We enjoyed a great time of eating, laughing and talking about God's promises on Tuesday night. Here are some of God's precious promises that we hold dear:
Hebrews 13:5 - Be content with what you have, for he has said "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Lamentations 3:22-23 - The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Jeremiah 32:40 - I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.
more to come...
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
March 20 Care Group
We began the evening with great snacks from Sue, then sang about the Throne of Grace and How Good It Is to be loved by our Lord.
We read Chapter 7 of our book. Tony read Philippians 4:11-12 "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need."
We all must learn contentment as life's experiences squeeze us, shape us and press us. This isn't easy or pleasant. Sometimes it hurts.
Just like a Potter with the clay, His hands weigh down on us and make us more like Him. We all need His work so much in our lives. We tend to be dull and learn slowly. He is patient and continues to work in us for our good and His glory.
Our prayer is "Lord, please help us to remember that You're still there when it feels like nothing is underneath us holding us up."
We just look to His providence as a comfort in times of trial.
Can you reflect on situations that God has allowed to teach you contentment in life? It's good for us to give thanks to God and see what He's working into us.
We can't be overly concerned with our reputations, our own agendas and our comfort.
There may be times when we can't really see what God is doing or even how He could get glory from certain trials. But that doesn't mean we can't trust Him to be sustaining us and taking care of us in every way.
We read Chapter 7 of our book. Tony read Philippians 4:11-12 "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need."
We all must learn contentment as life's experiences squeeze us, shape us and press us. This isn't easy or pleasant. Sometimes it hurts.
Just like a Potter with the clay, His hands weigh down on us and make us more like Him. We all need His work so much in our lives. We tend to be dull and learn slowly. He is patient and continues to work in us for our good and His glory.
Our prayer is "Lord, please help us to remember that You're still there when it feels like nothing is underneath us holding us up."
We just look to His providence as a comfort in times of trial.
Can you reflect on situations that God has allowed to teach you contentment in life? It's good for us to give thanks to God and see what He's working into us.
We can't be overly concerned with our reputations, our own agendas and our comfort.
There may be times when we can't really see what God is doing or even how He could get glory from certain trials. But that doesn't mean we can't trust Him to be sustaining us and taking care of us in every way.
Friday, March 9, 2012
March 6 Care Group
We started the evening with chips and dip, and huge chocolate chip cookies baked by Julie!! Then we sang about God's throne of grace and His amazing love.
Our discussion of Chapter 6 of our book began with processing the amazing exchange that has taken place. Jesus has taken all our sins and the punishment - we don't have to pay for them! - and He pours out blessings on us instead, and we deserve none of them. What mercies, what fullness.
"On our worst days we are doing infinitely better than we deserve."
Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." We need to remember and focus on the fact that Jesus loves us and actually rejoices over us. Instead of remembering all our failures, we need to center on His amazing love!
2Cor 5:14 "For the love of Christ controls us." We need to think about that and let God give us ideas about how to show His love to those around us. The Psalms are filled with references to His love. Though there are many more references to His wrath, we must never forget that He is indeed a God of love.
If we struggle with being really hard on ourselves, focusing on our sins, our faults, etc., it's because we don't have right theology and don't understand His love.
We can be His conduit and send His love through the Gospel to others. "They will know you are my disciples by your love."
This world is intent on destroying anyone in the public eye. We should represent everything God is to us when we deal with people who don't know Him. When people see us react in a grace-filled way under pressure, they will want what we have.
It's a huge testimony of God's love when people see us loving each other. New believers can walk into our church and see husbands and wives being affectionate, respectful children, peace and stability and love that is palpable.
He has changed our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. We have the compassion of God moving in and through us.
Jesus moved in compassion, saw sinners as sheep without a shepherd, and felt for and with those around Him.
Thomas Watson quote on p. 70 "Are you not heir to all the promises? Do you not have a foretaste of heaven? When you let go of your natural life, are you not sure of eternal life? Has not God given you the earnest and first fruits of glory? Is not this enough to spur the heart to contentment?"
Being aware of His blessings moves us to love. Those who have been forgiven much love much. It's not a self-righteous love, but a humble, broken love.
The love of God can motivate us through our situational problems, infirmities, and trials and use us for His glory in the midst of it all!
As we go through life, having a good view of the Gospel kills a complaining spirit in us.
God wants us to have a great love for believers AND unbelievers.
I John says that we need to show our love not by words only, but by deeds. It's comforting to know that God sees all our acts of love in His name.
If we don't do works out of His love, we are as a noisy gong or clanging cymbal. His love is the key!
Remember that not only the world is watching, but our children also. They pay attention and will emulate God's love in ways that we don't expect.
Our discussion of Chapter 6 of our book began with processing the amazing exchange that has taken place. Jesus has taken all our sins and the punishment - we don't have to pay for them! - and He pours out blessings on us instead, and we deserve none of them. What mercies, what fullness.
"On our worst days we are doing infinitely better than we deserve."
Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." We need to remember and focus on the fact that Jesus loves us and actually rejoices over us. Instead of remembering all our failures, we need to center on His amazing love!
2Cor 5:14 "For the love of Christ controls us." We need to think about that and let God give us ideas about how to show His love to those around us. The Psalms are filled with references to His love. Though there are many more references to His wrath, we must never forget that He is indeed a God of love.
If we struggle with being really hard on ourselves, focusing on our sins, our faults, etc., it's because we don't have right theology and don't understand His love.
We can be His conduit and send His love through the Gospel to others. "They will know you are my disciples by your love."
This world is intent on destroying anyone in the public eye. We should represent everything God is to us when we deal with people who don't know Him. When people see us react in a grace-filled way under pressure, they will want what we have.
It's a huge testimony of God's love when people see us loving each other. New believers can walk into our church and see husbands and wives being affectionate, respectful children, peace and stability and love that is palpable.
He has changed our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. We have the compassion of God moving in and through us.
Jesus moved in compassion, saw sinners as sheep without a shepherd, and felt for and with those around Him.
Thomas Watson quote on p. 70 "Are you not heir to all the promises? Do you not have a foretaste of heaven? When you let go of your natural life, are you not sure of eternal life? Has not God given you the earnest and first fruits of glory? Is not this enough to spur the heart to contentment?"
Being aware of His blessings moves us to love. Those who have been forgiven much love much. It's not a self-righteous love, but a humble, broken love.
The love of God can motivate us through our situational problems, infirmities, and trials and use us for His glory in the midst of it all!
As we go through life, having a good view of the Gospel kills a complaining spirit in us.
God wants us to have a great love for believers AND unbelievers.
I John says that we need to show our love not by words only, but by deeds. It's comforting to know that God sees all our acts of love in His name.
If we don't do works out of His love, we are as a noisy gong or clanging cymbal. His love is the key!
Remember that not only the world is watching, but our children also. They pay attention and will emulate God's love in ways that we don't expect.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
February 21 Care Group
We began the evening with some beautiful sweet rolls and harvest bread made by Debbie! Then we sang about how our lives are really all about Him and the debt of love that we owe to our God.
First we discussed our prayer requests from last care group and heard some good reports. Tony read Romans 13:14 - But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Here are some themes discussed:
-It's encouraging to know that God is involved and working out His sanctification in our lives. It's humbling, but it's evidence of the fact that God IS at work in people's lives - in marriages, relationships, etc.
-A sign of God working through us is the non-judgmental way we can help each other through times of trial and temptation.
-We have no right to ever judge another no matter the sin, because it's guaranteed that we're struggling in another area.
-God's mission is to search out every pocket of sin in my life. He loves us so much. His mercy triumphs over sin.
-Sin is so much more detrimental than we realize. We must put on Christ because we don't have the equipment or the strength to combat sin and its effects.
-How do we put on Christ? By prayerful, purposeful effort to trust His word and then staying there. By worship: what a privilege to have time to worship Him during our days. By spending time in the Word.
-We get bombarded by the world. We are dependent on Him and are desperately in need of Jesus.
-We can take a moment in our stressful days to turn to Him for grace and strength and make godly decisions.
-We actively sow to the Spirit and not to our natural inclinations.
-God knows we have days where we feel empty and non-inspired. He is the source for all of our needs.
-Putting on Christ = loving other people. It leaves no room for judging and flippant reactions to other people's sins.
-We must remember how God loves us and how patient He is with us.
-Romans 13:8 "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."
-How does the love of God work out in our lives? In various ways, He motivates us to reach out to serve and love others in His name.
-Sometimes in His love He allows us to fail where we've judged others.
-People are hurting and need God - we need to pray for God to give us wisdom and love and time for others.
-Being satisfied in Him frees us from inhibitions that prevent us from loving others.
First we discussed our prayer requests from last care group and heard some good reports. Tony read Romans 13:14 - But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Here are some themes discussed:
-It's encouraging to know that God is involved and working out His sanctification in our lives. It's humbling, but it's evidence of the fact that God IS at work in people's lives - in marriages, relationships, etc.
-A sign of God working through us is the non-judgmental way we can help each other through times of trial and temptation.
-We have no right to ever judge another no matter the sin, because it's guaranteed that we're struggling in another area.
-God's mission is to search out every pocket of sin in my life. He loves us so much. His mercy triumphs over sin.
-Sin is so much more detrimental than we realize. We must put on Christ because we don't have the equipment or the strength to combat sin and its effects.
-How do we put on Christ? By prayerful, purposeful effort to trust His word and then staying there. By worship: what a privilege to have time to worship Him during our days. By spending time in the Word.
-We get bombarded by the world. We are dependent on Him and are desperately in need of Jesus.
-We can take a moment in our stressful days to turn to Him for grace and strength and make godly decisions.
-We actively sow to the Spirit and not to our natural inclinations.
-God knows we have days where we feel empty and non-inspired. He is the source for all of our needs.
-Putting on Christ = loving other people. It leaves no room for judging and flippant reactions to other people's sins.
-We must remember how God loves us and how patient He is with us.
-Romans 13:8 "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."
-How does the love of God work out in our lives? In various ways, He motivates us to reach out to serve and love others in His name.
-Sometimes in His love He allows us to fail where we've judged others.
-People are hurting and need God - we need to pray for God to give us wisdom and love and time for others.
-Being satisfied in Him frees us from inhibitions that prevent us from loving others.
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