"study The Scripture"

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

It's been the 12th storm of the season. Two huge evergreens were down across two of the main roads and across the power lines in town, as well as tons elsewhere. I sit in the early morning hours with pen to paper writing by candlelight. The power has been out since early afternoon yesterday.((It's now a full 10 hrs after I wrote this that the power was restored, the house is getting warm and I have access to my computer once again)) I was grateful that the tree right next to my house fell away from the house and that it wasn't any of the ones on the other side. My porch door shattered when a huge gust of wind caught it. (I neglected to take care of the little things like latching it properly.)

I was watching the winds whip thru when I began to notice that the only vehicles on the streets were the heavy duty 4x4's and with the phone lines down I realized that they were patrolling the streets looking for signs of trouble. In the background were sounds of chainsaws and I felt such gratitude for those people who were out there with 18' branches fling about. It was hours before the storm was over. I don't think the weather patterns will ever be the same again. (all for oil? I guess that's the price of prophesy)

It made me think that so often we only see God in the middle of storms too.Maybe that's why He allows so much. Storms are the black backdrops to be able to see His light.I think of Satan and his demons like that...the black backdrop.

So with nothing to do for so many hours but to read and megetate, I got to thinking about how Jesus built up lesson upon lesson for His disciples.He had just stated in the last study that the chosen are the ones who follow Him wholeheartedly and in this study He demonstrates further requirements. Much like when the disciple were first with Him they saw Him as a teacher and prophet, surely a man to suite their cause. And in the storm, when He walked on the water, they thought they were seeing a ghost and not God in action. By the time they reached our part of the story He said to them "Who do you say I am?" By this time the Holy Spirit had revealed His diety to them. Yet when Peter was asked 3 times if he loved Jesus, he was in fact being asked if that love was filial(sp?) or agape (love of a brother in the cause) or was that love agape (For the character of God he saw in Jesus) Peter answered at this time that he didn't know but Jesus did.We can see this same pattern in today's (yesterday's actually) study.

Here we can also see the progression from the disciples known as the Sons of Thunder that want to call down fire from heaven to destroy the Samaritan village, and next we see Jesus Jesus, in the story of the Samaritan, how much they are to love. (Note that the ones representing the teachers walked past the dying man) Jesus fits the discription of the Good Samaritan in that He heals the spiritual life, the oil for the wounds is the giving of the Spirit, and Jesus hands the semi-healed man to the innkeeper (the church) to nuture the newly saved person. He adds that He will repay whatever expence upon His return. I have wondered what would happen if the innkeeper (or church) had acted like a hired hand or unfaithful steward and squandered that which was entrusted to him and not fulfilled the duty.

The next lesson, He is using Martha and Mary as backdrops. Here He is showing what kind of care He expects. Martha, just like a good faithful innkeeper, Is being very faithful and attentive to His every need (filial (sp?) love) While what He really wants the the spiritual agape love that Mary is showing in allowing Him to take care of her needs.

Then, in Acts we have the disciples demonstrating how well they learnt the lesson when they delegate the feeding of the widows so they can devote themselves to prayer and teaching. They learnt the lesson we need to learn, To put Jesus in the centre of their lives and give priority to prayer and study of the scriptures. Personal relationship, the Word of God, and prayer became their motivating force. And that gave them the strength and grace to deal with the pressures of the work they undertook for Jesus and and loving Him in an agape way. And, I may add, the wonderful fellowship of His under shepards who have written such great messages in books for us to read and study how the Spirit spoke to them.

So, in the beginning all His disciples looked after His needs but priorities progressively changed from a filial love to an agape loving service. Just keep in mind that when Peter walked out onto the water with Jesus, Jesus basically told him "Get your eyes off the water (things) and put them on Me"

Quote from ~The upside-Down Kingdom~Donald B. Kraybill~

Too often agape is characterised as a love which sweetly smiles as the world goes by. Jesus certainly didn't stand by and watch the world grind on. He acted agape by speaking out forcefully on behalf of the poor. He quickly violated civil and religious laws in the face of human needs. His words and acts insulted the rich and powerful. They probably didn't think He was very loving. He relentlessly worked on behalf of the downtrodden and oppressed even when His behavior created a fuss. Agape results in an active involvement and identification with the poor and oppressed. It dare not be a condenscending or paternalistic benevolence which occasionally tosses a few tythes or fruit baskets over the edge of the table. It means living and thinking in the other person's world so that his problem's become our own.

Thank you so much, guys, for being there. I have been clearing branches all day and am so beat I'll just post the next study tonight. God bless ya's.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

These words jumped out at me this morning while reading today's verses:

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and temptd Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

And He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? Lk 10:25-26


The Lord has been sooo leading me into the study of His word and I feel very frustrated and opposed for some reason...yet I keep working at the study of His word.

Here, Jesus directs this lawyer to the law...the only written word of God at that time...the very first thing...was what have you read "in the law"..."in the word"?

The Lord is expecting us to be reading his word and getting answers to our questions there.

I had this verse today as part of background verses:

I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgements have I laid before me. Ps 119:30

To me this ties in with the choice that Mary made...to sit at Jesus feet and listen to His words...

I feel like the Lord is bringing me to deeper accountability with my life choices...do I want to choose the way of truth or not?

I do think the Lord was kind to Martha, He acknowledged that she was worried and distracted...He saw her view of things...but her sister was the living example of how to choose the most necessary and best thing.

Hi I hope to join you. In my own personal gospel reading today (before I found this thread) it included Luke 10:27-29.

What really convicted me about this, was what the lawyer's response in verse 29 "But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'"

How often do we, do I, try to justify myself and my sin to Jesus? Constantly, it seems, rather than to humbly come before Him, ask forgiveness and be restored to that sweet fellowship with Him. What silliness, lol...my own pride gets in the way of thing I want most ~ peace with God, friendship with our Lord Jesus, walking in the Spirit!

Good morning!

Got the rest of the passage read. I love the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42! I really relate to Mary as I *love* to sit at the feet of Jesus!! And I relish Jesus' words "but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (vs 42) BUT this morning "But Martha was distracted..." jumped out at me. I'm often more like Martha, than I want to admit! That's what happens to me ~ I get "distracted"!! Maybe not so much with housework, lol, but with other things and wrong priorities...taking my eyes off of Jesus!

In considering this question: Which did Jesus consider the more important, and how did He solve the tension between them? It seems that Jesus took time to lovingly speak with Martha and get her back on track...being truthful about her sin, and then reminding her of what really is important. I just love how Jesus is so personal to each us!!!

I love how we're all in agreement. Welcome AliveIndeed! Great to see you here!

 

[angelwind]

It's been the 12th storm of the season. Two huge evergreens were down across two of the main roads and across the power lines in town, as well as tons elsewhere. I sit in the early morning hours with pen to paper writing by candlelight. The power has been out since early afternoon yesterday.((It's now a full 10 hrs after I wrote this that the power was restored, the house is getting warm and I have access to my computer once again)) I was grateful that the tree right next to my house fell away from the house and that it wasn't any of the ones on the other side. My porch door shattered when a huge gust of wind caught it. (I neglected to take care of the little things like latching it properly.)

I was watching the winds whip thru when I began to notice that the only vehicles on the streets were the heavy duty 4x4's and with the phone lines down I realized that they were patrolling the streets looking for signs of trouble. In the background were sounds of chainsaws and I felt such gratitude for those people who were out there with 18' branches fling about. It was hours before the storm was over. I don't think the weather patterns will ever be the same again. (all for oil? I guess that's the price of prophesy)

It made me think that so often we only see God in the middle of storms too.Maybe that's why He allows so much. Storms are the black backdrops to be able to see His light.I think of Satan and his demons like that...the black backdrop.

So with nothing to do for so many hours but to read and megetate, I got to thinking about how Jesus built up lesson upon lesson for His disciples.He had just stated in the last study that the chosen are the ones who follow Him wholeheartedly and in this study He demonstrates further requirements. Much like when the disciple were first with Him they saw Him as a teacher and prophet, surely a man to suite their cause. And in the storm, when He walked on the water, they thought they were seeing a ghost and not God in action. By the time they reached our part of the story He said to them "Who do you say I am?" By this time the Holy Spirit had revealed His diety to them. Yet when Peter was asked 3 times if he loved Jesus, he was in fact being asked if that love was filial(sp?) or agape (love of a brother in the cause) or was that love agape (For the character of God he saw in Jesus) Peter answered at this time that he didn't know but Jesus did.We can see this same pattern in today's (yesterday's actually) study.

Here we can also see the progression from the disciples known as the Sons of Thunder that want to call down fire from heaven to destroy the Samaritan village, and next we see Jesus Jesus, in the story of the Samaritan, how much they are to love. (Note that the ones representing the teachers walked past the dying man) Jesus fits the discription of the Good Samaritan in that He heals the spiritual life, the oil for the wounds is the giving of the Spirit, and Jesus hands the semi-healed man to the innkeeper (the church) to nuture the newly saved person. He adds that He will repay whatever expence upon His return. I have wondered what would happen if the innkeeper (or church) had acted like a hired hand or unfaithful steward and squandered that which was entrusted to him and not fulfilled the duty.

The next lesson, He is using Martha and Mary as backdrops. Here He is showing what kind of care He expects. Martha, just like a good faithful innkeeper, Is being very faithful and attentive to His every need (filial (sp?) love) While what He really wants the the spiritual agape love that Mary is showing in allowing Him to take care of her needs.

Then, in Acts we have the disciples demonstrating how well they learnt the lesson when they delegate the feeding of the widows so they can devote themselves to prayer and teaching. They learnt the lesson we need to learn, To put Jesus in the centre of their lives and give priority to prayer and study of the scriptures. Personal relationship, the Word of God, and prayer became their motivating force. And that gave them the strength and grace to deal with the pressures of the work they undertook for Jesus and and loving Him in an agape way. And, I may add, the wonderful fellowship of His under shepards who have written such great messages in books for us to read and study how the Spirit spoke to them.

So, in the beginning all His disciples looked after His needs but priorities progressively changed from a filial love to an agape loving service. Just keep in mind that when Peter walked out onto the water with Jesus, Jesus basically told him "Get your eyes off the water (things) and put them on Me"

Quote from ~The upside-Down Kingdom~Donald B. Kraybill~



Thank you so much, guys, for being there. I have been clearing branches all day and am so beat I'll just post the next study tonight. God bless ya's.

I am glad you are allright Maid...yes, the weather is strange, we have had some bad lightening storms here in the recent weeks...my get snow flurries this weekend...snow is not totally unheard of for us, it melts quickly.

I do enjoy your study comments...find I go in and out of the distracted mode when it comes to study and prayer...but I am making progress in the right direction.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I am glad you are allright Maid...yes, the weather is strange, we have had some bad lightening storms here in the recent weeks...my get snow flurries this weekend...snow is not totally unheard of for us, it melts quickly.

I do enjoy your study comments...find I go in and out of the distracted mode when it comes to study and prayer...but I am making progress in the right direction.

I know what you mean, sometimes God just forces me to it but I can be distracted just like that. He has me on a short leash right now, lol, I'm sure i need it. I love your company in this and everyone, like I said I have tried to do this study a few times before and I really hope I stick with it this time.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Study 29 Luke 11:1-13
Jesus' Teaching on Prayer

1) Verses 2-4. This abreviated version of the Lord's prayer gives, as it were, the "iron rations" of prayer. Consider what aspects and themes of prayer are selected as the most essential. How does your prayer measure up to this pattern?

2) Verses 5_13. What attitude in prayer is commended in these verses? What results may such prayer expect? What reasons are we given for confidence in prayer?

Note:
Verse 8. "Importunity: what this describes is a persistance in solicitation that is literally "shameless" or "impudent".

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I am glad you are allright Maid...yes, the weather is strange, we have had some bad lightening storms here in the recent weeks...my get snow flurries this weekend...snow is not totally unheard of for us, it melts quickly.

.

It's the middle of the night for me but I can't sleep after all. The winds are still whipping up. I think that the lightning storms and all that are really another sign of the times for us. Like the red sky at night like Jesus said. He told us to look at the weather and we could read the signs so....I love living in prophetic times and you know that judgement begins at the throne of God. Like the captives that went to Babylon, Daniel, Shadrak, Mechac and Abednigo went with them, so we all share in His judgements.

Something else I was thinking about that I was reading on another thread. Someone was saying that they were new and were disappointed that it was so hard to get to know anyone in these forums and that often they would talk to someone and recieve no answer. The disciples were really doing the same thing in spreading themselves so thin that they had time for no one never mind Jesus. I remember when I first was subscribed to a few threads and I would go back to my last post and read all the new ones and post again. Now I've become this person who you talk to and all I'm doing is thinking about the next thing their going to say instead instead of listening to what the other person is saying. And I have so many threads going that I pray for the day when I can sit with only one. And that's no good either. So I guess like the disciples I have to leave much to others that's not my business to start with and listen to what God has for me. Ohh, life is hard. Lesson learned today..any suggestions anyone? I think this is a very important topic for us to learn. Jesus certainly thought it was.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Ok, so that has to be the answer...delegate.

The dictionary terms this as
noun:
1. A person appointed or elected to represent others

verb:
1.Transfer power to someone
2.Give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person)

Moses delegated 70 others to help him, Jesus delegated 70 to on ahead, the disciples delegated 7 to do the food for the widows... it's coming to me....

But wait! Jesus said all that rigermarol isn't what's important. Martha should have prepared on simple dish of brown rice and undercooked vegetables and come and sat down with Jesus.

So that must be what He was saying, I would think, that He has delegated jobs to all of us and to simply accomplish what He sets before us and give the rest of our attention to Him.

When Peter, at the end of the book of John, when told to feed His sheep (right after the "do you love me" right?) Peter said in reference to John "What about that man" and Jesus said "never mind him, you follow me"

Hmmmnnn.

Let us all sit down today and lets get our priorities straight so we can follow Jesus in this!!

 

[AliveIndeed]

So that must be what He was saying, I would think, that He has delegated jobs to all of us and to simply accomplish what He sets before us and give the rest of our attention to Him.

Hebrews 12:1,2! Which centers on "...fixing our eyes on Jesus..." and all else falls in place! Only we can't even do this ourselves...He must help us ~ but, glory be to God, He is "the author and perfecter of faith"!!

Help us, Lord Jesus, keep our priorities straight, sit at your feet, listen and obey You and keep our eyes ever on You!

 

[AliveIndeed]

Hi to all!

Luke 11:1-13

In reading the story about the friend and the judge (in Luke 18:1-8) and the words of Jesus following each, it seems to me that Jesus is pointing out that with reluctant people, those who ask persistently, still get that they ask for. So *ask* God for your needs! For He, unlikely the tired friend & judge who repects no one, He *wants* to give to us!! "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be open to you." vs 9 Then Jesus points out about earthly fathers "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" Matt. 7:11 says "...give what is good to those who ask Him!" Then in Romans 8:32 "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?"

I've always thought these passages taught we need to be persistent in prayer, but after today, I would say the point is more that He is SO willing to give to us (unlikely people) if we would only ask and have faith (see Luke 18:8...you can almost hear Jesus sigh as He says "will He find faith on earth?")...and that He *does* want to give us good things ~ not a stone, snake or scorpion!

And, lol, all this that Jesus says follows the prayer He gave and ties into it!! We must seek His kingdom in our prayers, we must approach Him as our Holy God...and we can ask for our needs (like bread and He won't give us a stone...in Matt 7 parallel passage), He will restore us, give us the Holy Spirit, when we ask forgiveness and forgive others, and He will not lead us into temptation!!

Praise God for His Word! Thank You Jesus for Your Words to us! Thank You for the Holy Spirit!!

God bless all of your day and reading in the Word!!

 

[angelwind]

It's the middle of the night for me but I can't sleep after all. The winds are still whipping up. I think that the lightning storms and all that are really another sign of the times for us. Like the red sky at night like Jesus said. He told us to look at the weather and we could read the signs so....I love living in prophetic times and you know that judgement begins at the throne of God. Like the captives that went to Babylon, Daniel, Shadrak, Mechac and Abednigo went with them, so we all share in His judgements.

Something else I was thinking about that I was reading on another thread. Someone was saying that they were new and were disappointed that it was so hard to get to know anyone in these forums and that often they would talk to someone and recieve no answer. The disciples were really doing the same thing in spreading themselves so thin that they had time for no one never mind Jesus. I remember when I first was subscribed to a few threads and I would go back to my last post and read all the new ones and post again. Now I've become this person who you talk to and all I'm doing is thinking about the next thing their going to say instead instead of listening to what the other person is saying. And I have so many threads going that I pray for the day when I can sit with only one. And that's no good either. So I guess like the disciples I have to leave much to others that's not my business to start with and listen to what God has for me. Ohh, life is hard. Lesson learned today..any suggestions anyone? I think this is a very important topic for us to learn. Jesus certainly thought it was.

This is interesting, because, due to my tendonitis problems I quit posting in many, many threads...it has turned out to be much better for me in the long run. And it does take a while to form a relationship online...some of mine became difficult too...so I am not so quick to get deeply involved here...then the Lord is building my time alone with Him...as it should be.

I do pray this study thread will be fruitful to all who read and post...that all of us will spend time away from the keyboard...focused upon Him...with Him in His word and prayer...we can encourage each other in this area.

Many of us do not have the actual physical fellowship that we need for one reason or another. Plus I do believe this internet is a very unique tool in the Lord's hand. May we all have God's love, wisdom and grace as we meet here or any where on the web as a church.

 

[angelwind]

Ok, so that has to be the answer...delegate.

The dictionary terms this as
noun:
1. A person appointed or elected to represent others

verb:
1.Transfer power to someone
2.Give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person)

Moses delegated 70 others to help him, Jesus delegated 70 to on ahead, the disciples delegated 7 to do the food for the widows... it's coming to me....

But wait! Jesus said all that rigermarol isn't what's important. Martha should have prepared on simple dish of brown rice and undercooked vegetables and come and sat down with Jesus.

So that must be what He was saying, I would think, that He has delegated jobs to all of us and to simply accomplish what He sets before us and give the rest of our attention to Him.

When Peter, at the end of the book of John, when told to feed His sheep (right after the "do you love me" right?) Peter said in reference to John "What about that man" and Jesus said "never mind him, you follow me"

Hmmmnnn.

Let us all sit down today and lets get our priorities straight so we can follow Jesus in this!!

I have just had a deeper revelation about something here...maybe I will be able to put it into words...but not yet......thank you Lord.

 

[AliveIndeed]

This is interesting, because, due to my tendonitis problems I quit posting in many, many threads...it has turned out to be much better for me in the long run. And it does take a while to form a relationship online...some of mine became difficult too...so I am not so quick to get deeply involved here...then the Lord is building my time alone with Him...as it should be.

God has a way of "helping" us does He? And it endearing 'cus He love us so and wants our full attention! For me, it is really easy for me to get caught up in my "commitment" online to threads and others ~ not actual commitments, but ones that I put on myself. Often without ever consulting God. Our pastor once said, "It's not about commitment, but surrender". Which is what I *keep* having to come back to: What does Jesus want me to do??? And He's patient and merciful with me as I grow in this area ~ and "helps" me and guides me. Like He did you with the tendonitis! : )

Yes, I agree, online friendships do take time and can have problems, because that is the very nature of being online and without voice & person to see. I find that sometimes my insecurities manifest themselves in online relationships as I make assumptions (which we have to, as such, to fill in the blanks) and I often have to pray to assume to best and give the benefit of the doubt.

But I would like to note, that I have some very dear, dear friends that I have made online...but I also talk with them on the phone, which helps tremendously in "hearing" what they say online.

I do pray this study thread will be fruitful to all who read and post...that all of us will spend time away from the keyboard...focused upon Him...with Him in His word and prayer...we can encourage each other in this area.

and angelwind!

Many of us do not have the actual physical fellowship that we need for one reason or another. Plus I do believe this internet is a very unique tool in the Lord's hand. May we all have God's love, wisdom and grace as we meet here or any where on the web as a church.

I agree completely! For me, my girls leaving home made a huge difference in "physical fellowship" for me and being online has been a place of tremendous blessing and growth in my relationship with our Lord Jesus (as well as wonderful fellowship and encouragemnt with others). And I've seen God's hand work in remarkable ways online ~ so much so, that if I was not a believer, I would be now, lol. Yes, we, the Body, need one another!!

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Hebrews 12:1,2! Which centers on "...fixing our eyes on Jesus..." and all else falls in place! Only we can't even do this ourselves...He must help us ~ but, glory be to God, He is "the author and perfecter of faith"!!

Help us, Lord Jesus, keep our priorities straight, sit at your feet, listen and obey You and keep our eyes ever on You!

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Jesus was a man of prayer and He wanted His disciples to be photocopies of Himself.

John 13:15-17
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

He has introduced us to active loving service, listening to the Word and now personal prayer.Life's first necessity is to listen to the Lord speak to us in His Word (as we saw with Martha and Mary) and the second is that we speak to Him, in prayer (as in His outline prayer) The "our Father" is seen as an outline to prayer.
We have 5 requests, 2 reflecting God's interests (His name and His Kingdom) and 3 reflecting our interests (daily bread, forgiveness and freedom from testing((!!!!!))))
God's interests are served first as a true priority demand.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Once God's priorities are seen to we may ask for our own most important needs. But note that it says "give us" and not "give me" so we pray as a collective family of the Father "Abba"
Substanance, personal relationships thru forgiveness and the ability to overcome our sins and faults.
But also there is the spiritual warfare that disciples are plunged into for the sake of the kingdom as they come to grips with the demonic evil in people (I think Angelwind was referring to this further revelation in her post)

Acts 16:16-18
16Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." 18She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.

and the resistance of the gospel from those who stand to lose power or position.

Acts 14:19-22
19Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
The Return to Antioch in Syria
21They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.

We're expected to find our strength and inspiration in prayer just as Jesus and the disciples did.

Acts 4:23-31
The Believers' Prayer
23On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
" 'Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
26The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the Lord
and against his Anointed One.[a]' 27Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people[c] of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Then comes perseverence required in prayer and the continueing labor involved in the conquest of evil for the Kingdom.

 

[AliveIndeed]

Hey there! I think we double posted, lol!

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

A prayer I love also is walking thru the tabernacle and thanking Jesus for His sacrifice at the altar, washing the world from my hands (work) and feet (walk) at the lavar, thanking Jesus again for His teaching (our priest's bread) and the Holy Spirit's light shining upon it (the candlestick) and say intercessory prayer at the altar of incence.
From there it's into the Holy of Holy that Jesus has ripped the curtain from to worship the Father and His King/Prophet/Priest Son and be thankful for the mercies shown.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Hey there! I think we double posted, lol!

Uh, the meeting on the temple steps

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I liked what you said in one of the posts about not quiting but surrendering. That is so true. I had a book that I had almost carved that saying in "I didn't quit, I surrendered"

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I have just had a deeper revelation about something here...maybe I will be able to put it into words...but not yet......thank you Lord.

You had posted this on another thread and I thought "that must be what she's talking about"?

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh,

but divinely powerful (mighty before God) for the destruction of fortresses.

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God,

and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

2 Cor 10:3-5

And, really that's why we need prayer so badly too in our walk with him b/c we're no match for satan and his devils. Taking every thought to God really tightens the reins but it must be nec.

btw-Less posting is so relaxing, it can be almost a frenzy. Thank you Lord.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Study 30 Luke 11:14-36
Jesus and Beelzebub
The Sign of Jonah
The Lamp of the Body

In verses 15-16 are recorded 2 attacks on Jesus: a challenge of collusion with Satan, and a demand for a sign to authenticate His mission. The first is answered in verses 17-26, the second in verses 29-32.

1) How does Jesus show the falsity of the charge that He cast out demons by demonic power? What, on the contrary, do His exorcisms prove about Him?

2) What is the sign of Jonah? Cf. Mt. 12:40. Why should the generation to whom Jesus preached stand condemned at the judgement? What was their sin?

Notes:
1) Verse 19. "Your sons": Jewish exorcists. Verses 20-22 show Jesus' complete mastery over Satan in comparison with the imperfect cures of the exorcists (verses 24-26).

2) Verses 34-36. The function of the eye, as the organ by which the body makes use of the light which shines on it, is taken as an analogy for the faculty of spiritual perception, which must be in good working order to recieve the light of revelation. The illusion is to the spiritual blindness of "this generation".