Lion of Grace

Q4. (2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2) If you, then, are called to be an urgent agent of reconciliation, how is this likely to affect your daily life? How will it affect how people perceive you? How will it affect how God perceives you? When I am an urgent agent of reconciliation, I am more aware daily of opportunities to share the Gospel with others. I take opportunities to speak, teach and live in a way that shows I believe what I say I do. I should be willing to put myself out there to live forgiveness or to be an ambassador for reconciliation. I just did a study on Philemon and was wowed at the ambassador Paul was to bring about reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus. It really made me stop and think if I recognize those opportunities to do all I can to be an ambassador and really live for Christ that way. I think we can be perceived in two ways: Some will see something good and will desire to learn more. Others see what they perceive as "religion" or "weakness" and are not receptive. They see it as foolishness and turn their backs on God. God loves me no matter what. I am His child, but I know I want to please Him and show Him love and find favor with Him.....but HIS love really doesn't have to do with my being perfect in that....it's an offering from my heart to His. That I'm accepted and saved is the most wonderful part of belonging to Him.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 5:21) In what sense did Jesus “become sin” on our behalf? In what sense do we “become righteousness”? Jesus became sin on our behalf in that God made Jesus to be sin and all our sins were put on Him and He became the Paschal Lamb, the final perfect sacrifice for the atonement of sin. Anyone who believes in Him has their sin taken away. Our righteousness comes through the sacrifice of Jesus. In faith, we believe that our sins are taken away and that we no longer bear our sins. Jesus took them on Himself. So, it is not through our actions, for we could never follow the law in perfection, but only through Jesus can we claim we are righteous in the sight of God. He sees us through Jesus' sacrifice and covered by His blood and our sins are no more. Not that we don't sin in our human state, or we shouldn't turn to God for forgiveness of our sin just as we would go to any loving Father because we love Him in return, but our sins are forgiven and taken from us through Jesus. His mercies are new every morning. Victory in Jesus My Savior forever! He sought me and bought me, With His redeeming blood. He loved me 'nere I knew Him, And all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) How have we humans been reconciled to God? What did God do so that reconciliation could take place? In what sense are you an Ambassador of the Kingdom of God? In what sense are you a Minister of Reconciliation for Jesus Christ? We have been reconciled to God, through Jesus, who took our sins upon Himself. Our sins are no longer counted against us. God made Him, who had no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him, we may have righteousness. Our righteousness doesn't come through anything of our own. It is only given to us through Christ. We are now ambassadors, because we are committed to the ministry of reconciliation, to speak the message of reconciliation to others, because we have received forgiveness for our sins and our sins are no longer. We want others to be reconciled to God and receive this freedom and relationship to God too. We then, knowing God's grace can live to give grace to others. We want everyone to know the truth about Jesus and to accept the truth! It's a wonderful way to live knowing of your salvation and wanting others to share in that....and to know wonderful, beautiful Jesus!

Q1. (2 Corinthians 5:16-17) What does verse 17 teach us about the nature of a new believer? What changes in a person when he puts his faith in Christ? Why don’t old habits disappear immediately if everything has become new? Verse 17 tells us that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! When this happens we become reconciled with God. It was impossible before because sin had separated us from God. Through Jesus, we become Christ's ambassadors committed to the message of reconciliation. We now view others differently. We, who have received grace and forgiveness, can extend it to others. We no longer see from a worldly point of view because we know Christ died for all sinners. We see with spiritual eyes. "....so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than what is in the heart." and "......that those who live, should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again." Our whole viewpoint is changed in everything we do. Our hearts are changed. It's not about us, but about the one we love and His Kingdom. Old habits don't disappear immediately because, we are in a learning process, walking with Jesus as we learn. The Holy Spirit in us, helps us to give up old habits and begins to renew our minds, that in turn, alter how we think and our reactions to circumstances around us or in tolerating sin within us. Love is the motivating factor. We may struggle in areas of our lives, but now we have a helper who can overcome anything. Our spiritual minds know the promises of God and draws on them, but we who have learned a worldly way since birth and are deluged by worldly standards and have even gotten caught up in sin and addictions and wrong actions and selfishness, must relearn and be washed in the Word to continue in change. It's our sanctification. In the Spirit we ARE a new creation and can draw on that promise as we go through the process of change. It's our motivation and our truth we believe to keep going when satan tries to level lies against us and tries to make us want to give up.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 5:7) What does it mean to walk by faith, not by sight? Why can’t nonbelievers understand this kind of living? What aspects of your life are guided by your senses rather than by your faith? How can you bring a faith perspective into these areas? Walking by faith and not by sight is believing in what you can't see. We can't see God with our physical eyes, but we know He is there. We can't see this friend in the flesh now, but He's before us, beside us and behind us all the way. We can't see beyond the bend in the road in our journey here, but we can know He takes our hand and no matter what we see when we get past it, He's in there in it. We can trust Him. It's allowing the Holy Spirit inside us to guide us, knowing He loves us, goes with us and He always knows best. Unbelievers can't understand this because they have not accepted Jesus and are closed or have a veil over their faces because they haven't received the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth of the Spirit. They only physically see what they see and act on that. They take care of themselves instead of allowing God to take care of them. Some aspects in my life that are guided by my senses rather than my faith are still having some levels of anxiety and reactions to that. I'm not totally free of that yet, but I'm 80% healed! I learn daily, that if I trust God, I can take each mission, each trouble, each worry one by one to Him so they don't accumulate into a big problem in my mind. I am learning more and more to stop....reflect....ask Him for help....before reacting...or becoming over burdened in it, and that is what the Holy Spirit is leading me to do. I'm giving those things to Him more often and trying to follow His wisdom in it. So though it is a struggle, I still walk by faith in it. I'm abiding more, seeking help in those areas taking time to reflect before acting on them and asking the Holy Spirit to help me and remind me when emotions try to take control. I'm finding more security in Him and less in the desired "orderly" circumstances that "I'd like" to surround me!

Q4. (2 Corinthians 5:10-11a) How does Paul’s mention of the Judgment Seat of Christ fit the context here? How should our belief that we Christians will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged for our works affect (1) our desire to please him? (2) Our motivation to persuade people to receive Christ? Paul, talking about the judgment seat of Christ here is a reminder of who we serve and why. We are to remember no one is exempt from the judgment seat. Us included, we all have sinned and fall short. The difference for us, is we know the blood of Christ will pronounce us not guilty, so we won't perish, and there are rewards to be given out and we desire not only eternal rewards, but the affirmation of " Well done good and faithful servant.". The question is, what motivates us? When we are saved, there should be a profound sense of thankfulness. If we really grasp being saved from eternal death, then we will be grateful. We then serve not to follow a bunch of rules, or to get the most perks, but out of love. We come to love Jesus. Our desire then is to serve Him, be like Him, love Him in return. Our motivation for others is to desire THEY know His love too! We know unbelievers are destined to death and that their only hope is in Jesus, so the motivation should be for them to know Christ....because we know He is who they need and without Him....they will die. We know from our own experience, that their lives can be changed and it's a wonderful thing to know God and desire to see them walk in more truth because the truth is amazing and good! My greatest joy is to see others start to walk in faith....and my greatest frustration and sadness is when they refuse and walk only by what they see, getting sucked into worldly systems taking care of themselves and trusting in all the things that aren't trustworthy. Jesus is trustworthy. I know I want to know Him more and I want others to know Him and trust Him and give Him a chance. They won't be disappointed!

Q2. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) How do Paul’s words comfort you when you consider your death? What do Christians believe happens when we die? What will happen to us if we die before Christ returns? What will happen to us when Christ returns? When I consider death, these words comfort me because though sometimes I feel sad at the thought of leaving loved ones or what I'm called to do on this Earth, I can rejoice in two things. One, I'll be with Jesus. That makes me long for home. I'm looking forward to that moment. That's like, MORE than I can imagine! The second thing is, I know I'll see my loved ones again and it will be so much better than here! Christians believe when we die, our spirit is with Jesus that very moment of death. What happens to us when Christ returns? We are clothed with our eternal bodies and will live with Him forever!

Q1. (2 Corinthians 5:1-5) In what sense are our bodies like tents? If we were to truly look forward to our “house not made with hands,” how would it affect our daily lives here? Our bodies are like tents in that they are not permanent. Tents are fragile, rather leaky and not that comfortable. We wouldn't want to live in one as our "home". They are fine for a time, but after being in one, I always long for my home and the sturdiness, the permanence and comforts I have in it. Tents are for travel and for setting up and taking down. Our homes are secure and have foundations. Our bodies here on earth are temporary for our journey. They aren't all that trustworthy and we are fragile. Our new resurrected bodies, will be permanent, eternal and secure and set on the foundation of Christ! How immovable is that! Knowing this, should encourage us as we journey. When we are buffeted by storms or are threatened with floods and it seems we are ever wandering, we can keep in mind that our new bodies, the ones we are promised for eternity are coming!!! The promise is true and just as we may sit in a tent for 3 days waiting out the rain, we wait (sometimes impatiently and groaning) knowing the rain will soon pass and we can pack up and go HOME! THANKS! I needed to be reminded of that! : )

Q5. (2 Corinthians 4:15-18) In what way do problems and physical deterioration help us toward “an eternal weight of glory”? Why is it so easy to focus on temporal matters to the exclusion of eternal things? Why is a focus on eternal things so important to our spiritual growth? What can we do to help shift our focus? Problems and physical deteriorations help us go towards an eternal weight of glory because we come to discern that what we "see" really has little to do with what is in the Spirit. Our focus changes to things of the Spirit because we learn things of the world are temporary. Things of the Spirit are eternal. We look past the temporary and cry out for the eternal. We learn to not invest in what is only here for a day, or for what is perishing but for what is eternally going to last. Things of the Earth including our own mortal bodies pass away, but things of the Spirit never will! Our troubles will be light here if we think of them as leading us to greater glory. Our mortal bodies are just flesh that won't last. Our new eternal bodies are what we prepare for! We can stay in a place where we can only see an inch in front of us, or we can look at the bigger picture and see the goal and the prize! Just like running a race....we can focus on the heat, the screaming muscles, the tiredness and the overall difficulties in it and quit, or we can focus on finishing the race and discipline ourselves and remind ourselves we have trained for these moments and can push through! Helping to stay focused to me comes in abiding. If I did not have daily communion with God, if I did not have His Word daily for a light to my path, if I did not submit in prayer my concerns and petition for help, if I did not draw from His promises, if I did not grow in trust and faith and walk out in obedience, then I could easily dwell on things in this world. But I want to be Spiritually minded so my focus needs to remain on things of the Spirit. The world is in our face and screams for attention and tempts with what we see. We though do not walk by sight. We walk by faith. And abiding in Him, keeps our spiritual eyes on Him.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 4:8-12) How does it encourage you to know that Paul went through tremendous stress and pressure? What effect did these sufferings have on the way people could see Christ in Paul? Why is pain necessary to spiritual growth? How does our pain allow others to assess our authenticity as Christians? I was encouraged from day one of this study just reading 2 Corinthians 1:1-11! I was at a low spot and ready to give up and I just wept to hear those words. They were a comfort to me and I was reminded how living the Word is! After all those years....the message still encouraged. "He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gave us." That comfort Paul received and passed on to me has been passed on these last several weeks to even more and multiplied! It's good to know we are not alone in our suffering and that difficulties have always been and will be while we are on this Earth. We learn from God and those who went before us and are encouraged to stand in Faith. By the power of the Holy Spirit He will not leave us comfortless! The effect on people seeing Christ through Paul was to be strengthened and to come to more maturity in Faith. He shared His circumstances and gave hope from His experiences, in His Faith and in the Word and in God. He let others know they were not alone, but sharing in suffering, and that there is a purpose to the suffering. He showed we would not be defeated and to depend on God and His power to see it through. Pain is necessary for Spiritual growth because it causes us to focus on God. I think when things go well, our human nature tends to think we are self sufficient. We are not though and "we" don't accomplish anything of ourselves. Pain grows our faith and our dependence on Him, allowing Him to use us as HIS vessel more than all the "man made" accomplishments we tend to invent that really don't amount to much. When we are tested by pain or submit to pain and remain faithful to depend on God and encourage others to do so too....we demonstrate our faith and show what we "say" we believe is really what we believe! We are not just talking a talk, but walking a walk! We show we absolutely 100% really do BELIEVE and that shows GOD is believable!

Q3. (2 Corinthians 4:7) What truth is Paul seeking to communicate by this analogy of a treasure in a pottery jar? What does the clay jar represent? What does the treasure represent? What’s the paradox here? The truth that Paul is trying to communicate by the analogy of treasure in a pottery jar is that we are like the pottery jar. It's fragile, can be broken and is mostly plain, though even the most beautiful ones are nothing but clay and of the same material as the common ones. The treasure is the Holy Spirit who's power is housed in these common pots (our bodies). He shows, being housed in these clay jars, that the great power is from God and not from us. We are vessels. We pour out the Gospel and we shine the light of the glory of God who is in us. We believe, so we speak and all so "The grace of God that is given to more and more people will bring increasing thanks to God for His glory." The paradox is that such a common thing can be used for something so glorious. The contrast is between us as humans and God in His glory and yet, God is with us, God is in us! I often think of this as reflecting God's character. Like Jesus, coming as a poor baby in a manger was incredibly humbling, when I received the truth that GOD was in a manger, so too am I struck with awe that we, though clay pots, nothing out of the ordinary, fragile and common can house the Holy Spirit. That is very humbling and that He WANTS to live in us speaks of a heart of love and acceptance and purpose for us. Kingdom purpose! For Him! I just think God is amazing!

Q2. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) Since Satan has blinded people’s eyes to the truth, is there any hope for them? What strategies must we use to overcome spiritual blindness? How many people are likely to find Christ without intercessory prayer? There is always hope for the lost. God does not desire anyone to perish but for all to have eternal life. To overcome spiritual blindness we must pray in the Spirit. It is a spiritual battle. We pray that eyes, hearts and minds will be opened to the truth. We pray for Satan's defeat in the lives of unbelievers and we pray for Heavenly Warriors to help fight! We also, must share the Gospel and our own testimonies as to what God has done for us. We mentor and walk with others and show God's love to them. We remember we ARE the Gospel they read from our own actions. Sometimes I think Christians forget how important their own actions are as a testimony to what they themselves believe. If the unsaved aren't sold on what they see you believe....why should they believe it themselves? I don't know how "likely" it is, or what numbers are saved from our prayers. God calls and some are saved and some are not, but I do believe we are called to pray unceasingly for others. God partners us in prayer and I can't say I have that all figured out when with one breath He can make anything be, but I DO know He wants us to pray and we should be faithful in that. More faithful, realizing the extreme importance of prayer than most of us really do.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 3:7-11) Why did Moses’ face glow? Why did he cover it when he was out with the people? Why didn’t more people’s face glow in Moses’ time? What’s the difference between the spread of God’s glory in Moses’ time when compared to our own time? Moses' face glowed because, "The law that brought death was written in words on stone. It came with God's glory, which made Moses' face shine so bright that the Israelites could not continue to look at it. But the glory later disappeared." He covered it, ".....so the Israelites would not see it. The glory was disappearing and Moses did not want them to see it end." More people didn't glow in Moses' time because the Holy Spirit only "came on" certain people. Most lived under the law and had a covering over their minds.They were afraid of God and the condemnation the law brings. Moses though, understood the truth through the Holy Spirit and was in relationship with God. He respected God, but knew more of His character, His faithfulness and love. He wanted to be in His presence and could boldly go there. God's glory in Moses time was only for a time. "But the glory later disappeared." As for in our own time, "So surely the new way that brings the Spirit has even more glory. If the law that judged people guilty of sin had glory, surely the new way that makes people right with God has much greater glory." Moses represented the law which did bring glory, but in Jesus, the new way is more glorious. We have the veil uncovered as we accept Christ and His glory. The Holy Spirit lives in us and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. Freedom from sin and death. Our faces are not covered, because this is permanent. We show God's glory because we are changed to be like Him and this change brings greater glory than those who try to follow the law which shows itself in legalism. We are made right through Jesus, who fulfilled the law. Now the new covenant is one of love. The interesting thing is, if we love, then we will live the commandments. We will love God and love others by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is no longer us, but Christ who lives in us and will be for the cause of Christ to love others!

Q4. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Why is character change directly related to time deliberately spent in God’s presence? What is the theological word for the process of maturing in Christ? Have you noticed a change in the “degree of glory” you’re experiencing now compared to a few years ago? Why or why not? Character change is directly related to time spent in God's presence because we "reflect" who He is. We absorb His character and become more like Him. For example, the moon, without the Sun, can't shine bright. The moon reflects the sun. So we too, reflect God's glory. The more time we spend in His presence or reflecting on His truths, the more light we absorb. The same way in the world, whoever we spend time with, whoever or whatever we really believe, usually has an influence on how we act. Light and darkness can't abide together. They have nothing in common. Light chases away darkness, so we do well to come to the light and sit in the light so we can be of the light. The theological word for maturing in Christ is sanctification. Have I noticed change? Yes and I always hope to! Compared to 10 years go, I'm a completely different person! I was in darkness then! 5 years ago, I was very unsure, still depending a lot on man for answers and grasping at things that couldn't heal me or fill me though I had come to the light and was learning from His Word and was changing by the power of the Holy Spirit. Today, I'm still a work in progress, but I love to sit at His feet and I'm learning all kinds of new levels of trust in God who I have come to know as compassionate, loving, just, sovereign and FAITHFUL! My life and my purposes today are so different than before and my responses to listen to God for change in my life are much quicker. He is TRUSTWORTHY! I have SO much more JOY, even in the hard times and I have REST. How I wanted rest 10 years ago! I wrote lyrics to a song way back then when I struggled with addictions, anxiety and fear. Today, I can say He has been faithful to heal so much of my pain and I look forward to continue to walk with Him hand in hand. Part of my song is this: Sweet Jesus, sweetest of them all, Why me to save from sin and fall? With humbleness and eyes cast down, at your feet, I lay my crowns. Beautiful, beautiful Jesus, I long for you with all my soul. Beautiful, beautiful Jesus, You have comforted and made me whole.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Moses glowed by spending time with God on Mt. Sinai, in his tent of meeting, and in the Tabernacle. How can we get a similar glow of the Spirit in our lives? In what way is meditating on Scripture beholding God? Is the low plane of Christianity in our day related to the time we spend in communion with the Lord? What is God leading you to do to increase your glow? We get a similar glow the same way Moses did. By spending time in God's presence, in worshiping Him and by being immersed in His Word. We are transformed by the Word. Meditating on the Word is beholding God because "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." When we meditate on the Word, believing it's truths, then we can experience a spiritual transformation and we behold the true character of God and the truth of God. Ever hear you are what you eat? It seems cliche, but really the more you ingest the Word, the more you become like Him! Yes, I do believe the low plane of Christianity today is from lack of being in the Word and in communion with God, though anyone can have head knowledge of the Word. But if people aren't transformed by the Holy Spirit to embrace the truths in it as a way of life, like true disciples, then I doubt they have BELIEVED the Word. Faith has to play a part. To be in communion with God is a matter of faith. We don't "see" Him....but oh He's there! Praise Him! What is God leading me to do to increase my glow? He's been asking me to step out in faith more in areas I know I'm not capable of doing, but that I also know HE'S perfectly capable of using me in. To see something accomplished, knowing it was really HIM that did it, increases my glow. He also has challenged me to trust Him more in every circumstance and seeing the end results that HE brought about makes me glow. I can give testimony to how awesome He was and share that glow!

Q2. (2 Corinthians 3:16-17) Why is the Holy Spirit essential to help people see truth clearly and be able to grasp it? What enables people to come to Christ at all? What kind of freedom does the Spirit give us when we become Christians? The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see, our minds to understand, our ears to hear correctly and the truth is written on our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit. No more "head knowledge" that has no merit in living the truth! Motivated by love for our Savior and Father, we want to live the truth! It becomes our purpose! Only the Holy Spirit can bring people to accept Christ. I believe at some point, everyone is called, but everyone has to "choose" to accept the call. I was called when deeply in sin and the Holy Spirit wooed me away from that life. People came and went whether positively or negatively, but the Holy Spirit never left me and guided me into truth and gave me strength to walk away from so much sin. He showed me love and grace. I truly love because He first loved me. The freedom the Holy Spirit gave me was freedom from condemnation, freedom from sin and freedom to walk in the new truths He gave me! Blessed, blessed freedom! If any have not said "yes" to God's nudging in your life....say YES! It's a beautiful thing to know Him and to love Him! Better than anything you've ever known!

Q1. (2 Corinthians 3:7-11) Why did Moses’ face glow? Why did he cover it when he was out with the people? Why didn’t more people’s face glow in Moses’ time? What’s the difference between the spread of God’s glory in Moses’ time when compared to our own time? Moses' face glowed with the glory of God. He was reflecting God's glory from being in His presence. He covered His face after wards, because when the people saw it, they were afraid and didn't want to come near Him. The spread of God's glory in Moses' time was different because of the covenant of the law. The Holy Spirit didn't dwell in everyone, but was present in some for a time and specific purpose. Moses asked to see God's glory, so he was favored, but most of the people feared God. (Not as in respecting Him, but as in being afraid of Him. Condemnation.) They distanced themselves from God where as Moses drew close. He grew in relationship and trust knowing God's forgiveness and character. The law in Moses' time, condemned and was met through sacrifice of animals/blood and were repeated. No one was ever sanctified as no one could ever meet the requirements of the law. Today, we have One who did meet the requirements of the law. Jesus Christ. He became the final sacrifice in atonement for everyone's sin. By Him we are made righteous and God's Holy Spirit can live in each one of us. We can approach the throne of God without fear as we are made children of God through Jesus. The new covenant is one of love and relationship, with our purity in Christ. Love for God and for each other. It's interesting that Moses was in relationship also. A fore-shadowing of what was to come. God wants our love and for our motivation to be from love....not just how perfect we can be following the rules. He wants us to truly love others....not just to do the "right" things. There is a difference. He wants our trust in forgiveness and in His goodness. We receive the ability to receive those truths and be changed to live them by the power of the Holy Spirit living inside us.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 3:6a) Why is a Christian’s spiritual health so closely related to his or her involvement in ministry? What are the consequences of dropping out of church – for the believer? For Christ’s Kingdom? Christian Spiritual health is closely related to involvement in Ministry because we are not only "believers" in Christ, we are disciples! When we become "followers" then that means we follow closely in the way of the One we believe in and we practice to become like Him. We can "say" we believe in anything, but if we don't act like we believe it, or live contrary to it, then I question what is truly believed. To be in ministry and faithfully serving in what God has given us to do, using our gifts and talents He gave us, is showing we truly do believe in Christ and what He Himself showed us to do. I've learned in my walk, that I'm most in need of healing, when I walk contrary to Christ's teachings. For example, when I learn from His Word how little I love in a real sense, I can choose to continue in relationship with people in my old ways which is a very shallow love, or I can learn from Scripture and confess this and ask for help to love like Christ loves. I'm very challenged in that.....but I really reflect on His life and if I truly want to follow Him. I'm learning in His grace and His grace helps me to give grace to others. What are the consequences for dropping out of church? I did that for awhile. In retrospect, I see that I did face so many challenges in the church. People who did not live Christian lives really discouraged me to the point of leaving, but really, I, myself needed the repair in my heart. I took the easy way out. I took my eyes off of Jesus. I lost hope in Him....so I had to reflect if I myself really believed in what He could do in it. I never quit reading the Bible at home and had "church" on TV. I had a time of peace and reflection, but God did call me back into another local church. Most importantly, I read in the Bible we are to continue meeting with each other and I wanted to be obedient to His Word. Has the new church been perfect? No, no, no. But, my attitude is somewhat better. I know if we don't love our brothers and sisters then we need to question if we love God. If everything is about "me" not "we" then do we follow Christ's life of sacrifice and humbleness? I had to question if I believed in God's hand in everything and if I could I lose the impatience and just wait. Could I love those who won't love me? I know now, the church is a place to grow. We aren't perfect. I'm one who is not perfect....but I can make a difference in accepting grace and giving grace with all of us growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Once that was settled, my eyes went to Him and what He would have me to do. It was as though all the things (the squabbles, the heart ache, the disappointments) that were in the fore front before, faded into the background. My mind focused more on serving Him. That gives great joy! Are the problems still there? YES! Am I tempted to enter in? YES! Do I fail sometimes? YES! But it gets easier and easier to walk away from it, giving it over to God or deal with it constructively and to not let the problems get all consuming! After all! I have things to do that He gave me to do......and I love that!

Q3. (2 Corinthians 3:4-6) What is the balance between the need for training in ministry (either in the local church or in schools) and personal submission to the Spirit of God? Are you able to “listen to the Spirit’s voice” in your own life? Why would this ability be so important in being a competent minister? Training in Ministry is hopefully, learning the truth of the Word and in correctly interpreting it. We need to have that understanding to effectively minister to people. The balance of personal submission to the Spirit of God is in living what we know....not because of law, but because we love the Lord and want others to know that love. We can come out of any training "knowing" everything, but if our hearts aren't changed to embrace the truth of "living" the word, then we have nothing but head knowledge. Being Spirit led is totally different. We reflect God in Spirit living. I see many coming out of seminaries with very secular training and running churches like businesses, and I see people that have no "formal" training totally abandoned in living for God. The real proof to me of anyone being commended is, do they know the Word, interpret it correctly and are their lives reflecting that they live for God's purposes. Yes, I do listen to the Holy Spirit. He has the truth and is my counselor and helper and 100% accurate in knowing what to do. He teaches me, corrects me and encourages me. Can He use others in this, who have submitted their lives to Christ? Yes! And I'm always glad to find someone who God trusts to help me grow, but the measure in listening to them is comparing advice to the truth of the Word and what their lives reflect. A competent Minister may make mistakes, but the condition of ones heart is always revealed. If they are submitted to the Holy Spirit and listening for His will, it shines through and outweighs the human aspects of failing sometimes. Even in failure, humbleness in one called to Minister always reflects God's truth in them.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3) In what sense are we “living letters”? In what way can people “read us”? Why is it so important to be authentic, not phony, in our lives? What happens when people “read” something in you that they admire and mention it to you? How might you respond appropriately? We are "living letters" in that people will read what is written on our hearts. If we have the Gospel in our hearts, then the Gospel is a part of us and people will see that in us. They "read" our actions and our attitudes. 1 John 3:18 says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." Anyone can "talk the talk" but "walking the walk" is true testimony! Living the Word is the real way people read us. When people read something in me that they admire and mention it to me, I am encouraged. I usually thank them and in turn thank God they saw Him in me, because it's Him, not me they see. But, I'm also very cautious of "people" praise. It can be fickle. When I'm commended by the Holy Spirit, I find deeper joy in that. When God says to me, "I saw that." them I'm very content and even humbled with thanksgiving to have such a part in the work and how close He is to me. That's what I really covet. Then I know I'm in His will and that gives me great joy!

Q1. (2 Corinthians 2:14-16a) In what sense is knowing God fragrant to people who are open to God? In what way is this fragrance repugnant to people who are closed to God? Have you suppressed your “fragrance” because some people are allergic to Christian perfume? If so, how can you regain the fragrance of Christ’s gospel? When people are open to God, they are hungry and we fill them with the Word. In the same way, their "spiritual" sense of smell detects a wonderful fragrance around believers. There is a sweetness about us and our testimony because we know Jesus (and are in unity with Him). There is a hope we give to others and the love of God to share. We love in action and not just words. These are pleasing offerings and so different from the world. Those seeking for more in their lives, and who are turning to God, will take notice. It is repugnant to those closed to God because they are in the world and don't even want to get out of the trash heap of worldly living. If one likes the smell of garbage, one will want to keep with the smell of garbage! Yes, I have in my life suppressed my fragrance for fear of "offending" others. I don't so much now, because I've grown in faith and my love is so much stronger. It seems now, of little importance to keep up with people pleasing (that's a dead end street) and fear, (by the power of God) is greatly diminished. In the course of being sanctified myself, I am more aware of my purpose and the urgent call to share from my life what I know is the only hope for people's lives. Jesus. I've come to know Him as Light, Healer, Truth, Hope, and Savior so I speak up now and share for others sake. Regaining the fragrance for Christ's Gospel is a matter of turning to God ourselves and giving prayerful reflection on our own lives. It is in submitting again, our whole lives to take up our cross and BE true followers of Jesus. In asking for help, we can be renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit and can be used again to offer the sacrifice of that sweet fragrance to God for others. All for Him and for those who will come to Him.

Satan takes advantage of our unforgiveness by causing division and undermining relationships that should be unified in Christ. He loves to put a wedge between two people, then he loves to multiply that while others choose sides. I've seen it repeatedly in churches and the end result is loss of purpose because of the distraction. Oh how Satan must laugh when he sees our focus on our problems and hurts even to the point of causing church splits. How we take our eyes off of Jesus and where HE is leading! I recently had a falling out with someone in the church and a kind Pastor reminded me to guard my relationships, saying that attacking our relationships are Satan's # 1 way to undermine the unity of the church and God's work through us. I took his words to heart. I'd not want to see Satan succeed. I forgave and moved on in the work I've been given to do. I wanted to keep my eyes on Christ and my purpose. What are symptoms of a heart of unforgiveness? Bitterness. And if that takes root, we become self absorbed, angry, unreasonable, prideful and our hearts begin to harden. We lose joy and tenderness and we start to lose fellowship with God and others. We have to confess unforgiveness and be restored. His grace softens us again and we remember to give grace to others. According to Matt. 6:14,15 If we forgive others, we will be forgiven, but if we choose to not forgive others, we also will not be forgiven. That's a pretty profound warning on unforgiveness and on guarding our hearts in choosing to forgive or not to forgive. What will we have to do to let go of resentment and give it to God? Pray. I have to go to my room and honestly deal with my feelings before Him. I know God listens and doesn't judge me if I'm seeking to let go of something not good. Many times He reminds me of the huge amount of grace He has given to me and asks that I give a tiny portion of that to the person I'm having trouble forgiving. I ask Him for help by the power of the Holy Spirit and confess my resentments and anger and then hand the person over to Him for what is best. I bless that person and really reflect on the situation and what my part in the situation may have been. I ask for God to change my heart and mind and then let it go! I'm always amazed at the wall that comes down the next time I see the other person or my response to them! Afterwards, I can only say WOW! That was a God thing! I'm so thankful for God's love and kindness and patience with us!

Obedience to "Servant" Leaders is important because a humble leader is submitting to GOD'S will. If we follow obediently, then we can be unified in what God wants for the church. Obedience to "Self Serving" Leaders bears bad fruit. We only follow "Man Made" ideas and the Holy Spirit's guidance is not present. We usually see lies and distrust develop out of these kinds of followings, because it is not of the Spirit, but of the flesh. I am obedient and try to be helpful to any vision cast from Leadership as long as it aligns with God's Word. It's helpful when you can see Leadership following their own vision. Duplicity makes me wonder if IS a vision from God. Even then, I am obedient, knowing no one is perfect, but if I start to see the truth is not consistent in any one Leader, I go to God with my doubts and receive His guidance in what to do. The relationship between obedience and church unity is a oneness with the Father, through the Son and led by the Holy Spirit. If we truly have a vision from God, then we can all become like minded together to see that vision come to fruition. If we have those who aren't "on board" then we have disunity and unrest and it really causes the chaos and distraction that satan just loves to see, and uses, to undermine the church as a whole.

To "Lord it over someone." is to make yourself supreme over everyone. There is no respect for others and an actual squashing of their spirit occurs. It's an "I'm right, you are wrong attitude" or a "I will because I can." It comes from extreme pride in self or position. It's a misuse and abuse of authority. Good strong leadership can lead with vision, allowing others to do their parts. They can be a servant to others, not dwelling on what others are doing for "them." Good leadership can encourage others in their gifts, yet step in when questions come up. They can lead and guide, but consider the thoughts and God given vision of others. A good leader knows truth and discerns when the truth in vision gets off course. They are comfortable with speaking truth with love.They are respected because they know truth and LIVE truth. They are responsible and humbly see the work through to the end, either by supporting others, or stepping in when others need help or even fail. They lend support and want to see another succeed. They don't work against another, but cooperate well with them. Good leaders are prayerful as to God's will in anything and encourage others to pray as well. They trust God through the process of ups and downs and for the end result. Micromanagers can't let go of control. They delegate responsibility, but end up taking back control. They don't trust God or others. They don't respect others gifts or their ability to operate in them. I think pride is the driving practice because the end result is about how well anything is done, reflection on self in that, and they think only they will do it good enough to get that self gratification in the form of high praise. They usually end up procrastinating and failing because they have too much to do from either not delegating or from taking on other's responsibilities. People don't follow their lead because they know they ultimately won't be able to do their part anyway. Laizze-faire is no leadership. It's having a form of authority on the outside, but no practice of it. It's chaos and confusion. It's lack of direction and vision. No one follows because there is no one leading. Everyone just does what they want and and there is never any order or strength. Certain death of any ministry.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 signifies that God has chosen us and has put His mark on us to show that we are His. He put His Holy Spirit in us to be a guarantee for all He has promised. He placed a seal of ownership on us and gave us a final "yes" as to our salvation and His promises.The Holy Spirit's presence in us, is our security and He helps us to stand firmly in our faith and through Him we know the truth. 1 John 2:20-23 says, "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is the man that denies Jesus Christ. Such a man is the anti-christ - he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also." When we enter into relationship with Jesus as our Savior, we have fellowship with the Father. Those who have fellowship with the Father and the Son, receive the Holy Spirit and have fellowship with each other through their faith and their anointing and will receive the truth.