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haar

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Everything posted by haar

  1. Q2. (Joshua 14:6-14) Why is Caleb boastful in verse 12? Is this a character flaw or a trait to be emulated? Why do you think he claimed the hill country of Hebron for his inheritance? How can a strong leader be truly humble? Why are strong leaders often tempted towards pride? Caleb was boasting in the power and ability of God to give him victory over the enemy just as he told the people then to counter the fear spread by the other ten spies. This is not a character flaw but a good trait to emulate [trusting and putting our faith firmly on the Lord's ability to give us victory]. Caleb claimed the hill country where the giants lived to buttress his faith and claim that God had already given the required victory over the giants. A strong leader can be truly humble by depending only on God for victory and acknowledging/ attributing the victory to God alone. Strong leaders are often tempted towards pride when they begin to think that their strength or ability is what give them success.
  2. Q1. (Numbers 14:24; Joshua 14:8) What does it mean to follow the Lord "wholly" or "wholeheartedly"? How did Caleb and Joshua differ from the other spies? How does fear in leaders keep God's people from doing his will? Why was God angry with Israel for their unwillingness to enter the Promised Land? It means to completely walk with God, believe and put our faith in His ability to deliver us despite the intimidating challenges that confront us. Caleb and Joshua saw the same giants that the other ten spies saw but the looked beyond the giants and saw the Awesome Omnipotent God fighting with them and for the to conquer the giants. He did. Fear in leaders can be contagious and also put fear in the followers and thus prevent the whole group from moving forward to the promised land. God was angry with the Israelites because they failed to remember that He had delivered the from Egypt with His Mighty power and miraculous signs and wonders and could do it again and again.
  3. Q4. How does Bob Munger's "My Heart, Christ's Home" explain the process of surrender to Christ. When we surrender to Christ, what happens to the ugly things in our lives that displease God? What is the effect on us? Our hearts are like a home where Christ should enter and take possession of all the rooms, palour, kitchen- all. We should allow Christ to occupy every part of our hearts. As He enters our hearts, we should surrender all to Him let go all the ugly things that were there before by His power. We then become wholesome.
  4. Q3. In what way does failing to drive out the Canaanites correspond to compromising with sin in our lives? What is the consequence of this compromise? What must we do to end the compromise? Just as failing completely to drive the Canaanites led to the ensnaring of the Israelites by the Idolatrous Canaanites, compromising with sin in our lives will lead to our spiritual downfall. We need to be separated from the source/ agent of the compromise and repent to God
  5. Q2. (Joshua 16-19) Why did God tell the Israelites to drive out the Canaanites completely? What was the short-term result of failing to do this? (Joshua 17:12-13). What was the long-term result? (Judges 2:1-3). To ensure complete takeover and possession of the land in question. If the failed to completely drive out the Canaanites, the survivors would return to occupy the land and would a set back in the effort to possess the promised land. The long-term effect would be that Canaanites will attract them to their gods- a detestable thing to the Lord
  6. Q1. (Joshua 10:1-28) In the Battle of the Five Kings, what fighting did God do? What fighting did the Israelites do? How did God fulfill his promise to Joshua that "no one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life" (Joshua 1:5)? Does God expect us to be prepared to fight in the battle with our enemy the devil? How? * 1. Fighting done by the Israelites was: i) their physical action of marching out overnight armed with weapons and ii) confronting five nations joint forces. 2. God fought by: i) empowering/ strengthening the army, ii) caused hailstorm that battered the enemy's army and iii) extended the day period to ensure Israel's victory over the enemy. * The victory achieved by the Israelites was God confirmation of His promise that as long Joshua walked with Him he would always defeat the enemy * Yes God expects us to be prepared to fight in the battle with the enemy with Him by putting on the full amour of God. This means trusting in God and using the protective warfare components such salvation as a helmet, faith as a shield , the Word as a sword, truth as the belt that holds other components, righteousness as a breast plate etc
  7. Q4. (Joshua 9:14; 7:1-5) How did Joshua's failure to consult God before making decisions hurt Israel? How did Jesus model close communication with God before making major decisions? What does it take for us to hear God's voice or to get confirmation from God for a course of action? The nation suffered defeat as in the battle to take Ai when the army was chased out suffered heavy losses and sustained casualty because Joshua didn't know that there was sin in the camp. Jesus often went out early in the morning to seek the face God before embarking in important tasks. We can hear God speak to us through the written word guides on some subjects but we can actually wait upon Him for counsel before taking important decisions. He may then speak to us in a small voice or through the power of the Holy spirit through our own spirit and conscience.
  8. Q3. (Joshua 9:16-27; Exodus 20:7; Matthew 5:34, 37; James 5:12) What does it mean to "take the Lord's name in vain"? How are we tempted to do that? Why do we tend to take our promises so lightly? How does this reflect on God's character? To take the name of the Lord in vain is to dishonour the Name of the Lord by using it as a swear word, for curses, use it to swear falsely or even use it as an exclamation word. In the New Testament, Jesus teaches not to even swear but by letting our Yes be yes and our No be no. We sometimes times make promises to God without fulfilling them. Also, Christians politicians or civil servants assuming duty use the Bible to take oaths but fail to keep the oath. May god have mercy over us.
  9. Q2. (Joshua 7:20-21; Malachi 3:8-9; Luke 12:15) How is it possible for both rich and poor to suffer from greed? How can our greed affect our giving to the church? To what degree do you believe Americans are captives of greed? How do we repent and free ourselves from greed? We all have the Adamic nature that covets and desire after the flesh. This can lead to greed irrespective of our social status and go about looking for more. Have mercy over us Lord. Our greed can cause us to under pay of fail to pay our tithes and offering as we hoard and keep back even what belongs to the Lord God. Most people in many nations [not only Americans] are captive to greed because of materialism and selfishness. We all need to confess the sin of greed and to repent of the sin and start paying the right tithes and offering by the power of the Holy Spirit.
  10. Q1. (Joshua 7) How can the sin of one person affect a country? A congregation? How does your congregation deal with sin that affects the body? How can we take sin seriously without developing a judgmental, legalistic spirit in our churches? What is the importance of confessing sins on behalf a congregation, a denomination, or a nation? Sin pollutes and thus the sin of one individual can attract God's anger over the whole family, congregation or nation. There are some sins committed by an individual, the church publicly places the individual under punishment. For instance a person caught in adultery bared from partaking in holy communion for period while being counseled, watched mentored during the period. He is publicly restored into the fellowship after the period is over. God hears the petition of the church and forgives the sin of individual, congregation and the nation hence the need to confess and intercede for these groups
  11. Q4. (Joshua 6:27) The slaughter of all the people in Jericho is difficult for us to understand. Why do you think God ordered it? In what sense are you "devoted to the Lord" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Metaphorically, how does this relate to Jesus' teaching to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him, and Paul's teaching on the crucified life? (Luke 9:23; Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20). To get rid the idolatrous town so that the would not pollute the children of God I am the Lord's child dedicated and set apart for Him and for His service To deny ourselves is to regard ourselves completely for the Lord to obey and to worship Him whatever the circumstances whether convenient or not
  12. Q3. (Joshua 6:1-23) What is the meaning of the seven days of marching with the ark? What does the ark represent? What mechanism do you think God used to make the walls fall down? Seven in the Bible represents completness. The Israelites went round the wall for SEVEN days and SEVEN times on the seventh day, the day complete victory was to be achieved, it came to pass. The Ark represents the presence of the Lord God used His power to cause the walls to fall period. It was not any physical mechanism but the sheer power of the Omnipotent Lord God Almighty like the one that uprooted the tomb stone that was used to prevent the disciples from stealing the body of Christ.
  13. Q2. (Joshua 5:14) What is the significance of the Commander of God’s Armies being with you? If he will fight your battles for you, what does your job consist of? It gives confidence, assurance of God's presence to fight with/in/for us to give us victory over our enemy Following Him, listening to what He wants us to do ourselves and doing what He says/ commands
  14. Q1. (4:11-12) How can a "prosperity doctrine" threaten Christian ministry? To what prime motivation in us does such a teaching often appeal? In balance, what does the Bible teach about poverty and riches? Some prosperity teaching claim that every true Christian is meant to be rich. This is not biblical and is misleading as a very true Christian who may not be rich may begin to feel that he must be a bad Christian that is why he is poor. But recall that Jesus Christ declared in John 12:8 that there would always be the poor among us. The Old testament also says in Deuteromy 15:11 that there will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, some may be rich while some may be poor even though they may all be true and good Christians.
  15. Q4. (4:8) Why is mind control necessary for success? For mental and spiritual peace? What have you decided to focus on instead of your anxieties? How is this working for you? Because if themind is allowed to galop along without control, it will lead us to take actions that will lead us astray. If we focus our minds on the word of God and pray with thanksgiving, God will guard our hearts and minds with His peace. I usually go to the Psalms' audio Bible to listen and be restored in faith and peace when I feel depressed, afraid, anxious or not just feeling right. This has helped me a lot.
  16. Q3. (4:7) How does make our requests known to God help build a relationship and trust? What is God's part in the promise of peace? Making our request known to God builds relationship with God as it draws us nearer to God as we trust Him to solve our problems. As we trust Him by asking with thanksgiving, He too is happy that we have faith in Him and thus guard our hearts and mind with His peace. Of course He answers our prayers.
  17. Q3. (4:7) How does make our requests known to God help build a relationship and trust? What is God's part in the promise of peace? Making our request known to God builds relationship with God as it draws us nearer to God as we trust Him to solve our problems. As we trust Him by asking with thanksgiving, He too is happy that we have faith in Him and thus guard our hearts and mind with His peace. Of course He answers our prayers.
  18. Q2. (4:6) How is a request in prayer altered by the presence of thanksgiving in the prayer? How does thanksgiving affect our faith as we pray? God wants us to be thankful to Him when we pray to Him. This pleases Him compared to when we just go on demandingness without showing any appreciation to Him for what He has done and what He will do. Thanksfulness in prayer demonstrates our faith in the ability of our God to answer our requests. This arises out of our past experiences that He has answered our prayers before and will do it again and again.
  19. Q1. (4:4-5) Is rejoicing in the Lord a feeling or an action? How should you seek to fulfill this command if you don't feel like it? What is the effect of rejoicing? Both. By the infilling of the Holy Spirit. It is contageous, affecting and attracting people that are around you.
  20. Q4. (3:8-10) Q. What does it mean to "know" Christ? Does this mean to have faith? Or to have a personal relationship? A. To know Christ means having intimate personal relationship with Him as we grow through fellowship with Him through bible study and prayers. Q. Is it possible to have a personal relationship with Christ without faith? Is it possible to have faith without a personal relationship? Where are you on your quest to know Christ? A. No. It is not possible to have a personal relationship with Christ without faith in Him. It is however possible to have faith in Him without having a personal relationship with Him. This is as a result of lack growth due to lack of thirst to really have an intimate relationship with him thorough Bible study, creating quiet time to sit before Him in prayers, listening to Him through the pages of the bible or through waiting and hearing His small but audible voice.
  21. Q3. (3:17) How can Paul be so bold as to ask others to imitate him? Why are we so hesitant to do this? How does God use imitation in building disciples? Who is likely to imitate you? Because he was sure that he has been following Christ sincerely from the depth of his heart and was not afraid to be be found otherwise. Because we have skeletons in our cuboards. Because it easier to learn from a mentor you see than Jesus who we do not see physically.
  22. Q3. (3:17) How can Paul be so bold as to ask others to imitate him? Why are we so hesitant to do this? How does God use imitation in building disciples? Who is likely to imitate you? Because he was sure that he has been following Christ sincerely from the depth of his heart and was not afraid to be be found otherwise. Because we have skeletons in our cuboards. Because it easier to learn from a mentor you see than Jesus who we do not see physically.
  23. Q2. (3:14) What is it like to be called upwards by God? Have you ever experienced this? What causes God's call to become dim in our hearing? How can we renew our hearing of his call? What is the content or specifics of this message or summons or call? Upward call by God to us is call to accept Christ and to keep on track without going back until we reach the heavenly home. A call for us to remain steadfast in the faith. Yes. Sometimes we are distracted by so much around us (such as our job/ business and other worldily cares)that we fail to hear God. We can do so by prayerfully asking God to give us the grace to be still from time to time at, especially our quiet time and Bible meditations. The call (after that for salvation) can be that prompting usto keep going without slowing down or some specific assignments to carry message to someone.
  24. Q2. (3:14) What is it like to be called upwards by God? Have you ever experienced this? What causes God's call to become dim in our hearing? How can we renew our hearing of his call? What is the content or specifics of this message or summons or call? Upward call by God to us is call to accept Christ and to keep on track without going back until we reach the heavenly home. A call for us to remain steadfast in the faith. Yes. Sometimes we are distracted by so much around us (such as our job/ business and other worldily cares)that we fail to hear God. We can do so by prayerfully asking God to give us the grace to be still from time to time at, especially our quiet time and Bible meditations. The call (after that for salvation) can be that prompting usto keep going without slowing down or some specific assignments to carry message to someone.
  25. Q1. (3:13) How can the past get in the way of our quest to know Christ? What do you need to "forget" so that you may focus on Christ today and tomorrow? Is there forgiving you need to do so you can grow in Christ It can slow us down from moving forward. Forget our hurts and past pains. Also need to forget our past failures and disappointments. Cannot think of any now. But if I remember, I will act appropriately.
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