IvoryEagle

Q4. (2:17) You have gone through struggles and obstacles to your faith. If you were to look at your sufferings as a "drink offering" poured out before God, how does that honor God? How does that bring value to your struggles? DRIVEN BY BELIEF, it speaks to Romans 8:28 Everything happens for the good of those who love God and are called unto His purpose...It honors God because we believe. Because we believe we look forward with great anticipation of what God is going to do next, not necessarily now. It is all about faith. I see it as one step closer to the ultimate outcome. In that sense, I keep in mind Isaiah 55:8-11; His thoughts and ways are not like mine. If I understood it.....JUST BELIEVE!

Q3. (2:16) In what sense are we Christians to "hold fast" the Word of Life? In what sense are we to "hold forth" this Word of Life? How does this relate to the purpose of the church? WE AS CHRIST DISCIPLES MUST RECEIVE THE WORD, LIVE THE WORD AND SHARE THE WORD, FERVENTLY. WELL STATED BELOW: To ourselves as we look in the mirror; the question is: "If not me, then who?... "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!' ... Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:14-15, 17)

How does ceasing complaining and arguing enable a church to shine as stars in a dark sky? What does this shining as stars signify? Have complaining and arguing compromised your church's witness as a God-place? If so, what can you do to change this? WE ARE REPRESENTATIVES: WE MUST NEVER FORGET THAT OUR MANDATE IS TO GO OUT AND GET DISCIPLES TO FOLLOW JESUS. OUR INVITATION IS REFLECTED BY HOW WE CONDUCT OURSELVES. IT IS TRUE: "The world must see a difference in the church from any other kind of human institution. Jesus himself said, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35)." WHAT CAN I DO? LEAD THE CHARGE BY BEING THE CHANGE I WANT TO SEE.

TO ME, IT IS THE PRELUDE & THE PERSEVERANCE OF SIN BASED ON THE INABILITY TO GENERATE HARMONY AMONG THEMSELVES: IT IS A THREAT TO THEIR SPIRITUAL SALVATION. "The Philippians as a body are to work out their problems and come to unity. They are to produce the fruit of their salvation, that is, peace, love, and harmony in the Spirit. As individuals and a church, they are to work out the implications and lifestyle of salvation in their church community. They have had bickering and selfish ambition, a party spirit. This has to stop! Paul calls on them to obey him in this. They are to work it out "with fear and trembling,"

What do Philippians 1:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 teach about the state of Christians immediately after death? How does this comfort you? TWO LEVELS TO WIN, EITHER WAY, FOR CHRIST WE LIVE AND FOR CHRIST WE DIE. How does this energize you? Paul assures us in Philippians 1:23 that "to depart and be with Christ ... is better by far" than life in this body. WORKS FOR ME.

How can fear keep us from being a bold witness? FEAR OF RIDICULE FROM OTHERS Why does fear of people bind our tongues? CRAVING ACCEPTANCE instead of CRAVING CHRIST. How does "losing our life" for Christ's sake actually give us an abundant life? THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST & WHAT I CALL 'PROTOTYPE LIFE.' LIFE. ETERNAL LIFE IS THE GOAL What fear is keeping you from clear witness? SOMETIMES, IN OUR BOLDNESS, IT BOLES PEOPLE OVER. YOU CAN'T TEACH THEM UNTIL YOU REACH THEM. SOMETIMES ALLOWING THEM TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF WHO WE ARE AND ALLOWING THEM TO DISCOVER THE SOURCE OF THE JOY IS BETTER.

Why is our ability to rejoice so dependent upon our faith that God is in control, working even in the midst of difficulty? BECAUSE, WHEN WE KNOW THE ANSWER, THE QUESTIONS DON'T MATTER. GOD IS THE ANSWER, NOT AN ANSWER What must you believe in order to be able to rejoice in the midst of problems? I MUST & I DO BELIEVE THAT ROMANS 8:28 IS REAL What is your basis for believing that? I AM SINGLE MINDED ABOUT THE GOSPEL & I HAVE A LIFE-TIME OF EXPERIENCE

From the standpoint of witness to others, you are much more credible when you are undergoing personal struggles, stress, and problems. Why is this so? IT IS SO BECAUSE THESE ARE NORMALLY THE TIME WE DISCARD THAT WHICH IS DISPENSABLE. Holding on to our faith during trying times indicate that it is because of, not in spite of FAITH that we are strong. Why was Paul's witness so powerful? CHAINED TO HIS GUARD. EMPOWERED BY HIS G-O-D---IN THE EYES OF MAN, PAUL IS IN ONE OF THE MOST DEMEANING POSITIONS POSSIBLE. NOT ONLY PHYSICALLY IMPRISONED BUT PHYSICALLY, CHAINED TO HIS GUARD. EMPOWERED BY HIS G-O-D What personal struggle are you going through that could enhance your testimony if you handled it right? ABSTINENCE FROM SELECTED PEOPLE, PLACES, & THINGS. ENDURANCE AND SHARING THE GOSPEL TO OTHERS IN THE MIDST OF IT.

From the standpoint of witness to others, you are much more credible when you are undergoing personal struggles, stress, and problems. Why is this so? IT IS SO BECAUSE THESE ARE NORMALLY THE TIME WE DISCARD THAT WHICH IS DISPENSABLE. Holding on to our faith during trying times indicate that it is because of, not in spite of FAITH that we are strong. Why was Paul's witness so powerful? CHAINED TO HIS GUARD. EMPOWERED BY HIS G-O-D---IN THE EYES OF MAN, PAUL IS IN ONE OF THE MOST DEMEANING POSITIONS POSSIBLE. NOT ONLY PHYSICALLY IMPRISONED BUT PHYSICALLY, CHAINED TO HIS GUARD. EMPOWERED BY HIS G-O-D What personal struggle are you going through that could enhance your testimony if you handled it right? ABSTINENCE FROM SELECTED PEOPLE, PLACES, & THING. ENDURANCE AND SHARING THE GOSPEL TO OTHERS IN THE MIDST OF IT.

DISCERNMENT is maturity. We are no longer looking a notes but reconciling reality with possibilities. There is no good when excellent is available. To discern is to internalize and execute with little effort. It is all about Christ and the execution of internalized instruction. What would Jesus do is an admirable question. The real question is are you acting out of your heart or your head?

Our expectation is that God will finish what He has started in us. God is committed to do what he says and after we repent and do what we need to do to be best of our abilities, the finished work will be approved. "He who began a good work in you Philippians will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." As we see later in the letter, he is encouraging them to mature as a group." Maturity in and of itself means responsibility, accountability, and ultimately performing the ultimate task of salvation in our hearts. It is not a check list; it is a Christ list. A willing servant.

The gratitude is in the giving; it is an extension of ourselves and carries us on the journey. In addition to money, our prayers, support, and mostly the knowledge that we have their backs before, during, and after they return.

A SLAVE IS THE SAME AS THE SAINT. The major difference is that the slave is slaving by chance and coercion. The Saint is slaving by compassion and especially by choice..

When people think of spending an eternity in heaven, who do they most look forward to being with? Relatives? Jesus? What does it mean that he will reign forever and ever? In what way is he the King of Glory in your life? Personally, I expect to being with all. Forever and ever and the King of Glory over and in all things, especially my life.

Q4. (Malachi 3:2-3; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15). How does Jesus purify and refine his church? How does he purify and refine us? On the Day that fire will test your deeds, will you have anything that remains, besides your salvation? REFINING THE CHURCH: "Cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:25b-27) He refines us through affliction, marriage, and children. All designed to take our minds off of ourselves for others. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)

Q4. (Malachi 3:2-3; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15). How does Jesus purify and refine his church? How does he purify and refine us? On the Day that fire will test your deeds, will you have anything that remains, besides your salvation? REFINING THE CHURCH: "Cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:25b-27) He refines us through affliction, marriage, and children. All designed to take our minds off of ourselves for others. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)

Q3. (Hebrews 1:2; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 3:22) In what sense is Jesus "Heir of All Things"? What does it imply that we are co-heirs with him? In what sense do we possess all things? IT ALL STARTS AND ENDS WITH GOD; Jesus is God's instrument to enable us to join Him in being the ultimate heir. We need only to overcome to ensure our inheritance. .Jesus has all authority, and all things and peoples belong to him. In the great messianic Psalm 2, the psalmist writes: And since you and I are spiritual sons, we too are "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17). In that sense, all things are ours (1 Corinthians 3:22). This inheritance will be granted at the Last Day. "He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son." (Revelation 21:7)

Q2. (Revelation 1:17-18; Hebrews 12:2) What do the titles First and Last, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End teach us about Jesus' nature? How does knowing that Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith help build our trust in him? He is all that is; to look beyond Him is futile. Focus on Him and all there is to be achieved is found in trusting Him. He who began a good work in us will finish it.

Q1. (Hebrews 1:3; Matthew 17:1-2) In what ways did Jesus show the Father's glory in his ministry? Why do you think Jesus allowed Peter, James, and John to see his Transfiguration? How do you think Jesus will appear in heaven? JESUS SHOWED THE FATHER'S GLORY IN EVERYTHING he did, the healing, the teaching, the mysterious appearance and disappearance. He was and is the essence of the Father made visible to man. I believe he allowed Peter James and John to see his Transfiguration to give them greater courage to share what was to come next. Based on Scripture, He will appear along with the Father. It is then, we will understand the statement, the Father and I are one.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 11:2) What does it take for us to be presented to Christ as a pure virgin bride? How faithful are we to Christ? To what degree do we partake with the adulterous and sinful generation that Jesus decried? What does the marriage relationship say about love, communication, and intimacy with Christ? TO BE PRESENTED AS HIS BRIDE IS TO FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTIONS UNTIL HE COMES. Faithfulness to Christ is a constant struggle; temptation is always on the horizon. However, I have found that what He said is true in 1 Corinthians, He will give us a way out. Sometimes even when we are kicking and screaming to stay in as directed by our flesh; if necessary, he will remove us bodily. In retrospect, the joy is greater than the indulgence. The marriage relationship means the search is over YOU ARE THE ONE!

Q3. (Colossians 3:2-4) To what degree is Christ the center, the focus of your life? If you had to prove to another person that Christ is the center of your life, what evidence would you muster? What evidence would contradict this? What kind of repentance is necessary to reprioritize your life? PART OF KNOWING GOD IS THE CENTER OF MY LIFE IS THAT A REQUEST FOR PROOF FROM MAN IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. I know who I am in Christ and my life reflects it. The evidence is in the light that attracts others to me like a magnet once I start to talk about anything. Be it in the grocery store, dentist office, and anywhere people gather, the should of my voice (light) attracts with a pleasant disruption. Reprioritizing my life is not on my agenda.

Q2. (John 6:51; 15:1-5) What do Jesus' teachings on the Living Bread and the True Vine teach us about drawing from his life? What happens to our vital Life when we rely on ourselves, and stop relying on him? Why is it so hard for us humans to learn the lesson of dependence and trust? IT IS AS SIMPLE AS FOOD TO THE HUMAN BODY. Everybody wants to lose weight but no one wants to stop eating. Unlike losing weight; He is not asking us to stop eating. Like losing weight, He is asking us to partake of the right food to get the right result. IT IS HARD FOR US AS HUMANS BECAUSE WE CRAVE PLEASURE. Eating the wrong thing will bring the wrong result. Pleasure is always present and presentable until you succumb to it and then the regret. Satan always blurs out the aftermath of taking him up on his offer. The desire blurs our ability to think rather than act. It is why the Bible says take every thought captive. If he can get one thought in; like drugs, you will get addicted.

Q1. (John 1:9; 8:12) In what sense is Jesus the True Light? In what sense is he the Light of the World? In what sense are you the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)? Why do you think people resist Jesus' light, his truth, his view of the Father, our world, and eternal life? How does the world's so-called "light" differ from Jesus' light? What can obstruct Jesus' light in this world? What can obstruct our light? LIGHT AND LOVE are two of the most penetrating gifts one can access. Love is embraced easily because the object of our affection is evident. Jesus as the light is up against clear and present pleasure versus a delay that spans to eternity. In a society that craves immediate gratification, ease of access and action at the touch of a button; it takes everything we have to believe but BELIEVE we must. What can obstruct our light is giving up the hope that is contained in belief. The world's light is instant both in its pleasure and access; both disappear soon after the experience leaving guilt and destruction in its place. The only thing that can obstruct our light is our decision to ignore the Word and stop believing.

Q4. (Luke 4:23) How does Jesus as the Great Physician resonate with our broken world? What does it mean to you that Jesus is your Great Physician and Healer? THIS HAS TO BE THE GREATEST QUESTION OF ALL TIME! Today, in our world, many are confused as they seek a means of restoration to declining health, skills, and other areas of deteriorations that are a part of the process of life. Many, proclaiming to the the ULTIMATE PHYSICIAN, are hanging out shingles and offering solutions. They are shouting the solutions and WHISPERING the SIDE EFFECTS. While there are some God provided solutions to ease the decline that comes with aging; only Jesus can heal. The broken world will continue to put their trust in what man says and they will continue to get what only man can give, BROKEN PROMISES. Only the promises of God will prevail and He has given us examples all through the Bible what He can and will do at all stages of life. From protecting babies to raising the dead. All He ask is that we READ, TRUST & BELIEVE. Stay tuned.

Q3. (John 14:6; 10:7, 9) In light of all the world's religions, how can Jesus be the Way to God, the exclusive door or gateway? Why does this offend the world? Since it is true, how can we most winsomely declare this truth to our generation? DISTRACTIONS ARE DESTRUCTIVE; in my personal life, I declare that I have nothing left to prove. I don't. The answers are all aligned in the Bible. As I read them, absorb them, and act on them; the light of Jesus shines through me and others follow. When they get close enough, they see what I see. Like a great meal, I offer them a serving and they partake of decline. It is that simple. Like the commercial years ago put out by Starkist Tuna and Charlie: "God doesn't want followers with good taste, He want those to taste good. Oh taste and see...Those who are offended will eventually see the light; my job is to shine it.