Gift

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Naples, CA)
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Thank God for his Son--a gift too wonderful for words!

However, he has given each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ.

It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

I know that you sincerely trust the Lord, for you have the faith… This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.

If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Ephesians 4:7 1 Corinthians 12:11 2 Timothy 1:6 1 Corinthians 12:7 Romans 12:8

No gift is more needed by a dying world than a living Savior.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!
Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Water

a WORD from God's Book (photo: Steamboat Springs, CO) __________________________________________________________________________ As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. For I will pour water on the thirsty ground and send streams coursing through the parched earth. I will pour my Spirit into your descendants and my blessing on your children. They shall sprout like grass on the prairie, like willows alongside creeks. You are a garden fountain, a well of living water, as refreshing as the streams from the Lebanon mountains." For the Lamb who stands in front of the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away all their tears." Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song. Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert. Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain. Even lowly jackals will have water to drink, and barren grasslands flourish richly. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. Psalm 42:1 Isaiah 44:1 Song of Solomon 4:15 Revelation 7:17 Isaiah 35:5 Psalm 1:3 In every desert of of trial, the Holy Spirit is our oasis of comfort. LIFEgroups – together Experiencing God! Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Gratitude

a WORD from God's Book (photo: Manitowoc, WI) _______________________________________________________________________ I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me … The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal." One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus' feet, so grateful. He couldn't thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan. Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don't forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Romans 12:3 Luke 7:43 Luke 17:14 Colossians 4:2 Colossians 3:16 Faith flourishes in the garden of gratitude. LIFEgroups – together experiencing God! Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Begin

a WORD from God's Book (photo: Manitowoc, WI) ________________________________________________________________________ Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God's Message to you? Christ is God's ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. Human wisdom is so tinny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can't begin to compete with God's "weakness." "'I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.' Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin and if you will swear by my name alone, and begin to live good, honest lives and uphold justice, then you will be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people will come and praise my name." Do you think the work of harvesting will not begin until the summer ends four months from now? Look around you! Vast fields are ripening all around us and are ready now for the harvest. Galatians 3:2 1 Corinthians 1:22 Acts 26:17 Zechariah 4:10 Jeremiah 4:2 John 4:35 The future always looks bright when viewed through the window of God’s promises. LIFEgroups – together experiencing God! Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Enjoy

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO)
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Don't you realize that friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can't be a friend of God.

Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right.
Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

Live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!

And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.

I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings.

James 4:4 Galatians 6:4 2 Timothy 2:22 Romans 12:16 1 John 2:25 1 Corinthians 9:23

If you see people without a smile today, give them one of yours!

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Reveal

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Lake Tahoe, CA)
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Who has believed our message? To whom will the LORD reveal his saving power?

But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that it is I who speaks to them."

I will show how holy my great name is--the name you dishonored among the nations. And when I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign LORD, then the nations will know that I am the LORD.

"Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, and I am pleased with him. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will reveal justice to the nations.

He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!"

Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them."

Isaiah 53:1 Isaiah 52:6 Ezekiel 36:23 Isaiah 42:1 Luke 2:32 John 14:21

We are spiritually blind if we cannot see God’s hand in nature.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Respect

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Monterey,CA)
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Frivolous talk provokes a derisive smile; wise speech evokes nothing but respect.

Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder, always spoiling for a fight. Don't try to be like those who shoulder their way through life. Why be a bully? "Why not?" you say. Because God can't stand twisted souls. It's the straightforward who get his respect.

[ Relationships ] Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.

Show respect for everyone. Love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God. Show respect for the king.

Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous.

As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others to meet your financial needs.

Proverbs 14:3 Proverbs 3:30 Ephesians 5:21 1 Peter 2:17 Titus 3:1 1 Thessalonians 4:12

To enjoy your walk with God, keep in step with His Word.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80921

Pour

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Below Eagle Lake, CA))
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For God decided to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds.

If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise!

May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 Romans 2:8 James 3:13 1 Thessalonians 3:11 2 Corinthians 9:8

God uses ordinary people to carry out His extraordinary plan.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Practice

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Regina,CS2007)
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We know that those who have become part of God's family do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on them.

My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

He replied, "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice."

Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.

But that does not mean we want to tell you exactly how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy as you stand firm in your faith.

1 John 5:18 1 John 3:18 1 Corinthians 9:25 Luke 11:28 Philippians 4:9 2 Corinthians 1:24

God wants to paint your life with joy.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Continue

a WORD from God's Book (photo: Colorado-NW of Pueblo) __________________________________________________________________________ So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will continue to live in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. You have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true--it is not a lie. So continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ. For if you wander beyond the teaching of Christ, you will not have fellowship with God. But if you continue in the teaching of Christ, you will have fellowship with both the Father and the Son. So if we continue to live in him, we won't sin either. But those who keep on sinning have never known him or understood who he is. But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit. Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 2:24 1 John 2:272 John 1:9 1 John 3:6 Jude 1:20 1 John 4:7 We conquer by continuing. LIFEgroups - together experiencing God. Glenn - 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

War

a WORD from God's Book (photo: Colorado Springs, CO) ______________________________________________________________________________ He knew their thoughts, so he said, "Any kingdom at war with itself is doomed. A divided home is also doomed. Nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, and famines. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come. We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. Bless the LORD, who is my rock. He gives me strength for war and skill for battle. He will save you from death in time of famine, from the power of the sword in time of war. Luke 11:17 Mark 13:8 2 Corinthians 10:3 Ecclesiastes 3:8 Psalm 144:1 Job 5:20 ___________________________ The presence of trouble does not mean the absence of God. LIFEgroups - together experiencing God! Glenn - 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Careful

a WORD from God's Book (photo: Colorado Springs, CO) _________________________________________________________________________________ I will be careful to live a blameless life-- I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. You must be careful with this freedom of yours. Do not cause a brother or sister with a weaker conscience to stumble. Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world. These things I have told you are all true. I want you to insist on them so that everyone who trusts in God will be careful to do good deeds all the time. These things are good and beneficial for everyone. So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. And be very careful around them so you don't lose out on what we've worked so diligently in together; I want you to get every reward you have coming to you. Anyone who gets so progressive in his thinking that he walks out on the teaching of Christ, walks out on God. But whoever stays with the teaching, stays faithful to both the Father and the Son. Psalm 101:2 1 Corinthians 8:9 1 Peter 2:12 Titus 3:8 1 Peter 5:6 2 John 1:8 Our greatest weakness may be our failure to rely on God's strength. LIFEgroups - together experiencing God! Glenn - 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Good News

a WORD from God's Book (photo: Colorado Springs,CO) ________________________________________________________________________ I have not kept this good news hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news--the Good News about Christ. What's more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would accept the Gentiles, too, on the basis of their faith. God promised this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, "All nations will be blessed through you." But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume. I am not ashamed of the good news of the Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to every one who is believing. And it is this Good News that saves you if you firmly believe it Psalm 40:10 Romans 10:17 Galatians 3:8 2 Corinthians 2:14 Romans 1:16 1 Corinthians 15:2 The gospel is bad news for those who reject it and good news to those who receive it. LIFEgroups – together experiencing God! Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Power

a WORD from God's Book (photo: Maui) __________________________________________________________________________________ This Good News has been announced by those who preached to you in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-- Send your healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created." 1 Peter 1:12 Romans 1:16 Acts 4:30 James 5:16 2 Peter 1:3 Revelation 4:11 The power of Christ within you is preater than the power of evil around you. LIFEgroups - together experiencing God! Glenn - 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Patient

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Palmer Lake, CO)
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It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.

Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness.

Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

Proverbs 16:32 Romans 12:12 2 Peter 1:6 Ephesians 4:2 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Hebrews 10:36

He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Nature

a WORD from God's Book (photo: Highway 24, Colorado) _______________________________________________________________________________ From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. Your royal decrees cannot be changed. The nature of your reign, O LORD, is holiness forever. You have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you. And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness--righteous, holy, and true. You have been called to live in freedom--not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. Romans 1:20 Psalm 93:5 Colossians 3:10 2 Peter 1:4 Ephesians 4:24 Galatians 5:13

All creation points to the almighty Creator.

LIFEgroups - together experiencing God.

Glenn - 368 Mission Hill Road, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Heart

a WORD from God's Book (photo: ) ___________________________________________________________________________ The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. And why? Because it's not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God's Word. Here's a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I'm proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech. "You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 2 Peter 1:19 1 Timothy 1:15 1 John 4:13 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Matthew 5:8 Christ opens the door of heaven to those who open their heart to Him. LIFEgroups - together experiencing God! Glenn - 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Chosen

a WORD from God's Book (photo: Manitowoc, WI) _____________________________________________________________________________________ As the Scriptures express it, "I am placing a stone in Jerusalem, a chosen cornerstone, and anyone who believes in him (Jesus) will never be disappointed. " Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? You are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. What has God above chosen for us? What is our inheritance from the Almighty on high? The LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, says to the one who is despised and rejected by a nation, to the one who is the servant of rulers: "Kings will stand at attention when you pass by. Princes will bow low because the LORD has chosen you. He, the faithful LORD, the Holy One of Israel, chooses you." 1 Peter 2:6 James 2:5 1 Peter 2:9 2 Peter 1:10 Job 31:2 Isaiah 49:7 The world rewards quick success; God rewards long-term faithfulness. LIFEgroups - together experiencing God! Glenn - 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Build

a WORD from God's Book (photo: Manitowoc,WI) ____________________________________________________________________ "Why are you so polite with me, always saying 'Yes, sir,' and 'That's right, sir,' but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on. Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! Luke 6:46 James 3:13 1 Thessalonians 5:9 Romans 14:19 Ephesians 4:11-13 Jude 1:20 ______________________________________________________________ The most important part of Christians is the first six letters. LIFEgroups - together experiencing God! Glenn - 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Free

a WORD from God's Book (photo: Sedona,AZ) __________________________________________________________________________ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the evil powers of this world. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right. But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law--the law that sets you free--and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. So whenever you speak, or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law of love, the law that set you free. [ Freedom in Christ ] So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. Romans 6:23 Colossians 2:20 Titus 2:14 James 1:25 James 2:12 Galatians 5:1

We are free to live, free to dance, free to enjoy life, free to share our freedom with the world!

LIFEgroups - together experiencing God!

Glenn - 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80921

Help

a WORD from God's Book (photo: Morning, Garden of the Gods,CO) ) ________________________________________________________________________________________ "Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you will end up out in the cold— real losers … That's right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go. I'm telling you, 'Don't panic. I'm right here to help you.' The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help live in joy. My help comes from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth! Cry for help and you'll find it's grace and more grace. The moment he hears, he'll answer. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Isaiah 41:11 Psalm 69:32 Psalm 121:2 Isaiah 30:19 Psalm 37:5 Psalm 34:5 The difficulties of life are to make us better - not bitter. LIFEgroups - together experiencing God Glenn - 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921