpose for my life. We are created in the image of God and that should affect our self image in a positive way- God has impart some of Himself in me. My purpose is to yield to Him, to learn to know Him and to Love Him so that He can show me the way and in that way my life can be a blessing to Him and to the people around me. How much of God do the people see when they look at me?

When the potter takes a lump of clay, he usually have something in mind. It may be a useful item like a jug or just something that is beautiful to look at like an ornament. Its his decision and the clay have no say in it. Often we look at ourselves or our lives and are unhappy because we are not as beautiful or successful or useful as someone else and then we complain to God about it instead of just accept who we are. We are fearfully and wonderfully made and instead of comparing ourselves to other people, rather ask God to fulfill His purpose for our lives in and through us.

David knew that the Palistines had their confidence in a mere man, even though he was a giant. He, David, knew that His God is much bigger and will send His heavenly army to help David. He knew that God was trust worthy and the Great Warrior who helped him with the lion and the bear. God is the eternal Judge and His judgement is perfect and just. We are all guilty and all have to stand before the judgement throne of God - it is fearful to fall into the hand of a just God. But also wonderful to know that Jesus paid our ransom and now we can stand before the throne as His children because of His great love for us. For those who is in Christ there is no judgement, just eternal life in His presence.

The First and the last means the Alpha and the Omega or the only One. God was there from before time began and will still be there when time passed away. If we look at in history there was never a time that God was not, if we look towards the future, there is never a time that God will not be. God revealed that to Moses when He said I AM THAT I AM. God is not created or carved out of wood or a figment of man's imagination, God's salvation and care for his people is eternal. He is the creator and sustainer. God is ageless, always existing and never changing. God is good, loving and trustworthy. I can trust Him that He IS, he does not change, Deut 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms. Just like a baby is secure in its mother's arms, so we are also secure in God's everlasting arms

I think to inhabit eternity will be an existence outside of time- there will be no past/yesterday of tomorrow/future, just present (time) I think to be seated with Christ in heavenly places in eternity,will be awesome.We will be without blemish of spot and will be able to love and worship Him as He deserves. The thought of it fills my heart with gladness and love and gratefulness.

When God revealed his name as Yahweh, I am that I am, He was telling Moses and the Israelites That He is the everlasting God who existed and occupies eternity in contrast to the Egyptian gods who were carved out of wood and stone. He is the God of Abraham, Isac and Jacob, who would free them from slavery.Where the Egyptians have numerous gods who rules every aspect of their life, Yahweh is the one and only God who needs to be worshiped and obeyed and the Israelites have to trust Yahweh that He is who he said He is. He is the ONE who rules , not the gods of Egypt.

I think that knowing that the battle is the Lord should give us confidence that we do not have to do it on our own. If I am timid, it means that I don't have confidence in God and that I am fearful - thinking that I am not able to fight the battle- which in one sense is true if I want to do it in my own strength. Brashness on the other hand is also wrong when I think that I can take on the enemy in my own strength and fight the battle for God instead of with Him. God will not fight my battles if I am outside of His will, I have to come in line with Him, not expect Him to do everything that I ask or demand. At times is might seem that the enemy is winning, but we just have to persevere and trust in God who is our banner and Commander.

Moses lifted his hands up to the heavens - to God who was their help in the battle and it was also a sign to the army that God was with them. They needed that reminder just as a flag is a reminder of the armies today who is their commander and their cause. Seeing their flag motivates the armies today and in the same manner, seeing Moses and his rod motivated the Israelites to fight. We also need to lift up our eyes to our Commander, to be motivated and be reassured that the battle is the Lord's and to be under His command. I need to know his voice to listen to His instructions and to use the His weapons- His Word as my ammunition. I have to fight His cause and know that with Him I am on the winning team

Elisha's servant looked at the natural world while Elisha's eyes were on the Lord. He knew that God would protect them. We have to realize that our God is the Mighty warrior and nothing is impossible for Him. He is our protector. We also have to look away from our natural circumstances and pray that He will open our eyes to see His protection and to realize that His armies surrounds us. He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. Praise God , we have nothing to fear.

He said it to Joshua because He was the commander and it was His cause, Joshua and his armies were part of the plan and they had to come in line and submit. When Joshua saw the Commander he knew it was God and he fell down on his face to worship Him. After the encounter he was strengthened and knew that the battle was God's, not his and that it was already won. For me it means that I must come in line with God's plan and that I am part of His army. Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the powers powers and principalities of the unseen. Although we are in a battle, Our Commander is El Shaddai, God Almighty, strong in battle, the Mighty Warrior and when we are on His side, we do not have to fear anything. God will fight for us and He will give the victory. The enemy has already been concurred on the cross of calvary! Halleluja

When I think of the King of Glory, I think of the grandeur and light that emanates from God,a light that is brighter than the sun, so majestic that even the angels have to cover their eyes. Nobody can look upon Him and live and yet Jesus left that glory to become a man so that we can come to know Him and through Him the Father of Glory My attitude should be one of reverence and holy fear, God is not my equal and though He loves me as His child, I may never be complacent. God can only get glory through my life if I can die to myself- He must get complete control over me so that I can be useful to Him. More of Him and less of me.

High and lofty One means he is exalted. Lofty means high in the air, of imposing height, towering, exalted in rank,affecting grandness, elevated in character. God is the most high and the most exalted being in the universe. His name is holy, his nature is holy and his holiness is displayed in all his works. He is the source of holiness to all the creatures and creation. There is none like Him. I can lift up my hands in praise and adoration because He is worthy of all praise. He is forever, without beginning and there will never be an end. I am just a vapor, a blade of grass, with one glance He sees my beginning and my end and I should live a life that honors Him. I can put my trust in Him knowing that he knows all my tomorrows and because Jesus paid my price, one day I will see Him face to face in all his glory and with the angels I will sing Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.

Most High means that God is above all- creation. power and principles. He is the ONLY and SUPREME GOD. Isaiah 44:6 I am the first and I am the last, apart from me there is no God. For me that is very reassuring. I don't worship a God that is going to be replaced by some other god or someone who has to change his mind because there are somebody higher up who decides differently. I can fully trust Him. He is worthy of all our praise and adoration. We have to worship and exalt His name but we must also remember who He is- the Most High God, who is, and was and will be forever and ever. God made us so that we may proclaim his praise Is 43:21. God revealed himself through His names so that we might get a better understanding in our small minds of who He are.

In a society where there were many gods, Abraham and Melchizedek both worshiped the only true God, who is above all other, the God Most High.Everything is under Him. Abraham believed God to be the Creator, who can control nature and who is highly exalted. God was his help and gave him victory over his enemies. Melchizedek was both king and priest. As a king he gave an audience to Abraham and as a priest he blessed Abraham in the name of El Elyon, God Most High. Jesus is our King and priest and like Abraham, we can stand before Him and talk to Him and receive His blessings, because He is the God most High, Creator and sustained or everything. What a privilege to be called the child of God Most High!

Hi everybody My name is Wilma and I live in Ireland. I am delighted to have come across this Bible study and my desire is to know God better and get a deeper understanding of Him and to be more useful for Him. I want to live for His Glory alone.