YCCM CHAPTER 3 MAKING JESUS THE CENTER OF YOUR JOY

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MAKING JESUS THE CENTER OF YOUR JOY

Chapter 3

THE SOLID ROCK

In order to define, demonstrate and initiate change, we must show others that "Jesus is the center of our joy”; for by His sacrifice we are justified to be worthy of returning to our Father, to commune with Him and bask in His love.

Jesus showed us that His very presence affected those around Him; even those who didn't believe in Him. We can be confident that when we exude His presence, taking on His character, through the power of God's Holy Spirit, we bring about change in others and change the atmosphere.

Regardless of their condition, status, race, nationality, or religion, we must earnestly desire true change for others--meaning--transformation of the soul, to have a renewed mind. Regardless of their beliefs, we cannot yield to be politically correct. We cannot leave out the Son--Jesus--because He cannot be separated from His Father. 

For many, this becomes problematic, because, they do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, yet, they do believe in God, or, a higher being. Many believe that there are multiple ways to reach God and there is no need to know Jesus. They are blinded by the image of a man in the flesh being necessary to reach God. They cannot see Jesus as a Spiritual Being. Moreover, they cannot see Him as the manifestation of God's Word. God made it easy for us to reach Him by giving us Jesus, His Word, who knew that we needed a helper. Therefore, He asked our Father to send us His Holy Spirit to guide us by His Word. Many worship and pray to the Father and try to live by His statutes, without living in God's Word, who is Christ Jesus. In the eyes of many, they may seem to be good and godly people, but within their hearts, they remain unchanged and unable to effect others holy and righteously to be transformed to walk in Perfect Love. When we keep our eyes upon Jesus, we are focusing upon how God sees the perfect man. When we let Jesus become our example of how to please God, we begin to walk the straight and narrow path that leads to the Kingdom of God.

Those who claim religions will certainly say that one is able to adhere to the teachings of God without knowing or claiming Jesus as the Son of God. This is similar to those who do good, but, do not know why they do good. When we do good, we are adhering to the Word of God, who is Christ Jesus. These people simply do not acknowledge that Jesus is the Word of God.

Ishmael and Isaac were raised to know the God of their father, Abraham, but God would give them different paths to take. The descendants of each would fall prey to idols and false doctrine in other lands. They were often swayed by the direction of the wind, often leaning and falling into gossip, succumbing to bitterness, or, turning to jealousy, fear, and pride. This is the difference between those who have truly been born again and those of the world. Those who are reborn have an anchor that grips The Solid Rock and this Rock is JESUS! 

NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

Those without Jesus are unable to withstand the storms of life and the changing winds that can lead us astray, harden our hearts, and fill us with pride. They are blinded to the fact that they have boarded a sinking ship. When they are tossed and driven in life, as if they are upon the raging seas, when they have been swallowed up by the angry deep, they look for others to blame. They are chained in bondage to repetitive rituals and addictions because they walk by sight and not by faith. 

We are witness to this weakness today, as we see many people, claiming to be Believers and people of faith, living in fear, under the law and false doctrine. They latch onto people who feed their fear and pride. Fear causes them to harden their heart and put blame on others. 

Like Cain, the son of Adam, the scapegoat or victim must be someone different from themselves, whom they feel they are forced to compete with; be it for land, resources, status, position, favor, etc. They must find some way to disqualify or remove their unwanted competitor.

Satan strives to remove obstacles which lie before him...anything in his path reminding him of his inadequacies. He removes any comparisons or competitors to invalidate his perceived birthright, supremacy, perfection, authority, and claims to territory. What better way to destroy man than to mimic God and use man to destroy himself? 

Living under the law gives man a false sense of redemption, holiness, and righteousness. As a result, he is unable to have perfect love--and give perfect love to his neighbors, having not accepted Jesus and God's Holy Spirit into his heart to be cleansed and remade.

This is why it is easy for some to slaughter their brother, like Cain, who through a hardened heart, murdered his brother, Abel. Wrapped in self-righteousness, in a fit of jealous rage, blaming his brother for denying him God's blessings, Cain thought it just to slay his own flesh and blood--his father's son and the child whom his mother bore. -And even when God asked him where his brother was, Cain appeared to be void of guilt and shame. 

Indeed, there is nothing new under the sun within the character of man. Oh, how history repeats itself and the blind continue to lead the blind! Blinded by false doctrine, chained to laws and fear, the world is full of lost children living in bondage under a sense of false righteousness, unable to grasp the promise of abundant and eternal life. 

They are bereft of God's Will, because, they are prisoners of darkness, shut out from the Light, having chosen darkness over Light. -And, just as Cain slew Abel, it is within the hearts of men today to demean, oppress, or, kill by tongue or weapon, under the premises of justice and righteousness, to claim the favor of God.

We see waves of these people wash across the land, attracting attention and scooping up growing numbers of followers, swelling larger and larger like a tsunami, threatening to overtake the land. -But, like waves in the ocean, they swell, rise to a crest, and fall, sinking back into the abyss, because, God controls the rise and fall of the tide; and fall they will. 

Yes, God has provided a way for us to truly live life as He would have us, and effect the lives of others. We must be born again and become One with Him and His Son in perfect love; for Perfect Love (Agape Love) casts out fear.

By first accepting Jesus, we are worthy to become One with the Father and to receive His Holy Spirit to be made whole. We express our desire to: take on the mind of Christ to live life abundantly; to stand; to bear the Fruit of God's Holy Spirit; and to become joint heirs with Jesus to reign in the Kingdom and receive the promise of eternal life.

Even so, this does not mean that God does not bless and provide for those who have not accepted Jesus, neither does it mean that He doesn't hear or answer their prayers: for God is all knowing and merciful. God will bless whom He chooses to bless and harden who He chooses to harden. (See Romans 9:18 below) 

What it does mean is that they will not have the same promise and relationship with God as someone who has accepted Jesus and abides in Him and the Father. Moreover, they are unable to be One with their neighbor in fellowship, or, see past the flesh and have relationships in God's Perfect Love. In other words, how can they love their neighbors, as they love themselves, if they lack Perfect Love? How can they be friends of God, if they do not love their brother in Perfect Love, or, if they choose to be lovers of the world? Without Jesus, how can they live in the fullness of God's Glory? 

WHO IS WORTHY? 

Most people can only see themselves in the flesh and believe that since there are many races, religions, cultures, ethnicities and beliefs, God most assuredly has provided many avenues to Him and the Kingdom.

So many think that believing Jesus is the only way to the Father is wrong and that God has provided many ways, religions, and even deities, idols and prophets to give us the right to enter the Kingdom and the presence of God. But, God is Holy and nothing unclean can come into His presence. 

Even the prophets were not a worthy sacrifice for our sins, for they too were not without sin, being only men of the flesh. God did not choose Elijah, Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel or another. He chose Jesus, because Jesus was much more. He was His Son in whom He chose to dwell. The Holy Word of God transformed into flesh, and the Word was God! What GREATER love has a man than to give his life for another and Jesus gave His life for all. 

In the Book of Revelation where God's Book of Seven Seals must be opened by someone who is worthy, we find that no one is worthy, except The Lamb of God--Jesus!  (See Revelation 5 below)

My Brothers and Sisters, why would we, in good conscience, sound mind, and common sense, follow and bow to anyone else, except He who has been found worthy by the Almighty Jehovah God?

The prophets died and were gathered to their people. Jesus died and ROSE again! He LIVES and sits upon the throne at the right hand of God! There is no one worthy, but Jesus! 

He alone was worthy to atone for man's sin and bring us back into the presence of God. NO other man born upon this earth is or was without sin and blemish, except JESUS! God required a perfect, spotless, sacrificial offering for every sacrifice, so that we would be mindful of His perfection and how we should strive to be! (See below: Matthew 5:43-48)

There was no man to pay the ultimate price for man's sin, until God begat Jesus! Therefore, we must be washed and covered in the precious and cleansing blood of God's Son to enter the Kingdom into God's Holy and Righteous presence.

THE ONLY WAY TO TRUE CHANGE 

OUR FATHER, in His infinite wisdom, knowing His children, has provided one perfect, spotless Lamb, who is without sin for the atonement of our sins and one path and gate to the Truth, the Way,  and the Life.

He has eliminated the choices and practices in the Old Testament for our benefit and narrowed the path to the Kingdom, so that there is no margin for error and none but the righteous shall see God.

As parents, we know that if we allow our children to have too many choices and too much freedom, they will most assuredly make a wrong choice, but through Jesus--The Vine--we are kept free from sin and making the wrong choices. We need only to abide in Him.

God has provided an opportunity for the children of different parents to see that we are our brothers' keeper. As Isaac and Ishmael did, at the time of Abraham's death, we must continue to come together to honor our father--our Heavenly Father. (See below: Genesis 25:7-10)

FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW

The terror we see inflicted upon the earth today is committed by disobedient children who dishonor their earthly father, Abraham; dishonor their heavenly Father; and who have no honor of their own. Their forefathers came together, not in war, but in peace, reverence, respect and obedience, but they have forgotten who they are and adopted the ways of idolaters. Can we have an affect on these people? Yes, if it be the will of God, they will be blessed or hardened. 

God has given them a way to repent--to turn from their ways, and follow the path to the Truth, the Way and the Light. We must never believe there is no hope. We must never think that the words of Darkness are more powerful and compelling than the Word of God. The growing numbers in Darkness will never surmount the magnitude of God's Power and Authority!  God will ALWAYS be in control!

The Darkness has caused some people to produce ill-fruit; some to produce fruit out of season; while others bear no fruit at all. They remain unattached to the Vine and instead of mending the breech, they have chosen to widen the gap. They choose not to acknowledge that God has overlooked and bypassed the biological genealogy that separated us long ago and grafted us into one Vine.

We can only produce good fruit if we are attached to The Vine. The fruit of God's Holy Spirit is powerful and life-changing. Is it no wonder that the enemy strives to keep us from bearing fruit? 

Galatians 5:22-23(KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Against such there is no law! God is looking for bearers of His Fruit, Spiritual Warriors of Light to believe in and usher in change; for Darkness surrounds, threatening to overtake us.

As those in Darkness try to take control, they deny others their freedom and freewill, believing all should live under the law and false doctrine.  They live and believe contrary to the Will of God ; for God will not take away our freedom or freewill; for it is the beauty and strength in His love for us. He has simply made a better way for us to choose the right path. We have only to choose to abide in Jesus; for He has fulfilled the law, giving us access to God's Holy Spirit to keep from sin and be fruitful. 

Those who put chains and shackles and religious restrictions upon their brother or engage in murder or genocide, have no Light and true love within them. They prove their weakness by having to kill and force themselves upon others; for without God's Perfect Love, they lack strength and God's authority.  Instead, they are led by their fleshly desires, along with their circumstances and hardened hearts.

The very presence of Jesus and His disciples changed the hearts of people and in turn changed their minds. This is the power given to every disciple in the battle of Spiritual Warfare, who will stand in the gap to bring in those stripped of their identity and separated from the Father.

MOVERS, SHAKERS AND CONQUERORS

MOVERS

Upon His return from Heaven, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" Meaning, do you have Agape love for me; not just brotherly (philia) love for me; for brotherly love is attached to the conditions and limitations of the world.

"Feed my sheep," Jesus continued to say to Simon. If our heart is filled with unconditional, Agape love, it follows the mind of Christ, dwelling on the things of the Kingdom, having no limitations. We are prepared to MOVE, as Jesus compelled Peter to do! (See below: John 21:15-17)

Jesus did not spend time teaching His disciples so that they would go back to doing what they used to do! Jesus wanted Peter to MOVE and make a difference, if he loved Him! Neither did He die for us and deliver us to be sedentary Believers! MOVE and make a difference, if you love Him! Led by faith in Christ and love of Christ, we are void of the fear of man and able to conquer the world!

After having made a first covenant with Abraham, which man was unable to keep, God so loved the world that He sent Jesus, His Son, to set the captives free from sin and death; to conquer the world; and defeat Satan once again. There within is God’s second covenant with man, given through the second and new Adam—Jesus-- whereby, whosoever believes on the Son of God, shall have abundant and eternal life within His Kingdom. (See below: Jeremiah 31:31-34, 1st John 5: 1-13 KJV)

SHAKERS: 

THROUGH THIS COVENANT, this same Jesus, in whom God is well-pleased, is given to abide in us, when we are born again, into a new man. As we move in the Spirit, we have power over Satan and power to SHAKE this world of sin, open the eyes of the blind and asleep and defeat death!

CONQUERORS:

By tempting our flesh or self-will, Satan has the power to plant seeds of lust, greed, and worldly treasures in our heart that influence our behavior and place us in bondage to sin. But, mind you, Satan is a defeated foe. He was cast out of Heaven into utter darkness to roam the earth. 

When God placed man upon earth to flourish and expand His Kingdom, Satan set out to destroy mankind by making man a slave to sin, knowing death would claim him. 

But, remember, Satan is a DEFEATED foe! "Resist the devil and he will flee." Therefore, our foe lies within our own hearts; treasures and idols that make us men and women who fall prey to the lies of the evil one; lies that make us lovers of the flesh (self); lovers of the world; and the things therein, causing us to sin. 

As lovers of the world, we are our own worst enemy and enemies of God. Our God is a jealous God and will not tolerate man making an idol of himself, the flesh, and things of the world. By overcoming these carnal things, by faith in Christ Jesus, we conquer the world.  Therefore, we must die to the flesh (self), surrendering all to live in Christ Jesus.

Jesus spoke to the hearts of men and women challenging the things which they treasured. God wants us to know that the treasures that lie at the center of each heart will effect decision-making and cause us to sin. Therefore, we must change hearts to desire and treasure Jesus, thereby, changing the minds of people who love sin and the world. 

Darkness fights hard to discourage us and block our progress. The enemy is busy: putting fear into people; destroying families and defiling marriage; robbing people of their identity; killing followers of Christ; terrorizing the world; increasing civil violence; increasing racism; bringing hatemongers and whoremongers into political power; dividing Believers; spreading false doctrine; spreading drugs and increasing all manner of physical and mental addictions and bondage. The enemy can only be successful if we allow him to be--if we believe the lies and refuse to MOVE, SHAKE and CONQUER.

We ARE OVERCOMERS and we have been commissioned to go out into the world wherever we are to make disciples.  Disciples are men and women, young and old, who have been TRANSFORMED! 

I have a charge to keep! You have a charge to keep! --To carry the cross of Jesus and shine His Light upon the world! And, through the Living Word of God, we shall change hearts and minds. No, not everyone will drink from the Fountain of Life; for God chooses, but we must not become discouraged.

It is time to rejoice for God's Goodness, Grace, and Mercy; for what a wonderful change has come over us and can come over others; knowing that God can use us to change an individual and even the world! We and others are not hopeless because of those He uses to dispel lies, STAND, and help to bring forth transformation in the lives of others.

Yes, The Truth SHALL set you free, indeed. Jesus has shown us that because our heart has been freed to love as He loves us, we can bring others to our Father’s feet to be forgiven, blessed, and transformed, so that His name may be glorified forevermore upon the earth.

GREATER is He that is in us, than he that is in the world! If we truly believe this, then, our very presence is a threat to the darkness around us. Like Jesus and His disciples, even our shadow casts out sickness and darkness; the demons and principalities know our name and at our presence, tremble, and flee. We walk circumspect, clothed in God’s Armor--Sword in hand; not only ready to thwart the enemy on every side, but to change the hearts of men and women that they may take on the Mind of Christ and walk in the Light of Perfect Love!

Behold! Our Savior sends us out boldly to bring forth change. Whom shall we fear; knowing The Creator, The Counselor and The Comforter are with us?! Our Father has made our Brother, Yeshua, our Savior, Ruler, King and Intercessor.  Indeed, He is so much more and God is our All-in-All!

We serve a risen Savior and He LIVES within our hearts! Covered by His sacrificial blood, we are found worthy of God's Kingdom, His Love, Peace, Joy, Abundant, and Eternal Life! This is the treasure and joy at the center of my heart that has changed my mind and my life--Jesus--who keeps me from sin, as I keep my eyes upon Him, following in His footsteps, abiding in God’s Holy Spirit to love, honor, and obey.  If you have made Him the center of your joy, help me to pour out  His Light upon the darkness in this world and illuminate the pathway for others to salvation and transformation.

By the Precious Blood of our Savior, 

Your servant, 

Mishael

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SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror *

Once again, when we look at Jesus's parables, He is challenging us to examine where our heart lies. Closely examining your heart, answer the following questions. 

*DISCUSS your answers with a mature Believer who can guide you in your spiritual relationship with Jesus and our Father, and/or have group discussions to learn from those who have different experiences and perspectives. 

QUESTIONS: Write down your questions and discuss them with a mature Believer or submit them to: fsasw.blogspot.com, or fssw-followers.weebly.com.

 (I) THE SOLID ROCK QUESTIONS

1. If we come to God without acknowledging Jesus (Yeshuah), will God recognize us? What is the difference between recognize and acknowledge? 
2. Will God acknowledge our worthiness if we don't acknowledge, or, know His Son? How will God know that we know His Son? 
3. How can God say that He doesn't know us if we have continually gone to Him in prayer and worship? Who or what do God's children or sheep look like? Who's character do they portray? If God disowns us, then who do we belong to? Who is our true master?
4. Is Jesus the center of your joy? Why? How do you know? 
5. What are you doing different in your life? Do your actions show that you love Jesus and God? In what ways do they and/or don't they? 
6. Are you surrendering all and abiding in God's Holy Spirit? What are you still holding on to?
7. Are you allowing Jesus to increase your Faith, by not giving in to fear?
8. Are you learning from Jesus how to listen to and obey our Father? 
9. Do you find joy in being obedient to God's Word and Character?
10. Does holiness and righteousness bring fulfillment to your soul and a feeling of wholeness?
11. Are you learning how to carry and bear the cross of Jesus? 
12. Can you find joy and praise God no matter what your circumstances are?
13. Are you prepared to fight the good fight? What is the good fight?  How have you prepared? Can you prepare yourself without the help of others or God?
14. Are you bearing good fruit? Write down each fruit and how you have used it to initiate change in your own and someone else' s life. 
15. Which of the fruit do you have trouble in bearing, meaning, you are hesitant, reluctant, or, resistant to surrendering your will to God? Have you earnestly asked God for help in overcoming this part of the old man in yourself rising up within you? Is your old man preventing you from conquering the world and worldliness?
16. What is your role in the Body of Christ?
17.  Do you feel connected with the whole Body of Christ, or, just your church family, community, religious affiliation or denomination?
18. Are you affecting change? If not, do you know why? If yes, how?
19. Do you feel as if you  have a purpose or purposes determined by God? Are you content in your  purpose or mission?
20. Do you have accountability? To whom? Will you humble yourself to be accountable to others?
21. Have you ever purposely left Jesus out of prayer, or, a conversation, when speaking of God or religion, afraid that his name would offend others, cause friction, debate, hatred, or affect your credibility or success? If so, were you speaking on behalf of God and His Son or just yourself? What did you gain by leaving Jesus out of the conversation or prayer? Did you betray Jesus? What did the other/others gain from you omitting Jesus from the conversation or prayer?
22. Are you afraid to discuss religion and faith? Are you afraid to stand by your beliefs?
23. Is there love in your heart for those you share your faith with, even when they have differing beliefs? 
24. Can you admonish, chastise, or rebuke the beliefs of others and still have love and hope in your heart for the person who holds the beliefs? Did Jesus do these things and still have love in His heart for God's people?
25. Are you secure in that which you believe and your faith in God? If not, why? Have you studied and asked God's Holy Spirit for affirmation and confirmation of His Word?
26. Do others see Jesus in me? Is the confirmation of God's Word?
27. Do you thirst for holiness and righteousness? 
28. Have you learned to wear The Armor of God to live, walk, and talk in VICTORY over self and this world, as opposed to defeat?
29. Are you able to stand until the end for holiness and righteousness? 
30. Have you been made perfect in love? If not, what are your fears or aversions? 
31. If we truly believe Jesus conquered death, should we fear death when it is our appointed time, by God, to die?
32. Are you misled by pride, prejudice, bitterness, jealousy, selfishness, lust, unhealed scars and pain? 
33. What are you allowing to come between you and God? 

(II) NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN QUESTIONS

1.) When it comes to the character of man and the adversary, Satan, there is truly nothing new under the sun. Therefore, we should not be surprised by sin, but, we should never become comfortable with sin. Sin occurs where there is an absence of The Light, Christ Jesus, The Character of God, The Perfect Man. So who do we blame for the origin of sin? God? Satan? Man? Is sin a necessary evil or not?

2.) What does sin teach us?

3.) If sin is the absence of The Light, can sin teach us to be good? What and/or who teaches us to be good?

4.) There is no darkness in God. He exists without the need of darkness. He is the Source of The Light. Yet, He has dominion over darkness. When Adam and Eve were thrust from The Light in the Garden of Eden, into Darkness, evil became inevitable, but, not necessary, because, they were still given access to The Light, by the choices that they chose to make. If they chose to do the will of God, through the Grace and Mercy of God, evil would not befall them. If God created everything, do you think that God allowed evil to form because it is necessary or was this a type of natural opposites occurrence (ying yang) as a result of His love for us and His gift to us of freewill and choices? Do you think that God was pleased with this part of His creation? Why or Why not? Does this mean that evil is necessary? If so, for what, whom, and when?

When God created Adam and Eve, He didn't give them knowledge of evil. To prevent them learning about evil, He told them that they were forbidden to eat from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. Satan then tempted Eve with a lie, telling her that by eating from the tree, she would become like God. This part of scripture might sound like a fairytale, but, has temptation ever led you to the bittersweet taste of sin which left you with pain and evil? 

5.) Man has always been obsessed over gaining power to make laws to rule over others. Are man's laws in vain if they lack The Light of God or character of God?

6.) People are protesting and demanding reform for policing and the justice system. They are demanding more justice and equality, in other words, more of The Light. Will evil always overtake a legal system cloaked in darkness intent on harming instead of helping people?

7.) Can the justice system overcome darkness if it requires people to live under the law? What will people have to choose to conquer the darkness?

8.) Is everyone automatically worthy of God's Grace and Mercy? Why? Who made this possible and how?

9.) Will everyone receive God's Grace and Mercy? If not, why not?

10.) Can we ensure a blind justice system that rules with equality and fair justice?

11.) Who's unchanging hand must we always look to to balance our lives when faced with inequality and injustice?

12.) Perfect love provides us with the heart and character we need to overcome adversity and injustice. To fight for equality and justice, both physically and spiritually, remaining in perfect love as we are being hated, chastised, oppressed, or, condemned is one of life's greatest challenges and test. How have you handled this test in life? Do you stand on God's promises? Do you trust and obey, or, does the old man within you rise up to sever your relationship with God and have you walk by sight and not by faith?

13.) When God uses us to change the heart of another, do we know if that heart will turn to God's Will? Although, we cannot see the road ahead, it is important that we stay the course upon which God has set us to do His Will, even when it becomes uncomfortable for us or others. How have or haven't you stayed upon the pathway that God has chosen for you? Does straying off of the path make your life more comfortable and your way easier? Why or why not?

(III) WORTHY QUESTIONS PART 1

1.) Can you see yourself as a Spiritual Being?

If so, how often do you think of yourself as a Spiritual Being?

2.) Do you try to walk in the Spirit and not by sight?

3.) Do you think of Jesus as a Spiritual Being, or, just as a man who once walked the Earth claiming to be God's Son?

4.) What makes a Spiritual Being whole? What made Jesus whole?

5.) Did God make Adam's flesh first or His Spirit?

6.) Where did Adam's Spirit come from?

7.) What made Adam an unique individual?

8.) Was Jesus an unique individual with His own thoughts and feelings? If so, why and how did this help Him understand man?

9.) Jesus is seen as the second Adam, the perfect man. What prevented Jesus from being like the first Adam?

10.) Are we still like the first Adam? If so, how can we become like the second Adam, the perfect man, Jesus?

11.) God found the first Adam to no longer be worthy of His presence and drove him and Eve from the Garden of Eden. How can we dwell with our Father again?

12.) Did God completely abandon the first Adam? If not, is it worth trying to become like Jesus, if God still blesses His enemies and lovers of self and the world? Why?

13.) God said that the World is not our permanent home. Do you have a desire to live within the Kingdom of God? If so, why?

14.) If not even the prophets were worthy to sacrifice their lives for us, or, open the Book of Names, is it enough that we simply just live and abide by their standards? In other words, did Jehovah God, Allah, etc., see the prophets as worthy to die for our salvation and make us worthy to be in His presence and Kingdom of God?

15.) God communed with the prophets, but, did God dwell within the prophets?

16.) Who made it possible for God to dwell within us?

17.) What or Who did Jesus ask His Father to send us?

18.) Is God within you? If so, how can you tell?

19.) Is God and His Son perfect?

20.) If we abide and function in His Spirit are we perfected as Jesus was?

21.) Living in Jesus's perfection, will we have a more abundant life? How and why?

22.) Does this make it worth striving to be like Jesus and carrying the cross that he bore in the world?

23.) Jesus was given to us as our King. Jesus said that His Kingdom is not on Earth. When the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit dwell within us, have we become a part of the Kingdom of God?

24.) Have we entered God's Kingdom or made His Kingdom accessible to others?

25.) If our bodies are the temples of God and we are ambassadors for God and His Son representing God's Kingdom, do our bodies become territory of God's Kingdom? Therefore, are we God's Kingdom on Earth?

26.) Is the Kingdom of God at hand, meaning it is accessible to all who wish to enter?

27.) Have you made God's Kingdom accessible to others? If so, how?

28.) Knowing we are representatives of God's Kingdom, shouldn't this affect how we live and treat others?

29.) If we have accepted the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to dwell within, is our life just about us?

30.) Who should we be living for and isn't this a reason that we should and must strive to become even more like Jesus?

31.) Can uncleanliness abide with holiness?

32.) God will not forsake us, but, can we forsake God, turn our back on Him, deny Him, or, refuse to submit to the Will of God, grieving His Holy Spirit and becoming unfruitful?

33.) Like a dead branch on a tree, can we be cut off and tossed in the fire?

34.) If staying attached to The Vine, Christ Jesus, keeps us fruitful, is this not more reason to accept Him and become like Him?

35.) Do you feel worthy of God's Kingdom and Blessings? Why or why not?

 

(III) WORTHY QUESTIONS PART 2

1. What does it mean to be in the presence of God?

2. Is there a difference between being in God's presence on Earth and being in God's presence in Heaven? How so?

3. When God dwells within us, are we already in His presence?

4. When God dwells within us, are we already in His Kingdom?

5. Is life more abundant in God's presence?

6. How do we get abundant life?

7. What do you think abundant life means?

8. How does God see our lives being more abundant?

9. Can we be fruitful without knowing or accepting Jesus? How so?

10. Does our fruitfulness make us worthy of the Kingdom of God?

11. Can just anyone promise us a place in God's Kingdom, Heaven, or Paradise? Who has the authority to do so? Why?

12. Does sacrificing our own life promise us a place in God's Kingdom? Why or why not?

13. Jesus's love for us led Him to sacrifice His life to save all of mankind. Does sacrificing your life mean you love all of your brothers and sisters of God?

14. Does sacrificing your life mean you love God more than others?

15. Are we a worthy sacrifice if even the earlier prophets were found not to be worthy sacrifices or worthy to open the Book of Names?

(IV) THE ONLY WAY TO TRUE CHANGE QUESTIONS

1. When striving for perfection, the margin of error must be decreased. God is a perfect god and a god of order. Through His Word, we find many examples of men who sinned against God and who strived for perfection, but, were flawed. God knew man needed a Helper, a spirit to guide us and keep us on the right path to holiness and righteousness. Mortal man is given to many thoughts and minds. Perfection would require a mind to follow God's Will and not the will of man. My question to you is, before the birth of Christ Jesus, was there any man with the Mind and Heart of Christ? 
2. Is it possible to achieve perfection through any other mind other than Yeshua, the Son of God?
3. What does it mean to take on the Mind of Christ?
4. How does having the Mind of Christ make us perfect in God's eyes?
5. What did Jesus always do when it came to pleasing God, His Father?
6. Like the Rich Young Ruler (see below), can we be obedient to the scriptures and still not have the heart and Mind of Christ Jesus?
   
   
   Mark 10:17-31 King James Version
   

   17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

   18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

   19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

   20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

   21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

   22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

7. Was the Rich Young Ruler Perfect in Love, or, did he love his riches more than God and his brothers and sisters of God?
8. Jesus's parables show us that works alone cannot bring about true change in man. God knew that man was still lacking something to become like Jesus--Perfect Love, selfless love, which is Agape (godly) love. If no man had this kind of love other than Jesus, are there many ways to come before God, holy and righteous, and be pleasing in His eyes? Then, is there more than one way to the Truth, the Way, and The Life, which leads us to the presence of God and the gates of Heaven and Eternal Life?
9. Believing that we always have choices leads us into sin and keeps us from Abundant and Eternal Life. Yet, God has made it very clear that He is Holy and holiness cannot abide with  (tolerate, live with) that which is unholy and unrighteous. Therefore, God expects us to become like His Son. Does this mean only Christians will inherit the Earth or go to Heaven? Why or why not?
10. We must always remember that Jesus was sent to address the lost Jews. Therefore, we should ask ourselves, does being a Christian automatically mean you have the Mind of Christ? Why or why not?
11. Can those who practice other religious doctrine gain the Mind of Christ? How?
12. Do we have to give up something like the Young Ruler? If so, what must we give up? 
13. Was Jesus just asking the Young Ruler to give up his wealth? What did the wealth represent? 
14. What or who did the Young Ruler Treasure most in his heart?
15. When Abraham died Isaac and Ishmael put aside their differences to honor him at his burial. The memory and honor of their father was more important than their beliefs or birthright. Love for their father became the treasure in their heart to bring peace to their soul. True change requires true, Perfect Love. Examine yourself. Is your soul at peace? With others?
16. There are those who will make us an enemy, although, we have no quarrel with them. Do you have hatred in your heart for those who call you an enemy? 
17. Can you love those who disagree with your beliefs?

(V) FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW QUESTIONS

1.  We must never believe there is no hope. We must never think that the words of Darkness are more powerful and compelling than the Word of God. When people believe there is no hope they become angry and sometimes hateful. This is how men like Hitler and Donald Trump were able to capture the attention of a nation and hold it hostage, turning the people against one another. They make the people believe that they have been sent to bring them hope, lead them out of darkness, defeat the threat against them, and bring them prosperity and relief. All the while, they do and say everything that is needed to keep the people in fear and darkness, while they use them to achieve their own personal agenda. Think about your reaction to the Covid-19 Pandemic of 2019/2020. What has been your reaction and beliefs? How did you come to these conclusions? 

2. Should everyone  wear a mask during a pandemic? Why or why not? 

3. What do you fear most about a pandemic? 

4. During a pandemic, should people give up hope and just leave things to what they believe is chance or fate?

5. Hitler and Trump are God's way of showing us how easily lambs are led to the slaughter following after the wrong shepherd. Flocks of Evangelicals and others claiming to believe in God followed these men who were the epitome of ungodliness. Those whose eyes were open could see how easily the world would fall under the spell of the next antichrist to come. God's laws, morals, decency, grace, mercy, and love could not be found in these men, yet, their supporters worshipped them. Why did they succumb so easily to corruption,  lies and deceit?

6. If Jesus is really the center of your joy, can you find the same joy and trust in another?

7. Did these supporters of evil really know and trust their Heavenly Father and Jesus His Son?

8. When people fall under the hypnotic spell of evil, should we give up on them and let evil reign in their lives?

9. How do we counteract evil without jeopardizing lives?

10. The growing numbers in Darkness will never surmount the magnitude of God's Power and Authority!  God will ALWAYS be in control! During the tumultuous Trump Administration and the Coronavirus Pandemic, people became tired of the chaos and fatigued from the stress. Darkness wants us to tire of it and lose interest in fighting back. It will continue to cause chaos in order to wear us down. How can we stay focused and energized to do the will of God?

11. If we are safely engaged in helping others through hard times, are we also helping ourselves? How so?

12. It is often difficult to be fruitful when we are going through difficult situations and under uncontrollable circumstances. Still, the Fruit of God's Hoy Spirit require no special environment to be manifested. We need only to be obedient to the Word and Will of God. Think of how you can be fruitful during a health, financial, or spiritual crisis. Think of something you don't normally do. 

13. Since there is only one source for us to reman fruitful, Gentiles were grafted onto the same Vine as the Jews, who is Christ Jesus. Can you or do you consider yourself to be one with the Jews and Jesus or do you leave the Jews out when thinking about being part of the Vine?

14. When worshipping God, do you feel you are one with the Jews? Why or why not?

15. Is it necessary to be one with the Jews if we are part of the same Vine?

16. Should we work against or opposite of the Jews if we are to be a fruitful part of the Vine?

17. What do you know about the Jews and being Jewish? Do you need to know about the Jews and should they see the Gentiles as their brothers, one with the Vine? Does this change your worship? Should it?

18. Did God intend for the one Vine to grow different or varieties of fruit? Good fruit?

19. God requires us to worship in spirt and in truth. Should we judge the worship practices of the Jews based upon our worship? 

20. Does God want us to worship like the Jews or should the Jews change their worship to worship like Gentiles? Can we be on one accord? When and how?

21. Jesus said that He didn't come to take away the Law of God, but, to fulfill it. What did He mean? How is God's Law fulfilled?

22. When we acknowledge the presence of Jesus within us, we have a changed heart that keeps us from sin. When we obey the Law of God, it is because of the joy we have in our heart, who is Christ Jesus. Yeshua, Jesus, guides us in pleasing God as He does to uphold holiness and righteousness. We no longer have to make a sacrifice to atone for our sins. Holiness and righteousness becomes clear to us. Do we still need to know and teach God's Law? Why or why not?

23. If we stop teaching God's Law is there any guarantee that we will all be on one accord and connected to the one Vine?

24. How will we know others have God's Holy Spirit to teach them?

25. Are you a Jew just because you say you are a Jew or have Jewish lineage? Research: What does God say about those who say that they are Jews?

(VI) MOVERS, SHAKERS AND CONQUERORS QUESTIONS

MOVERS

1. Brotherly Love is attached to the conditions and limitations of the world. Do you consider yourself to have Brotherly Love for your neighbors? Family? Friends? Spouse or significant other? Why or why not?
2. What is the difference between Brotherly Love and Agape Love?
3. Can you have Brotherly Love and Agape love for others? Why or why not?
4. Is there a purpose for Brother Love? If so, what, when, and where?
5. Would Agape Love better serve the purpose? If so, why?
6. Do you consider yourself to have Agape Love, meaning have you been made perfect in love?
7. Is love ever inactive? Does God take a break from loving us or change His love because of a situation or circumstances?
8. Jesus wanted Peter to show his love for Him through actions. Does love move you to take actions?
9. When you love someone, should your actions be centered around your needs?
10. Do you really want to love like God and Jesus? When? How often? Under what circumstances? 
11. Can you love like God? Are all things possible with God?
12. What actions have you taken to show that you love your brother as you love yourself?
13. How are you living your life to honor and love God?
14. Do you want to be a Mover, Shaker, and Conqueror for God? Why or why not? What do you think you will have to do? Will you have to change your life? Will it take up too much of your time?
15. Who are you modeling yourself after?
16. Whose expectations are you trying to meet or who are you trying to please? Parent(s)? Spouse or significant other? Friend? Peers? Boss? Fans? Clergy? Religious community? Children?
17. Do you really know who you are and who God created you to be?
18. Do other people really know who you are and who God created you to be?
19. Do you expect other people to know who you are and who God created you to be? 
20. Does it hurt your ego or pride when other people don't know who you are or doubt you?
21. Can you be an effective servant for God if you don't know who you are in Christ or if you try to be who others expect you to be?
22. Do all lives matter or just some lives who are worthy of life, love, liberty, equality, justice, and privilege?
23. Does having faith mean that you just wait on God to act? When or why?
24. Does faith produce works (actions of love) by itself?
25. You may have faith, but, be in fear. How is faith perfected to produce works?
26. We fall to temptation and sin because we believe we know better than God what is best for us at a given moment in time. During that time, who do we love most, God or ourselves?
27. If we sin, does that make us evil or wicked?
28. If we are addicted to sin, does that make us evil?
29. If we love sin and the world, does that make us evil?
30. We can be ignorant as to why we fall to temptation and sin? Do you think God forgives this ignorance and the sin that follows it? Why? How often will He forgive it? Do we eventually have to ask for forgiveness when we acknowledge that we have sinned?
31. Our past experiences may hinder our ability to move for God and do everything in love, which is why we must be perfected in love. When acting out of pain and pride, we can and will hurt others. To be fruitful, bearing the Fruit of God's Holy Spirit, we must abide in God's Perfect Love. Perfect love casts out fear. Do you have painful memories or experiences that are preventing you from moving and being fruitful? If so, how can you become perfect in love to conquer them?
32. When you move to take action for God, should it be selfless, without fear, pride and vanity, or expecting reward? Why?
33. Peter lived in fear, yet, Jesus wanted Peter's actions to be directed at what He cared about most, taking care of His sheep. Peter's type of love for Jesus would determine his ability to move and take action despite the risks. 


God had given the Israelites Ten Commandments, showing His expectations of them, but, Jesus told us God's greatest commandments and the actions He expected us to take, if we truly loved Him and His father. Are you able to fulfill God's expectations to show your love for Him, regardless of  the risks?

Mark 12:28-34 King James Version

28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

1 John 4: 20,21 King James Version

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Ten Commandments: King James Version

https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/ten-commandments-list

God's Law, the Ten Commandments, is expressed in Exodus 20:2-17 (KJV) with the following:

“I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

5. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

6. Thou shalt not kill.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

8. Thou shalt not steal.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s." 

(VII) SHAKERS QUESTIONS 

THROUGH THIS COVENANT, this same Jesus, in whom God is well-pleased, is given to abide in us, when we are born again, into a new man. As we move in the Spirit, we have power over Satan and power to SHAKE this world of sin, open the eyes of the blind and asleep and defeat death!

1. What does being born again feel like?
2. What does moving in the Spirit feel like?
3. Do you think that you have power over Satan? How?
4. Think about a time that you resisted Satan. What did you have to do? How did it feel? Were you alone?
5. How often do you acknowledge the presence and power of God within you and around you?
6. Has something ever happened to you that made you feel that your world was shaken? What was it? Was it painful?
7. Has something ever happened to you that opened your eyes to lies and deceit around you? What was it? Was it painful and/or frightening?
8. Did the pain or fear stay with you? For how long? Is it still with you?
9. Do you bury or hide your pain and fear?
10. How does your pain and/or fear affect you?
11. How does pride play into or cause you to react to pain and fear?
12. Does your pain and/or fear affect your decisions, behavior, and relationships?
13. If pain and fear can keep you in darkness, will removing the pain and fear bring you into the Light? Why or why not?
14. If pain and fear can shake someone's world, can anyone take away the pain and fear? Why or why not?
15. People often look to worldly things or people to take away their pain and fear. Why doesn't this work?
16. When God takes away our pain and fear, what does He replace it with?
17. Will Brotherly Love or Philia Love take away or remove pain and fear?
18. Listed in the chart below are different way people of the world choose to love and show affection for one another. If we think like the world, can we love everyone like Christ loves us? What kind of love does Christ have for us?
19. What must be removed from us to love like Christ and God?
20. Those who bring enlightenment are truly movers, shakers, and conquerors. Helping others to conquer fear and pain through God's Love, Grace, and Mercy brings peace and compassion to the world. To truly bring about change we must die to our flesh (self) and surrender our will to have the Mind of Christ, We must desire change in our heart for the mind follows the heart. Therefore, we must set Christ Jesus as the center of our joy. In what ways does Jesus bring you joy?
21. When we no longer have love of the world, does this give us power over Satan and his temptations?
22. When we no longer fear man, does this give us power over Satan and his temptations?
23. If all one knows is the world, how do we convince them that loving the world and things of the world are in vain?
24. If the only joy someone knows is that which comes from the world and man, how can we convince them to make Jesus the center of their joy?
25. Does it help to know and be grateful for the origin and source of all things?

TYPES OF LOVE

© 2014 FTD.com. All rights reserved https://www.ftd.com/blog/give/types-of-love

(VIII) CONQUERORS QUESTIONS PART 1

1. Knowing that Satan would try to destroy man, why do you think God placed man on Earth with him?
2. Does man need to be tempted? Why or why not?
3. Does man need to experience sin? Why or why not?
4. What constitutes or determines our needs?
5. Are everyone's needs the same? Why or why not?
6. What constitutes or determines our wants and desires?
7. Are everyone's wants the same? Why or why not?
8. If God wants us to live an abundant life, how do we know what God wants us to have?
9. What determines abundance?
10. When is enough...enough, or, too much?
11. If everything is possible with God, can we have unrealistic expectations or desires?
12. How do we know our expectations or desires are reasonable or unreasonable?
13. If we are basing our expectations, needs, and desires upon what someone else expects of us, are we living in abundance? Are we living according to God's will for us?
14. If society determines what is abundant, based on status, materialism, age, race, wealth, etc., and we accept this definition of abundance will we be guaranteed to have joy? Will this definition lead us to holiness and righteous and a true relationship with our Heavenly Father?

(VIII) CONQUERORS QUESTIONS PART 2

1. Are you a Conqueror? How do you know?
2. Do you always feel like a Conqueror?
3. Do you always feel worthy?
4. Do you believe you can change things or people? Is it imperative that you believe or have faith?
5. Does change occur through you, God, or both?
6. Going back to the story of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, why do you think God allowed Abraham to cast out (send away) Ishmael and his mother, Hagar? 
7. Why didn't God urge Abraham to show compassion and tell his wife, Sarai, to tolerate Ishmael and Hagar? 
8. Couldn't God use Abraham to change the situation? 
9. Must change be God's Will? If not, why isn't all change God's Will and why does God allow it to happen?
10. How will we know God's will? Does all change have God's Character?
11. If we are not chosen to change the heart of someone else, must we allow evil to prevail? What are our alternatives?
12. Must we trust God's plans for the future, knowing He can turn what was meant for evil into good? What should be the prayer in our hearts, or, should we feel completely helpless in effecting the future?
13. If we pray, are we still changing things? Is all prayer and those who pray effective? Why or why not? What is God looking at when we pray?
14. God knew that despite similar teaching, the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael would adopt different theological ideology, effected by cultural differences, which would deeply divide them.  What change for the good could possibly come out of this outcome and how? 
15. Is God trying to divide man? Didn't the Word of God, Jesus, divide the Jews? How and why? Is this what Jesus was supposed to do to save the lost? Why?
16. Can division bring Light and Truth?
17. If religious ideology and doctrine is part of one's culture, what is really dividing man?
18. How do we break the boundaries of culture to reach someone's heart and change the desires in their heart?
19. Culture instills identity, a sense of belonging, and pride within us. Many people thrive on these things that tie us to the world. To bring us into His Kingdom, does God intend to destroy or remove these things without replacing them with something else? What does God replace them with?
20. Has the Word of God transformed cultures? -Even cultures who worshipped idols?
21. Should we try to remove or deny someone their culture or heritage, or, require them to assimilate to our culture in order to have them worship and serve God as we do? If so, are we trying to please God or ourselves? What does this say about our faith in God's ability to do the impossible? What does this say about our belief in God's Truth--His Word? 
22. Is it we who transform others, or, God's Word and Holy Spirit? 
23. Who decides the form that we take when we have been transformed, or, born again? 
24. Must we all look, live, and function alike to be part of the Body of Christ? Can the Body function if all of it's parts are the same?
25. Are we trying to conquer people or the world that people live in? What is the difference?
26. By conquering, what or who are we changing?
27. What are the things of this world we must conquer?
28. If we try to conquer people, are we fighting flesh?
29. What is the constant thing that is always missing where and when Jesus is not the center of one's joy?
30. Man's problems always stem from not putting God first and seeking His Kingdom first. What do you consider to be joy in life and living a full life? Do these things make you more a part of the world or a part of God's Kingdom? 
31. Job was wealthy, yet, He still put God first in His life. Satan inflicted many types of pain and suffering to try to tear Job away from God. Satan could not see Job's true wealth that kept him in the presence of God. What did Job possess that helped him conquer the world and misery he endured?
32. When one reacts or feels hurt from circumstances, pain, and hardship, does this mean that they have lost all faith and trust in God? Did Jesus weep? Did Jesus become angry and drive out the merchants from the temple? Was Jesus taking things into His own hands or acting by the hand of God? When it appeared that Jesus had lost control of himself, what was driving Him?
33. Can Agape Love, God's love, take different forms, but, still be perfect love? Can God take different forms, but, still be God? Can a culture see God differently than another culture, but, still see God? Other than His love, what is always constant and never changes about God?
34. Can we rely on man's character and ideology to determine who God is?
35. Search your heart and your life. Is there anything that you have put before God? If so, go to your Heavenly Father and ask Him to help you make Jesus your greatest treasure and the center of your joy
36. When Jesus is the center of our joy we take on the character of God. It is then that the heart of each woman, man, and child can truly see God. Jesus said that those in the world would know that we are His by the love we have for one another. Therefore, our culture, clothing, possessions, status, wealth, etc. do not determine if we know and emulate Jesus. 
    
    Unconditional love for others is the defining line for those who call themselves Believers in the One True God. Having perfect love for others is the blinding mechanism for those who have more love for themselves and the world. Jesus cannot be the center of your joy, if you cannot love others like Jesus loves us. 
    
    To conquer the world, you must endure disappointment, rejection, pain, misery, and numerous hardships, bearing your cross as Jesus bore His. Like Job, you must be steadfast in believing that God would not abandon you. When faced with adversity, you must ask yourself, "Is Jesus the center of my joy?" If so, you have renewable strength, everlasting comfort, undying faith, unconditional love, peace that passes all understanding, access to the power of God, and unspeakable joy.
    
    Think about how you are reacting or have reacted when faced with adversity. Ask yourself why you reacted that way and who you were trying to please. Were you afraid of looking vulnerable, gullible, weak, hurt, poor, powerless, afraid, etc.? Did pride cause you to act haughty, arrogant, vain? Did pride encourage you to lie? What must you remove and replace with Jesus, or, reinforce in your heart?

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SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Romans 9:18 (NIV)

Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

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Matthew 5:43-48 (KJV)

43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 

44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 

45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 

46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 

47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 

48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

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Genesis 25:7-10

7And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.

8Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. 

9And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre; 

10The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.

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John 21:15-17

15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 

16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 

17He saith unto him the third time, Simon,son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

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Jeremiah 31:31-34

31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 

32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 

33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

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1 John 4 King James Version

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

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1st John 5: 1-13 (KJV)

1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

REVELATION 5 (KJV)

[1] And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

[2] And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

[3] And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

[4] And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

[5] And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

[6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

[7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

[8] And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

[9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

[10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

[11] And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

[12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

[13] And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

[14] And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.