JanMary

Q1. (1 John 1:3-4, 6-7) Why is our fellowship with fellow Christians so often just on a surface level? In my experience, it was based on fear and a shame based life....not wanting to get too deep with people for fear of being judged if they learned too much about me. I'd grown up in an abusive, violent home and spent many years trying to pretend we were a normal family. When I became a Christian, I spent a number of years feeling out of step, having gotten a late start in the faith. I watched others more mature than I, and said the right things, did the right things.....until I got into 12 step recovery for co-dependency and dealt with the issues I was so ashamed of. I finally experienced true Christian fellowship in my Christian 12 step Bible study, where honesty was key, and rather than being judged or shunned, I was loved, accepted and my brokenness was embraced. That's when I started to grow in Christ, to heal from the past, and to be willing to not only share honestly who I am, but to feel compassion and love for others no matter what state of growth they are in. How can we have fellowship at a deeper level in Christ? I think it begins with a willingness to stop pretending "we have it all together", and to be real with others. If we're struggling, say so. (Not in a whining, compulsive way, and with sensitivity to whom we're sharing. Not all people are safe people, and with those I'm more careful about what I reveal about myself.) The church in which we began our walk with Christ, 'having the victory" was frequently talked about, which produced an atmosphere where only "losers and backsliders" needed prayer. Altar calls were unheeded, because pretense at being victorious was the mask worn. I think it starts with the Pastor being honest about his struggles, and it filters down to the congregation that we're all works in progress. The 12 step group was a place where authenticity was both encouraged and accepted...that's true Christianity. Acceptance of one another's faults without judging is critical...to stop expecting others to be alike. We all come from different backgrounds, cultures, education, and in any group there are many levels of maturity. Listening with compassion and acceptance of others, then keeping the sharing confidential is a must in my opinion. A church or group which permits or listens to gossip is a deadly recipe for intimacy. None of the above is possible without the love of God in our hearts, and the willingness to love others, especially the unlovely. What would it take in your Christian group or your relationships with other believers to deepen your level of fellowship so it is authentically Christian? I'm blessed with authentic Christian relationships, for which I thank God! Our new church is a gossip free "zone", and confidentiality is preached from the pulpit and practiced by leaders and the congregation. It's the most loving group of people you'd ever want to fellowship with. This makes authenticity easy to practice, and is a healthy environment in which to grow.

Hi everyone, My name is JanMary, I'm 66 years old, married for 43 years, and we have two grown children. We all live in the East Bay area of Northern, California. This will be my 10th Jesus Walk Bible Study, and I'm really looking forward to studying with all of you! Each study has challenged, encouraged, clarified my beliefs and at times caused me to rethink things which have been "traditions", rather than solid Biblical based beliefs. I thank God for Pastor Wilson and for his writing and making these studies available to us...each one has been great! I pray joy and blessings for each, as we enrich our lives with the Truth of God's Word! JanMary

Q4. (Ephesians 6:20) Developing this analogy of an ambassador in a foreign land... What nation has sovereignty over the embassy and its property? The nation represented by that embassy owns it and the property, and has sovereignty over it. Who does the ambassador represent? The President, King, Queen or Prime Minister of the country who sends him/her. What responsibilities does he or she have? To speak for and represent the head of state who is sending him/her. How do these relate to being an ambassador of Christ? He is my King. I am His representative and spokesman where ever I go and to whomever I speak. As His ambassador I am to speak for Him, using His words, His ideas, to convey His love, remembering that others will view Him in the way I represent Him.

Q3. (Ephesians 6:19) Why would Paul request prayer for boldness? He was in chains for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, surrounded by "enemy" guards, and would be facing powerful officials when on trial. He wanted to be bold rather than succumbing to fear of man, fear of persecution and further pain and torture...even martyrdom. He wanted to continue to stand for Christ rather than compromise his message and his witness for his Lord. Why is boldness necessary in war? Boldness surprises and intimidates the enemy who expects us to cower and be timid. It's the element the enemy least expects, and catches him off guard, especially if he has seen a pattern of timidity and fear in our past. What is the opposite of boldness? Timidity and fear....cowardice. What happens if this is our accustomed life-posture? If timidity and fear are our pattern, without an infusion of the Lord's boldness, we will be fair weather, beaten down Christians...ineffective in our witness, and living a defeated life. Someone has said "Courage is doing it afraid"...that has been my pattern. The fears of a lifetime of abuse and violence, infused with God's boldness have empowered me to keep on with whatever God has called me to do, though doing it afraid. Each victory has given me more confidence in God's ability to "keep me" and to empower me with His power, and the realization and that though I am weak, He is STRONG....He and I are a majority, no matter who the enemy we're confronting.

Q2. (Ephesians 6:18b) Why is alertness in prayer vital to success in spiritual warfare? Our enemy is vigilant, invisible, relentlessly committed to a destructive mission, powerful if left unchallenged....much like today's terrorists. Always looking for a weak spot, or an unguarded place to get in and destroy lives. Since he has made God his enemy, we are drawn into the battle as God's children. When the devil leaves us alone for a time (as he did Jesus, waiting for a more opportune time) we can be lulled into complacence, and are therefore vulnerable. One of his goals is to draw us away from the Lord if possible, and if that fails, to neutralize us into ineffectiveness for the Kingdom of God. How is perseverance in prayer important to success? We're told in Gal. 5 that perseverance is a fruit of the Spirit (which is developed through yielding to the Holy Spirit each day). As we yield and pray, God's character which includes perseverance, is developed, and darkness is pushed back through our prayers. The powers and principalities are under the authority of Jesus Christ, and are therefore "under our feet" as well, but we have to exercise His authority, in His Name, shielded by His blood to have dominion over the enemies constant attacks. Why do we need this exhortation? It's easy with an invisible enemy to forget or minimize the danger we face without our armor and our weapons at the ready. I'm sometimes apathetic or worn down from the struggle, and in weariness, give in to prayerlessness. The exhortation to remain vigilant is like a bugle call to wake up and get back into the fight! We don't want to dwell on or live in fear of the devil, because he is a defeated foe....but we don't want to be naive or ignorant of his ways either...that is foolishly setting us up. He knows us, has watched us, has seen our sin patterns, our failures....he knows us! We need to educate ourselves and stay alert BEFORE he shows up with his darts and arrows.

Q1. (Ephesians 6:18) Why is prayer vital to spiritual warfare? Prayer is one of our powerful weapons, and if we don't use it, our enemy in this warfare gains ground and keeps us in bondage. We have been promised ultimate victory, but to be passive and to try to ignore the battle will keep us in a weakened condition. We war not with flesh and blood, but with powers and principalities in the spiritual realm....we need the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit to pull down those strongholds which oppose God and oppose us, His children. Victory is won in the spiritual realm before it manifests in the natural realm here on earth. What does it mean to "pray in the Spirit"? It means to pray in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but I believe that includes praying in tongues if you have that gift. Often, when I've done that, needed wisdom, insight or strength comes afterward.

Q5. (Ephesians 6:15-17) Why is it important to have your "shield" up each day? Satan and his demonic hoards have a strategy...a relentless attack on God's children. They know us, have watched us, know where they've seen us vulnerable and they are aware of our past sins and struggles. The shield of faith is our protection against the constant barrage to wear us down, and their intent to draw us away from the Lord. Our shield of faith reminds us that they were defeated at the Cross and that in Christ, we have authority over them, and as we "submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, he must flee". In what way does the "helmet of salvation" protect you? The helmet of salvation protects our head.....our minds where the spiritual battle is fought. Salvation and the assurance of our salvation are anchors in the battle. When we know who we are in Christ, and do spiritual warfare from that position, darkness is pushed back. Is the "sword of the Spirit" an offensive or defensive weapon? It is both. How do you keep it sharp and ready for the battle? Read it daily, meditate on it, memorize the Word of God....These Bible studies sharpen it and keep it battle ready. We never "know it all"....so until I am with Jesus, I am to be a teachable disciple...there is always more to learn, and to "grow into". Head knowledge alone will not win the battle...it must be applied to my life, and become heart knowledge as well.

Q5. (Ephesians 6:15-17) Why is it important to have your "shield" up each day? Satan and his demonic hoards have a strategy...a relentless attack on God's children. They know us, have watched us, know where they've seen us vulnerable and they are aware of our past sins and struggles. The shield of faith is our protection against the constant barrage to wear us down, and their intent to draw us away from the Lord. Our shield of faith reminds us that they were defeated at the Cross and that in Christ, we have authority over them, and as we "submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, he must flee". In what way does the "helmet of salvation" protect you? The helmet of salvation protects our head.....our minds where the spiritual battle is fought. Salvation and the assurance of our salvation are anchors in the battle. When we know who we are in Christ, and do spiritual warfare from that position, darkness is pushed back. Is the "sword of the Spirit" an offensive or defensive weapon? It is both. How do you keep it sharp and ready for the battle? Read it daily, meditate on it, memorize the Word of God....These Bible studies sharpen it and keep it battle ready. We never "know it all"....so until I am with Jesus, I am to be a teachable disciple...there is always more to learn, and to "grow into". Head knowledge alone will not win the battle...it must be applied to my life, and become heart knowledge as well.

Q4. (Ephesians 6:15) What would be the characteristic of a person who didn't have his feet ready to run with the Gospel? The barefoot person is one who is unprepared and vulnerable....pretty useless in the battle raging around us. How does heart preparation make you more ready to share the Good News with those around you? When my heart is prepared, I'm on the lookout for those who are ready to hear the Good News....When the Holy Spirit prompts me to share, I'm ready and excited to share. When my heart isn't prepared, I'm unaware of those around me...I'm focused on me or my problems. How does this help defeat the dominion of darkness? When we share the Good News we bring LIGHT into the darkness...light exposes darkness and it retreats.

Q3. (Ephesians 6:14) Why are such simple things as truth and personal holiness such powerful armament? Truth is the basis of our faith. Truth sets us free when we know the truth. Jesus is Truth. When we have the truth our foundation is on the Rock, rather than on sand which is always moving and shifting. It's hard to argue with truth...if it's Satan attacking, he knows the truth too...but he tries to distort and twist it to deceive. If it's a person, the truth is not only an armament, if heeded, it can also set that person free. Walking in truth and holiness are protection from the evil one. Are they defensive or offensive weapons? I think they are both! (As well as being "offensive" to those who hate God!)

Q3. (Ephesians 6:14) Why are such simple things as truth and personal holiness such powerful armament? Truth is the basis of our faith. Truth sets us free when we know the truth. Jesus is Truth. When we have the truth our foundation is on the Rock, rather than on sand which is always moving and shifting. It's hard to argue with truth...if it's Satan attacking, he knows the truth too...but he tries to distort and twist it to deceive. If it's a person, the truth is not only an armament, if heeded, it can also set that person free. Walking in truth and holiness are protection from the evil one. Are they defensive or offensive weapons? I think they are both! (As well as being "offensive" to those who hate God!) They are offensive as armaments, but truth defends our faith. The martyrs spoke the truth of their testimonies in Rev. 12:11, and though they lost their lives they stood for their faith. When I use it as a sword when Satan attacks, it becomes a defensive weapon against his lies and accusations.

Q2. (Ephesians 6:13) What is difficult about standing our ground in today's world? The constant barrage of opposition, much of which is cleverly disguised to not look like opposition, but like "the good life". Standing our ground requires prayer and perseverance, which are the last things I think of when I'm being "beaten" up or down by the enemy. We're taught to "be strong" rather than "be strong in the Lord", and for awhile I try that until I remember that His is the victory, and I'm in Him. We're taught that we're weak if we need help..."be self sufficient"....and that keeps me stuck until I cry out to God for help in the battle and ask others to pray as well. In what way can standing our ground be considered victory? We played a game as kids where the last "man" standing, won. To me, standing means "remaining"....it means I'm still in the fight and until I'm horizontal under the sod, the battle will persist. I'm still praising and worshipping my Lord, even though things are grim and bleak...means I'm standing! Why are the saints in Revelation 12:11 considered victorious over the devil? Because they overcame the devil by the means of the lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death for their witness. They lost their lives, but stood strong in the Lord and their faith in the face of martyrdom. How did they stand their ground? In the power of His might...the blood of Jesus as they uttered their testimony of His faithfulness!

Q1. (Ephesians 6:11-13) Why is it difficult to believe in the devil and demons in our day? I think it's because we can't see them...we're taught in school that if we can't prove something exists, it isn't real....God, for instance. Also, the devil and demons, which are joked about and made into fictional cartoon characters and caricatures with red suits and long pointy tails. How does their existence help explain the struggle humans face on earth? In Genesis, God tells us that all He created was GOOD...the fact that there is evil, hatred, disease, perversion, and destruction of all sorts, explains that a powerful being He created "good", chose to exercise his free will and turn against God, taking many others with him to oppose God here on earth. The devil's opposition centers in God's children to thwart us, and in those who don't yet know the Lord, to try to destroy them before they can become children of God. With all their power, how do we stand a chance? We have been promised victory over the evil one! God has given us weapons to fight with, and as Jesus demonstrated in fighting the evil one, the Word of God is our sword. God has provided angels to assist and guard us, so that we are not snatched out of Jesus' hand...He will see us safely home! Did "the devil make me do it"? No! If I did it, I chose to do it outside of God's will. Satan can tempt and taunt, but James 1:14,15 says "Every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desires and, passions. Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death." Satan may plant the "seed" in my mind, but if I act on it, I'm the one at fault. Jesus died for MY SINS, not the devil's. What kinds of things can't we blame on the demonic? My thoughts and actions which are evil and result in sin.

Q4. (Ephesians 6:9) How should Christian employers conduct themselves towards their employees? In the same manner as the scripture admonishes employees/servants: to serve as unto the Lord, not to get the check mark in the box or to be seen by men. Employers are to respect their employees, to serve with whole heartedness in doing the will of God. Employers are to abstain fromr using threatening and violent words, abuse of any kind, to understand that God is the master of both employer and employee. How should church boards conduct themselves towards church employees? In the same way as in the previous question....and by the way, that respect would entail not lording it over them spiritually in any way, but as brothers and sisters in the Lord. How do you determine a just wage....not merely the one you think you can afford? This brought Scrooge to mind and I think may be what the question was digging for....Is the employer miserly and stingy to line his pockets with wealth while cheating the employee? That would not honor God, nor show respect for the employee. So many factors should be considered on a strictly "business" agenda, like economy, education, performance, going rate, etc. Those seem to be common sense to me, but if I'm a Christian boss with the power to set the wage of an employee, prayer seeking God's wisdom should be involved.

Q3. (Ephesians 6:5-8) What are the characteristics called for in a truly Christian employee, according to Ephesians 6:5-8? We are to follow the rules, (or be obedient), respect our bosses, be eager to please them in singleness of motive and heart, as servants to Christ Himself, not just to get the check mark in the box as only to please men, but as servants of Christ doing the will of God. How can these attitudes help us in difficult work situations? They remind us that we are working for the Lord ultimately, and since He is our "boss", we can turn to Him to guide us and intervene in the rough spots, and with difficult people. They remind us that the difficulty is being allowed by God, so it will be used for our good and His glory if we cooperate with Him in the situation and obey HIM. It encourages me to look for HIM in the situation....for we war not with flesh and blood, but with the powers and principalities and the powers of the air.....therefore He is master of all and will counsel me in the midst of the difficulty.

Q2. (Ephesians 6:4) What kind of behavior by fathers (or mothers, for that matter) can embitter or cause a child to lose heart? The amplified version says "Do not irritate and provoke your children to anger, do not exasperate them to resentment". In my case, Mom was cold, unable to show love or affection, shaming, disapproving, more worried about what the neighbors would think, than what damage was done to her children. When she beat me, threatening to cripple and kill me at age 4, I completely lost heart. Dad was physically abusive, verbally abusive, using death threats to maintain iron clad control, violent and raging...the word "love" was never once heard in our home. All of these experiences in a constant atmosphere of fear and terror caused me to lose heart, lose myself. I grew up believing I was alone, abandoned, unlovable, and without resources to live life.....BUT...all of this led me to seek the ONE WHO IS THE PERFECT PARENT, and.... What do you think the "training and instruction of the Lord" involves? Praise God, He has re-parented me using the principles He commands earthly parents to follow in rearing children...tender training, unconditional love, discipline, His wise counsel, and admonition and teaching His Word. As He has healed and delivered me from 20 years of abuse and neglect, He has enabled me to forgive and love my parents, and to not repeat their "mistakes" while rearing my own children who have grown up in relationship with the Lord, knowing they are dearly loved.

Q1. (Ephesians 6:1-3) What kind of obedience and honor is appropriate for adult children to show towards their parents? We are to honor them by listening to them, caring for them and supporting them as we are able. What might be the exceptions? When a parent is violent, abusive, addicted....unable to have a relationship with even adult children, and it is unsafe or harmful emotionally to be in relationship with the parent. If there has been sexual abuse of the child by the parent, or having allowed the sexual abuse of the child without intervening and protecting the child. In these cases, honoring the parent may be in praying for them and allowing them dignity by not speaking badly about them to others. How do respect and forgiveness figure in this relationship? It is imperative to forgive the neglectful or abusive parent, regardless of whether they have admitted the abuse or asked for forgiveness.....forgiving them sets the adult child free from resentment and bitterness. To despise a parent is not honoring God, God's command, nor does it honor the parent.

Q4. (Ephesians 5:32) In what sense is Christ our Husband as individuals? He is our Lord, our Master and Head, our Savior, our soon coming King...He invites us into an intimate loving relationship with Him, as we are His Bride as individuals, whether male or female. As a church? As the church, He calls us corporately, His Bride. He is our Head and should be allowed to lead the church. As individual believers we are living stones which make up the church, and His care and concern for the Body of Christ is the same as for us individuals...to love, nurture, correct when necessary, and to discipline, grow, develop, etc. What are the implications of this for our lives? I am no longer my own, but His, and look to Him as my Lord, Savior, Master, soon coming King, and bow in submission and love to His will in my life, rather than demanding my own way. Because He is responsible for my safety, my care, my provision, my perfection, as I yield to Him, I can "rest in Him" and enjoy Him. His peace is promised in my heart, and His deliverance from the evil one. He is my healer, so I can come to Him when my body, soul or spirit are "sick". What does this say about Christ's responsibilities towards us? He has promised to bring me safely to Heaven and knows the number of my days. He has promised to care for me, to love and protect me, to provide for me, to comfort, encourage, and keep me, and on "That day", I will be like Him when I meet Him face to face. In Psalms 45 He describes us as in wedding clothes of fine needlework, inwrought with gold, radiant and with gladness and rejoicing! I can't wait for that glorious day!

Q3. (Ephesians 5:28) In what sense is a husband's care for his wife's needs just common sense in taking care of his own needs? Her needs should be important because he loves her, but also because her unmet needs affect him. She is part of him now, and to neglect her is to neglect part of himself. It would be like the "head" taking care of his hangnail, while ignoring her's, which will turn into an infection affecting the whole body. Since oneness and unity between the two, now become one, is God's design, the hearts need to join not just the physical bodies. What is the principle from Genesis 2:24 that underlies this? They have become one flesh through marriage.

Q2. (Ephesians 5:25-30) Does being head of the wife involve being "boss"? No, he's not the boss. He bears the responsibility for the final decision, based on his love for his wife and family and for their well being, not for selfishness or immaturity on his part for his own desires or plans. Why or why not? The "head" serves out of a motivation of love for his wife, being willing to lay down his life for her if necessary. To protect and nurture her. The "boss" may ask for input or ideas, but his bottom line is about making money for the company, and may involve keeping his job, a desire for power and prestige as "lord" of XYZ company, etc., rather than the well being of the employees. What does being "head" require of a husband? Ideally, he is a Christian who loves the Lord and His wife. It requires submission to the Lord, a surrender of his desires and a willingness to grow up in maturity. He is to be the spiritual leader. What is the example husbands are to follow in headship? The example of Christ's love for His Church.

Q1. (Ephesians 5:22-24) Why should a wife submit to her husband? According to these verses, to what degree is a wife required to submit to a husband who is not a Christian or who is a carnal Christian? She is required to allow the husband, Christian or not, to have the final responsibility in decisions, unless he proposes something which is immoral, or illegal, or violates her conscience. This is the structure the Lord designed for the family to promote order and to eliminate anarchy...When we say "I do", we become yoked to our spouse, and are to co-labor in unity as much as is possible for the well being of the marriage and the family. This is why the the Bible teaches us to not become yoked together with an unbeliever....our very hearts motivation will be pulling in opposite directions from each other. Does submission mean a wife doesn't verbally disagree? No. The husband is not a dictator who is to be obeyed without question. The wife is free to give her opinion, discuss, or disagree in a loving and respectful way, but the final decision and responsibility rests with the husband. The husband isn't expected to be the fount of wisdom exclusive of his wife. The interaction and discussion allows the wife's gifts, wisdom, knowledge and experience to come into the decision making to add richness to the wisdom, knowledge and experience of the husband. After prayer (hopefully!!!!), the husband holds the final responsibility for the welfare of the family. What if there's a conflict with the wife's conscience? If she's being asked/told to do something which violates her conscience or the Word of God, she is to explain that she cannot go along with what is being proposed/demanded.

Q4. (Ephesians 5:19-20) What kind of attitude should underlie our corporate singing? One of wholehearted worship of the Lord....which may include joy, ecstasy, tears....but always focused on Him in thankfulness and the desire to adore Him. Sometimes it is a sacrifice of praise when the heart is heavy-laden with sorrow. How is corporate singing designed to help us singers? It's meant to build us up and encourage us...it's a unifying factor as our voices intermingle the harmonies and the gender tones...singing the same song, or singing in the Spirit, it's awesome....and if my voice isn't so hot, as I make a joyful noise, the off key sounds still mingle with those with beautiful voices, and it all sounds great to the Lord! How is it designed to worship God? One of the verses I've come to love since I've had revelation on it, is Hebrews 2:12 : "For He (Jesus) says, I will declare Your (the Father's) Name to my brethren; in the midst of the (worshipping) congregation, I (Jesus) will sing hymns of praise to You (the Father)." So as I open my mouth to sing/worship, Jesus uses my vocal cords to worship His Father through me...what an awesome motivation to praise! My heart joins His heart and we worship the Father together!!! I'm praising and thanking God for leading us to a worshipping church when I was eager to become a worshipper, not just a polite singer of the few choruses for 10 minutes as in previous churches...this church worships for an hour, and is a joyful, wonderful thing, and is I believe, one of the reasons for the powerful healing and deliverance which happens every Sunday in the services. How does singing in your own daily life help you worship? It lifts me out of the "petition" mode, to thanksgiving and praise. Good question! It reminds me I haven't been singing much in my daily life....I plan to sing more! It's hard to stay weary and burdened when I sing and worship.

Q3. (Ephesians 5:17-18) What is the primary temptation involved with drugs and alcohol? The joy of the Lord is our strength. The temptation is to use a mood altering substance to change how we feel, or to get high, rather than feeling what we are feeling, or turning to God for comfort, His answers, His strength or guidance or His ministry to us. How can drug or alcohol use substitute for the "high" of the Spirit? It's a form of idolatry...to prefer something other than our Lord. His Word tells us to be filled with the Spirit, rather than to "mood alter" through alcohol or whatever else one would turn to, (even shopping, or other things which cause an adrenaline rush or escape from daily life) It's a substitute for His joy and peace, which Satan can use to lure us away from the Lord, and to tempt us to debauch ourselves, and to sin against God. It numbs our conscience and changes the inhibitions, so that the Holy Spirit is not in control...a dangerous place to be. At the very least, we become self absorbed, self important, absorbed with pleasures of the flesh, and may miss critical opportunities for Christ....anything said about the Lord during a mind altered state will not be taken seriously by others. How can being filled with the Spirit help us fend off the temptations of drugs and alcohol? When we are filled with the Spirit, we're more in tune with the Lord, walking with Him more closely and more apt to turn to Him for comfort or His joy rather than to rely on a substitute.

Q2. (Ephesians 5:15-16) Why does Paul exhort us to make the most of every opportunity? Because the days are evil...time is short, in that we never know which day will be our last and we're out of opportunities. We are to be wise, and not behave as the unwise and witless who are oblivious to not only the urgency, but their own need for salvation...they are "asleep". Why do we resist that? It seems to be a human frailty that we try to put off till tomorrow what should be done today...procrastination, as well as our flesh wanting it's own way. It seems as if time will go on forever, "so what's the hurry", we may think, since we don't realize how late the hour is on God's time clock. What must happen in our lives so we can be ready for the opportunity? I believe it's surrender to the Lord. Submitting ourselves totally unto His Lordship, and to have the desire to fulfill His will, more than our own. We also must be prepared to share, to have knowledge of scripture which is pertinent to leading others to salvation. We must be on the alert for the still small voice to move when He says to move in order to do the right thing, to give, to serve, to say what He desires us to say.

Q1. (Ephesians 5:2-3) Why does Paul warn so strongly against sexual sin? Sexual sin violates the temple of the Holy spirit, which is to be kept pure. When sex outside of marriage occurs, we become one with the other individual. We leave a portion of ourselves with each sexual partner, resulting in a "soul tie" to that person. So we are not only violating God's Word, we are sinning against our own body as well as the other individual. Emotional wounding may be the result, and years of agony over disease, unwanted pregnancy, rejection and so on. God is always warning us against such things because He loves us, not to deprive us of pleasure. Is sexuality part of our spiritual life or can it be (should it be) partitioned from our spiritual life? It is a part of who we are as God's creation, and is not separate from our spiritual life. In fact it is a very intimate part of our spirituality. Jesus describes His relationship with us as His Bride, and though that relationship is not sexual, the deep intimacy of marriage is used to describe our relationship with Him.