Do you ever feel with the psalmist that life has become frighteningly out of control? How can God's law help you regain confidence?

I respect and love your commandments;
I will meditate on your instructions.

~Psalm 119:48

 

Not just my own, but life in general, for everybody, has become frighteningly out of control.  We are so quick to make judgements of others or things these days.  But through God's assurance, the truth will be revealed to use someday soon.

What are the "proper channels" you expect to see spiritual leadership come from? Has God ever led you through someone outside those channels?

The Lord made a solemn promise and will not take it back:
“You will be a priest forever
in the priestly order of Melchizedek.”

~Psalm 110:4

 

A tough question to answer, but I would expect to see spiritual leadership come from my pastor.

How does nature affect you? How do you affect it?

Lord, you have made so many things!
How wisely you made them all!
The earth is filled with your creatures.

~Psalm 104:24

 

It puts me in awe of it's beauty.  I affect it by praying and giving thanks to God for his magnificent creation.

If you were to refer to a single past event for encouragement, what would it be?

I will remember your great deeds, Lord;
I will recall the wonders you did in the past.

~Psalm 77:11

 

There are so many to choose from!  A current event I have experienced recently may not bring as much encouragement as I have hoped, but for one thing, now that I have the ability to see better, that has given me encouragement that I will do better at my profession.

 



When you fail, what is your response - to cover up your failure, or to publicize your confession?

Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.

~Psalm 51:4

 

I am more likely to publicize my confession and take responsibility for it.

What does Paul single out ofr praise in the Philippian church? How are these qualities present in your church?

I thank my God for you every time I think of you;

~Philippians 1:3

 

His thoughts and trust of the people of Philippi.  The qualities that Paul sees in these people are also present within my on church.  There are people that will go the extra mile to help those that are in need.

When you sing to God, what kind of emotions do you hope to feel? What kind of music contributes to that?

Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

~Psalm 33:3

 

I usually hope to feel joy.  The music that helps to contribute to this feeling is Praise and Worship.

Have you ever seen good come out of suffering for your friends or family?

They gamble for my clothes
and divide them among themselves.

~Psalm 22:18

 

not that I can think of right now.

Describe what you believe happens after you die. Is this a frightening or encouraging picture to you?

because you protect me from the power of death.
I have served you faithfully,
and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead.

~Psalm 16:10

 

I believe that our souls go to heaven.  We feel no pain or sorrow and that is a very encouraging picture to me.

Suppose you were put in prison. What kind of letters would you write?

For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.

~Ephesians 6:20

 

I would be writing letters to my family and close friends asking them to pray for me.

In Job's place, what kind of answer would you have wonted frm God? Does god's reply to Job suprise you?

Job, you challenged Almighty God;
will you give up now, or will you answer?

~Job 40:2

 

God's reply to Job does not suprise me.  What ever God's reply is to our problems should be sufficient to us.

Do these principles from Jopb match up with what you have heard about suffering from other Christians?

But God teaches people through suffering
and uses distress to open their eyes.

~~Job 36:15

 

yes.

Do Elihu's arguments sound familiar? What do you think of friends who have similar thoughts about others who suffer?

I paid close attention and heard you fail;
you have not disproved what Job has said.

~Job 32:12

 

They do sound a little familiar, but Elihu should have sounded more supportive.

Read over the qualities of life in the Spirit listed in (Galatians) 5:22-23. Do these characterize your life?

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love.

~Galatians 5:6

 

This is what it says in Galatians 5:22-23:

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.
 

I woulds say that I do possesss all of these qualities in which some probably do need to be worked on more then possibly others, such as patience and self-control.



The early Christians went in two directions. Some, like the people in Galatia, became obsessed with legalism. Others took their Christian freedom too far: They refused to follow anyone's rules. Which is the greater danger in your circle?

but now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits, whose slaves you want to be once more?

~Galatians 4:9

 

I have a feeling that my circle is in more danger of being more obsessed with legalism.  There are people that say, "This is the way it always has been done and this is how it will remain."  I will also not deny that some have probably taken their religious freedoma tab too far by bringing some possible undesireable issues into the church.

What is the most "unfair" thing that has ever happened to you? How did it affect the way you thought about God?

How forceful are honest words!
But what does reproof from you reprove?

~Job 6:25

 

First of all, I have never let something get to me that it would make me think less of God.  The most unfair thing that has probably happened to me, and luckily it was mostly resolved, was that through my undergrad education, I had some professors that thought, because of my disability, that I didn't deserve to complete what I wanted to accomplish in life.

Whom do you speak up for? For what group would you risk your life or your reputation?

I not only stick up for myself, but for family and close friends as well.  Many people who are from the previous sentence are also in the groups I have been a part of.

Have you ever been wrongly accused of something? How did you react to your accusers?

I repeat, let no one think me foolish; but even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

~II Corinthians 11:16

 

Sure I have.  And usually my reaction towards those people is either shock, suprise or dismay.

Compare Paul's appeal for funds with those you see in the mall and in the media. Is there a different emphasis?

Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

~II Corinthians 9:7

 

yes because one wants you to spend money on material things and the others wants you to give money to charitabe things.

Have you ever experience a tear ina relationship like the one described here? How have you found healing?

For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit.

~II Corinthians 2:1

 

It feels like I have been a part of many tears in a relationship.  How am I healing from them?  I'm still in the middle of that process, but it's either through prayer or by keeping busy.

Can you point to ways in which God's word has been powerfu in your life? How has it changed you?

And Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.  And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.

~Nehemiah 8:2-3

 

I'm pretty sure I can.  I'm still in a period wher I am in between relationships with another person.  But, as I continuously read through my Bible or find other inspirational scriptures online, I have found that God's word is giving me hope for my future.