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Everything posted by haar
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Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Q. Why do you think the author contrasts the "still small voice" to the wind, earthquake, and fire? A. To show that God chooses to talk to us in a still voice and in a quiet environment to get our attention instead of a loud and thunderous voice Q. How does God's voice comfort and renew Elijah? A. God assures Elijah that there were still other prophets He has spared contrary to what Elijah thought that he was the only one left as all others have been killed. He also told him to anoint Elisha as an assistant to share his burden and assist him Q. Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet? A. It is easy to miss God's voice in a noisy environment when He speaks in a quiet still voice or when we are too busy thinking of worldly things around us.
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Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:9-16) Q. How does the Holy Spirit make "the mind of Christ" available to us? A. The Holy Spirit being one with the Trinity knows exactly what the Lord Jesus Christ thinks and is able to communicate same to us. Q. How does this make you dependent upon the Holy Spirit? A. This makes me to recognize His role, invite Him to stay in me and to be sure I do not drive Him away with impure acts; and to incline my ears to hear Him Q. How does this relate to listening for God's voice? A. It means we have the Holy Spirit that is available to help us in our quest to hear God speak to us thus we need only to make ourselves available to His small voice as he reads that of the father/ Son and speaks into our own minds.
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Q3. (John 14-16) Q.What promises concerning the Paraclete -- Comforter -- Counselor -- Helper -- Holy Spirit does Jesus give in John chapters 14-16? A. He is to help, guide, counsel believers and interpret what the Father/ Son says. He also speaks directly to believers as regards what he hears from God/ Son's messages Q. How do these relate to guidance? To "hearing" God? A. The role of the Holy Spirit as listed above enables us to communicate/ commune with God as he the Holy Spirit helps us to speak to God and helps us to hear from Him as we seek to listen to Him (God)
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Q2. Seeing the Father
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 1. Listening for God as a Bible Pattern
Q2. (John 5:19, 30) Q. Why do you think Jesus said, "By myself I can do nothing"? (vs. 30). A. He sees what the father does and do it. Q. How do you justify this statement with Jesus' divine nature as the Son of God? A. There is some inter dependency among the Trinity Q. In what ways can we use Jesus' example as a pattern for our own life and ministry? A. Depend on the Father Q. How do you think Jesus would "see" and "hear" the Father? A. By having time to fellowship with Him and listening and watching the Father as He works -
Q1. Jesus' Prayer Pattern
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 1. Listening for God as a Bible Pattern
Q1. (Mark 1:33-39) Q. What pattern do you see emerging in Jesus' prayer life? A. He regularly goes to a quiet place and prays (talks) to his father in heaven Q. Why do you think he spends Quiet Time with the Father before the day begins? A. To get His Father's plans for him for the day and the power for the tasks ahead. Q. How does this prepare him for his ministry? A. The fellowship equips him for the day's business/ tasks and challenges Q. How did the disciple desires for Jesus differ from what Jesus felt impelled to do? (Mark 1:37-38) Why? A. The disciples wanted Him to stay and meet the healing needs of the people while Jesus would rather move on to win souls Q. Do you have a Quiet Time? A. Yes I do. Q. What could you do to improve the quality of your time with God each day? A. I have a regular quiet time But I will do more of prayers and listening to my Father's voice other than the written word. I will also look for a quieter place than the present one. -
Q4. God's List
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 10. Justice, Tithing, Purifying, and Judgment (Malachi 3-4)
Q4. (Malachi 3:16-18) Q. In what ways does it encourage us that God keeps a list of those who love him? A. We will then knw that our good works will be fully acknowledged and rewarded Q. That he considers us his own private and treasured possession? A. This knowledge will make us treasure Him and give us confidence in our selves Q. Do we deserve this? A. No, it is by His grace only. Q. What effect should that knowledge have on us? A. We should ensure that we reverence and obey Him so that we will not take his grace for granted. Q. What does it teach us about grace? A. Grace is unmerited favour. -
Q3. Tithing
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 10. Justice, Tithing, Purifying, and Judgment (Malachi 3-4)
Q3. (Malachi 3:8-11) Q. In our passage, why does God call people who neglect to tithe "robbers"? A. he called those who fail to pay tithes as robbers because they have retained or withhold the tithes which belongs to the Lord for the Lord's workers -the priest and His work suffers as a result of such acts of disobedience. Q. Why does he withhold blessing from those who don't fully tithe? A. Because they have disobeyed His command to tithe. Q. Does the Old Testament law of the tithe obligate Christian believers to tithe? A. I personally believe the answer is YES because the Lord Jesus Christ said He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfil it Q. What principles of stewardship can we learn from this passage? A. Everything we own/ have is first and foremost, the Lord's and we are mere managers who have to obey what He wants us to do with that which He has entrusted to us. And what He wants is wants us as stewards to do is to give a full measure to His workers for His work and also to give to poor and needy. So help Lord God Almighty to be a faithful steward of your resources in Jesus precious Name. Amen. -
Q2. Immutable God
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 10. Justice, Tithing, Purifying, and Judgment (Malachi 3-4)
Q2. (Malachi 3:6) Q. Why should we rejoice that God doesn't change? A. Because if he changes, He would have destroyed us due our continuous disobedience. But in his faithfulness, He bears with us and gives time to repent and be transformed Q. We know that God's character doesn't change But if he is immutable, unchangeable, how can he answer our prayers? A. God is truly unchangeable. He answers our prayers based on His promises to us to call upon Him and He will answer and that if His people who are called by His Name will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wickedness He will hear and come and heal our land. Q. Does prayer have any effect? A. Prayers indeed have effect as the Lord God Almighty has compassion and love towards and waits in anticipation of our repentance as the father of the prodigal son waited for his strayed son's return and literally run to meet on way back home. -
Q1. Deep Cleaning
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 10. Justice, Tithing, Purifying, and Judgment (Malachi 3-4)
Q1. (Malachi 3:1-5) Q. For what purpose is the Messenger sent to prepare the way? A. Repentance Q. What will the Messenger of the Covenant do? B. Repentance - both messengers are to preach repentance so as to save the people from impending judgement on coming of the Lord on judgment day. Q. Why do God's people need refining and deep cleaning? A. To save them from hell fire sequel to judgment and condemnation/conviction on the judgement day. Q. How do you sense God wants to refine and cleanse you? A. By the Spirit's conviction of sin and giving one no peace/ rest until the sin is confessed and led to repentance- turning away from sin to wards righteousness is accomplished -
Q4. Marriage Covenant
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 9. Love, Worship, and Marriage (Malachi 1-2)
Q4. (Malachi 2:13-16). Q. What does Malachi teach us about marriage in this passage? A. That marriage is: a covenant God is a witness to the covenant He hates divorce the union is to produce godly offspring He created us and made us to be one in body and spirit in the union the spouses are His own etc Q. Which two or three of these truths do you think would most help improve Christian marriages if applied today? A. If we realise and uphold that marriage is a covenant where God is a witness and that He abhors divorce I think the marriage institution will be better -
Q3. Teaching Priests
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 9. Love, Worship, and Marriage (Malachi 1-2)
Q3. (Malachi 2:1-9) Q. In what ways do church pastors and teachers fall heir to the role of "teaching priests"? A. When they fail to instruct, follow the Lord, live godless lives that cause others to sin etc. Q. Which of the roles of teaching priests do you see as most vital in your situation? A. Living by example. -
Q2. Fearing God
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 9. Love, Worship, and Marriage (Malachi 1-2)
Q2. (Malachi 2:5; 1 John 4:18) Q. What does it mean to "fear God" in Old Testament days? A. To relate with Him with to total respect without belittling Him Q. Should we "fear God" now, as Christian believers? A. YES but not like the fear we will have for a lion or a terror but revere Him as Might and Father that deserves our respect and honour Q. How does fear of God interface with our love for God? How does our love change the fear? A. Our love for God who first loved us died for us to live should lead us love and fear Him -
Q1. Respectful Worship
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 9. Love, Worship, and Marriage (Malachi 1-2)
Q1. (Malachi 1:6-14) Q. How were the people and priests disrespecting God with regard to offering sacrifices? A. They were offering animals that were not wholesome such as the blind, the lame and the sick ones which clearly are forbidden by God Himself. Q. In what ways do we today disrespect God in our attitudes toward worship, in giving to God, and in regard to holy things? A. We disrespect god in several ways such as: Taking attendance to worship service very irregular and casual and also conduct ourselves at worship service as if we are at mere social gathering/parties. Giving offering with torn currency but use new minted notes at social parties to "spay" on those dancing (in Nigeria) Giving small amounts for offerings while we spend a lot more on our projects. I am guilty of this aspect too so have mercy on me Lord and help us give quality service and worship Q. What is God saying to you personally as you ponder this? A. As I stated above, there are areas I am guilty and have confessed and I here again ask God for me and all of us that are guilty -
Q4. Disappointment
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 8. Repentance and Revival (Nehemiah 8-13)
Q4. (Nehemiah 13:30-31) Q. How should you respond when the people you are ministering to disappoint you? How must you treat them A. I will pray to God to give me the grace and wisdom to handle the situation. I will probably rebuke and counsel them to an appropriate action. Q. What must you do to sustain your own faith and spiritual momentum in times of discouragement? A. I will call upon the Lord God Almighty to give me the grace to bear and to go through the period of discouragement and dwell in His presence and Word for comfort -
Q3. Leader Integrity
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 8. Repentance and Revival (Nehemiah 8-13)
Q3. (Nehemiah 13:1-5, 7-9) Q. Does God set higher standards for leaders than for others? If so, why? A. I think the standard set by God for leaders is higher as they are supposed to be light for the others to see and follow. Q. What results in the people when leaders become corrupt? A. The followers also become corrupt Q. How can you keep this from happening to you? A. I will watch and pray, put on the full armour of God and flee all shades of sinful tendencies Q. If God shows you corruption within, how can you recover from it? A. I will repent and where possible restitute -
Q2. The Compassionate God
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 8. Repentance and Revival (Nehemiah 8-13)
Q2. (Nehemiah 9:7-35) Q. Why is God's compassion emphasized so strongly in Israel's history? A. To illustrate that despite us- our failures and rebellion, God is still great in compassion and is ready to welcome us back from our waywardness. Q. How can God's compassion be present even in times of tough discipline (Hebrews 12:7-11)? A. He remains compassionate even when He disciplines us because just as a father here on earth disciplines a child because he loves him and does not want him to go wayward, so God loves us so much that He has to discipline us so that we do not become wayward. Q. How does the compassionate God of the Old Testament relate to Jesus giving himself as a ransom for sinners (Mark 10:45)? A. The compassionate God of the old testament loves Jesus but loves us so much that He allowed Jesus to die in order to save us from destruction -
Q1. Revival and Joy
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 8. Repentance and Revival (Nehemiah 8-13)
Q1. (Nehemiah 8:1-12) Q. Why does the reading of Scripture bring such sorrow to the people? A. The people were convicted of their gross sin against God Q. Why is Scripture reading so important in personal spiritual revival? A. Scripture, the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light that shows us the way to walk safely. It is bread of life that feeds our souls. More so, it convicts us of sin and leads us to confession and repentance . It also increases our faith as faith comes by hearing (listening to) the word of God. Q. What place does the Spirit have in this? A. The Spirit helps us to understand the word and helps us to obey and act appropriately. Q. What is the relationship between joy and faith in God's compassion and love? A. faith in God brings peace and consequently joy and or gladness. -
Q4. Subtle Temptations
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 7. Restoring the Wall (Nehemiah 2:9-7:73)
Q4. (Nehemiah 6:1-14) Q. Why do Nehemiah's enemies want him to travel away from Jerusalem? A. So that they will assassinate him and stop the work of building the wall. Q. Why do his enemies bribe the prophets? A. They hope that the prophets will lure him to go into the temple Q. How are they hoping to hurt Nehemiah's integrity, will, and authority? A. They knew that Nehemiah was a eunuch thus not allowed into the temple, ie, his entry into the temple is forbidden by Jewish law, thus if he went into the temple, his reputation would have been jeopardized and he would loose his status as a leader and thus his inability to supervise the building of the wall will achieve his enemies plan Q. How is your enemy trying to make you stumble? A. Satan is our number one enemy who temps us to make us fall into sin. There are also human enemies that are jealous and can make plans that will make us err and loose our reputation. -
Q3. Oppressing the Poor
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 7. Restoring the Wall (Nehemiah 2:9-7:73)
Q3. (Nehemiah 5) Q. Why doesn't Nehemiah wait until he isn't so busy to deal with the complaints of the poor who are being oppressed? A. because it was an issue that was contrary to the word of God that sought to protect the poor in society could cause division and outcry thus needed to be resolved immediately. Q. What is the chief motivation of their oppressors? B. Selfishness and taking advantage of the drought, poor harvest and increase in demand. Q. How does Nehemiah deal with the issue? A. He called for a meeting and announce his displeasure, ordered the released of confiscated lands, and slash in interest rates Q. Why are church leaders sometimes quicker to deal with the complaints of the wealthy than those of the poor? What motivates these leaders? A. They want to please and keep these rich people who are the bigger contributors of the church income. -
Q2. Threat - Response
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 7. Restoring the Wall (Nehemiah 2:9-7:73)
Q2. (Nehemiah 4) Q. How does Nehemiah respond to his enemies' ridicule? A. He ignored the ridicule and kept on building the wall; Q. How does Nehemiah respond to military threats? A. He prayed to God organized the people and took up arms to protect themselves. Q. What effect does this have on construction? A. The work slowed down as some workers had to keep watch over others Q. How does Nehemiah respond to discouragement and fear in the people? A. He motivated them to fight and defend their family and the work Q. How do you respond to discouragement and fear? A. I pray, turn to the Word of God particularly the Psalms Q. What "walls" need to be rebuilt in your life to protect you from temptation and sin? A. My faith and repentance from all shades of sins -
Q1. (Nehemiah 3) Q. Why does Nehemiah need to build the walls quickly? A. To avoid giving time to the enemy to attack and to ensure that security that has been lacking was quickly put in place Q. Why does he assign so many teams? A. To fast track the job so as to complete the wall as soon as possible Q. What motivates these teams? A. Nehemiah has in his wisdom made the people to see the need to secure the city as quickly as possible Q. What kinds of problems would Nehemiah need to solve with so many teams working simultaneously? A. He would have the big challenge of coordinating the different teams and managing the different personalities and their different attitudinal problems.
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Q4. (Nehemiah 2:4) Q. What danger is Nehemiah in? A. The danger of being punished (even being put to death) for appearing gloomy in the sight of the king when he was not sick Q. Why does he pray quickly and silently before he answers the king? A. He needed to quickly consult His father in heaven for wisdom, unction and boldness to ask the king correctly, for his needs. Q. How does this quick "arrow prayer" relate to the four months of prayer he has just finished? A. The "arrow prayers"also called 'microwave prayers' by others, were already part of what Nehemiah had been praying for days, weeks and four months. He had always been communing with the Lord Almighty God.
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Q3. Strategic Witness
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 6. Nehemiah’s Prayer (Nehemiah 1:1-2:8)
Q3. (Nehemiah 1:11) Q. In what way does Nehemiah's situation compare to Esther's? A. in both cases, favour was being sought for from a king. The difference is Esther was a queen while Nehemiah was a servant Q. Why does God place his people in strategic positions today in the community, in business, in the military, in government? A. It is for a time a peculiar service may be required at that position Q. What responsibilities do we have to God that can cause danger to our positions and our lives? A. I think the one that comes to my mind is, our position as evangelists where we may be persecuted for preaching Christ in some hostile areas Q. Has this ever happened to you? How do you pray in situations like this? A. Not that I can remember. I pray for God's favour and wisdom when a similar situation arises. -
Q2. Grounds for Appeal
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 6. Nehemiah’s Prayer (Nehemiah 1:1-2:8)
Q2. (Nehemiah 1:7-11) Q. What is the basis of Nehemiah's appeal? How does he argue his case before God? A. Based God's promise to scatter and gather- when his people sin and are taken away and to bring them back when they repent. The people have sinned and were sent to exile but now that they have repented and he brought them back, he thus pleaded for His intervention Q. What do we learn from this about intercession? A. Recall god's promises and speak them back to Him -
Q1. Continual Prayer
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 6. Nehemiah’s Prayer (Nehemiah 1:1-2:8)
Q1. (Nehemiah 1:1-6) Q. Why does Nehemiah pray day and night for four months? This prayer that involves worship of the Awesome God and that of confession sin of the people breaking Gods covenant that has caused God to deliver the nation to the enemy Q.Why does he fast and weep? Isn't that excessive? A. He fasted and wept because of the state insecurity of Jerusalem as a result the walls that are in aruined state. He attributed the state of the ruins as a fall out of the sin of the people that led to God abandoning them to the enemy to destroy the city. This type of prayer an d wailing is not excessive.