JanMary

1. Our human nature is such that we want to be liked...to have others approval (unless we're renegades!). We shrink from any form of disapproval, especially if that is a childhood wound from dysfunctional upbringing. We want to "fit in" and shun rejection. However, one of my gifts is evangelism and because of that gift it's very easy and comfortable to share my faith, but I understand that it can be more difficult for others with different gifting. Paul said: …..If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ the Messiah. Gal 1:10 2. Well, you can't reach my age without enduring some form of hardship, and we have endured what some might say is more than our share and it continues even today. Having said that, I've endured some...and I mean "just endured" but not as a good soldier of Christ, but in the flesh, with self pity and shame, in the early days of my walk with Jesus. (I have to chuckle remembering that I said "I feel like you're grinding me to powder in your mortar and pestle! What's going to be left of me?" I heard "ME"....oh.) Growing in grace through the years has brought improvement in the suffering, as I've learned from Paul that hardship trains us in the battle to be a soldier of Christ! Also that pain is a gift from God, to teach, train, and grow us up, so that we can encourage and comfort others with the comfort we have received from Christ. Enduring is much like persevering (Gal 5:22), a fruit of the Spirit, so is a valuable aspect of our new nature and character in Christ. I'm almost able to quickly say, Thank you, Papa, for this new trial, for I believe in your love for me, you mean it for my good and for your Glory, and to conform me to the image of Christ. (Rom 8:28,29) 3. It means having learned through hardship, to continue to face the fight, not run from it. Ephesians 6 tells us we have lots of armor for the fight, but none for our back if we choose to run away. It means for me "to stand" in faith that this too will pass, (hopefully without a lot of whining) to remember to put on the armor of God, to choose to believe that God loves me and is always on my side and by my side, and inside....so it is He who fights through me, and He is a Warrior Who always wins. Those are the days to spend more time in the Bible, more time in prayer, more quiet time in His company listening and surrendering to Him and Ephesians 6:13 tells us when we've done all we can, STAND. So...that said, I'm standing on His promises which are true but as yet unfulfilled....I'm standing although sometimes I'm leaning hard on Him in order to continue on.

1. Paul was sent by God to represent Christ to those who did not know Him, and to teach, train, and encourage and correct when needed, those who had responded with a "yes" to the Gospel. Paul always making his appeal to be reconciled to God with the Word of God to both Jew (until they refused the Gospel) and then to the Gentiles. 2. I've been "sent" or commissioned to represent Christ to those around me who know me, and to share Him with those I have opportunity to meet. "So we are Christ's ambassadors, God making His appeal through us." 2 Cor 5:20 "Our mouth is open to you (Corinthians or whomever) ….our heart is extended wide for you. (2 Cor 6:11) 3. Sharing my testimony is revealing Who God is, and how He has changed my life...a "witness" to His reality and His power in the world...that He is a personal God, who knows and loves individuals, who invites relationship and reconciliation, and I have the privilege of carrying His love and message. I love the creative ways He "sets up" these opportunities....it makes life an adventure and sharing, a joy rather than a "duty" to be performed.

1. I think that is the stuff of narcissism....too much inward looking and self focus, trying to get needs met...the opposite of what Christ followers are called to do, to focus outward so that we can be used to help meet the needs of others.....and like Paul who was intent on spreading the message of the Gospel to as many as possible. (I'm not advocating self neglect, but rather a surrendered life to Christ to be free to follow where ever and whenever He leads.) 2. I believe it means my life surrendered to Christ, my will submitted to His will and to follow His steps through life which at times is the opposite of what I may have in mind and want to do, then I have a choice to make when that happens, to choose to take up His cross and follow Him. 3. We are born into sin...with a free will and with a fallen, self centered nature, naturally wanting our own desires and to go our own way. 4. It means to me that as a Christ follower, I died with Him and have been raised with Him in newness of life. I'm a new creation, symbolized in baptism. I died with Him under the water, and He raised me to a new life, reborn with His Spirit residing in me. 5. If I TRULY follow Christ my life is no longer my own, recognizing I have been bought with a price, His precious blood.....that's where "crucifixion" comes in, choosing His will and way rather than my own because I value and honor Him, more than my own.

1. No they're not. In fact they are confirmation to Paul of the Lord telling him and compelling him that he was to face imprisonment and suffering there at the hands of the Gentiles. 2. The conflict is in the Christians love for Paul, and their pleading with tears for him to not go to Jerusalem to suffer. 3. Paul's encouragement was that the churches would interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching and that rather than just speaking in tongues in their services, they would in the Holy Spirit's inspiration, preach and teach the Word of God, for the building up and encouragement of the Church. 4. I think they either fear and or doubt the validity and necessity of prophecy, due to false teaching that Holy Spirit's gifts were only for the early Church. Unbelief in the gifts inhibits the spiritual growth of those who deny them and deprives the Church of encouragement, enrichment and affirmation of God's work among us.

1. The first day of the week or Sunday is when Jesus rose from the dead. 2. Sunday became known as the Lord's Day because it was Resurrection Sunday. 3. They gathered to share a meal and to celebrate Holy Communion. 4. Holy Communion is for us to remember the crucifixion, where Jesus' Body and Blood were sacrificed for our salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life in Heaven with our Triune God (Paul said "Does it not mean that drinking the wine we participate in and share a fellowship (a communion) in the blood of Christ the Messiah? and likewise the breaking of the bread, does it not mean that in eating it we participate in and share a fellowship (a Communion) in the body of Christ?"

1. Satan is a deceiver filled with hatred toward God and all that He created. He's a clever liar who can twist words to serve his purposes to those who don't know the truth. (for instance he says "God helps those who help themselves"...which sounds like scripture, and encourages independence from God's ever present help! We hear that lie frequently from both non believers and believers who have heard the lie and believe it.) He has the ability and craftiness to blind eyes and minds to keep them in a stupor and distracted in many ways from seeking after God and living a life of surrender. And just as he said to Eve to confuse her "Did God say..." (I find it interesting that God spoke to Adam about not eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, ( Gen 2:16) before Eve was created Gen 2:21-,23) so that what she heard was Adam repeating what God had told him.) But in any case she added: and not touch it, so Satan knew he had her!) Satan is a distractor who presses in with busyness and pleasure to keep many from time with God, or unbelievers from seeking God. He knows scripture better than many of us, and knows how to twist and use it against those who don't know the Word. He uses fear to keep many from coming close to God as Father. He's a seducer, and uses what God intends for our good, for his evil purposes. He knows our weaknesses: The lu-st of the flesh, the lu-st of the eyes and the pride of life, to ensnare and destroy lives. (He lures through the flesh) He uses guilt and deception to maintain control of many. 2. The Gospel is God's power unto salvation....and the truth will set men and women free! 3. Satan strives to keep men and women in darkness and under his deceptive control....so opposition is always present to hinder the work of God. He also knows our weaknesses and tries to exploit them to keep us quiet, such as fear of rejection, or insecurities, or the lie that we don't know enough of the Word to share our testimony of God's goodness to us, and so on.

1. Both praise and thankfulness demonstrate that no matter what we are going through, we trust Him, and believe what His Word tells us: Rom 8:28, He is working all things together for good, because we are called according to His purposes, and v.29 "that we are being conformed to the image of Christ." Praise and Thanksgiving honor our God as being Sovereign and good and holy, so we are in agreement with what the Word says about Him. His Word is true and the devil is a liar! 2. Praise and Thankfulness lift us up and get our eyes off of our selves and our circumstances (which may be hard going and the cause of discouragement) and demonstrates to the enemy of our souls that regardless of what is going on, we love and honor our Savior and God. It's almost impossible to stay "down in the dumps" (and fodder for Satan's attacks) when our focus is on the One Who created us, loves us, and died for us to set us free from Satan's power. Praise and thankfulness can lift us out of our "feelings" into expressing our faith, and what we know and believe about our God. Psalm 149 says : Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two edged sword be in their hands".....so as we praise and worship Him, the sword of the spirit is active against the warfare in the realms of this world. We are both worshippers and warriors!

1. Before I answer, I'd like to qualify "anger".....not all anger is sin. It's a God given emotion, meant for us to take some kind of positive action....like removing oneself from harm, or abuse, or speaking up on behalf of those who don't have a voice or don't know that they can have a voice, as well as righteous anger which Jesus expressed when he overturned the tables in the temple which were used for unholy purposes. Anger expressed appropriately can initiate healing in a situation rather than prolonged alienation. Correctly dealing with anger helps to resolve issues in relationships. When it's not dealt with, we can become passive aggressively angry, which is kind of a cowardly way of letting others know we are angry, but avoiding a healthy confrontation. (I learned to write about it to get it "out" of my system (it literally comes out through the pen or pencil onto the paper!) then to ask God's help in forgiving the offender, and when able, to forgive. (I was told to write and tear up the paper or in a journal no one has access to.) This is really a wonderful solution, and we can learn about ourselves as we are writing...sometimes the anger is really about "what happened back then" and we can deal with those issues "in the now." This process removes Satan's access to use us as his agent to hurt others, and ourselves as his victims. The kind of anger which is sin, is that which is "repressed" and causes harm to the angry individual, as well as that which is expressed in such a way that it causes harm to the one or ones on which it is "inflicted" as well as the seething kind which Satan can use for his purposes. When that kind is present we can become a pawn, egged on by Satan to damage others or to seek revenge or retribution. Jesus said "don't let the sun go down on your anger"....the intent being to express anger in an appropriate way before it turns to hatred and rage, and take the action which needs to be undertaken, prayerfully with the help of Holy Spirit. 2. It used to be myself, because of incorrect teaching about anger...for instance: "all anger is sin." That false narrative leads to unhealthy attitudes and behavior, and delayed the emotional healing which the Lord was directing me toward...counseling, support to escape abuse, etc. and the ability to forgive. When I believed the lie about anger, a situation came up where I felt so victimized that I literally saw RED..I was riding in a car, and as I stayed silent, the grass and trees outside the car turned red. That scared me....and I decided to get help and to learn appropriate anger management. 3. Unforgiveness is like drinking poison expecting the person you're angry with to die. Instead it tears up our insides, creating health problems like ulcers, high blood pressure, chronic pain, asthma, and many other issues. It also negates healing in relationships, blocks joy and happiness, turns the outlook on life into darkness, fosters the sense of victimization and so on. It turns to bitterness and hard heartedness. Whereas we are "more than conquerors in Christ Jesus." Jesus also said "Be angry and sin not." Anger is simply an emotion. It's what we do with it or about it, which becomes sin.'' P.S.. days after I answered these questions, circumstances around me became unbearable and a PTSD episode erupted. Holy Spirit showed me some deeply buried anger toward God I'd been harboring for YEARS over the abuse and violence in childhood...He knew it was there and kindly used circumstances to "uncover" it....it wrecked me for several days as I cried and journaled and grieved....I couldn't reconcile that abuse with His love and His foreknowledge of the family I would grow up in....it just didn't seem to make sense, so I asked Him to help me reconcile all of this...and He said "Jeremiah 9:23,24. Oh! I know Him so well and have such an honest relationship with Him BECAUSE of my GREAT need of Him every day and every moment, which I wouldn't trade for any "do-overs" of childhood. So I thank Him for this look at anger in our lesson, and for His integrity in showing me what I couldn't see....I feel emptied out somehow now...like there is more room for Him and for others to fill that icky dark space! My spirit feels more free and light! Thank you, Jesus for your great love and care for me and for each of your loved ones, and for showing us that anger needs to be acknowledged and taken care of for our sakes and for others.

1. Legitimate authority is that which is given by the only one who has the power to legally bequeathe the authority. Usurped authority is that which is fraudulently obtained, much like trying to gain access with a faked passport or trying to make a purchase with counterfeit money.. It looks like the real thing until in the presence of the true Authority. (When I was a new bank employee we learned to detect the counterfeit by being well acquainted with real money) 2. Satan has usurped authority....with Adam's fall in the Garden, the authority over the earth was given over to Satan, who ruled with wickedness until Jesus death on the Cross "bought it back" and has now given true authority to the sons and daughters of God, in Jesus' Name, as though He is speaking. 3. Satan's defeat was permanent, and he has been "declawed and defanged"...he knows it and the Word of God declares it, however he still roams around and roars through his loud megaphone to intimidate and frighten believers who are ignorant that he no longer has any power over them. He is a deceiver who has also authored countless cults and false religions in his war against God, to ensnare millions into believing they are going to Heaven by following the tenets of their "faith". He hounds and harasses and deceives believers, until he is resisted and he has to flee. One of his most often believed lies which enslaves many believers is "God helps those who help themselves" whereas the truth is God helps those who can't help themselves...who depend upon God through a surrendered life to Him.

1. Life is filled with pressure every day, and in Paul's day ordinary life sounds unbelievably difficult, but because of what God tasked him with, I think the majority must have been spiritual opposition. Demons followed him everywhere he went as did angry Jews who refused to believe the Gospel and wanted him to be removed....as he had done previous to his conversion. 2. Leaders have "targets on their backs" for sure. Satan's strategy is to "strike the leader and the sheep will scatter." When the leader "fails or falls" the congregation is affected in a negative way, the immature losing faith (which shouldn't be in the leader, but in the Lord) and many will fall away and stop attending church. Years ago I was sharing Christ with a lady who said "I watched Jim and Tammy Fay Baker every day...sent them money and now that I see what they were about, I want nothing to do with Christianity." That was so very tragic, but illustrates the impact leaders have both for good and for evil. Also, because leaders have more responsibility and more visibility they need constant prayer covering...they are like lightening rods attracting unwanted opposition. It comes at them all the same and prayer is the difference in whether they stand or fall.

1. Many churches teach that Holy Spirit is no longer functioning today (He retired?) So they use gimmicks, flashing strobe lights, huge sound systems, videos to entertain, coffee and donuts, programs, loud music. (Old folks want hymns, which young ones dislike, and the young like the loud upbeat music which puts off the older people. There is a church in town with a small sanctuary with guitar music and hymns for older people, and the younger people are in a separate place with their rock music and the sermon is piped into both rooms. How SAD! We have become "CONSUMER" Christians asking what am I going to get at church today, instead of worshipers whose hearts are to give glory to God and to be used of Him in service or in allowing His gifts to flow through us to bless the body of Christ....so the Gospel is relatively stagnant. 2. I think that the fear is if/when Holy Spirit "shows up" some will be offended and will leave and their numbers will decline. (some I'm sure have been "burned" by a few T.V. ministries faking miracles, and they don't believe miracles really happen today) My back injury from a rollover car accident was healed while I was watching the 700 club, and Demos Shakarian gave a word of knowledge that a lady with a back injury who is watching, is being healed right now....and bam! I was instantly healed. But there are some charlatans out there who cast doubt on real healings. I was healed from night blindness while praying for my husband to be healed from a serious illness! Praise God Holy Spirit is alive and all Powerful! 3. They are easy to identify, because the fruit which is produced through them is visible and lasting, God is glorified, and lives are changed! 4. It has been helpful to pray about identifying my gifts and learning that mine are evangelism, encouragement and faith. (We are all given a measure of faith, but I learned that there is a gift of faith to believe for the unusual which takes many years to manifest...as did Abraham and Sarah's gift of Isaac, and apparently is it, since I've spent most of my Christian walk, waiting. 5. We're praying for our church. The gifts are taught, but we do not see "manifestations" of them very often. I think unbelief is the big factor. Many are "stuck" in the old traditions or have been taught that Holy Spirit is no longer involved today. We need the gifts today, in order to evangelize as Paul and the other disciples/Apostles did. When I was at a Kathryn Kuhlman crusade, the healings started spontaneously all over the coliseum while we were worshipping.....before she began to preach. I remember going and expecting to see miracles because I'd heard that her's was a healing ministry. She never left the stage and no one touched those who were healed, but Holy Spirit was there in POWER! I was in the balcony and observed the miracles! How I long for the churches to be blessed this way again!

1. As Paul preached and made disciples, then "each one, won one"... exponential multiplication. (1 becomes 2, 2 becomes 4, 4 becomes 8...8 becomes 16... He didn't just lead people to the Lord, he taught them...was available every day for hours of teaching and training so they could be "sent" as well. Paul's ministry was accompanied by powerful signs and wonders which validated that "he was the real deal" as was the Gospel, and was anointed and appointed by God to do this work. 2. Paul had shaken the dust from his feet after the Jews rejected the Gospel, and he was sent to the Gentiles. I believe Holy Spirit was at work through Paul since his time was short, and the appointed time had come for the Gentiles to hear and receive the Gospel in order for it to spread to the known world. No one comes to Christ unless the Father draws them (John 6:44)...and it was their time to be blessed. 3. I believe it's vital to evangelize wherever we live, but in the great cities because there are more people, the multiplication principal (in Q1) intensifies resulting in greater numbers of disciples. Also great cities are very multicultural so that families, relatives and friends in each nation of origin may be reached as well. Great cities are where governments reside....they must be reached as well, for the peace and prosperity and fulfilling of God's purposes for the region, then nation. I read a statistic that in fact, if "each one wins one" the entire world would be evangelized, in a very few years, but unfortunately only 2% of believers share their faith with others after the first few years as believers.

1. Paul hints in I Cor:2:1 that he kept the message of the Gospel simple and to the point, rather than in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom, as the polished way Apollos taught and preached. Apollos was a trained speaker while Paul was a trained Rabbi, very much different in style and approach to subjects. Paul reminded them that each has different gifts and all are building and working to spread the same Gospel. 2. Paul and Apollos each attracted certain followers based on their style and perhaps even physical appearance, resulting in the sense that one was more desirable than the other and the people aligned themselves in different "camps" rather than embracing the Gospel, which stands alone in instructing us that all believers are one body in Christ. 3. Paul addressed the Corinthian's immaturity, and their walking in the flesh resulting in factions and envious and unspiritual behavior and standards rather than with spiritual discernment and behavior and heeding the message of the Gospel. 4. No, on the contrary large numbers of churches are working together to deal with the issues and needs in our area. It''s really amazing. A pastor from a smaller congregation asked the other pastors to pray, as his wife had accumulated $33,000 in medical bills which they could not pay. The other congregations raised the money to pay the debt and relieve them of the burden. On Pentecost Sunday all of the pastors put their names in a "hat" and went to preach at whichever church they drew. Brother Lawrence, a Catholic, braved coming to preach at our Charismatic church. We loved hearing him. The Pastor who preached at the Catholic church said a woman came to him with tears streaming down her cheeks, saying I've prayed for this for years. 5. I'm not aware of any divisions. If there are and I become aware of these divisions, I would pray for unity.

Some may disagree on several points or more, and we can agree to disagree on issues not crucial to our Salvation. My answers are based on my study of the Bible, so bear with me as I share my understanding of these issues, and I will respect your answers as well without comment. 1. Without the resurrection of Christ there is no Gospel. He is the Firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in the faith. Though one might believe in Jesus as a prophet or a good man, without the Resurrection, He would have died in vain, alone, and all who believe in him would die the second death, in their sins, and be sentenced to hell for eternity, having no Savior to deliver us. (I Cor 15:14-20) 2. Our faith hinges on eternal life after death in Heaven with our Triune God based on Jesus' virgin birth, sinless life, and death for our sins on the Cross and His Resurrection from the dead. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, he would have been just a good man who went to the cross without purpose, and he would be condemned as a hoax and a liar, as would all who preached that He is the Son of God, born of a virgin, sinless Savior and the propitiation for the sins of all who believe in Him. Christianity would be just another cult, teaching that we try to live a good life of works of the flesh here on earth, (as most cults believe) trying to emulate in our own strength how He lived, and hope to end up in a better place after living a life of fear and futility here on earth, then a dark and hopeless death. Thank you Jesus, that You did Rise from the dead and the Word of God is True "and all men are liars." (Rom 3:4) 3. When we die (as believers) we are absent from our body but instantly present with Christ (though our body is in the grave 2 Cor 5:8) If we are alive when the Rapture occurs for the believers prior to the seven years of tribulation on earth (we were not appointed unto wrath. (1 Cor 5:9) God's wrath for sin was poured out upon Jesus on the Cross, and the Tribulation is for those who have rejected and refused His free gift of Eternal life in Him) the dead ln Christ will rise then the raptured believers with them, will meet Him in the air to be with Him forever. (I Cor 4:16,17) (In the Rapture, we come UP TO HIM and go to Heaven where we will celebrate the Marriage Supper of the Lamb while the 7 year Tribulation is on earth. Rev. 19:6) Jesus second coming is different from the Rapture, where the Bride of Christs ascends into the air to meet with Him. At the second coming, Jesus comes BACK TO EARTH, and we will return with Him in our new bodies on white horses to reign with Him for 1000 years during His Millennial Kingdom on earth. (Rev 21:4) God will wipe away every tear and there will be no more death! Glorious eternity with our precious Lord! Rev 22:7: Behold, I Am coming speedily! Maranatha!!! Come Lord Jesus!!!

1. They were expedient...and crucial, instantly available whenever a pastor, elder, leader was selected or appointed. The believers could quickly assemble in nearby homes eliminating travel and expense, allowing for a shorter time away from jobs and household chores and responsibilities. 2. A house church or churches could be available in every town as needed. Much as the Amish and Friends (Quakers) have used in more modern times often moving from house to house to share responsibility. Funds were not needed for maintenance, new buildings, furnishings, and all of the other needs of church buildings. Pastors were lay ministers who worked in their own field of expertise to support their families, which meant they were free to work and minister without the additional cares and concerns of a church building. These were friends and neighbors, so fellowship was already established. The leaders were friends and co-workers in many cases, I imagine, so didn't require establishing trust and intimacy an outsider might require. 3. The only thing that comes to mind, are the issues which arise among believers, some petty disagreements and some more involved which could make meeting in a home awkward. (Jealous comparisons, bickering which festers, the homeowner feeling taken advantage of after a time of sacrifice....these were baby Christians. Goodness knows the issues which arise in churches today among "well seasoned" Christians, which cause church splits and worse, so on second thought, probably similar weaknesses as we see today in established churches with lovely buildings.

1. Paul wished to be an example to the church by working and being diligent rather than a "lay about" living a disorderly life. He taught the "rule" that "If one won't work he shouldn't eat." The goal was to support ones family and have some extra in order to help widows and orphans and those who were unable to earn a living due to health or age issues, and to send missionaries on their way with a gift until they arrived at their destination and could begin work again. He didn't want to be a burden on the already burdened church, even though he taught that he and other missionaries had a right to support, he chose to set the tone of a disciplined life rather than being idle and nosing into the affairs of the people. 2. I'm guessing that the thinking might be about scattered focus, rather than full diligence in the ministry. 3. He demonstrated by example a strong work ethic, regardless of what one does for a living, including ministry.

1. John 3:16 sums up His love and concern for non-believers: "For God so greatly loved the world that He even gave up His only begotten, Unique Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction) be lost, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. (amp) 2. Absolutely...just as He worked in each believers life....Our Father draws the hearts, and Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to each responsive one, watering "seed" planted, in each life. Sadly only a minority will choose to be chosen as children of our Father God. Actually, He drew me by continuing to answer my "God if you're there" prayers so specifically that I could not deny His Presence and Reality! He's not limited in how to reach us. 3. If we're judgmental it's because we've forgotten that we were each hell bound sinners before He saved our sorry self righteous sinful self's. 4. We are Christ's ambassadors, HIS LOVE written, not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on hearts of stone but on the tablets of human hearts. 2 Cor 3:3. His love drew us to Him, and His love through us will draw seekers to Him also. 5. Yes, faith in Jesus is the only way to salvation...there is no other way. Acts 4:12: There is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.

1. Jesus, sinless Son of God, died on the cross at Calvary, a substitute for my sins, past, present and future. (Under the old Covenant, a spotless animal without blemish was the substitute for each sinner) He took all my bad and gave me all His Good...even His shared inheritance! 2. Apart from the sacrificial death of Jesus I would still be on the road to hell for my sins. Instead, I am a new creature in Christ, washed clean by His substitution for me on the cross. And as He was raised from the dead, I will never face the second death of judgement for my sins. Instead I will spend eternity in Heaven with my Lord. 3. It's a fact that we each have a sin nature just by virtue of being born a human being since the Fall in the Garden of Eden. Though I am a new Creature in Christ, I am a work in progress as He continually works with me and in me day by day to conform me to His image (Rom 8:28,29) Until I am in my new spirit body and this body of flesh is laid to rest, sin will always be an issue. (sins of ignorance, omission, and even willful disobedience at times until I am with Him in Heaven.) The good news is that we are always being cleansed and as we grow in love and grace will sin less and less. What a Savior!!!!

1. Paul may have been tempted but am certain he never wavered in sharing the Gospel. In fact, whenever he encountered Jews, he argued with them (reasoned?) The cross was a stumbling block to them since they crucified their Messiah and Savior. He was sent to the Gentiles to whom the cross was horrific, but not a stumbling block to receiving the Gospel message. 2. I recall sharing the Gospel "lite"....in the very beginning because I didn't want to put people off by sharing that we are dead spiritually until we are born again into new life through Jesus' death on the cross and that we are not above our Master and will also suffer for our faith. But I soon realized that is a disservice and is not truthful, and may set them up for falling away when trouble comes...as it always does. It's better to be honest , and to let them know He will get us through whatever befalls us, and will get us safely to Heaven when time for the journey home. 3. Jesus IS TRUTH! We are called to be truth tellers. (To not share the whole gospel is like telling a child who is being taken to the doctor for a shot: "Don't cry....it won't hurt"....and then they know we can't be trusted when it does hurt and they've been lied to in order to get them in the car!

1. I believe it's because no matter what is coming at us or going on around us....when we are In Christ, we are on our way to Heaven, and anything that "touches us" must first pass through the Lord's hand of permission....so His promise is that He will use it for good in our lives and the lives of others around us.. Romans 8:28, and there is a comma before the next part of the promise "....that we be conformed to the image of Christ". What a glorious promise...in the end we will be like Him in character.....and He never fails! Worship keeps our focus on HIM rather than on our circumstances....even in wonderful circumstances, worship and rejoicing focus our hearts on the GIVER, rather than the gift. In hard places, worship and rejoicing remind us we're just pilgrims passing through this place and He will lead us to our true home one day...and in the meantime He is building our faith. 2. Typically, it's to complain, murmur, grumble, get depressed, irritated or overeat...(that was a joke) 3. It is being obedient to the One Who made us and knows what is best for us....Who knows that griping and complaining are unbelief and lead to a downward spiral emotionally...like self pity or anger...and anger turned inward becomes depression. 4. Being led to the edge of the cliff and having to wait and wait and wait for direction or relief.

1. Paul fully believed and understood Grace, and free in Christ no longer adhered to the tedious, law which was impossible to keep. However circumcising Timothy would minimize confrontation with the Law keepers, who knew his father was a Greek. It was a small detail in the larger task of sharing the Gospel with Jewish adherents of "every male must be circumcised." That settled, they could focus on Jesus, their Messiah, rather than endless arguments about circumcision (which in Christ is the circumcision of the "heart" in surrender to His Lordship) 2. Paul became all things to all people because as he said: For although I am free in every way from anyone's control, I have made myself a bondservant to everyone so that I might win those under the Law. "And I do this for the sake of the good news (the Gospel) in order that I may become all things to all men, that I might by all means at all costs and in any and every way save some by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ." 3. As Jesus was a bondservant of Jesus Christ, we are as well. This requires the humility of being in submission/subjection to another (to Jesus) to do His will rather than the freedom to have our own way or will. The goal, as we grow in Christ, is that His desires become our desires. (That He may increase as we decrease (or that He must become more important and I become less and less important." John 3:30) When I was learning about meekness (humble submission) Holy Spirit showed me a picture of a beautiful wild stallion....nostrils flaring, powerful muscles rippling, tail swishing, head and mane wildly turning.....and totally useless to his owner, other than to look at his wild beauty. When the owner was able to "break" him and train him to a bit and bridle and be ridden, just a light nudge with a knee could turn him in the direction the rider wished him to go. That picture gave me the desire to follow the Lords 'nudges' in submission to His will....not that getting there was without some upheaval in my plans, and a few fist shakings in His face, as I angrily resisted the "bit and bridle".....but it has been worth the "breaking" process and the peaceful life that flows now that I've grown to "listen" for those nudges, and the amazing and joyful journey we're on.

1. They are those who have been saved by grace through the death and priceless blood of Jesus on the cross and His Resurrection! (The old Israel is still in existence today but are going to be given another opportunity to become part of God's family, in these last days, and the door has always been open to them. 2. Now there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, for we are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28 3. The same Jesus Who makes there be "no Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free". His blood unites every believer regardless of sex, race, nationality, age or denomination. (I loved seeing the entire choir at a Kathryn Kuhlman crusade years ago, was Catholic nuns"...and where I had obeyed the Lord and invited my Catholic friend, after much arguing with Him that she wouldn't understand because she is Catholic.....and she received Christ that afternoon, much to my joy....and HIS.

1. Ephesians 1:4 tells us that before the foundation of the world, God chose us, picked us out to be His own, and John 17 tells us that in God's foreknowledge He gave us to Jesus as His love gift....and that in the fullness of time, Holy spirit woos us and introduces us to Jesus, and those who say Yes, Jesus gives back to His Father as His love gift. .....our response is to "choose to be chosen." Pure grace is His plan and gift to each one who says Yes to His call, regardless of how evil and vile the life has been. Everyone has a choice...that is also a gift of grace, also, everyone is given the opportunity to hear the Gospel. That too is pure grace, even knowing that the majority will choose their own lives apart from His love and mercy. (I love that the Trinity is involved from start to finish in salvation, we just carry the message, and He does "the saving".) 2. There is one denomination who teaches that "if someone is going to be saved, they will be, so no point in sharing the Gospel". The problem with that thinking is that we don't know who will say yes. It's my belief that we may share with many who will say no, but later may think about it and say yes. We are called to "sow the seed, in season and out of season" wherever we have opportunity! Those who permanently reject Jesus' gift of eternal life, will be judged on that basis at the judgement, and will not be able to say "I didn't know" or "I never heard the Gospel". God is a Just and loving Father! 3. I would say yes, in that angels are not assigned to share the Gospel....so "we're it" How else will they hear if we're not sent? If one chooses to disobey and not share, He will send someone else...or maybe several. One may hear the Gospel on T.V. or radio, but the person presenting the message has been obedient. (I'm remembering a time when I was watching Christian T.V. and the refrigerator repairman came...as he worked on the freezer, he heard the gospel, and then asked me to explain it more thoroughly to him, with my testimony of how my life has been changed, forgiven and healed.) God is creative in giving every individual, in his/her own language and ability to understand, the opportunity to hear and receive Jesus or the freedom to say no and choose eternity in hell.

1. Grace is FREE, unmerited favor, and we are delivered from judgement and made partakers of Christ's Salvation by our faith, not by works of the flesh (fulfillment of the demands of law), but rather a Gift from God. 2. Legalism and works nullify or oppose the gift of Grace. (Grace + works). The new wine is the gospel of grace....Paul said we can't put new wine in the old wineskin of the law or the new unfermented wine will burst the old wineskin and the wine will run out on the ground...(be lost) The Law KILLS (3,000 died at Mt Sinai when Law was given; Grace gives LIFE...3,000 saved at Pentecost when Holy Spirit was poured out upon the people. 3. Our part is to believe and respond with acceptance and a sincere "Yes" to the wooing of Holy Spirit, and to receive the free gift with gratitude, appreciation and Joy that Heaven will be waiting for us forever with Him, when we deserved hell!

1. They were instructing the believers that unless they were circumcised according to Mosaic law, they could not be saved. 2. It "added to" Salvation by grace alone, teaching that one must do a "work" in the flesh (literally remove flesh!) in obedience to the law, for salvation. 3. It nullifies the Gospel, (works contrary to the Gospel) which Jesus gives us freely as a gift! "Works" set us up for comparisons: pride for "earning" Salvation, and for "working" more or harder than others and diminishes all that Jesus has accomplished for us which He freely gives. It can create fear...(am I doing enough? Have I done enough? Can I "lose" my salvation?) It removes joy and appreciation for His free gift and puts us under bondage. I believe that mindset not only sets up barriers between believers, but puts a barrier of fear between the believer and the Lord. It must be exhausting to fall into that trap, even causing resentment toward the Lord for "demanding" or "cracking the whip", rather than leading us. If the pastor teaches that falsehood, (get out of there!) the congregation is no longer free to simply follow the teachings of Christ and the leading of Holy Spirit, but must be scrutinized for how well they are keeping the laws!