lindaparadise

Why isn't Paul merely neutral about his religious pedigree? well showing where he started from shows the people that if he could do it, then why can't i . Why does he consider it loss, dung, an obstacle? being brought up a certain way, wanting to change it for another, creates waves with the family and all you know. and now you're standing on new grounds by your self. ALONE! In what way could your religious background be an impediment to your faith? it could be against Jesus. which means you are now not starting from scratch, but have to ask GOD's forgiveness for believing in what you were brought up as.

How does "confidence in the flesh" show up in your congregation? Have you ever struggled with it? confidence in the flesh is trying to do something by one's self. then when it doesn't work out then you call upon the Lord and ask for help. i struggle with it most of the time. i now wake up and ask the Lord (PRAY) for SALVATION! for those i think are in need of it. then i ask him to do what needs doing. finally i ask him if he could take the reins of my life for the day. as for the congregation if i see something that shouldn't be i then pray for that person(s) in hope that they'll hear GOD's word. anything else would be judging, and that's for the Lord only.

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? well i'm reminded of Peter and his impatience. (John 21) when Jesus had risen from the dead and had made himself known to the apostles stayed with them for awhile. told them that he'd be back. Peter after having waited for awhile decides to go back to his fishing (something that he knew) not of men like Jesus had told him but of fish. here's Jesus on the shore having breakfast of fish and bread. Peter jumps out of the boat and runs in the water towards him once John mentioned that it was Jesus. I was the same way.i had prayed very hard for a long time for a better life, etc. and thought that it wasn't going to happen for it had been so long. so then started to pray for GOD to come and get me. that i had had enough. Jesus answered my prayer when the devil started to put suicide in my thoughts. something keep holding me back. GOO (telling me what will happen to my daughter if i go?)i had a brain tumor removed and at that point my life would be changed forever. for the better i think anyway. maybe i can't do everything as before but it's nothing compaired to before with the demons i was carrying. i feel ashamed that i wasn't more patient and appreciate a lot more than before. i still have a way to go but it's for the better.

In what sense are we Christians to "hold fast" the Word of Life? holding fast is to learn the WORD of GOD and trying your hardest to practice it. i say try because we are humans and will not completely achieve it. In what sense are we to "hold forth" this Word of Life? holding forth is sharing what you have learned about Jesus and GOD. even if you don't have all the answers. just like when a child learns something that they are excited about they run home to share it with thier parents. do the same with everyone. i do. and if someone asks a question that i can't answer i tell them that i'll find out and proceed to do so. in my bible or to someone else who is more educated than i am in Christ. How does this relate to the purpose of the church? to start with the church is not the building but people. and we are all of Jesus' disciples. and that is what Jesus told us to do. to spread his WORD and to follow in Jesus' footsteps.

How does ceasing complaining and arguing enable a church to shine as stars in a dark sky? 1st if you're grumbling or complaining how can you hear anyone but yourself.you're missing out on what someone else is saying and it may be important, or enrich you being. 2nd do you really want to listen to someone else if they're complaining. well neither does anyone else. try to find a peaceful solution to the problem. then you'll have listeners and possibly a solution. then you'll shine like a star and so will the rest of the church What does this shining as stars signify? giving off light like Jesus did. being bright. and Jesus did it without any arguing or complaints. Have complaining and arguing compromised your church's witness as a God-place? YES If so, what can you do to change this? help find peaceful solutions to the problems.

In this passage, what does it mean to "work out your own salvation"? Is this referring to salvation from sin? If not, what kind of salvation is it referring to? it means to look out for each other as a community in GOD. help out each other's needs and look out for each other in Paul's absence. this isn't sin but do onto others as you would have them do onto you.doing GOD's work until he returns to led us to heaven. what ever you do to thy brother, that you do onto me (Jesus (GOD))

We know we're supposed to humble ourselves like Jesus did. But how can we know whether or not God will exalt us? because Jesus said that he would. are we now doubting his WORD? just believe in Jesus (GOD) he'll take care of the rest. let him have the reins. Why do we get impatient with this? because we want everything yesterday. and the devil is there putting the doubt in our minds. don't let him have the chance. What does our impatience sometimes lead to? it causes us to sin some more. because the devil got in.

Was Jesus really a human being or only pretending to be one? yes i believe that he was a human being. yet i believe this is GOD in human form. so it was done out of choice. What do these verses teach? that GOD belittled himself (humility) by becoming human. but because he's our father he did this to save us from our selves and the devil. What difference does it really make whether or not Jesus was human? well in the old testament when things got out of hand GOD illminated the evil with a flood. and the evil returned it didn't give these humans the chance of seeing thier wrong doings and being able to start anew. yet when he sent Jesus to forgive our sins it made it alright to make mistakes as long as you acknowledged them asked JESUS or GOD for forgiveness and learned from it and were truly sorry for what you did. hoping to not repeat it.(don't forget this is GOD you're dealing with he knows if you're full of it or not)

In your own words, what does it mean that Christ didn't cling to his equality with God? well in order for Jesus to have any effects on the people they'd have to see that he was as human as they were. if not than they wouldn't try to do what he did for GOD or each other. for they wouldn't think they were capable. but by Jesus being human as we are it gives us hope of our own capabilities.. How specifically does this passage teach that Jesus is divine? he did it the hard way for our sake. to show us the way. so we could continue it and show it to others.

To achieve unity in your congregation, why is humility necessary? the opposite of humility is pride. pride is all about ourselves rather than GOD or others. humility shows that we place GOD first , others 2nd and ourselves last as Jesus did. Can you give an example of how lack of humility caused a division in your church? the lack of humility for the many children in the catholic church has caused a large division in the church. yet people have to remember that this is the devil's work and we shouldn't leave GOD and the church because of it. if so than the devil has won. What are you doing to bring unity in your church? i'm trying to teach as Jesus did to the children of the community. who in turn go home from being so excited and they inform thier parents what they've learned about Jesus. i've even have had some of these parents come up to me with questions that they didn't feel comfortable going to someone else with. i answer by asking questions about the bible and let them answer thier own questions. in that way they learn more out of it than being dictated to.

What do Philippians 1:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 teach about the state of Christians immediately after death? that as soon as we die we are judged and go straight to being next to GOD in heaven. no waiting...in the old testiment they had to wait...that's because Jesus had not yet come. but since Jesus' resurrection into heaven there's no waiting unless you're still alive. How does this comfort you? it does immensively, no more waiting, the best of the best at hand the instant GOD comes to get you. How does this energize you? it makes me want to have all my loved ones and then some to accompany me to heaven. which makes me more ambitious to being one of GOD's disciples in spreading his "WORD"

How can fear keep us from being a bold witness? it use to, not wanting to be the only one or standing out in the crowd Why does fear of people bind our tongues? not wanting to be disliked How does "losing our life" for Christ's sake actually give us an abundant life? it gives us life ever lasting (in heaven) and the life we have here will be a more forfilled one What fear is keeping your from clear witness? NONE!

Why is our ability to rejoice so dependent upon our faith that God is in control, working even in the midst of difficulty? a couple of things come to mind 1st whatever you're rejoicing about is because of the Lord. 2nd if you're rejoicing don't think that you're safe. the devil is right there to change that i'm sure he isn't a happy camper and will try to change the ordeal. What must you believe in order to be able to rejoice in the midst of problems? that this is GOD's will and whatever happens that he's there with you. What is your basis for believing that? when Jesus died and then later rose to heaven he sent down the Holy Spirit to be with us always. to help guide us, give us strength and whatever else we need.

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? anyone can say or do things when all is well. the real test is when all isn't well, but hard to almost impossible Why was Paul's witness so powerful? he had nothing left to live for. all hope was gone..NOT! there's always GOD and what is to come. and with Paul showing his faith through all this it only makes it stronger. more believeable. What personal struggle are you going through that could enhance your testimony if you handled it right? i've already gone through a large struggle. in May of 2003 i had a brain tumor (the size of a baseball) which i had removed (in this process they had to take a small piece of the brain to remove it as well as leave a very small part of the tumor (which might re-grow) this left perminate damage. the brain had this tumor on it about 1 year. so it crushed the brain which left damage. it's been almost 2 years and i think that i'm as healed as can be. i'll never work again and many other things. but i'm not angry, not then and not now. i was at the point in my life that i had wished i was dead anyway nothing was going well. not at home or at work. with this happening GOD released me of my situation. i was now able to spend time with the ones i love. instead of spending 50+ hrs. at work. get to know my mother, daughter and yes even my husband. i was born again in GOD and teach religious classes, am able to go to bible study classes, and visit a 90 year old inbound woman (that's a peach) which i never would of meet. i am disable, but would rather be this way than able and the other way. i've also saw who really cares for me. the only thing that i had a great deal of trouble with and sometimes still do is humility. i was great on being miss independent doing thing myself. now i need the help of others for some things. because of the way i handled it my daughter, husband and i are a real family. because i set the tone of GOD in my life, my home and all around me. i do feel i'm doing good. yet not completly. this shows me that GOD's in control not me. he knows what to do and when to do it.then we choose.

(1:6) What does Paul expect God to do for the Philippian believers? what he has done for the apostles. given them the holy spirit to guide them. Why does he expect God to do this? all true christians are disciples who will continue jesus' work What is the basis of Paul's confidence? he knows that GOD won't abandon us. On what basis can we expect God to do this for us? he said that he would!

When we become financial "partners" with a Christian missionary, minister, ministry, or church, what do we receive out of the partnership? the satisfaction that we able to help in a way. What other kinds of support might we offer beyond financial? how about encouragement and praise to those who are doing the work. prayer that GOD will continue to lead them in the right path. telling of the good that they are doing to others so that they may be able to help also. writing to find out what else they may need and sending or doing it if you can.

. (1:1) What is the basic idea of "slave"? a person that serves one master. What is the root idea of "saint"? a person that serves only Jesus Christ (GOD) In what way are these words saying the same thing about a Christian's relationship to God? if you are a true Christian you are serving one master. and that is Jesus (GOD) in everyday life and in all that you do.

Now that you're finished with James: Practical Christianity, what did you get out of this study? first it was a good lesson. i wouldn't suggest it to a new or renewed christian. it's straight forward and harsh. that doesn't mean it wasn't good. you wouldn't want to scare away anyone. How would you evaluate the study? it made me think about my motives,thoughts,words as well as my actions. What can be improved? well my thoughts on improving starts with a question. this is for pastor ralph; do you read the answerers to the questions you ask? if so when i was stuck on the last lesson on the 3rd question why didn't i recieve a letter to explain it to me? i was ancious to find an answer. when i didn't it made me leary. i ended asking my monday bible study class and recieved a satisfactory answer. yet what if i didn't have any other means but this study group? you're an elder and are responsible for these sheep. other than that it was great and thankyou for the ones who helped me along the way.

In the light of James' emphasis on active faith vs. dead faith (2:17), why is the role of finding and bringing back the wandering sheep so important? these sheep know who the master is. so if they are not lead back to him they'll be lost forever. and another master that isn't kind will find him and take him away forever. are we not disciple of the Lord ? didn't Jesus say help each other as i have helped you?

In the healing prayer, what is the role of oil? i'm just starting to get to know the bible. the only oil that i know of is when you are baptised. i believe this is used to heal that person of sin.(original sin) maybe this is simular. What is the role of the prayer of faith? prayer is to show GOD that you have faith in him, in what he has in mind for you and in him helping you achieve your disicipleship What is the role of faith? without faith all that is done is in vain. it's done without Jesus. What is the role of confession of sins? to show GOD that you are aware of your sins and are truly sorry for having committed them. such you can ask him for forgiveness of them.

What is the elders' role in prayer for the sick? What must be their spiritual qualifications for this ministry of prayer? first i spoke to an elder of my question. what i recieved for an answer was that as well as them helping you, you are also helping them in letting them help you. as for what are the qualifications i say that they trully believe in Jesus Christ (GOD the Son)

According to verse 14, who is to initiate prayer for healing? Why might this be important? i know that we need help we ask Jesus to help us and he will. now i understand that the more prayer there is the better GOD likes it. yet if you pray to GOD, then you trully believe. so other than GOD loving his children and wanting to hear from them. why isn't enough for just the one in need( who truly loves GOD )asks him for his help ?

What does our grumbling and complaining say about us? About our faith? About our patience? i'm impatient to see everyone have salvation. especially those you love. i'd love to see them enjoy their life with GOD. not constantly fighting to keep thier heads above water. i'm ancious, i do see changes in people every day it's just going so slowly. and yes i agree that it would be great to have it all now. a stress free life, and seeing everyone getting along and loving one another no mater what. it will happen in all good time. GOD has his reason and time as to when this will be.

What can happen to us Christians if we lack the patience to eagerly expect Christ's return? Why is patience so vital? we'll start to give up and our guard will be down and you know who will come a walkin in. yep satin.

What is the spiritual danger of our demand for comfort and luxury? -who are we thinking of GOD, others or our selves? what ever we need GOD will see to it that we have it. Extra credit: How might our demand for low-priced goods and services cause us to (1) oppress our own employees -it's just like the minnimum wage going up. the people on minn. wage get the raise no one else. yet the people that have to give rthat raise are not going to take it out of thier own pocket. so whatever they sell goes up. now the people that didn't get a raise have to dish out more money for thier needs. (2) cause workers in this country or abroad to be under paid or oppressed? -well as before in #1 the owners won't go with out or less. so they'll find a way to make it happen (ex) 1-lay off and have the others do more work at the same price 2-offer to keep them but at a lesser price. 3-keep the workers, but remove needed benifits such as insurance, or you get a cheaper plan etc. How does all this relate to the need for patience? -if we look out for each other and not just the price LARGEcompanies won't be able to put the small guy out of business. or be able to control us for thier personal gain.