Jen

Q4. (1 John 3:22) We know that God doesn't "owe" us anything. So what is the relationship between obedience and answered prayer? Do we "earn" God's favor through obedience? First let me say that God is never in our debt. We are in His for eternity. There are certain prayers we can pray which are in His will if we come with a humble heart and ask in faith He does grant. There ae other prayers which are not in His timing or His will whichever. It does not necessarily mean we have been disobedient. It simply means He has chosen to say no as His sovereign right dictates. If we are in open disobedience I don't even know if we will have the desire to pray. In a sense we are saying we don't care what the Lord says and we are going to do it our way so we don't even ask. Been there, done that but out of ignorance for the knowledge of Him and His laws and the goodness of them. Let's pray for them as it is a desparate state of sadness and sorry consequences. There may be some in our families in this desparate place in life. Now the word "earn". One definition in the dictionary is "deserve; obtain as the reward for hard work or merit". If we have been obedient in what He asks in a sense in that defintition I might say we "earn" His favor. I don't know if I like putting it that way since when we obey HIm we are just doing what is owed to Him, what we should be doing if we love HIm. I don't like using the word "should" either as I think there is a tendencey on the side of legalism there and not enough on the side of love. I do believe God likes to reward those who obey Him. He doesn't always reward with money and the things the world looks on as reward but many times with harder work and suffering. Have you ever read "The Hidden Smile of God"? Maybe this is why some back away as they know the consequences in this world of obedience to our Lord. I pray that each of us marches on toward whatever battles come our way with continued steadfastness in the faithfulness of our Lord to do what is right and just. "I am the Lord of justice and righteousness whose love is steadfast and I LOVE TO BE THIS WAY." (caps are mine). Jer 9:24 I don't know the translation of this but I do know that I love my God and His Word. God Bless!! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (1 John 3:16-18) What does it mean to "lay down your life for your brothers"? What are some concrete examples of this kind of love in action within the Christian community? If you are in a large congregation, how can you get to know other members so you'll be able to lay down your life for them -- and they for you? I have read many good examples given of people who have done what was needed when opportunity presented itself. I think sometimes we start out just doing the daily life challenges and opportunities that come to us not knowing the influences we make with the giving of ourselves. Matthew Henry says our love "must be so fervent as to make us willing to suffer even to death for the safety and salvatin of the dear brothers". "Those who have this world's good must love a good God more, and be ready to distribute it for their sakes. This love for the brothers is love for God in them; and where there is none of this love for them there is no true love for God at all. To be honest this makes me look at myself and wonder where I am at in my Christian walk. Am I what God wants me to be. I have tried to be the good ambassador for our Lord whereever I am planted but I always see so much room for work. I have some examples of others who gave of their lives for others. Of course Jesus is the perfect example. He laid down His kingly crown to be down here in this dark place for us. Are we grateful enough. How about the prophets who were killed for their witness for the God, for their obedience and unwillingness to compromise. Compare them to the kings living in their rich opulence. Or how about Raoul Wallenberg, David Brainerd, John and Betty Stam, the list goes on. One group I thought of were the signers of the Declaration of Independence. They pledged their lives and fortunes and I think in all cases it was required of them. I don't think there were any regrets among them. They just did what came their way. Not many do. I pray we all rise to what is required of us by the grace and strength of our Lord and Savior. Little acts of kindness can mean mountains for God. God Bless! Jen Numbers6:24-26

Q2. (1 John 3:15) How can anger turn into hatred in our hearts? In what ways do anger and hatred relate to murder? How can we get rid of stored-up anger in our hearts so that we may love those who have offended us? Since we still have the old nature in us the natural tendency of that nature is to go from anger to hate and if not checked to murder. It is a terrible state of the unconverted human heart. Matthew Henry says "Hatred of the person is a hatred of life and welfare and naturally tends to desire the extinction of it". I don't believe it is wrong to get angry with injustice but we need to recognise the need, because of our natural darkness, to express the anger in a way that comes out of our new nature. Our new nature says we are to forgive how many times? It meant continous. We need to put the focus on God, confess our own sin and recognise that God allowed this and He can work it for the good no matter how grievous the hurt is. We need to pray for those who hurt us and we need to remember Ephesians 6 and putting on the whole armor of God. We need to remember that we are in a battle against the powers of darkness not flesh and blood. We need to thank God that He has redeemed us from that former dark life and we are now the children of light. As always I have work to do in all these areas. It's so important for us to pray for one another. I need prayer. Please and I am sure many others feel the same way. Thank you Lord for redeeming us, for the new nature you planted in us. Help it to grow through the work of your precious Holy Spirit. Help us to remember that you have equipped us with armor for the battle and we need to put it on. We don't know when the arrows of the evil one will catch us offguard. It takes only an instant to make a terrible mistake. Keep us routed and grounded in the faith of our Lord and Savior. Thank you for each one on this study. May we all grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. May Your Name be glorified in these studies and may there be sould for You. May the Lamb have that which He suffered for. And lead us safely home. In Jesus name, Amen God Bless you all!! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q1. (1 John 3:12-15) Why did Cain resent Abel? Why did Cain kill Abel? How does the story of Cain and Abel illustrate Jesus' explanation of why the world hates us? Abel's offering was looked upon favorably by God while Cain's was not. Here is the start of a heart problem for Cain. He was jealous and angry. Maybe hurt. Cain didn't restrain his ill feelings but rather gave in to them and the result was the first murder. Matthew Henry says "Sin indulged, knows no bounds." " Ill-will will teach us to hate and revenge what we should admire". Oh what a lesson for us. Let each of us have a teachable spirit and be quick to forgive. Matthew Henry goes on to say "He infers that it is no wonder that good men are so served now, v. 13. The serpentine nature still continues in the world. Wonder not then that the serpentine world hates and hisses at you." Please let us pray for each other that when that old serpent hisses at us that we should be innocent as doves in our handling of those matters sent along our way. God Bless all of you!!! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q5. (1 John 3:3-10) How does John's teaching on sin and righteousness in this passage relate to combating the false teachers? What did they seem to be teaching about sin and righteous living? We are not all God's children as some teach. Jesus told some they were of their father the devil. There are distinct differences between the two. Those who are of God practice (and I like the word practice) righteousness and love the brethren. It is very simple. God Bless!! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q4. (1 John 3:6, 9) How does the presence of God's seed in us keep us from habitual lawlessness and sin? How does the Holy Spirit sanctify us and make us like Jesus? When we become children of God through the new birth we are given a new nature to replace the sin nature. This seed if it is fed and watered will grow us into mature and well grounded in the faith Christians. If it is not taken care of and it's nature to grow in the knowledge of the Lord will be snuffed out we will be shallow without any growing in the Lord. The Holy Spirit works to sanctify us and help us to grow in the Lord, to comform to His image which is contray to the image presented to us daily by the world. The Holy Sprit in us is an everpresent reminder of what our priorities should be, growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. He rains on our parade so to speak when we decide to put off our Bible reading and prayer life for more worldly "fun things". He is extrememly interested in our growth as Christians and keeping a clean house (righteous living). I love the Bible verse in Philippians 1:6 He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. It amazes me the checks and balances God puts in His own who love Him, knowing that the propensity to sin is a powerful part of us that will not lay down silently and give up. I am here tonight after some more days of chronic sinus headaches when I am tired and want to sleep, to learn more about Jesus. That can only be the Holy Spirit nudging me to prevail in my learning and growth in the Faith. God Bless you all!! May you all grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and may He present us faultless before the presence of His glory with excedding joy. Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (1 John 3:4) How does lawlessness show up in a person's attitude and actions? In what sense is an attitude of lawlessness the cause of sin in our lives? By living in continuous sin and being unrepentant we are lawless. We are outside the laws of God and doing what is wrong and not sorry about it. We are rejecting the holiness of God and therefore leading lives of sin which as in the days of the outlaws of the West (for example) leads to the tragic consequences due to those who break the law. And never forget our sin affects others and it maybe further reaching than we would ever think. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q1. (1 John 2:29-3:2) In what sense are we "children of God"? What does the Holy Spirit have to do with this "new birth"? How does the new birth change us? It is indeed a wonder that God should take us with hearts of sin and darkness, redeem us through the blood of His precious Son and call us His children. I cannot comprehend such love. We are His children in the sense that we have been adopted into His family through the blood of Christ and the sanctifing work of the Holy Spirit. The new birth does change us and our desire is to be like Him: to walk before Him and be holy. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. I don't know how it works but it does. He changes us! How blessed we are to be part of His family. It seems to me "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God" is an understatement. There don't seem to be words in the human realm to describe who God is and what He has done. God Bless all my brothers and sisters in Him! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q2. (1 John 2:28; 3:2-3) In what way does our expectation of Christ's Second Coming motivate us to purify ourselves from sin? How does purifying ourselves from sin relate to God's grace? From the moment I have known Jesus I have wanted to purify myself from sin and that was all the grace of God by the working of the Holy Spirit. Certainly I want to remain diligent to work all the harder, as we live in expectation of His second coming or our being called home, and to let God point out the hidden things which I don't see, to keep myself from getting slack in obvious sin and to be aware of the Spirit's promptings of things innocent of themselves but which can lead to terrible consequences. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Where I live now feels very dark. There is much jealousy, envy, wanting to be the most important. "Where there is envy and selfish ambition lies strife and every evil thing. James 3:16. I wonder how much peace can exist in those hearts. Church seems to be a big social gathering with lots of talking even during breaking of bread. There is much of this in the church today. Let's pray that God's church would be the place of reverence for our Holy God that it was. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q5. (1 John 2:26-27) If we have the Holy Spirit, why do we need teachers in the church? How does the role of the anointing differ from the Holy Spirit's spiritual gift of teaching? One of the first churches I attended after coming to the Lord was a very gifted church with men who were well studied in the Word and every week with the exception of a few messages that were continued for a couple weeks, different men spoke as the Spirit directed them. It was a delightful time and I loved hearing the different perspectives kind of like the four gospels. I learned alot from those men and I loved their love for the Lord. We need each other and the gift of teaching is no exception. They were equiped to build the members of the body up in their most Holy Faith. The annointing of the Holy Spirit which I received at my Christian birth is what put me there, caused me to relish the times of teaching and fellowship as we learned together and those who taught were able to share what they loved so much: The Word of God. God is indeed wonderful as He wants us all to be important and loved in His family. Whatever happened to love in the church. I think sometimes now there is a whole lot of knowledge of theology in the church and not enough "honoring others above yourself". May the Holy Spirit annoint some in His church to address this area of need through their teaching. God Bless you all and thank you for all I learn from you. You are wonderful!! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q4. (1 John 2:24-28) What does it mean to abide/remain/continue in Jesus? Give an example of what a Christian might be doing who is "abiding" in Jesus. What are symptoms in a Christian who is not "abiding" in Jesus? It means to stay with the original teaching from the Holy Spirit and not drift from this current theory to that current theory. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and we are to remain (stay ) with Him. We are to love the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul. It might mean we would rather read the Word than go to the movie. It might mean we walk alone rather than join in with the world system. It might mean we are looked upon as a "wonder" (psalm 71) unto many. It might mean we have a joy in the most difficult of circumstances that the world does not comprehend. I like Jan Mary's answer to this. Since I had everything typed out and it disappeared into thin air you will have to go back and look for yourself. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (1 John 2:20, 27) In what ways is the Holy Spirit an internal Guide for us? In what ways does he teach us? In what ways does he point us to Jesus' teaching? I think I answered some of this in my last post. So let me just add that the Holy Spirit always points us to Christ as Lord and Savior and always leads us in the truth. He also cautions us and I have regretted when I have not heeded His promptings. Isn't God wonderful!! He has fully provided for us in everyway. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q2. (1 John 2:20-21) What is the "anointing" that John is talking about? In what way is anointing connected to the Holy Spirit in the Bible? Has every Christian received this anointing? What do you think? We are annointed with the true knowledge of salvation by the Holy Spirit upon receiving the Holy Spirit if we are true Christians. We are filled with the knowledge of truth and our Lord Jesus Christ. I remember 30 some years ago upon learning about Jesus and accepting Him as Lord and Savior the joy and desire to tell everyone. You couldn't shut me up. I sometimes wonder what has happened to me. I have seemed to grow weary many days. I just want to write what John MacArthur says in his Bible footnote: "Two characteristics mark genuine Chrisians in contrast to the antichrists. First the Holy Spirit guards them from error. Christ as the Holy One imparts the Holy Spirit as their illuminating guardian from deception. Second, the Holy Spirit guides the believer into knowing all things. True Christians have a built in lie detector and persevere in the truth. Those who remain in heresy and apostosy manifest the fact that they were never genuinely born again. If we have this annointing which we do and wether we are weary from much labor or not I believe inside, each true believer has a joy inexpressible, then we have a great reponsibility with what we do with it. We need to persevere in truth and in love. Too many leave the church because WE are not the people WE should be and not them. Let's pray for each other that we might each be the person that Christ has created us to be. I know I have a lot of work to do in these areas as always and I could use prayer. God Bless you all!! Jen Numbers 6:24-26 Titus 2: 1-15

Q1. (1 John 2:18) What is this antichrist that John expects to come? What is the difference between the antichrist and antichrists in the church John is writing to? In what ways do we see the spirit of antichrist at work in our day? The antichrist that John expects to come is the one that will come in the Great Tribulation. In the church today are many who profess and know all the right things to say and do, they speak Christenese so to say, but who have never really given themselves completely over to Christ. They are of the world system which is antichrist. This is very scary! I just listened to "Sinners In the Hands of An Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards and these are like the people he preached too. Let us pray that none of us numbers among that crowd. The devil and his demons are thirsty for victims. Please please pray!! I feel so burdened about this. If you get a chance to hear that sermon and you never have please listen to it. It has been like a big wakeup call for me as I feel myself sluggish somedays. Let us pray for each others families that they will hear and respond to our loving Savior who is reaching out His Hand aware of what awaits those who reject His atoning sacrifice on the cross. God Bless you all!! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q4. (1 John 2:15-17) What kinds of sins are covered by the three examples of worldliness that John gives? Why are these sometimes so difficult for us to discern in ourselves? Why is worldliness so harmful to our future? 1. The **** of the flesh 2. The **** of the eyes. 3. The pride of life. Somethings seem innocent of themselves and yet are deadly as they slowly take a strangle hold of us. These things begin innocently. Maybe taking a day off prayer or maybe just one look. Without the Holy Spirit convicting us I don't believe we can discern on our own as we are still in the flesh in this world. This world system will one day be destroyed and we do not want to be a part of it. It is evil and against the love of God. We may not loose our salvation but it will destoy our witness for our Lord and to bring Him glory should be our chief aim and pleasure in life. As always I have a lot of work to do in all areas. Let us pray always for God to be glorified by His family on this earth. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (1 John 2:15-16) What is "the world" in verses 15-16? What kind of love of "the world" keeps us from loving the Father? The world here referred to is the organized system run by Satan that is in oppposition to the love of God and to His Son Jesus Christ. It is all around us and sometimes even in our churches. It is a world of treachery and it is set up to lure people into its trap to become engrossed (enmeshed) so as to take our eyes off God and His Ways and conform to the ways of the worldly system which leads to eternal death. The love of the world is a deliberate decision to conform to this system in order to satisfy our fleshly lusts. It is a constant battle for believers which is why reading the Word, obeying God and prayer are important every day to keep our eyes on Him. It is important to remain with other Christians, if possible, so we are not lured into this trap. We must set our sights on things above. We need to pray for each other!! God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q2. (1 John 2:12-14) John encourages "children," "young men," and "fathers." Why do you think he takes time to encourage them? In what ways does he encourage them? John is writing to encourage them because he loves them. He encourages spiritual growth and he reminds them of what they have overcome already. He understands discouragement and doesn't want them to remain spiritual infants but to progress in the faith. I enjoyed a sentence by J Vernon McGee which says "In some churches you feel as if you are in a spiritual nursery! Although the folk are physically fullgrown, some of them with gray hair, they are still spiritually immature." Let's keep on learning and growing, reading the Word and praying especially for each one on this study. May God Bless you all with spiritual wisdom and understanding! God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

When I harbor hate and unforgiveness I am walking in the darkness and not in the light of Christ who forgave me all. I need to recenter my focus on the Lord and let Him handle those who have inflicted hurt. It requires concentration of will, prayer and reading the Word, maybe from John's gospel or His epistles. Singing hymns is helpful and praise music (for me) also. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q4. (1 John 2:1-2) What assurance does John give us if we do sin? How does this comfort us? How does it make us want to avoid sin? John assures us that Jesus continually intercedes for us. This is so important because even if we don't want to sin we still have the sin nature in us and we fall short in many areas. I want Jesus to be pleased with me and I desire to have fellowship with Him and how can I have that if I deliberately do that which displeases Him and causes Him grief. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q2. (1 John 1:5-7) What is the result when a Christian walks in darkness, that is, continues willfully to do what he or she knows to be wrong? How does this involve self-deception? What is the result, according to verse 7, when we walk in the light? How do we get back into the light if we sin? A Christian who deliberately walks in darkness rejects God's light and rebels against God. The self-deception seems to be to do what feels good at this present moment. It's as if a moment of insanity takes place and we think we can get away with our choice. We don't give thought to what happens when the Light shines on what we have done. (Actually we really don't believe in the Light). We live for the moment. Dr. Chafer (according to J Vernon McGee) used to say: "Secret sins down here is open scandal in heaven." Oh dear no wonder we try so many psychiatrists which is like getting a placebo when we could go to God and feel the wonder of His forgiving and loving heart if we are only willing to humble ourselves before His mighty hand and receive the forgiveness that is ours in Christ Jesus. Been there, done that!! Just give me Jesus!! God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (1 John 1:9) How would you define "confession"? Why is confessing our sins so important? What happens to us if we stop confessing our sins? What are the promises given to us if we do confess our sins? How is forgiveness of sins different from cleansing? Confession to me means to admit that I am guilting of something (or maybe many things). It is agreeing with God that I am a sinner, guilty as charged. If we stop confessing our sins I think we are doomed to repeat them and we loose fellowship plus the wonderful feeling that comes when we unburden ourselves before our loving God and Father. He promises if we confess he is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse us. Like starting anew, afresh with a little reminder of the horribleness of sin and how it separates us from Him. Forgiveness makes us alright with God and cleansing makes us free (clean) from the stench of sin. God Bless! Jen Numbers6:24-26

Q1. (1 John 1:3-4, 6-7) Why is our fellowship with fellow Christians so often just on a surface level? How can we have fellowship at a deeper level in Christ? 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 would like to say it is the way our society is but I think it is more a heart issue. As I read the gospels it seems to me there was the same issue there and then. Some were deeply devoted to God and others did to look good or it was the thing to do. Some came back to thank Jesus for being healed and others didn't. To have fellowship at a deeper level I think we need to devote some time. Time asking Jesus to help us have the desire, time spent in prayer, time spent in the Word, time confessing as we see the utter depravity in our own heart and our utter helplessness to save ourselves. We need to practice what the Bible says "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in love". Romans 12:10 NAS. I think a servant's heart is needed for deeper fellowship. The trust issue in groups is important and being willing to take some risks for Christ. Chances are there are some in there who desire or struggle with the same things as we do. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q4. (2 Timothy 4:21a) Why is it important to Paul for Timothy to come before winter? What happens if Timothy delays? Do you think Timothy dropped everything and came to Paul's side? Would you, if you were Timothy? Paul must have been very lonely for Timothy and he must have been cold because he asked for his cloak. If Timothy delayed it would have been difficult or maybe impossible to travel in winter plus Paul needed his cloak and he desired his parchments. I believe Timothy dropped everything and came to Paul. I hope I would have if I were Timothy. There was a strong bond in the Lord between the two of them and that is a piece of heaven we have on this earth with each other. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (2 Timothy 4:9-12) Why is it so difficult when trusted friends desert us? Why is it so difficult when they move away or die? Is it better to trust no one? Who remains with Paul besides Luke? (Hint: see verse 17a). It causes us intense pain to be deserted or betrayed. It is the same when someone moves away or dies. "I want to cry out please don't leave me alone in this world." We need to find someone to trust. It fills a vacuum of lonliness and it gives us joy. The Lord was with Paul and He is with us. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26