Prepare

A bright future

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You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

You visit the earth and cause it to overflow; You greatly enrich it; The stream of God is full of water; You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth.

Do your best, prepare for the worst— then trust God to bring victory.

"Stand at attention while I prepare you for your work. I'm making you as impregnable as a castle, Immovable as a steel post, solid as a concrete block wall. You're a one-man defense system against this culture, Against Judah's kings and princes, against the priests and local leaders. They'll fight you, but they won't even scratch you. I'll back you up every inch of the way." God's Decree.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it (All Scripture) to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Psalm 23:5 Psalm 65:9 Proverbs 21:31 Jeremiah 1:18 2 Timothy 3:17 John 14:3

Jesus is preparing a place for us and preparing us for that place.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Lack

Full flow...

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Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Those who give to the poor will lack nothing

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

If you need (lack) wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.

Psalm 34:9 Psalm 23:1 Psalm 34:10 Proverbs 28:27 1 Corinthians 1:7 James 1:5

God never tires of our asking… "Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. Matthew 7:7

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Discernment

Clear path

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Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them.

Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws

Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.

Daniel replied with discretion and discernment

“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment

Hosea 14:9 Psalm 119:125 Proverbs 28:11 Daniel 2:14 Proverbs 8:12
Philippians 1:9

God’s truth is the best protection against Satan’s lies.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Trust

Held tight

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The LORD is my rock … my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.

The instructions of the Lord are perfect… The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

Psalm 18:2 Psalm 19:7 Psalm 28:7 Psalm 20:7 Psalm 33:4 Psalm 37:5 Psalm 34:10

Trusting God turns problems into opportunities.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Desires

challenged

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For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.

Hebrews 4:12 1 John 2:17 2 Peter 1:4 Colossians 1:9 Hebrews 6:11 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Faith sees what the eyes cannot.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Quite

Quite beautiful

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If you let people treat you like a doormat, you'll be quite forgotten in the end.

But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.

"How can we picture God's kingdom? What kind of story can we use? It's like a pine nut. When it lands on the ground it is quite small as seeds go, yet once it is planted it grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches. Eagles nest in it."

When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.

There's more to come ... keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes.

Proverbs 29:21 Micah 6:8 Mark 4:30 Matthew 7:28 Romans 5:3 Romans 11:33

To take the fear out of living, put your faith in the living God.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Inspiration

Maui

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All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

If any one of you thinks God has something for you to say or has inspired you to do something, pay close attention to what I have written. This is the way the Master wants it.


We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.

The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."

From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.

2 Timothy 3:16 1 Corinthians 14:37 1 Thessalonians 1:3 2 Corinthians 8:7 Revelation 22:6 Psalm 65:8

For spiritual insight fix your eyes on the Lord…listen to His Spirit!

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God\

Glenn

Key

beyond the trees...

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Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.

It's better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day. Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel.

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

"You're hopeless, you religion scholars! You took the key of knowledge, but instead of unlocking doors, you locked them. You won't go in yourself, and won't let anyone else in either."

“What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering.”

You are to be a key witness to everyone you meet of what you've seen and heard. So what are you waiting for?

Proverbs 4:13 Proverbs 24:5 Isaiah 33:6 Luke 11:52 Luke 11:52 Acts 22:14

God’s house should be a hive for workers – not a nest for drones.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Seed

Abundance

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I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.

It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.

You plant a "dead" seed; soon there is a flourishing plant. There is no visual likeness between seed and plant. You could never guess what a tomato would look like by looking at a tomato seed. What we plant in the soil and what grows out of it don't look anything alike.

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything... 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.

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

1 Corinthians 3:6 1 Corinthians 3:7 1 Corinthians 15:35 2 Corinthians 9:10 2 Corinthians 9:8 Galatians 3:29

Winning in life depends on God – not good luck.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Change

Budding

.

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken—who can change his plans? When his hand is raised, who can stop him?”

God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change— he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.

O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord, or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins.

"You, son of man, are the watchman. I've made you a watchman for Israel. The minute you hear a message from me, warn them. If I say to the wicked, 'Wicked man, wicked woman, you're on the fast track to death!' and you don't speak up and warn the wicked to change their ways, the wicked will die unwarned in their sins and I'll hold you responsible for their bloodshed. But if you warn the wicked to change their ways and they don't do it, they'll die in their sins well-warned and at least you will have saved your own life.

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

This is how God answered me: "Take back those words, and I'll take you back. Then you'll stand tall before me. Use words truly and well. Don't stoop to cheap whining. Then, but only then, you'll speak for me. Let your words change them. Don't change your words to suit them.

Isaiah 14:27 Psalm 55:19 Jeremiah 4:4 Ezekiel 33:7 Isaiah 55:7 Jeremiah 15:19

True freedom is not choosing our way but yielding to God’s way.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Godliness

Image

.

The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.

Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness

Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?

Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.

Godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.

Proverbs 15:9 1 Timothy 4:7 1 Timothy 4:8 Matthew 5:13 Isaiah 58:8 1 Timothy 6:6

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Live together

shared beauty

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“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.

How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

Townspeople and farmers and shepherds alike will live together in peace and happiness.

Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.

In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all.

Proverbs 8:12 Psalm 133:1 Psalm 133:1 Jeremiah 31:24 James 5:16 Isaiah 11:6

We need each other if we are to do what God wants us to do.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Follow

The path

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Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths!

Train me, God, to walk straight; then I'll follow your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear.

Lead me in the right path ….Make your way plain for me to follow.

From now on every road you travel Will take you to God. Follow the Covenant signs; Read the charted directions.

You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.

Remember this! He led his people out singing for joy; his chosen people marched, singing their hearts out! He made them a gift of the country they entered, helped them seize the wealth of the nations So they could do everything he told them— could follow his instructions to the letter. Hallelujah!

Psalm 81:13 Psalm 86:11 Psalm 5:8 Psalm 25:10 Psalm 119:1 Psalm 105:43

How joyful are those who fear the Lord – all who follow his ways! Psalm128:1

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Design

Designed by God

.

Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it?

Study the design you were given on the mountain and make everything accordingly."

"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill.

In Him we also were made [God's] heritage and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained in accordance with His purpose, Who works out everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His [own] will

We are assured and know that [ God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

When the days come when the trumpet call of the seventh angel is about to be sounded, then God's mystery (His secret design, His hidden purpose), as He had announced the glad tidings to His servants the prophets, should be fulfilled (accomplished, completed).

Luke 12:25 Exodus 25:39 Acts 17:29 Ephesians 1:11 Romans 8:28 Revelation 10:7

Every child of God should have a growing likeness (design) to the Son of God.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Praise

Multitude of Praise

.

.All our praise is focused through Jesus on this incomparably wise God! Yes!

But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

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.

Romans 16:27 1 Peter 4:16 Ephesians 1:14 Ephesians 1:3 Ephesians 1:6 2 Corinthians 9:8

Praise is the overflow of a joyful heart.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Counting

Granada - The Alhambra

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Do you think that mere words can substitute for military skill and strength? Who are you counting on, that you have rebelled against me?

I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.

But me, I'm not giving up. I'm sticking around to see what God will do. I'm waiting for God to make things right. I'm counting on God to listen to me.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ

I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I'm king of the mountain.

Isaiah 36:5 Psalm 130:5 Micah 7:7 2 Corinthians 5:19 Philippians 3:8 Habakkuk 3:17

Spend your time counting your blessings, not airing your complaints.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Sees

What's ahead?

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From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all humankind;

For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.

He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;

For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?

"Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides history, He raises up kings and also brings them down, he provides both intelligence and discernment, He opens up the depths, tells secrets, sees in the dark—light spills out of him! God of all my ancestors, all thanks! all praise! You made me wise and strong, and now you have shown us what we asked for. You've solved the king's mystery."

Everyone sees it. God's work is the talk of the town. Be glad, good people! Fly to God! Good-hearted people, make praise your habit

Psalm 33:13 Proverbs 5:21 Isaiah 11:3 Romans 8:24 Daniel 2:19 Psalm 64:9

FAITH is the substance of hope … the 6th sense … seeing in the life in the Spirit.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Majestic

His handiwork

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You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains

LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

Splendid and majestic is His work, and His righteousness endures forever.

I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.

While he was coming, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into convulsions. Jesus stepped in, ordered the vile spirit gone, healed the boy, and handed him back to his father. They all shook their heads in wonder, astonished at God's greatness, God's majestic greatness…Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God’s power.

Psalm 76:4 Psalm 8:9 Psalm 29:4 Psalm 111:3 Psalm 145:5 Luke 9:42

You cannot hide your influence.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Sign

Krokus - first sign of Spring

.

"'And this is your confirming sign, confirming that I, God, will do exactly what I have promised. Watch for this: As the sun goes down and the shadow lengthens on the sundial of Ahaz, I'm going to reverse the shadow ten notches on the dial.'" And that's what happened: The declining sun's shadow reversed ten notches on the dial.

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

[Prompted] by faith Noah, being forewarned by God concerning events of which as yet there was no visible sign, took heed and diligently and reverently constructed and prepared an ark for the deliverance of his own family. By this [his faith which relied on God] he passed judgment and sentence on the world's unbelief and became an heir and possessor of righteousness ( that relation of being right into which God puts the person who has faith).

All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You're suffering now, but justice is on the way.

I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together with one accord for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.

Mark me with your sign of love. Plan only the best for me, God!

Isaiah 38:7 Isaiah 7:14 Hebrews 11:7 2 Thessalonians 1:5 Philippians 1:28 Psalm 25:7

Christ’s resurrection is the sign and the guarantee of our own.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Willing

Maui

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If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from myself.

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not think you are superior.

When we see that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it.

Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

John 7:17 Isaiah 1:19 Mark 1:41 Romans 12:16 2 Corinthians 1:6 Philippians 2:12

To find God, we must be willing to seek Him.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn

Think

How?

.

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.

LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?

Do you think I'd withdraw my holy promise? or take back words I'd already spoken? I've given my word, my whole and holy word; do you think I would lie to David? His family tree is here for good, his sovereignty as sure as the sun, Dependable as the phases of the moon, inescapable as weather."

When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.

People may think all their ways are pure, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

"Don't think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don't need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.

Psalm 107:42 Psalm 144:3 Psalm 89:19 Matthew 6:2 Proverbs 16:2 Matthew 10:9

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Glenn