Community News 2/22/18

Day 3  of Wk. 3: Excuses


Day 3-

Jonah 2:1-10

So last we read, our ‘hero’ was being swallowed up by a fish. Today we’ll learn what waits for Jonah in the belly of this fish. After all, if God can save Jonah from the wind and waves with a giant fish, there must be more to Jonah’s story.

However, before reading this chapter, consider what you would do in his position. If God had saved you from almost guaranteed death & destruction, what would be your response? Would you still grip to your shame or would you be willing to change your perspective?

Here’s the truth: You and I are Jonah. We’ve made mistakes and our sin and shame earned us certain death and destruction in this life and in the next. However, when we commit our lives to Christ and surrender to Him, He promises us that we are saved.

So change that question above to the following: “Since God ALREADY HAS saved me from guaranteed death and destruction, what will my response be?"

Read chapter 2 and think about how Jonah responds to God’s unbelievable grace and patience with him.

Adapted From: I Would, But… - You Version

Community News 2/19/18

Day 1 of Wk 3:  Stop The Drama-Excuses

Jonah 1:11-17

How often do we walk away from God’s best for us? Do we even know that we’re doing it? Maybe we’re not willing to admit it, but probably most times we know what He’s asking us to do, and for whatever reason, we just don’t do it. This Bible Plan is going to focus on a man in the Bible named Jonah who was found not only avoiding God’s Will, but actually actively running from it! We’re going to explore why he chose to do this and how we can overcome some of the traps that Jonah falls for.
In our first day, we’re going to look at shame. Probably all of us have dealt with shame at some point in our life. Maybe even some of us encounter those feelings every morning. As we read the first chapter today, take the chance to think about how Jonah’s decision to run from God could have brought him shame. Could Jonah even bare the thought of praying to God again? How could he even communicate at all with him after what Jonah did?

Truth be told, Jonah is so full of shame that he actually just wants his life to end at this point. Maybe you’ve been there before. Don’t lose hope though – God is not done with you yet (and He isn’t done with Jonah either). Read chapter 1 and compare Jonah’s situation with your own.


                                                                                                                                                   Adapted From: I Would, But… - You Version

Community News 2/15/18

Day 4 and Day 5 of Wk 2: Stop the Drama-Complaining


Day 4

Proverbs 27:17

Help Others Grow Stronger

Things that are made of iron, like a knife or a sword, can sharpen each other. You can take two knives made of iron, rub them together, and they’ll sharpen each other without the other one dulling out.

That should be true with our friendships. We should hang around people who have the same values as us. That way, we can continually build each other up.

Those kinds of friendships will help you and your friends grow each other, challenge each other, encourage each other, and strengthen each other to be who God intended you to be.

So go and be iron to one another and become who God made you to be.

Adapted From: Selfless - You Version

dAY 5

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Unconditional

God’s love for us is unconditional. What that means is that He loves us no matter what, and He doesn’t expect anything in return. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done, what we’ve been through, or who we are; He won’t love us any less. His love is perfect, unending, and doesn’t expect anything.

Living an others-first kind of life requires loving people without expecting anything in return.
It can be so easy to get caught up in only putting others first if we get something out of it—if they’re nice to us or treat us right.

The hard thing to do is help people, be there for them, and love them when you know you won’t get anything from it or even when they aren’t the nicest to you.
Pray that you will learn to love people and help people without expecting anything because that, after all, is unconditional love.

                                                                                                                                                       Adapted From: Selfless - You Version