Forgiven

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Avila Bay, CA)
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This time I'm writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts. I'll be their God, they'll be my people. They won't go to school to learn about me, or buy a book called God in Five Easy Lessons. They'll all get to know me firsthand, the little and the big, the small and the great. They'll get to know me by being kindly forgiven, with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean. By coming up with a new plan, a new covenant between God and his people, God put the old plan on the shelf. And there it stays, gathering dust.

God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.

Now when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

I am writing to you, my dear children, because your sins have been forgiven because of Jesus.
"Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight.

Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven—healed inside and out.

Hebrews 8:6 Colossians 1:14 Hebrews 10:18 1 John 2:12 Romans 4:7 James 5:13

"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Call

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Gleneagle, CO)
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Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me."

But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent?

For the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;

" WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.

Psalm 50:15 Romans 10:14 Romans 10:12 Romans 10:13 Psalm 105:1

Prayer is an open line to heaven.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Wise

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Steamboat Springs, CO)
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Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't 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.

Don't fool yourself. Don't think that you can be wise merely by being up-to-date with the times. Be God's fool—that's the path to true wisdom. What the world calls smart, God calls stupid.

I kept thinking, 'Experience will tell. The longer you live, the wiser you become.' But I see I was wrong—it's God's Spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty One, that makes wise human insight possible.

Good people see this and are glad; bad people are speechless, stopped in their tracks. If you are really wise, you'll think this over— it's time you appreciated God's deep love.

Oh, how I love all you've revealed … I've become wiser than the wise old sages simply by doing what you tell me. I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil so I can spend all my time keeping your Word.

The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart. Day and night I'll stick with God; I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.

James 3:13 1 Corinthians 3:18 Job 32:6 Psalm 107:42 Psalm 119:97 Psalm 16:7

Be wise – believe His Word – do the right thing!

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Far

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Maui)
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For life consists of far more than food and clothing.

God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves … and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

For the Father loves the Son and tells him everything he is doing, and the Son will do far greater things than healing this man. You will be astonished at what he does.

This "foolish" plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength.

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church!

Luke 12:23 Romans 8:26 John 5:20 1 Corinthians 1:25 2 Corinthians 4:16 Ephesians 3:20

The smartest people know that God knows best.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Understand

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Garden of the Gods,CO)
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Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

"This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts so they will understand them, and I will write them on their minds so they will obey them."

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

[ Living as Children of God ] See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don't know God, so they don't understand that we are his children.

Revelation 2:29 Hebrews 10:16 Ephesians 3:18 Ephesians 3:19 Philippians 4:7 1 John 3:1

We can endure life's wrongs because we know that God will make all things right.

LIFEgroups - together experiencing God!

Glenn - 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Every word

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Beulah)
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Every word you give me is a miracle word— how could I help but obey? Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning. Mouth open and panting, I wanted your commands more than anything.

Jesus sensed that his disciples were having a hard time with this and said, "Does this throw you completely? What would happen if you saw the Son of Man ascending to where he came from? The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don't make anything happen. Every word I've spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making.

Could it be any clearer? … From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did.

I'm the only God there is— The only God who does things right and knows how to help. So turn to me and be helped—saved!— everyone, whoever and wherever you are. I am God, the only God there is, the one and only. I promise in my own name: Every word out of my mouth does what it says. I never take back what I say.

But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, `People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.' "

Psalm 119:129 John 6:61 Romans 6:6 Isaiah 45:18 Matthew 4:4

A word of encouragement can make the difference of giving up or going on.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Burst

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Beulah,CO)
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I am like a wine cask without a vent. My words are ready to burst out!

The LORD is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Let my lips burst forth with praise, for you have taught me your principles.

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.

You did it: you changed wild lament into whirling dance; You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers. I'm about to burst with song; I can't keep quiet about you. God, my God, I can't thank you enough.

Job 32:19 Psalm 28:7 Psalm 119:171 Isaiah 35:5 Psalm 30:11

Christ’s birth brought the infinite God to finite man.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Presence

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Colorado sky)
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The brilliance of his presence broke through the clouds

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.

But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin.

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome.

Psalm 18:12 Psalm 16:11 Psalm 23:5 Psalm 37:7 1 John 1:7 Ephesians 3:12

In the light of Christ’s brilliance, the world’s wisdom is but a shadow.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Rich

a WORD from GOD's Book
(photo: EZ-Yoke Ranch, Beulah,CO)
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Better a poor man who lives with integrity than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: although He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich.

Listen, my dear brothers: Didn't God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that He has promised to those who love Him?

You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.

[Instruct them] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share

The same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him.

Proverbs 28:6 2 Corinthians 8:9 James 2:5 Psalm 63:5 1 Timothy 6:18 Romans 10:12

God’s generous giving deserves thankful living.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Searching

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Lake Michigan,Door Co.,WI)
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Search for the LORD and for his strength, and keep on searching.

His parents didn't know what to think. "Son!" his mother said to him. "Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."

"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"

Once more he asked them, "Whom are you searching for?" And again they replied, "Jesus of Nazareth."

[ Keep Asking, Searching, Knocking ] "Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

He who is searching the hearts hath known what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because according to God he doth intercede for saints. 28 And we have known that to those loving God all things do work together for good, to those who are called according to purpose;

1 Chronicles 16:11 Luke 2:48 Luke 2:49 John 18:7 Matthew 7:7 Romans 8:27

Praise is the voice of a soul set free.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO

Guidance

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Door County,WI)
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I am but a foreigner here on earth; I need the guidance of your commands.

And I will destroy those who used to worship me but now no longer do. They no longer ask for the LORD's guidance or seek my blessings."

When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is happy.

"But before you do anything, ask God for guidance."

"Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get.

The congregation in Antioch was blessed with a number of prophet-preachers and teachers… One day as they were worshiping God—they were also fasting as they waited for guidance—the Holy Spirit spoke: "Take Barnabas and Saul and commission them for the work I have called them to do."

Psalm 119:19 Zephaniah 1:6 Proverbs 29:18 2 Chronicles 18:4 Matthew 7:12 Acts 13:1

God’s grace accepted is God’s peace experienced.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Authority

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Maui)
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All actual authority stems from Christ.

So now we have a high priest who perfectly fits our needs: completely holy, uncompromised by sin, with authority extending as high as God's presence in heaven itself. Unlike the other high priests, he doesn't have to offer sacrifices for his own sins every day before he can get around to us and our sins. He's done it, once and for all: offered up himself as the sacrifice. The law appoints as high priests men who are never able to get the job done right. But this intervening command of God, which came later, appoints the Son, who is absolutely, eternally perfect.

I, Paul … My authority for writing to you does not come from any popular vote of the people, nor does it come through the appointment of some human higher-up. It comes directly from Jesus the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.

Now I confer on you the royal authority my Father conferred on me so you can eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and be strengthened as you take up responsibilities among the congregations of God's people.

Jesus said … No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God's authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that's the agenda for rejoicing."

[ Keep It Simple ] Jesus now called the Twelve and gave them authority and power to deal with all the demons and cure diseases. He commissioned them to preach the news of God's kingdom and heal the sick. He said, "Don't load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns—get a modest place and be content there until you leave. If you're not welcomed, leave town. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on."

1 Corinthians 11:1 Hebrews 7:26 Galatians 1:1 Luke 22:27 Luke 10:18 Luke 9:1

The power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead is the same power at work in you.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Resting place

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Seal Beach, CA)
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The dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, so she returned to him into the ark, for the water was on the surface of all the earth. Then he put out his hand and took her, and brought her into the ark to himself.

"My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place.

Don't continue doing things the way we're doing them at present, each of us doing as we wish. Until now you haven't arrived at the goal, the resting place, the inheritance that God, your God, is giving you. But the minute you cross the Jordan River and settle into the land God, your God, is enabling you to inherit, he'll give you rest from all your surrounding enemies. You'll be able to settle down and live in safety.

" 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?

for you have not as yet come to the resting place and the inheritance which the LORD your God is giving you.

Genesis 8:9 Jeremiah 50:6 Deuteronomy 12:8 Acts 7:49 Deuteronomy 12:9

You cannot teach what you do not know, nor lead where you do not go.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Careful

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Garden of the Gods, CO)
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What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.

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.

"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

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.

1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 5:6 Ezekiel 36:27 Galatians 6:4 2 John 1:8

Unless Christ is the center of interest, life will be out of focus.

LIFEgroups - together experiencing God

Glenn - 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Faithful

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Monterey,CA)
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What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the Holy Spirit, whom God has placed within us, jealously longs for us to be faithful ?

You are right and you do right, God; your decisions are right on target. You rightly instruct us in how to live ever faithful to you.

Love the LORD, all you faithful ones! For the LORD protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes all who are arrogant.

To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.

For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.

And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds.

James 4:5 Psalm 119:137 Psalm 31:23 Psalm 18:25 Hebrews 3:14 2 Thessalonians 1:11

The world’s applause cannot compare to the Lord’s approval.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

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

Strong

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Maui)
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God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace.
I love you, God— you make me strong. God is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live

Less is more and more is less. One righteous will outclass fifty wicked, For the wicked are moral weaklings but the righteous are God-strong.

But you, God, break out laughing; you treat the godless nations like jokes. Strong God, I'm watching you do it, I can always count on you. God in dependable love shows up on time…

God makes everything come out right ..God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him.

And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong.

Psalm 29:11 Psalm 18:1 Psalm 37:16 Psalm 59:8 Psalm 103:6 Ephesians 6:10

Strong faith is often found in the heart of a child – and the child-like!

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Awake

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Maui)
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I stayed awake all night, prayerfully pondering your promise.

Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.

"The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed.

Be like house servants waiting for their master to come back from his honeymoon, awake and ready to open the door when he arrives and knocks.

Stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up.

Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer.

Psalm 119:148 Revelation 2:29 Romans 13:12 Luke 12:36 Matthew 24:42 1 Peter 4:7

God speaks through His Word - take time to listen.

LIFEgroups - together experiencing God

Glenn - 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Blossom

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: 7/28 368 Mission Hill Way)
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Let righteousness burst into blossom and peace abound until the moon fades to nothing. Rule from sea to sea, from the River to the Rim.

Get up, my dear friend … Look around you: Winter is over; the winter rains are over, gone! Spring flowers are in blossom all over. The whole world's a choir—and singing!

The days are coming when Jacob shall put down roots, Israel blossom and grow fresh branches, and fill the world with its fruit.

Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower— Like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color. Mountain glories of Lebanon—a gift. Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon—gifts. God's resplendent glory, fully on display. God awesome, God majestic.

What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations. Oh, look—the deep, wide sea, brimming with fish past counting, sardines and sharks and salmon. Ships plow those waters, and Leviathan, your pet dragon, romps in them. All the creatures look expectantly to you to give them their meals on time. You come, and they gather around; you open your hand and they eat from it. If you turned your back, they'd die in a minute— Take back your Spirit and they die, revert to original mud; Send out your Spirit and they spring to life— the whole countryside in bloom and blossom.

You thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.

Psalm 72:1 Song of Solomon 2:10 Isaiah 27:6 Isaiah 35:1 Psalm 104:24 Psalm 1:2

When words and actions agree, the message is loud and clear.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God!

Glenn – 368 Mission Hill Way, Colorado Springs CO 80921

Declare

a WORD from God's Book
(photo: Los Alamitos,CA)
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The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

The people will declare, "The LORD is the source of all my righteousness and strength."

If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within."

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Psalm 19:1 Psalm 51:15 Psalm 96:3 Isaiah 45:24 John 7:38 1 Peter 2:9

Nothing can dim the beauty that shines from within.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God.

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