Gina - Psalm 25:6

Lord, remember your mercy and love that you have shown since long ago. (Psalms 25:6 NCV)

It's important for us to remember that our God is a father.   That we can crawl up into his arms and be held and loved.  Too often we forget how much he love us.

Yesterday we said goodbye to an amazing friend and fatherly mentor in our lives.  When we had our last words Pastor Mark grabbed Tim and I and sobbed as he held us both.  The love I felt was so rich and pure.  

God's love for me is amazing.  He swoops me up into his arms , he holds my hand, he hugs my neck , he transforms me to be like him .

Kadin Job 42:3

You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. (Job 42:3 NIV)

God knows what he's doing.  It's easy to thank him when things are good.   When things are tough....it's hard to understands like Job, however the truth is God owes us nothing so when you can't figure out the work of his hands - trust his heart for you.   He loves you - 

Trust him. 

Livia - Matthew 6

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-4 NIV)

If it cost us to do right - God sees and rewards us.  We should not make a big deal over what we do for God and for others.  Let God be your reward.   

Last night we honered Pastor Mark after 33 years of service to our church.  He is a wonderful example of selflessness.   We are so grateful for a wonderful example.  

Devin - Rev 2:17

“Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. “I will give some of the hidden manna to everyone who wins the victory. I will also give to each one who wins the victory a white stone with a new name written on it. No one knows this new name except the one who receives it. (Revelation 2:17 NCV)

God has so much more for us than we can imagine.  It even sounds as if we will have a new name in eternity!   If we have ears we should listen to what God is saying to us always.

It's important that we consider and meditate on who God is  and what his perfect will for us.  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness .... Those are just a few of the things he has for is every day of our lives.

Gina - John4:24

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24 NCV)

When we consider what real worship is ....we are told that it must be in Spirit which is with all our being, heart, soul, mind and strength.  With an undivided heart.  Worship is never to be insincere.  AND always in truth which is His life giving word.  The knowledge of who God is and the overflow of the mind meditated on god alone.

  

True worship is unwavering, resolute and a determined heart focused only on God.

Tim - John 14:1

Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. (John 14:1 NCV)

Jesus was talking to the disciples.  They, like us, struggle to trust God's plan and what he was doing.  They eventually saw him raise from the dead!!  Amen!

God help us today to trust you and not be moved by our circumstance.  

Kadin - Psalm 92:2

It is good to praise you, Lord, to sing praises to God Most High. (Psalms 92:1 NCV)

God loves you no matter what!!!   No matter how many goofy or dumb things you do, 

Or how many times you ignore him or disappoint him.  He just keeps on loving you.

God is awesome!!!

Great word! K-Diddy thanks for that reminder!!!!

Livia - 1 Corinthians 8:1

Now I will write about meat that is sacrificed to idols. We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs you up with pride, but love builds up. (1 Corinthians 8:1 NCV)

Knowledge is just information.  It can make you feel proud , like you know it all.   Love, however is about selflessness.  Thinking more of others.  

When we care more about what we know than how we make others feel that's a big problem !!!

Devin - Ephesians 4:31

Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. (Ephesians 4:31)

Relationships are more important than anything else.   God will never require you to give more grace than he's already given you!!    

Don't let bitterness and anger simmer in your heart - get rid of it!!!!  

Keep people priority like Jesus did and he will open your eyes to a true love for humanity. 

Jesus - make me like you!!

Dad - Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10 NIV)

Jesus is everything you need.   His name means so much: healer, provider, redeemer, savior, almighty, and holy one!!!  He is high above evil and strong!!!!

Let's not focus on our problems (our giants) but rather focus on who God is!  We will see he is our strong tower ( above it all). and will get us through anything.   When we see who he is truly, our problems seem meaningless.  He is in control always. 

We will trust him and run towards him with our whole lives.  

Mom - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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(Photo with Rend Collective Experiement)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17 NIV)

God has provided his word so that we can obey it and be changed by it.    It's life giving to us.  

The word of God is meant to be read and  applied!   We must practice this if we want God to change us.  Words merely heard are soon forgotten but words LIVED OUT change us forever.

We hear "practice what you preach" but how about we flip it around.  What if we "preach what we practice"?  What would that look like for you and me?

Kadin - Matthew 5

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:38-40, 44 NIV)

This scripture was read to us out of Kadin's Lego Bible.   Very cool. 

We are reminded to turn our other cheek when someone hurts us.  This is a beautiful lesson for our kids who have times of being teased for their faith.   More so, this inspires us to be like Christ.   To respond to others with kindness , mercy and grace just as our Heavenly Father has treated us.  

Love is very powerful.  Let's do our best to love unconditionally and with a heart that is tender towards others.  

Livia : Hebrews 10:35,36

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Hebrews 10:35, 36 NIV)

Confidence in what?

In Christ Jesus !!

Persevere?

We thought of a young lady who has become owned by Hollywood, the lifestyle, the money...

If she were to repent and turn towards God it would take perseverance because she would feel like a failure , like she would lose all her friends, her stuff and her reputation.  Sin has such a grip on so many.  Let's fight that in our lives with our faith!!!!

Lets take heart - keep our eyes on Jesus and keep our confidence.   To persevere knowing that in the end honoring God with our lives.  

Devin : Psalm 25

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My hope is in you, so may goodness and honesty guard me. (Psalms 25:21 NCV)

When things don't go right.  When worry gets ahold of your heart and mind.  When   Everything you thought would be is not and when you really don't know how you will survive this season of your  life - hold on!!!!

There's hope!

His goodness and pure truth - will guard you.   When you pray and let go the peace that passes understanding will guard your heart in Christ Jesus our lord!!

Kadin said "hope is when your soul believes something and it gives you peace!"  Nice K-Diddy!!

Tim - Matthew 5:7-10

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:7-10 ESV)

Mercy - let them off the hook!  Then you will be shown mercy!

Pure heart - holiness - sanctified - perfect in intent.   Then we will see God. 

Peacemakers - forgive quickly , your desire In your heart is unity.  Then we will be called the sons of god. 

Persecuted - those who are harmed for their faith.  Some countries it is physical.  For us it can be at school and at work when people make fun of us.  For those they will have the kingdom of heaven.  

Gods way is the best way.  

We love him this morning !!

Acts 16:25

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God as the other prisoners listened ."

Much like Moses and the Red Sea ,  Paul an Silas stepped out with fear and faith.  

When you are up against a wall - and there are no options left - even with fear - you will never be stronger. 

Every act of faith has a seed of fear!

We shared moments we had like this:

*roller-coasters!

*speaking to someone about Jesus 

*speaking in front of a lot of people

*making changes in your life 

We are excited about Gods hand in our lives.  Trusting and praying for each other to be brave today and embrace faith in Christ.  

First day of school : Trust His Word

We talked about many scriptures that will help us today:

Seek first the kingdom of God.

Do good and lend , hoping for nothing in return.

Love your enemies.

Watch and pray, that you won't fall into temptation.

Fear not , only believe.

Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you shall find and knock and it shall be opened  into you.

 We recited the Lord's Prayer this morning: 

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV)

We are ready to jump back into another year with God before us.   We feel blessed to have God on our side and we look forward to being His light in our world!!