Craig

Q3. (Isaiah 50:4-9) Who does Isaiah seem to speak about in our passage? In what way is he open to the Lord? In what way does he suffer? When was the Messiah vindicated in history? How will he be vindicated at the end of the age? What character quality is necessary for believers when their vindication doesn’t seem to happen soon enough? He seems to be speaking of Jesus Christ. The Obedient Servant, Messiah, is in touch with the Lord God Almighty each morning where God makes known to him his will. Apparently God makes his will known to the Messiah each morning. The Messiah does not rebel against or turn away from God. So, the Messiah is always open to the Lord because he chooses to be. The Messiah, Jesus Christ, was vindicated in history when God raised Him from the dead. Jesus will be vindicated at the end of the age upon His second advent when every knee shalt bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Patience and perseverance in Jesus Christ carries the day until personal vindication happens. Trust in the Lord and don't get hung up with the world.

Q2. (Isaiah 49:14-50:3) Paul teaches that “all Israel will be saved.” According to Isaiah in our passage, what will happen to the scattered Jews in the Last Days. Does God seem to love Jews who haven’t trusted in Messiah Jesus yet? How can you show your love for Jews? In the last days the Jews will be gathered back to Jerusalem where they will acknowledge their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. God's love for the Jews who haven't trusted in Jesus yet is reflected in the reestablishment of the nation of Israel and the many Christians, both Jew and Gentile, sharing the Gospel message with them. God has called Christians from all over the world to share the Gospel with the Jews and the nation of Israel. I can show my love for the Jews by praying for them -- keeping their salvation in my prayer life.

Q1. (Isaiah 49:1-13) Why do people tend to disregard or even discriminate against aliens in their country? How can you increase your love for people of other nationalities? God’s people are called to be a “light to the nations.” What might that entail for the church in your community? In your country? To began with most people in the USA don't seem to be able to trust or relate to people from other countries or cultures because they are different in varying degrees. The slightest difference to some people makes all the difference in a negative way. Many in the USA feel that aliens, to use that term, are a threat to our national security, jobs, health care, communities etc. They don't want any one to benefit with this country except themselves. They have an us vs. them worldview. A tribal mentality that says if you are not a natural born American you are the "other." Being the "other" means being excluded. If you are the "other" you are less than human. You just love them as human-beings as the Bible teaches. We are all the human-race. Just love people. Being a light to the nations means proclaiming in word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that entails.

Q7. (Isaiah 44:7b) In what sense does God “bring prosperity and create disaster”? Is God the source of evil? Of trouble? Of prosperity? Of poverty? In what sense is he responsible for these? In what sense are we responsible for these things? Since we know that God is the source of both prosperity and disaster, what should we be doing? The Biblical precept of a person reaping what they sew. When one acknowledges God and lives to honor Him that person is blessed on many levels including gaining eternal life in the presence of God. On the other hand rebellion brings disaster and ultimately death and separation from God. Free-will is the source of evil. People are the source of the above problems. We bring it on ourselves by our selfishness and greed and rebellion against God. The evils and hardships of this world are man-made. Men go to war, cheat, steal, covet. slander, gossip, etc., not God. To all of the aforementioned are consequences that usually affect somebody else. For example, drunk drivers often kill innocent victims. The driver decided to drink and drive. God had nothing to do with this. God blesses those who follow His precepts. You reap what you sow.

Q6. (Isaiah 45:1-4) How can Cyrus be called by name more than a century before he was born? In what sense is Cyrus “anointed” by God? How can an unbeliever accomplish God’s purposes? What does this tell us about God? About being humble in our judgments of others? Cyrus can be called by name more than century before he is born because God stands outside and above time and knows how things are going to play out. He knows what is going to do -- the when and the hows. How is this possible? Only God really knows. Cyrus is anointed by God in that God has already directly purposed Him for his role in Israel's history. God specifically knows how he is going to use Cyrus to carry out his plans. God moves and influences even the unbeliever to carry out his will. We must always walk humbly with God and leave the judging of others to Him.

Q5. (Isaiah 43) This chapter tells us specific purposes that God’s people have been created for. How can you fulfill your purpose to show God’s glory (verse 7)? To be his witness (verses 10, 12)? To proclaim his praise (verse 21)? What are the obstacles you are facing in fulfilling these purposes? How do you benefit from fulfilling God’s purpose for you? I can fulfill my purpose in showing God's glory by living for Him and submitting my will to His will. By sharing my testimony in Jesus Christ and encouraging others to love Him, I am being his witness. By privately and publicly praising God we honor God before the world. Their are no obstacles facing me in fulfilling these purposes. I benefit from fulfilling God's purposes for me in that I have a meaningful and dynamic relationship with God.

Q4. (Isaiah 42:18-25) According to this passage, in what ways is God’s “servant” blind? Why? Who is the “servant” in this passage? How would you assess your own degree of spiritual blindness in the last 5 or 10 years? How effective is a blind servant in accomplishing his master’s purposes? How effective have you been? God's servant was blind in that the servant saw what was right but refused to act on it. The servant dismissed God. The servant is Israel in this passage. In the last 5 to 10 years my eyes have been increasingly opened to God's will and way in my life and have acted on it. I have areas of my life that I have resisted change, but those areas are diminishing. A blind servant is not effective in accomplishing his master's purposes at all. God only knows how effective I have really been for him.

Q3. (Isaiah 42:6-7) What does it mean for God’s people to be “a light to the nations”? In what ways are you “letting your light shine”? How well do you represent God’s covenant in your everyday life? It means to live and operate in this world according to God's precepts and statues so that our actions would glory God and bring others through our actions into a saving relationship with God. I strive to implement God's Word into all aspects of my life that I might honor and glorify God on a daily basis. I also share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others as often as opportunities present itself.

Q2. (Isaiah 42:1-4) What do these verses teach us about the Messiah? What will characterize him and his actions? What does it tell us about his quest for justice? About his tenderness? If this describes our Messiah, what difference should it make in our lives, values, and demeanor? These verses teach us that the Messiah will bring justice to all the nations and to all who have been wronged. He will be tender and merciful and the Spirit of God will be upon him. The Messiah is God's chosen one in whom He is well pleased. The Apostle Paul taught that we should take on the mind of Christ in the Epistle to the Philippians. So, our lives, values, and demeanor should be Christ-like.

Q1. (Isaiah 40) What does Isaiah 40 teach us about the necessity of preparing ourselves for the Lord (verses 3-5)? About God’s tenderness and compassion (verse 11)? About God’s glory vs. the glory of nations (verses 15-17)? Why do we get so enamored by the glitter and glory of the world? What pieces are we missing (verses 15-17, 21-26)? According to verse 31, how can we draw strength from the Lord? We must prepare our hearts for the Lord by repenting of our sins in order to have a relationship with Him. In other words, we must clean up our acts so we can have a relationship with the Lord. Verse 11 teaches us that God will feed, care for, and love His people. Those who put their faith and trust in Him. Those who acknowledge Him. Verses 15-17 teaches us that the glory of nations is nothing and is worthless to God. God's glory outshines anything man can come up or accomplish. We get so enamored by the world because we were born into it. The satanic world order is all we know until God illuminates our minds and opens our eyes to His glory and reality. Until this happens, this visible world is all we know and can relate to. The Holy Spirit of God frees us from this situation. Frees us from this world. Opens our minds to heavenly things and realities. We often fail to realize that all of us are a drop in the bucket and that everything passes away. Our human reality is temporal whereas the spiritual reality is eternal. All of humanity, great or small will die a biological death and all nations rise and fall. Nothing human is permanent. Only God is everlasting. Verse 31 teaches us that all who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

Q4. Why are we so afraid to obey God when he puts on our heart to do something decisive? How are we to deal with fear when we feel it? What is the relationship of fear to courage? Why is courage required in leaders and disciples? We are afraid to put ourselves out there and on the cutting edge of God's will for our lives because of the sacrifice often needed and the unknown path we might have to travel. We are afraid to move out of our comfort zones even when we know God is calling us to go. When we feel fear we must move forward in prayer and action. We must not fear have courage and trust in the Lord God Almighty. Courage is required in leaders and disciples because they are often required to be on the cutting edge of ministry for God and in the lives of others and the culture at whole.

Q3. (Exodus 4:13-14a) Why is God angry with Moses? What is Moses’ basic sin? Unbelief, fear, or disobedience? Do you think the Lord has ever been angry with you? How did Moses appease God’s anger? God becomes angry with Moses because he won't listen and trust in God's assurances. Moses' basic sin is not trusting in God. Moses lets unbelief and fear disable him. Moses appeases God's anger by accepting Aaron as his mouthpiece.

Q2. (Exodus 3:10-12) Does Moses� response to God�s call reflect a low self image, true humility, or lack of faith? How does God reassure him? How does God reassure us when we are called to impossible situations? I believe Moses' response to God's call reflects true humility. God reassures Moses by telling him that He would be with Him in leading the Hebrews out of Egypt. When God assigns us a mission or task He will be there with us. God never hangs people out to dry. There are no impossible situations for God. So, if I am serving God and willing out His will for my life God is there. See Ps. 23 -- "The Lord is my shepherd ..."

Q1. (Exodus 2:11-15a) What do we learn about Moses� motivations, character, and leadership ability from the incident of him killing the cruel Egyptian taskmaster? What positive things do you see in his character? What negative things do you discern? We can learn from this passage of scripture that Moses acted out of compassion and concern for his own people the Hebrews. However Moses killed the Egyptian out of anger and impulse, a rather unwise act. At this moment Moses was not recognized by the Hebrews as a leader within their community. Moses needed refinement. Moses was a man of action but that action was not tempered by wisdom. The killing of the taskmaster was a hot-headed act that alienated him from Pharaoh and the Hebrews. However, God used this situation to move Moses toward an encounter with Him in the back side of the desert.

Q1. (Exodus 2:11-15a) What do we learn about Moses� motivations, character, and leadership ability from the incident of him killing the cruel Egyptian taskmaster? What positive things do you see in his character? What negative things do you discern? We can learn from this passage of scripture that Moses acted out of compassion and concern for his own people the Hebrews. However Moses killed the Egyptian out of anger and impulse, a rather unwise act. At this moment Moses was not recognized by the Hebrews as a leader within their community. Moses needed refinement. Moses was a man of action but that action was not tempered by wisdom. The killing of the taskmaster was a hot-headed act that alienated him from Pharaoh and the Hebrews. However, God used this situation to move Moses toward an encounter with Him in the back side of the desert.

Q1. (Exodus 2:11-15a) What do we learn about Moses� motivations, character, and leadership ability from the incident of him killing the cruel Egyptian taskmaster? What positive things do you see in his character? What negative things do you discern? We can learn from this passage of scripture that Moses acted out of compassion and concern for his own people the Hebrews. However Moses killed the Egyptian out of anger and impulse, a rather unwise act. At this moment Moses was not recognized by the Hebrews as a leader within their community. Moses needed refinement. Moses was a man of action but that action was not tempered by wisdom. The killing of the taskmaster was a hot-headed act that alienated him from Pharaoh and the Hebrews. However, God used this situation to move Moses toward an encounter with Him in the back side of the desert.

Q4. On what ground does Abraham so boldly address God? Do you think God desires us to do the same? Why or why not? Why do you think Abraham's intercession pleased God? What will it take for us to please him in our prayers? Abraham boldly addresses God based upon God's righteousness and justness. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to come boldly to the throne of God because Jesus Christ is our mediator. Abraham's intercession pleased God because Abraham understood God and based his intercessory prayer upon that understanding. Our prayers should also reflect an understanding of God.

Q3. (18:19) In your own words, describe what a lifestyle of "keeping the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just" looks like in the twenty-first century. In what ways is this difficult? In what ways is this easy? What are the special challenges? A lifestyle of keeping the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just looks to me like living out God's Word; honoring and loving God with our total being and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Living in this satanic world order makes living out our faith a challenge by its very nature. Whether it is challenging or not we must do it. We must march to the drummer of Jesus Christ and not be deterred.

Q2. (18:16-19) How can fathers and husbands strike the right balance -- of being godly, caring leaders without being dictators? How can mothers and wives strike the right balance -- of being submissive and at the same time being open about their needs and desires? (I know of no Christian cookie-cutter answer to this. It must be contientiously worked out within the crucible of marriage.) Probably the way to strike the right balance is through a lot of prayer, respect your family, and don't lord it over the family. It is challenging being the leader of a family. It must be done through love and patience and a degree of flexibility. Always remembering you are dealing different personalities and attitudes within your own home. If you love your family, you can not walk away from your wife and kids. As a dad and husband I most deal with all their desires and problems and varying attitudes which is not always easy. However, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Q1. (18:14) How can we tell if we really believe in God's present willingness to do miracles in our day? Is there any indication in Scripture that God will stop doing miracles? Is there any indication that God continues to do miracles? How can we regain an active faith in the God of miracles? I hold God's Word to be truth. See John 17:17. If God says nothing is impossible for Him then I believe it. He created the universe. He has accomplished what seemed impossible in my life. God is God and if you believe that, then you can't help but believe He can do anything and that applies to every person in every generation. Those that deny what man terms as miracles really don't believe that God is who is says he is. People don't believe in miracles because their closed minds won't allow them to see miracles. Life as we know it is a miracle in and of itself. The real question is why would God stop doing miracles? Nothing in the scriptures indicates God would ever stop doing miracles. People just stop believing in miracles -- closed minds intimated by the secular satanic world order around them. God is healing and changing peoples' lives every day. One of the most common miracles is a truly changed life. People, by and large, throughout time do not change their attitudes, habits, worldview, etc. For a person to acknowledge the Lord God Almighty and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, out the noise and clutter of the world, is truly a miracle. By and large the people of this world ignore and dismiss God. A close relationship with God opens a persons eyes to the miracles on every level that God performs on a regular basis.

Q4. (Isaiah 38:3) What is the basis on which Hezekiah asks for healing? Why is personal righteousness and holiness important in getting your prayers answered? How can unrighteousness prevent answered prayer if all gifts from God are by grace anyway? The basis on which Hezekiah asks for healing is his faithfulness and single-minded service to God. God blesses those who are intentionally striving to honor and obey Him. God delights in taking care of His children. The scripture teaches that unrepentant sin breaks the relationship between a person and God. God doesn't bless the rebellious and deliberate disobedient. The blessings and answered prayer are grounded in a close relationship with God. A love relationship.

Q3. (Isaiah 38:2-3) Why is Hezekiah’s healing important for his nation? How did it relate to God’s promises made to David (2 Samuel 7:11b-16)? Hezekiah was a strong and Godly king and his country needed him. Additionally, at this time it doesn't seem that Hezekiah had an heir to the throne. God had promised David that he would always have a son on the throne and Hezekiah was anxious about not having an heir to take his place upon his death at the time of his illness. So, he prayed to God that God wouldn't take him until the nation was ready for his death.

Q2. (Isaiah 37:16) How do the first two sentences of Hezekiah’s prayer (verse 16) correspond to the first sentence of the Lord’s Prayer? How are they important to faith? How are they important to God answering the prayer? Both opening sentences acknowledge the Lord's Heavenly reign, His holiness, and His sovereignty over all things in heaven and on earth. He is the only One and True God. In Him are all things. Because I believe these statements and trust in the power and provision of the Lord God Almighty I believe that He can and will answer my prayers. How can one pray to God and not have this type of faith and trust? God answers the prayer of those who pray in faith, trust, belief, and sincerity. As James stated: "But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do." James 1:6-8 (NLT).

Q1. (Isaiah 37:14) What is the significance of Hezekiah spreading out the enemy’s message before the Lord? What is the underlying principle illustrated here? How can we apply this principle to our own lives? What happens when we don’t apply this principle? Hezekiah realizes that the Lord is being insulted not him and that the battle is the Lords and not his own. So he takes the letter to the Lord and presents to it to Him. The underlying principle that is illustrated here is that we are not God and we must recognize when the battle is God's to fight and let Him fight it. When we don't apply this principle we can become discouraged, depressed, defeated, and disillusioned. We must let God be God in our lives and in our ministries.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 13:12) What is the equivalent of a “holy kiss” in your congregation and culture? Why is a warm familial greeting so important in a healthy congregation? Why do people sometimes resist being greeted warmly? The equivalent of a "holy kiss" in most of the congregations I have been involved in and the culture at large is either a hug or hand-shake. A warm familial greeting is important in a healthy congregation because expresses love, inclusiveness, care, interest, concern, and "I am glad to see you and worship with you." It states that I am a part of your life and I love having fellowship with you in Christ. I a lot of people don't like the familiarly and closeness from others that being greeted warmly includes. Many like distance.