JanMary

Q3. (Luke 17:24-32) What indications does Jesus give in this passage that he will suddenly come in his Kingdom without further warning? He gives the two examples of the flood of Noah and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, which came unexpectedly and without warning. What are the implications of this for our attitude? He has given us a heads up that our attitude should be one of expectancy and longing for His return....the attitude of a radiant bride watching for the return of her Bridegroom. For our lives? Our lives are a drop in the bucket in terms of Eternity, and we are to live on earth as aliens and pilgrims who are passing through on the way to our real home in Heaven. Therefore, we are to hold loosely to anything here....jobs, homes, goods or whatever might cause us to look back as Lot's wife did, preferring what she was leaving to where she was going.

Q2. (Luke 17:22-24) What do Jesus' words about lightning teach us about the nature of the coming of his Kingdom? He won't sneak in then put a full page ad in newspapers around the world, as Sun Myung Moon did years ago. I read the ad and was astonished as I had no knowledge of scripture, so it gave me pause. Thank God for His Word, which tells the truth, since He is the Truth. When Jesus splits the sky and returns, it will be just as lightning lights up the sky. His coming will be seen by all. There will be no question about Who He is! When Lightning strikes, the sky is usually very dark....reminds me of the days we're living in. Even so, Come Lord Jesus!!!1

Q1. (Luke 17:21) In what sense was the Kingdom of God present in the Person and ministry of Jesus? Jesus has always been present on earth, since Genesis 1:1 when He and the Father and the Holy Spirit formed the earth, but the Kingdom of God didn't come until He was born in a human body to manifest the Kingdom of God. The revelation began with Jesus' public ministry and teaching, and this is what I believe He was saying when He spoke about the Kingdom of God being among you..."I AM"....in your midst. And to those who personally received Him as Savior, "I AM" in you. In what sense is the Kingdom of God present today? The Kingdom of God is present today in the form of the Holy Spirit's indwelling believers. Through His life giving rivers of living water which flow from within believers, the Kingdom is manifested as the Gospel is presented, as well as when we live out His life here on earth. It's the invisible Kingdom believer's live in regardless of which country we presently reside.

Q4. (Matthew 11:12; Luke 16:16) Admittedly, this is a hard passage to interpret. However, if you take the "forceful" or "violent" people as seekers who are doing whatever it takes to press into the Kingdom, then what is Jesus teaching us here about the nature of the Kingdom? He is teaching us to persevere. That it's worth having so it's worth "fighting" for. The Kingdom is ours, we move around in it, but it's like when the Marines land on an island. They radio to the ship that the island is secure...though they are surrounded by enemy weapons, and in actuality, they have no more than a toe hold on the island. When we are born again, we have a toe hold on the Kingdom. The rest of the ground is taken through persistence in prayer, learning to battle the enemy in warfare, using His weapons rather than our own, until we fully come into our place of authority in His Kingdom and move in our place of service.

Q3. (Matthew 7:7-8) Why is continual asking, seeking, and knocking so essential to our looking forward to the Kingdom? I believe He's hard wired us in such a way that we are always seeking "more".....of whatever. His desire is for us to seek and look forward to His priorities, which is relationship and living in His Kingdom and Promises. The world tugs at us to seek more of what it offers. We are told to resist the fleshly desires and pursue the Spiritual realm He longs for us to live in. Why do we give up so easily? We have an enemy who is always at work to hinder us in our pursuit of God. He is quick to discourage or intimidate us. We are comfort seekers.....and "asking, seeking, knocking" is work and requires perseverance, which is one of His qualities (fruit of the Spirit). Pursuing Him, develops perseverance in His children. How do we gain boldness and persistence in prayer? First of all, understanding and knowing the Scriptures, and that we are commanded to come boldly. We are commanded to persist in prayer. We simply keep on obeying what He tells us, when we're weary, when the enemy hounds us, when it gets hard and we don't yet see results...we keep on as He's commanded, and we will be rewarded.

Q2. (Matthew 6:33) What does it mean in verse 33 to "seek first his Kingdom"? We live IN this world but we are not OF this world...we live in His Kingdom once we are born again. Every day we wake up In the world, but to seek His Kingdom means that I choose to seek each day how to walk here but how to live in Him. It's a matter of the heart and mind and priorities. What does it mean to "seek first

Q1. (Matthew 6:24) Jesus seems to make it sound like you can't seek wealth and God simultaneously. Does he really mean this? I think He answered this when He said "Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God, THEN all these THINGS will be added unto you. We don't seek wealth or money, we seek Him. We seek His face, not His Hand. He said "My Father knows what you need"...so we don't always need to focus on "stuff", but rather on His priorities. Is this hyperbole? Figurative? Literal? Can wealthy people serve God in actual fact? I believe He's laying out His priorities for our lives. He is to have first place. To seek after wealth and money is to to deter us from seeking His face...relationship with Him. Many wealthy people serve God....my family in our trials of loss have been the recipients countless times of wealthy people's generosity, as the Lord has moved them to share their resources with us. I see this as "them having money, not money having them".

Q4. What did Jesus intend the Parable of the Soils to teach us about the "message of the kingdom"? We think and dream in "pictures". I finally "get it" about parables! The Lord has given me several this past year when I just didn't "take in" what He's been saying to me. One day He used a dragonfly hanging by it's tongue suspended from a flower for more than 3 hours on my patio. Even when I touched it to see if it was alive, it didn't flinch or fly away. I thought "How strange!" Then the Lord spoke: "Rest in me, Abide in me, Feed on me". Then His message sunk in and with that vivid picture of the dragonfly's total body weight suspended by only it's tongue feeding on the flower, I'm mindful of my need to "Rest, abide and feed on Him", in a way that I can remember! Given that the surroundings were agricultural when Jesus gave them the parable, and most of us are acquainted with agriculture, I believe we are to understand that the Kingdom of God is the true LIFE, and that it's invisible in it's workings, but functions just like what we see in nature. Someone must scatter the seeds, first of all.....you and I.....and to scatter them liberally even though they may not have a chance of taking root due to conditions beyond our control. He provides the sun, the moisture, the nutrients.....(through the power of the Holy Spirit according to the receptivity of the soil or heart condition of the hearer) My seed may lie idle along the path for years, but someone else may come along and sprinkle enough moisture that the seed may take root....though not all seed will endure through the growth process due to the things which choke out seed.....the enemy, Satan, does his best to starve the seed, trample it with burdens, or choke it out through other means, but we are to continue to sow, regardless of whether or not it is cultivated. Why are these truths so important for keeping disciples from becoming disillusioned? I love that the parable demonstrates that He is the one responsible for what follows our seed sowing and scattering. That frees me up to just obey and share Christ when the Holy Spirit leads. I can't "save" anyone. Only the Lord "saves". And Jesus said "No one comes to me unless My Father draws him". I'm reminded of a Shiite Muslim man I used to pass almost every morning on my walk, and as we got acquainted gradually, I learned he'd escaped from Iran with the Shah. This led to me sharing Christ with Him. He told me how he would be judged when he gets to Heaven....with a scale where his good and bad deeds would be weighed, and how much of the Koran he'd memorized. I shared that as a believer I would not be judged because Jesus took my punishment for my sin. One day he asked if I could find a Bible for him in the Farsi language. I asked around and was given one by a former Muslim who had come to Christ, and which I gave to Davoud. Later he told me he'd read it from cover to cover, and had hidden it. I have no idea what happened spiritually for him. He was in his 80's and soon didn't come for a walk anymore. But my part was to scatter the seed, and to water as I was given opportunity and to pray for him. I had the privilege of praying with him one day for an injury he'd suffered. The results are in the Lord's hands, and of course Davoud's decision, one way or the other. I don't get discouraged if I don't see results....many choose Christ, others don't, but I scatter out of obedience, pray for those who don't know Him yet, and leave the results with the One Who saves, without disillusionment or discouragement.

Q3. (Matthew 13:23) Even good soil can have factors that hinder growth in various parts of the field, or make some areas grow taller and fuller wheat. What factors make a disciple especially good soil for the growth of the word or message of the Kingdom? In looking at my own life I see seasons of fruit bearing, just as in the seasons of nature. In the Springtime of my walk with the Lord, I fell madly in love with Jesus who rescued me from an abusive childhood. I was totally sold out and committed to Him, eager to please and to do or go anywhere He asked me to go. Spring turned into Summer and with it more maturity, awareness of what my gifts are, leadership and more responsibility in the Church, and abundant fruit continued to be produced. Then a season of blight struck, as the veils of denial were pulled back and I was faced with the details of childhood which had gone underground but which were affecting my life. The SON still shone in my life but fruit bearing was curtailed as His energy went into healing the sick plant and establishing a solid root foundation based on reality! Years of pruning through loss and testing ensued, and some good fruit, but not in abundance, as the root system was strengthened and this plant was restored to stability and health. (It was during this season that I learned I am a sinner...the denial had kept me in a shame based place of self righteousness! Thank God for Truth!) I I'm in the Fall season now and the work He has assigned me is different and more isolating as I reflect and write about His amazing healing and miracles, His precious Gospel, and His promise to restore and bring His "branches" to wholeness before the harvest.( Phil 1:6) There doesn't seem to be as much fruit, but the promise of a later crop as the book is in readers hands encourages me to keep on. I've learned that my job in fruit bearing is to abide in the Vine, to rest in Him, and His fruit will be produced through me. (The "blight" revealed to me that when frightened, I disconnect from the Vine and go into an internal/ spiritual fetal position as I did in childhood) The Vinedressers job is to tend to me as I abide in the Vine and His fruit is inevitable. What might be the reasons for 30-fold, 60-fold, and 100-fold growth? In summation I think the answer lies in how much we abide in the true Vine. His ability to produce fruit is unlimited!!! He is only limited in trying to produce fruit through severed or partially severed branches. His root is invincible and cannot fail as long as I stay connected with a receptive, submitted heart.

Q2. (Matthew 13:22; Luke 8:14) Which of the thorns that Jesus mentions do you think is the most dangerous: Riches, worries/cares, or pleasures? I think it's a close call between riches and pleasures, but I've heard it said that riches are more of a trial than poverty. With poverty and worries/cares, there is the recognition that one needs Jesus! With Riches usually comes power as well, and both may corrupt. With riches, there is the sense that nothing is needed, and that one is the master of his/her own ship, in control. Why do you think so? The rich young ruler sadly couldn't bear to part with his worldly goods. My family wasn't wealthy, but we owned a beautiful California home, our own business, 2 cars, lovely furniture, were able to educate our children in Christian schools, and to tithe 20% of our income but when the recession of 1990 hit, we ended up through a slow process, with $10.00, an old car and homeless. It was gut wrenching to see it all go. When all was said and done, it was a beautiful thing to be totally dependent upon God (We would have said prior to that, that we were totally dependent upon Him...but we discovered we were depending upon our business and our income) So having gone through that loss, I would say that riches are the most dangerous...they can be deceptive and a substitute "god".

Q1. (Matthew 13:20-21) Why, according to Jesus' teaching here, do some people fall away so quickly? There are many reasons....some don't count the cost of discipleship, and when life gets difficult, they move on to the the next thing. Others are eager, believing in instant change, and turn away when their expectation doesn't manifest. A young couple I shared Christ with eagerly accepted Him, attended church for a few Sundays, but when a pyramid scheme was offered to them by a neighbor, their new faith was choked out by the prospect of getting rich quick. We were struggling financially, and their response was to offer us a place in their pyramid!!!! They thought we were fools to reject their offer and to continue down the road with Jesus. What is their problem? They don't stay long enough to develop a strong "root system" or relationship with Jesus, which takes time to "cultivate". Many are not truly seeking the Kingdom of God, but rather an experience and respond out of emotions, or wanting to please the sower. Another individual I know, had been told by a previous "sower", that when one accepts Jesus as Savior, life becomes a bed of roses! When the "thorns" appeared, the new convert's "faith" dried up like the seed sown on the rock.

Q4. Why is repentance so central to the Kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God is made up of sinners who are saved by Grace, but who will deal with sin and the results of sin "until that day"..when we see Him face to face. Repentence is an ongoing process because of our fallen nature. Hardened hearts and arrogance seem to be the result of not repenting. Why is baptism important to converts to the King? Baptism is our public acknowledgement that we are His...that we are identified with Him from that moment onward. It says to the world that I'm in all the way....not just dipping my toes in when I feel like acting or looking like a Christian. My heart, my body, my soul and spirit are now my Saviour and Lord's. Can Christ reign in an unrepentant heart? No, He cannot. Unconfessed sin, or sin that is cherished by the individual pushes the Lord away. Unrepentance keeps us "stuck", and hinders Him from working in our lives.

Q3. (Matthew 3:11) What is the point of comparison between John's action and the Messiah's action? John baptized with water after repentance. Both involved being immersed. John's in water. Jesus' baptism in the Holy Spirit after Salvation. What is the point of difference? Water bapism is a picture of how repentance cleanses the inner "man" and is done once. It's a memorial of our old "man" being crucified and buried with Christ and the beginning of a changed life. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire. . Jesus' baptism is both a one time event, and an ongoing process of filling and refilling throughout life, and puts His power on the inside, which then flows through us outwardly toward others in ministry. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is being filled with all the fullness of the Godhead...the power which raised Christ from the dead. Do you really long to be overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit? This has been my desire since recognizing that I'm a sinner saved by Grace. Any effective ministry through my life has been a result of relinquishing my will to the power of the Holy Spirit. I love what He accomplishes! I'm thrilled by the wisdom He pours in when I relinquish my ideas and knowledge and ask for His. I'm just plain stunned by His Majesty, Power and HUGENESS....and want to float in Him like a cork on the ocean....lost in Him, hidden in His love and grace.....filled with His life and power to accomplish His purposes through my life. What might prevent this in your life? Fear prevented it in my early walk....I wanted to be in control. I wanted to know what was going to happen. As I healed from the abuse, I also learned that these are normal survival skills for abused children, and as I grew in trusting the Lord, my need to be in control was relinquished. What might encourage it? I can only speak for myself, and for me it was the desire to heal from the wounds and to be made whole in Him. The more that occurred, the more I saw that He is altogether lovely and desirable, the more I wanted to be like Him. Romans 8:28 finally melded with Romans 8:29 and I saw that was the point of all that I have endured in my life, working toward the goal of being molded and conformed into the image of Christ inwardly.....that my heart and goals and dreams and desires and prayers and actions are His, rather than my own.

Q2. (Matthew 3:5-10; Luke 7:30) How would John's baptism have offended a Jew's national pride? They were sons of Abraham, and believed that obeying The Law of Moses kept them in good standing with God. John's baptism indicated that they needed to repent and be cleansed just like the Gentile's who came to Jesus for Salvation. It anulled keeping the law as the way to be in relationship with God. Jesus came to bring a better Covenant, and repentence, baptism, humility and embracing the Spirit of the Law in Christ was repugnant to many. Who welcomed John's baptism? Jesus, for One. Then the humble and those willing to seek forgiveness and salvation. Who resisted it? Why? The Jewish religious leaders whose piety was of their own making through works of the flesh. The more honored they were in the Synagogue, the less likely they would humble themselves in this way. Ultimately they wanted to kill Jesus, because they loved their position!

Q1. What happens when people adopt the Christian faith without repenting of their known sins? It seems to me they are Christians in name only....they've missed the point of why Jesus came....to save us from our sins. When one fails to repent and turn from one's wicked ways, I believe a "pretend" relationship with Christ results, if at all, and certainly a phony Christianity is presented to the church and to the world. Why do people avoid repentance? Failure to repent is a result of pride or ignorance....not wanting to acknowledge that one is a sinner, or not believing one is a sinner. When I accepted Christ as my Saviour and Lord I was in deep denial about my abusive childhood, and as a result I walked for several years in self righteousness and judgment toward others, due to sheer ignorance about those even being sins! (I knew about the BIG ones.....) It wasnt' until I commited a few that were on my list of "I would never do that!", that I truly recognized I was a sinner, repented of all known sin and truly fell in love with Jesus for the first time as I understood the depth of His sacrifice for ME, and at what cost to Him. What percentage of Christians today do you think are unrepentant, unprepared in heart? I think there are two "churches" in the world today....one of true believers who understand the severity of sin and live in repentance and the desire to live with and represent Christ in love and truth. The other church is a phony, politically correct church where folks dress up on Sunday, "punch" the church clock, leave and "roast" the Pastor's sermon over lunch, live like hell all week, unreptentant, but knowing the Christianese to speak when necessary, and how to "act" when necessary. They attend large, seeker friendly churches where sin is not preached, nor the blood, because they "offend".....and it's possible to disappear in the crowd. Since conviction does not occur, folks leave feeling happy that they are fine and "fit in" and go on their way for another week of living however they please. (I used to attend one of these churches, and experienced all of that until the Holy Spirit finally got a hold of my heart and spirit, drew me close and discipled me in the Word of God and a true and intimate relationship with Jesus developed.)

Q3. (Philemon 18-19) Paul vouches for Onesimus and puts up his money (at least in theory) to cover Onesimus's debts to Philemon? Is this wise in all cases? Paul knew Onesimus' heart...that he was truly a disciple who had repented of his sins and who desired a fresh start, restitution and forgiveness. In this and other cases like it, it's wisdom to vouch for another. (Even on the off chance of failure, I believe in second chances) But in all cases? No, I don't believe that's wisdom. A persons character can predict their actions quite often. An addict will do or say just about anything, swear on the Bible, etc. to get their next fix. Others operate under the influence of Satan/the demonic and are great deceivers who make tremendous promises in order to bargain or gain what they want, be it money, power, position.....so no, I would say most definitely not in most cases. Why does Paul do it here? Paul had seen Onesimus tears of repentance, heart of service toward him and others, love for God and desire to set things right with Philemon. I believe Paul also wanted to encourage Philemon to rise to the level of forgiveness desired in this and other situations and as a demonstration to the Church...all who would read the letter, then, today, and in the future. How does Christ vouch for us? He is our advocate with the Father, interceding for us day and night. When the accuser of the brethren, Satan, points out our sins or failures, Jesus silences him with a nail scarred hand before his face. When should we vouch for our Christian brothers and sisters? In American courts a person is innocent until proven guilty. In the Church we are bound to hear gossip or accusations, about our brothers and sisters in Christ. I believe we stand with one another and not "kill our wounded", as is our pitiful reputation.

Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? Paul said "I do not want your benevolence to be the result of compulsion or of pressure, but voluntary." He wanted Philemon to make the choice to receive Onesimus and to forgive him in his own heart and will, not because he was forced to do so. That would only lead to resentment and more pressure on Onesimus. Outward actions that don't reflect our inner motives don't lead to true reconciliation between individuals. Is this out of respect for his personhood or to build moral character in him -- or what? I think it was both to build character and out of respect. More like giving Philemon an opportunity to grow in love and forgiveness and the crucifixion of his will. After all he had been wronged in several ways. The entire church was watching to see how their Pastor would respond to this situation. Paul seemed to trust that he would do the godly thing and both forgive and welcome Onesimus back as a brother in Christ and would be an example of what Jesus asks us to do in loving one another. It was a beautiful opportunity for the entire church to reflect on their own sin and lost state before they came to Christ and to follow Philemon's example in welcoming Oneismus into their fellowship as a brother in Christ.

Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon to rectify Onesimus' wrongdoing in both escaping and in taking things which didn't belong to him when he fled to Rome. He had become a believer there and associated with Paul, and now Paul pleads with them to accept Onesimus as a Christian brother, beloved by Paul, and to ask for forgiveness on his behalf. Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Paul's intervention was intended to bring closure and to give Onesimus a fesh start in the body of Christ, as a blood washed believer in the Church of Colosse which met in Philemon's household. Paul, as he had done with Archippus in Col. 4, sends his blessing, acceptance and approval with the pleadings in his letter, for the believers to do the same when he arrives. Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this? Scripture teaches that if we've stolen, we are to make restituation. If offense, to seek and ask forgiveness. Onesimus had stolen from Philemon in order to make his escape from slavery, and it was necessary to go back and face Philemon and to make things right. To not do so whenever possible, is to give the devil a foothold in our lives and I imagine would lead Onesimus to be always "looking over his shoulder" to see who's after him, and to feel guilty over the debt he owed. Paul graciously asked them to charge that debt to "his own account".

Q4. (Colossians 4:17) Why do you think Archippus was singled out in verse 17? I imagine Archippus may have been insecure or a bit overwhelmed with the responsibility of his duties.( If Paul were correcting him, I don't believe he'd have done it in such a way as having the church tell him.) I think it's more likely that Paul was affirming that Archippus was "in charge", and had God's anointing to lead, and was making it known to the whole region that Archippus had Paul's full support, and they were to support and encourage him as well. If you could invent a story of his role in the Colossian church, how would you describe Archippus? I would imagine him as a humble young man, perhaps a bit insecure and needing encouragement to press on in his duties. He may not have felt qualified to be the Pastor because of his lack of years/experience. (We're not to compare ourselves with others, but side by side with Paul, he may have felt intimidated to lead the flock) In what ways does he remind you of yourself? If I am not constantly aware that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in me, I tend to think I'm on my own and nothing of value will be accomplished. God is healing the emotional, physical, and sexual abuse from my childhood which left me feeling totally inadequate in every area. ( Actually, that eliminates pride, because I know that any fruitfulness in my life, is His work through me) When I have ministry responsibilities, I'm grateful for any encouragement!

Q3. (Colossians 4:5-6) What instructions does Paul give us in sharing our faith with non-believers? Paul exhorts us to behave wisely, living prudently and with discretion in our relations with nonbelievers, making the most of and seizing every opportunity to make Christ known, and to guard our speech, so that our words are gracious and winsome, seasoned as with salt, and never at a loss to respond to questions. (amplified) Why, do you think, we sometimes let opportunities slip by? One of my gifts is evangelism, so I share often, but the times that slip by, are when I'm in a hurry and wrongly think that where I'm going is more important than someone's eternal life. Actually I don't have those thoughts at the time, but that's what it boils down to in the end. I've heard others say that they don't share because they don't know scripture, or they feel intimidated or embarrassed, or down right afraid...don't know enough, don't know how to share the Gospel, don't want to offend, or wreck a relationship. How will our conversation being "full of grace" help us represent Christ well? Full of grace, says to me, free from arrogance, judgment, self righteousness, unsavory language......When we represent Christ well, we're speaking the truth in love as He did, with kindness and compassion. He's done so much for and in me that I love to share about His love and His tireless intervention in my life to bring wholeness and healing from every kind of abuse and neglect. He seems to bring those folks to me who have similar issues, and it's easy and a joy to share, about His forgiveness and restoration.

Q2. (Colossians 4:3-4) What prayer request does Paul ask of the Colossian believers? Paul asked that they pray for an open door for the proclamation of the spreading of the Gospel. What does it mean to pray for an "open door." Why does he ask for prayer in communicating the gospel? I believe it means "unhindered access"......that God would go before them to prepare the hearts of the listeners, and for boldness and sensitivity in the ability to share the Gospel in the power and love of the Holy Spirit. Paul was accutely aware of the hindrance and opposition Satan throws up to the speading of the Gospel, so that people stay bound and go to hell, and Paul wanted that opposition to be bound instead. Paul had nearly been killed for sharing the Gospel. Isn't he an "old hand" at this? Why does he need help? Yes, Paul was an old hand...but experience and expertise aren't what brings people to salvation in Christ....It is the power of the Holy Spirit, through the one sharing. Scripture says, "No one comes to the Son unless the Father draws him". A new baby Christian can share the Gospel. Our 4 year old son who'd been in a children's Bible study program, used to sit outside on the lawn and lead the neighbor children to Jesus.

Q1. (Colossians 4:2) What guidelines does Paul give us to form our praying habits? Paul exhorts us to be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in our prayer life, being both alert and intent in our praying with thanksgiving. If you put these into practice fully, how would they affect your prayer life? Obedience brings reward. We are also promised that we will reap a harvest if we grow not weary, and that when we ask, seek, and knock, our prayers will receive an answer. God honors faith! I feel convicted that I need more diligence in my prayer life...to perservere even though I've been waiting for 30 years for promised answers! What problems would they help correct? Unfocused, wishy washy praying, faithless unbelieving prayers, lack of discipline, hit and miss praying, and giving up in hopelessness.

Q4. (Colossians 3:25-4:1) What instructions does Paul give masters – or employers, in our culture? Masters, on your part deal with your slaves/employees justly and fairly, knowing that also you have a Master in Heaven. What would happen in the workplace if employers sought to live by this rule? The employer and the business would be blessed because of their obedience, in many ways including increased income because output would increase. Blessing always follows obedience. The employees would be blessed by working in a safe environment with fair wages where they know the employer is looking out for their best interests which leads to a good and grateful attitude. The atmosphere in that place of business would be peaceful rather than the grumbling and complaining which prevails when employees believe they are being cheated which results in withholding production and output as employees try to "get justice for themselves" through rebellion, "stealing" time through too long breaks and lunches, leaving early, coming in late, surfing the net and just plain dawdling rather than working. I believe that Unions are the result of disobedience to God's law. They are man's attempt to enforce what God commanded, and was not put into practice. Now we and other countries are reaping the results of greed, mismanagement, corruption, overreaching what is fair and just, and which is in large part responsible for much of the bankruptcy in states such as California, New Jersey, New York, and countries such as Greece.

Q3. (Colossians 3:22-24) If you apply Paul's instructions to slaves to the role of being an employee, what is the role of sincerity as an employee? Our role as employees is to serve to the best of our abilities, at all times...not just when the boss is around or looking on. Our character is who we are when no one is looking. So we work with our whole heart, with honesty and intergrity, arriving on time, not sneaking out early, as other employees might do. How do we live this out when working under a poor boss? We are required to serve with our whole heart, regardless of the kind of boss we have. Perhaps he/she will be won to the Lord if he/she sees our work ethic and our godly attitude. God will repay/revenge the injustices if we leave that to Him and just work diligently and honestly and prayerfully. In what sense are we actually "working for the Lord"? We are working for the Lord in everything that we do, at home, at church, at work, at play. We live our lives as unto Him, allowing Him to live through us to touch a dying world. What would happen in the workplace, if we actually began to live by these attitudes of heart? The workplace would be transformed. People watch what we do and how we live, not what we SAY we believe. Hearts would be open, lives would change, petty disagreements and jealousies would be forgiven and forgotten. Harmony would be the rule rather than the exception.