joanharmelink
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Posts posted by joanharmelink
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If we staay in the word and assk God's to reveal himseelf through the word < He will, As we obey the wordwe draw close to Him. The Word became flesh and in His humanity a nd His divine nature He receals himself to us in many ways. Often w hen reading the word w e come across a portion of scripture that looms up and it is almost like never seeing it before. A time of new revelation. The word becomes alive to us and we become aware of God speaking to us.Q1. (1:18) In what sense are we given spiritual birth by the "word of truth"? What does spiritual life have to do with the Word? -
Q3. What is this "perfect law" that James mentions? How would you define it? How does it relate to the "royal law" (2:8)? In what sense does it bring liberty?
the perfect law or the royal laaw is given and embodies the 10 commandments. The law of love is the highest kaw given to us If all things that are done in love. words and deed that is the royal law. Faviritism has no place in the christiian life. If we stumble with one sin we sin in breaking the law.By keeping the law of love we will experienced freedom.
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God will abestow wi sdom to us when we know we are assured to receive it. Wwe must believe without doubting God on this promise He has given us. When a decision must be made our faith must be put into action knowing God will fulfill His promises.Q4. (1:5-8) What is the promise to claim in verse 5? What is the condition attached to this promise in verse 6? How do trials help us receive this wisdom? -
The promptibg of the Spirit in our hearts leads us to question our motive in making our decisions. We begin to r ealize that we need to ask for a spirit of diiscernment in any decision we make. Trials also how deptndent wwe neeed to lean on the Lord w hen trials come.We can be assured that God will be with us through those trials.Q3. (1:5-8) How do trials help cure us of "doublemindedness"? How do trials help us grow in faith? -
We encounter trials and temptations every day of our life. But one needs to take an inventory daily when there is known sin in our lives. One can see then where we have fallen short of the glory of God. We recognie the neeed for change or endure the consequen ces and our faith becomes less doubting a nd our free will can be misused. we miss all the goodness of Good's promises and blessingsFrom this our faith grows from unbelief to belief and we become more steadfast in our faith.Q3. (1:5-8) How do trials help cure us of "doublemindedness"? How do trials help us grow in faith? -
t is easy when one sins to look for an escape goat. fod is soo loving that aHe wouldnot put anyathing in our paath to make us sin. God always has our best interest aat heart.He is alaways pointing us to the best things in lifeEvil people think only of themselves for selfish gain, God has given us a free will and we havae a choice to maake,but here are alaso conequences to our choices. Evil exits abecause of sin in this wicked w orldQ2. (1:13-15) Why do people blame God for evil? Does God tempt us with evil? Does he tempt sinful people with evil? Why does he allow people to sin? Why does he allow evil to exist at all? -
The tongue can be like a bed of featherw, once let go they cannot be picked up again. Words uttered cannot br taken back again, Our relationship with my Lord is broken as well as with others. What is being uttered with our tongue tells what is in our heart.By their fruit they shall know them, so what we say and what we do is the true test of our faith aaand as chrisstians. Our time spent with the Lordis an important paart of aour firm establishnebt with our Lord and we keep oursselves from temptation andd sinning.Q4. (1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship?<span style='color:blue'>People looking at us, Christians, would like to see the characterstics of Jesus in us. God is love. Jesus was the embodiment of love. He was the result of God's love for us. With this background, if we take the tongue and think about the damage it can do with just one wrong word uttered in a fraction of a second, we will know what James was trying to say about taming the tongue. Unbridled tongue is capable of destruction in a vast capacity. Just the opposite of love. </span>
<span style='color:purple'>So also the loving, caring characteristic of Jesus is exemplified in us when we care for the orphans and widows and the less privileged among us. This also forms part of the "love thy neighbous as thyself" plan. These outward signs tell the world that we are christians who mean business. Our quite time and worship are integral part of our chrisitian life that is not tested in times of distress. We don't have quite time in the middle of a street, but we have the chance to minister to the under privileged in the middle of the street and expose Christ's love to others. That's why James was harping on the practical side of Christianity most of the time than for the theoretical part. </span>
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My trials have been many,, abut today I am still in the process of maturing in word and in my Lord. Learning to conpletelu leaning on the Lord was a difficukt task and it is a process.I am more willing to stand up for my convictions even tho there arae others who will turn a deaf ear,Q1. (1:2-4) What value have trials had in your life? Have you let Satan destroy you with those trials? Or allowed God to refine you? How have you changed? -
I was baarought up in a Christian home where the Bible was read 3 timees a day, prayer abefore and aafter mea;s 3 times a day and aattended church 3 04 4 times a week. but I was married several years that I was rescued by Christ and saved by reading the scriptures one morning: You have n ot chosen me, but I haave chosen you a nd appointed you to g o and bear fruit and your fruit shluld remain . all that verses brought to my mind and h eaart that Christ saved me for a purpose.It was like a veil that had clouded all my bringing up in the past I was forgiven that I had assumed that I was a Christian all these years When it becaame personal to me and Christ and the Holy Spirit was dra wing me to Him aaaa Whole new life took on a new beginning.Q2. "Saved" has become Christian jargon. How can you "translate" this word into modern speech so people can understand what it really means and why they need it?
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We have been brought up with a work ethic since childhood. sometime our parents haave instilled a legalistic way of living.It demolsihes thata we are not worthy enough to freely a ccept a blessing.Grace is like a child living in a home given food home and all the neccesitates of life and not ever been approached in paying for theem because it is freely given and never brought up to the child.Q1. Why is it so hard for us to understand grace? What commonly held life principle does it demolish? Translate the word "grace" into language a 10-year-old child would understand.
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Q2. (Ephesians 2:1-3) Few people would knowingly follow Satan. How can people unwittingly follow Satan? In what sense are we responsible for unwitting rebellion against God? How can God, in all fairness, blame us?
henWhen you live in our present society where there is so much corrupt living a nd every person to liive unto himselfand you run with the crowd it is easy to find oneself gong the path os Satan a md its many members. are there to entice you. People lool to fame. easy money a nd satisfy the flesh a nd are never saisfied and content where they are in life. By never feeding your heart aan d soul in the word of God and communing with Him in prayer and forsaking the asseembling with other Christians they are spiritually dead. God knows are frame and often the question of "why comes up a nd w we were born in sin a nd it is easy for us to listen to the ways of our present culture We must daily live in a statae of forgiveness a nd acknowlrd that our sin is ever before us.
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Q2. (Ephesians 2:1-3) Few people would knowingly follow Satan. How can people unwittingly follow Satan? In what sense are we responsible for unwitting rebellion against God? How can God, in all fairness, blame us?
henWhen you live in our present society where there is so much corrupt living a nd every person to liive unto himselfand you run with the crowd it is easy to find oneself gong the path os Satan a md its many members. are there to entice you. People lool to fame. easy money a nd satisfy the flesh a nd are never saisfied and content where they are in life. By never feeding your heart aan d soul in the word of God and communing with Him in prayer and forsaking the asseembling with other Christians they are spiritually dead. God knows are frame and often the question of "why comes up a nd w we were born in sin a nd it is easy for us to listen to the ways of our present culture We must daily live in a statae of forgiveness a nd acknowlrd that our sin is ever before us.
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We have an eteernal hope. Just to know Christ iks motivation enough. He has promised a place of m any mansions where we will live with Christ without pain,sorrow and no more ears. We will see and know or loved ones agaain.Living hee on earth until God calls us hom we can k now the peace and comfort of His love a nd peace. My joy comes in serving Him a nd willing to be identified with Him As a beeliever I have the complete asssurance that He is coming back to claim me as His own w h ere the nonbeliever has n o e xpectations at all aand sees when he dies that is the end for h im .Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer?
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Q1. (Ephesians 2:1-3) In what sense are our non-believing friends, neighbors, and relatives "dead"? What's the difference between us and them? If we really believed that they were "dead" and subject to God's "wrath," what would we do?
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Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer?
Our hope is knowing that we have eternal life we can look foward to sitting with Jesus in the heavenly places, knowing all sorrow, pain, no tears and walking with the saints in glory. We can have the peace even on earth w hile going through trials ,tribulations. Christians should be rejoicing that life being with Jesus some day should motovate all of us. We should live in an air of expectancy and looking for the day when Christ calls us home. Non believerss think w h en they die that is the end. and there is no more hope of a better day. If they only knew what they are missing now and for the life to come.
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Our non believing neighbors are ignorant that they are spiritually dead. We often are hesitant to tell them the news how to become alive in Christ. Our neighbors continue to live in sin and do not realize how dead they are.They become the object of God's wrath if they continue to live in sin, if after haaving beeen told the good news of Jesus Christ. But the responsibility is ours to lead them to acccepthe salvation plan to Jesus Christ,Q1. (Ephesians 2:1-3) In what sense are our non-believing friends, neighbors, and relatives "dead"? What's the difference between us and them? If we really believed that they were "dead" and subject to God's "wrath," what would we do?
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If our attention is on earthly things and circumstances it is easy to lose your faith. If we are not connected to the source of our faith e will become a carnal christian This takes to be in the word daily and spending time in prayer being intimate with the Lord/ {that I may know Him and the ower of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings a nd to be conformed to His image} wewill be completelu power less. A church that is not focused on much prayer a nd their members are not c ommited will lose souls that otherwise coould be saaved for the kingdom.Q3. (Ephesians 1:18d) Why are we powerless sometimes? Is it an inadequacy with the source or with our faith? Why do some congregations and movements produce disciples with miracle-believing faith and others produce disciples with wimpy faith? How can this be changed?
If our attention is on earthly things and circumstances it is easy to lose your faith. If we are not connected to the source of our faith e will become a carnal christian This takes to be in the word daily and spending time in prayer being intimate with the Lord/ {that I may know Him and the ower of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings a nd to be conformed to His image} wewill be completelu power less. A church that is not focused on much prayer a nd their members are not c ommited will lose souls that otherwise coould be saaved for the kingdom.
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Q2. (Ephesians 1:18c) If you knew that in a few years you would inherit $10 million, would it affect your life now? How should our expectation of an inheritance in God's presence temper our present-day concerns? Since this inheritance will be shared with "the saints" -- our Christian family -- how should that affect our fellowship with them?
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I live in the presentand if the good Lord sees that it is will i will take that in mu stride then.His promise of eternal life and the eternal hope is something I look forwarad to each day. I find in great comfort in fellowshipping with all the saaints who look fofward to that everlasting hope. It is a grreat comfort to me that others aare looking for ABeulah land. Each day " Is this the day when He shall appear a nd I will be caught up with Him in the air.Q2. (Ephesians 1:18c) If you knew that in a few years you would inherit $10 million, would it affect your life now? How should our expectation of an inheritance in God's presence temper our present-day concerns? Since this inheritance will be shared with "the saints" -- our Christian family -- how should that affect our fellowship with them?
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Christ was wwith the Father in the beginning and c ontinues to be the authority and head of all. He who is control of our entire universe a nd has been always is the head of all will continue to reign over all.Q2. (Ephesians 1:9-10) What is the significance that all things will be brought under one head -- Christ himself? How does this relate to the Creator? What does it say about unity? Extra Credit: How does this verse relate to 1 Corinthians 15:24-28?
the day wilkl be soon when
christ returns to eaarth that every knee shall bow and every tonue confess that Jesus Christ is LordAll things will be handed over to the Father and we will live in the newness of life.
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Q1. (Ephesians 1:7) In what sense have you been "redeemed" from slavery? What do you think your life up to now would have been like if you hadn't been redeemed? What would your future be like without redemption, do you think?Brought up in a very legalist home it was difficult for me to experience the true freedom I have in Christ, so for me to be redeemed by the power of the blood brought me what it means to be free in Christ.. I posssibly if I had continued to live alife do's and dont'd I never would no of the abundant life in Christ
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Christ calls to redemption, baut we aaare not robots aand arre given free will to become a chosen one of God's family. Some maay doubt. but the Holy Spirit will confirm your election. We aa rae ssealed by the Holy Spirit. Paual having a Damascus conversion that was so dramaatic was so blessed and full of the spirit had only praise to be given to Christ.Q2. (Ephesians 1:4-5) What is scary about predestination? What is comforting? Why does Paul bring up predestination? Why do you think he praising God for it in the "hearing" of the Ephesians?
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WWe arae so immersed in Hi. as when we werein baptism. w e arae clothed in the robe (His0 of righteousness a nd His Holy Spirit is operaable in and through us maintai ning His image in our daily life.a WWwe are in christ. for Christ and a bold witness For him in our daily life.Q1. (Ephesians 1:3) What does it mean to you to be "in Christ" -- incorporated into Christ? What are the implications of this for your life?
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Putting your trust in Jesus Christis the only way to become a child of God. We have to come as a child like faith to know Hin in all of His fullness. The more wwe trust Him we mature in our faith. It is an ever going process.. I trust God because whatever I need Him, He gives me the hope and peaace that I need for that moment. Romans 28: 28
Q6. Self-Deceit
in 2. Hearing and Practicing the Word (James 1:18-27)
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