iam4-1god

Q1. (Matthew 6:1-18) How do the commands in this section relate to "performing for the audience of One"? What is the antidote for the chief sin that is addressed here? In what ways do churches and non-profit organizations use this sin to motivate people to give? Everything that we do should be done so that our Father in Heaven will be glorified and get the praise. If we do anything with love in our hearts, this will be accomplished. It is not about me-it IS about God and His work and will to be done by us. If we think we are going to get something for our contribution, then we will be more willing to give more. That's why preachers on tv make offers like they do. You send them a big offering and they'll send you a big prize.

Q6. (Matthew 5:48) In the context, what do you think verse 48 means for the Christian? Is perfection taught here? Does maturity express the idea best? How about the doctrine of "sinless perfection"? How does verse 48 relate to verse 45? I think the point is, that we are all in this imperfect world together, and whether we are saved or not, God is over us. He is looking out for us all to some degree. But those of us who are saved are afforded more protection, blessing, etc., and therefore we are responsible for holding to a higher moral standard. Because we are a light to the world. If the world can see Jesus is working in our lives, then maybe they will be moved to want the same Jesus for themselves. I hope this makes sense

Q5. (Matthew 5:39-44) If the principle that underlies verses 39-42 is found in verse 44 and 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle? What might be some examples? I believe that it is important for us, as christians, to obey the law of the land. If that means fighting a war or taking down a killer, or arresting a thief-whatever the case may be-we should obey the law. God ordained everything we have for our protection. It is all for our good. On the personal level, this is a little more refined. God's love is to be shed abroad in our hearts. And, if we are truly His, then we are responsible for expanding that love to others. If someone hurts my feelings, or throws a stone at me, or hurts me in any manner, I am to show God's love to them. I need to pray for that one that hurt my feelings, or broke my heart. I like what Martin Luther King said - Look within yourself to realize that you are not perfect, and something you have done might have sparked their hatred, Discover the element of good in your enemy, and When the opportunity presents itself for you to defeat your enemy, that is the time that you must not do it. This was a man who was trying to expand on God's love! We can and should do no less!

Q4. (Matthew 5:38-42) If we were to assume that Jesus is teaching on retaliation and revenge rather than pacifism in verses 38-42, how would you sum up his teaching in a single sentence? Love everyone-let God take care of vengence. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hand of an angry God!

Q3. (Matthew 5:39-42) What do Jesus' examples or tiny cameos in verses 39-42 have in common? Someone has said that if we were to carry out verses 39-42 literally, we would aid and abet evil. Do you agree? How should we take these examples: As case law? As hyperbole? As a series of aphorisms or adages? In another way? I think Jesus is trying to show us that love should be the last word, no matter what the situation. It isn't being passive-it is being obedient to The One who gave Himself for us. We need to be kind and compassionate and let God handle the vengence. For me, this is personal. I get a lot of grief because I don't like hard rock. At work, the radio is played and the station of choice is hard rock. I hate this music! And the boss turns it up loud! My human side wants to go to the plant manager and complain-get someone in trouble. But the spiritual side of me remains quiet-restrained. God will give me what I need to get through the night (I work third shift). He will deal with the offending party. I trust God to look after me. Afterall, He says He will in His Word! Don't fear the one who can destroy the body-fear The One who can destroy both body and soul! Gloray to God Almighty!

Q2. (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:15-21) What was the purpose of the "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" regulation? Is this law designed to be administered by a court or judge, or by an individual? Is it designed to govern judicial action or personal action? The purpose of this regulation was to keep people from taking things that didn't belong to them, or killing out of revenge. That's why we have laws in this country- to keep us from taking the law into our own hands. Can you imagine what would happen if we were allowed to take vengence on anyone for anything? God says that vengence is His, and we are to wait for His righteous judgement. In the meantime, we have the laws of our land to see to it that people who deserve punishment because they broke a law-well, they get due punishment.

Q1. (Matthew 5:33-37) What does it mean: Let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no? If we obeyed this command, what would be the result in our speaking? In our credibility? It simply means to answer with only yes or no-no profanity in between. Before I came to Christ, I couldn't say anything without adding a few cuss words. Unbelievers seem to respect the fact that cuss words are included. After I got saved and stopped using cuss words it seemed people didn't enjoy talking to me anymore. Even my own family-my kids and my husband cuss worse than ever, because of my faith. They do it so as to pull me back in to it. But, if someone wants to know about a moral code or has a Bible question, or they want to know the truth about something, they know I won't sugar-coat it, or cut it up. I give it to them straight. They may not like my life style, but honesty will win them over everytime!

Q6. The Church has always been supportive of those who are hurting or scarred. In Christ, we help people make the best of what is sometimes a difficult situation. What can you do to extend Christ's healing love to someone who is struggling in his or her marriage? What can you do to bring healing to someone who is or was divorced? What I can do is pray for that one who is hurting and looking for answers. I can also have Scripture ready so that I can show them what The word says about their situation. And I can lead them to repentence by showing them that confessing and asking for forgiveness with a contrite heart to The Lord Jesus, and then let the healing begin. It is only through confessing and having faith in Jesus that we can be forgiven, and then be healed. Life will go on, but it can only get better when we confess and believe that we are forgiven. The hardest part is us forgiving ourselves. When we realize that Jesus forgives us, then everything else falls into place. God is ssooooo Good-all the time!

Q5. (Matthew 19:9) Does a person who has remarried after a divorce that wasn't caused by marital unfaithfulness, live in a perpetual state of adultery? Should that person divorce or separate in order to get back into God's will? How can he or she get back into God's will, or is that no longer possible? If we confess, God is just. I have been married two times before, and both were to men who weren't saved. I wasn't saved, either. This time, I'm saved, but my husband isn't. As I said before, I know that I'm forgiven, because I found the truth, and I confessed. Gloray to God Almighty! He is loving and caring, and He knows us better than we know ourselves! Men may judge us-point fingers! But we answer to a Risen Savior who died so that we could be free! We found the truth, and now we are free, indeed! Gloray! I gotta go shout! Bye!

Q4. (Matthew 19:10) Why do you think Jesus' disciples reacted so negatively to his teaching on marriage and divorce? Did they misunderstand it? I think our carnal side doesn't want to admit the possibility that we may have been wrong on this issue. How many of us have been married only once? Never divorced? You are in a minority! My parents had been married 54 years when My Dad went to be with The Lord. His parents had been married over 60 years when Dad's dad went home to be with The Lord! Those marriages are very rare, anymore! Maybe the disciples were taught to believe one way, and then when Jesus came into the area and started teaching something they had never heard before, they became confused. Like when our parents told us about Easter eggs, and The Tooth Fairy when we were little, and then when we grew older we learned that these things don't really exist. Family traditions kinda get smashed when you find Jesus and let Him enter your abode.

Q3. (Matthew 19:7-8) According to Jesus, does the Mosaic law command divorce? Does it allow or regulate it? Why does it allow divorce at all? What was God's original intention ("from the beginning") for marriage and divorce, according to Jesus? Divorce was never commanded-it was allowed. Because of the ego-centrical nature of man, God gave Moses a formula by which man could separate from his wife and not ager God. Thus, a writ of Divorce. If a man was unhappy with anything concerning his wife, he could divorce her. But he had to give her a document stating the terms of the divorce. He couldn't just kick her out. He had to give her a settlement-monetary compensation. Because men back in that time were more important than women, a man had to be satisfied in every way. This is my understanding. It was either keep the man happy, or the man would seek satisfaction elsewhere. I think divorce was just a way to keep the man from commiting worse sins than divorce. God never meant for divorce to play a role. One man, one woman-that is the deal. Keep yourself pure for one mate. Eve was formed from Adam's rib. She truly was his sole-mate! They were the true example of two becoming one! And then, because the two become one, they work out their problems together, with God's help. Hold hands, kneel, and pray together. Learn how to share, and put each other first. Be a servant. This is what I want to learn. I want to be a servant. But not just for my husband-for everyone I come in contact with. Jesus was a servant. He fed multitudes, He healed, He saved, He taught-He was a servant. Part of marriage is learning to be a servant to your mate. And loving unconditionally. That means no matter what. I'm rambling again, but I hope that I am being clear. It is awsome how all of this comes full circle-back to Jesus and His heart for us all-no matter what issue we are discussing! Gloray! Oh what a friend we have in Jesus! All our sins and griefs to bear! All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer!!! Well-you know what I mean!

Q2. (Matthew 19:4-6 quoting Genesis 2:24) Do people need to be Christians to be joined as one flesh? Is this making into "one flesh" accomplished by a religious ceremony or by natural law? Of those who have entered into a first marriage, what percentage do you think have been "joined together" by God, according to Jesus' statement in Matthew 19:6? This is hard-I don't know quite how to say this. This is my interpretation of the verses. i believe that all of us-saved and unsaved-know the answer to these questions. We all have inherent morals and know the difference between right and wrong. The mere act of having relations with someone qualifies as being "joined together". I could do a thesis on this subject, cause I've been on the wrong side of this issue. I have no idea what the percentage is for first time joined together by God marriages. I just know that my own life is a perfect example of what not to do. As I said before, this is my third marriage-I know I'm forgiven. However, I don't believe I've been set free from bondage just so that I can go and do the same mistake all over again. This marriage is till death do us part. No matter what. God intended one partner for life. Celibacy until marriage. I know there are people who won't like this. But the Word of God is clear. The truth will set us free. I was under conviction for a long time, but I have been set free through God's Grace! Gloray! I hope my answer makes sense!

Q1. (Matthew 5:27-32; 19:1-12) With whom did Jesus side: Rabbi Hillel or Rabbi Shammai? What exception does Jesus give to his prohibition of divorce? How does this exception relate to Deuteronomy 24:1-4? I know I already answered this question, but I've had time to think about it. I find it interesting that in Deuteronomy 24:1-4, the people of that time decided that unclean could mean anything the man didn't like. I also find it interesting that The Word says that once a man and woman "join together" they become one flesh. I never picked up on that before. I have been married 26 years to my third husband. When I married him, I knew that it would be for life. I fully understood how God feels about marriage, and so determined that I would not enter unless completely commited. I confessed my failure to The Lord, and asked Him to bless this one. Thus, 26 years have come and gone. There have been lots of times when I wanted to give him the boot, and vice-versa, but the bottom line is this-we promised God and each other-no matter how bad, poor, or sick, we stay together. We promised God. It's not all about we or us or me or him. If I burn toast, throw it out and do it over. If my husband tells me I'm too fat, say I'm sorry, it is what it is-love me anyway. Cause when you promise God, you got to keep your word. He keeps His word! Gloray! He hasn't changed His mind-we just need to read it in context. I want the truth-so do you. Painful, though it might be, truth is best. What if God gave us salvation one day, and then 5 years later, took it back. "I don't want to save you afterall! I don't like the way you say Amen!" Think about it!

Q1. (Matthew 5:27-32; 19:1-12) With whom did Jesus side: Rabbi Hillel or Rabbi Shammai? What exception does Jesus give to his prohibition of divorce? How does this exception relate to Deuteronomy 24:1-4? Jesus sided with neither man-He simply quoted Scripture! God's way was His way! That's the way it should be for us, as well. The exception was unfaithfulness.If a wife was unfaithful, or had sex with another man, then she could be divorced. In Deuteronomy 24:1-4, the scripture was interpreted to mean that a wife could be divorced for ANY mistake. Burning toast would have been allowed as a reason for divorce.

Q5. (Matthew 5:27-30) The spirit of our age is very accepting and approving of lus+ According to Jesus' words, how seriously are we to take lus+? How does agape love help us combat lus+? I think it's pretty clear that Jesus takes it very seriously! If your right eye offends (keeps looking at things it shouldn't) cut it out? It doesn't get much clearer! Agape love is that love that reminds us who we represent. If I truly love Jesus (and I do) then I will think about my actions before I act. Now, obviously, This doesn't always happen. Because I am still a sinner, I make mistakes. But because I am saved by Grace, I have a working knowledge of right and wrong, and can make good choices based on my knowledge of God's will for me. This is one reason why it is so important to have a good study goin' on and regular reading plan. I can't emphasize how important it is to study and read! Of course, that's why we are all here, isn't it? This is a good study, and we want to know the truth. Gloray to God Almighty!!

Q4. (Matthew 5:28) Sex is very closely tied to our core sense of person. This means that as we are healed in our view towards sex, it goes a long way toward making us whole inside. How would you counsel a brother who shared with you that he had trouble with pornogr*phy? How can you protect yourself against temptation over the Internet? At the beach or poolside? With your TV? We have to be pro-active when it comes to t. v. and other things. I purchased a swimming pool at WalMart for my daughter and her family with the understanding that my youngest daughter be welcomed to swim there, and that worked just fine. As for tv-There is an off button, and also, one can change the channel. It is getting more and more difficult to find decent channels on tv and even radio. One local station runs adds for adult male entertainment, which is a "cleaner" way of saying prostitute. Stay away from things that make you feel uncomfortable. Don't go to public places where you know that indescency will be the mo. If someone approached me and asked me about this, I would tell them these things. Avoid, stay away, run in the other direction! Now, I know these things are all around us, and they can't always be avoided. But the point is-we have a choice to make. Sometimes it isn't easy, but choose we must. And when we choose-stand firm. We won't be sorry! And pray for the one who is having a problem with this thing. Pray with that one. Stand in agreement that God is in control, and that He will have His way! Gloray!

Q3. (Matthew 5:28) What is wrong with pornogr*phy? What is wrong with going to prostitutes? Who are the victims of this "victimless" activity? **** and prostitutes-hmmm. Well, we all know that God intended for man and woman to marry and build a family. We also know that prostitutes are not family orintated. They want to make money-they don't care who's toes they step on! Both of these things promote sin-they do nothing to dispell sin. They both are tools that satan uses to destroy Godly people, and to keep them bound. Lives have been destroyed-marriages ruined. Chaos and catastrophy usually are the results of such things, because this is the devil's arena. Everyone who participates, watches, looks, lures- all are victims. These things are not natural-and from what I understand, can be and are usually addictive. It's very difficult to get away from it, once you start. So, after one gets started, it gets more and more difficult to spend time with God and not be convicted of sin. Also, if one is not born again, and becomes entangled in the mess, it is very difficult to turn one toward the Master when being influenced by this sort of debachery. Victims? All envolved.

Q2. God purposely created us with a good and natural sexual desire. How do we distinguish between that God-given sexual desire and forbidden lus+? Check out what The word says. Pray and ask The Holy Spirit to guide you. Whatever the issue is, the Bible has the answer! Also, we know what is good and right by what we have looked at, or listened to. If we look at the wrong things, then our heart will cause us to go after the wrong things. Like I said in the last answer, we must guard our eyes and heart. Comes down to watching what we expose ourselves to. If we know it's wrong, then we need to stay away from it.

Q1. (Matthew 5:27-30; Exodus 20:17) What is the point of similarity between adultery and lus+? What is the difference? How does lus+ break the Tenth Commandment? I hear it all the time-look, but don't touch. The Word says that out of the heart are the issues of life. So, if we have in our heart **** for someone of the opposite sex, or even the same sex, this will eventually come out. The heart is deceitfully wicked. Who can know it? The eye is the window to the heart. What happens when we see something that appeals to us? We want it! So, it is important to guard our eyes. Watch what we look at. If it will cause us to sin, then we need to avoid it. I hope this makes sense. no pun intended.

Q5. (Matthew 5:21-26) Verses 21-22 are about murder, anger, and insult. Verses 23-24 discuss some fault against one's brother. Verses 25- 26 discuss settling a civil suit before going to court. What is the overarching theme of Jesus' teaching in our entire passage, verses 21-26? We are following after Christ-emulating Him. Therefore, we can't harbor anger against our fellow man. We should show compassion, and we should show reconciliation. We should be willing to conduct ourselves in a manner that allows our salt and light to show through. Be honest and be willing to forgive. And not only forgive, but also forget the offense. Sometimes this is very difficult to do. But as Jesus' representatives, we must learn to conduct ourselves in a manner that shows others that Jesus is real, and that He is even more compassionate than we are! God is love, and in Him, there is no hate at all. No dishonesty.

Q4. (Matthew 5:25-26) What is the point of Jesus' parable of settling out of court? Who are we supposed to settle with, according to this parable? What does "settling" entail? What are the reasons that we should settle? I think the point of this short parable is, we are children of God. As such, we are suppose to exhibit love and compassion. So, when we wrong someone, or owe them something, then the right thing to do is pay what we owe, or make amends when we hurt someone. It's not right to harbor ill will, or jealousy, or anger. We need to check our emotions and do the right thing. Even if the person is an enemy, we should do the right thing. We can not be salt or light if we are angry, or jealous, or bitter. Nor does it look very "Christian" for a child of God to be in a court of law. Therefore, if we settle it quickly and quietly, then our testimony will not be hurt, and Jesus' name will not be stained. So if we owe money, pay it. If we damage property, replace it. I know people who rack up doctor bills, and then have to be summoned to court for payment. This is not right. Bankrupcy is not right. I know some people can't help it for loss of job, or injury, but to file just to get out of paying is wrong. Jesus wants us to honor our word, 'cause He honored His Word. He wants no less of us. And when we don't keep our word, this makes us to be liars, and it makes Jesus out to look fake.

Q3. (Matthew 5:23-24) What's wrong with worshipping while a brother has something against us (or us against a brother, Mark 11:25)? What is the appropriate action for us to take? How far should we go to bring about reconciliation with someone whom we have offended? Are there any situations that we shouldn't try to resolve? Or that we can't resolve? God can not be in the presence of sin. Since He doesn't look at the outside, but looks at the heart, we must get our heart in the right condition to receive forgiveness from Him. If we can't forgive others, then He can't forgive us. So it's very important to confess anger, or anything that hinders God's presence when we pray. Whether or not we can resolve a problem with someone we have offended makes no difference-make an effort. Try to resolve the problem. Make sure the heart is right, and that the resolution is really honest and serious. Then if the other party is not willing to reciprocate, then you have done all you can, and just pray about it. Be honest with God about your feelings. Ask for help if you need it. My mother and I have never been very close. Many times I have tried to reach out to her, and she just won't respond. Once when she was sick, and scared of dying I asked her if she wanted me to pray with her. She rejected that ideal. She said she could do it herself, and she shot me that look that says, "leave me alone!" So I pray for her myself, by myself. I realized at some point in time that I needed to let go of this, and let God have His way with this situation. I realized that there is nothing that I can do to resolve this problem. But I know in my heart that I did what I could to resolve it. My heart is ok with what I tried to accomplish. I know I would be under conviction if I weren't right. There's my sign! Gloray!

Q2. (Matthew 5:21-22) Why does Jesus treat calling someone a fool in the same classification as murder? Does this mean that murder is no worse than an angry insult in God's eyes? How would we act differently if we actually believed that angry attitudes towards others are viewed by God as murder? I read a sermon by John Wesley entitled "Sermon on the Mount- No. 22" and in this sermon Wesley said that meekness does not include name-calling, or insults. If we are angry with someone we need to settle it right away. Do not let the sun go down on your anger (I can't remember the chapter and verse-maybe Proverbs). We are to love unconditionally. That way, we are letting our light shine. Unprovoked anger is usually the case. We think our feelings have been hurt. For instance, My husband might call me a nasty name. I re-act by calling him one, etc. It is not Godly for me to respond with a similar response. When Jesus was being tortured, He said nothing. When the soldiers mocked Him, He said nothing. When they spat on Him and gambled for His clothing, He said nothing. He wasn't being a coward-He was showing His love for humanity. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe one of the soldiers had a change of heart after Jesus died! In God's eyes, one sin is as bad as another-they are all the same. This is hard for me to grasp sometimes. I re-act differently to the same situation at various times, and I always know when I re-acted wrongly! I think our emotional make-up, and the fact that we cannot always control how we re-act to different circumstances, causes many problems for us as Christians. I have to confess often because my anger gets the best of me. Also, I appologize a lot, too. I pray that God will help me with this problem-help all of us. Meekness is the key! Being able to walk away when we have a conflict, or be able to settle it with fairness, love, and compassion. we need to remember that Jesus died for sinners-that means you and I. Everyone. God help us to sort this out and understand! Hope I didn't ramble too much. I get excited, and don't know when to stop! Also hope the answer I gave makes sense!

Q4. (Matthew 5:13-15) How do verses 13-16 relate to verses 10-12? How does hiding our light affect the glory of God? Why must glory and suffering go hand in hand? Was Jesus' suffering necessary? Is ours? What does this have to do with Romans 12:2? 4a. When we let our light shine, some people will get mad! They will say bad things about us. When this happens, then we know that they can see Christ through us and it makes them feel guilty so they lash out. We should rejoice when this happens! God is at work through us! Gloray! 4b. People can't see God's glory through us, and so they will not be moved to seek Him. When our light doesn's shine, His can't shine. 4c. Because Jesus suffered we will suffer, too. People will be hated for their testimony. In some places today, people are being tortured and killed because of their beliefs. Please pray for them. In conclusion, suffering is necessary. Because of unbelievers, haters, and all the sins included with these, the bullies of the world are determined that, because they are going to hell, the rest of us are, too. They are children of Satan, and they are doing his work, just like we are doing God's work. We can not serve two masters. Choose, and then stand firm, 'cause it'll be a wild ride! I choose Jesus, and I know in my heart that, no matter what happens, the end is all good! My body will die, but my spirit and soul belong to The Lord! Gloray! Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil! For thou art with me! Jesus is walking beside me! Haleluya! Gloray!!

I used to be afraid of being called a Jesus freak. My family still thinks I'm crazy! But, I love Jesus so much, and I don't care about being called a Jesus freak! It's a badge of honor to me, and I wear it with humility and I must confess a little bit of pride! Not because I think I'm worthy or anything-'cause I'm not. But I know what Jesus went through for me and other believers, and I know that no one else would do that for me. When I look at Jesus, I know that I am loved no matter what I look like, no matter if I'm broke, or hungry, or anything-He loves Me. I am a freak! And I love it! So, if anyone is reading this, and you are afraid to let your light shine, tell God about. Tell Him how you feel and why, and ask Him to give you courage. He will! He is our source! Don't be afraid anymore, 'cause we have an Advocate who knows what we need before we even ask or think it! Gloray!!!!