Already

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers.

You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.

I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.”

John 1:1 John 3:18 John 1:16 John 4:23 John 4:35 John 4:38

Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his/her knees.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God.

Simple

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple

The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.

A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.

A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches.

The answer's simple: Live right, speak the truth, despise exploitation, refuse bribes, reject violence, avoid evil amusements. This is how you raise your standard of living! A safe and stable way to live. A nourishing, satisfying way to live.

Here's how you tell the difference between God's children and the Devil's children: The one who won't practice righteous ways isn't from God, nor is the one who won't love brother or sister. A simple test.

Psalm 19:7 Psalm 119:130 Proverbs 13:7 Proverbs 15:16 Isaiah 33:15 1 John 3:9

In the beginning – God.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Silly

Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?

Jesus shot back, "You frauds! Each Sabbath every one of you regularly unties your cow or donkey from its stall, leads it out for water, and thinks nothing of it. So why isn't it all right for me to untie this daughter of Abraham and lead her from the stall where Satan has had her tied these eighteen years?" 17When he put it that way, his critics were left looking quite silly and redfaced. The congregation was delighted and cheered him on.

Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].

You've been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you'll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion.

Acts 14:14 Galatians 3:3 Luke 13:17 Ephesians 5:4 1 Timothy 4:6

No matter what happens, you can find joy in the Lord.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Forever

Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.

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

This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.

[ Role of the Spirit ] "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 5:11 Psalm 16:11 John 6:58 John 14:16 1 Corinthians 13:13 1 Timothy 1:17

Those who know Christ now will sing His praises forever.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God.

Great things

Durango - Silverton RR

.
Your righteousness, God, reaches to the skies, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?

O Lord, ready to put your beauty on display, parading your greatness, And the great things you do— God, you're the one, there's no one but you!

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed

Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze!

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Psalm 71:19 Psalm 86:8 Psalm 126:2 Mark 5:20 James 3:5 Psalm 126:3

Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only [Son], who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

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.

Therefore, since we are now justified ( acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.

By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God.

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God

Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.

John 1:18 1 John 4:13 Romans 5:9 Galatians 3:25 Romans 5:11 Romans 4:13

We grow stronger as we depend on God’s strength.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

expectation

And so faith, hope, love abide […hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation...]

And our hope for you [our joyful and confident expectation of good for you] is ever unwavering (assured and unshaken);

Since we have such [glorious] hope (such joyful and confident expectation), we speak very freely and openly and fearlessly.

We have the hope and confident expectation that as your faith continues to grow, our field among you may be greatly enlarged

For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation.

1 Corinthians 13:13 2 Corinthians 1:7 2 Corinthians 3:12 2 Corinthians 10:15 Colossians 1:5 1 Peter 1:3

Never measure God’s unlimited power by your limited expectations.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Seek (after)

Maui

.

For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.

Starting from scratch, (God) made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him.

Only aim at and strive for and seek His kingdom, and all these things shall be supplied to you also.

So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.

Always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people

Those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.

Philippians 2:21 Acts 17:24 Luke 12:31 Luke 11:9 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Romans 8:5

Your love for your neighbor is proof of your love for God

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Promises

He [Abraham] was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

For I tell you that Christ (the Messiah) became a servant and a minister to the circumcised (the Jews) in order to show God's truthfulness and honesty by confirming (verifying) the promises [given] to our fathers

[ Jesus Promises Living Water ] On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!

[ Prayer Promises ] Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.

I commend you to the Word of His grace [to the commands and counsels and promises of His unmerited favor]. It is able to build you up and to give you [your rightful] inheritance among all God's set-apart ones (those consecrated, purified, and transformed of soul).

The Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

Romans 4:21 Romans 15:8 John 7:37 John 16:23 Acts 20:32 Romans 15:4

Eyes of faith can see God at work.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Confidence

Sedona, AZ

And He said to her, Daughter, your faith (your trust and confidence in Me, springing from faith in God) has restored you to health. Go in (into) peace and be continually healed and freed from your [ distressing bodily] disease.

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence.

While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God's Word with fearless confidence.

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.

So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith (complete confidence) in God that it will be exactly as it was told me;

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.

Mark 5:34 John 16:33 Acts 4:31 Acts 4:13 Acts 27:25 Colossians 2:2

Fear hinders faith, but trust kindles confidence.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Honor

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.

"Show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom.

"If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Matthew 5:16 Matthew 5:19 John 12:26 Romans 14:8 Romans 13:7 Romans 12:10

We honor God our father when we live like His Son.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Unknown

Sing to God a brand-new song, sing his praises all over the world! … I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them— sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute."

From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you.

Aas I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.

A Light for revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was before unknown] and [to bring] praise and honor and glory to Your people Israel.

By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him

Isaiah 42:10 Isaiah 48:6 Acts 17:23 Luke 2:32 Hebrews 11:8

God may conceal the purpose of His ways, but His ways are not without purpose.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Little things

“That’s not true!” Jonathan protested. “You’re not going to die. He always tells me everything he’s going to do, even the little things. I know my father wouldn’t hide something like this from me. It just isn’t so!”

Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves?

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

1 Samuel 20:2 1 Corinthians 6:2 Luke 18:17 Luke 16:10 Revelation 3:8 Luke 12:32

Little things done in Christ’s name are great things.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Together

God's kingdom … (is) what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you'll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you.

The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord [together] is not easily broken.

Reach out and welcome one another to God's glory…Outsiders and insiders, rejoice together! … People of all nations, celebrate God! All colors and races, give hearty praise…Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!

That together you may with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God

Romans 14:17 1 Corinthians 3:8 Ecclesiastes 4:12 Romans 15:7 Romans 15:6

We can accomplish ore together than we can alone.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Serving

Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.

You're my servant, serving on my side. I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.' Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

God-of-the-Angel-Armies said, "They're mine, all mine. They'll get special treatment when I go into action. I treat them with the same consideration and kindness that parents give the child who honors them. Once more you'll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and one who doesn't, between serving God and not serving him."

If your gift is serving others, serve them well.

Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.

Proverbs 15:17 Isaiah 41:8 Malachi 3:17 Romans 12:7 Romans 12:11

Retirement from our jobs – yes. Retirement from serving Christ – never!

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Where

Simpson Bay Lagoon

.

Don't always be asking, "Where are the good old days?" Wise folks don't ask questions like that.

I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people have the power to hurt each other.

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed are those who heed wisdom's instruction.

Jesus said to them, Is not this where you wander out of the way and go wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?

"Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

Ecclesiastes 7:10 Ecclesiastes 8:9 Proverbs 26:20 Proverbs 29:18 Mark 12:24 Luke 8:25

Study the Bible to be wise; believe it to be safe; practice it to be holy.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

How

That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.

God said this once and for all; how many times Have I heard it repeated? "Strength comes Straight from God."

God's Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way?

Sing your songs to Zion-dwelling God, tell his stories to everyone you meet: How he tracks down killers yet keeps his eye on us, registers every whimper and moan.

Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!

Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.

Psalm 19:6 Psalm 62:11 Psalm 19:11 Psalm 9:11 Psalm 63:3 Psalm 66:2

The light of God’s holiness convicts the sinner and guides the saint.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Why

I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewelry, Moon and stars mounted in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?

Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say. "More, more." I have God's more-than-enough, More joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees.

The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

God, the one and only— I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him, so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I'm set for life.

That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.

Psalm 8:3 Psalm 4:6 Psalm 27:1 Psalm 62:1 Psalm 71:8

To live in the past is to miss today’s opportunities and tomorrow’s blessings.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Strength

Monterey,CA

.

To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith. Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength!

But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

To us who are personally called by God himself…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."

And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace rested richly upon them all.

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

Mark 12:33 1 Corinthians 16:13 Acts 9:22 1 Corinthians 1:22 Acts 4:33 1 Corinthians 1:25

To experience God’s strength, we must first admit our weakness.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God.