Wide

Your eyes … will behold a land of wide distances that stretches afar…

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes

"You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it

[ Stretch the Borders of Life ] At that time, this song will be sung in the country of Judah: We have a strong city, Salvation City, built and fortified with salvation. Throw wide the gates so good and true people can enter. People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, Steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don't quit. Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.

God will provide rain for the seeds you sow. The grain that grows will be abundant. Your cattle will range far and wide. Oblivious to war and earthquake, the oxen and donkeys you use for hauling and plowing will be fed well near running brooks that flow freely from mountains and hills.

On arrival, they got the church together and reported on their trip, telling in detail how God had used them to throw the door of faith wide open so people of all nations could come streaming in.

Isaiah 33:17 Isaiah 54:2 Isaiah 45:8 Isaiah 26:1 Isaiah 30:23 Acts 14:27

Coming together is a start; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

LIFegroups – together experiencing God

Sturdy - Strong

A green Shoot will sprout from Jesse's stump, from his roots a budding Branch. The life-giving Spirit of God will hover over him, the Spirit that brings wisdom and understanding, The Spirit that gives direction and builds strength, the Spirit that instills knowledge and Fear-of-God. Fear-of-God will be all his joy and delight. He won't judge by appearances, won't decide on the basis of hearsay. He'll judge the needy by what is right, render decisions on earth's poor with justice. His words will bring everyone to awed attention. A mere breath from his lips will topple the wicked. Each morning he'll pull on sturdy work clothes and boots, and build righteousness and faithfulness in the land

I love you, God— you make me strong. God is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. My God—the high crag where I run for dear life, hiding behind the boulders, safe in the granite hideout

Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

Make our sons in their prime like sturdy oak trees, Our daughters as shapely and bright as fields of wildflowers. Fill our barns with great harvest, fill our fields with huge flocks; Protect us from invasion and exile— eliminate the crime in our streets.

God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace

Isaiah 11:1 Psalm 18:1 Psalm 27:14 Psalm 144:12 Psalm 29:11

Little faith can dispel big fears.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Blessing

From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.

Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.

For You make him to be blessed and a blessing forever; You make him exceedingly glad with the joy of Your presence.

You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.

How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.

What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you, Ready and waiting for all who run to you to escape an unkind world. You hide them safely away from the opposition. As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces, you silence the poisonous gossip. Blessed God! His love is the wonder of the world.

Psalm 3:8 Psalm 16:5 Psalm 21:6 Psalm 23:5 Psalm 31:19 Psalm 31:19

The power of Satan is no match for the power of God.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Owe

So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go.

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.

If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it is your duty, you are under obligation, you owe it] to wash one another's feet.

Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another; (NASB)

Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. (MSG)

Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise, who shout on parade in the bright presence of God. Delighted, they dance all day long; they know who you are, what you do—they can't keep it quiet! Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us— you've been so good to us! We're walking on air! All we are and have we owe to God, Holy God of Israel, our King!

Romans 8:12 Romans 13:7 John 13:14 Romans 13:8 Psalm 89:5

God owes us nothing but gives us everything.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Favor

And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace ( free, spontaneous, absolute favor and loving-kindness) with God.

"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me. Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you—and me—a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.

Then he turned to the host. "The next time you put on a dinner, don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You'll be—and experience—a blessing. They won't be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God's people."

For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.

For while the Law was given through Moses, grace ( unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ.

But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. And God gave him favor before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of the palace.

Luke 1:30 Matthew 10:17 Luke 14:12 John 1:16 John 1:17 Acts 7:10

When we know God stands with us, it doesn’t matter who stnds against us.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Relationship

You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.

They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior.

The way of the [consistently] righteous (those living in moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relationship of their lives) is level and straight; You, O [Lord], Who are upright, direct aright and make level the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous.

Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with 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

Exodus 34:14 Psalm 24:5 Isaiah 26:7 Isaiah 58:8 Luke 12:21 Romans 4:13

Joy is the result of a right relationship with God.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Unseen

If we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure.

…so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

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, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God

Romans 8:25 Matthew 6:18 2 Corinthians 4:18 Ephesians 6:12 Ephesians 3:10 Hebrews 11:8

All we’ve seen of God’s provision teaches us to trust Him for what is unseen.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Careful

photo by Sarah Blake
.

Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.

I will be careful to live a blameless life—when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.

Because you have satisfied me, God, I promise to do everything you say. I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile, be gracious to me just as you promised. When I took a long, careful look at your ways, I got my feet back on the trail you blazed. I was up at once, didn't drag my feet, was quick to follow your orders.

Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions. Do what I say and you'll live well. My teaching is as precious as your eyesight—guard it! Write it out on the back of your hands; etch it on the chambers of your heart. Talk to Wisdom as to a sister. Treat Insight as your companion.

Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything,

Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run;

Job 36:18 Psalm 101:2 Psalm 119:57 Proverbs 7:1 Proverbs 13:3 Proverbs 21:5

The idol of self is a sorry substitute for God.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Obey

“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands…”

"It's true that God is all-powerful, but he doesn't bully innocent people. For the wicked, though, it's a different story—If they obey and serve him, they'll have a good, long life on easy street. But if they disobey, they'll be cut down in their prime and never know the first thing about life. Angry people without God pile grievance upon grievance, always blaming others for their troubles. Living it up in sexual excesses, virility wasted, they die young. But those who learn from their suffering, God delivers from their suffering.

Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.
I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord; therefore, I obey your instructions.

“If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant.

So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure.

Nehemiah 1:5 Job 36:5 Psalm 119:2 Psalm 119:55 Job 36:11 Psalm 32:11

The Spirit of God enables us to obey the Word of God.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God.

Focus

photo by: Sarah Blake

.

Jesus said, "What a generation! No sense of God! No focus to your lives! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this?

"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

“… a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: "This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him."

Be good to your servant, God; be as good as your Word. Train me in good common sense; I'm thoroughly committed to living your way… I'm in step with your Word. … I focus my attention on what you are saying; …while I dance to the tune of your revelation.

How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.

Luke 9:41 Matthew 6:6 Matthew 17:5 Psalm 119:65 Ephesians 1:3 Philippians 3:13

To the wise, God’s Word is sufficient.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Wait

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

You say you can’t see him, but he will bring justice if you will only wait.

Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed;

Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

Use all your skill to put me together; I wait to see your finished product.

Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

Psalm 5:3 Job 35:14 Psalm 25:3 Psalm 25:5 Psalm 25:21 Psalm 27:14

God uses ordinary people to carry out His extraordinary plan.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Continue

Paul and Barnabas … talked to them and urged them to continue [to trust themselves to and to stand fast] in the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God.

…strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, " Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."

There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, 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.

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ( definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion.

Acts 13:43 Acts 14:22 Romans 5:3 Philippians 4:6 Philippians 1:6

Be faithful…and leave the results to God.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Ponder

Get going.. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! ... Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation…… every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."

All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.

By carefully reading the map of your Word. I'm single-minded in pursuit of you; don't let me miss the road signs you've posted. I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living. I'll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you've done it. I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it.

Oh, how I love all you've revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long… I can spend all my time keeping your Word. I never make detours from the route you laid out; you gave me such good directions. Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking. With your instruction, I understand life.

Ponder the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were dug. Yes, ponder Abraham, your father, and Sarah, who bore you. Think of it! One solitary man when I called him, but once I blessed him, he multiplied.

Joshua 1:1 Psalm 64:9 Psalm 119:9 Psalm 119:97 Isaiah 51:1

You can be confident about tomorrow if you walk with God today.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God.

Measure

May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

Grace (God's unmerited favor) was given to each of us individually [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ's [rich and bounteous] gift.

11And He gave some as apostles… as prophets… evangelists… pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[ The Day the Sky Will Collapse ] God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.

1 Peter 1:2 Ephesians 4:7 Ephesians 4:13 2 Peter 1:8 2 Peter 3:8

The infinite God cannot be measured by finite man.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God

Greed

The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.

"Such God-denying people are never content with what they have or who they are; their greed drives them relentlessly. They plunder everything but they can't hold on to any of it. Just when they think they have it all, disaster strikes.

Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

"Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!”

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

Proverbs 11:6 Job 20:20 Proverbs 28:25 Matthew 6:22 Luke 12:15 Colossians 3:5

The remedy for greed is generosity.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God