JanMary

Q3. According to Ephesians 2:10, what were we created to do? Why? (Matthew 5:16) We were recreated in Jesus to do those good works which God predestined for us, taking paths which He prepared ahead of time that we should walk in them, living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live (Amplified), so that our light so shine before men that they may see our moral excellence and our praiseworthy, noble and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify our Father Who is in Heaven. (Amplified) What is the difference between these works and the works Paul discredits in verse 9? These works in verse 9, are the works of the flesh...useless works to fulfill the Law's demands which we as believers have been delivered from through Jesus shed blood for us. We don't work for our Salvation...Jesus fulfilled every demand. We are just simply to receive God's gift through faith, since we can never earn it through any self effort. The works in V. 10, follow our free gift of Salvation, as we walk out our new life in Christ..."working out our Salvation" unto God's glory, not to try to glorify ourselves.

Q2. "Saved" has become Christian jargon. How can you "translate" this word into modern speech so people can understand what it really means and why they need it? Adam and Eve were created as sinless, tri-part beings, but with free will. When they chose to sin by disobeying God's command to them, their spirits and divine connection with God died, becoming two-part beings and they fell under the dominion of Satan, the prince of this world unable to rescue themselves from his prison. Jesus came to die on the cross to redeem or buy mankind back from Satan, through the sacrifice of His sinless life and blood. This process is what we call being "saved", or Salvation, (rescued from Satan's control) in that when one chooses to receive Jesus' sacrifice for payment of one's sins, the dead spirit is restored to life and connection with God once more here on earth, then eternally in Heaven with Him, forgiven from all sins and unrighteousness. Those who reject Jesus and are on their way to hell for their sins, apart from God's presence for eternity, have chosen their future by choosing to ignore the rescue God provided for them and to die as two-part beings, dead in their sins. BUT: by God's grace and favor may choose Him and eternal life, at any point before death, because He wants NO ONE to perish!

Q1. Why is it so hard for us to understand grace? We have a conscience. We know we're guilty and have fallen so short that there is no way for us to earn anything but the punishment we deserve. What commonly held life principle does it demolish? Only if you do good, are good, work hard for it, do you get rewarded. "Nothing in life is free"...etc. Translate the word "grace" into language a 10-year-old child would understand. Favor is another word for grace. Every child of God is His favorite, and He gives us kindness and favor which we don't deserve, simply because He loves us. He does this for us, before we even know Him. Grandma sent beautiful gifts to you when you were born, before she'd laid eyes on you, because you are her beloved grandchild! You didn't earn the gifts, work for them, or deserve them just for being born, but she showered you with them just because you arrived and are a part of the family.

Q4. (4:19-20) In this context, what is the condition that must be met for the promise to be valid? The promise begins with "And"....which refers to their generous giving to God's work through Paul and the same would apply to my giving to the Lord's work, and to being generous with those who have less than I have. What is the limit of the fulfillment of the promise? The promise is to liberally supply, fill to the full all our needs....not wants, but in my experience He is generous to supply many of those as well. In your own words, what does the promise mean to you? It means that because I'm God's beloved child, I can trust Him to provide for my needs, even as He does "the birds of the air". He leads me to the work of my hands and He supplies what I need each day. It means I don't have to worry or to beg and whine for them...He knows I need food, clothing and shelter and they have always been given generously to me....with much that I don't need besides. It means I live with a thankful heart toward my Father Who shares with me His riches, His love, His care.

Q3. (4:14-16) How were the Philippians' financial gifts credited to their heavenly account, do you think? A reward in Heaven awaited them as they "backed" Paul's ministry and shared in His Heavenly reward for the fruit of his labor on earth. I love that God's ledgers keep track of souls saved and who the "sowers, waterers, and reapers" were who contributed to sharing the Gospel with them....then besides giving reward and blessing here on earth, deposits a reward to our Heavenly account in Heaven....and that He observes our financial giving, rewarding that as well, down to the widow's mite! How was their giving linked to temporal blessings? They had the huge blessing of co-laboring with Paul as he traveled and ministered the Gospel. They loved him and supported him out of love and obedience rather than for gain. Their gratitude to God for their own Salvation and love for Him overflowed into Paul's ministry. I weep with joy when a sinner comes to Christ. That should be reward enough, but God is generous and when we give with right motives, God promises a "return" on our giving here on earth as well as in Heaven. My husband and I were amazed as brand new believers when we committed to giving (not enough faith to give a tithe in the beginning). I believe we decided with our strapped financial situation in having bought a small business, to give $50.00. Money didn't pour in, but for the first time in ages, none of us got sick, so there was no Doctor bill. Then the next month, the groceries seemed to stretch beyond what we planned. The following month none of our appliances needed repairs....the car stopped breaking down, etc. We soon became tithers as we saw that giving to the Lord, sewed up the "Hole in our purse" where the same money used to leak out through the hole into living expenses. His blessings aren't always financial ...He has healed our marriage, blessed us with 2 wonderful children who are born again, friends, an awesome church family, a Pastor who is on fire for God and is faithful to preach the whole counsel of God, including correction when needed....There isn't room here to recount all that He pours into us, even though we lost that business, our home, our car, and more....He has been faithful to more than meet every need! I love and praise Him!!!!!

Q2. (4:11-13) What is the basis of Paul's contentment? Paul was totally surrendered to Christ and His will for Paul. His desires and will were aligned with the Lord's, so whatever was allowed to touch his life, he viewed as God's will for him and He welcomed and accepted it without complaint. Does this contentment undermine ambition? I think it depends upon whether "ambition" is motivated by the flesh, or whether it's a dream God has placed in us. If it's fleshly ambition for gain, contentment is impossible because the flesh is never satisfied. If it's God dream He's birthing in us, we can be content yet looking toward the goal He's set before us. True godly contentment stifles worldly ambition to get more..."get ahead". What is necessary for us to achieve this kind of contentment? Like Paul, to remember that we died with Christ, and now He lives in and through us, therefore, we can be content in whatever situation He lead us. It's a matter of whether our will is surrendered to God's will...if what's going on is God's will, then it's ok. We had our own business and a beautiful home, kids in private Christian school, etc. When the last recession hit in 1990, we lost our business and our home. Our kids had graduated from high school, and now struggled to get a college education. My husband and I became homeless, but were taken in by strangers for a year and a half, in which time my husband lost his eyesight. We lost one of our cars, and our dog died. We lost friends. We lost our status in our community....and on and on it went. We learned how very little one needs to exist, and we discovered that God is our source for everything we eat, have, do, etc. He is our Jehoval Jireh, and our strength. I am content with the tiny apartment we're in, and the one old car we drive. I accept where we are and what we have. Through the great losses, Jesus has become my ALL, and I'm more than content.

Q1. (4:11-12) How can a "prosperity doctrine" threaten Christian ministry? It's an out of balance teaching, focusing on using faith to become wealthy....implying that if you're not rich/prosperous, you are lacking in faith or are not being blessed by the Lord. This doctrine causes undue focus on acquiring material goods of this world, to the exclusion of all else...."give to get". It promotes greed and self indulgence, while Jesus teaches us to give to others, and to remember that our treasure is in Heaven. The focus becomes getting, instead of service to others. To what prime motivation in us does such a teaching often appeal? Worldliness and greed...the greed or **** of the flesh, the greed or **** of the eye, and the pride of life. In balance, what does the Bible teach about poverty and riches? Paul said he had learned to be abased or to abound...to be content whether he had little or much. That "things" or lack of, didn't affect his inner life and contentment. To some, much is given in order to share with others who have less. Others have just enough. Some have little...but in each case, God has promised to meet our needs. I've lived with much and with little, and frankly, I've been more content with little....because I see God's hand in nearly every provision. When we lost our home and business, I discovered that Jesus was homeless. His only posession was what he wore. He was totally dependent upon His Father to provide for His needs. He is our example! As a result, I learned to find joy in the smallest things! He's promised some wonderful things for the future, and I pray that when He fulfills those promises, I will still see His hand in all things, and will still be content apart from material prosperity and will be as generous as others have been to us!!

Q4. (Ephesians 2:6) What does it mean that we are seated with Christ in "the heavenly realms"? Because Jesus is seated at the right hand of His Father and ours, and we are in Him, we are seated there with Him positionally, if not yet bodily. Since His authority is over all creation, including Satan and the demonic realm, the powers and principalities are under His feet, and therefore under ours as well. Positionally, all that is His is ours as we are joint heirs with Jesus. What does this say about God's grace? It's Awesome! He sees us as already there, though we are still in our mortal, decaying bodies. What amazing provision He has made for His children! It's underserved mercy for sinners, but through the blood of Jesus, He sees us as holy, blameless, and above reproach and joint heirs with Jesus. What does this say about our spiritual authority? He has given us all authority to exercise dominion over human and demonic power, since we are seated in the heavenlies with Him. Jesus won the victory forever on the cross. When we take dominion over His defeated foes, it's from a place of victory and in His power and authority. How should this knowledge affect our prayers and our boldness? I "get this" most of the time and pray with boldness and power. At other times if I'm experiencing fear I waver and whimper, failing to remember it's His delegated power and authority, not my own strength, and fail to take authority over Satan and those who work with him and for him immediately. I'm praying for "revelation" of this authority...so that I KNOW it, and use it to His glory consistently, because the victory is already won.

Q4. (4:8) Why is mind control necessary for success? For me, especially at this moment with our son in crisis, if I don't focus on God's faithfulness, His Word, and what He has done in the past for our family in crisis situations, I would be wallowing in the quicksand of fear and terror! The world and all that is going on right now with the economy, terrorists, pandemics, etc. could paralyze me with dismay, if I dwelt on circumstances. Success in the Kingdom of God, I believe, is thinking what God thinks, then doing what He shows me or asks me to do, with a good attitude. For mental and spiritual peace? We have an enemy who uses fear as a weapon. Someone has counted the "FEAR NOT"s in the bible and said there are 365....one for each day, because Satan never goes off duty. In order to stay in peace, mentally and spiritually, I must control and decide what I'm going to think about and focus on....or Satan will do it for me through the suggestions he whispers....."What if..????" What have you decided to focus on instead of your anxieties? On God and His Word. I'm "feeding on Him" through His Word! On the fact that although circumstances all around me look worse than grim, He knows the future and has planned for it...He has planned a way of escape for our son, and for each of His children. I'm focusing on how He's a loving Father Who does what is best for us, and Who takes what Satan means for evil, and turns it to good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes, that we might be conformed into the image of Christ (Rom 8:28,29) His Word is true and the devil is a liar! How is this working for you? There's no question I'm in a battle, but as I allow God to reign in my thoughts, and to keep speaking to me through His Word, He is winning. Satan knows my Achilles better than I do. He tries to taunt me with memories of terror and fear in the past...when it didn't look like God was going to "come through", but did at the last minute, and though His answers weren't what I wanted or expected, they were the best solution for all concerned. He is faithful!! As I was waking up yesterday morning, Satan whispered, "There's only a week left before the deadline", and "Remember family members and his friend who committed suicide over less than this" and my gut twisted into knots. Then I remembered from yesterday's lesson that the Holy Spirit will guard my heart and mind, and asked Him to do so. The attack stopped, and peace returned. He brought to mind a scripture: I AM the Lord your God, your creator. I will make way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters!" I'm expecting a great deliverance for our son next week, if not sooner!

Q3. (4:7) How does making our requests known to God help build a relationship and trust? It reinforces the Perfect Parent/ child relationship we're in. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills...owns all the resources, all that exists, and in dependence we come to Him with our requests. He is all Wisdom, all Power, all Love, all Healing, all Deliverance, everything we will ever need. As He is faithful to answer, trust is built, and the relationship is strengthened. In pouring out our hearts to Him, we are never rebuffed or turned away, and the love relationship grows. We love Him because He loved us first..He spoke first, allured us to Himself, Listens for us and to us, His mind is always turned toward each of His children longing for relationship. Prayer is our communication with Him. His Word (and nature, and other people as He speaks through them, silent words to our hearts and minds, etc) is His communication with His children. Intimate connection is established, with unconditional love on His part. We respond to Him as He teaches us (especially us broken ones) how to love, by loving us....how to be in relationship. What is God's part in the promise of peace? The peace is His, or I should say, is Who He is, and as we come to Him, His peace is ours, because we're His. Fearing nothing from Him, His peace transcends all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (I learned that we have an enemy who attacks our hearts and minds, so we need a guard!) I praise God for this study! It's God's bread/manna to me each day as I've struggled to rest in Him during a severe trial our son is in. Thank you for writing it Pastor Wilson! I heard from my Father, and received His peace as I did the lesson.

Q3. (Ephesians 1:4-5) In verses 4 and 5, which words describe God's motivation and character? In His love He chose us, He picked us out for His own in Christ, before (the foundation of the world). His motivation was that we should be holy, blameless, above reproach before Him in love...He preplanned in love for us to be adopted as His own children through Christ, because it pleased Him and was His kind intent. He provided Jesus as the means for our holiness and adoption before He even created the world, knowing His creation would fall and turn away from Him and we would need to be "bought back" from Satan through the death of His Son, and yet He still went ahead with creation! What amazing love!!! Which verbs describe what has happened to us in Christ? Chose us, consecrated, set apart, blameless, above reproach, before Him in love, foreordained in love for us to be His, planned in love, adopted, through Jesus Christ, pleased Him, kind intent.

Q2. (Ephesians 2:1-3) Few people would knowingly follow Satan. How can people unwittingly follow Satan? People who are dead in their sins, dead to Christ, unwittingly follow Satan, due to ignorance and deception. They may believe they are masters of their ship, and in control of their actions and lives, but are not powerful enough in their fallen nature to withstand the power of our enemy, whom they are blindly following. They may say they are agnostic, believing in a neutral stance, but by not choosing Jesus, they have made the unwitting decision to follow Satan. In what sense are we responsible for unwitting rebellion against God? We are not puppets. God has given us free will. He has given every human being a conscience. He has given us THE WAY of escape from that rebellion. He sends believers to us with the Gospel to lead us out of the fallen life we were born into. How can God, in all fairness, blame us? He can blame us based on our exercise of our free will. All who reject His WAY of escape in Jesus Christ, will be judged guilty of their sin. He does not send people to hell. Individuals choose hell as their destination by rejecting God's forgiveness and Salvation, when they reject the Savior's invitation of eternal life with Him.

Q1. (Ephesians 2:1-3) In what sense are our non-believing friends, neighbors, and relatives "dead"? We're tripart beings, whose spirit is "dead" until we're born again through faith in Jesus Christ. If one doesn't receive Jesus as Lord and Savior before they die here on earth, they die the second death at the judgment seat of Christ, where their rejection of Jesus' invitation to eternal life, results in an eternity in hell. What's the difference between us and them? We are forgiven and alive to Christ and will spend eternity with Him. They are dead to Christ and will go to hell with the weight of their sins still on them, separated from God. If we really believed that they were "dead" and subject to God's "wrath," what would we do? We will take every opportunity to share the Gospel with them. I went to school in another state, with a guy I'd heard about recently as being on drugs and living a sinful life. I don't recall praying for him at that time, though I felt sad about the "news". Last week, my brother called from that state to say the guy had attempted suicide by putting a gun under his chin, but instead of dying, the bullet ricocheted and blew off much of his face, and that Doctors had done what they could for him. He's now holed up in a remote cabin so that he doesn't have to see people or rather, so they won't see him. This time, I sat down and wrote him a letter, expressing sadness over his despair and suicide attempt, and letting him know I care and am praying for him, but that I'm happy his life was spared, and then shared the Gospel with him. I'm praying for him now every day to be born again, and regret that I didn't pray for him before this crisis.

Q2. (4:6) How is a request in prayer altered by the presence of thanksgiving in the prayer? When thanksgiving is added to the request, the prayer becomes one of faith to a loving Father, with expectancy that He will meet the need in the best possible way. How does thanksgiving affect our faith as we pray? Thanksgiving for past answers, care, or intervention, stirs and calls to mind faith to believe Him for the present situations. God responds to faith...without faith it is impossible to please God..." Heb.11:6

Q1. (4:4-5) Is rejoicing in the Lord a feeling or an action? It can be both a feeling or an action...one can lead to the other, it should be a way of life. But I can't rely on feelings to lead to rejoicing if I'm feeling heavy hearted or troubled in trials. At those times it must be an act of will to obey. How should you seek to fulfill this command if you don't feel like it? Do it anyway in obedience to the command. If it seems impossible and it has to me in times of extreme trials or grief, I can pray and ask for the Holy Spirit to enable me to obey; for the Lord's own joy to fill me, and He does. What is the effect of rejoicing? Rejoicing leads to worship and thanksgiving. It changes my mood. It moves God and pleases Him. It changes things in the atmosphere. Hope and faith rebound. It calls to mind all that God has done in saving me, delivering me, filling me with His Holy Spirit, saving my family...and on and on. Those things are more than sufficient to rejoice in, no matter how current situations may be weighing on my heart. If I'm under attack from Satan, he flees as I "submit myself to God" in worship and rejoicing.

Q5. (Ephesians 1:22-23) When we neglect to be an active part of a local congregation, what particular blessings do we miss out on according to Paul in this verse? We are a part of the Body of Christ...when we are not involved in a local church congregation, we are functioning as an amputed limb, disconnected from the body. We miss fellowship, and all that it involves, such as encouragement, correction, teaching, training in righteousness, and the blessing of being a blessing. All that Christ did, He did for the church...we miss out on what He has for us there, such as the functioning of our gifts, growth, even learning patience and forgiveness as we interact with some folks who are a challenge. (As we probably are to others.. :-) ) How do we, by our absence, withhold this blessing from others? The body functions in an incomplete way since we are meant to function within the local church. We may have some wisdom or insight which will be lacking, we withhold our love and the functioning of our gifts from the local church, they will be overburdened by a lack of servers, by our absence. Others lack our support, as well as our financial support which helps the local church function. The Church is to function as a complete body, all parts present and active. We are meant to be a blessing...of course we can attend and be a hangnail too, on the Body of Christ, if our attitude isn't right.

Q4. (3:18-21) Why is recognizing and affirming your citizenship and allegiance vital to discipleship? Knowing to which Kingdom I belong, helps me to stay focused on the goal, and keeps me from trying to straddle the fence between the two. My citizenship is in God's kingdom, I'm only traveling through this world, and though I live here, my destiny is in Heaven, and is where my treasures are being stored. How does it keep us from the temptations outlined in verses 18 and 19? Those temptations are "to walk as an enemy of the Cross", and according to the "lusts of the flesh". When my focus is on my true citizenship and my true King, my submission is to Him rather than to my flesh or the temporal. What are the dangers of a church combining and confusing the concepts of temporal patriotism with a Christian's true citizenship? I think it would cause undue conflict between the two. I'm a very patriotic American, and I love my Country, but I love my Lord and His Kingdom more. However, I also live here, the laws of the land bind me to obedience as I'm instructed in Rom. 13. I pray for those in authority, and take part in helping to choose those leaders. My local church is located here and is made up of fellow American citizens, and thankfully, some from overseas as well. But to overly stress temporal patriotism, could draw the "eyes" of those who are uncertain of their true destiny to a too deep connection to this world.

Q4. (Ephesians 1:20-22) Why do we so often take a "pass" when it comes to spiritual warfare? I think the main reason is ignorance...of the necessity for it, and ignorance of the power and authority Christ has secured for His children, for us to do spiritual warfare. Also, ignorance of who we are dealing with. Why is Christ's exaltation, demonstration of complete victory, and superior rank over all spiritual powers important enough for Paul to mention it to his readers? Satan does all that he can to keep us in the belief that, 1) He's not real. But when he loses that battle, that, 2) he is in control and in power and that we're to fear him and leave him alone or run from the battle. Paul was educating his readers to the fact that the devil is a liar, and to focus on the true state of affairs....Jesus is Lord over ALL! Why do we tend to feel powerless in the face of spiritual enemies? For me, it's that I can't see them. I'm praying for more discernment to recognize when I'm dealing with the demonic, or whether it's just some circumstance. What was Paul assuring the Ephesians of? Of Jesus mighty power and strength, and His absolute rule and authority and power and dominion over every name that can be named, every title that can be conferred, now and in the world to come. Jesus has put ALL THINGS under His feet and is the Supreme Head of the church, His body. Jesus is the Victor, and won the victory for us. What does this encourage us to do? It encourages me to be bold and courageous when faced with the enemy, and to exercise the authority which Jesus has conferred to me as His child, including taking every thought captive, which exalts itself as being bigger than God, to the obedience of Christ. Also, to walk fearlessly, knowing that He is in absolute control of all things. I love Ps. 119:91, which says that ALL things serve Christ. That means that even Satan, when he is doing his best to wreak havoc, is serving Gods' purposes, otherwise God would not permit him to do what he's doing. It encourages me to STAND and to fight, allowing Jesus to do the battle through me.

Q3. (3:17) How can Paul be so bold as to ask others to imitate him? He admitted he had "not yet attained the ideal", but was pressing on to win the prize. I believe he was asking others to follow his pattern of pressing on with all his strength to become all that Christ desired for him to become and to attain, to imitate his zeal to follow Christ and to be obedient to Him, regardless of the personal cost to himself. Why are we so hesitant to do this? Because I lack that same zeal. I'm a faithful follower of Christ and am obedient, but don't believe I live as Paul does, all out regardless of the cost. Although I've followed Christ into homelessness through obedience to His leading, I didn't relish the experience...I hated it. And though I've continued to follow Christ and to obey, I felt sorry for myself and humiliated...not things I'd want others to imitate. Paul considered what I lost as dung and moved on to prison with joy. I felt the losses as anguish and wept and felt grieved by the whole circumstance. How does God use imitation in building disciples? Monkey see monkey do...children imitate what they see not what they are told. As adults we mimic what we see. Knowing that, we are to live lives worthy of imitation....not how we dress, etc., but how we live...our hearts, our focus on Christ. In the Ephesian Q. 3 I just answered today, faith and belief are built and imitated by we see and hear from the pulpit and in other leaders. Likewise, unbelief is imitated and followed. Who is likely to imitate you? My children have acknowledged my faith. My son told me "you have more faith than anyone I've ever seen!" I live at home as I live elsewhere....I've endeavored to be an example to them. When I've not measured up to Christ's standard, I've admitted that, and have encouraged them to follow Him as their pattern, as He is perfect. When I get feedback that others have been imitating me...that's a blessing to me to hear that something I've done is worthy of their respect, and recognized as "Christ in me".....I wish that were true ALL the time. When I went through those losses, I felt like a failure in faith because I was in pain.... yet I was told that my faith was amazing...that I didn't turn away from God or get angry at Him for where He took me, but continued to follow hard after Him and to praise and worship Him anyway. That surprised me, but showed me we do have emotions, and it's ok to be real, without compromising our faith. I was a new believer when all of that was going down. My husband turned his back on God, but has followed my example and through much prayer for him, he's back on track and back in church, back in His Bible, back into service at Church. I'm just thankful God held onto me through those painful years of loss and anguish. I give Him the glory for holding meclose to Him, rather than giving myself the credit.

Q3. (Ephesians 1:18d) Why are we powerless sometimes? Interesting question. The beginning of my emotional healing and deliverance from codependency started with the understanding that "I am powerless", and that God is Sovereign. All Powerful...."The Blessed controller of ALL things". I am powerless, because I'm not God. I can exercise self control, a fruit of His Spirit, with His help as I surrender to Him. But I have no control over outcomes, events, other people, and over God. If I'm feeling powerless to do something God is leading me to do, I would say it's my will is not surrendered to His...I either don't want to yield or I'm lazy or depressed...but those are issues of the will also. Is it an inadequacy with the source or with our faith? I believe it is a lack of surrender to His Power which is unlimited in us and for us who believe. His Word says "I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME". In my own strength I can do nothing, but when I'm surrendered to Him, and He is operating through me, I can do whatever He calls me to do. I like to think of myself as a glove...useless to accomplish anything of lasting value on my own, but when I allow God to be the "Hand Who" fills me, we can accomplish whatever He wishes through me. Mother Theresa said, "I am just the pencil God writes with"...same idea. Why do some congregations and movements produce disciples with miracle-believing faith and others produce disciples with wimpy faith? I think it's that those who produce miracle-believing faith, teach and model miracle-believing faith, therefore miracles are present in the congregation, such as the Church of which I am a member. I was ill all week with daily headaches and an injured knee. I went to the altar for prayer and was instantly healed, believing I would be, because there are miracles, deliverances, breakthroughs every week. Churches who produce wimpy faith, lack the belief or faith that miracles are for today, so to them there are none. How can this be changed? I think all things are accomplished through prayer. I've been believing with a friend in Fresno for her church to become a place of miracles. The pastor does not believe in healing or miracles, yet she believes God has called her to this church. The pastors wife is chronically ill with back issues and faces many painful surgeries. The assoc. pastors wife has a malignant tumor on her neck which is affecting her speech, tongue, etc. We're praying for a divine healing to take place not only for the well being of these women, but as a sign to the unbelieving pastors that miracles are for today. (the pastor refused to have people pray for his wife, so she wouldn't be disappointed when nothing happened.)....We're praying anyway. God is greater than these men's unbelief and lack of faith.

Q2. (Ephesians 1:18c) If you knew that in a few years you would inherit $10 million, would it affect your life now? Not physically, but it would affect the way I plan for the future, and the way I think and feel. Having lived with barely enough for most of my life, and in poverty for many years, knowing this would nullify that mind set....I would feel "rich" even though I haven't inherited the $10 million. I would live with great expectation of the gift waiting for me. How should our expectation of an inheritance in God's presence temper our present-day concerns? Present day concerns would take on the proper priority...they are temporary, and short lived in terms of the time I will spend in eternity. And since there IS a great inheritance waiting for me in the future in Heaven, this piddling stuff should not worry me day to day. (I have to say though, when a need arises, in spite of all God's past and present provision, I still feel moments of "oh no..what will we do?", until I remember that God has promised to meet our needs, then I pray and ask Him and it arrives. Because much of His provision comes at the last minute, I revert back to childhood where my needs were ignored or shamed, until I remember who my Father is now) Since this inheritance will be shared with "the saints" -- our Christian family -- how should that affect our fellowship with them? It should make me more aware that class structure, and elitism is a thing of this world. Fellowship here should be based on the fact that we are all equal in God's sight, in Him there are no favorites, there is no male nor female, no slave nor free, no rich nor poor, no Roman nor Greek...we are all one in Him. The worlds goods do not distinguish anyone in God's sight, nor should it in mine. When for a few years we had some to share, we shared generously. In poverty, the saints of God shared generously with us...some provided temporary housing, some provided money when the business failed and we had none for food and necessities. When friends were going on outings or trips, I was invited and provided for, even given spending money, just as though I had my own provision. When sick, a brother in Christ, a physician treated us for free. Many times bags and bags of groceries were provided. Transportation was provided for many years since I didn't have a car. When finally in an apartment, and our 12 step Bible study needed a place to meet, I provided the place with great joy! When I needed clothes, instead of being given cast offs, I was given gift certificates to Macy's so I could choose what pleased me....Our dream is to one day have a foundation where we can meet the needs of those who are suffering as we have, and to do so anonymously. If I knew I would inherit 10 million dollars, I would know that this is what it is to be used for...and to know He has answered our hearts desire to help others as we've been helped, and would depend on the Holy Spirit to direct the resources entrusted to us, to be spent and sent to where He directs. Incidentally it was individual saints who met our needs, not the "church" and never the government or it's agencies..God led His children to be sensitive to our needs and to meet them so that we never felt "less than" or humiliated. My hearts desire is to do the same for others.

Q2. (3:14) What is it like to be called upwards by God? Understanding the question to mean the call from death to eternal life in christ, it was the culmination of years of Him pursuing me, to a simple response to a radio program on the way to the Episcopal Church, in which the Gospel was presented in a simple and clear way, and I responded by praying the prayer of Salvation with the Pastor on the radio. Have you ever experienced this? After I received Christ over the radio program, though I felt no change at the time, one week later, moments before a terrible rollover car accident I was in with my two young children, I saw a vision of the accident before it happened, with blood on the back seat, heard the noise of the crash, and knew I was being warned about what was about to happen. The car was filled with bright light, though it was pitch dark outside and pouring rain. The children asked what the bright light was, as the chrome in the car sparkled and glistened with His Presence. I had no idea of such things, and thought I could avoid the accident by pulling over and stopping, but before I could even change lanes to do so, I hit black ice and slid in the opposite direction, across all lanes of the freeway and out into the muddy median area where we spun a number of times, then rolled. The blood I'd seen on the backseat was visible above me, as we were now upside down. My daughters elbow had bled, and strapped in, the 2 children were hanging upside down. I had not worn a seat belt (didn't in those days 36 years ago) and had hit the passenger door then was thrown into the back seat. As we were being pulled quickly from the car by rescuers who saw smoke and feared it would burst into flame, I marveled at the peace and calm I felt, wondering if I'd make it to my art class on time later that evening! (Normally I would have been a nervous wreck)I also wondered how we had miraculously passed across all lanes of the freeway, where moments before, there had been a solid "wall" of rush hour cars, big rigs, and pickup trucks...as though a Mighty invisible hand had moved them out of the way so that no one else was involved in the accident. We were rushed to the hospital and the only damage was a bump on my son's head when it hit the window, a cut on my daughters elbow, which had nearly stopped bleeding and required only a bandaid, and an injured and sore low back/pelvic area where I'd slammed into the car's metal gear shift, then the passenger door arm rest before being thrown around in the car, but which didn't require hospitalization and we were sent home. He has called me into His Presence many times since then, in visions, special moments, worship, etc. What causes God's call to become dim in our hearing? In 36 years of walking with Him, I haven't experienced a dimness in His call...we've gone from one trial to another, never a dull moment to grow apathetic about Him or His call, and I thank Him for this! He has kept His hand on my family, and we've experinced miraculous healings, deliverances, as well. My injured back was healed months later through a Word of Knowledge over the 700 club by Demos Shakarian, and I was instantly healed from the injury and chronic pain from the car accident. My son's thumb was partially cut off in a bicycle accident and the graft died and turned black. The plastic surgeon was going to amputate it to prevent gangrene. I asked for a few more days to pray and have him anointed with oil. The dead, blackened skin turned pink and healthy and the Doctor was stunned, saying "We just don't get to see this kind of miracle".We bought him a Bible and Prayed for his salvation. (We did leave the Episcopal church after several years, when my belief in the Bible as the infallible Word of God was ridiculed as archaic, and "fundamental crap", and the Pastor tried to dissuade my belief in the virgin birth of Christ...things he'd been taught at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco) (After the wreck, and after saying my car was totaled and hauling it to the junk yard, the insurance company changed their mind and restored my vintage 1966 Mustang, as good as new, after I prayed to have it restored to me..another assurance of God's unfailing love and mercy.) How can we renew our hearing of his call? I would hope that if this ever happens to me, I would repent of unbelief or lazy apathy, and confess the sin which brought it about, and ask to be reignited with the fire of the Holy Spirit to finish the race as a contender for the prize.. What is the content or specifics of this message or summons or call? It is first to get into the race through Salvation, then to keep running the race with the goal or prize of knowing Him fully, and to be conformed into His image as I press on toward the goal of Heaven and eternity with Him.

Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? His glorious inheritance! Eternal life with Him, a resurrection body which will not get sick or die, rewards he's stored for us there, fellowhip with the Saints from throughout the ages, life as He intended for His children before the fall of Adam. How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? It should cause me to live with my eyes on the prize...the knowledge that my kingdom and real home are in Heaven..This is a temporary place I'm passing through. How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? I'm here to reflect Jesus to others, and to fulfill the works He preordained for me to work, and to complete my destiny. My decisions and lifestyle should reflect that He is my priority, my Lord, my soon coming King. How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? The non believer may "hope" they'll end up in Heaven or "a better place", but our HOPE is an assurance that God has an inheritance stored up for us in Heaven. While here, the non believer may hope they get through this life, but our HOPE is the assurance that no matter what happens here, God is with us in it and will bring us through. We have His promises to hold onto, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, the guidance and provision of the Lord are promised, joy unspeakable, deliverance, abundant life....a destiny. The unbeliever has none of those things....except for uncertainty. We have the promise that we'll either be raptured or if we die before that time, that He'll come to escort us to Heaven.

Q1. (3:13) How can the past get in the way of our quest to know Christ? This spoke to me today regarding a situation going on right now. The Lord has been speaking to me: "Rest in Me; Feed on Me; Feed on my faithfulness". Our son is under great stress right now...he's being evicted July 1, due to his landlord's default on the loan. His job has petered out until he's not making enough money to live on. Last week, a mechanic test driving his car to see why it was still making a horrible noise, got into an accident and totaled the car. (Our son had just poured all of his income tax return into repairs on the car, and filled the tank with gas...all down the drain. We have no resources to help him, not even a bed for him if needed. Unless God intervenes, he won't be able to rent a new place, since he doesn't have the income to qualify now. One of his friends committed suicide and left him his cat...many places for rent say "no pets".. What do you need to "forget" so that you may focus on Christ today and tomorrow? As a result of the situation our son is in, my body has been tied in knots of tension, pain in knees, neck, shoulders, anxiety, fear. My body is reliving the 5 times during the loss of our business, home, car and other catastrophic losses that we went through similarly, with no money, no place to go....until the last minute when God delivered us at the very last second each time. I'm praying to "forget" the humiliation, terror, fear and anxiety of those times, so that I can enter into His rest and peace while we wait to see how He is going to deliver our son now. I want to press on to know Christ in all of His fullnes, and right now that is as the deliverer of our children. Is there forgiving you need to do so you can grow in Christ? I hadn't even thought about this, but I'm asking the Lord about it....I will forgive the landlord, the place of employment for dishonest business practices and deceptive actions toward employees, perhaps God, though He can do nothing wrong. Sometimes I forgive Him in order to let go of old feelings of victimization that come up during present trials, from my abusive past. I will forgive myself for not trusting God with our son.

Q4. (1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) downpayment, with the balance to be paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. When does the "end of the term" occur? When I see Him face to face...either at the rapture, or if I die before, when I am with Him. How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives? As the "hound of Heaven, He wooed me, chased me down, saved me, sanctified me, sealed me....I'm His, bought with Jesus' blood, no longer my own, but His possession. His seal makes me tamper proof (loved that Dr. Wilson!), until "that day", when I come into the fulness of His promised inheritance. Come Lord Jesus, Come. And in the meantime, He's my Teacher, Guide, comforter, Conscience Convictor, the One Who draws me, encourages me, keeps me. Thank You Lord, for the gift of Your Holy spirit!!!