Helen Spaulding
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Posts posted by Helen Spaulding
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Q4. (5:5-6) What acts of humility are appropriate for church leaders? How can we discern a person's humility before putting him or her in a place of leadership in the church? What happens when we fail to do this?
Church leaders should show humility by being willing to ask questions of the church members as well as give suggestions. He should never put others down, nor say "as long as I am pastor here, we will do it this way!"
How can we tell before putting someone in a place of leadership? If he/she is a member, usually we have had experiences with them before, and if they cannot work with others without insisting on having his/her way, then we should be careful about putting them in authority. People who take credit for things that are their gifts from God, rather than giving God the glory are showing pride--thus not likely, in fact, unable to act humbly!
When we fail to ascertain whether the proposed leader is humble or not, then the committee, or class, or pastor will cause discension and harm the work of the Lord! We will find our work has become spiritually empty--not something that will receive the Lord's "well done!"
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Q3. (5:3) How can we best keep elders and pastors from being power-mongers? From limiting a pastor's authority? What's the danger here? From testing a person before bestowing authority? How can this be difficult? How can we deal with this serious problem properly?
We need to go to God in prayer when there is a need for a leader position to be filled. Search for a person who is "sold out" to God--willing to go where He commands, do what He commands, and is willing to keep himself in the background, always lifting up God to His glory! Where do we find such a person? That's why we need first of all to go to God in sincere prayer! Without His go-ahead, we will fail! We must not limit the pastor's authority, however. As someone has said, that sets us up to censure the message that perhaps God wants us to hear--not just something to "make us feel good!" This can be difficult, especially if the pastor already thinks only he has the true Word of God! Sometimes, pastors think this is their church, and the parishioners are only people he/she has to put up with. This type pushes and shoves and belittles the congregation. Pastors move on to other churches (usually), but the people who have lived, worked in and built their church will remain. It behooves the pastor to believe himself a servant of God--sent to serve the people--not the other way around. Easy? Of course not. Especially if he/she will not listen to the concerns of the congregation.
There is no way to deal with this scratchy problem except prayer!
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Q2. (5:2) What's wrong with the common practice in churches of "twisting a person's arm" to get him or her to serve as a church leader. What damage does this do to the church? What kind of leader does it produce?
When we talk a person into taking a leadership position by telling them they will have practically nothing to do or be responsible for, we will get a leader who will sit on his/her hands and DO nothing, or worse, get the whole area that is their responsibility off on a personal whim and thus off the work of our God. You cannot have excellence--or the result of excellence--by a mediocre person in control of the work. They will not be praying about what God's will is in the circumstances, nor will they ask for help when uncertain what they should do. The church will limp along, crippled by lack of understanding and teamwork with the whole mission of the church. We've seen many such churches in our speaking with them about missionary work. You can tell the disordered church very quickly--and the outreach of that church is practically nil. The very atmosphere of that church tells us how dedicated their leaders--and members are!
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Q1. (5:1-2) What do you learn about the responsibilities of an elder from the definitions of "elder," "pastor," and "overseer"? What stood out to you as you considered these words?
I agree that these are all servants in the church, helping to guide those who want to also serve the Lord. What stands out for me is that no matter how "important" a person thinks he/she is, the thing that is truly important is that we not try to take over God's glory and apply it to ourselves! We are all servants of the Lord God!
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Q4. Why is a willingness to die, if need be, essential to healthy Christianity during persecution. What happens when we aren't willing to die, when we are afraid to "take up our cross daily" (Luke 9:23) and follow Jesus? What does this have to do with "commiting ourselves to a faithful Creator"?
We are called to keep our eyes on Jesus and follow where he leads. If the people persecuted Jesus, even killing him, how can we expect to escape persecution and possibly death if we profess Him as Lord? Why should we consider it surprising that evil should happen to us? Satan delights to persecute Christians--possibly cause them to deny Christ! But, "He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world!" God can and will use the worst satan can cause to happen to bring glory to God and bring us closer to Him--and often by the death of one of His saints, others are brought to believe in the Lord and give their lives to Him. For instance, the deaths of the five missionaries to the Auca indians in South America.
When we aren't willing to put our lives on the line, we hold back from following Jesus all the way. After all, even though it caused Jesus to sweat blood, He obeyed God and suffered horribly in order to save us! Is our life more "important" than His--that we would refuse to lay it on the altar for His use? What does it have to do with committing ourselves to a faithful creator? If He allows it, nothing but good can come from it! Sure, I would cringe from suffering and death--and that's okay. It is the obedience despite the fear that counts!
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Q3. (4:14) If we are never persecuted, what does that say about how people view us? In what way should persecution make us happy?
We must be viewed as fitting into the world view of "anything goes"! Christians are meant to be salt and light for the world, not just a "filler of space", or a person to make non-christians feel good about not being Christian! If we confirm them in their sinning, we don't make them "uncomfortable". So, they are happy to consider us "one of them!"
If we do, by our lives and our words confirm our belief in the Lord Jesus and His requirements for our lives, then they will turn against us--in many instances. Sometimes, we fear for our loss of "friendship" with the worldly persons that we like and want to know. What an indictment on our lack of boldness to stand up for Him! We should bow our heads in worship and thank Him--yes, give thanks!--when others are caught up short to think of their lives and whether they are living for Christ or for satan!
When we face persecution--and we will--we grow closer to the Lord and grow in our faith and ability to know Him better, and serve Him better. Better yet, as one member stated, God is glorified!!
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Q3. (4:14) If we are never persecuted, what does that say about how people view us? In what way should persecution make us happy?
We must be viewed as fitting into the world view of "anything goes"! Christians are meant to be salt and light for the world, not just a "filler of space", or a person to make non-christians feel good about not being Christian! If we confirm them in their sinning, we don't make them "uncomfortable". So, they are happy to consider us "one of them!"
If we do, by our lives and our words confirm our belief in the Lord Jesus and His requirements for our lives, then they will turn against us--in many instances. Sometimes, we fear for our loss of "friendship" with the worldly persons that we like and want to know. What an indictment on our lack of boldness to stand up for Him! We should bow our heads in worship and thank Him--yes, give thanks!--when others are caught up short to think of their lives and whether they are living for Christ or for satan!
When we face persecution--and we will--we grow closer to the Lord and grow in our faith and ability to know Him better, and serve Him better.
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Q2. (4:13) When you meditate on the idea of partaking of or being a sharer in Christ's sufferings, what perspective does it give you on whatever persecution you may experience?
First of all, like anyone else, I would rather not suffer! But, Christ bore much more suffering that I ever could--and for me!! How can I dare shrink back from whatever suffering He knows will help to "grow" me in Him?
So, I lean on Him, knowing He will be with me, supporting and loving me with His wonderful love! He says He will not put on us more than we can bear. Well, I know He knows how weak I am! Thank You, Lord, I don't have to carry it alone! He has promised to make the yoke "easy", and the burden "light"! With that promise, I can accept whatever suffering comes that He can use to further His kingdom.
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Q1. (4:12) What's the danger of trying to avoid persecution and suffering for Christ? Have you ever been distracted by persecution from what you should have been doing? Have you ever observed this in other Christians?
If we want to live godly lives, we must be prepared to experience persecution. In this time in our country--as in many others--the only group that it is okay to ridicule or treat shamefully is the Christians. One thing is sure: if we are not being persecuted, we are not truly following Him.
Yes, I think we all fail at one time or another to follow our Lord as closely as we should! What should we do then? Of course, turn to Him quickly and ask His forgiveness! Then, in His strength--and under His guidance, turn back to the task He gives us--to hold up Christ, no matter the ridicule or persecution!
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Q4. (4:10-11) If people are always promoting themselves and pointing to how God is using them, what does that say about them? Their sense of self-worth? Their maturity? Their realism? Their humility? What spiritual gifts has God given you, and how are you using them to his glory?
This is not humility. The person who takes credit for what God has given him/her, or how He uses him/her is showing their pride--their desire to be praised, etc. They are babes in their Christian walk and beliefs, or, worse, have not yet started that walk. Nothing that we can do in our own strength will last or be of value, eternally. Only when we give up our "self-made" image and let God work through us can we be of any value for Him. Whatever we have done in ourselves is just dross. Only what He does is of value!
God gives each of us the gifts He knows His church needs. If we use them to aid His church and His world, they will be of eternal value. If used only to heap praise upon ourselves, they are rubbish.
What God has given me in gifts, He will polish and use as He wishes. I feel that too many times I have neglected His gifts within me, so I am ashamed to enumerate them--as though I had anything to do with them. At one time, I felt led to paint "The Potter's Hands", and as long as I let Him hold the brush, it went very well. The moment I began to glory in what I was doing and think of showing it off to friends, glaring mistakes occurred! I could do nothing right until I repented and asked for Him to help me. Then things went well until the next time! Finally, although there still were mistakes in the painting, He plainly told me to let them be--that they would remind me that on my own, I can do nothing! I am convicted each time I see the painting, but know that His forgiveness is all I need to be used by Him again.
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Q3. (4:5-7) Why don't non-Christians like the idea of giving an account of their actions? Why don't we Christians like it? What should the realization that we must give an account of our actions inspire in us? With what attitude should we live as a result?
People today have been raised to believe that whatever they want to do, it's their business and none of any one else's! This attitude shows up in the anger at the idea that anyone--including Almighty God--would ever question what they want to do, or judge us for it! They do not submit to authority here on earth, so why do so to some hidden being that they don't even believe in?
Why don't Christians like it? We, too, like to think our little "mistakes" aren't important enough for God to do more than wink at. But, if we don't come to Him in remorse and confess, asking His forgiveness, we will one day kneel before Him in our filthy, sinful rags as He judges us. Give an account of our actions? Even those we would not admit to those around us? Horrors! That is why I try to keep close accounts with my Lord--going to Him as soon as I realize I failed again to obey His laws, and asking for His forgiveness--again. Then spending time thanking and rejoicing in His love that gave us Jesus as our Savior!!!
What should be our attitude? That of a sinner who knows we cannot keep from sinning in our own strength--that we must stay close to Him, in prayer, in thought, and action. Only the Holy Spirit active within us can warn us and give us the strength to avoid the temptations that satan continually puts in front of us, in his attempt to draw us away into his camp!
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Q2. (4:3-4) Why do non-Christians try to get you to sin with them. Why are we tempted to do so? How can we resist this temptation?
Non-Christians feel condemned by their sins when they see Christians who do not fall for these sins. So, they try to tempt them to sin, in order to feel they are "as good as those Christians think they are!"
Christians sometimes feel tempted to follow them in order to be "accepted" as a member of their group. Even adults. We talk about the peer power for young people, but it occurs in adults as well, unfortunately. And some people succumb, especially those who did the activity--whether drinking to excess or whatever--for they can still remember what they felt about the activity in years past. Satan loves to tempt us with past sins, or by the friends we go around with. We need to be with such people, but only so we can demonstrate a Christian life. If they succeed, and we go along with them, we shame our Lord and cause these souls to dig their graves of sin even deeper!
We can resist temptations--whatever they may be--by the power of the Holy Spirit. We must, in the power of the Lord, order Satan and his demons to leave. The Holy Spirit will drive him away and save us! If we depend on ourselves, we will be lost!
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Q1. (4:1-2) When the scripture says "arm yourselves with the same attitude" as Christ had, how should this attitude help keep you from sin? What attitude are we talking about?
Christ knew what He would suffer when He accepted God the Father's command that He take our sins upon Himself and be the final, all-encompassing Perfect lamb--sacrificed for the sins of each one of us! That was an awesome, horrible burden for anyone to bear. Christ knew that He alone could be the sacrifice for our sins, for there has never been--and will never be--anyone else completely without sin--perfect! He was tempted to reject this--if there was any other way that this could be done. He prayed for that--but then continued, saying "nevertheless, Thy Will be done!" His attitude when the soldiers came was that He was ready and willing to do what must be done--because of His love for us!
Yes, after He died and rose from the grave, He is finished with the sin we have done. He forgives those who believe on Him and obey Him. Sin is paid for. We have nothing more to do with sin, if we have accepted Him as our Savior from sin, believe He died and rose again, and then resolutely turn ourselves away from sin and live in Him. That doesn't mean we never sin again. We still are growing, but we know when we sin, and we turn quickly to Him, asking for His forgiveness again. We must not spend time, thinking about sinning, or contemplating what this or that might be like if we..... No. Sin is no more to be a part of our plans and life here on earth. With His Holy Spirit's help, we go forward rejoicing in His love and living for Him alone!
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Q4. (3:20-21) Various Christian traditions have different practices of baptism. Let's not argue about that in this forum. The crucial question for you -- Have you pledged your faith in Jesus Christ and promised to serve him as his disciple? How does this pledge relate to your own baptism?
Yes, I have pledged my faith in Jesus Christ and have served Him as His disciple to the best of my ability--leaning always on Him for that ability! For the past twenty years or so of my eighty years, I have been in missions--most of them in foreign lands.
I believe my pledge came as a direct result of my baptism, and I reiterated the answers as to the basis of my faith--Jesus-- and my promise to serve Him, when I joined my church as an active member seventy years ago.
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Q3. (3:18a) Meditate for a few minutes on this verse: "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." Now personalize it to imagine (1) your sins, (2) your unrighteousness, and (3) your reconciliation with God. Each of these ideas is awesome! Which of these three aspects of the verse has God impressed most strongly on you today? Select one of the three and share it.
How can I choose just one? They all fit together, climaxing in the third, the purpose of the first two--our (my) reconciliation with God! Without Jesus' sacrifice, I would be doomed to suffer spiritual death for my sins--with no posibility of being with God in Heaven! What a hell that would be! Jesus, the totally righteous One--the only totally pure one in all history and creation--took my sins and died in my stead--in order to set me free from these sins and spiritual death. His word says that the penalty for sin--even just ONE--is death! Because of His love, He came and suffered horror and death--as well as separation from the Father--possibly the worst for Him of all! Yet, He refused to stop this evil act because of love. For me! For each of us who has ever sinned--all of us! If that doesn't throw us to our knees in praise and thanksgiving, I don't know what could!
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Q2. (3:15-16) Why is it so hard for us to be a witness when we're persecuted? Why is it easy in tough places to be the wrong kind of witness? Which one of Peter's four instructions do you find most needed in your particular situation?
We are fallen, sinful people. So, when others persecute us, we tend to lash out--as a first response! Or, we become so intimidated that we clam up and say nothing, for fear of being persecuted more harshly.
I have a daughter who turned her back on God when she was in college. She refused to listen to me, for she knew I believe in the Lord and wanted so desperately to bring her back to Him. She told me not to ever speak to her about God, not to touch her, not to tell her I love her! Her angry eyes told me she meant it when she said she would cut off any contact if I did not obey this edict!
How could I have any influence on her if no longer allowed near her, or even to see her? We continued to visit, although I could not talk with her--except comments on the weather! She spoke with her father, ignoring me. I did not respond in kind. She came to our house only when she wanted something from us. We helped her in every way possible, although she would not respond positively.
As the years went by, she slowly began to include me with her talking to us, but kept me at armlengths as she hugged her father. Sure it hurt, but I determined I would give her a Christian example and not respond in kind. Eventually, as she said goodbye one day, she hugged me as well as her father. I wish I could say that it then became possible to talk with her about the Lord, but so far, that has not been possible. I am still praying for that day. In the meantime, I continue to show love, even though not allowed to express it.
When we went in mission to the Far East of Russia for three years, she apparently began to fear we might die, for she began to correspond more frequently, and has continued to show more interest in being with us since we returned home.
Please pray that she comes back to the Lord--together with her two grown daughters who were raised to believe God and the Lord Jesus are "myths"--her word. I live for the day when she asks me to explain why and what I truly believe!
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Q1. (3:8-9) Which of the qualities Peter mentions in 3:8-9 are most evident in your congregation? Which are most needed? What can you and your friends do to change the relational climate at your Church so it is more Christ-like?
It varies. The most needed qualities are those of forgiveness and love. Yes, we need to have harmony. However, when even our own church law is broken with impunity, we need to stand up and protest!
An example in my own denomination is the clearing of a practicing homosexual pastor and reinstating her as a pastor in direct contradiction to our Discipline and the words of the Bible against such action! We do need to protest--but going so far as to "stone them" is left to those who have never sinned! Who could that be??
What can we do to change the relational climate in our own Church? Be more Christ-like. Offer forgiveness and love to those who disagree with you, but do not compromise on what the Bible says God requires! That's hard to do sometimes, but we need to do all only after prayer for guidance and for love for the perpretaters.
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Q5. (3:7) How can treating one's wife wrongly hinder a husband's prayers. How can treating a husband wrongly hinder a wife's prayers?
God does not listen to hypocrites who mistreat others, then expect God to favor them! It matters not whether the one mistreating another is male or female--to mistreat your spouse, whether verbally, emotionally or physically--will form a barrier between you and God (as well as between the spouses)! He states this very clearly when He says, "forgive, as I have forgiven you". If we do not forgive (as Al and Kas have stated), we will not be forgiven.
So, (to carry this further) if we are mistreated, we must forgive the perpretater, whether wife or husband. If we do not, we will not be heard by God.
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Q4. (3:7) Why should a husband relate to his wife with knowledge and wisdom? In what way does this demonstrate love? In what way does this demonstrate self-interest? Why do men sometimes try to dominate their wives? Why do wives sometimes try to dominate their husbands? What harm does this do? How is domination of another person contrary to God's nature?
The husband must know his wife--what she believes, what irks her, and what pleases her. If he loves her, paying attention to what makes her especially "her" demonstrates that he truly loves her enough to think about what makes her special. Love considers others before it considers oneself! That means being willing to put a deeply held desire of the mate before your own wants. Yes, and it also demonstrates "self-interest!" When your wife knows her husband values her enough to think of her desires, she will love him more and show that love to him. Why do either of them try to dominate the other? Some people just want the feeling of power they get when they force another to bend down their head and give in to their mate's domination! The harm is immense. Instead of feelings of love because the other one shows his/her love by being considerate of the other's feelings, they sense the lack of love that domination demonstrates!
Domination is contrary to God's nature because He says "love one another," and consider the other before yourself. Be a servant to one another. And even in this passage, it speaks of the fact that the two are equal before God. Therefore, for one to force his/her will on the other is contrary to God's word.
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Q3. (3:4-6) How does a person cultivate inner beauty? How does one gain character? Why is true character so important and precious to God? How can character help a Christian woman win and hang onto her husband?
Yes, Kas did a good job on his answer. But, of course, we're supposed to add what thoughts come to us.
So...We cultivate this inner beauty by living close to our Lord, letting Him guide our actions and our thoughts. As we do, we become more like Him--in our character as well as inner "beauty." True character is the essence of our being, and since God loves what He intended us to be, when we come closer to that ideal character, He is pleased. How can a Christian woman win and hang onto her husband? I think the best way is to win him for Christ. Perhaps that is the meaning of the question, but it sounds like it means win him for herself and hang onto him. When we worked in Russia, our interpreter was, and is, a Christian--a fairly new Christian. A young Lieutenant in the Russian army wanted to date her, but he was not a Christian. She told him, "I cannot date you because you are not Christian!" He was intrigued, and started asking her why that mattered. As she told him all she knew, he wanted to know more. She brought him to us, and at that time, the leader of our Mission Society was staying with us while he visited the work being done there. I asked him to talk with Sasha, and he kindly did so for two hours! Lena later told us that Sasha was on cloud nine as they left, saying, "Now I know everything!" They have grown together in Christ and are now married. What an example to us longer-term Christians!
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Q2. (3:3) Why should women try to look their best? How can trying to look their best divert women from what is more important? What is the balance?
We should want to bring beauty into our world--not sloppy nor dirty ugliness. But, we should not spend our time making ourselves "fashion pieces", nor trying to pretend we are young again! We are to project the inner beauty that comes from knowing and following Jesus. This does not fade with time, but as we grow in knowledge of His unchanging love for us and His values, inner beauty grows and shines forth as physical beauty never could!
The balance? We need to care for our bodies as the temple of the Lord. Whatever time is necessary for presenting Jesus in our lives should be done. More than that is just pride and a desire for pointing to ourselves. I agree with Kas--be as we would want to be if Jesus is present--which He is.
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Q1. (3:1) Why is submission so difficult for us humans? Does submission require you to be silent when you don't agree or feel something can be improved? When is submission wrong for Christian?
Everything about our society today teaches, "Make your mark! Show everyone how good you are! Don't knuckle under to anyone!" "Be a man!" (or woman!) Even when you don't believe such a thought, it is hard to avoid some of that rubbing off on you. You want the best grade in school--not bad until it becomes the only thing of worth to you! People scramble up the ladder of success, always sure the next rung or more money will bring happiness. In the process, if you step on someone else to get ahead--that's their problem. All this is the opposite of submission, so people come to think that is "sissy," or counter productive.
No, submission does not require being silent when you feel something can be improved. But, it does require that you do so in a loving and cooperative spirit.
Submission is wrong when you would have to do something that is counter to God's Word or to His guidance for you. We can never disobey His Word and be in the right. For instance, we should submit to our law and government unless it goes against what God teaches us is right. In that instance, submission would be wrong--no matter the consequences to us for disobedience.
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Q4. (2:24b) If Jesus died to set us free from sin's power, why does sin have such power over us still? According to 2:24b, how must we deal with sin? In practical terms, how can we "die to sin"? In everyday language, what does "live for righteousness" mean?
We still struggle with sin at times because we are still imperfect persons--prone to look away from our Lord and think we can "go it alone!" But we must keep our eyes on our Lord, coming to Him again and again for forgiveness when we glance away from Him. We must "die to sin". How? By turning to Him daily, asking for His guidance, then following His guidance.
To live for righteousness means holding ourselves close to Him, studying His word and applying it in our lives so that we can become mature in our faith. We are to live for service to Him, by serving the least of mankind. When we keep close to Him, we will live more nearly like what He asks of us.
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Q3. (2:24a) This may seem like a simplistic question, but give it thought before you answer, and then answer thoughtfully. What is the significance to you personally that Jesus bore your sins in his own body on the cross?
My own sins nailed Jesus to the cross. He took my just punishment on Himself--willingly! By His sinless life and death, He removed my sin and it's punishment and enables me to be adopted by God as His child--with no sin separating me from Him! Praise the Lord! I can come to Him as to my Father who loves me enough to do this for me! It boggles the mind to think that He loves me enough to go through that agony and humiliation--for me! Yes, and for all others who trust and obey Him, but in answering this "personally", the awesome deed of Christ, in His obedience to God the Father, crushes me to my knees in gratitude!
Q1. Dealing with Your Fears
in #11. He Cares for You (5:8-14)
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Q1. (5:7) According to this verse what should you do with your fears? What reason is given why you should do this? In what manner should you do it. How will you apply this verse's instruction in your own life?
I cast them upon Jesus, my Lord! He cares for me--as He does for all who follow Him! How to do that? I pray, asking Him to help me in whatever manner I need help, then thank Him that He has done so. The Bible says He will answer our call for help--that He has already prepared His answer. I just need to remember that the answer could be yes, no, or wait. Whatever His answer, I know that it is the best of all answers, for He loves me! As I love my children and want the best for them, He wants the best for each one of us. So, I will give Him my fears, and trust Him to take care of me--whatever the problems I face!