Comments for MVTClass.com

Comment on Godliness – A Faithful People by Heather Truett

Heather Truett — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:50:06 +0000

Just dropping in to say Thank You for putting my link up in your sidebar. I love the idea of a blogging Sunday School class. Keep sharing.

Comment on Godliness – A Faithful People by Brother Spence

Brother Spence — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:42:08 +0000

Our SS class is the one place where we get to hear all sorts of answers to those questions you posed. We are fortunant indeed if we have a class that encourages us in our search. I was guest in a class several years ago that discussed that question about salvation you mentioned. “So, who is saved? Those who have faith in Christ and Christ alone?”
Being a visitor I felt bound to observe and not make comment mostly because the group were all “decision for Christ” oriented and as such they felt a specific time and place when they were saved. This is not a problem for me either as I full well remember too. But things got kinda sticky when the next question was asked. That question was the same one you folks mentioned and I quote it here: “Some brought up Gandhi and others wondered about the peasant who has never heard of the Gospel, but lives its essence every day. So, who is saved?” The question asked had a purpose and that purpose hinged on whether that person who had never heard of Jesus Christ and the gospel could be saved? Most of the men present, (it was an adult men’s class) said they had mixed feelings about it because of their belief that “through Christ alone” we are saved. The study leader asked me if I would like to comment? I did want to but prefaced my comment with I too believe it is through Christ alone that we are saved… but I have heard the gospel I know who Christ is and I am responsible for either believing in what Jesus did for me or not believe. But as for those who have not heard about Jesus I have to trust God is dealing with them too so they might be aware of who Christ is in a context they would understand, even though I would not. This is the cosmic God of the universe who saves souls and creates all things, who has it in His divine power to somehow present Jesus in His atonement to the buddist monk or the muslim or the most pagan of humans in such a way that they would have opportunity to accept or reject the saving blood of Jesus the same as me. The “how” is what is the mystery but we serve a God who is all about mystery, thanks be to God. Like you commented above, “My concern is for my own works, my own struggle to particpate in God’s divine nature and, in doing so, to serve my fellow beings.” Oh that’s so true and we do want to do that. Thanks for your comments and critique of the lesson. Spence

Comment on Seeking God and God’s Law by Camaroman

Camaroman — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:57:32 +0000

I always look for the simplest of messages when I read His Word. These passages, summarized in simplistic form to me, leave me with the following:
- know your God
- serve him
- understand every plan
- seek him
- do not forsake him

Gary

Comment on Identifying the Problem by Brother Spence

Brother Spence — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:55:15 +0000

There is an interesting coorelation in this scripture and the scripture we began reading today in our Covenant Discipleship Journal in Esther chapters 1 and 2… We noted the same severity in regards behavior around and toward the King. It wasn’t easy being a cupbearer or even being Queen in them days.

Comment on Mourning Over Jerusalem by karendaniels

karendaniels — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:48:32 +0000

When God reveals His vision for each of our lives, then we too become willing to abandon our “lives of comfort” and become His servants – following His call and letting Him take the lead.

Aren’t we all called to be “risk taker’s”? I guess another word could be substituted there, we are all called to “trust”. In addition, we are also called to “obey” when we hear His call. That is exactly what Nehemiah did…he saw God’s vision, he trusted God’s faithfulness – and…then he went to work.

It could be that simple! – Karen

Comment on A Leader Led by God by MVTeacher

MVTeacher — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 03:32:01 +0000

Thanks, Bro Spence. I think you’re right; we’ll know someday and in the meantime it’s simply another test of faith. I do believe that there are reasons that speak to Israel at the time, the people who were conquered and — this is really important — that speak to us. Blessings.

Comment on A Leader Led by God by Brother Spence

Brother Spence — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:06:14 +0000

You folks had an interesting time Sunday it seems… In regards the thinking about these bloody Old Testament stories and reconciling the Israelites conduct with our idea of a loving and compassionate God… Yes! I agree we cannot do anything to change the past and we thank God we will understand the “why” God gave the instructions He did when we see Him in our future life. We do know the scriptures tell us about those secret things that belong to God while the revealed things belong to us… Deut. 29:29. So we would do well to content ourselves for the time being that God’s reasoning here is one of those secret things.
In so far as we know God maybe had been dealing with all those other people groups to bring them into His covenant too. We do know God gave instructions to deal merceifully with different people so perhaps in God’s own time God had made providion for these folks to be incorporated too but they refused, rebelled and suffered the consequences. They didn’t leave a written or oral record of how God dealt with them… The only evidence I see (there may be others) is that incidence where in the year before the events here with Joshua we see the kings that went to the seer Baalam for him to curse the Israelites. Most scholars speak of Baalam as a pagan seer… but if he was such a pagan , how would he have had the relationshipo he did with the God of the Israelites? Does this not suggest God’s dealing with other peoples besides the Israelites? As I said earlier we think God only dealt with the Israelites because of the written records of Moses…. But maybe we are looking through a too narrow lense and need to broaden our appreciation for the mobility of this God of ours. Just something to think about when we feel wont to struggle with the things that we just don’t know.

Comment on Misplaced Zeal by Camaroman

Camaroman — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:29:56 +0000

In my years of leadership in manufacturing businesses I have found many leaders who are afraid of giving away their knowledge and related power/authority. I have also been challenged by some “Joshua” types as to why I would give away my knowledge and authority.

I have taken an approach to teach everyone that worked for me as much as I could about what I knew. This allowed them to make more timely and informed decisions and ultimately it allowed me to progress to higher levels. The decisions by my superiors to move me up to a higher responsibility level was easy because I had trained several staff members to be able to handle all the responsibilities of my current position.

I do think that this is what Moses was saying to Joshua. Not only does leadership require humility and a servanthood approach, it also lets the others know how significant they are to the whole process. In this case….spreading the Gospel.

Comment on Training as a Leader by Camaroman

Camaroman — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:31:05 +0000

I deal with my impatience by praying that God be with me during those times. I know fellow Christians that have waited greater than 6 days for things to happen in their life and, as a rule, they continue to study His Word and pray during those times. When their waiting comes to a close and God reveals His plan to them, they better understand what they have learned from his Word and his demonstrated love. Hang in there….blessed days come to those who wait!

Comment on A Pledge of Obedience by karendaniels

karendaniels — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:28:53 +0000

God is a loving God, a jealous God, not in the way we humans express jealousy, but His way, loving us so much that He will accept nothing but complete obedience, or, our undivided attention. (Thou shalt have no other gods before Me) We belong to God, plain and simple. We, humans, choose to …”forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods,[and] then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good.” Doesn’t this sound a lot like betrayal? How should God respond to betrayal? Consequences and accountability. He has laid it all out for us and we have free will to choose the path we walk. But…the Good News is the key, and repentence is the answer.