Sgt_Z_Squad

2a.) We are exhorted in Deuteronomy 24:14-22. In part: "When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the aien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands." These were the ones with the least in those times and now. 2b.) The writer of Hebrews tells us: "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2)

1a.) There is a saying: "Talk is cheap!" Jesus tells us: You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." (Matthew 5:14,15) Be that light. That says it all for me. It is nice to read the exposition of this passage, brought a lot to light for me on what James is really pointing out here. Thanks Pastor Ralph.

1a.) I guess toward the self-righteous. Because I can be that way. 1b.) I am lucky, this new church has three goals to honor God, grow in the ways of His Son, and to bring others. Missions is stressed and they have collaborated with four other area churches to reach into the inner city.

4a.) James is telling us that our actions speak louder than our words. I am reminded that we as followers of Jesus Christ are under constant scrutiny by non-believers and our actions had best follow our words. Concern and love for others is God's example to us. "God loved us that he sent his one and only Son..." The Apostle John reminds us: "This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.." (1 John 5:2) If we love God, we will obey His commandments. 4a.) I guess I would have to answer this question with a question. How would our quality quiet time and/or worship be a witness to an unbeliever? This is in private. Quite frankly, you can do this as a pagan. You can have quiet time and worship with your god. "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17) Look to the eternal prize.

3a.) Loving God as perfectly as He loves us. I find it neat that when God and love are used together, it is agape love that is God. 3b.) Vine's Expository Dictionary defines it: "In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant "love" and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential "love" in them towards the Giver, and a practical "love" towards the Giver, and a practical "love" towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver. Page 382 3c.) John tells us; "God is love." Since we are His children through faith in Jesus Christ, should we not reflect the character of Our Father? Fits perfectly with the Jesus' teaching on this. No surprise. 3d.) You do not have to try to keep a running tally of what to do and not to do. If we are in the agape relationship with God, our love for others will give us freedom.

2a.) Paul writes: "A man is not a Jew if he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.." (Romans 2:28, 29) Paul touches on how we like to make our appearances righteous on the outside but on the inside we are still our frail, corrupt selves. We easily deceive ourselves of our own self-righteousness. Paul talks about his own trials in this area in Chapter 7 of Romans. 2b.) It lulls us into a false security. We weaken our defenses and that is when sin will strike. Keep the full armor of God on.

1a.) Paul writes: "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14) Paul also writes: "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Romans 5:5) 1a.) John writes: " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) John writes again: "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)

4a.) Good answers by all. One point stands out for me in this verse: "If any of you lacks wisdom.." We need to come before God with humility to recognize that we do not have the wisdom of God. We may have the wisdom of man, but that is folly. 4b.) Hebrews 11:1 comes to my mind with this verse: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Says it all for me. 4c.) Malachi 3:2,3 has been a verse which reminds me that "..For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderers soap..." Trials build us. Let me not forget .

3a.) We either turn to God or we do not. Many times out of desperation when everything you have tried fails. 3b.) Our family just attended a retreat with its theme - Fully Relying On God (F.R.O.G.). We must fully rely on God in all trials; but especially those beyond our control.

2a.) As some of you said, people do not know the true nature and character of God. Their belief is that if he is omniscient, omnipotent, God would not allow evil. If that was the case, then he would have a bunch of little robots following Him. God wants a passionate relationship with those who love Him because we choose to. 2b.) No. But as we addressed in the first question; we are subjected to trials to strengthen our faith and reliance in our "ABBA" Father. 2c.) No. "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exhanged the glory of immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." Romans 1:21-23 2d.) It is the consequence of giving us free-will. Choice. Choice to love and worship the Almighty God, or choice to worship our own little gods.

1a.) They continue to help me mature and grow. The past year and a half has been interesting and I am still being refined. 1b.) No! 1c.) Refined and still refining. 1d.) I am more sensitive to family member loss. More sensitive to my children's concerns. More sensitive to my colleague's fears and concerns. Relying more on God knowing that he is good and righteous. "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" Hebrews12:7

5a.) Just how faithful God is to us. How God uses us in ways to glorify Him if we step out in that faith as Abraham did. As I stated earlier in one of my posts, this study was a wonderful compliment for me as I am also participating in a study on the books of Romans. 5b.) Informative and edifying. Pastor Ralph; I have participated in a number of studies with you and they have been a wonderful tool in my faith walk even though I am still only four and a half years old in my life with Christ. Thanks again. Looking forward to your next one. 5c.) Nothing. I enjoy the forum discussion and meeting these brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a nice way to get a snapshot in everyone elses walk. Thanks everyone. Merry Christmas! I wish you Jesus!

4a.) I guess, I would not call this an achievement, but his complete trust and faith in not withholding his son Isaac. 4b.) He was no one special, but God used him in a special way. Seems to be the theme of the Bible. Little people are used in giant ways by our Father if we step out in obedience and faith.

3a.) I think the servant is deperately wishing to fulfill his master's assignment and the servant's prayer reflects on how difficult a task it as. Remember, he had given an oath to Abraham. His word was important. 3b.) He prayed and God answered with whom He had picked for Isaac. The servant was the willing instrument. 3c.) The prayer may appear hasty, but it is from the heart and spontaneous. The servant is expressing his concerns and laying them before God.

2a.) His faith is not in the things that can be eaten by moths or rust. So, four hundred shekels is nothing to the priceless promise of the Creator God who gave him his son through Sara. And maybe he felt that four hundred shekels was nothing to pay to honor his beloved wife with a proper resting place. 2b.) Do not put your faith in things that are temporal, fleeting, a breath. Turn your eyes upon Jesus!

1a.) Her obedience and her submission to her husband. 1b.) Her humanity. Which led to doubt and skepticism. 1c.) Her willingness to stay and follow her husband to a new and unknown land and to believe that his actions were the best. 1d.) The point that she tries to fulfill God's promise to her by her own actions. Her impatience when God did not fulfill His promise in her time.

4a.) "CCS" had a great response. I am in a study of the book of Romans, and I have to share that this study has been a nice compliment to this study, since Abraham's faith is used as an example for the believers. Abraham shows complete and total faith in the promise of God by being willing to sacrifice his most precious son in total obedience. Lord Jesus, also showed complete obedience to His Father even during His time of deep emotional sorrow in Gethsemane before His arrest. Yet, the Father was willing to sacrifice His most precious Son for us. "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Our God expresses his love for us, through the only way He can love: by "agape"- defined as "the deep constant 'love' and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects. Vine's Expository Dictionary

3a.) By faith, by prayer, by study of His Word. Sometimes I fall back into my old way and don't, but that is occurring less and less. 3b.) Through talents for my work, a wonderful wife, a wonderful son, a wonderful daughter, a roof over my head, food on my table, deliverance from sin, eternal life, the fear of death is no more. What more is there? 3c.) Our daughter is having coughing fits which we believe are allergies. In particular because of the heating systems in buildings. She is unable to attend her school right now. It is in the Lord's hands and her allergist appointment on December 8. Prayers for Melissa will be deeply coveted.

2a.) No. But the Apostle Paul writes the church in Rome: "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:20) 2b.) Yes. 2c.) N/A 2d.) "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13) 2e.) I have been redeemed. Through the trials, God has given me hope and strength so that I may be there for others. I have eternal life.

1a.) The Life Application Study Bible has a great section on Satan's Plan in the book of Genesis. The 5 D's: a.) Doubt - Makes you question God's Word and His goodness. b.) Discouragement - Makes you look at your problems rather than at God. c.) Diversion - Makes the wrong things seem attractive so that you will want them more than the right things. d.) Defeat - Makes you feel like a failure so that you don't even try. e.) Delay - Makes you put off doing something so that it never gets done. 1b.) The 5 E's: a.) Edify - To strengthen our faith in His Word and His Truth. b.) Encouragement - To step out of the box to bring Glory to God. c.) E - illuminate the good and to show the evil. c.) Elation - to know the joy of His power thrugh His Son. e.) Enthusiasm - to do the work of the Lord. 1c.) Yes. 1c.) I don't know, but I hope so...for His glory.

2a.) Her desire to insure that Isaac is the heir. It may also be concern for the safety of her son from Ismael who could easily harm him to insure his full inheritance. 2b.) No. 2c.) I can't say forced but my Proverbs 31 wife is a helper and wonderful counselor. She is not afraid to confront me when I am wrong, nor is she afraid to prayer for the Holy Spirit to work in my life.