Sgt_Z_Squad

3a.) Because it reminds us where and from whom all things flow. 3b.) "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

2a.) Paul tells us: "And we know in all things that God works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28-29) Our all knowing sovereign God knows what is good for us and everything we receive from him should be received in an attitude of thanksgiving. 2b.) Strengthens it.

1a.) Rejoicing in the Lord is an action of faith in appreciation for the gift of salvation. 1b.) By remembering "as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:5b) 1c.) "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!" (Revelation 19:7) You are giving God glory, exalting Him.

4a.) So that you do not lose sight of your goal. The Crown of Glory. 4b.) It keeps us focused in who we are and the price that was paid to redeem us. 4c.) We lose sight that we have been called to bring glory to God and exalt His Name. This does not mean we are not to be good citizens of our earthly nation. Paul instructs us to: "I urge, then first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

3a.) I think Pickledilly had a good part of the answer. Paul was completely sold out for Christ. He knew the freedom in Christ and wanted others to know it. Bumps, bruises and all...come just as you are. 3b.) It is an awesome goal to represent our Lord in this world. We are not always satisfied in our witness. 3c.) Learning by doing builds the best memory. Practical examples prove to be the best method. This is how Jesus discipled. 3d.) My children. The ol' apple does not fall far from the tree.

2a.) Freedom in Christ. 2b.) January 2000. 2c.) Lack of consistent prayer and devotional life. Hardening of heart to God's leading. 2d.) "If we confess our sins, he is fatihful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) 2e.) "Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." (1 John 2:6)

1a.) Preconceived notions or beliefs can harden or veil our hearts and eyes to God's gift. 1b.) The missed opportunities for the Lord's work. 1c.) Not now, but my sin nature living in me will provide something in the future.

4a.) To be in an intimate (spiritually) relationship with him. 4b.) Paul writes: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) 4c.) Both. 4d.) I don't think so. You can have intellectual assent but this is not saving faith. 4e.) The writer of Hebrews tells us: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) It is a matter of the heart as the Psalmist writes: "he knows the secrets of the heart?" (Psalm 44:21b) 4f.) I am a follower of Jesus Christ.

3a.) Righteousness from faith is a gift from God. So that we cannot boast. Righteousness from the Law is man centered and impossible to obtain. 3b.) I guess I would have to gauge this by how the leaders teach from the Word and live their lives. Not very much. 3c.) Is a view of goody two-shoes; do's and don't's. They do not know the freedom we have in Christ. 3d.) Because we are a vain, selfish nature. Full of pride and ego. Righteousness by faith is the antithesis of these character traits.

2a.) Because in his lostness, he worked diligently and had the credentials that all "in the flesh" would have envied. 2b.) His eyes have been opened and that "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." (Isaiah 64:6). 2c.) I think it can make our relationship more ritual and mechanical. Our spiritual pride can close our ears to the Holy Spirit. Jesus points to this when he chastises those by pointing out: "You diligently study the Scrip[tures because you think that by them you possess eternal life." (John 5:39)

1a.) I think anytime, we (I) start claiming credit for what God has done through us (me). 1b.) Yes, and will continue to.

4a.) Selfishness not selflessness. 4b.) Paul tesitfies that, "that he (Timothy) has proven himself." (v. 22) 4c.) In our human nature, we are more likely to criticize or nitpick instead of honor and compliment. In patricular, when someone's life illumintates our own shortcomings.

3a.) Being completely sold out to Jesus as Paul was. 3b.) You will do your best to please the Master. 3c.) They may feel that they are doing work to their glory not the Master.

2a.) I like Alisicia's answer. Amen! But I have had several people in my life and do. 2b.) My son, colleague and accountability partners. 2c.) Yes.

1a.) As Paul writes, Timothy had genuine interest in the welfare of the followers. Paul stated all of the others were looking out for themselves. 1b.) Spiritual pride. The Community Bible Study on the book of Romans has been a big help for me in checking this sin. 1c.) I continue to face the everyday life trials, my daughters illnesses and anxiety for almost six months, the death of my father-in-law this past week. The Lord has been our refuge and strength and I pray he will move mightily through my extended family.

4a.) Paul writes: "To keep me from becoming conceited because these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me." (2 Corinthians 12:7) 4b.) Paul further writes: "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10)

3a.) Jesus tells us: "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32) This is the Word of Life. 3c.) In our lives as we reflect the light of Christ working in our lives. 3c.) Paul also writes: "For since in the wisdom of God the world though its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." (1 Corinthians 1:21) The church proclaims Christ crucified and through Him the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of those who believe.

2a.) Jesus prayed: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." (John 17:20-21) 2b.) A great analogy of light and darkness was shared with our Bible study on Romans. Have you ever noticed what happens when you open a door to a dark room and the room you are in is bright with light? Does the darkness spill in the lighted room? No. The light spills into the darkness and what could not be seen can be seen. That is how we are to shine as stars. 2c.) Yes at times. 2d.) Clothe myself in Christ.

1a.) Paull writes: "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15) 1b.) No. 1c.) The quotation above states it. Jesus tells us: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

4a.) Paul writes: "If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:14-15) Paul describes our Day before the Lord and our work in Christ will be shown for what it is. All our hay, straw, gold and silver. 4b.) Because we are set on our time schedule and not the Lords. 4c.) Discouragement, anger at God not working fast enough to get our plan in action; giving up.Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering porduces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3)

3a.) Fully human and fully divine. 3b.) I think I answered it in question two. Jesus left His fellowship with the Father, to take on the imperfect body of man. 3c.) The writer of Hebrews reminds us: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin." (Hebrews 4:15) C.S. Lewis noted, "The higher one is on the order of being, the greater the temptation to disobey."

2a.) Jesus lowered him self to the state of humaness. The analogy of a human becoming a lady bug, I heard. Yet Jesus was fully human and fully divine. He can not go back to his previous state of being. Yet he is at the right hand of God as God man. 2b.) Jesus is in the very nature, God.

1a.) Paul's exhortation of doing nothing our of self ambition or vain conceit; reflects an attitude of self exalting and not God exalting. It is our purpose to be worshippers of the Almighty, not worshippers of our selves. 1b.) From the church we left, yes. A personal dislike of the pastor, the attitude of this is MY church and you are not changing it. A church that had a trustee fund of almost a million dollars yet could not meet its financial commitments. All of these ills reflected the lack of spiritual maturity, selfishness and confusion. 1c.) Service in various ministries to help others grow in spiritual maturity and prayer (prayer being first and most important). Our present church is a praying church and it reflects the humility of Christ. I have heard a quotation that prayer does not change the person you are praying about, but it changes the pray-er (me).

4a.) Our souls will be with Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Hallelujah! 4b.) Paul writes: "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with imortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where O death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:53-55) The fear of death is no more for me. I will receive a much greater prize. 4c.) I am drawn to an analogy, if you had someone dying of a terminal disease and you heard of a cure, would you wait to tel them? Of course not! We have the cure of the greatest fear of every none believer. Eternal life through Christ!

2a.) Randi quoted the verse in his reply: "And we know in all things that God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) I am also drawn to the story of Joseph, right after his father died and his brothers which had sold him into slavery had come to him reminding him of his promise to his father not to take revenge for their act of treachery. Joseph replies: "'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for the good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives'." (Genesis 50:19-20) 2b.) My Father is Heaven is in control. The writer of Hebrews states: "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" (Hebrews: 12:7) 2c.) "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)