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Q1 a: Satan, being a deceiver and usurper, would concoct a trial to lead away from God and would make easy a path of self-reliance, of faith in myself, of hope in myself... Q1. b. God is my refuge and strength, my ever-present help. He would have me run to Him, cry out to Him for protection.... even when I totally brought the trouble on myself with my own folly. Q1.c. Yes. I was laid off work and it seems like I wrestled constantly with the temptation to wallow in depression or become anxious. Struggling not to absorb the lay-off as a reflection of my own worth.... However, invigorating moments were praying and Bible Study time each morning, and with sharing with others, and offering to pray for them. Q1.d. Yes. The God who spared Isaac, the God who parted the Red Sea, the God who sent Jesus.... He also sends ministering servants in my hours of need. He provides me opportunities to share with others of His hand at work. I attend church with a bunch of sinners. I go to small-group with a bunch of sinners. We study God's Word together and share of parenting trials, marriage trials, doubts , victories, fears, triumphs. We also mess up and hurt one another occassionally. I have been sovereignly reminded to "forgive" and my own brokedness revealed through the trial -- whether in the sharing with others, or listening as they share share.

Q1. (18:14) ( a) How can we tell if we really believe in God's present willingness to do miracles in our day? ( b )Is there any indication in Scripture that God will stop doing miracles? ( c ) Is there any indication that God continues to do miracles? ( d ) How can we regain an active faith in the God of miracles? ( a ) I have found a church family that does not ignore the Holy Spirit. I have personally witnessed physical healings and deliverance and have experienced healings myself (physical healing and inner healing). I can tell I believe in God's present willingness to do miracles in our day because I have received the miracle of healing from Him AND I don't pass up the chance to intercede for others. ( b ) I do not know of any Scripture that God will stop doing miracles. ( c ) There is every indication that God continues to do miracles... even in my small corner of the world. I was recently at a healing prayer service where a former quadraplegic gave her testimony of INSTANT healing (witnessed by 7 people ). ( d ) How can we regain (maintain) an active faith in the God of miracles? So often, we let the world tell us that God doesn't really exist OR that "God is watching us from a distance" (like that popular Bette Midler song). Oh the sorrow that we are not attuned to our Master's voice. I must grieve his heart when I willfully (or ignorantly) keep Him at arms length by failing to approach Him with prayers of praise, confession, thankgiving and petition. Abraham faithfully sought God. Abraham knew his Master's voice. Be BOLD to pray for a miracle and then give credit where it is due. If I rationalized away the very miracle I just had the privilege to witness, am I not stealing away from God the praise and glory? Thank and Praise Him for the privilege of seeing His Mighty Hand for He alone is worthy to be praised!

Since God knows us better than ourselves, it stands to reason He is not requiring moral perfection. To be a blameless person is one who "shuns evil" and "walks according to the Laws of the Lord". For Sunday School, the memory verse is Psalm 119:11 (I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.) That Psalm also starts out with "Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD . " Just so, rereading this Psalm is like reading the "blamelessness" God is requiring of Abraham. A whole-hearted sell-out to God and God alone. He is the one and only Authority in Abraham's life. His laws (His Word) are surpreme. This doesn't mean that Abraham will be perfect in upholding the Lord's commands, laws, decrees, precepts.... but verse 10 of this Psalm says: "I seek you with all my heart". I believe this focus, this faithfulness, this desire to serve only the One True God is blamelessness before Him. Abraham kept a "short account" with God. He was transparent before Him. I believe God expects the same from Christians today. The New Covenant presents us righteous before the God but we are not then left to our own devices as to how we act, what we do. We are called to serve him blamelessly, to forgive and be forgiven, to make God "CEO" of our life.

God is my shield : This means I trust in him more than I trust in my own devises. It is a trusting and confident submission; an acknowledgement that He is Almighty, strong to save, and he is Sovereign in my life. I am promised an exceeding great reward: This means new life in Christ Jesus to me. God is my Sovereign: He is more than my boss or my CEO, he owns my life. "I am his". I get my marching orders from him. I run to him when I'm afraid, when I'm confused and to worship him. He loves me enough to point directly at my idols (to be confessed and repented of), my wounds (to be submitted and healed of) and to encourage me. He is ever-gracious. He shines his Holy light on the darkness in my life. He has never forsaken me. I adore him. My Sovereign Lord is so good to me.