hermitix

For me, partaking of the Lord's Supper, is a spiritual experience as well as a reminder of Jesus' love and sacrifice. It is a moment of reflection and meditation.

Q3. Why do we sometimes resist calling on God to be our Helper? Why do we try to do it ourself first? What is required of us if God is to be a Helper and Shepherd to us? It is all a matter of trust. We must trust and surrender to God...

Q2. (Psalm 23) Can you remember any times when God has cared for you as a Shepherd -- in times of blessing and in times of trouble? What are you facing right now where you realize your need to rely on God as your Shepherd? Yes. There has been times in which I have realized that God has cared for me like a Shepherd cares for his herd. As a matter of fact, like the sheep that strays away from the herd I also have strayed. And like a Shepherd that looks for his lost sheep so God has led me back home. Praise be to God! I am certain that this is not coicidental(with God nothing is coincidental) but right now in my life I have been faced with having to make a very tough decision in which total reliability in God as Shepherd and Provider has been imperative. I have been at my present job for over ten years now but recently I was moved to a position in the company in which my integrity and christian principles are been questioned. I have lost sleep over this matter and at times have even been physically ill. I have prayed to God for guidance and He (Praise be to God) has responded. He has found me another job...However, it requires taking a $300.00 a month pay cut which I really cannot afford to loose. But again I prayed for guidance and He answered me, "The answer you seek is in the Book of Proverbs." I found the decisive answer in chapter 3 verses 5 and 6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart: do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, a he will show you which path to take. Then again in chapter 10 verse 9: People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall. And again in chapter 17 verse 1 and 3: Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting and in conflict. Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. I believe that God as Shepherd is guiding me thru the right path and as Provider I trust he will bless and reward me for making the right decision. God is Great!

I believe that Abraham was hopeful that God would provide a sacrificial lamb but may have, also, had moments of doubt. However, as a God fearing man he found no other solution but to obey and trust God's demand, although with a heavy heart. In telling the story of Abraham, in the Old Testament, you find where God has tested his faith on several occasions;Abraham always obedient and never unrewarded. Abraham trusted God's sovereignty and mercy. Many times has God provided, especially in moments when I have needed His blessing the most. Has there been conditions? Sometimes. There has been times in which the condition called for making a decision that has tested my faith and trust in Him. At other times it has felt like a cool breeze caressing my face on a beautiful, lazy Sunday afternoon; a gift from God! Praise be to God...God is Great...

How does the realization of God's holiness affect Isaiah? Isaiah panics at the realization of his sinful state in the presence of God's purity and holiness. Why is Isaiah afraid? He was afraid that anyone who saw God would die because of their moral uncleanliness and sinful state. How does God make Isaiah holy? God makes Isaiah holy by answering his request for atonement. A seraph takes a coal from the altar and touches Isaiah's mouth with it, taking away his guilt and atoning his sins. What is the symbolism of the coal from the altar? Fire, like water, is considered to be a cleansing element. Actually, fire is the only element that consumes in order to manifest itself. When the fiery coal touches Isaiah's lips all guilt is burned away cleansing him of sin. Now made holy -- dedicated to God -- how does Isaiah respond to God Isaiah feels worthy to be God's servant.