Craig

Q4. How does Abraham's near sacrifice of his beloved, only son Isaac help you understand better Jesus' crucifixion? God knew how precious Isaac was to Abraham. What a sacrifice that would have been for Abraham. Isaac I would imagine was everything to Abraham. Isaac was the promise of God to Abraham in his old age and the basis of the rest of Abraham's future descendants. The bottom line is that Isaac was precious to Abraham. Jesus was and is precious to God the Father. What a sacrifice God made of His only begotten Son for the atonement of human sin.

Q3. (22:14) How have you learned to trust God to provide for you? How has he provided for you in the past? What are you facing right now that will require God to be your Provider, your Jehovah-Jireh? I have given my life to God full time in the gospel ministry. I am a Pastor of a brand new church -- Grace Community Church of Live Oak, Florida. We celebrated our first anniversary this past January. I am a retired Master Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy with a BS in Political Science from the University of Maryland and Post-graduate work with The Southern Theological Seminary, Southeastern Theological Seminary and Liberty University. I could be making an income well beyond the $400.00 I get per month in gas and experiences as Pastor of this new church start. However, this is where God called me and I love it. I would not want to be anywhere else. I love my congregation of 70 plus. Most importantly, this is where God has planted me and I have given Him my live and He will and has taken care of me and my family beyond my wildest imagination. God honors those who honor Him. It's a promise you can take to the bank.:-).

Q2. Can we really know God until we can trust him with our whole lives? Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ? If not, why not now? If you have, what has that surrender entailed for you? How has God blessed you in return? I don't believe that we can really know God until we trust him with our whole lives. Until we do, we are holding back from God. As James said, faith without works is dead. Faith without trust in God regarding every aspect of our lives is dead at worst and frustrating and ineffective at best. Think on that. I have surrendered my life to Jesus Christ and it has entailed surrendering my whole life to Him. That means Jesus calls the shots in my life. I have rearranged my life to be a committed follower of Jesus Christ. That does include some worldly sacrifice -- but so what!! God has blessed me in purpose; in joy; in delight; and in a vigorous relationship with Him. God provides for my family in generous and gracious ways all the time because I am serving Him with all that I have. He never hangs His saints out to dry. He always takes care of us in His service. Psalms 23 says it all.

Q1. What effect does Satan want trials to have in our life? What effect does God want them to have? The effect really depends upon how we respond to the trial. Have you ever been through a trial that strengthens and invigorates you at the end? Have any of your trials inspired others or have you been inspired by another's trial? Satan wants the trials of life to destroy us and turn us against God. However, God wants the trials of life to develop our character and serve as a witness to others how a faith in God causes us to prosper and grow despite trials. Yes, I have been through some brutal trials that required me to stay the course, when I really wanted to cut and run, that in the end strengthened and invirgorated my faith -- really impacted my spiritual growth. My staying the course mentioned above and witnessed by many others, resulted in me being asked to be the Pastor of Grace Community Church of Live Oak, Florida. Being tried by fire often results in being prepared for the assignments God has for us. Even though they can be painful, trials are good for us.

Q4. (21:33) How does the realization that God is El-Olam, the Eternal God, effect you? How does it alter the way you live your life? It awes and amazes me. God is wonderous. To exist in eternity is difficult to wrap your mind around. But it is there. The universe proclaims eternity. I live in the hope of eternity with El-Olam through His Son Jesus Christ.

Q3. In what ways has God blessed Abraham in this difficult chapter 21? Given what we know about Ishmael's character (16:12; 25:18), how has Abraham been blessed that he sent him away? How has Isaac been blessed? What might have happened if Ishmael hadn't been sent away? Have you ever been rejected or sent away? Were is God in all of this? God blessed Abraham in that Isaac was given birth by Sarah and he would be blessed and God promised Abraham that Ishmael would father a great nation also. Because of Ishmael's personality, Isaac and Ishmael would probably not have gotten along and that could have been destructive for one or both of them. In God's wisdom and foreknowledge, he permitted Sarah's demand that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away. It preserved both of them. I have been rejected and it hurt, however God was there to wrap his arms around me. That was great.

Q2. (21:8-10) What motivates Sarah to demand Ishmael's expulsion from Abraham's family encampment? Is she righteous in this? Have you ever tried to force your spouse to act against his or her principles? Have you ever been forced yourself? Sarah demanded Ishmael's expulsion because she saw Ishmael was a potential threat to Isaac's inheritance. In my opinion she is not righteous in this. She is selfish and looking only for the welfare of her own child without any regard for Hagar and Ishmael. Yes I have tried to force my spouse to act against her principles and I was wrong. In an earlier life, I have been forced to go against my principles. I understand Sarah, but her actions, as well of some mine, were wrong. Love you neighbor as yourself.

Q4. What kind of shalom will the Prince of Peace bring about in the New Heavens and the New Earth? What do we have to look forward to? The Prince of Peace will bring about healing, righteousness, completeness, and wholeness for the saints. This is what we have to look forward to.

Q3. Why did Gideon name the altar "the LORD Is Peace"? In what sense did the Lord offer peace to Gideon? Gideon named the altar "the Lord Is Peace" because God visited Gideon with peaceful intentions and was not going to kill him. The peace the Lord offered to Gideon was that God wanted to work with him and use him to rescue Israelite with the Midianites and not harm him.

Q2. "Save" and "Savior" are used so much in Christian circles that they have become almost jargon words that we don't even think about. What are synonyms for "save" and "Savior"? What does a "Savior" actually do to earn the name? Synonyms include (most importantly), deliver/deliverer; rescue/rescuer; and redeem/redeemer. A savior earns the name by saving someone. In the case of Jesus Christ, He saved humanity from the consequences of sin. He becomes the individual's savior if one confesses their sins to God in the name of Jesus Christ and the blood He shed on the cross for human sin. All those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Q1. What was the responsibility of the next of kin to someone in his family who was in trouble? How did Jesus play the role of Kinsman-Redeemer for us? What does this say about God's love? What does this say about our worth? The responsibility of the Kinsman-Redeemer was to redeem his kinsmen when they were in trouble, i.e. financial aid, physical/military intervention when needed, continue family lines; and property ownership. As a Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus went to the cross for the atonement of human sin. Our sins are forgiven when we ask for forgiveness of sin in the blood and name of Jesus Christ. We could not save ourselves. We cannot make ourselves holy, etc. He walked for 33 years as a human being and can identify with us -- Jesus truly is our Kinsmen-Redeemer. God's love for us is amazing and beyond my understanding. We are of great value to God.

Q4. (1 Peter 5:10) How has God shown his grace to you and your family? Why do you think Peter describes him as the God of All Grace? First and foremost, God has opened my families eyes to Jesus Christ. He is our Lord and Savior. God has blessed us both spiritually and physically. We are blossoming as Christian human beings. We are serving God and thriving in serving Him. Peter describes God as the God of All Grace because He is the author of grace and He is the ultimate grace-provider.

Q3. How does God's steadfast love in the Old Testament relate to his mission of love in John 3:16? God has always provided grace and love to humanity. God revealed His grace and love in providing the Torah/Law to Israel. God didn't have to tell mankind what sin was and how to remedy it. God didn't have to tell humanity how to have a relationship with me. God didn't have to reveal to humanity His prophetic word. He did it out of love. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible records God's constant invitation to individuals to come and join Him in what He is doing on this planet. Being in Genesis 3:15, God told the serpent, satan as well as Adam and Eve, that He could remedy sin and destroy the father of sin. Out of His love for mankind, God has given us hope from the beginning. It all came to fruition in the Messiah -- Jesus Christ. The bottom line -- salvation is proclaimed throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Q2. What does faithfulness have to do with trustworthiness and keeping one's word? What does the Faithful God inspire in you? Why must faithfulness be part of our character as believers? Trustworthiness and keeping one's word are key aspects of being faithful. Being faithful is to be conscientious, loyal, and reliable. The Faithful God inspires me to be faithful to Him, my Church, and others. Faithfulness must be a part of our character as believers because it declares our beliefs. Beliefs are nothing if not lived out consistently.

Q1. Why was God's willingness to forgive essential to Israel's survival in the wilderness? Was Israel contrite after turning away from the Lord in Exodus 34? What is so amazing about God's forgiveness? Israel's survival, isolated in the desert, depended on God. He lead them there. If God wasn't willing to forgive them their of their sins they would be not only spiritually lost, but physically lost -- eventually leading to their destruction. However, as recorded in Numbers, the first generation of Israelites to come out of Egypt did die in the desert due to their rebellion and constantly holding God in contempt. A blind, ungrateful group of people. Israelite as a hold was never permanently contrite. When life became intolerable as a result of God's punishment due to their sin, they would cry out to God for deliverance. But, they never really loved God nor were they devoted to Him. They stayed in constant rebellion; complained constantly, were ungrateful, worship old and false gods at every opportunity. What is so amazing about God's forgiveness is His patience with human beings who for the most part don't have a clue as to what the truth is. Remember Jesus saying -- "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

Q1. (21:5-7) The name Isaac means "he laughs." What is Sarah's laughter like now compared to her laughter in 18:12-15 and Abraham's laughter in 17:17? What does this tell you about God's sense of humor? Sarah's earlier laughter and Abraham's laughter were the laughter of disbelief. This laughter is the laughter of joy, delight and amazement. All timing is God's timing. God must enjoy amazing human-beings.

Q4. In what sense was God the Husband of Israel? What is the New Testament extension of this metaphor? What causes God to be jealous? God was the head of Israel like the husband is the head to his wife in marital relationship. But most, importantly, it is a love relationship. Israel, like the Church, is to love God like a bride loves her groom. A husband and wife relationship -- loving, faithful, and intimate. As I understand God, unfaithfulness to false gods of any sort cause God to become jealous because He is the One True God -- God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth. He is the real deal and people worship and give honor and respect to fantasy. This must hurt God. In the end, those who have their relationships confused are going to hell -- eternal separation from God. One better know the truth.

Q3. In what sense are Jesus and the Father one? In what way was Jesus distinct from the Father? Is Jesus God in the sense that the Father is God? Jesus is the physical, incarnate expression of the Father -- they are one. Additionally, Jesus did address Himself, in the Gospel of John, as "I Am" the personal name of God -- Yahweh. Jesus was distinct from the Father in that He had a physical being and came into this world to carry out an assignment for the Father to redeem humanity through His sacrifice upon the cross for the atonement of human sin. Jesus provided a model as to how to have a complete relationship with God the Father and fellow human-beings. So in this capacity, Jesus modeled a father-son relationship and was subject to the Father's authority. A role He willingly submitted Himself to.

Q2. How was the intimate way that Jesus taught his disciples about God as "Abba" and "Father" different from the Jews' understanding of God as Father? How does God as Abba influence your relationship with him? Jesus taught a more intimate and personal relationship with God the Father than the Jewish understanding. It influences me in the sense that I can relate to God in the same fashion I related to my own father and as I am as a father. I view God in the traditional father-sense, but more personal and nuturing. I view God as taking a personal interest in my development and welfare to be the man he purposed me to be.

Q1. What does the concept of "father" teach us about God, especially the formal way which the word is used in the Old Testament? According to the quote from Otfried Hofius above, which two aspects of a father underlie our understanding of Father in the Old Testament? How should they affect our behavior? As Otfried Hofius puts it: "In the patriarchal societies of antiquity, the father figure is endowed with two particular characteristics. On the one hand, the father rules as head of the household and the person to whom most respect is due, having absolute authority over his family. On the other hand, he has the responsibility of guarding, supporting, and helping the other members. Both these characteristics are also present when a deity is described or addressed as father." Our approach to God should be one of respect, due to the fact that He is Creator, provider, and guardian (among other things).

Q4. (Matthew 6:12, 14-15) Why should we continually ask forgiveness? How can unforgiveness on our part block God's blessing? How can unforgiveness block God's forgiveness? We need to continually confess our sins in order to maintain fellowship with a Holy God. Unconfessed sin breaks fellowship with God. Until our sin is confessed to God, He is not going to bless us or answer our prayers. If we are unwilling to forgive others their sins against us, it is sin and God will not forgive us our sin. We cannot expect God to forgive us of sin if we are unwilling to forgive others their sin against us.

Q3. (Matthew 6:11) Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? Why do we seek to be independent of God? Why should we ask God to "give" us daily bread so long as we can earn a living for ourselves? We seek to be independent of asking anyone for help, including God because of self-pride and egotism. We should ask God for our daily bread, even though we can earn a living for ourselves because God is ultimately in control of all things. Consider the following passage of scripture: "You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today." Deu. 8:17-18 This verse says it all.

Q2. (Matthew 6:10) In what sense are we asking that the Father's kingdom should come? Why are we asking for the Father's will to be done here on earth? How should this prayer affect our living? Overall, as a Christian I am praying for God's will in my life and that will of God would have a higher priority in my life than my own will. I am praying that God's will would be exercised and carried out on this planet. To change the planet. I am praying for the Kingdom God to be lived out on this planet by the saints to transform this planet from its satanic priorities. For the salvation of lost souls. In sum, I pray that God's will be realized and carried out in my life as well as throughout the world.

Q1. (Matthew 6:9) What about our lives and words "hallows" the name of our Father? What desecrates and besmirches it? How should we "hallow" the Father when we begin to pray? We honor and glorify God (or hallow His name), by conforming our lives to His precepts, ideals, and principles in the way we conduct our daily lives and decision making. We desecrate or besmirch His name when we knowing sin against Him. We "hallow" the Father when we begin to pray by recognizing His holiness and majesty.

Q4. (Matthew 6:8) If God knows what you need before you ask him, why should you ask him at all? What sense does prayer really make? Are we mainly to talk for our own edification and encouragement? Why or why not? Prayer is all about communicating with God. It doesn't matter what God knows or doesn't know. It matters that we develop a personal relationship with God by talking to Him in intimate conversations and being in His presence looking to receive answers. Genuine communication. I pray to God in order to acknowledge His presence and my relationship to Him. I pray to God in order to cooperate with Him in Kingdom building. I pray to God for confession of sin. I pray to God to worship and praise Him. I pray to God for advice and counsel and direction. I expect an answer. I pray to God for others. Expecting God to answer my prayers. I pray to God in thanksgiving for all the things in life. I pray to God because I love Him and understand that He is Almighty God, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. It doesn't matter what God knows. It matters that I have a relationship with Him and that He knows me. When it comes to praying and who I consider to be models in my prayer life, I don't give a lot of weight to theologians like Calvin and Luther, but to people like Abraham, Moses, David, Hagar, Jesus, Paul, Mary, etc. How they prayed and how God answered their prayers. They are the real deal. In fact they prayed and followed the leadership of God before "ism's" were set forth by latter day theologians.