Psalm 43

We may find ourselves treated unfairly at times. During such times we must look to God, our only dependable source of strength and encouragement. as we turn our life over to Him and seek His wisdom and strength, we will find the help we need. we must learn, as the psalmist did, to find strenght by reading God's word and allowing Him to restore our joy. As our relationship with God grows stronger, we will discover the means for reconciling our broken relationships.

The Commitment Choice

Have you ever felt like David the writer of Psalms

"Problems far too big for me to solve are piled higher than my head. Meanwhile my sins, too many to count, have caught up with me, and I'm ashamed to look up." Psalms 40:12 LB

I'm so thankful that Jesus forgives and I no longer have to be ashamed. I can look up in to the face of a Holy God and He is my Father. He say, "He loves me." He loves you also, He sent Jesus to earth because He loves you and I so much. God wants a relationship with us that is real. Not just on Sunday mornings, 24/7/365 that is the relationship He wants.

Remember you are to reflect the Son in a world that needs His love.

Life Group Leaders

In the Magazine, "Life's Healing Choices," turn to page 44. In the bottom left corner, please look for the section called, "Small Group Resources: Helps for Host." Read point 5 on page 45. This is packed full of information to help your group. Remember to give the Holy Spirit time to work in the lives of the members of the group. If you move on too quickly, it could stop short what the Spirit is trying to do.

You guys and gals are doing a great job, we now have 32 Life Groups. 32 Groups that said we will trust you to feed us. Has God ever been feeding! Men and women are living free lives today because of what they have learned and applied to their lives. People are coming to know Christ for the first time in group settings. Two new believers this week alone. God is just asking us to join Him in what He is doing.

Have you done that? Please don't tell me this series is not for you or your group. By saying that you are taking the role of God in your own life and heaven forbid if you are a leader of a group and said, "no." If so, you are shepherding your group away from the spiritual leaders in which you are setting under. You're taking the role of God in their lives also. Are you ready to stand before God with your choice by saying, "I have no hurts, habits, or hang ups in my life?"

I'm not ready to do that. I'm learning more and more about Him and what He requires of me daily.

Thank you God for being patient with me.

Getting Help "The Hope Choice"

God knows about yours and my situations. He loves us and wants to help us through them. That is His heart, He doesn't want us to be alone or even feel alone. I loved this scripture in this weeks study.

You know how troubled I am; you have kept a record of my tears. Psalms 56:8 TEV

God loves us so much He know and has records of every tear we have shed. God wants a personal relationship with us. He cares about us and what is happening in our lives today and every day. It is because He loves us that He cares.

Thank you Jesus for loving and caring enough for me that you would give up everything for me. I want to cry just typing this out. The word "Thanks" just doesn't seem to be big enough to communicate what my heart feels. I'm so limited by my words or lack there of.

I love you though Jesus my brother

You Can Do It

When we have Jesus in our hearts there is nothing that we can not do for him. Including letting our community know that he is the reason for our hope. He will give you the words to say, and the courage to speak up. Just ask Him.

"For I can do everything God ask me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and the power." Philippians 4:13 TLB

Life's Healing Choices

Christ chose us, and we must chose to follow Him daily.

We as a church are about to embark on a journey together. This journey will grow us deeper then we have ever grown before. We will be looking inside of our self to see why we do the things we do. I know this can be very fearful. You can do it!

The Bible says in Psalm 139:23

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts"

We can trust that He has our best interest at heart. He will be walking with us on this journey, we are never alone. Now is the time to connect to a Life Group if you haven't already. Life is better when we live it together.

Fruit

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." John 12:24

Question for you: Where is your fruit?

Who's life are you investing into at present? Jesus wants us to be involved in the lives of others so He can show Himself to the world through us. If we are not involved in the lives of others relationally, how will the world see Jesus in us?

FORGIVENESS

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

We can love others because God first loved us. We can also forgive others because God took the initiative to forgive us first. God forgives us of every wrong we have or will commit to others or to Him. We must then forgive just as He forgives us. This is not an options my friends, it is expected of us.

Do we really want the Creator of the universe to forgave us in the same way we forgive others. I don't, When this life is over and I find myself standing before Him I want total forgiveness. What about you?

If you are choosing to hold onto bitterness and resentment today, stop it. It really is a choice you are making. We make the choice to hold on or let go of it. Make the right choices. Give it to God. Then enjoy the freedom as the weight of these negative emotions are taken away.