Highohfaith

Q3. (Philemon 18-19) Paul vouches for Onesimus and puts up his money (at least in theory) to cover Onesimuss debts to Philemon? Is this wise in all cases? Why does Paul do it here? How does Christ vouch for us? When should we vouch for our Christian brothers and sisters? Paul vouches for Onesimus so he may have a new life in Christ for his friend and son in Christ. He love Onesimus with all his heart, brotherly Christian love, Godly love! It may not be wise in all cases but we must 'stick our necks out' in hopes of reconciling and restoring someone to God who may not deserve it. We should ALWAYS vouch for our Christina brothers and sisters is Christ, this is our duty as fellow Christians..to love one another! To serve and help one another! Even if it means taking risk!

Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? Is this out of respect for his personhood or to build moral character in him -- or what? Paul wants Philemon's response to receive Onesimus to be one of the heart..a response to the love of Christ which is in all of them. As Paul, an apostle of Christ brought the Lords love to Philemon and taught him the gospel, he also brought Onesimus to Christ. Paul does this both for building moral character and respect..but mostly for Christ so as to show brotherly love toward one another!

Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this? Onesimus is a former slave of Philemon's who has run away and somehow connected with Paul while Paul was a prisoner in Rome ( 1000 miles and many a weeks journey) There he has been converted and has accepted Christ. He desires to go back to his master to make amends, and aid in spreading the Gospel to Philemon's Church which is in the house of Apphia ( which possibly could be Philemon wife-we don't know this for sure) Paul's letter in written to intercede for Onesimus. Paul feels it is necessary to do this because Onesimus belongs to Philemon and it is the right thing to do and Onesimus desires to return and make amends.Paul also loves Onesimus and has adopted him as his son in Christ. He feels Onesimus was once "useless" to Philemon but could now, as a Christian follower be very useful. 1:12 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 1:13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News. 1:14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will. 1:15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, 1:16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Q4. (Colossians 4:17) Why do you think Archippus was singled out in verse 17? If you could invent a story of his role in the Colossians church, how would you describe Archippus? In what ways does he remind you of yourself? He was singled out because Paul thought Archippus was lacking in his devotion and determination to carry out the work started in him until the day of fulfillment. And Paul wanted him to accomplish the will of The Father, to see that Christ' mission was carried out! He was one of the founding fathers of the Colossians church..but his faith was waivering..like the meandering river ( The RIVER MEANDER)!!! He reminds me of myself in this sense: Sometime,( a lot, it seems)I just can't get it 'right'.Walking the path of righteousness is a hard road. I sometime get discouraged with myself..not with God! I also get discouraged when no one wants to know, or hear or obey the Lord. I get discouraged spreading the Good news of the Gospel.On FB people will comment on anything from ...sox- baked cookies - vacations-etc. but mention a Bible verse and you are ignored.I know my profile page and Christian group page is only about God and God alone! and I get discouraged because others don't pay attention! Everything else seems more important to them!

Q4. (1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) down payment, with the balance to be paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. When does the "end of the term" occur? How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives? We are marked with the promise (seal) of the Holy Spirit, that promise is a down payment until we can be completed in God in the end times, the second coming of Christ. The Holy Spirit is IN our lives, He is God Himself as teacher, He is working in Us, He is giving us His inheritance in His kingdom through the Holy Spirit working in us!But His work in us is an ongoing work in progress and we will not be completed until the second coming of Christ. Corinthians 1 - After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. This verse relates in the same way.We will be turned over to God at the end of times when He DESTROYS all power and authority over us!We are His Children and we will share in the inheritance of His Kingdom!

Q3. (Ephesians 1:11-12) According to verses 11 and 12, what is God's purpose for our lives? What do we need to do to fulfill this purpose? How does this purpose relate to Matthew 5:13-16? We are instructed to praise ( honor-admire,be grateful, through acts of worship) God at all times! We are also to glorify God at all times-give Him very great honor,adoring praise,worshiping Thanksgiving,absolute happiness, gratification,contentment through Our Sovereign Lord, God, the great King. Give Him Gory and praise always-this is God's purpose in our Lives to Live FOR HIM, and HIM alone! To let HIS light shine upon Others through US! Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV) “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. That is the image Jesus uses to describe his followers. You are the salt of the earth. You add distinctiveness to the flavor of life on earth and you help to preserve human society; you keep it from spoiling. What is it about a believer that makes life more palatable and pure? I think that it’s clear that Jesus is talking about the basic goodness that should characterize those who follow Him and obey His teachings.

Q3. (Colossians 4:5-6) What instructions does Paul give us in sharing our faith with non-believers? Why, do you think, we sometimes let opportunities slip by? How will our conversation being full of grace help us represent Christ well? Paul is telling the Colossians believers to CONDUCT themselves with wisdom (God's Wisdom)! He is telling believers to WALK in wisdom to be an EXAMPLE of God's will to the outsiders. To use every opportunity given them by God to set an example of God's will, not by words but by deeds! NOT LAW, deed, living example of walking in obedience, redemption,love,faith and forgiveness. We sometime let opportunities slip by because we use the wrong approach.WE don't use the knowledge God has given us correctly. Just because we have a right answer about something does not mean we need to beat someone over the head with it. We must present God's word with Grace.Salt was a preservative and it kept things from going bad. Likewise, our speech must be gracious so that it preserves the situation and the opportunity and prevents it from being lost. *Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 2 -6

[Q4. (Ephesians 1:5-6) Why is adoption a particularly apt illustration of God's relationship to us? Why is the concept of adoption encouraging to us? We have been made sons and daughter of God through Jesus Christ we are given his inheritance, eternal life. Life after earthy death lived in God's Kingdom!As his children we receive his forgiveness by grace and grace alone! We are also given WISDOM and revelation! We are encourage by this because we know we are saved from certain death and we are forgiven of our sins past and present and move forward in the great knowledge of love and forgiveness given to us by our Father! Ephesians 5: 5-8 He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, onto the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight .

Q5. (Luke 2:17-20) Great joy, praise, curiosity, amazement, telling others, thoughtful meditation. Which of these responses to the Good News are present in your life? In what manner do they show themselves? If some are missing, why? What can you do to recover these responses? ALL are present in my life!And I thank and attribute God and God alone for this, I pray consistently for God to keep my priorities in the right place! I feel IN MY HEART all of the above ideals are present in my walk with the Lord!

----------------------------------------------------------------- Q1. (Ephesians 1:7) In what sense have you been "redeemed" from slavery? What do you think your life up to now would have been like, if you hadn't been redeemed? What would your future be like without redemption, do you think? We have been redeemed in the sense that we are no longer a slave to sin! We are redeemed in Jesus Christ, we as saved and washed clean by His blood which He shed on the Cross. I KNOW, I don't THINK what my life up to now would have been like because I was not redeemed until age 54.I would have continued in my destructive lifestyle. Destructive to myself and others around me! I would have continued to have a hard,unforgiving heart, and be full of anger and hate! Being redeemed has completely and utterly changed my heart and life! Words alone cannot express how much being redeemed by the Blood of Christ has changed my life!

Q1. (Colossians 4:2) What guidelines does Paul give us to form our praying habits? If you put these into practice fully, how would they affect your prayer life? What problems would they help correct? Devote yourselves to prayer. Dictionary.com defines DEVOTE the following way: 1. to give up or appropriate to or concentrate on a particular pursuit, occupation, purpose, cause, etc.: to devote one's time to reading. (* Note, in this case pertaining to GOD)! 2. to appropriate by or as if by a vow; set apart or dedicate by a solemn or formal act; consecrate: She devoted her life to God. Watchful: vigilant or alert; closely observant. Thankfulness- a feeling of great gratitude for what has been done for us by God! If we apply all three to our prayer habits our prayers would be much more indepth and we would communicate with God in a better and more effective way. I would only add that we should always start our prayer off with Thankfulness and love for God telling Him how much you love Him and Thank Him for everything in your life ,also add confession, being explicit in explaining your sins and ask for forgiveness.

Q2. (Ephesians 1:9-10) What is the significance that all things will be brought under one head -- Christ himself? How does this relate to the Creator? What does it say about unity? Extra Credit: How does this verse relate to 1 Corinthians 15:24-28? Christ is The Sovereign King of all Kings He is the creator of all things and he is the head, The king of all things!!! All persons whom belong to Christ must stay together under his command, we are to be UNIFIED by Him,our King!! Christians must stay unified - simply put : together we stand, divided we fall! There is Christ POWER in the WORD of GOD if we stand in unity to Him, we can further His Kingdom and His word, The Gospel here on Earth!

Q2. (Colossians 4:3-4) What prayer request does Paul ask of the Colossians believers? What does it mean to pray for an

Q4. (Luke 2:11) What are the three titles of Jesus given by the angels? What does each mean? What does this tell us about Jesus' true identity? 1.)Savior- come to SAVE all of mankind from sin by sacrificing Himself on the cross in our place! 2.)Messiah- King of All Kings, Lord of All Lords. The messiah spoken of in the Old testament! To the Jews the coming of the Messiah meant something special a miraculous birth( the promised and expected deliverer of the Jewish people. 3.) Lord- The highest of all-the ruler, the master, Ruler, Chief, Authority, Power and Control over ALL! He is the sovereign King of all humanity and everything was created by Him and for Him!

Q3. (Luke 2:7-8) Why do you think the message of Jesus' birth comes to shepherds, of all people? Why is Jesus born in a stable with a manger for a bed? This has to be intentional. What point is God making? Shepherds were not people of high standing in society. Most were considered to be thieves. Since oftentimes they worked without supervision from their bosses, and were gone for long periods of time they pilfered from their bosses! They stole sheep, jack up the price, sold them at the market place and pocketed the money for themselves unbeknown to the boss. Most people knew of the Shepherds reputation..their reputation preceded them!!God choose the least of people to ANNOUNCE the birth of His Son, because these are the very people which He was sending His son to to save!The very poorest in spirit as well as financially poor as well as corrupt and sinful in nature! *Matthew 18:11: For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. *Mark 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bring salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. God sent his son to be born in a stable with a manger (animal trough) as His bed, because He wanted Jesus not to be considered ROYALTY..He wanted Him to come into the world with a very humble beginning so many who are the lowest of people would accept Him.He wanted Jesus to have a humble beginning and not make Him superior but the same as others at the time. Though He is SUPREME, God sent Him to save those whose beginnings and life were humble, to save the LOST! Jesus was not "PUFFED" up with the pride of a royal King, though He was a King, The King of all Kings! But God Choose not to present Him in this manner.

Q4. (Luke 2:11) What are the three titles of Jesus given by the angels? What does each mean? What does this tell us about Jesus' true identity? Christ - the Anointed one. Lord - Owner, Master, over all the World. Messiah - Christ and Lord are used together to the Jewish ears this meant Yahweh and implies the highest of titles.Exalted to the position of LORD AND SAVIOR! Jesus, in these three word, Christ, Lord and Messiah is given the highest possible position among the Jews and the World! JESUS is born in Bethlehem as CHRIST,LORD and THE MESSIAH of the world!

Q1. (Luke 2:1-2) Why does Luke name the rulers in 2:1-2? What point is he making? I think the reason is two fold. No. 1.) To place the birth of Jesus in relation to a leader whom WE (future generations) would recognize from the time, by doing this he is establishing a time-line of Jesus' Birth. Ceasers riegned fro approx. 27 BC to 14 AD No. 2.) To the people of the time, he trying to underline the significance of the birth of the Son of God, the Savior of the World. Because at the time of Caesar Augustus's rule, Caesar was regarded by the Romans as "savior" and "god" because he was a great ruler of the Roman Empire who promoted and established PEACE among it's people during his reign.It is not by chance that Luke relates the birth of Jesus to the time of Caesar Augustus. The real Savior, and Peace-Bearer, is the Child born in Bethlehem, JESUS!He also mentions the Quirinius ( P. Sulpicious Quirinius ) Governor of Syria to establish the reason Joesph and Mary went to Bethlehem thus lending more significance for the reason of their trip.

Q2. (Ephesians 1:4-5) What is scary about predestination? What is comforting? Why does Paul bring up predestination? Why do you think he praising God for it in the "hearing" of the Ephesians? What is scary about predestination? As a Christian there is nothing scary about God's predestination for us. It is only comforting to me to know God's plan was predestined to include all HIS people before the world began! Paul brings up predestination because he wants the Church of Ephesus, mostly comprised of gentiles to know they are included in God's predestination. That God has a purpose, a planning,willing and has chosen (included)them before the world began! Paul is praising God for predestination to the people of Ephesus because he is Thanking God and showing his great joy in the predestination to the people whom believe in Ephesus. He is telling them that he is bringing God's message of predestination to them, that he is God's messenger and that they should continue to believe because it is ALL part of God's oringinal plan, before the world began!!

Q2. Why do you think the journey to Bethlehem was difficult for Mary? Is pleasure an indication that we are in God's will or not?Any examples from your life?Extra Credit: Argue for or against this proposition: "Being a consistent Christian causes more hardships than just going with the flow." Why do you think the journey to Bethlehem was difficult for Mary? It was difficult for Mary because she was far along in her pregnancy.She was VERY pregnant, due at any time to give birth.In those days travel was very arduous.It was either on foot or by horse, camel or donkey. It may also have been winter. She also was far way from her family and loved ones AND she was also a very young teenager. Is pleasure an indication that we are in God's will or not? Pleasure in a spiritual sense, as in JOY, or taking pleasure in knowing the Lord is an indication that we are in God's care. Earthy pleasures are NOT!! Any examples from your life? Before I was baptized and took the Lord as my savior I was a dreadful, miserable, sinful, hateful,depressed, selfish person. Since being graced with Jesus in my life, my life has taken many a turn.It is completely turned around in matters of the heart and my sinful nature is now a repentant nature.While we are all sinners, and I certainly have my share of sin in my daily life, walking in repentance, and seeking forgiveness changes our priorities, our values. As we grow to know Jesus more and more, as our "personal" relationship to each other grows, our kinship to one another grows,AND we also grow in fellowship with other christians and in servitude to our Lord, our lives also begin to grow and prosper and give us a completely different kind of pleasure, JOY in Knowing and loving Christ! I think in terms of hardship as being a relevant term.I mean what is hardship? Is it being ridiculed,unjustly for our beliefs, is it being imprisoned, or stoned, tortured? Jesus suffered HARDSHIPS,MARY ( Mary could have been stoned to death because of her pregnancy out of wedlock)and JOSEPH suffered HARDSHIP, The Apostles suffered HARDSHIP!John the baptist suffered HARDSHIP! Mosses suffered HARDSHIP, just to name a few Biblical people who suffered REAL and ENDURING HARDSHIP!! I am willing to suffer for my beliefs in our God. Fortunately I live in this free society, the United States, and we do not "suffer" a great deal because of our belief in Jesus. We may be insulted OR ridiculed, or rejected. But true suffering NO !!! However there are many people who live in countries (maybe some even on this board) where freedom and choice of speech and religious belief leads to TRUE suffering on behalf of our Lord!!

Luke names the leaders in Luke 2-1-2 as a reference to the historical event of Jesus' birth. * NOTE SEE MY POST BELOW PAGE. I elaborate more - Sorry for the confusion.

Dear Sir, ( in all due respect-as I don't know your name). Pray for God's wisdom to enter your life,Pray in content persistence (And I mean CONSTANT PERSISTENCE-WRESTLE IN PRAYER) that he will come into you, reside in you. Pray for Him to grow your relationship with Him and believe with all your heart that He will Live in you! I struggled in the beginning of my rededication to Christ though baptism in 2005 at age 54, with issues of faith and doubt. I ask God constantly to grow my faith, to keep my faith planted in, and rooted in the best soil, and He has answered my prayers. Walking with Christ is a daily learning experience, we must constantly seek to live in the heavenly realm with Him..His redemption will come to you, but the door through which to enter is narrow, and we must wrestle in prayer to enter the Kingdom of God. Keep vigilant in your prayer life and he will grow your faith! This is His PROMISE, what he began in you he will keep growing until it's completion at the second coming (The Rapture) of Christ. Many Blessing, my friend, you are saved by the Blood of our Precious Lord and He DOES live in you! *Matt 21:22

Q1. (Ephesians 1:3) What does it mean to you to be "in Christ" -- incorporated into Christ? What are the implications of this for your life? Christ lives in our bodily selves. We live in Christ and Christ resides with us! Therefor we are to always reflect the values of Christ in our lives and actions. Our body is a temple, what we do to our body which now belongs, is owned by Christ, and Christ reside in, we also do to Christ who is ALIVE in US! Christ coming into my life has been the single most important event of my life.I can't imagine life before Christ came to me, and I came to Him.He has greatly changed my priorities, my values and my entire life.I was DEAD (to me in a literal sense) before accepting Christ as my savior.I now Live in abundance according to His grace!I could go on for hours and hours about all the wonderful life changing events which I have experienced since taking Jesus as my Savior and rededicating my life to Him ,through baptism in 2005. But even after hours of telling you what He has done for me it would not be enough to express my humble appreciation, love and THANKFULNESS to He Whom saved me from a wretched death, and brought me into His ever shining light!!!

Q4. (Colossians 3:25-4:1) What instructions does Paul give masters – or employers, in our culture? What would happen in the workplace if employers sought to live by this rule? Paul's advice is that we treat or are to be treated equally and with fairness according to our work. We are not to be taken advantage of, we are to be appreciated,treated respectfully and paid for our work in a way which allows us to live, have food and shelter. I have personal experience with this, my husband and I work in a trade in which employees are not taken care of.The Horse racing industry. Employees work in all kind of terrible condition, and very long hours anywhere from 55-85 hours a week.They are salaried and their salary comes out to be far below minimum wage. They have no benefits or retirement. Most of the industries employees is comprised of Hispanic immigrants. Either here on a work visa or permanent resident. Living condition for these people on the track are horrendous. My husband and I are fortunate to have our own apartment. I'm now out on permanent disability, but worked 22 year in tbhe horse racing industry. Many documented foreigners here on work visa are forced to live in tiny, brick rooms, with an outside public shower,and a tiny bathroom which is to accommodate as many 25 people and is very dirty and unsanitary, much like the condition many migrant workers are forced to work under.It amazes me in this country that nothing has ever been done to help these, God's people. Please pray for all employees who work in back stable areas, the underground of the horse racing industry. If all listened to Paul's instructions such inequality in the work place would not exist.

[Q3. Colossians 3:22-24) If you apply Pauls instructions to slaves to the role of being an employee, what is the role of sincerity as an employee? How do we live this out when working under a poor boss? In what sense are we actually working for the Lord? What would happen in the workplace, if we actually began to live by these attitudes of heart? The role of sincerity to our employer is to always give it our very best. To always, whether or not the employer is present work the same. Give it our best, and work to achieve excellent. We are working for Christ and Christ wants us always to work to the best of our talents!Christ is always present and watching over us! When we work for a 'poor' boss we must always keep our eyes fixed on the supremacy of Christ as our boss. We are working for Him! Everything is made by God. Everything on Earth is His, even our work ethics and our bosses. He is the Ultimate,Sovereign boss of ALL! If we begin to live these attitudes in the workplace it would certainly make the workplace a much better place to serve.

Q2. (Colossians 3:20-21) In what way does obedience prepare a child for everyday life in the future? For spiritual life in the future? What can fathers do to keep from discouraging their children? Obedience to one's parents when the teachings are of the right context, can prepare a child to live a Godly, positive and productive life. Obedience prepares one for lives endeavors in both the spiritual realm and in the Earthly sense. It teaches self control and values, which carries over into ones adult life. We as Christians walks in obedience accordance to what our Father God expects of us! When we don't we must ask his forgiveness. We must ask him always to help us walk the walk of obedience. What can fathers do to keep from discouraging their children? I have personal experience with this,both my parents were very negative, and discouraging people.They never "lifted" up their children in any way. It left lasting effects on all 3 of us.I struggled with depression and life failures for several years.My brother is an alcoholic, and my sister also suffers from depression and many emotional disorders. It has a lasting and lifelong effect on our children when we do not promote in them a sense of love, well being, respect, and Godly values. As a father one must seek to teach their children about God, must punish in a way that is not physically or mentally demeaning, i prefer to call it giving direction, as to giving 'punishment' punishment to me denotes a much harsher word. We must never physically punish our children , we must seek constantly to encourage and deliver them from evil. Fathers especially have a lasting effect on their children's behavior and lives values, because children look to their fathers especially, for direction.