susang

Q2. (22:42) Why did Jesus pray that the Father take the cup from him? According to Mark and Matthew, Jesus repeated this prayer three times. Why was he so intense about it? What did this mean? Why was Jesus resisting the Father's will? Or was he? Yes, I believe that He was looking for another way and I think this is important. There is no point is teaching us that Jesus became man, if during some time, he did not demonstrate that humanity. If I were kneeling in that Garden, and looking at such a horrible demise, I'd be praying while high tailing it as far away as possible !! And yes, most of have been there. The difference is that Jesus was obedient and I think always intended to be. Even in the worst of circumstances, Jesus knew; he had faith, that God would take care of Him and not abandon him.

Q3. (22:42) When Jesus prayed "not my will, but yours be done," was the Father pleased? Why is the Father not pleased when we are passive and uncaring and dispassionate in our prayers that his will be done? What is required for us to pray the prayer of submission with authenticity? God was very pleased because knowing the pain and trial He faced, He still chose to trust and follow God. It was deliberate choice Jesus made because he knew, loved and trusted His Father. Many Christians have a dispassionate attitude. "You're going to do what you're going to do anyway God, so why do I need to pray ?" Often they abandon prayer as useless ritual. To do this is to deny that God wants a relationship with you and that you fail to understand His nature.

Q1. (22:40-41, 45-46) Why did he ask his disciples to pray? What temptation did Jesus know they would be facing? What was the content of their prayer to be? Did they actually pray this prayer diligently? How does the Lord's Prayer word this kind of prayer? Why do you think Jesus wanted to be alone during his own prayer?

Q3. Do you think Abraham's boldness pleased God? Why or why not? While I think that God was pleased because it demonstrated Abraham's faith, I feel we are neglectful if we forget to mention, that Abraham's boldness also is indicative that he understood and had a relationship with God. It was the relationship that enabled him to go boldly forward and make the request. While Abraham understood and was mindful of the Diety of God, he was also acknowledged and relished the close relationship they had

It says that we are swayed by what we see and not by what we should know and trust. Russell Frager wrote a song called "Yes and Amen" part of the lyrics say "I"m not afraid of circumstances, Cos I have all the answers, In Christ all of God's promises are yes and amen" We should all live like that and when I look back at the tapestry of my life and see how perfectly everything came together, I wonder why I ever panic and fear. I'm facing a new trial now, and I think I'm just going to sit back, trust, and say "Yes and Amen". God bless you all susan

[SIZE=1]But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

1. The belief of demons is based on the fact that they do believe in God, they have evidence of Him and they choose not only not to follow him but to flagrantly disobey him. 2. The belief of a practicing Christian is that their belief involves every part of their lives. Their physical self and thei spiritual self. It involves words, beliefs and actions. 3. Here is where I have a problem. The belief of a nonpracticing Christian is a belief. Whether it is based on their childhood or their own discovery, they believe there is a God. However, I think they hold that belief at arms length away and don't incorporate it into the full of their lives for a number of reasons. Either bad church experience, wrong priorities, ignorance or other things. So lets not write off this group yet!!! peace, love , blessings to all susan

I am a sinner, the worst of the worst and yet I dare discriminate against others. I discriminate against those who use the church as a basis for thier social life or to promote their own social agendas without coupling that with study and understanding of the Word. I get opinionated, and down right self righteous. I am truly not worthy. Generally speaking I have a great church open to all people and welcoming to all - honest. However, they are especially attentive to anyone over 60. susang

It think James used this as a measuring point because they are the two hardest things to do. It is easy for me to control my time and the quality of my study but it is a real challenge for me to control my tongue. Additionally, it is easy to surround my self with people who are like me. It is even easier for me to ignore the poor. We must master what is difficult and see what we would rather not see.

I love studying the Word. I could read and read for hours and just delight in The Bible and other Christian writings. But Helen is right, it is only one dimension. Magnus is right on target. We think we are Holy by our deeds and our studies. I found that while I was studying, I was learning more and more and I thought I was growing. However, all that studying was insulating and isolating. THe more I read, the more I thought I knew, and the more I became judgemental of those who were not as studious as I. I cannot believe I am confessing this. Anyway, there came I time when I was no longer in a position to study or teach and I find that as long as I have to "walk the walk" I don't have as much room to "talk the talk"!!! blessings susan

Doublemindedness comes when you are so engrossed in the problem that you forget about God. After struggling you realize that the only answer is God and you should have gone there in the first place. Now I am no advocate of trials (especially since I'm in the middle of them) however, they are important. I was on another web site and they quoted a Stephen Curtis Chapman song. I may not see in front of me, But I can see for miles around when I look over my shoulder, and Lord, it`s clear. You`ve brought me here, So faithful every step of the way. What can I do but follow you, For You are the Way, the Truth, the Life, And You`ve promised never to leave me, My Savior, my friend, From beginning to end. I Am Found In You by Steven Curtis Chapman I mean, how right is that. If I think of all He has delivered me from, all He has forgiven me for and all the things He has conquered through me and in me, How can I be doubleminded anymore?

Q2. (1:13-15) Why do people blame God for evil? Does God tempt us with evil? Does he tempt sinful people with evil? Why does he allow people to sin? Why does he allow evil to exist at all? In our society, everyone has someone else to blame for their problems. Nothing is ever anyones fault or responsibility. Blaming God is just more of the same. People do not understand God and they need a scapegoat. It is against the very nature of God to "tempt" anyone. He "allows" us to sin so that because he has given us free choice. We have the ability to make good choices or bad. And when we make bad choices God expects us to learn from it. Why does he allow evil to exist at all ? I honestly don't know. Evil has existed for all time. I think perhaps we will see what a mess we have made of things and repent. I don't know how He looks at the cesspool we have made of life and still forgive us. What a wonderful Savior. susan

Last year was the scariest of my life. I knew something was up when I quit smoking after years of addiction, and I did it with ease. Next we got a chance to take the kids to Disney. An opportunity I never thought we would have but we came into some unexpected money. I knew something was up. As soon as we got back (or so it seemed) my husband was put on orders to go overseas, the hurricanes hit, and then my husband shipped out. As soon as he left the bills started rolling in from unexpected places, my daughter started having trouble in school, things in the house were breaking, work turned ugly and my ministries all fell apart. Oh yeah, then there was the holidays. Yup Satan was in full force. If you want me to tell you that I responded in sweetness and light - forget about it. I wailed, cried, and screamed like a bear in a cage. Did I lose sight of God, no, I was aware He had His hand on my shoulder but it wasn't easy and isn't easy but I figured all this bad stuff was happening to me because I didn't deserve the good stuff. In my mind, I was a bad wife, mother, employee and Christian so therefore God was letting the storms of life attack. Of course, that is not true and I am trying to work myself slowly to the real light and not Satan lies. blessings susan

OF course, I 'm late. I'm always late. Sorry I'm Susan from Hurricane stricken Florida where many of my fellow parishoners are still unable to return home or don't have homes to return to. I am the working mother of a 17year old and an 11 year old who never fail to do me proud. I am the equally proud wife of a former soldier who is now a Reservist serving in the Middle East. I have done all Pastor Ralph's studies since Luke and I will tell you you are in for one sweet ride. He is so amazing and I love to "sit at his feet" and learn.

Someone once called it "Having the courage of your convictions" . If you are not willing to die you make a mockery of Christianity. It says that you have more faith in and are clinging to this world rather than living for the next. susan