gripofhisgrace

Paul set the example by working wherever he went. He worked as a tentmaker and worked beside other Christian workers. As a disciple he had a right to support just as the believers were told to support their preists. However, Paul couldn't afford to have people accuse him of preaching one thing and practicing another.

The verse says "everlasting destruction from God" I'm not sure what that means. However the most frightening thing to me is to be eternally separated from God.

I think that without testing we would tend to take our faith for granted. We wouldn't appreciate it as much. Also, it helps us define where our priorities are. If something is worth suffering for, then it is appropriately important to our lives

Doesn't this passage teach against cremation? If the angels return and reunite with their bodies, what happens if there is no body?

Fatherly roles are important because they are the pushers, the cheerleaders and the standard setters. Disciples need all of these qualities within their ministry. Why would women want to adopt any of these traits? We have qualities of our own that are necessary in the church community

\\Courage is important because the trials of disciples are many and we must demonstrate perserverance and courage. Lack of courage keeps us from speaking up when we should. Lack of courage in a congregation leads to an inward focus and not an outward focus. We are so worried about what happens to our church we don't see the wider world vision a world hurting and in need. This inward focus leads to lack of new members, new disciples, new ideas and new blood. In my work place God and work do not mix, yet I have to rely on him every day to survive. Too often I shut God out because I feel the need to honor the man imposed rules

The Holy Spirit guides us in God's work, without his whispering we are so apt to go our own way. Then God's work becomes the mans. Will power is great and is often necessary in any ministry. However, will-power also involves a bullheaded stubborness that can prevent you from being Spirit lead and lead to selfishness. Miracles are evident in Paul's ministry. So many times he has been doomed only to be saved by the miracles of God. What would happen if we saw miracles in evangelism is our day? What makes you think we don't???? The only thing hindering us from experiencing miracles is our refusal to see them.

The people who have the most to lose fear change the most. The Jewish heirarchy had money, power and position. Anything that threatened that threatened them. Paul's continuation with ministry despite violence is a mystery to me. How do you do that day after day knowing your life is on the line. Paul was able to do that because his faith in God was total and his relationship with Him was personal. Violent reactions to our ministry doesn't mean we should stop, we should not act provacatively either. Continue what God set you out to do and He will protect you

I'm confused. We celebrate alot of non-Christian holidays in the US. Days that we hold to be special. Does this go against Paul's teaching?

Q1. (Psalm 150) What does this psalm teach us about praise? Where should praise occur? With what should praise be conducted? Who should praise? What does this psalm make you feel like after reading it out loud? 1. This Psalm teaches me that it is a privlidge and honor to Praise God and that it should occur everywhere at anytime, by everyone. THis Psalm is bursting with energy, it creates joy and sadness as I remember all the times I don't give praise and should. When I talk to God about all my sniveling complaints instead of remembering his goodnes. blessings to you all susan

Psalm 8 teaches us about the majestic power of God and even though He is all powerful, he has taken time with us. We who are lower than th Cherubin , Seraphim, have been placed in charge - in stewardship- of this earth. A personal trust between what God created and us. Wow

You know, we all know we should cast our fears on Jesus. It sounds logical but it really takes alot of discipline. The media has given us so much to be afraid of. Be afraid of the neighbor, of the drunk driver, of the swindler, of the diet, of exercise, of world peace, of the economy......... it goes on and on. And yes they have brainwashed us into fear. I have to discipline my mind to seek God's will I have to choose to trust I have to pray to stay focused on God I have to put the situation in the context of the God I know by studying the Word and knowing Him. So, I'll keep working and plugging and making the decision to turn things over to God susan

It would really change my perspective on things. I love the Lord and try my hardest to serve Him in as many areas as I can. I also work hard (although not hard enough) to be the Christian he wants me to be. However, I'm also a busy working Mom who is pretty overwehlmed. So, if I knew He was coming soon I would, stress less, volunteer more, and spend more time studying the Word. peace susan

Salvation is a free gift from God through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. However, it is our responsibility to live in obedience to God's will and change our lives. This is what God expects and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit reminds us of. Those who chose to go on in sin will ultimately pay the price. susan

This is a little simplistic but I figure even on my darkest day that God is not going to let go of me and I'm not letting go of Him so we are bound into eternity forever susan

King of Kings, Lord of Lord. One who is all powerful, all knowing, who deserves our obedience and submission. We are studying "Traveling Light" by Max Lucado in my Sunday school class. He says that we tend to look on God as a kindly grandfather, a genie in a bottle or a far to busy Dad that we see on Sunday" . I believe that is true. The truth is he is King of Kings, Lord of Lords and my "all in all" susan

Q1. (19:7-9) These verses draw together two themes from Scripture -- (1) God's people as his betrothed Bride and (2) the feast of all God's people in heaven. When you meditate on these themes, how are you both admonished and encouraged? I am encouraged because I know that no matter what He will never leave me or forsake me. That we are bound through eternity I am admonished because I often focus on the things of this world and forget how much more he gave to me than anyone here can I am humbled to think that He does so much for me-to the point of the cross and I am so unworthy. love susan

God put us in the world for a reason. He did not hide us in caves or give us our own separate planet. He gave us this world so that we might testify so that all may become believers. We must live in this world but we must keep our priorities straight and remember our focus is on God and Godly living. How do we fufill the command: , "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins...." I think it means that when it is the appointed time for each of us, we must make that split second decision to let go of this world and go to God. susan

That does it mean ? Even when things look dark and the situation scary God can and will have victory. Who is overcome? Satan and his followers are cast down and evil is overcome In what sense do we have victory if we die in the process ? Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(KJV) how does loving our lives prevent spiritual victory today? I look at John 12 and Matthew 19 which basically state that the things of this world are weights tied to our ankles preventing us from rising to heaven susan

We confirm what we already know - that God is all powerful and sovereign and is ever faithful to His promises to his chilren. The seal will protect the children of God but also (I think) make a public proclaimation of who they are. susan

That is really an awesome reply. I was simply going to say that according to the Trinity the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one but this makes them distinct but one. thank you susan

I atttend a traditional church but a contemporary service. It is so refreshing to see that even today we draw on the Bible for our lyrics. The first time I read the Bible and recognized song lyrics I was estactic. Anyway some songs I recognize are Holy, Holy, Holy, Crown Him with Many Crowns You are Holy Worthy is the Lamb Victory Chant (Hail Hail Lion of Judah) blessings and peace to all susan

Q3. Why do you think the religious compromise required by participating in heathen religious practices in the trade guilds was so spiritually destructive? Heathen religious practices in the trade guild were attractive to the natural self. Hang out with Temple Prostitutes, get drunk, and worship something that doesn't give instruction. Because these things were attractive in the natural and easier to follow than God's rules, they became incorporated and diluted, if not destroyed God's work. What compromises do twenty-first century Christians struggle with? Let's not settle for trite legalisms about drinking and smoking. What are the real compromises that dilute vital Christianity? Let me break this down to everyday things we do instead of the big moral picture. The real issues today are numbers and money. Many churches will chose the easy right and ignore the morally hard in order to keep up appearances. It's ok that people miss church because they were out on the boat, it's ok that they don't tithe because at least they're there, it really doesn't matter what they wear, cause they're filling a seat. We take that which is foul in the eyes of God and turn it into something acceptable because people's acceptance of us is more important than our acceptance of Him. susan

Q1. How can a local congregation lose its "first love" for Jesus? What are the signs of genuine love for Jesus in worship and ministry? How does the lack of love show up? How can a congregation regain this love? A local church loses is "first love" when: a) it focuses more on numbers, programs, and dollars than Jesus When people use their gifts to bring glory and power to themselves c) When the worship becomes more of another form of entertainment than worshiping Christ d) when we water down our beliefs until we have no beliefs so that we are acceptable to everyone and offend no one. What are the signs of genuine love for Jesus in worship and ministry? a) When people demonstrate that they don't "run" anything but facilitate many things When worship of focused c) When worship is emotional d) When classes and programs welcome all and promote personal growth How does lack of love show up? a) dead worship closemindedness c) Decreased attendance d) people become territorial How do we regain in? By reestablishing a personal and meaningful individual and corporate relationship with Christ. susan