JanMary

Q4.(Malachi 3:2-3; 1 Corin. 3:13-15) How does Jesus purity and refine his church? ​In some ways like He purifies individuals, with testing and trials, and often through persecution. The Church grows and prospers under persecution. Motives of leaders become purified and character grows. The Word going forth in power purifies and strengthens His church. How does he purify and refine us? ​He refines us through the fiery trials and testing which shape our character and mold us into His image. Those things that cause us to choose His will and purposes above our own. Being a wife and mother has taught me to think of others needs before my own, and to sacrifice for others well being...and to do so cheerfully without resentment. He's used WAITING to refine me and to train me in patience. Hardship has built perseverance. Going without and suffering losses has helped me to be compassionate and generous when others have needs. None of it pleasant, but all of it beneficial. On the Day that fire will test your deeds, will you have anything that remains, besides your salvation? 45 years ago when I read the verses that refer to our deeds being tested, I prayed:" Lord, I don't want to come to you ashamed of how I've lived my life and with empty "hands", but rather with "sheaves of wheat" of fruitfulness to lay at your feet. I give you permission to do whatever you need to do in my life to assure that I will have much that remains when tested with fire, and little that burns up as chaff. I want my life to be fruitful and my deeds to count for Your kingdom." Over the years He has tested, retested, and tried me with afflictions of various kinds and lengths. We've suffered catastrophic losses. Once I said, Lord it feels like I'm being ground to powder in your mortar and pestle. What is going to be left of me? I heard a tender voice say "Me". So all of that to say, the trials have resulted in less of me and more of Him. I know the things I've done in my own strength will burn up, but the things I've allowed Him to do through me will last.....The Holy Spirit birthed and empowered works will remain. I'm counting on much to remain because of His faithfulness in answer to my prayer.

Q3 (Hebrews 1:2, Romans 8:17, 1 cor. 3:22) In what sense is Jesus "Heir of All Things"? ​The heir is always the first born son...The Father appointed Jesus Heir and lawful Owner of all things by Whom and through Whom He created all things. What does it imply that we are co-heirs with him? ​By faith, we are His children and share His inheritance with Him. (We are co-equal in sharing, not getting the lesser inheritance of second and third born children as is done here on earth) All that is His is ours. We are seated right now in Heaven at His right hand. In what sense do we possess all things? ​As His sons/daughters we also share His suffering, if we are to share His glory.....the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us! Rom 8:18 We possess it now by faith. ​All that He inherits we share as well.....and WE are His inheritance, chosen by the Father and given to the Son before the foundation of the world was formed. (John 17:11b)

Q2 (Revelation 1:17-18; Hebrews 12:2) What do the titles First and Last, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End teach us about Jesus' nature? ​He is all, He knows all, He created all, and He will complete all that is to be completed. That says to me that I am in His perfect care, no loose ends will be ​left hanging. His very nature is perfect and Holy...so there is nothing that will be left to chance which concerns me and those I love. There is never any reason ​to worry....so why do I forget when there is pressure???? He holds the entire universe in the palm of Hand. How does knowing that Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith help build our trust in Him?​ When Jesus said on the Cross: IT IS FINISHED!, He had completed my faith in the future, so that "At that day, I will be like Him." He prayed that Peter's faith would not fail, and He does the same for each of us. ​He is the source for my faith, and the trials He permits are the building blocks to increase faith. ​

Q1 (Hebrews 1:3, Matthew 17:1,2) In what ways did Jesus show the Father's glory in his ministry? ​As "the perfect imprint and very image of God's nature" Jesus revealed the Father's glory in His words, His wisdom, His miracles, delivering those in bondage from demonic possession, walking on Water, by doing and saying only what He saw and heard His Father doing and saying, His very life lived in faith with no personal belongings but his seamless tunic, and ultimately laying down His life and offering Himself as the sacrifice to accomplish cleansing from sin, guilt and shame for all who believe.. The Resurrection was more revelation of the Father's glory and the promise of the glory to be seen and experienced for believers when we get to Heaven. Why do you think Jesus allowed Peter, James and John to see his Transfiguration? ​Peter, James and John were His closest friends and disciples, and would be instrumental in birthing and nurturing the infant church after He was gone. It would comfort them during and after the shock of His death, which they were not prepared to believe, even though He told them beforehand. They were going to need supernatural strength and courage to face the opposition from the religious leaders and from Satan himself, as well as reassurance of His Deity when they faced their own torturous deaths and those of their loved ones who would be martyred. How do you think Jesus will appear in Heaven? ​Revelation describes how He appeared to John, as blinding light, hair as white as wool, eyes of fire..... Years ago in uttermost despair and terror, I was kneeling by my bed, head down in my hands on a bright sunny day, and I was suddenly aware of a brilliant Light in the room even though my eyes were closed. I opened them and turned toward the light, which was also warmth, like warm oil or honey both around me and filling me. Jesus was standing there and said "Be still and know that I Am God." then He was gone. I couldn't see His face....just a brilliant figure of Light! ​But the essence of His presence has never left me. I don't know what He'll look like in Heaven, but I'm certain His presence will be like that....so much love pouring from Him that I didn't want to ever be anywhere else but with Him. It came from Him and invaded every part of me. ​ I've read that the only scars in Heaven will be those in His hands and feet.

Q4 (2 Corinthians 11:2) What does it take for us to be presented to Christ as a pure virgin bride? ​It took an invitation and introduction and then a "Yes!" to His offer of Salvation which washed me in His blood and rendered me pure and virginal. ​It started as a blind date on my end, but I accepted and found Him to be all and more than I could ever dream.. How faithful are we to Christ? To what degree do we partake with the adulterous and sinful generation that Jesus decried? ​I can't speak for anyone but myself. (He showed me that I'm not a "fruit inspector" and to keep my eyes on Him rather than on others.) In my early walk, I rebelled outright to have my way with raised fist a few times, and the fact that He allowed me to pursue my own way, and didn't stop me frightened me...and showed me the potential and freedom I have to pursue the wrong things....that was enough to cause me to be like the lamb with the broken leg which the Good Shepherd carries....from then on I have wanted to stay close and to avoid the traps and land mines the enemy has set for me. I have thanked Jesus for allowing me to see the potential for evil in me to stray and gave Him permission to stop me in my tracks and to keep me close to Him. He has remained faithful! What does the marriage relationship say about love, communication and intimacy with Christ? As His bride it speaks of emotional and spiritual intimacy, honest communication, a soft place to fall, grace and mercy rather than angry accusations or blaming. Understanding. Listening with the heart, not just hearing words with the ears. It speaks of shelter, security and acceptance, and of continual welcome into His Presence...the things every bride longs for such as provision and sharing and the knowledge that the Groom has only the best interest of His bride at heart because of His deep love and appreciation for her, so that yielding to His leadership and wishes is a pleasure. Just writing that brought tears! ​Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus to claim your Bride!!!!

Q3 (Colossians 3:2-4) To what degree is Christ the center, the focus of your life? ​I have not "arrived" by any stretch, but I learned years ago that unless He is my focus, beginning when I first wake up to face the day, by spending a couple of hours with Him in prayer, study of His Word, journaling to stay focused, enjoying Him in fellowship, listening to and for Him, my day unravels. At first I disciplined myself to "do" these things for fear if I didn't hold tightly to His hand He'd let me go. Then I learned that it's He Who holds tightly to my hand and will never let me go! Now I meet with Him for the joy and privilege of knowing He's been there waiting with a smile for me to wake up and join Him! If you had to prove to another person that Christ is the center of your life, what evidence would you muster? ​Anyone who knows me for a few minutes knows that He is my joy and center. My interests and how I spend my time reflect that He is my focus. My drastically changed life which only He could accomplish through His love and kindness. My love for people and the joy which only He can give may not be proof, but hopefully would attract enough interest to wonder or to find out Who makes me tick. What evidence would contradict this? ​My first thought to this question was "I make mistakes, I'm not perfect, I still fail and need forgiveness" but those things are really proof that He is my center....that I'm not in denial about needing Him every minute of every day and that I turn to Him quickly rather than trying to hide my weakness and dependence on Him. I died with Him and my life is hidden in Him. What kind of repentance is necessary to reprioritize your life? Forty years ago, I could have given a list...but at 73 I've learned that not living with Him as my center is no longer an option! ​He is my top priority because He has proven Himself to be faithful and trustworthy in every way....and when I was unfaithful and not trusting He loved me back into fellowship with His kindness, grace, mercy and acceptance...and gentle correction. What a Savior He is!!!

Q2.(John 6:51; 15:1-5) What do Jesus' teachings on the Living Bread and the True Vine teach us about drawing from his life? ​Bread must be consumed in order to be beneficial. The branch dies if disconnected from the vine. His teaching tells us that in order to function in the world as He intends for us, He must be IN us and we must rely on His strength and His life giving power by yielding to His Lordship and control. What happens to our vital Life when we rely on ourselves, and stop relying on him? ​We live fruitless lives...existing, but not living. Dim, diminished, and depleted, or like the appliance that won't function because it's unplugged. Why is it so hard for us humans to learn the lesson of dependence and trust? We are born with a tendency to pride. Humility is required In order to admit "I need help and can't do it on my own". Many of us have had parents who were untrustworthy and failed to show by example that it can be safe to trust another. We can't "see" Jesus, so it may feel like jumping off a cliff into thin air if we let go of control. By nature, we want the sure thing, the guarantee...unless we have the dysfunction of enjoying the adrenaline rush of risk.

Q1(John 1:9: 8:12) In what sense is Jesus the True light? ​Jesus is not only the creator of all light in the Universe, but He is the "genuine, perfect, steadfast Light"( amp), in whom there is no shadow of darkness or turning. In what sense is he the light of the World? ​Jesus entered our dark world to expose the darkness and became our deliverer...the only WAY into the Light. In what sense are you the light of the world (Matthew 5:14) ​Jesus has tasked us with being His light bearers....just by "being in Christ" and not hiding His light "under a cover" whenever I share testimony about Him (as John did), light shines into darkness. Yielding to His Spirit so that His "fruit" of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, perseverance, meekness, self control, shines His light into darkened lives where most of those qualities are not "normal." Before Joyce Myers was on T.V. a friend told me about her radio program. I listened one day as she spoke about being light bearers. She asked someone to turn off all the lights in that huge auditorium. She described the pitch blackness for those of us listening. Then she had one person in the middle of the room who had been asked beforehand to just strike a match without any fanfare. Every eye in the room turned toward that tiny pin point of light. I've never forgotten hearing that and realized that my little pin point of light can be huge in a darkened heart. How does the world's so-called "light" differ from Jesus' light? ​Our fallen nature is prideful...we want to make and find our own way, and SHINE...every religion in the world (other than Christianity) offers a way to Heaven through personal effort and prideful works, which appeals to our fallen nature. (I was told as a new believer this analogy: "A man fell into a deep pit. One by one persons of all the different religions came by, saw him in the deep pit unable to extricate himself. Each offered their own brand of religion: "Meditate", or "keep these rules", or "use your mind and will to think your way out"...etc. Then Jesus came by, saw him, climbed down into the pit and lifted him out." Jesus Who finished it all is the difference Why do you think people resist Jesus" light, his truth, his view of the Father, our world, and eternal life? ​Like bugs that run for the cover of darkness when the rock or board above them is removed, human nature is resistant to change...we are more comfortable with what is familiar, even if normal may be darkness and misery. Many, are in denial about the true condition...and believe they are fine, and don't need to be "saved" from anything! What can obstruct Jesus' light in this world? Our unwillingness to allow His light to shine in and through us and we have an enemy who wants the darkness to remain. ​​What can obstruct our light? Pride, fear, "going along to get along," apathy, ....When I went through a period of rebellion years ago, the last thing I wanted ​to do was to talk about Jesus. ​ ​

Q4 (Luke 4:23) How does Jesus as the Great Physician resonate with our broken world? ​Broken world...a great choice of words! I seldom meet anyone who is not hurting, wounded or broken in some way...some unspoken but visible due to the actions which can speak louder than words. The "sick" are looking for the doctor who can cure their disease or angst. We have the privilege of introducing others to the Great Physician which gives hope to the broken in body, soul and spirit. ( I was told this is the reason for the gazillion self help books available....because everyone is looking for some kind of healing) We know the One Who can TRULY heal! Based on Q3,( about a winsome way of sharing Christ): offering to pray with or for someone introduces them to the Great Physician and is medicine for their soul! It gives Him an entre into their life. It demonstrates our compassion and understanding ....of one being healed to reach out to another in need of healing. In all the years of asking to be allowed to pray, I've only been told "No thank you" one time. What does it mean to you that Jesus is your Great Physician and Healer ​Yesterday I rode to the Celebration of Life for a dear friend who passed away from a cruel death to cancer. The driver was the counselor I had introduced to my Christian friend who had a number of abortions before she met Jesus. The counselor led her through a year of Bible Study geared to the restoration and healing of those who have had abortions and who suffer guilt and trauma and often, illness as a result of hiding their secret shame. As we drove she spoke of the post traumatic stress which my friend suffered in her childhood which affected her subsequent actions. As I listened, I realized Post Traumatic Stress is what counselors would call the violence, beatings, death threats, verbal abuse, lack of love or affection to which I was subjected....and I marveled at the miracle of healing and restoration the Great Physician has accomplished in my own life....it's breathtaking when I look back and see what He has done! During the service, it was said "If you're here and you're older and on fire for the Lord, it is evidence that the Great Physician has been at work in your life because no one escapes pain and trauma while growing up." Again, I gave thanks for His work to restore and heal me, and that He continues to do. ​He has wrought miraculous physical healings in my children, and in my own body. He has healed depression, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts and nightmares through His love and His Word and His people. He led me to a Christian 12-step program where I learned that I am not alone in childhood traumas and where my life was changed dramatically and where I experienced the love of Christ through His people. He is still healing fears which linger, but " Being confident of this that He Who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" Phil.1:6

Q3.(John 14:6; 10:7,9) In light of all the world's religions, how can Jesus be the Way to God, the exclusive door or gateway? Why does this offend the world? ​He is Creator God, who made everything which exists, visible and invisible. He is the only authority and power, and as such is the One Who became the Door by laying down His life on the cross to redeem all that was lost in the fall of Adam. There is no other gateway but by Him and receiving the gift He offers to any who will receive and accept that His blood alone can secure forgiveness from sin and the cleansing necessary to become His child. Absolutes offend a world drowning in anarchy and narcissism. The fall produced in mankind the same thing which caused Lucifer to be thrown from Heaven....the desire to be God! The desire to achieve through our own effort and self righteous "achievements" an entrance through The Gate. The same thing that offended Cain in the Garden which led to the first murder....rebellion against God's prescribed and acceptable offering...shed blood...versus Cain's offering of garden goods produced by the sweat of his brow.​ It's the thing "in us" when used rightly allows the 2 year old to grow up and become independent. Used wrongly we deny our need for dependence upon God. In a word: PRIDE. Since it is true how can we most winsomely declare this truth to our generation? ​It has been said that there are 5 gospels, the first 4 are seldom read. We are the 5th gospel. A short testimony of how Jesus has changed our life is very powerful, because innately everyone knows due to conscience, that they fall short and need to be rescued from themselves. Some more than others. The Holy Spirit's work is to prepare the hearts to receive those the Father is drawing to Himself. (The knowledge that scripture tells us that no one comes to the Father unless He draws them, helps me to relax and just listen to His Spirit as I share, when I share, and what I share.) ​Pointing fingers at others sin is NOT our purpose and is never productive.. that creates shame and a barrier to being able to hear how much God loves each one. I was told recently that my countenance is my first witness...that His love and joy are visible on my face....(total surprise to me!!!) That makes sense though....who is attracted to a sour puss curmudgeon who complains and criticizes? Gentleness is my motto, and not oversharing....some sharing is a simple seed being planted...or water sprinkled on seed previously sown by another. I try to maintain eye contact...it's easy to see when enough has been shared and I never pressure or force....I am just His voice for that moment, the rest is His work.

Q2 (1 Peter 2:4-8) In what way are these rock images of Christ attractive to our world? ​ The Rock image is one of strength, a sure place to stand, or to shelter under or to be upheld, as the Insurance Company's image of the massive rock of Gibraltar represents protection and security in an unsafe world, filled with quicksand and shifting sand. In what way do they repel people? Why?​​ To the proud and self sufficient, the rock can represent a goal to climb for more power or advantage, a weapon to crush the opposition, an obstacle to get out of the way of their progress or program. ​Our world seems to be on a path where absolutes are disgusting and to be rejected. Rocks and Stones suggest the solid, the concrete, and the world is all about ​undoing the absolutes in life, the truth of the Bible, moral guidelines of right and wrong, to the extent that the names associated with sin and immorality have been changed to reflect the rebellion, and anarchy of today. (Murder is now "offing someone" or taking someone "out". Stealing is "lifting" and many other names. Fornication is "hooking up"...and so on. Just "what is done is acceptable." In what ways do you see Jesus as a Rock, Stone, and foundation in your own life? ​After starting life as I did, abused, terrified with death threats and brutal beatings from both parents, and inconsistency in the extreme, Jesus is my Rock, my steadfast, secure place which has no shadow of turning, is never inconsistent, the foundation which is immovable, no matter what is going on in me or around me. He is the cornerstone, and anchor which holds me fast, my champion and protector in life. He has a hedge, as it were, made up of stones, around me, with a door He opens and no man can shut. He is my fortress where I can and do run into and hide when life is threatening or too painful. ​I love that this life journey, or race as the Apostle Paul called it is preparation for us as we become "living stones" in His eternal temple as His lovely bride.

Q1(Col 1:18) How should the assertion that Jesus is the "head of the body, the church" affect the way we conceive of the church? ​The Church is the visible representation of THE Head, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords....the body cannot function as He intends without His Sovereignty. Is he talking about the universal Church or a local congregation or both? ​There is only ONE Head, ONE church, but many parts which make up the body. If we believe that Jesus is the head of the church, how should that affect the way we conduct our life and ministry as the church? Our conduct must be In submission to His Headship....I'm thinking of a chicken whose head had just been cut off, that I saw as a child , running around the farmyard in a frenzy, unable to function as a chicken until it died in a short time. For the Church to be fully alive and functioning as He intends, the body must submit to His direction alone. ​ In what ways does the visible church represent the "head"? ​The visible church is just that....It's what the world sees. If functioning as He leads, then it's a body to be reckoned with and will attract the lost. If, like the headless chicken, then a disgrace to His honor and glory, a powerless entity floundering in the eyes of the world. Luke warm at best, just "going along to get along." How well do we, as the body, follow his leadership? ​I can only speak for this "body", which ultimately desires to follow His lead and to bring Him honor and glory, but too often wants it's own way, usually surrendering, but after some pouting or self pity in the hard places He leads. He's given me wonderful promises which look very different from where He has placed me in this life, but to get "there" is requiring daily step by step obedience. He's let me know that's what "crucifying the flesh" is all about... painful but productive in the end result. ​

Q4. (John 10:11-14) What are the characteristics of the "Good Shepherd"? ​The sheep are the property of the Good Shepherd, Who cares for them like they were his own children....leading them to tender green grass and away from pastures with poisonous thistles and holes they might fall into. He leads them to quiet watering places, knowing they won't drink from rushing water. He guards them and drives away predators with his rod. He carries a staff to pull them back from places they've gotten themselves into where they can't extricate themselves. He anoints them with oil on their wounds and around their eyes to keep pests from breeding there. He carries the little ones when the terrain is too steep or they are injured. He puts them In enclosures and sleeps across the door, lest someone comes and tries to steal one of his sheep. His voice is gentle and His sheep respond only to His voice. He knows each one of His sheep as individuals and their particular quirks and tendencies, and may even have pet names for them. In other words, his sheep are his life work and purpose. How do these contrast with the "hired hand."? ​To the hired hand, the sheep are only a means to an end...a source of income. I've read that hired shepherds drive the sheep with a lash rather than going before them to seek safety and good pasture. He may be harsh or just indifferent, but the sheep "know not his voice" and don't respond to it. There is only the basic care given, just enough to get them In reasonable shape to market. There is no personal relationship or interaction with them. God calls us to shepherd others as pastors, small group leaders, mentors, etc. How can we demonstrate that we are "good shepherds" rather than "hired hands"? ​We can remember how the Good Shepherd cares for His sheep, and that we are His "under-shepherds" tasked with following His lead, not "hired hands" to "get a job done" or to give us any kind of status or recognition as "leaders."

Q3. (Mark 10:43-45) How does Jesus serve (like Boaz) as a Kinsman-Redeemer to us? A kinsman-redeemer needed to be next of kin in order to redeem one so deep in debt that there is no way out other than to be rescued. Jesus is "One who sticks closer than a brother" (Prov 18:24b) and Who was willing to pay the ransom to redeem us, or "to buy back that which was lost." (Boaz bought back Naomi's dead husband's property then married her and produced children for him) We are God's "lost property" and now "children are produced through our witness" by His Spirit for the Kingdom of God. What does the idea of needing a ransom imply about our condition? ​We belonged to God until the fall, and Jesus is the only One in the position to buy us back or redeem us from our totally lost state in Satan's control. What was the redemption-price that the Father paid for us? ​The Bride price....His only Son's sinless shed blood.

Q2. How are we disciples to assist in Jesus' mission to seek and to save the lost? ​We are His hands, feet, and voice to share with others. But it's His Spirit Who will save them, and Who will lead us to the lost. We are to be His eyes, "watchful and ready to give a word in due season" as He leads us in our neighborhood, grocery store, family, gym, work, even at church! What is the love-balance between seeking to save our friends and having to back off because they feel we are trying to pressure them? I​ learned early on that I can't "save" anyone, this is the Holy Spirit's work. I'm to "listen" to cues from Him as I share....sometimes it's only His Name, another time it's my testimony or scripture which will encourage. I'm aware that sometimes I plant a seed, other times I water by answering questions and so on, and occasionally He uses me to lead someone to salvation, but never to pressure anyone. He's the gentle shepherd Who leads....the false "shepherd" drives and pressures. It's been said "There are 5 gospels. The first four are seldom read. We are the fifth!"​ ​

Q1. (Luke 19:10; Matthew 11:19) Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. What does it mean to you personally that Jesus is the Friend of Sinners? ​I'm very thankful! I'm a sinner saved only by His Grace. Because He's a friend of sinners, He sought me out, hunted me down, embraced me right where I was, lost and stuck in the mire, and asked me if I would receive His lovely gift of redemption and salvation. I'm thankful every single day! How should it affect your relationships with people who are deep in sin? ​I remember that I am His love letter "written on hearts of flesh, not of stone", and look for opportunities to share His love with each one I am with, as was "done unto me!" (In my case the actual invitation came via a Christian radio station as I was driving to church, oblivious to the fact that I needed to be born again, not just "religious" and "doing good works" to try to earn a place in Heaven.

Q4. (Philippians 2:7-8) How are we to follow Jesus' example as the Servant? ​A servant remembers that the master is also the leader, and is the one whose agenda is to be served. As a believer, I am called not just to hear His words and guidance but to LISTEN to them with my heart and then to do them by the power of His Spirit. I'm to live in subjection to His Lordship but am also called His friend, which includes spending time with Him renewing my mind with His Word, and to pray, (not telling Him what I think He needs to do, which is how I started out as a new believer) but to ask for His perspective, His mind to be my mind, to change me where I am stubborn or prideful or not in compliance with His will, and to converse with Him as His friend. He rewards the time we spend in His presence. I actually heard Him chuckle recently which stunned me with Joy! Jesus was always tuned to His Father, and only did what "His Father was doing" and said "what He heard His Father saying." ....may we be tuned to Him in order to serve Him in the way He desires us to make Him known.. ​It has been said that there are 5 gospels...the first 4 are mostly unread....our lives are the 5th gospel to those around us. Why is humility difficult? God gifted us with a free will, which is also a problem (I was going to say a curse, but that's not true...it's just a gift which wrongly used is a huge problem!). We want our way, to be right, to be well thought of, to be in charge and so on. Humility requires me to remember that God is always right and I'm wrong when we disagree. Humility requires me to crucify my flesh daily in order to be willing to serve my master and friend. It requires that I remember that He knows everything there Is to know about everything there is to know...and that I am the student who knows so little of what He wants me to learn. Humility requires that my agenda may not be the plan He has for me today, and to be willing to put my plan aside in order for His to be attended. It helps me to remember who is in charge, by asking Him in the morning to "order my steps and my stops" and to know the difference! Why is obedience hard? ​It's hard because our fallen nature wants its' own way...we think we know best, and that we're right...that we have a right to do what we want when we want! Obedience requires sacrifice on my part...laying down my will. Where are you struggling right now to be humble and obedient? This may sound strange to some who've never been in this situation, but I'm struggling with the length of time He has called me to "Be still and know that I AM God" ​Which means my plans have been on the shelf for a very long time. A very long time of inactivity. It means lots of time alone, and I love people, am energized by being with them. So, I am obeying, and much of the time I'm content...but then I have days where I've had enough and want to get moving! And then there is another surrender, which can feel like a death....but is followed by peace and joy and a lightness of spirit and contentment again....and then...

Q3. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) What is the purpose of the Lord's Supper? ​Jesus told us to take the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Him. We are reminded of His great love, His sacrifice, the cost to Heaven, and that we are now His children, forgiven and washed by His blood. He reminds us that "He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains of punishment"....and that "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement needful to obtain peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded Him we are healed and made whole." (Is 53:4, 5 amplified) In Him we have redemption, deliverance and salvation through His blood. (Eph. 1:7) so that we may fulfill His purpose for each life....to make Him known to those around us. Why should we partake often? ​Partly so that we don't take His sacrifice for granted or to become lackadaisical, and partly because our soul's enemy is always at hand to heap guilt and condemnation on us so that we lose our joy, or like Adam and Eve, try to hide from God in our shame. When we take Communion often, we are reaffirming that He is our Lord, and are reminded that we have constant access to our Father's Presence because we are His own, and are "clothed" in His robe of Righteousness. "Therefore there is now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Rom 8:1 Amplified) And foremost, The Lord's Supper is not a "ritual" to be "performed" but is His life, strength and healing being poured into us as we partake. It reminds us that we are not our own, and that we are dependent upon Him for our next breath. Why is it so easy to forget what Jesus has done for us on the cross? ​We have conscience and long memories, always reminding us of the past, and the world we live in is a hostile place (and becoming more so every day for believers) ​striving to pull us back into its' "vortex" of worldliness and self. For many, we lived as heathens and sinners for a longer time than we've been born again and we need to be reminded of our precious position now that we are His. (We are seated with Him in Heavenly places.( Eph 2:6)

Q2 (John 1:29) Why is Jesus referred to as the Lamb of God? The Hebrews and all believers in God prior to Mt. Sinai, lived under Grace. When Moses had come down from the mountain to report to the people what God had told him regarding the covenant God was calling them to, they pridefully responded "All that the Lord has spoken we are well able to do" (Ex 19:8) When Moses reported their words to God, the Law was instituted to show "mankind" that we are fallen and are not able to be holy in our own strength of will or "want to". The law required that blood was to be shed to atone for the sin of each individual in order to restore fellowship with God, which was a temporary "fix" until the next transgression of the law occurred and another lamb's blood was required on the altar. In the fullness of time, Jesus, God's only Son, came as had been prophesied from the beginning in Gen.3:15, to shed His Holy sinless blood for the sin of all mankind....for as many as will say "Yes!" to His gracious gift of forgiveness for all sin, past, present and future, and to eternal life with Him. He became once and for all time, the Sacrificial Lamb, so that no other sacrifice need ever be offered. He declared "It Is Finished!!!" before He gave up His spirit on the Cross. ​We are free in Him and because of His sacrifice there is no need to perform or "work" for our salvation, or to "keep it" nor to try to "earn" favor with God....We are now His beloved children. As the worship song says" His blood ran red, my sins washed white, HE DID IT ALL FOR US! To what degree does he take away our sins? ​To the "enth" degree. He "will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea" and remember them no more. (Micah 7:19) He has the ability to not only forgive our sins but to forget them as well. Corrie Ten Boom said about the Micah verse, and He places a "NO FISHING" sign there. ​How does he come to represent you - as your sacrifice for sin? ​He came to me by His Holy Spirit, chasing me down, and wooing me with His love, and offered me His lovely, unspeakably amazing gift, and I said "Yes!" to Him. My baptism was symbolic of dying with Him and coming up out of the water, of being forgiven, washed spotlessly clean, and raised to Eternal Life to live forever in fellowship with Him both now, and eternally. Now when "the accuser of the brethren" points his "finger of accusation" against me, he is forced to look at the perfect lamb slain for my sins, rather than at my imperfection. ​I love this poem! How I praise Him! This is just how He came to me: FANFARE Quietly He called me Humanly speaking it was no extravaganza; earth scarcely noticed yet I've been told that beyond the galaxies a fanfare broke out when I said 'Yes' to Him and took His Name. "...there is joy in the presence of the ​angels of God over one sinner that ​repents." Luke 15:10 -Nancy Spiegelberg- c1970 ​

Q1 What does Jesus' holiness and righteousness demand of our lives as his disciples? ​Jesus alone is holy and righteous,.sinless and spotless, perfect. When I said "yes" to Him there was a great exchange: I received His holiness and righteousness in exchange for all of my sin, brokenness, bondage, and unrighteousness. I have been redeemed, set free (a process, I discovered over time), and am no longer living under the law but am under grace...Praise God! I am now called to "walk in the Spirit and not after the dictates of my flesh." Rom 8:1 It's a daily choice I make ( we have the freedom to choose), but because of my love for Him and gratitude for all He has done for me and does every day, my flesh continues to be crucified by an act of my will, so that He may reign as Lord of my life and that I might be faithful to make Him known in my world. "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing." Gal:2:20 In the parable of the Sheep and the Goats, what was the primary characteristic of the sheep vs. the goats? The sheep and goats were one group until the Shepherd separated them, the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. The sheep were blessed of His Father, favored and appointed to eternal salvation for they had been His hands and feet in caring for the hungry, thirsty, naked, imprisoned, as though their brethren were Jesus Himself. The Shepherd separated the goats from the sheep, and banished them from Him, were cursed and thrown into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his fallen angels, for failing to serve and meet basic needs of those they considered the least of mankind. ​The difference was in their standing with the Lord: The Sheep were in right standing with Jesus, while the goats rejected the shepherd and did their works according to their flesh and fallen nature.

Q6. Since Yahweh seems to be formed from "I AM" as God's own name, what is the significance of Jesus' "I AM" statements? ​When Moses asked God on Mt. Sinai "Who shall I say sent me?" God said "tell them I Am that I Am"....the self existent One, Yahweh! ​In stating: ​I Am the bread of life, the light of the world, the gate for the sheep, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way the truth and the life, and I am the Vine, ​Jesus was telling the people plainly that He was, and is, revealing, interpreting and making known His Father, and that He is fact Messiah and God in human form. Which of these "I Am" statements means the most to you personally? ​It's hard to choose just one. On any given day, depending on my circumstances, one may be more special than another. Today, and especially because I just mentioned in Q 5, the struggle with His timing for deliverance of a 38 year trial which He has promised, "I am the Vine" is Who I need Him to be...that life force of strength and sustenance, motivation and nurturing endurance and encouragement. That sense of His holding on tightly to this weak branch, tendrils wrapped tightly... and that as I wait, He is at work not only in me but in the situation.

Q5. (Luke:9:59-62, 6:46) Is Jesus our Lord if we don't obey him immediately? ​He is Savior to many who have said "yes" to His invitation to salvation and eternal life. But is Lord only to those who have surrendered the will to His Lordship. Is he our Lord if we don't follow his teachings? ​Scripture exhorts us to lay down our will and to walk according to the Spirit, rather than to continue to walk in the flesh. I think there is a progression as we grow in ​Him, as we learn to trust and to love Him. Each surrender can feel like a death...which of course it is, so a battle ensues: My will or His will? ​Patterson in his book "Why is it taking me so long to get better?" describes this process as like in war time when the U.S. Marines would begin to lay siege to a captive island, would wire back to the ship "The island is secure", where in fact they had only secured a toe hold on the beach, but were confident in their ability to take the entire island in time," Likewise, our salvation is secure when we say "Yes!", but there is a whole lot of territory yet to be surrendered to the Lordship of Christ, and many "bloody" battles before we yield completely to Him. What areas of your life do you need to surrender to his lordship? l​ still struggle with the issue of timing....a 38 year wait for one promise, which involves the will of another individual who is as stubborn as is possible to be. Every day is like walking with gravel in my shoes, so I must surrender to His timing and ask for His help to be patient and kind and loving for as long as it takes! The promise He gave me sounded like it would be a quick work, back in the day...but He works IN ME, as I wait and walk out each difficult day.

Q4 Why is the title "Lord Jesus" such an exalted one? What does it tell us about Jesus' divinity? ​There is only One Lord, designating Jesus as God, high and lifted up, King of Kings and Lord of lords. Nations, kings, kingdoms, are all in the palm of His hands and His authority is over all creation! He is eternal, and will reign supreme and Sovereign forever and ever.

Q3.(John 1:18) How does the title "Only Begotten God" signify Jesus' divinity? ​"Jesus is in the bosom, in the intimate presence of the Father"....one with the Father along with Holy Spirit, our triune God. How does the Only Begotten Son differ from you and me as sons and daughters of God? ​The Son has always existed as God whereas we are created beings, born of the flesh but with with dead spirits. When we said "Yes!" to His invitation, our spirit was re-born, came alive to Him, and we were adopted into His family as sons and daughters of God, and joint heirs with Christ. What does "only-begotten" say about Jesus' status with the Father? ​He is the Divine Son, unique and the only One, co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. About the costliness of the cross? ​The perfection of Heaven now bears scarred hands and feet, memories of suffering unspeakable pain, humiliation and torture, the precious life blood of the Lamb of God spilled on the cursed ground. Who can measure the cost...it is beyond comprehension. He considers us worth every stripe and drop of bloody sweat. Let us give Him all of our praise and thanks with grateful hearts!

Q2. (Mark 1;10-11; Eph l:5) If Jesus is the Father's Beloved, how can the Father send him to die? ​John 3:16 tells us the answer: "For God so greatly loved and prized the world that He even gave up His only begotten unique Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." " He foreordained us, destined us, planned in love for us, to be adopted as His own children through Jesus Christ because it pleased Him and was His kind intent so that we might be to the praise of His glory which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Son)" Mark 1:5,6) How does that make sense, given what we know of parental love? ​He knew that Adam would rebel before he formed the foundation of the world due to the gift of free will. Jesus' death was not an after thought. In the Father's foreknowledge, this was always His plan, because He is a God of redemption. His choices were to scrap the whole plan of creation, or to create another race without the gift of free will. But those would be robots not children. Love was his motivation. And we are the object of His great love. ​Abraham walking up the mountain with his beloved Son Isaac carrying the wood on his back which would burn him as a sacrifice unto God, is a type or picture of this plan which would finally be fulfilled at the Cross of Calvary. Abraham obeyed because he believed his son would be restored to him alive, raised from the dead. God the Father sent Jesus, knowing He would be restored to Him alive, raised from the dead after laying down His life as the sacrificial offering...His death a ransom for many. The kernel of wheat falling into the ground, producing a huge crop, to the praise of His glory, rather than to exist alone. What does that say about God's love for us? It tells us that we are His treasure and that we are worth His immeasurable sacrifice which was ..."His purpose and plan, His merciful intention" and, that we were made God's heritage, and joint heirs of Jesus His Son. (Eph 1) Paul calls this "the Mystery" His secret. How can we ever thank Him enough for His great love! And how tragic that so many will choose to reject this beautiful gift of eternal life with their creator and the lover of their souls. ​