juwulz

I was baptized as an infant (pouring) and then again as a teen by immersion. A few years ago after undergoing some lifechanging events I again re-baptized myself and recieved the glorious blessing and cleansing of the Lord.

Every sin I have committed from the time I was born until the day I die was accounted for on the cross. I know what a burden it is to carry my own sin around on my shoulders, the shame, grief, sorrow, pain - and then the great relief I have when I confess them to the Lord. I then imagine Jesus bearing the burden of the entire world's sin, past present future, and the immense pain, sorrow, and grief it caused him until the great exchange took place.

The fact that Christ was crucified and suffered on the cross for my sins, yet did not cry out, retaliate, respond to his taunters, reminds me of what a truly amazing, and awesome God he is. Particularly after seeing the Passion and having the visual to go along with this passage, I am much more mindfull about accepting responsibility without making excuses and I am trying very hard not to blame shift.

I think that being a Christian in the workplace makes our actions more magnified, particularly in the manner we react to interpersonnal matters. Complaining may not be the correct term to approach others with, but making suggestions certainly is! Prolonged unfair treatment typically goes on unaddressed, unfortunately, as the people who "rock the boat" tend to be the one's who are laid off mysteriously...

Wow, this is a very thought provoking topic. I have always taken such pride in my work, and have been blessed with the people I work with. To submit ourselves with respect not only to those who are kind but also those who are harsh in today's society is an interesting concept. We have such an instant gratification society. If I don't like it, I'll just quit, or complain enough to try to get them fired seems to be the motto of many people I have worked with. But, these opportunities may be the Lords way of putting us in circumstances where we can pray for others, or where others can see our character and perseverance, and there is a larger life plan in store for us by being submissive in the unfavorable work environment.

In what way is God's glory dependent upon us living submissive, obedient lives? It is for the greater good and is necessary to fulfill the will of God in the World. How is God hurt when we get rebellious? I imagine it is the same way as when our own children disobey us. Hurt, disapointment, tears, but still loves us and will guide us and discipline us when necessary.

Our good deeds done openly can encourage non-believers and witness to them the goodness and generosity of the Lord. Living in obscurity, or blending in, does not give any opportunity for others to know of your faith nor does it give opportunity for the Lords work to be done through action or word, resulting in no praise being given to the Lord.

Peter reminders us that those who do not believe, will see us living a Godly life, and will remember us when their day of atonement comes and they will in turn glorify God. This is an encouragement to continue to press on with living as a woman of God, not only in public but in private where God alone sees my actions and thoughts - which is most important.

Being a part of God's chosen people inspires such awe when phrased this way. As Christians, we are encouraged taught to follow the word and to remain safe from the corruption of the world, not yielding to its destructive ways. Yet, Bibliclally how many times did God's people fall short of His commands and do just this? Over and over. I can only hope that I can continue to be strong in the word and raise my children to have faith in this confusing society, where so many people do not understand the word of God, and riducule those who do.

I offer praise to the Lord with every waking breath I take, and try to never take for granted the absolute blessing it is that I am alive to experience another day. I praise Him in worship with my thanks in prayer, song, sharing my faith with my children, those around me, giving my time to those at church where I am able to help. It is easy to offer praise when things are going well, but I also continue to praise Him even now when I am in a state of "being pruned back" and in a time of suffering and need. The Lord is amazing and so loving, and always faithful.

Q1. (2.5) Christians often look at their relation to God as consumers, delighting in what God does for them. What is the mindset of a priest towards God? What actions does this mindset inspire in you? The mindset of a priest towards God is that of a servant. To me this means following the commands of the Lord and being available to those around me as the Lord directs. This mindset inspires a call to action to be as service oriented as possible and to be as available to help my community and those in need as much as possible, and to be a witness to others not only in actions by by an example in my every day life.

I suppose I get upset when I perceive I am being judged by others and I have built a fragile bubble of protection around me, but no matter how much I know I am loved by the Lord, I still long for acceptance by those around me. So at times when I am weak, and the enemy sneeks in, and the human psyche is low, it is possible for me to imagine that others are judging me, or talking behind my back, and whether it is positive or negative "talk" it does harm my self esteem to think that I am being judged by others. Ultimately I know that the only judgement that matters is the final judgement by God, bud humankind still can make a mark on the soul if I allow it. What happens to the Gospel when final judgment is left out or ignored? Chaos. To paraphrase what "Sponsor" said, Jesus finished the work on the cross, and that allows me to love God all the more and look forward to the final judgment without fear, and I would have to add with joy, peace, and hope for eternal life.

In your own words, how would you define "holiness"? To be holy is to be free from impurity and sin, and set apart for God. In what sense are you (by definition) holy now? Being human, I try for moral purity and to avoid sin, but the Lord knows my flaws, which I confess, and thank the Lord, are forgiven. In what sense must you be obedient in order to become holy? Following the Lords commands, and guidance set forth within the scriptures. What is your biggest struggle with holiness? Following the Lords ways, rather than societies ways. It is easy to get caught up in what society says is moral and right and necessary, rather than what I know in my heart is really the correct thing.

What about Christ's coming should get our undivided attention? Everything, as this is what I as a Christian am longing for. Why should it inspire hope? It is God's promise that His SON Jesus Christ will return and our salvation will be completed through his glorification. Why should it inspire self-control and soberness? It is an awesome event that brings me to my knees in reverence and praise and glory to the Lord, and though it brings excitement and joy to mind, it is also such a final closure for the world. What happens in our lives when we don't really expect Christ to come soon? We live with abandon and put all thoughts of Revelation to the back of our minds, instead of thinking "have I lived the life I want to live if the Lord were to return today?"

Q5. (1:8-9) According to 1 Peter 1:8-9, what is the basis of Christian joy that is "inexpressible and glorious"? Knowledge of Jesus How does this joy interplay with human emotions? Is it essentially emotional? It is very emotional, it is, for me, such a deep feeling of pure contentment, happiness, fullfillment, and security all rolled into one, and is impossible to describe to someone who does not know the Lord or to someone who has not experienced His love. How does it differ from what is generally regarded as the pursuit of "happiness"? This tends to be of earthly or materialistic things, and cannot be found in "things" only by getting to know the Lord, and the more I learn, pray and study, the more I want to know Him, and love him all the more. Extra Credit: How can you tell the genuine article of joy from the counterfeit? For me, the joy of the Lord fills me with a warm glow that fills me, and it continues to grow and spreads to those around me. And you can sense it in others, it is almost like a Jesus magnet, you see it in others and are drawn to them. Not a fake magnetism like a slick sales person, but a warm joy that comes from the heart and it makes you want to be with them and you don't know why, just that you feel that you are a better person when you are near them, and being with them makes you want to encourage eachother to get to know the Lord more.

Can I remember? It is often too hard to forget, as I am sure it is hard for most of you out there. What did God accomplish in my life? In some of the trials, he brought me so much closer to Him and I give him all my praise, honor and glory. And, honestly, in a current situation, I am still trying to find the Lord's plan, but continue to praise Him daily, for I do know there is a purpose, and a lesson that I have yet to find, so I plod along trying to find what it is that I am to learn from this current tribulation. How, does this bring glory to Jesus? I can only hope that the people who see me struggling through my physical therapy see the joy of the Lord on my face as I fight to walk, or see the peace on my face when there should be agony, and know that it comes from Him, they all know I am Christian, though I am not overly vocal about it.

God has promised to protect me and sheild me through His power and my faith, using the continuing process of sanctification until the time in the future when Christ will return and when our salvation is completed through His glorification.

I believe we are saved by grace not by our actions. Once I have confessed my sins to the Lord I am forgiven and in return I am feel that I should live my life in accordance to the word of Lord. As someone so elequently stated: How can we be obedient to something someone tells us if we do not act on it? So it is with faith. IF we have truly received remission for your sins by accepting what Jesus has done... then we must obey Him and His word. This is the only way the light of Jesus will be displayed to a lost and dying world. It is the only way Jesus is exhalted and lifted up... through our lives and living and breathing His word in our lived daily through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ not anything in our our power but by the resurrection of Jesus who dwells within us.

It it so interesting to read everyones responses, and I always learn so much from others' input, particularly this snip. A favorite quote from one of the pastors at my church is "what fills you controls you," and it jumped to my mind when I saw MrsLeeJT's "we let dominate our minds" statement. I've found that in the past few years I've simplified my life and re-evaluated the tangible priorities and have been trying to "fill" myself with more of the untangible - thanks for your heartfelt post - it really hit home for me. Back to Pastor Ralph's question... I would have to say that I identify more with my present homeland than my heavenly one as I can only imagine and dream of what it will be like... (as the song so elequently says ) At times I almost feel that my heavenly home is the refuge I find when I am in my prayers and experiencing the Lords presence during worshiping, maybe a little heaven on earth. I pray daily for the Lord to guide me to keep balance in my life to aid me in juggling priorities with children and being a single mom and the daily stresses society puts upon me.

That he has an intimate and loving relationship with His church.

When reading v 22:17 I have always read "Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life" and thought of thirsty as a yearning, or a longing to know the Lord. The free gift of the water of life was paid for by Jesus on the cross when He died for all my sins (I beleive someone else mentioned this). This to me is such a powerful statement, particularly when I was a teenager and just learning to love the Lord on my own, without mom & dad's 'encouragement' -- Now that I have kids of my own, I pray daily that they have a thirst to know the Lord!

Just the thought that there will be no more death, mourning, or pain is wonderful enough; But to be with my Lord and walk with Him in more than a spiritual way is overwhelming. When I read v 21:4 about wiping every tear from their eyes, I have this image of a loving daddy on his knees wrapping me in his arms and caressing my cheeks while removing my tears. To be with the Lord here on earth brings me such joy! I can only imagine what is in store!

I hope and pray for it every day of my life and know that it is God's will for me. It is one of the glorious things about accepting Jesus into my life and thanking God that He sent his son to die on the Cross for MY sins.

While it is so easy to generalize, for myself, I confess my sins to the Lord and know that I am forgiven. When it comes to "judgement day" I wonder if there is still that insecurity lingering in the back of my mind that maybe I left something out. Or that though I try hard to walk in a Christian way, I am human and imperfect, and make mistakes, though I know I am loved and created in the image of God. So there is a dichotomy going on in the back of my mind when it gets down to considering final judgement. This study has caused me to spend a lot of time in introspection and prayer and I am so grateful for that. On a side note, thank you Pastor Ralph for your time and energy. This is such an awesome subject to contemplate and learn from. Our Lord is such a loving Lord, and I learn more and more daily from every persons' posts. Thank you for this opportunity to share and learn.

I believe the reference to 144,000 that were sealed, is symbolic of the believers during the tribulation.