emmaus

A slave is totally submissive and dedicated to something for life. A saint is dedicated, set apart to the service of God. They are the same thing because they are saying we belong to God.

Yes, if a person is to be a disciple of God he or she must be obedient. A true Christian will want to be pleasing to God and obey him. That doesn't mean we're going to be perfect, but with God's help we'll do our best. Salvation is a gift from God because he loves us, because we love God we want to do his work and obey his commands.

If we just listen to God's word and not do what it says we deceive ourselves. If we have a personal relationship with God we will listen to his word and do it. If we are trying to do things our way instead of God's way he will not know us, because we don't really know him.

A false prophet is someone who causes discord in a congregation, who doesn't teach the true gospel or doesn't live what they preach.

To enter into the narrow gate I need to search myself daily for sin in my life, ask God to forgive me of it and not repeat it. We have to be careful to live our lives in a way that's pleasing to God and an example to others. There is no Universalism, there's only the blood of Jesus.

The Golden Rule sums up how we should live our lives. Nothing comes before our devotion to God and then Leviticus 19:18 says, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."

This is telling us God wants a relationship with us where we are connected, one where we are talking and praying to him for our needs. We can count on God giving us what is best for us. We don't have to be afraid to pray that his will be done. There is no fear in love and God loves us.

The lesson would be to keep praying and not lose hope. Jesus is telling us the same thing again, to keep on asking, seeking and knocking.

Ask, seek and knock are all action words. They are distinguished by the different types of actions required. I think they work in unison, each is as important as the others. God wants us to never stop asking, seeking and knocking.

The pigs and dogs were both unclean. Holy food and pearls would have great value in common. They turned away from those who there was no hope for. They went to those who welcomed them and hungered for hope.

The impossibility of the situation is what is humorous. Jesus uses this comparision as an illustration. The speck would have been a small sin or fault and the beam a large sin. We are to examine ourselves and ask for God's forgiveness of our own sins before we judge others.

What we mete out will be delt back to us. The blessings we give to others, will be given back to us in the same measure by God. We should measure out kindness, encouragement and love. We're to build up the temple.

Yes, I've been guilty of criticizing other Christians. I think it's when I feel anxious or vulnerable that I see in others what I most dislike about myself. We have to examine ourselves before speaking. The thing to remember is that we're not to be so quick to criticize others. I need to have patience with others because God sure has patience with me.

Yes, I think there was humor intended here. The point would be if worrying can do any good let tomorrow do the worrying. Neither one accomplishes anything. The command is do not worry.

The command in this verse is to seek God first. We are to seek God in spirit and truth through the Holy Spirit. God will then provide us with food and clothes but we have to make an effort, (do our part) to obtain it. We are to trust in God, come to him before anything else and he will provide for us.

Jesus mentions the pagans as a comparison to those who God had revealed himself. These pagans had only this life to consider where as we have a future life to look forward to. I know God has a plan for my life, I can never thank him enough for what he has done for me. If I have my mind on God, worry can't over take me. The two on the Emmaus Road had lost their faith and hope, they had turned their backs on Jesus, I use that as a reminder to myself.

Jesus tells us enough times that we need to realize how very important it is. In Romans 14:23 is says,

The valid point that Jesus is making in these parables is that no matter how inconsequential something may be here on earth it is important to him. He cares and is watching over everything. We need to be faithful and keep our eyes on him.

I can honesty say that I don't think that I have sinned from the love of money. I never liked to be in debt, never liked to shop alot or go on fancy vacations. There was a time when I worried about money more than I should have. Now I realize that once I have done what I can the rest is in God's hands.

I think Jesus meant you can't seek wealth and God simultaneously literally. Yes, wealthy people can serve God. Abraham served God and God blessed him with wealth. It's where the heart is at. If the eyes seek money their not seeking God.

We store up treasures in heaven by what the lesson calls, "acts of love towards God". What a wonderful way of thinking about it. All we're really doing is what the bible has taught us to do, obeying. This is better than the treasures we have on earth because they can not be taken from us. Sometimes we want our reward now instead of waiting till we get to heaven for it.

I would think God is speaking specifically. It would be an old teaching going back to the Ten Commandments.

Jesus condemned the rich man for his greed. He valued his earthly treasures more than he loved God. He went beyond what is sensible in preparing for the future. The key verse is, 'This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.' It relates to the Sermon on the Mount by teaching us not to put idols, treasures, anything before God.

We should ask for forgiveness because we are human and we fall short of the glory of the Lord. If we are unwilling to forgive it separates us from God. If we are unwilling to forgive others, God will not forgive our sins.

Pride keeps us from asking anyone for help. We try to be independant of God because we want controll or maybe it's because our faith is weak. It's God who gives us the strength to earn a living.