MannyVelarde

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? Becoming a believer never assured us of an easy road. Many times we think that because we are walking with God that the rest of our lives on this earth would be easy. God can only be glorified and honored if others see His power in us. When we face strugges, our reaction to them is what the people will see and when they see peace in the times of adversity - - they know that God is the one doing that in us. Value to our struggles because when we show God's strength and honor Him even in the bad times - we know we are doing God's will that He mapped out in His word. He wants us to take our troubles to Him and leave them with Him to work out.

Hold fast and hold forth is to be firm and rely on what we know. To read, hear and heed His Word, in our minds and hearts. To live a life as compared to what we know God's will to be. To NOT be swayed by men's ways and know the truth and stand firm. And as we live it - to use that testimony to show others the truth and be the salt of the earth - - so others can experience His glory. Our purpose is to do just that -- to spread the Good News to all the ends of the earth

We know we're supposed to humble ourselves like Jesus did. But how can we know whether or not God will exalt us? we should humble ourselves because God commanded us to. Jesus is our Rabbi - we are supposed to walk as He did - - and we know that by obedience God will exalt us - - and even if he chose not to exalt us - that would and should be enough! Why do we get impatient with this? because we are a fast passed people - we even get upset when we go to MacDonald's - if we have to wait one minute more. we are result oriented - we suffer from lack of faith - and trusting God. What does our impatience sometimes lead to? sin - and then taking control - not being humble

Q3. (2:7-8) Was Jesus really a human being or only pretending to be one? What do these verses teach? What difference does it really make whether or not Jesus was human? If Jesus was pretending He would have been sinning, then He would not have been the perfect sacrifice, that is why He laid His Godstuff aside. He was like a man like a human but was without sin, perfect. Sent to die for us and be our example on how to live a full live - - - holy and set apart. Jesus had to become man because He was taking man's place on the cross. For our sins, we should have been crucified - - - in order to die for us and to be raised again - - - he had to become man - - He took our place.

Q2. (2:6) In your own words, what does it mean that Christ didn't cling to his equality with God? How specifically does this passage teach that Jesus is divine? This is the most beautiful passage in the Word. He chose to put His God stuff aside and to live on this earth as we live on this earth - - experiencing all things we will or would do. To me the temptation during the hurtful, horrible times must have been great, but He chose the suffering to provide the way for us. He humbled Himself - - so the Father and the Kingdom would be glorified and so we could have eternal life. The divinity is that He is God - God in man could be the only perfect sacrifice without blemish that could atone once for all. The passage states that He put His Godliness aside - - that makes Him divine.

Q1. (2:1-4). To achieve unity in your congregation, why is humility necessary? Can you give an example of how lack of humility caused a division in your church? What are you doing to bring unity in your church? Unfortunately, today church has become very business like and most of the time "man's agenda" comes in place of God's. Humility is necessary for unity - - because pride will not allow us to be open to God's direction. If we think it is about us, then what we do will be geared to promoting us instead of the Gospel. Our church had a pastor that had to step down due to sin in his life. The lack of humility not only on his part, but on the part of others who were trying to take over, caused a division and people began to take sides. to bring unity requires must prayer from the leadership of the church, and the congregation and beginning with me - - to pray and be the example of my Savior, Messiah - -

Q3. (1:20-21) How can fear keep us from being a bold witness? Why does fear of people bind our tongues? How does "losing our life" for Christ's sake actually give us an abundant life? What fear is keeping your from clear witness? We all want to be liked and accepted by people we love and even those we just meet. Today in this world faith in Jesus is not popular - - therefore, we will say God alot, but avoid the "Jesus" word. I think we are fearful of saying the wrong thing or juding people or condeming. The key to all those statements is the "i/we" problem. It is not about us, it is about allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us - - we just have to show up - - and the Spirit will do the rest. Losing our life means exactly the above, allow God's Spirit to take over - - being willing to die for the truth of God -- we are here to glorify His kingdom - - if we are obedient to that truth, then we will receive earthly blessings and the greatest blessings of eternal life with the Savior. Fear of rejection is the greatest - of fear of falling short - - not showing others how awesome and great God is.

Q2. (1:18b-19) Why is our ability to rejoice so dependent upon our faith that God is in control, working even in the midst of difficulty? What must you believe in order to be able to rejoice in the midst of problems? What is your basis for believing that? Knowing God is the way to know that He will take care of us. HE is in control in everything in our lives. He knows our beginnings and our end day, and everything that falls in-between those two days. We are not rejoicing in our circumstance, we are rejoicing in the fact that He is with us and guiding us and allowing these things to be in our lives, because He loves us and sees a need to grow us in a certain direction. If we don

Q4. (1:9-11) Why does Paul ask God to give the Philippian Christians discernment? What will be the result of discernment in their lives? How does selfishness cloud discernment? How is the good the enemy of the best in our lives? We must have discernment to know what is from God. We are told in scripture to no lean on our own understanding. The reason is that man has sinful thoughts and we are good at manipulating and molding God into our image for our purpose. To beable to discern, we must be able to know God. To study His word which will draw us closer to Him. When we are closer we can know Him better and be able to recognize Him in every aspect of our lives. His Word is a precious gift we have form GEnesis to REvelation to learn what God's character is and how we are to live on this earth. He has given us everything pertaining to life and Godliness - - all we have to do is study it. Selfishness - - means we are doing something for us - - and not for God - - our judgment will not be according to God but according to us!

Q3. (1:6) What does Paul expect God to do for the Philippian believers? Why does he expect God to do this? What is the basis of Paul's confidence? On what basis can we expect God to do this for us? Paul expects - no, Paul knows God and that we do nothing out of our own strength. No one comes to faith expect by God's calling. Paul knows God - - He knows HIm to be faithful and to do what He says - - God can do no less. That also answers the why - - God's promises are solid - He said we will not be forsaken, and that He won't leave us - - that is what we can expect of God and what Paul expected is that God will do all for us that is good for His kingdom - - because He is God and we are not!

As always when studying the Word, it is a growth opportunity, a way to increase faith and grow closer to God. James is a great book that keeps us inspired/motivated to continue to carry on for the Kingdom. To not grow weary of working God's plan and to love and grow, guard our faith and spread the Good News. I am stronger in faith because of the study and eager to serve our Master deeper in my walk.

Q4. (5:19-20) 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? The job of the church is to grow the body - to make it healthy. Today, we see larger churches affectionately called Mega churches, with tons of people and no depth. You get lost in the crowd and unfortuantely, lost in your walk with God. Accountability with other believers - preaching that sin is sin and requires confession and repentance and a life change is slowly slipping away from our church sermons - - and we are preaching the love message to attract the lost. That is great, but Satan will leave the lost alone and he is unmercifully attacking the believers. Because the lost he already has, if he makes a believer stumble and wander, then they will not be preaching the Good News. The Word tells us to rejoice when we return a brother back to faith! -- we must concern ourselves with the body - - keeping it healthy - - restoring those members that have wandered. The healthier the congregation the better the work of evangilizing will be.

Q3. (5:14-16) In the healing prayer, what is the role of oil? What is the role of the prayer of faith? What is the role of faith? What is the role of confession of sins? The oil is quite frequently representative of the Holy Spirit - being poured on the person who is sick. Priests and kings were annointed in the old testament and it all seems to represent the annointing of the Holy Spirit to equip/to fill people with God's presence to accomplish an end. Such as being healed. Faith and prayer - means to act upon our belief in the triune God. To speak to HIm, to align ourselves properly with Him - - Asking, many times is for our own benefit - to help us see our sin and stumbling blocks in our lives. Confession of sins, removes the blockers that prevent God from healing us.

The elder meaning here is the spiritual guardianship of the church. The qualifications of elders are spelled out in the older and newer testaments. In Exodus 18 - Moses was instructed by his father-in-law to assign 70 judges to oversee the people. Moses just couldn't handle that many people, but the qualifications for these men were as follows: 19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward *, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: 20 And thou shalt teach * them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: 22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. They were the overseers of the congregations. So they would have naturally been concerned for their flocks and the spiritual and physical wellbeing. There are more qualifications listed in the New Covenant, but the key is that they fear God, are men of truth, hating covetousness - etc. They must also have faith that will rely on the power of God in the name of Jesus, to perform any of the miracles. The qualifications were that they must love God with all their heart soul and mind and love their neighbor as themselves. Spiritually atuned to HaShem!

The text instructs the sick person to call on the elders - which suggests that faith is a part of the healing process. Annointing with oil was a medicinal practice back then, but the key is "in the name of the Lord." Jesus instructed the disciples to go out cast out demons, proclaim the Good news and heal the sick. The elders probably were empowered to do the same for the congregations. To me it all speaks of faith and obedience once again.

The obvious thing would be that we would become complacent - not caring - maybe even give up. If we aren't excited, then Satan will distract us and we will stop working for God's kingdom - telling others of truth - We must realize that it is not about us - but it is always about God, His plan, His timing and glory for His kingdom. Live each day as if He will return then!

Our very nature is evil - the tongue will reflect the unchanged heart's attitude. Accepting our Jesus as our LORD - is the start of taming the tongue. But evil will try to surface even after that - and we must choose to live according to God's word to change the man. As we study, pray and apply God's word - we will see God in every aspect of our lives - - and the tongue will reflect our heart that has become full of God's purpose in our lives.

Teachers are held to higher accountability. We must be willing and serious about living our faith - all the time. We will still error and make poor choices but our lives must reflect that heart's desire to reflect our Messiah. Teaching must be a passion - - it is as if God shows us truth - we want to share with our family. That is the call of the teacher. When Jesus gathered His disciples, He was their Rabbi - and in traditional Jewish thinking a Rabbi is teaching others to be like himself. That is what we do too, we have been annointed by God to teach others to be like us, because we are reflecting our Rabbi, Jesus -- We have entered into Covenant with Jesus - - we have exchanged His garments with ours and people should see Jesus in us first instead of ourselves. They key is having the right heart - - allowing the Holy Spirit to cause us to walk in God's ways - - if we are teaching because we want the glory - - then we are in danger. We must not be feeling driven, but we must be scriptural - - we must study God's Word witht he Spirit's lead. Once we learn something -- we are all responsible to share the truth with another - - so that means in a small way we are all teachers.

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)? The problem we always have with this works statement is that we think people were saved by the law - adherence to the law. It was never so - - it has always been by God's grace - - faith is what makes us righteous. The church for years has been so afraid of the Old Testament and the salvation by the law - - the people just weren't getting it. We call the BIBLE - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth - but we don't want to be obedient to it's contents. To live a life with God in the front part of our being is what we should desire. If we think about God in everything we do from the time we get up to the time we retire, then our relationship to HIM - will only improve. And how do we know His will for us - - we really can't - but we can know if our lives are inline with God's character and that is by obedience to His Word. The works are the outward sign that we are saved by grace by God's plan - the gracious gift of His Son laying down His life for His friends - - God's promise to us is a changed man - when we receive His gift of grace -- since something is changed - our faith must not remain the same dead faith we had - - the works are like the proof of our salvation. We don't perform the works to achieve salvation - - the works really are our way of mirroring our Messiah. God's new covenant - is to write the laws in our hearts and minds and give us the Spirit to cause us to walk in His ways - - 25 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances - - Ezekiel 36: 25-28

Faith - pistis in the greek - implies believing in something and performing something because of that faith. The Greek word pistis is a trusting action. English doesn

The royal law is from the King of Kings. It encompases the whole law to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. The basis must be love - - it has always been steeped in love. We must love our neighbors, not by our strength but by the power of God. Our goal should be to love - not because we get something in return - but because we want to honor God because we love Him. We should love all people the same. If we love only the rich, we are probably doing so because we thing our reward will be greater. Jesus never sees a difference between people - all created equally - loved by God equally - - our job is to mirror Jesus.

Usually favortism shows our selfishness. We seek them because we probably want something from them. That is not the motive God shows to us (thankfully). All are important to God - each of us serves the body in our own unique special way. Churches/synagogues tend to concentrate on the money people, but we need to give that much attention to all people. When we play favorites, we have already judged the one we are shunning - - saying they are not as important or worthy of OUR time. Jesus loved all - - especially the sinful - because He came to show them the light. We should be that light that shines in all the darkness of people's lives. Loving all because He first loved us. 3 This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. 4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," without keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: 6 the one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked. John 2:7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command, but an old command that you have had from the beginning. The old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and doesn't know where he's going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. If we love Him, we will walk in His Light!

Being doubleminded means we are manipulating God to our own understanding. When we get away from Bible study, prayer, personal time with God - - then the world crashes in and we begin to compromise. Staying in the Word - - is the way to know God -- the Torah is God's character -- hand written by God -- when we stay on that trac - - our mind will be the mind of Christ...

As usual the study was thought provoking and I learned tons of new information. God always shows different insights as we grow in faith. We learn from our forefathers and all of the lessons are invalueable - - Everything about the study was good and especially the forum - - altho' I was late most of the times Blessings to all and Shalom and simcha b'Yeshua Manny

Q3. (22:14) How have you learned to trust God to provide for you? How has he provided for you in the past? What are you facing right now that will require God to be your Provider, your Jehovah-Jireh? I know to trust God in all things - do I do it - no, unfortunately not. When things get hairy - we run to friends, pastors, counselors - before we consult God - - I strive by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to rely on God first - - My prayer each day is for the Holy Spirit to empower me to do it better for the new day, then I did yesterday. My uncle died today, unexpectently - and I know that God will provide the means with strength to see me through the sorrow - - I pray that I will rely on my Provider as He is there beside me!