Helen Spaulding
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Posts posted by Helen Spaulding
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Q3. (Jude 21a) What does it mean to "keep yourself in God's love"? What are you doing to strengthen your love relationship with God? What more could you do that might help?
Spend time with God, praising Him for Who He is as well as for what He has done--and is doing--in my life! When we spend time in Bible reading and study as well as in prayer, we are nurturing this love relationship with God.
We need this time face to face with Him to truly understand His great love for us, and when we see that--intimately--we cannot do other than love Him!
To strengthen my love relationship with God, I'm doing those things, but I need more time apart in larger stretches of time. Taking part in retreats of a day or longer gives us time to really put the cares of the day aside and allows us to draw closer to Him. I have not gone on such a retreat for some time, and I feel the need to do so! In the stress of writing on top of this time of sharing my home with friends from Russia added to our being in the process of selling our farm and moving to a distant place, this seems impossible, and I am feeling the results of this failure.
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Q2. (Jude 20a) Why does God make you responsible to "build up" your own Christian faith? What are you doing on a regular basis to obey this command? What should you begin to do that will help you be built up better?
If we do not exercise our faith, we cannot grow in knowledge and love of Him!
I spend time in Bible reading as well as devotionals and praying daily at the beginning of each day as well as listening to the pastor on Sundays/
I need to spend more time, listening to Him as well as praising Him!
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Q1. (Jude 1) Which of these three privileges catches your attention more than the others? Why is it so special to you? How does it encourage your faith?
Kept by Jesus! They all are precious, but without being kept by Jesus, I could not hope to be able to face Him in judgement, for I am very prone to wander off my way without Him!
Knowing He will not let me wander off gives me comfort and peace!
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Q5. (2 Peter 3:11-12, 14-16) What effect should a belief in Christ's return and coming judgment have on your life? What effect does an underemphasis on Christ's return have on a Christian's life?
We should live in the knowledge that Christ will be coming again, living so as to please Him. We will stand before Him to be judged. The non-believer who does not follow Christ and obey Him will be sent where he/she chose to go by nonbelief--hell. The believer in Christ who follows Him will be judged as to the life he/she has lived--will there be any stars in their crown, as the old hymn puts it. Also, we need to have a passion for others, not wanting anyone to fall into hell!
When we do not believe we will have to face Jesus and be judged soon, then we feel we have plenty of time to change before He comes. But noone knows the day or hour of His return! We must live each day as though it is our last--making good use of the time He has given us to call others to consider Him and His call on their lives before it is too late.
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Q3. (2 Peter 3:9) According to Peter, why has Christ's coming been delayed? What does this teach us about God?
Christ's coming has not been delayed--according to God's time! His is such a different perspective than ours! We just don't comprehend that He is looking from the completed end. He knows some of us need more time to realize we must repent and come to Him for forgiveness. He loves all and wants to forgive us--but He cannot, in justice, do that as long as we refuse to come and repent of our sins! If we choose to sin and not obey Him, we are choosing to go to hell! He is not the cause for those in hell, and He tries to bring us to repentance so we don't have to suffer that! He is willing to wait for those who refuse to repent, hoping that He will be able to bring about circumstances in their lives that will lead them to acknowledge Him and repent!
It teaches us of His patience and His deep love for us!
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Q2. (2 Peter 3:7-13). Why is it important for us to understand what it means to "perish"? Why are these truths underemphasized in our day? What effect does that have on us? How can we get an understanding of judgment into proper balance in our churches and teaching?
If we do not understand the horror of "perish" in it's fullest meaning, we will not understand what we are so easily joking about. "The devil made me do it!" for instance. The devil is real, and he is roaming about like a raging lion, trying in these his last days to snatch every one he can from the Lord! If we do not understand what our so-called "little mistakes" are leading us to, we will continue to downgrade the seriousness of our sinning!
Why are these truths underemphasized today? I don't know about all around the world, but in USA, children are being taught that there is no absolute right and wrong--that whatever you believe, it's okay. God loves us, no matter how we treat Him! Balony!! Of course He loves us, but if we turn our backs on Him, we will find ourselves on the road to hell. He doesn't "send" us there--we choose to separate ourselves from Him, and in sorrow, He allows us to have our way!
The effect on us is to become haphazard about how we consider and worship the Lord. We keep ourselves on the throne at the center of our being, consigning Him to the periphery of our lives--if we remember Him at all. Why worry about something that is "merely a figment of some radical person's belief? We can believe differently!"
WRONG!! We need to first be aware of the change in emphasis in our churches--all denominations to some extent--that is leading us away from the plain teaching of the Lord and the God-annointed Word in the Bible. Then, we need to be willing to stand up in our churches and demand that we get back to those truths and make it certain that people know they are not optional!
Above all, we need to be praying for a new revival from God, bringing us back to Him in truth and in action!
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Q1. (2 Peter 3:1-2) Why are reminders so important for Christians? How do you remind yourself of God's promises? How do you remind others?
Hmmm. Being a "senior citizen", I have many "senior moments" when I cannot remember even familiar things! Unfortunately. But, I am so joyous when the Lord brings things to my remembrance.
His "remembrances" are so important to my life that I spend time reading His Word daily, pray, join with others in church weekly, and study Christian discipleship books. With praise and thanksgiving, I show Him my happiness in learning more deeply how He loves me and all His children!
I find it more difficult to speak to others of His promises now that we are no longer in mission in other countries. Over there, the people usually are more open to hearing about God and His Word. Unfortunately, in the USA today, people take it for granted that we are all "His", and presume that there is no need to spend time learning what He requires. I pray for guidance of when and to whom I should speak about Jesus, then expect Him to nudge me, and provide the words needed.
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Q4. (2 Peter 2:20-22) If open sin is so spiritually dangerous, why have we churches stopped talking about it so much?
This is just another sign of the disturbing loss of Christian vitality in our churches today. Many pastors are more interested in "making a name" for themselves, getting bigger churches--and more money-- and do not want to anger anyone in their congregations by pointing out sins that are being done. They feed them "feel good" sop and try to be a "hail fellow well met" rather than call us to account.
The heirarchy of many denominations spend more for political stuff than they do for missions --at home or abroad. Few churches are bringing in those outside the church, bringing them to the Lord in repentance and commitment to Him. They "preach to the choir", avoiding altar calls or pastoral calls--both to the physically sick as well the spiritually sick.
Frankly, I can no longer stay in the denomination that I grew up in. At present, we go to two churches, our original one and another where the Bible is preached. As we are planning to move away from this state within a few months, we will continue this way until we move. We have friends in the old church and find it difficult to push away from them. We have talked to some about our concerns, but they cannot see it. We have been in missions for some time and know first hand the wrong things being done. Before that, we could not see anything wrong either. I'm afraid too many people are not concerned--as long as their feet are not stepped on. So, the pastor continues to do what it takes to keep the money givers happy. Forgive us Lord! -
Q3. (2 Peter 2:19) In what way can flagrant, defiant sin enslave a person? Is there any way out of these sins? If so, what is the path? How can we truly love the sinner and hate the sin? How can we steer clear of a quick judgmental attitude toward those who sin?
Sin is from the devil. When he entices us to sin, he is enticing us into slavery to him! There is only one way out of this--we must turn from him to the Lord Jesus and as His forgiveness as well as His armor to protect us from satan! Jesus the way--the only way to God. We must stay close to Him and His cross.
Love the sinner and hate the sin? These, parodoxically, go together. If we truly love the sinner, we will hate the sin that binds him/her! We will long to see them free of the influence of the devil in their lives. We long to know that we will rejoice together in heaven one day, in the presence of our Lord and Savior!
All we have to do to steer clear of judgmental attitude is to remember that we, too, are sinners and deserve eternal death! Nothing in us gives us freedom from that punishment--only Jesus death can and will save us, and that is no different from someone else who has sinned. We are all under condemnation for sins we commit in this life. So how on earth can we be judgmental about another who was caught in the same web? But, we need to be sure that this person sees our love for them--reaching out to give them a push toward the Lord--not judging them!
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Q2. (Jude 4) In what way does sexual sin deny Christ? If Paul is right in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, that persistent sexual sin is incompatible with salvation, why have we Christians become so complacent about it in our culture?
The Church is often called "the Bride of Christ!" It also has been referred to as the "New Jerusalem", those who have truly accepted Christ as their Master by the endtimes.
When a bride commits sexual sins, she is denigating her bridegroom. When those who profess to be Christians commit persistent sexual sins, they turn their back on their rightful "bridegroom", Jesus our Lord! That is incompatible with salvation! How can we expect to escape hell when we turn our backs on the Lord Jesus?
Why are we so complacent nowadays? It boggles my mind! We know what the Bible teaches, but we turn our eyes away--as if that would change the facts! Unfortunately, there are few "Pauls" today to call a prostitute a prostitute (yes, even those who aren't paid for their services fall into this classification), or a homosexual, or other sexual sins, etc. Why? Because we are afraid of being called names by the radicals who keep the rest in check by calling people "religious nuts", "homophobes", and other such . We need to stand up and be counted--dirty names be dammed! Politics be dammed! Lord, give us the courage to stand up for the purity and the moral standards You have set up! AMEN
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Q1. (Jude 3) Why must we "contend for the faith"? What is the danger in not challenging the doctrines of false teachers? What is the danger inherent in challenging them? How can we keep the correct balance?
This is a tough one. But God gave us this responsibility--to stand up for His word, so we must try to do so. The most important thing is to be sure we are led by His Spirit in this--in humility--searching ourselves first and foremost.
If we do not (contend for the faith) then these teachers will lead people astray--as they have from the very first. Did not the serpent set the precedent? "Did God really say...?" When a teacher departs from the Scriptures, we need to gently point them to the Scriptures they are denying and ask them to consider what God is saying.
The danger? That we may become arrogant and think WE know the correct interpretation and all others are stupid and wrong!
We can keep the correct balance only by keeping humbly near to the Lord, ans check with Him before saying anything. We especially need to let Him speak through us--and only in His love!
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Q4. (2 Timothy 3:16) If Scripture is "breathed" by God, how can it help us draw close to God? Why do you think God's Spirit (pneuma, "breath, wind") so important in helping us understand Scripture?
God's Spirit put the messages of God into His human "transcribers", who in some instances admitted they did not understand what they had written--because the Holy Spirit was not yet given to be within mankind.
But God knows what He has said, so since Christ died for us, He has given His Spirit to indwell us. the Holy Spirit opens the Scripture to us, enabling us to understand God's meaning--if we are living in Him and have accepted Him as our Savior and Lord!
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Q3. (2 Peter 1:20-21) How can a person be speaking and God be speaking, too? How does the image of a ship being moved by the wind help you understand this? (Greek pneuma means "spirit" and "wind.")
Sometimes God uses other human beings to speak through. We need to be careful to check out what another human is saying. It must be in accordance to the Scriptures, and when we consider what is said, we must feel the peace and acceptance of God within us! It must be moving us to act in ways that please God--not man!
The wind blows, but we cannot see it. However, we can see the sail billowing and the movement of the ship caused by it. Sometimes, as one child says, we need someone with "skin" on to understand what God is saying to us. He knows this and sometimes provides it for us--if we have the discernment to understand. This doesn't mean we swallow whole hog anything some speaker says. No. We must keep close to the Lord and watch for His "stops" and "go's"!
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Q2. (2 Peter 1:19). In what ways do the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments act for you as "a light shining in a dark place"? What does the darkness represent? What does the light represent?
The Scriptures give us information on the truths of God--in the Old Testament, about how God worked throughout the history of the Israelites during those times as well as giving us His Laws and His promises of the coming Messiah Who redeems us and end times.
The New Testament tells us of the unfolding of the prophesies as they came true, as well as pointing to the future unfolding of those that have not yet come to be. By acting as a strong beam of light, giving us understanding of God and His expectations for His people, the two light up the darkness we would grope in without them!
Darkness represents life without Jesus and the Holy Spirit guiding us. It also reminds us that satan lives in that darkness and is embodied in it.
The light represents Christ, His New Testament directives and the Holy Spirit living in us. When we have His light--His Holy Spirit within us--we can see the way to go. Through it, we keep close to Him and His love.
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Q1. (2 Peter 1:13-15) Why does our culture avoid talking about death? How is describing your earthly body as a "tent" freeing and motivating? What is the significance of Peter referring to his death as a "departure" or "exodus"?
If we don't talk about it, that says it means nothing--it's not frightening. but when that day comes, those who do not know Jesus find it terrifying! Believe me, I know, for as a nurse, I have seen those who do not know the Lord fight horribly against dying--clutching and clawing! And, I have seen saints die with peace on their faces!
We must either talk--and know--now or learn about it to our horror at the end of it!
A tent is easily packed up. We are not tied down to a permanent house on earth--with belongings and such that tend to cause more problems than they solve. We can more easily follow the leading of our Lord if we are not saddled with "things!"
When we depart, we leave one place for another. The same with "exodus". If we are going to another place, is it a better place or a worse place? We'd better make sure before that time comes that we are headed for the Lord's "place."
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Q4. (2 Peter 1:10) Why is Christian character an essential indicator of being saved or rescued by Christ? What Biblical assurance of salvation can you offer the fruitless, barren "believer"?
First and foremost, we cannot help but be changed in behavior--if we really have been rescued by Christ. Being close to Him changes our thoughts and perceptions of life as it occurs to us. We will want to do what He asks of us--yes, even when that action would--in human strength--be impossible, or at least irksome.
Second, if we behave in a reprehensible manner, we throw mud on our Lord and Savior! My unbelieving daughter, while driving a group of us to a family wedding, saw a car endangering others by illegal driving. She said, "Uh-huh! That's how christians behave--and they think they are better than others! See that fish on their car? They even brag about it! But they're just ignorant and intolerant!"
We have to be careful that our lives point to Him and then fruit will come--because He will produce it! If we do not, we can be sure our "fruit" will be non-existent--worse, our lives will drive others away from Him!
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Q3. (2 Peter 1:7) Why do we imagine that "agape love" is easier than loving church members? If we avoid church because of our hurts at the hands of church members, can we mature fully in Christ? Why or why not?
Agape love sounds innoucous--just love all children of God! In the plural. undifferentiated. not individually. Church members can sometimes be less than Christian ideals--including myself. But, we have to forgive those who hurt us--intentionally or not--before we can truly love them.
Avoid church? If we do, we cannot truly follow Him. He said "Do good to those who persecute you!" Not just minor bumps--PERSECUTE you! Only a person who is mature (or at least striving to become so) can truly forgive another--even those they realize did not do it intentionally, let alone those who intended the abuse.
If we avoid church because of this, we keep ourselves outside of the will of God. Without His Spirit within us, we will fall short of His desires for us. We need hearing the Word and studying what He wants of us--daily, yes, but even more so in the body of Christ--His Church--every Sunday, in order to be open to His guidance and help in forgiveness as well as in all other areas of growing more like Him.
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Q2. (2 Peter 1:6) Why is a disciplined devotional life important to you? What happens when you forget or don't have time? What Christian disciplines do you employ to help you open your spirit to God's Spirit?
The most important thing in my life is to put God first! Without a disciplined devotional life, that is impossible! A forgotten time with Him, leads to a day without meaning--a day that is lost as far as His eternal purposes is concerned. To immediately go to Him in study and prayer starts the day off right. Nothing else is so important as that!
I can't forget, but I can say I need to do thus and so first. When I do that, then this time with Him takes a back seat, and it is rare that I would find time later to quiet down and give Him my attention. Sure, there are times when we have to be at the airport or somewhere very early in the morning. I may not have time to read devotional reading or the Bible passages, but I can turn my mind to Him and listen while on the way to wherever I must go. Not as easy now that I am the "designated driver".
What Christian disciplines do I use? Hmmm. Not sure what you want here. The primary idea for me is to obey Him. He called upon us to spend time with Him. That requires obedience. If I skip that time with Him, I am the loser for it. Skipping more than once makes the next skipping easier, and so it goes. I dare not turn from obeying Him! That niggling feeling that I missed something will not let me! I've seen the results in the past and don't want a repeat!
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Q4. (2 Peter 1:4) How can strong desires erode our faith and corrupt our lives? What strong desires can build our faith? What does a strong desire for God have to do with the "knowledge" of God, or "knowing" God? How are God's promises and evil desires at odds with each other? How does one build and the other erode our faith?
Wrong desires lead us away from the Lord, thus corrupting our lives. When we lose contact with Him, our faith fails, for we no longer have Him producing that faith in us! It's all about Him--nothing of ourselves!The strong desire to know Him better and to follow His guidance more closely will lead us to a greater knowledge of God. When we want to know Him better, we will study His word so that we know His written directives. Also, we will spend time in prayer--not just speaking, but listening to His reply and His desires for our lives. Then we go and do! We will not learn the next step He wants us to take until we do the one He has given us already.
God's promises build us up by teaching us to obey His guidance and depend on His help to get through crisis times successfully--or even everyday life! Evil desires, by leading us away from God and His purposes for us, bring us into satan's territory where he and his henchmen can continue to spiral us downward--to the accompaniment of his evil, triumphant cackle.
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Q2. (2 Peter 1:3) Meditate on this verse for a few minutes. It is a verse about provision. What is the scope and extent and boundaries of "everything we need for life and godliness"? What does "knowledge" or "knowing God" have to do with this promise?
God knows what we really need--not necessarily our "wants"--but those things He knows are good for our spiritual lives. When we accept Him as Lord, He adds to our salvation what we need--both in this life as well as what we need to increase our spiritual understanding and growth in knowledge of Him and our ability to withstand the evil the devil uses, attempting to separate us from God.
Knowledge and knowing God are what this promise is based upon. We cannot just ask God to be a "santa claus" and shower us with secular things, nor even for life and godliness if we do not KNOW Him personally! And then, we must realize that He knows better than we what is required for us to grow ever closer to Him!
Looking at the answers give, I am grateful for some of the insights--especially hausmouse--that this promise is in past tense! Just waiting for us to come to Him in penitence and acceptance of Who He is and His desires for us! Great!
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Q1. (2 Peter 1:1) What does "received a faith as precious as ours" mean in this verse? How does our faith compare to St. Peter's faith? Is our faith equal to his? Why or why not? How do you explain the discrepancy?
When we "receive" something, we do not contribute to it. Our faith is not our own doing, nor was it St. Peter's. God gives us this precious faith--something that means everything to us--if we have truly accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Is our faith equal to Peter's? Of course. It may differ in accord to the person God has made of us, but since God is the author, it must be equal. Perhaps different but equal.
I cannot see any discrepancy. If we try to say we are able to have faith in our own ability, then there sure is discrepancy! For, we in ourselves cannot truly "work up" faith! If we try, we will fail. No, as Peter says, we "receive" it--as a gift from our loving Father.
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Q4. (5:10-11) Which promises in verses 10 and 11 are most meaningful to you at this point in your life? Why?
It boggles my mind that He has called me--I am a sinner, unfit to be in His presence, worthy only of His condemnation. Yet, He wanted me to be saved so much that He came and suffered horribly in order that I will be with Him in His eternal glory in Christ! Also, He promises to make me strong--I presume so that I can stand up to the devil and resist his attacks! Without Him, no one can stand against this evil! What a wonder that He will make us able to resist! I rejoice in that fact. No wonder that Peter rings out with such a doxology of praise!
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Q3. (5:8-9) What instructions does Peter give us to guide us in spiritual warfare? Extra credit: How are these instructions similar or different than Paul's instructions in Ephesians 6:10-17?
In general, they tell us much the same. Peter says "do," and Paul says "how."
Peter: be self-controlled and alert. Resist the devil, stand firm in faith. Cast your faith on Him.
Paul: Put on the whole armor of God. Then he details what that armor is. He wants us to prepare ourselves for battle. Going to battle against satan without this preparation can leave us vulnerable to satan's evil!
I wonder if Peter is again speaking impulsively? I realize he had learned a lot about going to God for orders before acting--something he seldom did while with Jesus--but this almost sounds like he is counseling this in this instance. At least, he sounds like depending on ourselves more than on God! Just a thought--which I'd never considered before, so it is not throught through as thoroughly as it should be. Pardon.
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Q2. (5:8) What is it important to be aware of Satan's existence? What does this verse teach us about the devil? Why is this teaching important?
If we do not believe satan exists, why worry about what we do here on earth? If he does not exist, there is no hell when we die, so "eat, drink and be merry!"
But God's word tells us that the devil is a roaring lion, waiting to entice us into his grasp so he can torture and destroy each of us! We know by this, that we must guard against his wiles--putting on the whole armor or God so the Holy Spirit, himself, will aid us in standing against the devil. We cannot do so in our own power. We will fail if we trust in ourselves.
The importance of knowing this and practicing the presence of the Lord is of utmost, eternal importance! We neglect it at our everlasting peril!
Q4. Guarding and Rejoicing over You
in #6. Able to Keep You From Falling (Jude 1-2, 20-25)
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Q4. (Jude 24) What does it mean to you that God is guarding you from falling? How can you explain God's exultant joy towards you? How will God manage to present you to himself "blameless"? How does that work?
This gives me joy and inexplicable wonder! I need this guarding so very much! How can anyone keep from sins of thought that comes unintended? Of course, we cannot "prevent the birds from flying over our head, but we can prevent them from nesting in our hair!" as someone has said. But still, we can be caught up in thinking of things we would never do. So it is a great blessing to know He will keep us from falling for Satan's tricks of thought!
Why should He have "exultant joy" towards me? I haven't a clue, except that He has said He does, and I believe what He says!
Present me blameless? By the power of Jesus' love that made Him allow them to sacrifice Him in my stead! He is the perfect sacrifice, taking on Him my sins and bringing forgiveness for them. When God looks at me (whenever I come before Him for judgement), He will see me through Jesus' love that paid the penalty for my sin--giving me a "not guilty" judgement! What a wonderful promise! How can I do other than fall on my face in wonder and praise of Him!