Blessed Me

Q1. Why was God's willingness to forgive essential to Israel's survival in the wilderness? God promised land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,and to their descendants. God said to Moses, "He would send an Angel before them to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. But because His people were a stubborn, unruly people, He would not go before them, because He would be tempted to destroy them along the way.!" Because Moses, one person fully trusting in God, found favor, was a true friend to God, Moses spoke to God of his desire for God to go before him, to guide him, to show him where to travel, for a very important reason; so he will understand God, and walk acceptably before him. He told God, "without you I cannot do anything." The Lord's response was, "I will do as you ask, because you have found favor, you are my friend, I will make my goodness pass before you, I will announce to you the meaning of my name, Kindness, Mercy." When God makes a promise, He cannot go back on it. I too desire to be called a friend of God. I want to walk behind Him and by walking in His footsteps, I will find favor in His eyes.

Q4. In what sense was God the Husband of Israel? Hosea 2 descrbes the unfaithful Israel. "Bring charges against your mother, For she is not My wife, nor am I her Husband! (The Lord accused Israel of unfaithfulness to the covenant. - she is not My wife, an formal announcement of divorce or confession that the relationship between God and Israel had lost its vitality.Israel had a strong passion for Baal.) BUT there is hope for Israel, Mercy, V14 Behold, I will allure her, Will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt. And it shall be, in that day, that you will call Me "My Husband," and no longer call Me "My Master." V19 I will betroth you to Me forever, Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, lovingkindness, mercy, fatihfulness, and you shall know the Lord. (This is judgment to a nation, God will judge the nations. I pray America, who was established on God's priciples, will learn from those shadows of disobedience, of going after other gods, gods of pleasures, of SELF DESIRES. gods of other nations) What is the New Testament extension of this metaphor? The Bride, the church is the bride of Christ. Believers must never forget that we are branches of the wild olive tree, we were grafted onto the true olive tree because some Jews, not all, were disobedient.Romans 11:17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree. Just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, in order that because of the mercy shown to you, they also may now be shown mercy. What causes God to be jealous? Unfaithfulness to God. Ezekiel 39: 23 The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they were unfatihful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. (The bride, stay faithfull to the Redeemer, keep our lamps burning, keep looking for His appearance.)

Q1. What does the concept of "father" teach us about God, especially the formal way which the word is used in the Old Testament? "Father"was held in an exalted position, he is known as the patriarch of the family, his rule is final. His word is to be respected, he is held in high esteem, he is treated with royalty and honor. According to the quote from Otfried Hofius above, which two aspects of a father underlie our understanding of Father in the Old Testament? He is the head of the family, with all respect due Him. He has absolute authority, for in His love for the family, he guards and supports the family. He created man to fellowship with Him. He created the family to have fellowship with Him and with one another. How should they affect our behavior? The Father longs for us to love and honor Him, to give Him reverence and homage, for God alone is worthy of our highest honor. 1 Chr. 16:27 -- We are to honor the Son of God also. We cannot honor the Father unless we honor the Son. John 5:23

Q2. (Psalm 23) Can you remember any times when God has cared for you as a Shepherd -- in times of blessing and in times of trouble? What are you facing right now where you realize your need to rely on God as your Shepherd? I was ready to answer the question , but after reading what the others had to say, I was touched with their answers. hermitix, left a good paying job, why? because the cost (integrity) was too high a price to pay. God tells us,"My sheep hear my voice." What a great testimony. The scriptures he? left us with touched my heart with the importance of this covenant we have with the Shepherd. It is a two way agreement. There is a walk we must walk, and a talk we must talk. Thank you. Lisa, as I read her testimony it also touched my heart and I had to stop and lift her needs up to the Shepherd. He will supply her needs. Helenmm, as I read this testimony, the importance of resting in the Shepherd. The work of Salvation was completed , it is finished, Christ is seated at the right hand of God. The importance of walking in faith. It is because of the rest that we can walk in faith. Pickledilly, what a picture I see of the Shepherd at work in your life as I read your testimony. I also had to stop and pray to the Shepherd for your needs. God teaches us to care about the brethren, to lift them up. Well, I must say, you all have lifted me up this day.

Q1. (Genesis 22:1-14) Do you think Abraham was really expecting God to provide a sacrifice, or that was just what he told Isaac? ----- No, I do not believe Abraham was expecting God to provide a sacrifice. What support do you have for your position? God, (el o heem) spoke an order to Abraham. (to test him, a time for Abraham to show his true character.) Gen 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. Gen 22:3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ***, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. I must think back to a time of great joy for Abraham when Ismael was born, whom he loved, he also had another son with his wife Sarah, named Isaac, of whom he loved. When Ishmael was mocking the joy of Sarah found in Isaac, Sarah said to Abraham, "cast out Hagar and Ismael." Abraham loved Ishmael and did not want to do so, but here again by faith in God, he was willing to obey God as seen in V12 God said to Abraham, "Do not let it be displeasing in you sight because of the lad or Hagar. Listen to Sarah , in Isaac his seed would be called." Now Abraham is told to sacrifice his other son. The word does not tell us what his thoughts were, it only shows us his faith in God. When Abraham said to the men with him, "we will be back." I see "FAITH" speaking, God would bring Isaac back to life. Abraham believed God when He said, in Isaac his seed would be called. Did you ever receive a last-minute provision from God? Many, many, times. Such a joy to serve this awesome God. In what circumstances can we expect God to supply our needs? Phi 4:18 You have paid me in full, and I have more than enough. Now that Epaphroditus has brought me your gifts, you have filled my needs. Your gifts are a soothing aroma, a sacrifice that God accepts and with which he is pleased. Phi 4:19 My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus. (MY NEEDS, there have been times I was looking for my WANTS.) Any conditions? YES. what pleases God, what is a soothing aroma? Eph 5:2 Live in love as Christ also loved us. He gave his life for us as an offering and sacrifice, a soothing aroma to God. Eph 5:3 Don't let sexual sin, perversion of any kind, or greed even be mentioned among you. This is not appropriate behavior for God's holy people. Eph 5:4 It's not right that dirty stories, foolish talk, or obscene jokes should be mentioned among you either. Instead, give thanks to God. All thanks and praises to you my wonderful God.

Q4. (Psalm 121). What does it mean that God is our Keeper. The Hebrew word for Keeper is "shamar" meaning guardianship. There is a song in the pilgrims hearts as they journey up to Zion. It is one of intense assurance that their Keeper is Jehovah the Creator. His promise is to protect them. Their God never slumbers or sleeps, not like the god of Baal, who has to be awakened. 1King 18:27. In what ways does he "keep" or "guard" us? 1Co 1:8 He will keep you strong until the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Co 1:9 Faithful is the God by whom you were called into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. This is why we are going to make it, because God is Faithful. As the psalmist says, (Psalm 73:23) we are held by His right hand. As this pilgrim walks this walk of faith, I too sing a song of assurance in my God, the God of Zion.

Thank you Lisa Rupert for bringing to our attention Amos 9:7. It is such an important word for our day; so lets see what the rest of the story says. Amos 9:6 He built his palace in the heavens and let its foundations rest on the earth. He scoops up the ocean and empties it on the earth. His name is the LORD. V7. Israel, I am the LORD God, and the Ethiopians are no less important to me than you are. I brought you out of Egypt, but I also brought the Philistines from Crete and the Arameans from Kir. (God will not judge Israel any differently than He judges foreign nations. He is the God of the universe.) V8. I, the Sovereign LORD, am watching this sinful nation of Israel, and I will uproot it and scatter its people across the earth. Yet God promised that He wlll never completely destroy the family of Israel, says the LORD. (God's punishment would not be permanent, like a loving Father, God disciplines those he loves in order to correct them. God loves Israel, He loves us, His bond-servants too, and disciplines us.) -----The Assyrian's would destroy israel but some would be preserved. This was predicted hundreds of years earlier. Deu. 28:63-68 (As we studied on the word JUSTICE, ours is not perfect, but God's is. ) The best is yet to come as God finishes what He was telling Israel. Amos. 9:11 In that day I will raise up the booth of David that has fallen, and I will wall up its breaks. And I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as the days of old; so that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the nations whom My name is called, declares Jehovah who is doing this. Behold, the days are coming, declares Jehovah, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who draws along seed. And the mountains shall drop new must, and all the hills will be dissolved. And I will bring back the captivity of My people Israel. And they shall build the waste cities, and live in them. And they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine of them. They shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. V 15 And I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be pulled up out of their land which I have given to them, says Jehovah your God. (the "Rock" of Israel)

Q3. In what ways is God a Rock in the above verses. What functions does a rock perform in Palestine? The "Rock" of Palestine is the I Am. Palestine is the land promised to Abraham and his descendants by the "Rock". Through the years. because of their disobedience to their "Refuge", the land was taken from them. The "Rock" of Palestine was still there, but they broke the covenant they made with Him. There were blessings and curses as part of the covenant. Also at work is the seed of the serpent , who wants to crush the head of the seed of the women. Anti-Semitism set in against the (Rock's) people, the jews. In 1948 Israel was reborn, and the Seed of Abraham, returned to the Promised Land and became a nation. God is the Rock of Palestine. Pray for the apple of God's eye Israel, pray for the peace of Jerusalem. I also made a covenant with God, through His Son, the Rock of my Salvation, to be His bride. Obedience, love, is what I desire to fill my heart with for Him. I want to learn from those shadows of not following in the footsteps of God.

Q2. (Psalm 3:3) In what ways is God a shield? In what ways is he our glory? Psa 3:3 But you, O LORD, are a shield that surrounds me. You are my glory. You hold my head high. God's shield for us is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. The resurrection showed He was the glorious Son of God. Luke 9:29 While Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, both Moses and Elijah were talking with him. They appeared in heavenly glory. A voice came out of the cloud and said, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!" John 2:11 Cana in Galilee was the place where Jesus began to perform miracles. He made his glory public there, and his disciples believed in him. John 17:3 This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. John 17:20 "I'm not praying only for them, (the desciples) I'm also praying for those who will believe in me through their message. I pray that all of these people continue to have unity in the way that you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they may be united with us so that the world will believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me. I did this so that they are united in the same way we are. I am in them, and you are in me. So they are completely united. In this way the world knows that you have sent me and that you have loved them in the same way you have loved me. How awesome is this prayer! Jesus prayed for us to be transformed into the glorious image of God. For protection He left us with the whole armor of God for us to put on, and He tells us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. How? Put on the whole armor, (not just the helmet of salvation), for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Stand, girded your waist with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Take the sword, God's word and with it pray always for all the saints. We need to put the shield on, and to walk in His glory.

Q1. (Psalm 91) What is the protected one required to do in times of danger (verses 1-2, 9). Psa 91:9 For thou, O Jehovah, art my refuge! Thou hast made the Most High thy dwelling place. We are to dwell (sit down, remain, rest) in the Most High for He is our refuge. How can I do this? Through the Son of God, "Jesus." God's Spirit dwells in those who have found refuge in the Most High. Heb 6:17 Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; Heb 6:18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us: Heb 6:19 which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and stedfast and entering into that which is within the veil; (refers to the Most Holy Place, the place where God dwells.) Heb 6:20 whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

I say, "Yes" and "Amen"

Q4. What is the significance of the confession "Jesus is Lord"? Why is this necessary for salvation, according to Romans 10:9? The significance of confessing is not being ashamed of the One who saved us. If we do not confess before man the name "Jesus" He wil not confess our name before the "Father." What am I confessing? That Jesus is the very nature of God, He is God. Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. He humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on the cross. Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. I want to shout it to the world, let my confession be heard that Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth, To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Thank you Jesus, Love, Darlene

Q3. What are the implications for governments that Yahweh is the King of kings and Lord of lords? February 16, 1809 John Adams wrote: The Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation...(God) ordered the jews to preserve and propagate to all mankind the doctrine of a suprme, intelligent, wise, almighty sovereign of the universe...(which is) to be the great essential principle of morality, and consequently all civilization. On July 4, 1821, John Quincy Adams stated: From the day of the Declaration ... they (the American people) were bound by the laws of God, which they all, and by the laws of the Gospel, which they nearly all, acknowledge as the rules of their conduct." What are the implications of removing God" from a nation's currency and pledges, and ardently secularizing national life? George Washington, 1789, Inaugural Address -- "The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained." Abraham Lincoln, 1863 Proclamation of National Fast "It behooves us then to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness." Where does that put a nation with regard to God the King? Archibald Alexander Hodge (1823-1886) was a prominent author and theologian at Princeton College, he explained to America: The kingdom of God includes all sides of human life, and it is a kingdom of absolute righteousness. You are either a loyal subject or a traitor. When the king comes, how will he find you doing? I charge you, citizens of the united States, afloat on your wide sea of politics, THERE IS ANOTHER KING, ONE JESUS: THE SAFETY OF THE STATE CAN BE SECURED ONLY IN THE WAY OF HUMBLE AND WHOLE -SOULED LOYALTY TO HIS PERSON AND OF OBEDIENCE TO HIS LAW. ----- Are we making our voice heard in this world of liberalism? --- I must leave with this thought. God will bless those who blesses the Nation of Israel, and He will curse those who curses the nation of Israel. God promised Abraham that "in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" Through the birth of Christ - direct descendant of Abraham through Isaac, Jacob, and Judah -- God fulfilled this promise as well. In this way Abraman's seed has indeed blessed all the nations of the earth. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Q2. What are the personal implications of Yahweh being your King and of Jesus being the Messiah sent from God? In claiming Yahweh as my King, I have come to the understanding of who He is! He is who He says He is, all-powerful, and sovereign God; He is behind everything and everything must be traced back to Him. He is the God of Israel. The Messiah sent from God, I must understand is the anointed one of God, enpowered by God's spirit to establish His kingdom, a spiritual kingdom. He is God. Jesus is our Messiah (John 4:25-26) Our claiming the Messiah as our King, our redeemer, opened the doorway into the King of Kings, Israel's King Yahweh. What are the advantages of being the subject of Yahweh as King? We now are the children, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we indeed suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together (Rom. 8:16) We are sealed with the seal of the Holy Spirit, who guarantees our inheritance, those who are redeemed by the blood. If we are Christ's, the Messiah, than we are of the seed of Abraham's and heirs according to the promise (Gal 3:26) Yahweh's King is our King. What does it mean for you to submit to the King on an everyday basis? To love the Lord God with all my heart, soul, and mind. To love my neighbor as myself. Not to cheat, rob, deceive, think evil of. How does a person reject Yahweh from being King over him or her? By rejecting the anointed one, the Messiah, Jesus. By putting oneself first, leaving behind the garments of God's rightouesness, not walking in the light of the Word of God.

Q1. Read 1 Samuel 8:15 and Malachi 3:8-10. How did tithing relate to a person's acceptance of God being their King in the Old Testament? Israel wanted a king to rule, they were warned a king would demand the best of their products, take a tenth. Israel chose the path they would go and were given a king - The God of Israel set up a tithe to meet the needs of the Levites, the stranger, the fatherless and widows. It was to be given in gratitude to the God of Israel, acknowledging God is the one Israel puts its trust in. The tithes were required by the law. There were three; two that were annual and one that came every three years. In Malachi, the people had cold hearts. Israel returned to Jerusalem after their captivity in Babylon, At first they had zeal to rebuild the temple, but this zeal began to wane, they brought defective animals as sacrifices and withheld their tithes and offerings, even the priests were not upholding the law. God would rather have them (us) not give anything, if it wasn't their best, coming from their love for Him. How about for those of us who live under the New Covenant? What place does tithing have for us? I do not see in the New Testament a command for the Christian to tithe, what I do see is, the Holy Spirit who lives in us, touches our being with the importance of offering up to God our best, in tithes and offerings. Not out of a duty, but out of pleasure to the Almighty. He says, "if you love me, keep my commandments." Give our best, not just in money to support the Word, but in our time also. By doing this from our hearts, it is not a burden, it is a pleasure!

Q4. Define "justice," "vengeance," and "mercy." justice -- Giving a person what they deserve, no more no less. vengeance -- results of an unrepentant heart, giving an equitable sentence, justice. mercy -- is foregiveness, not receiving the punishment deserved. Can a Holy and Righteous God justly forgive sins without punishing them? Yes, the punishment, the debt, it was paid on the cross. Jesus offered mercy when He gave His life and paid the debt we could not pay. What is the significance of the cross in God's righteousness? It is through the mercy offered up on the cross by Christ and our covenant with Him, our trust in Him as savior, that wipes our slate clean. Thanks given to Jesus, for now we can come to the Father clothed in the righteousness of the Son.

Q3. (Psalm 68:5) Since our God is the Helper of the Fatherless and the Protector of Widows -- that is, the poorest and weakest of society -- what does this say about a Christian's commitment to social justice in our communities? So often we think of the word "helper" to mean "hand out." We must have a heart that cares about people, especially the brethren. America has many programs, paid by our taxes to help the poor and the Fatherless. Many churches have great programs that offer a helping hand. I think it is important the Holy Spirit lead the way, for there are so many programs out there that need our support; but don't let the days heavy schedule of living be so full of oneself, that we don't see the needs of the person next to us. How should it affect our actions? LOVE, always be on the look out for that person that needs to have a touch of love felt that day, God's love, to be shown through us. PS: Matthew 25 Speaking to the nations, I was hungry and you gave me meat: I was thirsty and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came unto me. Verily, inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. Are we caring for the people of Israel, the Jews? Are we praying for the peace of Jeresalem?

Q2. If we believe that truth and morality are all relative to one's culture, how can we know and understand the Righteous and Upright God? We must remember who the ruler of this world is, Satan. We live in this world, but we are not to be of this world. Let the mercy of God's holiness be seen to those around us. Put on the mind of Christ by feeding at His banqueting table daily - with Him. Stay in love with Him, take the warning that was given to the church in Ephesus. They could not endure evil men, they had persevance and endured, they did not fall in with the crowd, but - they left their first love. God said "Repent, or He will take their lampstand out of its place." Without this light, things will be less clear, the culture surrounding us may become foggy. The things we hated (the deeds of the Nicolaitians) will no longer seem so bad. The lampstand, Father God, the Son, the Holy Spirit , they are our life line to living in this world, it lights our way. Extra credit for present-day evangelists: How can we declare God and his Son Jesus Christ in a relativistic world? What is an effective approach? (There is no simple answer here. What is an effective communication strategy in your community?) Boldness is the word that comes to my mind. The world is bold in the things they stand for, it is time we become bold for the God we serve.

Q1. (Isaiah 6:1-8) How does a realization of God's holiness affect Isaiah? God is holiness, He is high and lifted up above all kings, where are the words to describe such splendor, to be in the presense of such holiness? The posts of the door were shaken by the response to God's holiness, it could only affect Isaiah with the truth of who he is, a man with unclean lips, dwelling among people of unclean lips, Woe is he. Why is Isaiah afraid? Isaiah knows he can't stand before the Holy God of Israel with unclean lips. How scary it must be to see us as we are, without the righteousness of Jesus blood covering us. How does God make Isaiah holy? There was no pride seen in Isaiah as he stood ready for his judgment, a live coal was taken from the altar, not any altar, but from the altar in heaven, burning hot and ready to purge Isaiah's unclean lips with the mercy of this holy God. How does Isaiah respond to God? What a feeling of joy unspeakable and full of glory he must have felt as God's forgiveness came over him. This God in all His glory, in all His holiness, cared so much for him while in his sin, to touch Isaiah with His Mercy. The touch of God's mercy, His holiness, Isaiah said send me!, I want the people to feel your love as I have felt it.