First Orlando College Ministry

Prayer of Jabez

The Drive

City Beautiful Church

First Orlando College

INTRO - Facing uncertainty Romans 12

Principles:

1. Life always has some measure of uncertainty.

2. Everyone has a certainty quotient. 

3. God is at work, even during uncertain time. 

1. YIELD TO HIM (v.1)

2. FIND YOUR MISSION (v.2)

3. KNOW YOUR DESIGN (3-8)

4 SERVE OTHERS (9-21)

1. I am really good at...
2. I am not talented at...
3. I am energized by...
4. I am drained by..
5. My core values are...
6. My life purpose is..
7. I am motivated by..
8. I want my character to be..
9. My desire and ability to connect with others is...
10. The blind spots I need to improve are...
11. My signature temptation to sin is...
12. I want to  be remembered as...
13. Success is..

JandLMinistry.com 

discpersonalitytesting.com

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16personalities.com

typelogic.com

personaldna.com

humanmetrics.com

personality test.net

myerbriggers.org

youscience.com

talentintisghts.com

The Prayer of Jabez

1. The Perspectives on the Jabez "Hand of God"

A. The "Hand of God" intervenes to make PROVISION

God can provide the needed personal and ministry RESOURCES

^* Moses said, “There are 600,000 soldiers here, and you say, ‘I will give them enough meat to eat for a whole month!’ If we were to kill all the sheep and cattle, that would still not be enough to feed this many people for a month. And if we caught all the fish in the sea, it would not be enough for them!” But the Lord said to Moses, “Don’t limit my power! You will see that I can do what I say I can do.”* -Numbers 11:21-23
* “Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ That’s what those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.* - Matthew 6:31-33
*My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus.* -Philippians 4:19

B. The "Hand of God" intervenes to cause an authority to grant PERMISSION

God can make your authority change his mind and grant your REQUEST

* To the Lord, a king’s mind is like a ditch used to water the fields. He can lead the king wherever he wants him to go.* - Proverbs 21:1

* I also said to the king, “If it would please the king to do something else for me, let me ask. Please give me some letters to show the governors of the area west of the Euphrates River. I need these letters so that the governors will give me permission to pass safely through their lands on my way to Judah. I also need lumber for the heavy wooden beams for the gates, the walls, the walls around the Temple, and my house. So I need a letter from you to Asaph, who is in charge of your forests.” The king gave me the letters and everything I asked for. The king did that because my God was kind to me.* - Nehemiah 2:7-8

C. The "Hand of God" intervenes with His PRESENCE

God Can make His presence known in a specific PLACE

*Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid. The army that fights for us is larger than the army that fights for Aram.”

Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, I ask you, open my servant’s eyes so that he can see.”
The Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and the servant saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire. They were all around Elisha.* - 2 Kings 6:16-17
*Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us?* -Exodus 33: 15-16a

D. The "Hand of God" intervenes to defend and PROTECT

God can protect you from any human or spiritual ATTACK

 *Pilate said, “You refuse to speak to me? Remember, I have the power to make you free or to kill you on a cross.” Jesus answered, “The only power you have over me is the power given to you by God. So the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”* - John 19:10-11
*If you throw us into the hot furnace, the God we serve can save us. And if He wants to, He can save us from your power. But even if God does not save us, we want you to know, King, that we refuse to serve your gods. We will not worship the gold idol you have set up.”* - Daniel 3:17-18
*To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in His great power. Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks.* - Ephesians 6:10-11

E. The "Hand of God intervenes to overcome limitations with His POWER

God is not limited by any of your inadequacies or LIMITATIONS

*But the Lord said, “My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.” So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me. Yes, I am glad to have weaknesses if they are for Christ. I am glad to be insulted and have hard times. I am glad when I am persecuted and have problems, because it is when I am weak that I am really strong.* - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

*Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.* - Philippians 4:13

2. The Practical Steps for the Jabez "Hand of God"

• HUMBLE yourself under the mighty "Hand of God"

*So be humble under God’s powerful hand. Then he will lift you up when the right time comes.* - 1 Peter 5:6

• ADOPT a lifestyle or proactive dependency upon God

* Stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me. “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything.* - John 15:4-5

• NARROW your focus to what God wants done

*What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.* - Matthew 1:16 

• DEDICATE yourself to live an ever increasing walk of faith

*So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers.* - Ephesians 1:16
*And you will know that God’s power is very great for us who believe. It is the same as the mighty power  He used to raise Christ from death and put Him at His right side in the heavenly places.* - Ephesians 1:19-20
*With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of.* - Ephesians 3:20

3. The Potential Results from the Jabez "Hand of God"
    A. You will see the "Hand of God" miraculously INTERVENE
    B. You will see the "Hand of God" move beyond your INABILITIES
    C. You will see the "Hand of God" overcome the IMPOSSIBLE

Conclusion:
*He said, “This is the message from the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Your help will not come from your own strength and power. No, your help will come from My Spirit.’ This is what the Lord All-Powerful says* - Zechariah 4:6

Story:
George Mueller opened a children's home and depended solely on God to handle its every need. Once there was no food for the children's breakfast, and a meat truck broke down just outside. The driver provided the meal. These miracles were common occurrences, and Mueller logged 10,000 answered prayers during his career.

The Drive

Talked about fear and truths that defeat it: God is with us, God is able, God loves us.

Christian History

The reason why I want to teach Christian History so bad is because we understand why our ancestors did what they did in the past. They were all trying to figure out WHO Jesus is and WHAT we are supposed to do after we know who He is! At the moment I am doing a lot of school work, so it seems I'm too busy to lead the Christian History group I wanted to do. BUT that isn't going to stop me from spreading everything I know whenever I have time! I'm making a Facebook page about Christian History. I recommend everyone like it to find out some really awesome information about early Christianity! <3  c.90     Book of Revelation and Gospel of Saint John written. 161-80   Widespread persecution of Christians under Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. (Severe persecutions also occurred under the emperors Decius (249-251) and Diocletian (284-305)). 301      Armenia becomes the world's first country to officially adopt Christianity as the state religion. 312      Roman emperor Constantine receives a vision of a flaming cross with the words 'In hoc signo vinces' : 'By this sign conquer'. Defeats rival Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. 313      Edict of Milan issued by Constantine - Christianity becomes a legal religion within the Roman empire. 325      Constantine calls the first ecumenical council at Nicea. Arian heresy which declared Christ was a created being is refuted. Nicene Creed is drawn up, declaring Christ to be "...Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father..." 367      Saint Athanasius is the first to list all 27 New Testament books in his festal letter. 381      Ecumenical Council at Constantinople revises the Nicene creed to its current form. c.382   Saint Jerome begins a translation of the Bible into Latin. 397      Synod at Carthage ratifies the 27 books of the New Testament as sacred scripture. 431      Ecumenical council held at Ephesus refutes Nestorianism. (The doctrine that Christ was two persons (one human, the other divine) in one body). Mary is declared Theotokos   i.e. 'God-bearer' or more commonly, 'Mother of God'. 449      At Ephesus, Pope Leo I delivers his 'Tome', defending orthodox Christian belief. Leo also asserts Papal supremacy. 451      Ecumenical council at Chalcedon affirms Christ as having two distinct natures united in one person (known as the 'Hypostatic Union'). 553      Ecumenical council at Constantinople affirms teaching of previous councils. 563      Columba establishes a monastery at Iona. 589      Insertion of the filioque  (Latin: 'and the son') into the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed at a council in Toledo. 597      Following a mission authorised by Pope Gregory I, St. Augustine becomes the first Archbishop of Canterbury. 664      Synod of Whitby ratifies the authority of the Pope in England. 680-81 Ecumenical council at Constantinople rejects Monothelite heresy of one will in Christ. 731      Bede writes his Ecclesiastical History. 787      Ecumenical council at Nicea ends the controversy over the use of icons in worship. 800      Charlemagne is crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo III. 988      Conversion of Prince Vladimir in Kiev. Growth of Christianity in Russia. 1054    Great Schism - Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic churches separate. 1095    Pope Urban II authorises the first Crusade to recover the Holy Land from Moslems. 1099    Crusaders conquer Jerusalem. 1182    Massacre of Latin inhabitants of Constantinople. 1187    Jerusalem recaptured by a Moslem army led by Saladin. 1189    Third Crusade led by Richard the Lionheart of England. 1204    Sack of Constantinople during the fourth crusade. 1216/23   Papal approval of the Dominican and Franciscan mendicant ('begging') orders. 1266-73   Thomas Aquinas writes his great work of systematic Theology: Summa Theologiae. 1305    Papacy moved to Avignon following a dispute with Philip IV of France. c.1341             Defence of Orthodox spirituality by Gregory Palamas. Rise of Hesychasm. c.1376             John Wycliffe writes 'Civil Dominion', arguing for reform of the church. 1378    Following the return of the Papacy to Rome, rival claimants (Antipopes) emerge. Dispute ends in 1417 with election of Martin V. c.1380             John Wycliffe translates the Bible into Middle English. 1453    Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Turks. 1517    Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses in Wittenburg, Germany; beginning the Protestant reformation. 1521    Diet of Worms - Luther's final breach with the Catholic church. 1525    William Tyndale completes his translation of the Bible into English. 1534    Ignatius of Loyola founds the Jesuits. 1534    Act of Supremacy passed - Henry VIII becomes supreme head of the English church. 1536    John Calvin publishes his Institutes of the Christian Religion. 1545-63           Council of Trent - Roman Catholic counter reformation. 1549    Thomas Cranmer publishes the Book of Common Prayer  in England (later revised in 1662). 1555    Peace of Augsburg ends religious wars in Germany. 1611    Publication of the King James Version of the Bible. 1618-48  Protestant/Catholic conflict in Germany (Thirty Years War). 1730-60  The 'Great Awakening' - A revival movement among Protestants in the USA. 1738    John and Charles Wesley converted. They lead an Evangelical revival in England and form the Methodist church. 1854    Dogma of the Immaculate conception of Mary proclaimed by the Roman Catholic church. 1870-1 First Vatican council. Dogma of Papal infallibility proclaimed. 1906    Azusa street revival in Los Angeles. Beginnings of the Pentecostal movement. 1910    World mission conference held in Edinburgh. 1918    Billy Graham born. Later becomes one of the most prominent evangelists in Christian history. 1948    Formation of the World Council of Churches. 1950    Dogma of the Assumption of Mary proclaimed by the Roman Catholic Church. 1962-5 Second Vatican council. Major reforms in the Roman Catholic church are initiated. Mutual anathemas of 1054 between Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches lifted. 1997    Death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta - founder of the 'Missionaries of Charity'. 1999    Signing of the Joint Declaration on Justification by the Lutheran and Roman Catholic Churches. 2005    Death of Pope John Paul II, who is succeeded by Pope Benedict XVI. 2006    World Methodist Council adopts the Lutheran/Catholic Joint Declaration on Justification. 2011    Beatification of Pope John Paul II. 2013    Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, who is succeeded by Pope Francis.

City Beautiful Church

God takes our raw qualities and redeems them for His purpose. He brings who we are naturally back into alignment with His will. Redemption is to give good value to something that already exists. Your scars are reminders of encountering God, and He wants to redeem them to bring healing to yourself and others.

What is God highlighting for transformation in this next season for you personally?

It is in the place of struggle that intimacy is birthed. We find rest in the midst of wrestling with God because encountering him gives us life. When we w(rest)le with God, we experience an intimate encounter and better learn to inhabit our identities.

Share testimony of how the Lord is refining you in this season. How does it feel? What truths do you cling to when it gets tough?

Both Jacob and Saul had God given qualities, like determination and passion respectively, that were lead astray by sin and used for evil purposes. However, God encountered them in their lowest moments and empowered them to use their gifts for His glory. Jacob became Israel, and helped build a nation of people who wrestle with and encounter God. Saul became Paul, who lead countless people to Jesus and wrote much of the New Testament, all because God redirected his attention to Him. #abideintimacy

What is the focus of your engagement this week, in the things of God or the things of the world?

  

Midterm Paper for Introduction to Teaching

Multiple Intelligence

“An intelligence is the ability to solve problems, or to create products, that are valued within one or more cultural setting,” states Howard Gardner, a Harvard psychologist. Gardner identifies eight kinds of intelligence, which is logical-mathematical, linguistic, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalist. Gardner’s theory has sparked many educators on redesigning their curricula to respond to differing student intelligences. (Sadker, Zittleman, Page 27) This theory is important to teachers because they can think of new ways to improve all eight intelligences like I have. In this essay I will explain my strategies on teaching in a Christian school based on Gardner’s theory on multiple intelligences in hypothetical situations.

Logical-mathematical Intelligence or “Number/Reasoning Smart”

The logical-mathematical intelligence is skills related to mathematical manipulations and discerning and solving logical problems. (Sadker, Zittleman, Page 26) This theory tells teachers that their students need to be good at solving logical problems, especially if the students want to be leaders or parents in society. Some children are very good at solving problems, especially math problems. I like math and I think using props makes math more fun. Therefore, in my classroom, I will like to have fake food, fake money, fake checks that they will be able to use to buy things from my “store.” My store will contain Christian books, pencils, pens, paper, travel games, disposal cameras, swimming goggles, and anything else that I can buy that is inexpensive.  I believe this will help my students learn how to constantly do math in life. For example, I will give a fake box of pizza to a well behaved student name Jack. Then, I will give another well behaved student name Jill $10.00 in fake change, fake quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies. I would then ask their classmates to do the math on their papers of how much fake money Jill needs to give Jack with the pizza box that costs $5.00 plus 6.5% tax. Jack and Jill will not be required to do the math problem. Jill will ask her classmates how much money she needs to give Jack. If Jill chooses the right answer she will get the pizza box. If she doesn’t choose the right answer, she will go to the whiteboard and do the math. I will also Jack to choose 2 people that would be considered his “workers” and he will give them 20% of what he just received. Again, the whole class will need to do the math and Jack will have to choose who he believes did the math correctly with the same consequences as Jill. Then I will ask the 4 students who received fake money to put 10% in the “church” cup. The “church” cup is the cup for the entire class to contribute 10% of any fake money I give them. The more fake money the “church” cup has, the more it can buy field trips, cupcake parties, etc.  I will pay with my own money for these things to happen. Each student will have a “personal” cup, in their desks where they will place all of their fake money, which they can use to buy things from my “store.” And everything in my store has prices without tax, so they always need to do the tax when they want to buy something. All of my students will have the opportunity to receive fake money by finding items at a real store with their parents or finding items online and writing down items they like in their Math Journal. They will need to write down the price, the price after tax and the total amount. Also, they can earn more fake money by writing stories of math problems they encounter on a daily basis. If the math problems glorify God they can receive even more fake money. The purpose is to show them that God wants them to do math in His Kingdom.

Linguistic intelligence or “Word Smart”

The linguistic intelligence is sensitivity to the meanings, sounds and rhythms of words, as as to the function of language as a whole. (Sadker, Zittleman, Page 26) This theory tells teachers that they need to teach students how to read. Many children struggle with word meanings. I find it important to require each of my students to have a dictionary that they will use on a daily basis. For example, each week I will give all of the students a paper full of vocabulary words. Then, each day I will assign a word to each student to look up in their dictionary and each one will read the definition out loud, while their classmates write down the definition. Also, I will give them time to write in their Writing Journal a story that contains 3 of the vocabulary words read that day. The more vocabulary words they write in their journal, the more fake money I will give them and again, I will give them more fake money if their writing somehow glorifies God. The purpose of this is to show my students that God wants to communicate with them.

Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence or “Body Smart”

The bodily-kinesthetic intelligence is the ability to excel physically and to handle objects skillfully. (Sadker, Zittleman, Page 26)  This theory tells teachers that it is important to teach their students how to control their bodies. It is important for children to be able to move their body. Every morning I will play a Christian song on Youtube with lyrics and all of the students will have to copy my movements and sing the song. Then, I will pick out a well behaved student to take over and be a leader. I will then grab a world beach ball and throw it at students for them to catch it and throw it back to me. For example, I choose a student name Bob to lead the students and as all the students are copying the movements of Bob I throw a world beach ball to a student name Sally and she then throws it back to me and then automatically goes back to copying Bob. The movements will be to always step back and forth with small arm movements. The purpose of this exercise is to help the students with their reflex skills and to release some of their energy. I will give Bob fake money and all the students who are able to catch the world ball, throw it back to me, and then get back to copying Bob.

Musical intelligence or “Music Smart”

The musical intelligence is the ability to produce pitch and rhythm, as well as to appreciate various forms of music expression. (Sadker, Zittleman, Page 26)  This theory tells teachers that they need to teach children how to produce pitch and rhythm. I want all of my students to be able to sing well, so I will give all of them solo parts for all of the songs we sing in the class. For example, I hand out each student sheet music that has lyrics of a song with a highlighted part. I will ask the students to sing the entire song together by only singing their highlighted part. Then, I will play the song for them to listen to, play it again for all of them to sing the entire song together and then I will play one last time, but with only the background music and ask the students to sing their highlighted part. Also, I will tell the students that they can make fake money if they perform in front of the class singing a Christian song or bring in a video of them singing a Christian song for the entire class to watch. Each time a student does that I will give the entire classroom 3 fake dollars and each student will need to give the “church” cup 10% and 5%t to the student that performed. The purpose of this is to show that they need to appreciate their classmates talents and support them.

Spatial intelligence or “Picture Smart”

The spatial intelligence is the ability to form a mental model of the spatial world and to maneuver and operate using that model. (Sadker, Zittleman, Page 26)  This theory tells teachers that they need to teach students build something from memory. I want my students to be able to think with pictures. I want them to be able to think with pictures when I read to them. For example, I will read from a Kids Bible or a Christian book during reading time. While they listen, they are required to draw what they can see of what I am reading to them. Since, they are young children I will only stick to very gentle stories. Like Jesus preaching at a temple or a book about children that learn the importance of being kind. If the students allow me to post up their drawings on the class wall. I will give them fake money. Also, I will quiz them with questions like how many girls are in the classroom, boys in the classroom, students in the classroom, and play Ispy. Whoever is very good at the game will receive fake money. The purpose of this is for my students to get in the habit of checking out all of the details of their surroundings, so that way it can create a better memory.

Interpersonal intelligence “People Smart”

The interpersonal intelligence is to analyze and respond to the motivations, moods, and desires of other people. (Sadker, Zittleman, Page 26)  This theory tells teachers that need to teach students how to interact with different people. I am a fan of History, especially Christian History and the Holy Bible. So I want my students to understand the way people work by studying people’s motivations in the past. I want to ask my students a lot of “why” questions. For example, I will read a story about Jesus healing someone. Then, I will ask the student why they believe Jesus healed a person. As the students answer I will write down their replies on the whiteboard. Then, I will ask the students why they believe their parents buy them food and then I write down their replies on the whiteboard. Then, I will tell them about a personal story of being a lifeguard and how I knew how important it was to enforce the rules because some people who didn’t listen to the rules I had to end up saving them. Like a little girl that went down a slide where she was supposed to know how to swim. She said she did, but she didn’t and I had to jump in the water to save her before she drowned. I will then ask the students if they feel motivated to help people like Jesus did or their parents help them because every day they are able to turn in a paper filled with things that they did for their parents with their parent’s signature and receive fake money.  The purpose of this will help my students not forget that it’s important to help others.

Intrapersonal intelligence or “Self Smart”

The intrapersonal intelligence is the knowledge of one’s feelings, needs, strengths and weaknesses; ability to use this knowledge to guide behavior. (Sadker, Zittleman, Page 26) This theory tells teachers that students need to know who they are. I want my students to know themselves well. I will require each student to have a “About Me” journal. I will require each student to write down verses that declare who God says they are. Then, I will every day during writing time I will hand them a survey and they will need to write the answers in their journal. The survey questions will ask them questions about what their favorite thing to do is, who their favorite people are in the Holy Bible, who their parents are, what their parents do, who their siblings are, etc.  If they bring in pictures to post on the classroom wall of them with their families, friends, etc. then I will give them fake money. I will also have a camera and I will take a picture of each student. I will print out two copies. One for them to take home and another for them to give me to post up on the classroom wall and I will give them fake money if they give me the 2nd photo. I will also give fake money in the “church” cup if all of them allow me to take pictures and videos of them. The purpose of this is to help my students know that they are important to God.

Naturalist intelligence or “Environment Smart”

The naturalist intelligence is the ability to discriminate among living things, to classify plants animals, and minerals; ability to nurture animals and grow plants; a sensitivity to the natural world. (Sadker, Zittleman, Page 26) This theory tells teachers that students need to know how to identify different plants and birds, so the students can take care of them correctly. I will have bring in plants and fish for the class and name the plants the plant name of the fish by the fish name. For example, I will bring in a blue orchid and tell the students the plants’ nickname is “orchid” and a yellow butterfly halfmoon betta and tell the students the fish’s nickname is “betta”.  Each day a student is able to volunteer to feed the fish and water the plant and receive fake money. I will also use Google Earth to show 3D imagery of places around the world during Geography time and the students will be asked to write down what they believe the people that live there do to take care of their environment. For instance, I’ll show them Egypt and show them a picture of a camel and then ask them what kind of food they think camels eat. I will also take them outside once in a while, each student will be given a small bucket of water with seeds and a plastic bag to pick up the trash they are about to make. They will plant their seeds and water plants. Then, I will get them to try to throw the best paper airplane by allowing them to make many. The student who makes an airplane that flies the farthest will get fake money. Then, they will have free time to throw paper planes through the hula hoops I have pinned around the area. Afterwards, I will ask the students to pick up the paper airplanes. After they give me the airplanes I will recycle the paper. The student who picks up the most will get fake money. The purpose of this is to show them that God wants them to maintain the earth by making it look more beautiful.

           In all, I can see that this theory has really helped me think about establishing a system in my classroom. I am not surprised to learn that many teachers use this knowledge to their advantage on how to build their curriculum.

Researcher Mindy L. Kornhaber has suggested that the theory of multiple intelligences is so popular within the field of education because it validates educators' everyday experience: students think and learn in many different ways. It also provides educators with a conceptual framework for organizing and reflecting on curriculum assessment and pedagogical practices. In turn, this reflection has led many educators to develop new approaches that might better meet the needs of the range of learners in their classrooms. (Cherry, Kendra)

I hope to keep this essay as a guideline on how to plan and operate with teaching anything to my nephews, nieces and my friend’s children. Also, I hope to hold on to it if God allows me to teach 5th graders, so it reminds me of what and how I should teach.

References

Cherry, Kendra. "How Howard Gardner Developed the Theory of Multiple Intelligences."                          About. Abouteducation, n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2014.

Sadker, David Miller, and Karen R. Zittleman. Teachers, Schools, and Society. New York:           McGraw-Hill, 2013. Print.


My "store" will contain things like this..

First Orlando College Ministry

*1 Corinthians 7:1-16

About Marriage

7 Now I will discuss the things you wrote me about. You asked if it is better for a man not to have any sexual relations at all. ² But sexual sin is a danger, so each man should enjoy his own wife, and each woman should enjoy her own husband. ³ The husband should give his wife what she deserves as his wife. And the wife should give her husband what he deserves as her husband. ⁴ The wife does not have power over her own body. Her husband has the power over her body. And the husband does not have power over his own body. His wife has the power over his body. ⁵ Don’t refuse to give your bodies to each other. But you might both agree to stay away from sex for a while so that you can give your time to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not be able to tempt you in your weakness. ⁶ I say this only to give you permission to be separated for a time. It is not a rule. ⁷ I wish everyone could be like me. But God has given each person a different ability. He makes some able to live one way, others to live a different way.

⁸ Now for those who are not married and for the widows I say this: It is good for you to stay single like me. ⁹ But if you cannot control your body, then you should marry. It is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire.
¹⁰ Now, I have a command for those who are married. Actually, it is not from me; it is what the Lord commanded. A wife should not leave her husband. ¹¹ But if a wife does leave, she should remain single or get back together with her husband. And a husband should not divorce his wife.
¹² The advice I have for the others is from me. The Lord did not give us any teaching about this. If you have a wife who is not a believer, you should not divorce her if she will continue to live with you. ¹³ And if you have a husband who is not a believer, you should not divorce him if he will continue to live with you. ¹⁴ The husband who is not a believer is set apart for God through his believing wife. And the wife who is not a believer is set apart for God through her believing husband. If this were not true, your children would be unfit for God’s use. But now they are set apart for him.
¹⁵ But if the husband or wife who is not a believer decides to leave, let them leave. When this happens, the brother or sister in Christ is free. God chose you to have a life of peace. ¹⁶ Wives, maybe you will save your husband; and husbands, maybe you will save your wife. You don’t know now what will happen later.

Interesting that Paul advices people to not live with a nonbeliever husband or wife. It does not say, "get a divorce".* 1 Corinthians 7:11.. ¹¹ But if a wife does leave, she should remain single or get back together with her husband. And a husband should not divorce his wife.
This is why it is important for me to marry a godly husband that is above me spiritually that way he will never become a nonbeliever that I would need to separate from. 

 

The Bridge

QUESTIONS FROM THE BRIDGE FOR PASTOR GENE

 

Question #1:           “I have a dear friend who happens to be homosexual.  Even though he knows my views on homosexual lifestyle, out of respect for our friendship and my love for him, should I attend his wedding?”

            ANSWER:     This is a very challenging, but relevant question! 

There is a Biblical story which sheds much light on this question:

1 Samuel 8:4-22 (KJV) ⁴ Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, ⁵ And said unto him, “make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” ⁶ But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

 ⁷ And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. ^{8                        9} Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

¹⁰ And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. ¹¹ he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. ¹² And he will appoint him captains over thousands, ETC. ETC. (IOW…this is not wise nor best for you and your children to come!) ¹⁷ He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

 ¹⁸ And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

¹⁹ Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; ²⁰ That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

 ²¹ And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. ²² And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king.

Application:  (1) Ask God what you should do?   (2) “Protest solemnly” to your good friend!  Warn him what God says and tell him the life long / generational consequences of his action!   (3) He probably will not listen (sad); (4) But, if you warn and he continues, he is “rejecting God”!  (Ezekiel 3:17-21)

Note:   Luke 7:34 says “Jesus was a friend of sinners”!  John 1:14 says And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.   Jesus went to weddings!  Jesus allowed sinners to touch Him and be in His presence, but HE NEVER SINNED.  John 8:11 says:  And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Personal Counsel / Opinion:  (1) I believe if you attend this wedding, it will be viewed as endorsing gay marriages (I Thessalonians 5:22);  (2) If your friend chooses to adopt a gay life, it is dangerous to continue fellowship with him, especially if he claims to be a Christian (1 Corinthians 5:9-13) ⁹ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: ¹⁰ Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. ¹¹ But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. ¹² For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? ¹³ But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Question #2:    “How do you know if your friends are really your friends?”    (smile)

ANSWER:     One way:  ADVERSITY!    Proverbs 17:17 (KJV) A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.   A true friend “LOVES ALWAYS”…

Proverbs 18:24 (KJV) A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

How a person responds to adversity in your life.   A great preacher said, “A true friend is one who walks in….when all the others walk away.”

(1)   I have “friends” I have NOT seen in 30 years….and live 800 miles away, but, I could call and they WOULD do anything in their power for me…  (2) Tell about Johnny

(3) And…I have people I thought were my friends for many years and live within five minutes and have NOT heard from them in 10 years!

Question #3:        “Deuteronomy 4:41-43 says  ⁴¹ Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising; ⁴² That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live…”  Why would Moses set aside a city for criminals, when one of the 10 commandments say thou shalt not kill?

            Answer:          The key words here are the words:  “which should kill his neighbor unawares, and hated him not in times past…”  This was NOT pre-meditated murder!  That was punishable by DEATH IMMEDIATELY! 

            However, this clearly demonstrates that there is to be punishment, even if not intentional…IOW…this person is to be cut off from society forever! 

                Numbers 15:29-31 (KJV) ²⁹ Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. ³⁰ But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. ³¹ Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.

Question #4:        “If God forgives us of our sins while we were on earth, why are we going to be judged in Heaven for them again?”

            This is a VERY GOOD QUESTION!  It demonstrates much thoughtfulness in the person who ask it!  

Answer:    (1) Christians are NOT “judged again in Heaven”.  Romans 8:1 (KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2) However, I think what you are confusing is “The Judgment Seat of Christ”…..where CHRISTIANS WILL RECEIVE REWARDS!  (II Corinthians 5:9-10 / I Corinthians 3:11-15)   There is MUCH difference in “loosing rewards” and “being punished”.  Our sins, as Christians, were punished on the Cross (Colossians 2:14-15).  However, our actions AFTER we are saved will determine the degree of our reward in Heaven.

Question #5:        “On the day of Rapture,  will ALL children be taken up to Heaven?”

            Another GOOD and Thoughtful question!   I do NOT believe I have ever been asked this question? 

            Answer:          (1) The Bible does NOT specifically answer this question!  Deuteronomy 29:29 (KJV) The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

There are some things God did not choose to specifically answer:  (2) Let us NEVER forget….there is only one guarantee of eternal life and that is to have entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!   1 John 5:12 (KJV) He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.   (3) However,

1 Corinthians 7:14 (KJV) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.   A child with one or both parents who are devout believers have a special promise of grace from God!   David could say when his infant son died, 2 Samuel 12:23 (KJV) But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

(4) My personal opinion….The scriptures teach that God, in His omniscience, knows those who will respond to His grace, His Spirit, His Son and become born again! (Ephesians 1:4-7)  It is those who will be raptured!

Question #6:        “Can God call a woman to be a pastor?”

            Answer:          (1) All Bishops, Elders, and Deacons in the New Testament are men;  All of the guidelines for choosing Pastors and Deacons are masculine;  (2) Woman had GREAT ROLES and importance in assisting these church leaders (Romans 16:1-4);  (3) Obviously, there are many churches where women are pastors, but I am assuming this question desires to know what does the Bible teach!  1 Timothy 2:12 (KJV) But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man.  (4) Personally, I believe we are seeing the rise of women in leadership because of the lack of spirituality in men!  But, our guide should always be the Word and not the world.  It appears to me, after MUCH prayer and study, a woman can be called to any calling in the church, except pastor!

Question #7:        “What should I do if mom is a Christian, but “walking in the flesh” (carnal)?  She is stubborn and will not listen to my advise.  However, she allow her boyfriend to move in and they are living together like they are married.”

            Answer:          (1) I would examine my relationship with my mother?   Have I been respectful, obedient, loving, etc.  Ephesians 6:2 (KJV) Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)   (2) I would follow the example of Esther in Esther 4 and spend time in prayer and fasting….then I would appeal to my mother AND her boyfriend how fornication is wrong!   Hebrews 13:4 (KJV) Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.  I would appeal to them that you “want God to bless you and not JUDGE you”!  I would appeal on the basis of the Ten Commandments, that the “sins of parents are visited upon children and the blessings to those who love God and keep His commandments”.  (3) I encourage you to also read my response to Question #1 and what God told Samuel about Israel wanting a king.

Question #8:        “How do we know Christ was born on Christmas Day and died on Good Friday?”

            Answer:          (1) We DON’T know Jesus was born on Christmas Day.  This date to celebrate His incarnation was set many years after His incarnation.  I do not think it is evil to celebrate December 25^th, as long as we remember:  “JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON” and remember that we can NOT honestly say it is His birthday!   (2) His death on Good Friday is ANOTHER matter altogether!  The Messiah was a Jew and was observing the clear Old Testament prophecies for His death!  Threats were made on His life at places and times other than the PASSOVER, but it was not allowed by God.   Jesus died on day of the Passover, which we now call God Friday!  1 Corinthians 5:7 says:   For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:  Luke 22:7-8 (KJV) ⁷ Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. ⁸ And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

Question #9:        “Do you have to be a member of a church?”

            Answer:          I do not know the real basis of this question?   However, I will try to answer it, exactly as it is written:   (1) No, a person does NOT have to be a member of the church to be saved or go to Heaven!   Salvation is in Jesus alone.  The thief on the cross never joined a church, but is in Heaven.  Jesus even said, in John 10:16 “I have sheep which are not of this fold”…   (2) To be an obedient Christian and to follow the teachings of the New Testament, YES…every believer should be a member of a church and involved in a New Testament church.  (BTW…it is more than just “being a member”, but an “active member”!  (3) Acts 2:40-47 clearly tells us that the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost and established the first church, those who got saved, got baptized, and BECAME ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH!  (4) Christians are told submit to pastor (Hebrews 13:17).  (5) Christians are told to “bring tithes and offerings” to the church on Sunday (I Corinthians 16:2); (6) I Corinthians and Ephesians describe the church as a BODY where each MEMBER has a part or role;  (7) Ephesians 5:25 says Jesus loved the church…etc.

Active involvement in a New Testament church will give information, fellowship, and opportunity for spiritual lives that nothing else can.  There are NO perfect churches nor pastors, but the Holy Spirit will teach you how “to test the spirits” and “by their fruits ye shall know them.”

Question #10:                      “What does a Proverbs 31 woman look like?”

            Answer:          1) Virtuous (vs. 10 / 29);   2) Loyal and Valuable to her husband (vs. 11-12 / 28);  3) Wise (14 / 16a /26a);  4) Hard worker / Diligent (13b / 15a / 16b / 17 / 19); 5) A planner (organized / wise shopper) (14 / 21-22); 6) Takes care of her family and employees (15 / 21 / 27); 7) Confident / good self esteem (18); 8) Kind (20 / 26b); 9) Well dressed (22); 10) Sees that her husband dresses appropriately (23);  11) She contributes to the family finances (24); 12) Fears God (30); 13) Good reputation (31b);   14) Contrary to the world’s standards…IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OUTWARD BEAUTY OR FAME (30)…