I'm thankful for....

My savior Jesus Christ

My family

Food and shelter

My church family

Music

Heat

My puppy

Thanksgiving dinner

Basketball

School / education

Friends

Grace and mercy

Peace

Fruit of the spirit 

Abundant life

Health

Ministry as our vocation

Life

Deep relationships 

Sun

The Holy Spirit 

Give thanks in all things!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Philippians 1:6

I love that this scripture says not just "for you" but "in you"!!!

He who began a good work IN you.  

Think about that?   What work has he started in you?

We read about Paul and his purpose for writing this letter.  It's still soooo relevant for today-

To encourage the church to stand firm in the face of persecution and rejoice regardless of circumstances.   

To exhort them to humility and unity.

To warn against legalism and libertarian among them.  

Hum....?

Thank you Jesus for your goodness to us and for the word of God that inspires us everyday!!

John 15

John 15 - "I am the true vine, and my father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit.  While every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

So? Question?

Are you bearing fruit?  What is it?

What would others say you are bearing?

What are the fruits of living in the Spirit?

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, self control.  

If you are bearing fruit , God will still "prune" you so that you remain IN HIM.

Getting rid of what distracts us, what brings us down and what does not bear fruit.  

Let Him be the gardener of your life.   

Psalm 40

Psalm 40 "I waited patiently for the Lord, he turned and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy put, out of the mud and mire.  He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. "

We experienced Life Challenge last night at our church.  It's always a blast from our past as we recall God saving Tim's life with his grace through this program.  He truly picked him out of the slimy pit and gave him a firm place to stand.  Hopeless no more - rather full of hope and ready to share it with all!!!!

We are so grateful this morning. 

Our God is good. 

 

Tim - John 16:8

John 16:8. "When he comes he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me. "

Forgiveness does not mean that we are saved from hell and made right for heaven.   Rather, forgiveness means we are forgiven into a recreated relationship. A new identification in Christ.   The miracle is he turns us (unholy)into the standard of himself (holy) by giving us the disposition of Christ. 

Devin - Psalm 34:5

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:5 NIV)

See yourself as God sees you.  It's easy to look in the mirror or to think about your person and feel not good enough.   Our faces shine when we accept his love and forgiveness.  True joy.  

 Make space in your life for God to enter in, for the Holy Spirit it. Guide you.  Let's walk in collaboration with Him. 

Gina - Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. (Psalm 130:1-8 NIV)

A prayer for mercy and grounds for assurance.  If God were not forgiving, people would flee from him in terror .  

I wait in hopeful expectation for the Lord to meet me here this morning.  It's interesting that the psalmist says this twice. I wonder why?  I repeat when I think it's important.  Waiting onGod in His word - is a powerful daily process.   

I like to change the name of "Isreal" to my name.  "O Gina put your hope in the lord.  For with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.  He himself will redeem Gina from all her sins."

Thank you Lord! 

Tim - 2 Cor 5:17

If any man is in Christ he is a new creation!  The old is gone and all things are new!!!!  2 Cor. 5:17

If we are a new creation - we are changed!   We don't talk the same way, act the same way, love the same way...everything is different!   You live 1 Cor. 13 Love and Galatians 5 fruit of the Spirit !!! Amen!!!???? 

Deeper than our conscience  can go , God is working on us everyday.  Love that!!!

Ephesians 1:18-20

WI pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, (Ephesians 1:18-20 NIV)

God promises to be in our day and to give us what we need as we need it.  Trusting God brings faith and security in everything. His power will carry you today.  

Gina - Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV)

This verse is our small groups memory verse right now!  It's powerful self-less call is right in our face this morning.  

What is selfish ambition ?  Wanting things for yourself.  For your good.  For your agenda.  Promote you.  

What is vain conceit?  Excessive pride.  Thinking about your outward appearance and caring more about that then anything else.  

So?  Don't do anything that is selfish and prideful!   What a great word for us who live in a world that says "more more more me me me!"  

God - as we surrender our lives to you point out our selfish and prideful ways !!!

1 John 2:16

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:16 NIV)

Everyday we are in conflict with the worlds ways.  Why?   We live in a world that is crazed over gratifying self.  Our culture also encourages us to bow to materialism.  It's all about what else you can get and what your status is.  This is toxic for our spiritual growth. 

When tempted with these attitudes remember what God values....self control, generosity, humbleness, and a servants heart while we interact with our world. 

 

Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1 NIV)

In view of Gods mercy ...in other words because of his great compassion and love for us ....it's the least you can do - to give yourself too!   

Wen we surrender ourself , our dreams, our ideas, control over our lives to Him we are offering ourselves as a living sacrifice.   Does it take guts?  You bet!

Trust is a factor , but when you step out and see that God's plans for you are good and right and that he can be trusted - you are just never the same!!!