Valiant Overcomer

Q4. Why is a person's attitude with regard to giving related to that person's attitude towards praise? G-d desires a cheerful, willing, giving heart.....not one who gives under compulsion. (ie. ok, I'll tithe my 10% because I have to). When we give out of a thankful, grateful heart, realizing all that we have comes from G-d's hand....we can give joyfully and freely....it is a part of our worship. I understand giving my tithe as giving to G-d the firstfruits of what He has already provided and it is an act of faith, that He will continue to provide what I need. I can then in faith thank G-d and praise Him that He is good, He is faithful to provide and care for me, and thank Him for all His blessings He has already given. And when giving flows out of a grateful heart, I find myself freely giving more and more (far beyond the Required 10%) into His Kingdom....blessing others....realizing that how truly more blessed it is to give than receive. Why does an attitude of possessiveness with regards to giving get in the way of worship. Possessiveness is clinging onto something - either out of greed, fear, selfishness.... somewhere we're not fully trusting G-d with everything. So, we might worship with our words, but our heart is not fully in it....we're holding back part of ourselves from Him. In what sense do all your possessions belong to God? There is not one thing that I possess that is not from G-d, whether it be my job, income, possessions, friends, family, health, my very life.....I should be always mindful of His constant blessings and filled with gratitude to G-d...not taking any credit or glory for myself, but giving Him thanks and praise. What then should be your relationship to your possessions? G-d gives and takes away.....I should be grateful for whatever he gives, but willing to let go, and allow whatever I have to flow out as a blessing to others in His Name. Realize, these possessions are NOT MINE....so L-rd, please have Your way....Your will with whatever You bestow upon me. How will these truths re-energize your giving? Your praise? \ Fully relinquishing all I have to G-d....willing to surrender all to Him. My praise then flows from a place of utter abandonment and surrender - freely and unhindered....worshiping in spirit AND in truth.

Q2. Why is anger an appropriate response to sin? What is the difference between capricious or uncontrolled anger and anger that brings about justice? Immediately the scripture James 1:19-20 comes to mind, "Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God. There is an "anger of man" that leads to sin, and then, there is God's righteous anger that stems from His Holiness. God's anger is always justified in that it brings about righteous judgement. Only God can fully see the truth about every situation. Only God can see the depths of our hearts. Only God can function as the righteous judge of all humanity. As far as man goes, we may find ourselves angry at all sorts of things or find ourselves easily angered, or in a place of uncontrollable rage. Our emotions are definitely God given. However, scripture states "Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." Ephesians 4:26-27. Our anger, if not handled rightly can give opportunity to the devil. In the midst of what can be a very powerful emotion, the temptation to sin can creep in. We must guard ourselves in these moments. We are made in God's image, and as new creatures in Christ, our natures conform more and more to His Holy nature, then we may experience more of that righteous anger that rises up at the evil and injustices in the world. We also should then be conforming to His Holiness by way of our response in that we learn to "be angry, but do not sin."

John 1:29 "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'" How do you know that John the Baptist's statement about the Lamb of God refers to sacrifice? This is such a good place to pause and ponder on this "Lamb of God"....not just any lamb, but the "Lamb of God"....and not just a lamb one personally brings for the daily sacrifices (Lev.14:12-21), not just a spotless lamb one would choose for the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:1-36)....no this Lamb was chosen of God....belongs to God, and was provided by God. This Lamb would not atone for merely one person or one household, or even for a nation or people, but for the sin of the world! A lamb taking away sin was a common every day life occurrence for those in the Jewish community and the foreigner who had joined himself with the nation of Israel. So the imagery of a sacrificial lamb surely would be present as this prophetic statement was uttered. Now, how fully the statement was comprehended by the hearers and the prophet at the time it was spoken, that's another question. How was the comprehensiveness of "sin of the world" so radical a concept? Notice "sin" in its singular form vs. sins - it seems to imply the totality of all the sin of the world being taken away by the Lamb of God. We know from hindsight that the blood of the Lamb entered the Most Holy Place once for all and obtained eternal redemption. (see Hebrews 9:11-15) "sin of the world"....this is an atoning sacrifice made available to all....both the Jews and those to be grafted in (see Romans 1:16; Romans 9-11)

Lift your eyes ~ "Those who look to the Lord are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:5 Hi! I'm Allie ~ a Valiant Overcomer from CO. I love studying the WORD and going deeper. I love the rich revelation of Yeshua (Hebrew for Jesus) found in God's appointed times: Yeshua our Passover Lamb; Yeshua our Yom Kippur atonement.....I cry out for fresh revelation and life transformation. I want to know my Savior, Yeshua, intimately, not just know about Him. I seek daily to cultivate that intimate relationship with Him, whereby prayer plays a key part in that. I want Him to invade every area of my life so that He is glorified in and through me. Oh, that the sweet aroma of His presence would flow forth from my being to those around me, that they would be drawn to His loveliness. Looking forward to this study on Great Prayers of the Bible~ may God raise us up as a mighty army of prayer warriors, praying His Kingdom and will on this earth. Shalom B'shem Yeshua (Peace in the name of Yeshua)

Lift your eyes ~ "Those who look to the Lord are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:5 Hi! I'm Allie ~ a Valiant Overcomer from CO. I love studying the WORD and going deeper. I love the rich revelation of Yeshua (Hebrew for Jesus) found in God's appointed times: Yeshua our Passover Lamb; Yeshua our Yom Kippur atonement.....I cry out for fresh revelation and life transformation. I want to know my Savior, Yeshua, intimately, not just know about Him. I seek daily to cultivate that intimate relationship with Him. I want Him to invade every area of my life so that He is glorified in and through me. Oh, that the sweet aroma of His presence would flow forth from my being to those around me, that they would be drawn to His loveliness. Looking forward to this study on "Behold, the Lamb of God" ~ may we truly behold Him in His fullness. Shalom B'shem Yeshua (Peace in the name of Yeshua)