Devin - Galatians 5

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:16-18 BOOKS)

Simply said......Walk in the spirit!!

Gina - John15:17

This is what I command you: that you love one another. (John 15:17 AMP)

Lately I've been moved to get back to the basics.   We can easily get caught up in people pleasing and being motivated by the approval of others.  

Love is a simple over used word but it is so powerful.   Jesus said that the greatest thing is love.  He calls us to love all people and to put love in action.  

When is the last time you really loved someone?  

How long has it been since you considered someone else over yourself?

Gina - Isaiah 26:4

Trust in the Lord forever; he will always protect us. (Isaiah 26:4 GNTD)

Love his word!!!   It is such truth that gods got my back and I have no need to worry.   I will not waste my energy fretting about anything.  I will trust my god wth my life that he has given me.   I am his and he is mine.  I want to be forever faithful to my god who loves me and gave his life for me.  

Livia - James 4:8

Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! (James 4:8 GNTD) 

 

Livia typed:

Come near god and he will come near you. It means ask for god and you will receive him. But if you don't ask he won't force you. 

Wash your hands you sinners is  to ask for forgiveness and to clean your hearts. 

Purify your hearts you hypocrites, is  actually to know god and then to say you  you don't. 

Kadin - Philippians 4:6

Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. (Philippians 4:6 GNTD)

Kadin said this means DONT WORRY. But instead PRAY!!!

This verse has helped Kadin to not think about things coming up but rather to live in the present.   God helps him to stay focused and gives him peace.  

God calms Kadins heart and helps him to relax knowing god is in control.  

Good word K-Diddy!

Livia - John 14:6

Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me. (John 14:6 GNTD)

Livia encouraged us to memorize this verse and to be ready to share this good news.   Jesus brings life to us and without him we are nothing.  

We have hope and we have the way to share this life with other people...

We are blessed - 

Livia - Deuteronomy 15:6

The Lord will bless you, as he has promised. You will lend money to many nations, but you will not have to borrow from any; you will have control over many nations, but no nation will have control over you. (Deuteronomy 15:6 GNTD)

This message was to the Israelites.   Is this true of Israel today? yes! However, at the beginning it was not - they were over thrown and were very much dependant on others.  It's a good example for our country as well , and well that's a whole other conversation!   Lol. 

Liv spun this on our own lives this morning.   She suggested that God makes promises to us and we don't always see it right away.  He's working for us even when we can't see it!!   

Tim - Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to the one who is able to do beyond all measure more than all that we ask or think, according to the power that is at work in us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20, 21 LEB)

Who is able?  God is!  Beyond all measure, more than we could ever come up with!!!  Wow!

The power?  Whose power?  His power, that's in US!!! Greater is he that is in me than he that it is the world!!

When we pray, we should pray with faith that God knows all and can move in ways our minds cannot even come up with!  Amen!!

Gina - John 10:10

The thief comes only so that he can steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10 LEB)

Recently I've been challenged to consider my attitude on "my life".  It's so easy to think about all the things that are not right and are causing me pain and too quickly I forget about my awesome God and his power.  I feel a new sense of awareness about what Christ has done for me and how he has truly given me abundant life.

Devin put it well " you have all you need"in Christ, therefore you have abundant life.  

Let's consider how big our god is and how small our enemy is - let's focus on our solution (god) instead of the problem!!

Kadin - Matthew 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 LEB)

We get so caught up in our selfish ways.  

Greedy for delight , fond of idleness, so quick at play, so slow to nourish our souls and do for others and work hard. 

Our humanity calls for us to satisfy our bodies here and now, but if we seek god first and obey his commands - true joy and satisfaction comes.  

Livia - 1 Corinthians 1:10

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV)

Paul is reminded the church to not fall into a trap of division.  It's crazy but true that people will divide over silly things like material things.   Liv suggested that people will divide over what they believe or don't believe too. the "smaller things" if you will and forget the big picture that its Jesus who saves and some things should be left as a mystery until the day of Jesus Christ. 

Well said!

Devin - Matthew 6:15

but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:15 ESV)

Devin shared an example that he read in about a man that owed money and his lender forgave the debt.  Then this man leant money to someone who could not repay and he charged him double for not paying it back.  What's wrong with this picture?    

If someone wrongs you - forgive quickly because your turn is coming!!

Tim - John 15:4

Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear  fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  John 15:4

Daddy gave us quite a challenge this morning.  Our walk with Christ must be consistent.  It's not enough for us to feed off of church services, family devotion time or prayer at night with Mom and Dad before we go to bed.  This ABIDING that the scripture is talking about is deeper than that.  Those things help for sure, but to abide means to always be in, to rely on a source and to be consistent.  We were challenged this morning to answer the question when and where is our daily quiet time with God?  We all answered the question and all agreed that we need to ABIDE if we want to bear good fruit in Jesus name.  

Gina - Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NIV)

This past weekend someone complimented me on how I live and respond to life, while it was flattering I knew very quickly my answer.... "It's Christ in me..."   Nothing of me is good or right but because I've been "crucified" with Christ I live this life of faith and I am blessed.  Others see his good work in me and then glorify him in heaven. 

My God is so good to me.  

Livia - Luke 10

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. (Luke 10:17-21 NIV)

God is pleased with us when we trust him and love him.  When Jesus helpers came back they were full of joy - and Jesus reminded them of what true joy means.  

Jesus defeats our enemies and he loves us - what a combo!!!

Devin : Proverbs 3:1-2

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. (Proverbs 3:1, 2 NIV)

Keeping Gods commands is much easier  when we fellowship with him.  Commands can be treated like rules and that feels bad.   When we understand that gods commands in his word bring prosperity and life and we can testify that his way is the best way.  When we decide to ignore his plans we lose gods favor and we lack peace.  

His way is the best - blessed - way!!!

Tim - Matthew 20:26-28

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:26-28 KJV)

This truth hits the bullseye!   To become great you must become a servant and a slave.  It's not natural to choose to serve others because we were born thinking about our own needs and wants.

Jesus came to serve and to give his life for many.   On the cross, he paid the ransom ( what it cost to get us back)   For our souls.  

Let's consider what it takes to be like Jesus and do it!!  Let's lay down our lives for others.  

Gina - Isaiah 40 :31

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

I am upon a very busy week.  The demand for my time and best contribution in many different places with all kinds of hats will be huge and I know this.... It will be up to me to wait upon The Lord each day and gain strength.  It will be up to me to choose to glean something spiritual and awakening from it or to let it exhaust me. 

So I choose experience and life .  I choose refinement.  I choose his way today.  I pray for patience, thankfulness, perseverance, courage, long suffering, humility, temperance and endurance. 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength. 

Let it be dear lord, let it be .

Kadin - John 21:16

A second time Jesus said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” (John 21:16 GNT)

Today is Devins birthday so Kadin used Devins life verse - John 21.

This verse speaks volumes of who Devin is by how he lives.   He puts people first - it's amazing to watch out of a 14 year old!

We took the opportunity to tell Devin what we love about him ....

Here's just a few:

Kind

He plays with us

He is a sport

A great brother 

Sacrifice is easy

Full of integrity

Loving

Passionate

Cool

Faith filled

Not moved by influence

Steady

Awesome son!!! 

Livia - John 21:3

Simon Peter said, “I am going out to fish.” The others said, “We will go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat. They fished that night but caught nothing. (John 21:3 NCV)

Jesus told the disciples to drop their net and he caused them to catch many fish.  

Each of these men were so different and yet he was a friend to each one.  

Livia encouraged us to be like Jesus with people.  Even though people are not like us we can still love them and kind to them.   Every person is important to God.  

We also need to be content with how God made us.   Loving ourselves because we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God is so important !!!!

So thankful that Livi-g gets that this morning!!  Amen girl!!

Devin - Mark 9:22

The spirit often throws him into a fire or into water to kill him. If you can do anything for him, please have pity on us and help us.” (Mark 9:22 NCV)

It is In the place of humiliation where we find our true worth to God.  

Peter wanted to stay on the mountain with Jesus but Jesus took them down into the valley.  

On the mountain top you can have faith for anything but it's in the valley that you receive your testimony. 

Dev said that living in a place of humility is the best most learning place to be.  In the valleys of our life we display his glory more than any other time in our life.  

Tim - Ephesians 3:16

I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit. (Ephesians 3:16 NCV)

Like a child longing for a fathers favor , we should feel the same about our Heavenly Father.    We can go to God everyday and say I want your blessing on my life today Lord. 

It's each of our responsibility for our own relationship with God.  Strength inwardly comes from daily time spent with God.  

Do you want to be strong?

Spend time with our God!