Lisa Rupert

[font=Century Gothic]Q1. (Genesis 22:1-14) Do you think Abraham was really expecting God to provide a sacrifice, or that was just what he told Isaac? What support do you have for your position? I believe that Abraham believed that God would provide a sacrifice. He told this to his son in faith, because God had tested Abraham on many previous occassions and Abraham was aware that this was another test. He knew that before it was over God would provide the sacrifice but his faith had to be tested. It goes without saying that God does test our faith. He knows what we will do, but he still test us, not for his sake but for our sake. We are the ones that the test are to benefit. We become aware of our loyalty to God through these test. Kind of like checks and balances. We get tested and we learn if we are truly believers in God. What everything means to us versus what he means to us. Is there anything on this earth more valuable to us than God's love? Would we give him all we have to prove to him that nothing is above him? Can we prove that our loyalty belongs to him when we are tested? Did you ever receive a last-minute provision from God? He has provided last minute provisions to me for all of the 45 years I have existed on this earth and he continues on beyond this date. I know God is my provider and if he doesn't give it to me it's because it is not neccessary for me to have. In what circumstances can we expect God to supply our needs? Any conditions? We can expect God to supply all our needs unless those needs are against his will or any form of evil he will not provide you with these things. He provides all goods things to his people.[/font]

Q4. (Psalm 121). What does it mean that God is our Keeper. In what ways does he "keep" or "guard" us? God is our creator, our protector, the one who loves us unconditionally even when we don't return the love, he guides us through every storm and protects us from harm. He is our "ROCK". He is our "KEEPER". He keeps a mindful eye on us and he keeps us in check. Without him in my life I would be lost, blind, wandering hopelessly. He is my everything.

Q3. In what ways is God a Rock in the above verses. GOD the rock means that he is the protector of his people. God can be looked upon as the power and strength. The one and only protector. He is defined as the stronghold and is eternal. He is the image from which we were cut. He is the refuge and the fortress. A strong tower, the shield, and he is perfection. What functions does a rock perform in Palestine? The bible passages below tell of how God has sustained the Palestine people, what their purpose is and how he is their rock: " And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines." Ge 21:34 "And Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you." 1Samuel 15:28, and (jos 13:1) "And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the Ammonites" Jos 10:7 "But David kept thinking to himself, "Someday Saul is going to get me. The best thing for me to do is escape to the Philistines. Then Saul will stop hunting for me, and I will finally be safe."" 1 Samuel 27:1 "These were the nations: the Philistines (those living under the five Philistine rulers), all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the hill country of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath. These people were left to test the Israelites

Q2. (Psalm 3:3) In what ways is God a shield? God is our protector. He is our armor. He is our security against all harm and trouble. In what ways is he our glory? God's glory secures us against all evil. His radient glory protects us from harm against our enemies. In what ways is he "the lifter up of my head"? With God as my protector and my shield my head is lifted against all evil for I know that he is my strength and he protects me with his glorious sword. When we're weak and weary we can be assured that God will give us a renewed strength to carry on. What does this teach us about God? About ourselves? This teaches me that God loves his people so much that he is our armor and will shield us and lead us to victory from all evil doing. When one surrenders themself over to God you can know that he is the protector of his people. With faith I know that God is on my side guarding and protecting me. My faith will be the light that guides me to victory. This doesn't mean that I won't be faced with evil it just means that I will be prepared to deal with it knowing that God is with me and in faith I can endure because he is my rock and my shield.

Q1. (Psalm 91) What is the protected one required to do in times of danger (verses 1-2, 9). First, who shall ever call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. We must place ourselves within his care. We must acknowledge who he is and his greatness. We must ask to be sheltered in his hiding place, be placed in his refuge, his fortress, protected from all harm, trouble, and disease so that we will not fear the terror of night because God is there. That no evil shall befall us because I have made God my Refuge and my dwelling place. Faith shall sustain me from all evil. What metaphors are used of God's protection in this psalm? The metaphors that are used in Psalms 91 that describe God's protection are: secret place hiding place shelter shadow shade constant habitation refuge strong refuge fortress A Bird protecting it's children by " The shadow of his wings" protector shield buckler dwelling place

Q4. What is the significance of the confession "Jesus is Lord"? It is significantly important to confess "Jesus as Lord" to acknowledge whole heartedly, without doubt, that God gave his son, who lived on this earth as a man, who was crucified on the cross, died, buried, decended, ascended, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, all to save us from sin. Praise The Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is this necessary for salvation, according to Romans 10:9? 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Q3. What are the implications for governments that Yahweh is the King of kings and Lord of lords? What are the implications of removing God" from a nation's currency and pledges, and ardently secularizing national life? Where does that put a nation with regard to God the King? Pickledilly and Blessed Me provided us with great answers to these questions. And I will have to go with what both of them had to say. Thank you Pickledilly and Blessed Me, I couldn't have put it better. What are the implications of removing God" from a nation's currency and pledges, and ardently secularizing national life? They will have a great price to pay for removing things such as The Ten Commandments from Courthouses, etc. The Courthouse is a great place to displace God's Laws. Where does that put a nation with regard to God the King? For example look at what happened to the poor people in New Orleans who have suffered from devestation brought about by Hurricane Katrina. Even though Hurricane Katrina wasn't the ending result of this story, the lack of maintenance to the levee system was. God always heeds the cries of his people. In my opinion God heard those peoples cries long before Hurricane Katrina hit this city and it brought about destruction to this land. New Orleans is too rich of a city to have proverty such as what we have witnessed in the last few months. Those political officals will answer to what has and is still happening to God's people.

Q2. What are the personal implications of Yahweh being your King and of Jesus being the Messiah sent from God? What are the advantages of being the subject of Yahweh as King? What does it mean for you to submit to the King on an everyday basis? How does a person reject Yahweh from being King over him or her? Without Yahweh as my King and Jesus my Messiah I would not have a purpose here. Everyday of my life has been given to God. I don't know what my life would have been or would be without him in it. I don't know what I would have to look forward to if man ruled over my life. I can't imagine a world without God ruling over it. I can't even think about life without him in it. I don't know what I would do or where I would be if it wasn't for the Lord. Not being able to communicate with God would be horrible, that is why I am so thankful to the Lord my Savior for all that he has done for us all believer and non believer. I could never repay the Messiah for what he has given to me. I don't know how a person could reject Yahweh for being King over us because I have never had that thought. I know there are those who do reject him but I hope before it is to late that the truth is revealed to them.

Q1. Read 1 Samuel 8:15 and Malachi 3:8-10. How did tithing relate to a person's acceptance of God being their King in the Old Testament? How about for those of us who live under the New Covenant? What place does tithing have for us? After reading 1 Samuel and Malachi tithing is a person's acceptance of God being their King in the Old Testament, but it also is a requirement for those living under the New Covenant. You should give of your very best to God first.

Q9. (3:21) How can God receive more glory in your local congregation? GOD CAN RECIEVE MORE GLORY IN MY CONGREGATION BY; FOCUS ON PRAYING THAT GOD IS AMONGEST US. PRAISING HIS HOLY NAME OFTEN. RECOGNIZING WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE IS CONSTANTLY. MAKING SURE THAT A BIBLE STUDY SUCH AS THIS ONE IS TAUGH SO THAT EVERYONE CAN LEARN TO PRAY MORE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY. How can you help this happen? AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS COURSE I WAS VERY CONFUSED ON WHO TO PRAY TO, WHAT TO PRAY, AND HOW AND WHERE TO PRAY IT. MY QUESTIONS HAVE ALL BEEN ANSWERED AND I AM ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY PRAY. PRAISE BE TO GOD FOR THIS KNOWLEDGE. NOW SINCE THAT IS SAID, I CAN HELP BY BECOMING SOMEONE WHO CAN PRAY THESE TYPES OF PRAYERS. I'VE ALREADY BEGUN AND I AM NOTICING A DIFFERENCE IN MY PRAYER BEHAVIOR. I AM PRAISING GOD MORE AND MORE EVERYDAY EVEN FOR THE SMALL THINGS THAT HE PROVIDES FOR ME. NOW THAT I KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAISING HIM. I'VE ALSO CONSTRUCTED A LIST FROM THE PREVIOUS CHAPTERS ON PRAYING AND I'M FORMING A TECHNIQUE FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYING FOR MYSELF ONE THAT IS PLEASING TO GOD. IT HAS BEEN ENRICHING FOR ME TO DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER REGIMENT. I THANK PASTOR RALPH AND THE GROUP FOR HELPING ME ACHIEVE A MORE EFFECTIVE PRAYER PROCESS. ALL PRAISES BELONG TO GOD. AMEN LISA RUPERT.

Q8. (3:20) How should verse 3:20 of the doxology energize your prayers? VERSE 3:20 TELLS US OF HOW GREAT GOD'S POWER IS. IT SHOULD ALLOW US TO KNOW THAT GOD'S POWER IS IMMEASURABLE. THERE IS NO LIMIT TO WHAT GOD CAN DO. HIS POWER CANNOT BE MEASURED. IT ASSURES US THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT GOD CANNOT HANDLE. LIKE THE SONG SAYS, AINT NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH, HIS POWER IS GREATER THAN THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN. What happens when we limit God by our own ability to comprehend? WHEN WE LIMIT OUR BELIEF IN GOD'S ABLITY WE LIMIT WHAT WE BELIEVE THAT HE CAN ACCOMPLISH. WE CAN ONLY SEE AS FAR AS WE ALLOW OURSELVES, KNOW AS MUCH AS WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO KNOW, HEAR WHAT WE WANT TO, AND BELIEVE WHAT WE WANT TO. BUT WHEN WE SEE GOD AS THE ULITMATE POWER OVER ALL, WE KNOW THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENS US. BECAUSE GOD IS THE ULTIMATE EVERYTHING. How can we get past this failing? WE CAN PAST THIS FAILING BY STUDYING THE WORD. LEARNING FROM THE BIBLE. TEACHING OTHERS WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED AND TRYING TO LIVE A CHRISTLIKE LIFE. ALLOWING NO OBSTACLE TO STAND IN OUR WAY BECAUSE GOD IS GREATER THAN ANY OBSTACLE.

Q7. (3:19) Have you ever prayed for a fellow believer that he or she might be "filled with all the fullness of God"? YES, I DO PRAY THIS TYPE OF PRAYER FOR FELLOW BELIEVERS AND NON BELIVERS. I BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE CHANCE TO RECEIVE THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST, AT LEAST TO KNOW HIM TO FEEL HIM SO THEY CAN BE FILLED WITH HIS LIKENESS. What would you be praying for with that kind of prayer? I AM PRAYING THIS TYPE OF PRAYER SO THAT ONE COULD BE FILLED WITH A CHRISTLIKE ATTITUDE. How does this prayer relate to Ephesians 5:27 and Colossians 1:28? THEY BOTH SPEAK OF THE RECEIVING THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST. BLAMELESS AND SPOTLESS CLEAN.

Q6. (3:17-19) Why does Paul pray that the believers grasp the fullest extent of Christ's love for them? WHAT PAUL IS PRAYING FOR IS THAT THE BELEIVER KNOWS THE ONE TRUE GOD. THE ONE TRUE FATHER. HE WANTS US TO KNOW HIM (GOD) BETTER THAN ANYTHING WE COULD KNOW ON THIS EARTH. HE WANTS THE BELEIVERS TO GO BEYOND THAT BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE CONSIDER AS LOVE AND LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY. WE WERE BORN IN THIS WORLD TO FOLLOW CERTAIN GUIDELINES THAT MAN HAS ESTABLISHED AS ACCEPTABLE TO AN EXISITANCE ON THIS EARTH. BUT THE GUIDELINES THAT PAUL IS PRAYING ABOUT IS A TRUE LOVE THAT IS NOT EARTHLY AND THAT IS BEYOND ANY NORM OF WHAT A MAN CAN TEACH A BELIEVER, IT IS A LOVE THAT YOU CAN ONLY GET FROM THE HEAVENLY FATHER. How does comprehending this love change a person's spiritual life? IN COMPREHENDING THIS LOVE A PERSON'S SPIRTUAL LIFE WILL BE A LOVING, CARING, AND UNDERSTANDING EXISTANCE. ONE THAT DOES NOT JUDGE, ONE THAT PRAYS AND KEEPS AN OPEN DOOR TO HIS FELLOW MAN. ONE THAT IS QUICK TO REACH INSIDE AND FIND AN UNDERSTANDING INSTEAD OF HAVING A HEART THAT IS QUICK TO CONDEMN. Is there any end to Christ's love for a person? THERE IS NO END TO CHRIST'S LOVE FOR A PERSON. EVEN IF THE PERSON DENIES CHRIST THE LOVE STILL EXIST. CHRIST'S LOVE LAST FOREVER.

Q5 (3:16-17) Why does Paul pray for strengthening of the inner man? THE INNER MAN IS THE SPIRIT MAN. THE INNER MAN NEEDS STRENGTHENING OF THE SPIRIT. SO THAT ONES FAITH WILL BE STRONG AND ABLE TO COMPREHEND THE WILL OF GOD, YOUR INHERITANCE AND GOD'S POWER AND GLORY. GIVING PRAISES TO ALL THAT GOD IS. How would we pray this prayer today? WE WOULD PRAY THIS PRAYER WITH FAITH FROM OUR INNER BEING(HEART, MIND, AND SOUL). WITH UNDERSTANDING AND LOVE. Why does he pray that Christ dwell in the believers' hearts? Isn't this already an established fact? HE PRAYS THAT CHRIST DWELL IN THE BELIVERS' HEART, EVEN THOUGH ONE BELIEVES THAT IT IS ALREADY A KNOWN FACT THAT CHRIST DWELLS WITHUS, BUT ONE WHO CANNOT COMPREHEND BECAUSE OF A DORMANT SPIRIT.

Q4. (1:18) Why is a revelation of "his incomparably great power for us who believe" essential to a vital faith? First you need God to reveal this truth to you. You must pray. We are blinded without it. So pray that you are not blinded to the truth. We all have this like Christ does. How do you develop this faith in yourself? You must live a Christ-like life in order to develop this type of faith. How do you pray for it for others? You must pray that others will see the power of God even within others and will learn through their desires to develop this type of faith.

Q3. (1:18) What is the result in prayer and faith if believers think that God is poverty-stricken? IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT MANY LIVE THEIR LIVES WITH THIS BELIEF SYSTEM TODAY. THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS INHERITANCE OFFERED BY GOD BUT CHOOSE THE INHERITENCE THEY CAN ACQUIRE HERE ON THIS EARTH INSTEAD. THE INHERITENCE THEY CAN PROVIDE TO FEED THEIR OWN EGO'S. SOME PREFER THE EARTHLY REWARD WE CAN SHOW OUR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, IMPRESS OUR ENEMIES AND FEEL A REAL SENSE OF ACCOMPLICEMENT FROM. THAT IS WHY PAUL STATES THAT MANY "FALL SHORT" BECAUSE THEY CAN'T COMPREHEND THAT THERE IS AND WILL BE A GREATER REWARD IN HEAVEN. How does knowledge of a "glorious inheritance" motivate our lives? IT MOTIVATES ME TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE REWARD MY FATHER HAS SETUP IN HEAVEN FOR ME. TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE AND NOT ONLY SEE THE SMALL REWARDS OFFERED HERE ON EARTH. NOT TO TAKE UP AND WORSHIP EARTHLY TREASURES FOR THEY HAVE NO MEANING. BUT TO LOOK FOR THE PRIZE THAT WILL COME IN THE END. THE GRAND PRIZE OF PRIZES. Our prayers? IT DIRECTS OUR PRAYS AWAY FROM EARTHLY TREASURES AND FOCUSES ON THE REWARD WE WILL RECEIVE IN HEAVEN. IT LET'S OUR FATHER KNOW THAT WE REMEMBER THE GREAT PRICE JESUS PAID FOR US TO RECEIVE THIS GRAND INHERITANCE. How can you pray for others to glimpse this inheritance? WE CAN PRAY LIKE PAUL THAT OTHERS WILL BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND IN TIME AND NOT FALL SHORT OF THE GREATEST REWARD THAT IS OUR INHERITENCE. A REWARD THAT IS BEYOND ANYTHING WE CAN COMPARE TO ANY EARTHLY TREASURE WE SETUP FOR OURSELVES.

Q2. (1:18) How has your Christian "hope" changed your way of living? MY CHRISTIAN HOPE HAS CHANGED MY WAY OF LIVING BY GIVING IT PURPOSE. IT IS THE DRIVING FORCE TO WHICH I DO EVERYTHING. What is the result of Christians with only a meager or minute hope? THE RESULT OF A CHRISTIAN WHO ONLY HAS A MINUTE OF HOPE IS DOOM. A LIFE WITHOUT SUBSTANCE. WITH OUT A DEFINED PURPOSE. SORROW AND DESPAIR. How would you pray for hope to be borne in others? JUST AS PAUL PRAYS FOR HOPE IN OTHERS. PRAY FOR AN ACTIVE FAITH WITHIN BELEIVERS. PRAY FOR HOPE IN THE COMING DAYS THAT WE HAVE WITH JESUS CHRIST, FOR SUBSTANCE, FOR PURPOSE, FOR JOY AND ENLIGHTMENT.

Q1. (1:17-18). What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers? PAUL PRAYS FOR OTHER BELIEVERS THAT THEY MAY HAVE A REVELATION OF GOD. THAT THEY WILL GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING , THEY WILL DEVELOP A SPIRTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD BY KNOWING GOD BETTER, SO THEY CAN AND WILL APPRECIATE GOD'S POWER, CHRIST LOVE, SO THEY CAN BE FILLED WITH GOD'S FULNESS AND GIVE GLORY TO GOD IN ALL THEY DO. If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own? NO THEY WOULD NOT COME TO KNOW GOD ON THEIR OWN. THEY MUST BE TAUGHT. IT ALSO TAKES THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Would God work in them at all? IF GOD DID WORK IN THEM THEY WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE IT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT BE THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT. THEY WOULD BE DUMB AND BLIND WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT. THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THEM. How important is this kind of prayer? THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT KIND OF PRAYER IT DEVELOPS A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. A VERY DEEP SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP. AND TO PRAY THAT OTHER BELIEVERS CAN ALSO ACQUIRE THIS TYPE OF PRAYER AND UNDERSTANDING.

Q4. (22:43) Did Jesus get "special treatment" because he was the Son of God to have angels help and strengthen him in his spiritual struggle? I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT IT WAS "SPECIAL TREATMENT" AFTER ALL, LOOK AT WHAT JESUS IS ABOUT TO ENDEAVOR. BUT GOD LOVES US ALL AND HE GIVES US ALL THIS SPECIAL TYPE OF TREATMENT. IF SOMEONE WAS ABOUT TO BEAR THE CROSS TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM SINS, HORRIBLY AND SAVAGELY BEATEN AND NAILED TO A CROSS IN ORDER TO AQUIRE THE SINS OF MAN, I BELIEVE THAT DESERVES SPECIAL TREATMENT AND A LOT OF STRENGTHENING. Do we get that help, too? YES, WE GET THIS TYPE OF TREATMENT FROM THE FATHER WHO LOVES US DEARLY.

Q3. (22:42) When Jesus prayed "not my will, but yours be done," was the Father pleased? YES, I BELIEVE THE FATHER WAS TRULY PLEASED BECAUSE JESUS PUT GOD'S WILL ABOVE EVERYTHING, EVEN ABOVE HIS OWN. MAKING GOD FIRST IN HIS LIFE. Why is the Father not pleased when we are passive and uncaring and dispassionate in our prayers that his will be done? THE FATHER IS PLEASED WHEN WE COMMIT TO A RELATION SHIP WITH HIM. HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS. HE WANTS US TO OPEN UP TO HIM AND TO SHARE OUR INNERMOST DESIRES WITH HIM AS LONG AS THEY ARE WITHIN HIS WILL. What is required for us to pray the prayer of submission with authenticity? IT IS REQUIRED FOR US TO BE TRUTHFUL IN OUR PRAYERS TO THE FATHER. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR US TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR LOVE FOR HIM AND ACKNOWLEDGE HIS WILL FIRST AND FOREMOST. BUT IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE OPEN WITH HIM. AND IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT FOR US TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP MAKING HIM ALL IN OUR LIVES.

Q2. (22:42) Why did Jesus pray that the Father take the cup from him? I BELIEVE THAT THE HUMAN SIDE (MAN) OF JESUS PRAYED TO HAVE THE CUP REMOVED. AFTER ALL, HUMANS FEAR PAIN AND JESUS WAS TORTURED TO DEATH. SO THAT IS WHY OUTSIDE OF BEING HUMAN HE ALSO KNOWS THAT THE FATHER'S BUSINESS (WILL) IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. THAT IS WHY HE ALSO MAINTAINS "IF IT IS YOUR WILL" INSTEAD OF INSISTING THAT THIS COULD NOT BE DONE. HE ASKED IN THE SCOPE OF HIS FATHER'S INTENTION IF MAYBE THERE COULD BE ANOTHER WAY OF GETTING THIS DONE. According to Mark and Matthew, Jesus repeated this prayer three times. Why was he so intense about it? What did this mean? HE KNEW THAT WHAT WAS ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE COULD CAUSE BOTH THE FATHER AND SON A GREAT DEAL OF PAIN. REMEMBER WHAT HE WAS ABOUT TO TAKE ON WAS TO ACQUIRE THE GREAT SINS OF MANKIND (MURDER, ****, HATRED, GREED, THEFT, FRAUD, BETRAYAL, DECEIT, ANGER, SELFISHNESS, DEATH DEFYING SINS......). Why was Jesus resisting the Father's will? Or was he? HE WASN'T RESISTING THE FATHER'S WILL, INSTEAD HE WAS STATING THAT THIS WAS A GREAT PRICE TO PAY FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD. HE JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF MAYBE THERE WAS ANOTHER WAY OF FULFILLING THE TASK.

Q1. (22:40-41, 45-46) Why did he ask his disciples to pray? JESUS WAS AWARE OF WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN AND HE KNEW THAT IN ORDER FOR THE DISCIPLES TO RESIST TEMPTATION THIS COULD ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH PRAYING. What temptation did Jesus know they would be facing? THE DENIAL AND JESUS ON THE CROSS. What was the content of their prayer to be? THEY WILL NOT FALL INTO TEMPTATION. Did they actually pray this prayer diligently? IF THEY HAD THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE PREPARED THEM FOR WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN INSTEAD ONE BETRAYED HIM AND SOME OF THEM DENIED HIM. How does the Lord's Prayer word this kind of prayer? FIRST IT ADDRESSES GOD FOR WHO HE IS. THEN HE PETITIONED GOD ABOUT THIS WILL. HE THEN PLED FOR REMOVAL OF THIS BURDEN, THIS CUP (THE CROSS) FROM HIM BUT ONLY IF IT IS THE WILL OF THE FATHER TO LET GOD KNOW THAT HE IS AND WILL SERVE HIS WILL NO MATTER HOW GREAT THE TEMPTATION, HE WILL GET THE JOB DONE TO FULFILL GOD'S WILL.. Why do you think Jesus wanted to be alone during his own prayer? I BELIEVE HE WANTED TO BE ALONE BECAUSE HE KNEW THE SERVERITY OF WHAT WAS ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE. HE DID NOT WANT ANY INTERUPTIONS WHEN HE PRAYED ABOUT IT. HE KNEW THE TIME WAS ABOUT TO COME SO HE WAS PREPARING HIMSELF THROUGH PRAYER SO THAT HE WOULD NOT FAIL.

Q4. (2:4) What danger is Nehemiah in? NEHEMIAH IS IN DANGER WHEN HE INITIATES A CONVERSATION WITH THE KING FOR IT IS FORBIDDEN BECAUSE HE IS A SERVANT. BUT THE KING ASK NEHEMIAH ABOUT HIS SADNESS WHICH OPENS THE DOOR FOR HIM TO RESPOND (EVEN IF HE IS SUPPOSE TO PRETEND TO BE HAPPY SERVING THE KING AT ALL TIMES) HE WILL BE ABLE TO RESPOND ABOUT WHAT HAS SADDENED HIM. Why does he pray quickly and silently before he answers the king? NEHEMIAH HAS TO BE SURE THAT HE SAYS THE RIGHT THING BECAUSE IF HE OFFENDS THE KING HE COULD FACE GREAT CONSEQUENCES. HE THEN PRAYS TO GOD FOR HELP SO THAT HE KNOWS HE HAS FAVOR WITH THIS KING AND THAT HIS WORDS WILL ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF JERUSALEM. How does this quick "arrow prayer" relate to the four months of prayer he has just finished? THE ARROW PRAYER IS JUST ANOTHER WAY OF COMMUNICATING WITH GOD. NEHEMIAH HAS PRAYED DAY AND NIGHT ABOUT THIS DAY. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME HE HAS PRAYED ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN JERUSALEM. IN THIS SITUATION THE QUALITY OF PRAY ISN'T IMPORTANT BUT THE QUANTITY IS.

Q3. (1:11) In what way does Daniel's situation compared to Esther's. BOTH DANIEL AND ESTHER WERE BOTH JEWS AND THEY BOTH SERVED KINGS OF PERSIAN DESCENT. THEY WERE BOTH FROM ROYAL OR NOBLE DECENT AND BOTH LIVED IN THE ROYAL KINGDOM OF THE KING. THEY BOTH HAD FAVOR WITH THEIR KINGS. THEY WERE ALSO INTERCESSORS FOR GOD'S PEOPLE. Why does God place his people in strategic positions today in the community, in business, in the military, in government? GOD PLACES PEOPLE IN THESE SITUATIONS BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT THEY WILL BE NEED FOR SUCH PEOPLE TO INTERCEDE IN THE WAYS OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS. What responsibilities do we have to God that can cause danger to our positions and our lives? THE RESPONSIBILITES WE HAVE TO GOD THAT ENDANGER US ARE MANY. IN SUCH A POSITION ONE CAN BE SEEN AS OFFENSIVE WHEN ONE PROPOSES SOMETHING DIFFERENT. OUR LEADERS LIKE TO ASSUME THAT THEY HAVE OUR BEST INTEREST AT HEART BUT, AS WE KNOW FROM PAST EXPERIENES, MANY ARE NOT TRUE BELIEVERS AND THEY WORSHIP EGO ABOVE ALL. ALOT OF LEADERS BELIEVE THAT IF YOU'RE NOT WITH US THAN YOU MUST BE AGAINST US AND LABEL YOU AS A TRAITOR. Has this ever happened to you? YES, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MANY TIMES AND I AM SURE IT WILL HAPPEN TO ME TIME AND TIME AGAIN. IT HAPPENS IN MY FAMILY, AT WORK, AT THE GROCERY STORE, IN CHURCH, ETC......WHEREVER I DIVULGE MY FATHER'S NAME IT CAN AND HAS HAPPENED. How do you pray in situations like this? UNTIL NOW, I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO EFFECTIVELY PRAY, AND IN MANY CASES GOD STILL FOUND FAVOR IN ME. BUT NOW, I KNOW THAT I HAVE TO FAST, KNOW THE WORD OF GOD AND USE IT AND PRAY PERSISTENTLY. PRAISE THE LORD!!!! I AM ON MY WAY TO EFFECTIVELY PRAYING.

Q2. (1:7-11) What is the basis of Nehemiah's appeal? NEHEMIAH APPEALS BY REMINDING GOD OF HIS OWN PROMISES THAT HE GAVE TO HIS SERVANT MOSES. "REMEMBER THE INSTRUCTION YOU GAVE YOUR SERVANT MOSES, SAYING, "IF YOU ARE UNFAITHFUL, I WILL SCATTER YOU AMONG NATIONS, BUT IF YOU RETURN TO ME AND OBEY MY COMMANDS, THEN EVEN IF YOUR EXILED PEOPLE ARE AT THE FARTHEST HORIZONS, I WILL GATHER THEM FROM THERE AND BRING THEM TO THE PLACE I HAVE CHOSEN AS A DWELLING FOR MY NAME."(1:8-9). HE ALSO APPEALS TO GOD FOR HIS SERVANTS TELLING HIM THAT "THEY ARE YOUR PEOPLE AND YOUR SERVANTS WHOM YOU REDEEMED BY YOUR GREAT STRENGTH AND YOUR MIGHTY HAND. THEY DELIGHT IN REVERING YOUR NAME. HE ASK GOD TO GIVE HIM FAVOR IN THE PRESENCE OF THIS MAN." How does he argue his case before God? THAT THERE HAS BEEN REPENTANCE AMONG THE PEOPLE ALONG WITH A RENEWED OBEDIENCE AMONG THE RETURNEES. HE TELLS GOD THAT "GOD HAS A STACK IN THE FUTURE OF JERUSALEM BECAUSE IT IS THE PLACE WHERE GOD NAME DWELLS AND THAT WHEN JERUSALEM AND THE GOD'S PEOPLE ARE IN DISGRACE IT REFLECTS ON GOD'S NAME." What do we learn from this about intercession? IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE WORD OF GOD. IN ORDER TO GET GOD'S ATTENTION YOU MUST KNOW HIS WORD. YOU DON'T HAVE TO QUOTE IT WORD FOR WORD BUT GOD LOVES TO HEAR THAT YOU KNOW HIS WORD AND HIS PROMISES TO THE HIS PEOPLE. IF YOU KNOW HIS WORD THAN YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HIM (GOD) AND THIS PLEASES HIM.