Craig

Q3. (Psalm 31) What does it mean to say to the Lord, "Into your hands I commit my spirit" (31:5)? How does that statement bring peace to a person? How does the statement, "My times are in your hands" (31:15), bring peace to the troubled soul? To say to the Lord, "Into your hand I commit my spirit" means giving to the Lord myself, my person, and my life both in this life and beyond. This brings great peace to me because I know I have given myself to God. I know He loves me and will provide the best for me both now and in eternity. "My times are in your hands" brings peace to me in that I know that God is ultimately in control.

Q2. According to Psalm 23, how does the Lord our Shepherd quiet his sheep and give them confidence? How many ways can you find in this psalm? These are the ways the Lord as our Shepherd quiets his sheep and gives them confidence: He provides for our needs in abundance. He gives peace that passes all understanding. He provides guidance and leadership through every situation we encounter in life. If we let God be our God, there is nothing in this life to fear. He restores and refreshes our souls. He leads us into righteousness.

Q1. According to Psalm 131, just how does David quiet his inner person before the Lord? What are the elements mentioned in this psalm? David quiets his inner person before the Lord by humbling and submitting himself to the Lord. By realizing that God Almighty is in control and our hope rests in Him. The elements of this Psalm are broken down as follows: David is not proud and haughty; he doesn't concern himself with matters that are beyond his control; he stills and quiets his soul -- making no demands upon God; and he puts his hope in God.

Q4. What does it mean to have a broken heart and spirit? Why is this essential in the prayer for pardon? In what sense is this a "sacrifice"? Why do we tend to resist a "broken and contrite heart" in ourselves? It means to be genuinely sorry, sad, and repentful over sin in my life. It also means to be humble before God. Unless there is genuine repentence when asking for forgiveness is meaningless. It is a sacrifice in that I am laying my heart before God. We resist a "broken and contrite heart" because it makes us vulerable and transparent. It means saying that we are wrong.

Q3. Is it possible to have a pure heart? How does God bring about a pure heart? What is our part in this? Yes, it is possible to have a pure heart. God brings about a pure heart in us through forgiveness, the working of the Holy Spirit, and through His Word. All of these things bring about a pure heart. A changing of our inner person. Our part in this process is to respond to these three things.

Q2. In his prayer does David seek to minimize his sins? To maximize them? Why does an authentic prayer for pardon require clear, unvarnished acknowledgement of sin to be effective? David does not seek to minimize his sins in this prayer, but seeks to acknowledge his sin in the clearest possible way. He makes no excuses for his behavior. He has a humble and broken-spirit before God. In order for a prayer of pardon to mean anything it must be asked before God in a broken-spirit.

Q1. In what way does a prayer for pardon require faith? What is that faith based on? How does a person gain the faith to pray this prayer in confidence? A prayer for pardon requires faith in that one must know and believe in the character of God and that He will pardon and forgive sin if asked. "If we confess us our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I Jn 1:9. It is all about faith. A person gains the faith to pray this prayer in confidence by doing it and trusting the word of God.

Q4. (4:19-20) In this context, what is the condition that must be met for the promise to be valid? What is the limit of the fulfillment of the promise? In your own words, what does the promise mean to you? The condition for this promise to be valid is that God is my God. There is no limit to God's resources, so there is no limit to the fulfillment of this promise. I have given my life to Jesus Christ and I acknowledge God as my God. In living out my discipleship, God will provide for all of my needs.

Q3. (4:14-16) How were the Philippians' financial gifts credited to their heavenly account, do you think? How was their giving linked to temporal blessings? God loves a generous giver and I believe that God blesses and rewards those who give generously both now and in eternity. God takes care of those who bless others. God often provides through people and I believe that God continues to bless those you bless others enabling them to continue to do so.

Q2. (4:11-13) What is the basis of Paul's contentment? Does this contentment undermine ambition? What is necessary for us to achieve this kind of contentment? Paul found contentment in whatever situation that God Almighty moved him into. Paul had abandoned himself over to Jesus Christ and wherever Jesus lead he followed or wherever he was send he went and he was content in whatever circumstance he found himself. His contentment was grounded in Jesus Christ. This kind of contentment has nothing to do with amibition. This about building and spreading the Kingdom of God. This kind of contentment is acheived by abandoning ourselves to Jesus Christ. As Paul said "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. "

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? The "prosperity doctine" can threan Christian ministry in that it misleads Christians into thinking that if they are not enjoying great material prosperity as an indication of God's blessing they are not in the will of God. Therefore, God is not blessing my ministry so I give it up. Jesus taught that it is better to give than receive. Jesus never had anythings good to say about wealth. The "prosperity" doctrine focuses on getting. Christianity is about giving and sacrifice in order to spread the Kingdom of God on this planet. Too much prosperity can cause a distraction from the ministry. The "prosperity doctrine" plays on the greed in human nature -- I'll be a Christian and do good things so God will bless me and give me material abundance. The motivation is self. The balance is being content with what God Has blessed us with while living for Him. God does take good care of His children in all ways and things. Life is too short to get hung up on or distracted by things I cannot take with me.

Q4. In what way does Abraham show persistence? Why is persistence necessary in prayer? Have you ever experienced "praying through"? What was it like? Abraham prays it out with God until the only rightious people found in both cities is Lot's family. Persistence in prayer reveals to God whether you have the faith and the true concern of the petition you are asking of God. Praying persistedly over a petition takes faith and passion. And a belief God will answer your prayer.

Q3. Do you think Abraham's boldness pleased God? Why or why not? What might cause God to take delight in your prayers to him? Abraham's boldness pleased God in that Abraham loved God and cared about the people he was petitioning for enough to go, boldly yet humility, before God on their behalf. Through an intimate relationship with God, Abraham was able to do this. I think that God delights in our sincere, thoughful, and unselfishness prayers. Prayers that show we understand His character. I think God delights in the fact that we come to Him in prayer in acknowledgement that He is our Father and our Creator. He delights in humans freely approaching and acknowledging Him as Creator.

Q2. How did Abraham demonstrate his humility before God? Why must boldness be tempered with humility? Abraham acknowledged who he was and who God was. Dust and ashes standing before the Creator of the Universe. Boldness must be tempered with humility so that pride and arrogance don't enter into play. So that we don't forget who we are and who God is.

Q1. What is the basis of Abraham's argument that God should spare Sodom? How does it relate to God's character? The basis of Abraham's argument is that God is a righteous and just Judge and God. God is just, rigtheous and merciful.

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? Mind control is necessary for success because you are and do what you think. When I focus on spiritual ideas and principles they displace the worldly thoughts in my life bringing me closer to God and in a purer and Holier state of mind and action. Thinking about things that are noble, true, right lovely, and admirable lead to those actions in our lives and lead to mental and spiritual peace. These thoughts lead us into a secure relationship with God which leads to mental and spiritual peace. I have decided to focus on the way of the Lord Jesus Christ and this has been working fine for me.

Q3. (4:7) How does making our requests known to God help build a relationship and trust? What is God's part in the promise of peace? Making our requests known to God helps build a relationship and trust through communication. There is no relationship with anybody unless there is communication on a regular basis. In-depth, comprehensive., personal communication builds relationships between people as well as between people and God. God gives peace.

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? Not only are we thanking God for what He has already done for us, but we are thanking God for what He is going to do for us. Thanksgiving conveys to God our love, faith, and confidence in Him. Thanksgiving affects my faith as I pray in that it reminds me of who God is and what He has done in the past. It reminds me of His awesomeness and that fact that He loves me and is in control.

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? I think that rejoicing in the Lord is a feeling, an emotion that leads to different actions for the Lord. If I don't feel like rejoicing in the Lord, I pray to the Lord to fill me with the Holy Spirit to motivate me to rejoice in the Lord. Sometimes, as human beings, we need to be motivated to do many things includinig rejoicing. The effect of rejoicing is that it honors God; brings us into a closer relationship with Him; and it brings us to a realization of our relationship with God and the peace and understanding of spiritual things that are eternal and Godly.

Q4. How can prayer change God's mind without conflicting with the doctrine of the Immutability of God? Can God answer a prayer for something outside of the scope of his will? The Bible relates instances where God changed his mind in regarding a threatened course of action based upon the repentance or change of relationship with a person or nation. God's will is that all humanity would have fellowship with Him. I think written into God's will for everything is a certain degree of flexibility which actually accommodates His will. Not to be flip, but God can do whatever He wants. However, I think God answers prayer based on His character and who He says He is as described in the Bible. That being the case, I don't believe it is a matter of "can God" but a matter of "will God?" I believe that answer is no.

Q3. How can a wrong understanding of determinism and predestination keep us from the kind of gutsy prayer that Moses prayed? What do you call a belief that our prayers make no difference to God's response? If we feel that God's will will be done regardless of our prayer and everything is predetermined, then really what is the point of the prayer other than acknowledging God's will. That would prevent any real dynamic and bold prayer. Again, what would the point? I would call a belief that our prayers make no difference to God's response, a belief grounded in a rigid determinism and predestination.

Q2. What aspects of Moses' prayer of intercession should we emulate in our own prayers? Upon what logical grounds does Moses offer this bold appeal to God? What do you think it means to "pray the promises of God"? How does knowing the Bible help you get your prayers answered? How does this help our prayers be within God's will? We should base our prayers on God's promises, character, righteousness, and precedents as found in the Bible. Moses' intercession for the Israelites was based on God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses knew that God honors His promises, it is in His character. Moses was concerned about God's testimony, dignity, character, and witness to the Egpytians being damaged if He destroyed the Israelites. To pray the promises of God is to base my prayers on God's promises to us. Knowing the Bible enables us to know God's promises, character, righteousness, and precedents. To know these aspects of God will enable us to base our prayers within His will. Our prayers will be based on sound Biblical precendents.

Q1. Read Exodus 32:1-14. What had the people done that was so bad? How can a loving God be angry? Is God's sentence to destroy Israel and raise up a new nation through Moses justified? They engaged in pagan religious practices in worship and immoral revelry. They had committed blasphemy against God by creating an idol, worshipping it, and proclaiming it as the god who brought Israel out of Egypt. A loving and Holy God can be angry with sin and sinful behavior of people. It is justified if that is God's will. God displayed great mercy toward Israel by responding to Moses' plead to honor the Abrahamic Convenant. Moses was looking out for the dignity, witness, and interests of God. Moses loved God.

Q4. (3:18-21) Why is recognizing and affirming your citizenship and allegiance vital to discipleship? How does it keep us from the temptations outlined in verses 18 and 19? What are the dangers of a church combining and confusing the concepts of temporal patriotism with a Christian's true citizenship? Recognizing and affirming my citizenship and allegiance determines my priorities and the seriousness of my commitment to being a disciple of Jesus Christ. The stronger the desire to like Jesus Christ the stronger the desire to break away from those things that are not consistent with being a disciple of Jesus Christ. The danger of a church combining and confusing the concepts of temporal patriotism with a Christian's true citizenship is to confuse priorities and interests. The interest of the Church and the Christian are the interests of the Kingdom of God on this planet with an eye towards the Kingdom of Heaven.

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? Paul can be bold because He is walking the walk, He has an intimate relationship with the Lord, and His love for the Philippians is great. We are often hesitant because we know our own short-comings. I also think that acting as Paul did, we feel we might come across as arrogant. However, imitation is key in discipleship training. Who is likely to imitate me: my children and those men and women I preach, teach and provide pastoral care to.