LauraArk

I might be jumping ahead, but I just want to add that... Jesus says "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. (Matthew 11:28-29) He says "Come to me!" We can come boldly to the throne of grace! He is not unapproachable, but is One who understands. Grace does not ignore God's justice; it operates in fulfillment of God's justice, in light of the cross. He wants us to come to Him in our time of need to find grace when we need help. ....through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6) Hebrews 4:15, 16 (NKJV) 15For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. We should always respect God's holiness, knowing that we are but dust. So there is a fine line that always needs to include humility. This boldness is one of expressing the potential, that maybe we might do something, that maybe He will allow something when asked. We should strive for that intimacy.

Q1. Read Exodus 32:1-14. What had the people done that was so bad? They were worshipping another "god" - the golden calf that they had made. They took off their gold earrings and then Aaron made a golden calf. They're worshipping something made with human hands. And Aaron's defense to Moses was as bad - "24 "I said to them, `Whoever has any gold, let them tear it off.' So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf." God had delivered the people from slavery, protected them from the plagues, parted the Red Sea, led them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night, sent manna from heaven and meat in the form of quails covering the camp and bread on the ground when they were hungry, provided water when they were thirsty, etc. How quickly they forgot, and still wanted something visible. Jesus says in John 20, "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." But, how quickly we also forget, when God answers our prayers, or we don't take notice. And, today, people worship things like the television set, shopping mall, golf game, etc. Ex 34:14--for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God-- De 4:39 "Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other. How can a loving God be angry? Righteous anger. God is holy. God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5) Deuteronomy 23:14 says "He must not see anything indecent among you or He will turn away from you." Is God's sentence to destroy Israel and raise up a new nation through Moses justified? Yes. God is just... Deuteronomy 32:4 "The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.

Hello, I'm Laura from Arkansas. I am married with 2 terrific kids ages 8 and 12. I can relate to Katzen and D.W.'s posts. I always considered myself a Christian, but never was encouraged in my spiritual Walk, never got into the meat of the Bible, did not attend church regularly, and didn't display the fruits of a Christian. But a little over a year ago, I got my wake up call. And I've been trying to play catch-up. I love studying the Word, but I've got a long ways to go. I did Dr. Wilson's study on 1 Peter last spring. I'm hoping to continue to grow with this study on prayer, and look forward to meeting some of you. My prayer life is lacking or inadequate, and I'm uncomfortable praying in groups of people (-if anyone has suggestions there, I'd appreciate it!). This Bible study came at a perfect time for me, as I will be called on to pray in a wonderful new job I just started. Even if I don't participate in the forums, I'll be reading the lessons and following along. May God bless you all!