His Word Is Powerful!

"Flight 1234," the control tower advised, "turn right 45 degrees for noise abatement." "Roger," the pilot responded, "but we're at 35,000 feet. How much noise can we make up here?"
"Sir," the control tower replied, "have you ever heard the noise a 727 makes when it hits a 747?"

Sometimes advice doesn’t always make sense, at least not right away. Sometimes God Word is like that. We don’t always understand it; however if we stay connected to God (the ultimate control tower), He will guide us in for safe landing. The vision for the White House Church of Christ is to love God, love each other, and love the world. This vision begins with a deep relationship with God. His Word is powerful and can influence every aspect of life. Listen to Him, listen to His advice and allow it to be the guide that brings you home. - Vic
“17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Romans 10:17 NIV

Happy Easter: Your Prince Has Come!

We all know the story of Snow White; she was a young maiden who the mirror said was the fairest in all of the land. Enraged by the mirrors declaration, the evil Queen set out to destroy Snow White. The Queen disguised herself as a poor old woman who happened to be an apple peddler. The old woman offered Snow White the poisoned apple, claiming it to be a magic wishing apple; that anyone who made a wish and took a bite will have their desires come true. Snow White's animal friends were not easily convinced; they ran off to warn the dwarves. While they were gone Snow White took a bite of the apple, and she fell to the floor, seemingly dead. How many times have we bitten into the apple, the forbidden fruit of this world? Many times I have found myself sleep walking, living for stuff that promises to make my wishes come true. Like Snow White many of us have fallen asleep and have become overwhelmed by the pressures of this world. If the world has turned you into a grouchy, angry, guilt-ridden, and (or) tired person; then you are living in a nightmare, and it is time to wake up. Listen to the words of Paul.
"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:14 NIV
Your prince has come to wake you up, to help you have the life you have always desired. We were once living a nightmare, but now we have been awakened by our Prince who has called us to follow Him into everlasting life.

There's An App for that ... Faithfulness

King David wrote the following Psalm about God’s faithfulness.


“2 Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; 3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.” Psalm 26:2-3 NIV

In this passage King David was saying “God I don’t know why you do things you do, or why you allow me to go through the things you allow me to go through, but I trust that you have my back, that you have my best interest in mind, and I trust that you will be faithful to me.”

Faith in the faithfulness of others is easy when things are going well, but when things become difficult that is when our faith is tested. Faith in your spouse is easy when they are doting over you with hugs, smiles, and kind words. But what if there is a disagreement, what if they don’t give me what I want? That is when both faithfulness and faith are tested. If we can’t trust each other we will begin to think the worst about each other. We will question their every comment, every action, and we will find slights in the most subtle of things. In the same way if we don’t trust God, we will think the worst of God. We will begin to think that God is out to get us; that He enjoys testing us or that He doesn’t care about us. When we lack faith in His faithfulness we will not trust Him, and in turn we will not be faithful to Him. Remember David’s words when he said that God is faithful and His love for us is unfailing. That does not mean we will not face trial or adversity, but it does mean that God will give us whatever we need to overcome our struggle in order to grow from it. Not only is God good all the time, He is also faithful all the time. Wait for Him, trust in Him, call to Him; because He is faithful to you!

Small Group Lesson “Headline News”

Life Group Lesson “Headline News”


Begin with a prayer.

What is the best news headline that you have ever seen?

Why do some stories receive more publicity than others?

Read Mark 15:16-20
Why would people mock the idea that Jesus “was King of the Jews?”

Does Jesus understand what abuse is? How could this help someone who has been abused or mistreated?

Read Mark 15:21-32
What are some things that you noticed from the text we just read? What stands out?

Why do you think Jesus wouldn’t take the “wine with myrrh” drug to ease the pain?

(Just as we take drugs for pain relief now, it would not have been sinful for Jesus to take something for the pain.) Why would He want to experience the full extent of the pain?

How do your sufferings compare to what Jesus went through? How does it make you feel to know that He suffered for you?

Read Mark 15:33-38; Mark 15:1-7
The darkness over the land symbolized a world without God. How does this story help you stay connected to God (light) in every part of your life?

Why do you think that the events surrounding Jesus’ death caused the centurion to say, “surely this man was the Son of God”?

What were the women expecting to find at the tomb that Sunday morning? Why were they surprised (frightened)?

Jesus the man who died saving the world, is back and alive! How does this true story inspire you? How does it help you?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-5
What does the headline “Christ died for your sins” mean to you? How does the Gospel affect your life on a daily basis?

If you were writing a catchy but honest headline for this story, what would it be?

Close in prayer.

FIVE MINUTE MINISTRY

You can be a minister and a missionary without leaving your job or your country. In fact, we are officially asking you to take on this responsibility starting this morning. Here is how it works: this week and every Sunday, we ask that you refrain from talking with your closest friends and associates for the first five minutes after the closing prayer. Instead, seek out visitors or members you normally do not spend time with and speak to them. Get to know their names, where they live, and what they do. Afraid you will approach a member when you thought they were a visitor? Relax! They are probably wondering if you are a member, too! Get to know their names and shake their hands. Smile at each other and you will know each other from now on. Five minute ministry… easier than relocating to Venezuela but just as critical for the health of the kingdom of God. Start now. (Author unknown)

God is Good

Do you ever see those t-shirts or bumper stickers that say “Life’s Good”. That is true, but the statement is incomplete, it should be “Life’s Good with God”. I want that t-shirt. Every moment we give Him is one filled with all of His goodness and blessing. Those are our best moments. The Apostle Peter said …
“3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

We say that God is good, because what He does is good. This life and this world can be hard and full of trouble, what gives us hope is that fact that God brings His goodness into it. Not only is God good, He invites us to participate in His goodness. The more connected we are to Him, the more of His goodness we can share.
People all over this world, even in this community are in need of help, they are in need of God’s goodness. God has asked us to participate in showing them that goodness in every moment of life. Allow Him to lead you at home, at work, and anywhere else you might go. It is in those places we can share His amazing goodness with people who are in desperate need of some good news. God is good all the time!

Small Group Lesson: Kill Them With Kindness / Revenge

Small Group Lesson: Kill Them With Kindness / Revenge

The best practical joke you ever played on someone was …
Was there payback?

How would you define revenge and vengeance?

READ Romans 12:17-19
Has anyone ever really hurt you? If so, were you tempted to carry out some form of revenge?

Without the going into the specifics, if did you carry out revenge, what benefit did you find in it?

What negatives did you find?

Why is it hard not to pay evil with evil?

According to scripture, whose responsibility is it to handle vengeance?

What are the benefits of trusting God to handle vengeance? (Brainstorm a bit on this one. Think of all the ways of how God is superior and more qualified to handle our hurts, anger, and need for vengeance?)

How is it disrespectful and even blasphemous to carry out revenge? V.19

IDEA: When we carry out revenge it weakens our faith because we are trying to take God’s place in the business of vengeance. Revenge not only divides us from each other, it separates us from God. Not only that, we often don’t get it right when we carry it out; we either hurt the wrong people, or the justice we seek is unfair. However if you have been wronged it doesn’t mean you can’t do something about it. In fact God expects us to do something about it; just not in the way the world would go about it.

READ Romans 12:20-21
IDEA: You have heard the term, “kill them with kindness”. Paul speaks of that strategy here in v.20. When we do kind things for people who hurt us, we obviously don’t want to hurt or kill them, but we want to kill the hate, bitterness, anger, and hard feelings that we have in the relationship.

Have you ever considered sincere kindness as a form of revenge?

How is kindness a more proactive and positive response when someone hurts us?

READ Ephesians 4:31-32 (preferable New Living Translation)
Jesus dying on the cross was the kindest act ever shown to us. Think of all the sin, hate, and vengeance that was piled on Him while He was on that cross. We hurt God, we sinned against Him and rather than respond with vengeance He responded with love, mercy, and kindness. What do we learn from this example?

Close in prayer…

Kill Them With Kindness

Last a week a man chased a robber out of his house with an ax. After running a few blocks he caught up with a man who he thought was the robber and brutally killed him. The problem was, it wasn’t even the right man, and the man that was killed had car trouble and was walking to a gas station for help. We live in a world that loves revenge, we see it movies, books, TV, and in the news. Revenge is in. Most revenge stories both in the Bible and in the 21st Century happen within families, marriages, friends and neighbors. When we participate in revenge, we destroy the relationships that matter most to us. Paul said in Romans 12 …

“17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19 NIV

When we carry out revenge it weakens our faith because we are trying to take God’s place in the business of vengeance. Revenge not only divides us from each other, it separates us from God. Not only that, we often don’t even it get right when we carry it out; we either hurt the wrong people, or the justice we seek is unfair. However if you have been wronged it doesn’t mean you can’t do something about it. In fact God expects us to do something about it; just not in the way the world would go about it. Let’s read a little bit more of Romans 12.

“20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:20-21 NIV

You have heard the term, “kill them with kindness”. Paul speaks of that strategy here in v.20. When we do kind things for people who hurt us, we obviously don’t want to hurt or kill them, but we want to kill the hate, bitterness, anger, and hard feelings that we have in the relationship. We kill anger with love and kindness. We kill bitterness and jealousy with mercy and humility. Through kindness and love we can save marriages, friendships, churches, businesses, schools, and nations. Here is a good definition of kindness, it is learning to treat others the way God has treated you.

There's An App For That: Gentleness

It is easy for me to be a jerk, to be rude, or to be selfish. If you are like me and struggle with those things, there is an app for that, it is called gentleness. You can’t find an app for gentleness on your I-phone or computer; you can’t consistently force yourself to be gentle either, not by will-power alone. The Apostle Paul said in Gal. 5:22-23 that gentleness is a fruit grown by the Holy Spirit in our lives. The definition of Gentleness is to have a mild and kind nature or manner; being moderate in force or degree so that the effects are not severe or harsh; not steep, not rising steeply.

I like the part about gentleness being not to rise steeply. As a runner I hate running up hills, especially steep hills (they are the devil). Steep hills wear me out when I have to run up them, however I don’t mind running up a gentle slope. Gentleness is all about steepness; it is about not burdening others with steep demands or selfish expectations. We make things too steep don’t we? We make it difficult for people to meet our expectations. What is the price of our love? What is the price of our mercy? What is the price of our service? We often set the price too high, so steep that it has become a burden to work with, to serve with, to worship with, or even live with us. In business we always say buy low, sell high. Make someone else pay the high price that we don’t want to pay. Do we do that in relationships, do we make the people around us pay a steep price for our selfishness; do we dump our negativity on them? Ask yourself what is the price of interacting with me? A lack of gentleness maybe great in dealing with the stock market, but it is not good in dealing with people; whether it is family, friends, coworkers, Christians, or even our enemy. To not be gentle is to be ungodly, it is sinful.

There is wisdom in gentleness. Listen to these Proverbs: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 NIV “Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.” Proverbs 25:15 The MESSAGE

Gentleness is not a wimpy or weak thing, it is a powerful tool of the Spirit that allows us to connect and work with each other. Gentleness makes it a joy to be with us rather than a burden. Allow the Spirit to guide you this week into using one of the most underutilized fruit of Spirit, if you do, everyone you interact with will be blessed. - Vic

Small Group Lesson: Joy & Grace

Small Group Lesson: Joy & Grace


Why is it easier to give rather than to receive gifts?
How would you define words like “grace” & “unconditional love”?
Who have you had the most unconditional love relationship with? Explain.

READ 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17
According to v.16-17 what does God’s grace and love help us do?

When you are hopeful, encouraged, and strengthened; do you find it easier to be filled with joy? Explain.

READ 2 Timothy 1:6-12
In v.9-11 Paul describes unconditional love. According to these verses how did God demonstrate His unconditional love towards us?

How would you define conditional love?

What is the weakness of conditional love?
Why is it dangerous for relationships? For a marriage? For a church? For faith?

If grace allows us to be free of earning someone’s love; how does that help us be honest and real?

READ Hebrew 12:1-3
When Jesus was headed to the cross, the Hebrew writer said that Jesus had joy. How can anyone find joy in midst of such terrible circumstance?

Do you think Jesus found joy in sacrificing for God, or do you think He found joy in doing the will of God? Explain.

What can we learn from Jesus when it comes to finding joy in being connected to God?

The Apostle Paul said to the Roman church: “32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.” Romans 15:32-33 NIV. The true source of joy is found in our connection to God and to the people around us.

What barriers do you need to remove in order to have deeper and more fulfilling relationships with God’s people?

What needs to change in order for you to have a deeper and more authentic relationship with God?

Close in Prayer…

Joy & Grace

The life of Jesus demonstrated what joy is all about. Jesus had tremendous joy yet he encountered constant opposition. Joy is not free of opposition. We live in a world that values other people’s approval; therefore we often try to earn the approval of others. The flaw in that is that if my joy requires your approval, I probably will not be honest with you; instead I will do everything I can to make you like me, including putting on a false image and then tell lies to back it up. When we are not honest, we live in fear that we will be found out, that people will one day see the real us. We are afraid they will like what they see. We can’t have true joy if we can’t be honest; there is no joy in pretending to be something we are not. In his book What's So Amazing about Grace, Philip Yancey recounts this story about C.S. Lewis: “During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began thinking about the possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death. The debate went on for some time until C.S. Lewis wandered into the room. "What's the rumpus about?" he asked, and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity's unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, "Oh, that's easy. It's grace." After some discussion, the others agreed.” The idea of God's love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, seems to go against every instinct of humanity. The Buddhist have an eight-fold path, the Hindu believe in Karma, & Islam have the code of law. Each of these offers a way to earn approval and salvation; only Christianity dares to make God's love unconditional. Conditional love is harmful to relationships. What if I don’t meet the expectations of my wife, and she decides to give me the silent treatment? The implication is: "If you do what I want you to, I will talk to you. Otherwise, I won't." That is always fun isn’t it? It’s really fun when both people give each other the silent treatment. Then the only way to communicate is through banging doors, loud sighs, and evil stares. Could you imagine if a preacher did that to a church? There would be the silent treatment every Sunday. Conditional love in the church kills joy. What if I only sang when songs I like are being led? What if I only give when projects I like are being done? What if I only serve when it is convenient and what I want? What if I only pray only when God gives me what I want? Conditional love destroys churches, it destroys faith, and it is a joy killer. That is why God’s grace allows us to have true joy. Grace allows us to be who we really are; in fact grace is only understood by those who are honest. When someone loves you for you, and you don’t have to pretend to be something you are not, that kind of honesty allows us to have joy. The world wanted Jesus to be Superman or an earthly king, and when He refused it rejected Him. In Hebrews 12 it says that Jesus had joy even when He knew He was headed toward the cross. The reason Jesus had joy was not the cross, but the relationship He had with His Father, because God accepted Jesus as he really was.
If you follow the path of Jesus, you cling to God, to a father who you don’t have to pretend to be something you are not; He loves you for who you are, and for what He created you to be. It is His loving grace that propels our joy. The more we connect with Him and the people He puts in our lives the more complete our joy will be.

Small Group Lesson on Joy

Small Group Lesson

There’s An APP for That … JOY / March 6, 2011

What things bring you the most joy in life?

Is joy simply a state of mind?

What is JOY?

READ Psalm 16:11
IDEA: In Psalm 16, David was saying that to be in the presence of God in every moment is to live a complete life, and in that completeness we find joy. The problem is that most of the time we don’t feel complete; we don’t feel connected to God.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being lowest, 10 being highest), rate how connected you feel that you are to God right now?

How does that affect the joy that you have right now?

READ Romans 15:13; 32. Galatians 5:22
Where does JOY come from?

What we find from scripture is that joy is not found in yourself, it comes from God. How does that compare to what we have traditionally believed is the source of joy?

IDEA: We can’t decide to have joy, but we can do things that result in joy in our lives. Joy is a fruit that is grown from relationships, both with God and with others.

READ Philippians 2:2 & 2 John 1:12
There is a term in the Bible that really has thrown me off over the years. Several times in the Bible the phrase “make my joy complete” or “to have joy complete”.

The idea of joy being complete is interesting, is there such a thing as incomplete joy?

IDEA: Like everything else, when something is left incomplete, it is just not satisfying. Finish the sentence “I am miserable when I have an incomplete … …”

READ John 3:27-30
In John 3, some of John the Baptist’s most loyal followers noticed that the people who once followed him were now following Jesus. They were bothered by their lack of loyalty; John addressed this issue in John 3:27-30. First John the Baptists is signifying to the people that the old way of doing things was coming to an end. Then he gave a wedding illustration. John was saying that he is like the friend (the best man) who organized the wedding making sure everything was ready. By bringing people to Jesus (by doing the will of God) it made John’s joy complete.

What needs to be removed in your life so that God can make your joy complete?

What steps can you take to be more obedient to God’s will?

Close in prayer…

Where does JOY come from?

Where does JOY come from?  Paul said to the Roman church: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV “so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed.” Romans 15:32 NIV

We learn from the scriptures that joy is not found within ourselves; it comes from God. Most of us have this weird view of joy, thinking that we can decide on it, or that we can find it in meditation or through some personal strength. Joy is not something that we can will into our minds; it is not a concept that I can just decide to start having. Joy is a fruit that is grown from God. That is why it is a fruit of the Spirit; it is the result of giving ourselves to God and to others.
We can’t decide to have joy, but we can do things that result in joy in our lives. Joy begins when we start the removal of the old life, the removal of selfishness and independence from God. Joy continues the more we give ourselves to Jesus. By following Him, by doing the will of God, our joy is made complete. Each moment with Him is a complete one filled with joy.

Small Group Lesson: control thy self

Life Group Lesson: self-control

What food item do you find it almost impossible to say no to?

How would you define self-control?

I have great self control when … (finish the sentence)

I have very little self control when … (finish the sentence)

READ 1 Timothy 3:1-3
Why would it be important for an elder to have self-control?

What are the positive implications of an elder that demonstrates self-control?

What are the negatives if he doesn’t have it?

READ Titus 2:1-10

Why does Paul keep repeating the need for God’s people to have self-control?

Why does Paul place responsibility on us to teach each other self-control?

In v.10, what value is there when Christians can be trusted and seen as people who have self-control?
READ Titus 2:11-14
When you think about God’s grace, what all do you think of?

Do you see a connection between grace and gratitude?

Why do you think we call prayer before dinner grace?
The idea is that God’s grace inspires us to live upright, godly, and self-controlled lives. So if we wanted to be more self-controlled, we should spend time thanking God while meditating on the grace He has shown us.

Do you agree or disagree? What would you add to that statement?
READ Jonah 2:1-9
In the story of Jonah, he rebelled against God, he was unwilling to do God’s will, to do good. But after being thrown from a ship and swallowed by large fish, Jonah had a change of heart. What is interesting is that it was not fear or sorrow that caused him to change, it was something else. Thankfulness & a focus on God’s grace changed Jonah’s heart, it allowed him to finally say “YES” to God. The scriptures say that we can move on from just saying “no” to temptation and that we can start saying “yes” to opportunities to serve; “eager to do good”.
How do you think focusing on God’s grace can help you be more self-controlled?
What do you need to be saying “no” to in your life?

What do you need to be saying “yes” to?
Close in prayer?

Grace + Thankfulness = Self-Control

I like to think of myself as self-controlled, most times I am. But if you put a chocolate chip cookie in front of me, I will eat it. No self control there. I will eat my children’s last cookie, I will smack their hand away and say, “that’s daddy’s cookie”. It is a problem; I have no self control when it comes to chocolate chip cookies. It is easy to have self-control until you see something you want. If you struggle with bad habits, a rebellious spirit, if you are like me and you feel compelled to be selfish, there’s an app for that, it is called self control. Self control not only helps us say no to sin, but it also helps us say yes to what is good.

Paul said in Titus 2:11-12

“11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”NIV

Most of us struggle in that we often lack the self control to overcome temptation, we struggle to say no to sin. It is impossible to overcome sin by willpower alone, you can’t do it on your own; we must turn ourselves over to God’s will. By focusing on God’s grace we are reminded that God has always used His power to help us overcome sin. Some of us are great at saying no to sin, but we struggle to say yes to doing what is good; we struggle saying yes to opportunities to serve. We say yes to God when we focus on God’s loving grace. When we look for new ways to say thank you to Him, it makes it very difficult for us to ever tell Him “no”. Being thankful to God will not only compel us to have self control, it will compel us to living blessed lives that are eager to do what is good.

Small Group Lesson: pray, pray, pray again

Life Group Lesson: pray, pray, pray again


ILLUSTRATION: In the movie “Rudy” we see the story of an underdog, someone who overachieves and beats the odds. His main goal in life is to play football for Notre Dame. , Rudy's grades had improved dramatically. But three semesters and three rejection letters later, he is devastated and hopeless. His next semester is his last chance, because Notre Dame never allows seniors to transfer. He has managed his way to South Bend, labored in class, and even scraped up enough odd jobs so he can eat. He has been diligent and worked every angle he knew. But it hasn't been enough. Rudy finds himself in the chapel where he meets a priest named Father Cavanaugh. And he poured out his soul to the old priest. "Maybe I haven't prayed enough," Rudy says, almost frantic. Father Cavanaugh answers with kind, narrow eyes, "I'm sure that's not the problem. Praying is something we do in our time. The answers come in God's time." Rudy isn't satisfied. There has to be something else he can do. "Have I done everything I possibly can? Can you help me?" Father Cavanaugh's answer is measured but sure. "Son, in 35 years of religious studies, I've come up with only two hard, incontrovertible facts: There is a God, and I'm not Him."

When you hear someone say something like Father Cavanaugh did about prayer in the movie “Rudy”, do you agree or disagree with his statement?

What do you think when you hear someone say “God answers prayer in His own time?”

READ 2 Peter 3:8-9
The context of 2 Peter 3 is about the Lord’s 2nd coming, however what do we learn about God’s desire and purpose for people?

Whose schedule is He on?

It is also important to see who the focus of God’s love is on. This passage clearly says God works on His time but for our interest. Why is that not always easy to believe?

READ Luke 11:1-12
In v.1-4, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray. What qualities does Jesus demonstrate in His prayer?

How do qualities like humility, submission, reverence, and trust help us have better prayer lives?

Look at v.5-8, why would a friend give you what you need when you ask them?
(IDEA: You ask, you never stop asking because you believe it will be given to you if you ask enough.)

Do we ask God enough for what we need or want?

Why do we stop asking for what we need?
(IDEA: either we don’t really need it or we have a lack of faith)
In v.9-10, Jesus says that we are to ask, seek, and knock expecting God to hear us and to give us what we need. The previous verses mention that prayer requires audacity. Prayer requires a faith that is both unstoppable and determined. Compare you’re life right now to that which is described here, do you pray with audacity? Why or why not?

I love and v.11-12, because we are reminded that God is a loving Father who meets our needs, who gives us His Holy Spirit that transforms us to be more and more like Jesus. Close in prayer.

To love or to hate?

On Valentine’s Day I witnessed two very different interactions between people. The first one was between children at a Valentine’s Day party for Abby’s class. There was this little kid who was about two maybe three years old, he was obviously a younger sibling of one of Abby’s classmates, and he was into everything. He was going around the room shooting people (mostly 3rd graders) with his finger. Of course he was making that shooting sound with his mouth that required saliva being spit out in the process. Most of the 3rd graders were very patient with him, because he was two. But one 3rd grader after this two year put his finger on his back and shot him, turned around with an angry face and an angry tone, and he said “Get away, I’m going to kill you kid”. It was shocking for me and the others that witnessed the event. Immediately I felt sad for this young man, this 3rd grader who had enough anger and hate in him to say something evil in such a threatening way. It broke my heart to see someone so young being led by anger and hate, being led Satan. That 3rd grader was angry before he came into that class; he woke up and decided to be angry. When confronted with an annoying 2 year old, he was given the opportunity to display that anger.

Later that same day Stacy and I were drinking coffee at Barnes and Noble (that’s what cool people do), and we witnessed something powerful. There were two other couples sitting in the coffee section of the store, one older the other younger. The older couple said to the younger one, “we haven’t seen you in a while at church”, and the younger couple said “yeah we moved down to Franklin and go to church down there.” Then the older couple said, “are you still trying to adopt a child?” The younger couple said, “yes, but it is very expensive, we are trying to adopt an orphan from Haiti, and we have had to start a fund raising campaign to make it happen.” The older couple said, “we want to contribute to that account, we want to help you adopt a child.” While he was writing out a check he said, “I woke up thinking that God would use me today to bless someone financially”.

Two things I learned on Valentine’s Day: First, do not conduct business around me because apparently I will eavesdrop. Second and more importantly, the older couple woke up that day and decided that they would bless someone, that they would live by the Spirit of God, and that they would do something special for someone out of love. When we hate or love, it is not an accident, it is a commitment we live with everyday. To live without God or to ignore the urgings of the Spirit is to choose hate, but when we choose God, we choose to live His Spirit; it is to commit to love people before you even meet them.

Walking By the Spirit is Easier Than Crashing in the Flesh

While practicing military night training exercises, a Huey Cobra messed up the landing and landed on its tail rotor. The landing was so hard that it broke off the tail boom. However, the chopper fortunately remained upright on its skids, sliding down the runway doing 360s. As the Cobra slid past the tower, trailing a brilliant shower of sparks, this was the radio exchange that took place...
Tower: "Sir, do you need any assistance?"
Cobra: "I don't know, Tower, we ain't done crashin' yet."

I think for most of us, we are just not done crashing yet. Whether it’s sadness or fear, anger or hate, anxiety or depression, lust or jealousy … We are just not done crashing yet. As Christians, when we sin or when we spiritually crash, we feel guilty, maybe even angry. Sometimes we crash because we made a sinful choice, other times we crash because we were not prepared for a loss or tragedy that impacted us. If you feel like you are crashing today, listen to the words of the Apostle Paul:
“16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” Galatians 5:16-17 NIV
The Greek word for flesh is (sarx). It refers to the sinful state of human beings who are often in opposition to the Spirit of God. The “flesh” refers to the part of us that is intentionally sinful; the part of us that says “it’s all about me and what I want”. To live by the Spirit is to live in harmony with the will of God. It means that we wake up each day to be Christian on purpose, that in every moment we choose to be connected to God through Christ. If you are tired of crashing, then make a commitment to no longer be controlled by whims and events of world but to be empowered and led by the Spirit of God that brings peace and life.

Football season is almost over and I am so bummed that I will have to wait till next fall to watch my favorite teams play in my favorite sport. As a Texan’s fan, it has been a bad year, REALLY bad. As a Longhorns fan it was pathetic. Getting back to the Texans, they had such high hopes this year and in the end they flopped. The Packers and Steelers will be playing in Super Bowl this Sunday. Do you know who will win? I have no idea; my guess is the Steelers (I hate those guys).

Everyone will be watching the BIG GAME; it has become quite the spectacle. Everyone comes together to watch two of the best NFL teams compete for the championship. When it comes to the Super Bowl, we don’t know who will win until the game is over, that is part of the fun and excitement. We all have opinions on who will win. Will the Steelers win in a blowout or will the Packers pull out a last second play to win the game? When it comes to football there is a lot of speculation, because we don’t know who will win. So who do you think will win?

Now for a spiritual thought. Let’s pretend that the Super Bowl is not about two teams playing each other, but rather it will be a contest between God and Satan. Is there any speculation on who you think will win? Absolutely not, God wins every time. That is the good news; when it comes to defeating Satan’s work in our lives God wins every time. There is no suspense, there is no worry of a fourth quarter comeback by Satan, he loses and God wins. Therefore we win, and we are defined by God’s victory.

There’s An APP for That … Series: PEACE

Life Group Lesson: Peace
Today is the big game. Who do you think will win the Super Bowl? Who do you want to win?

Answer the Following question on a scale of 1 to 10. (1 meaning very little and 10 being very much)

How strong is God in your life?
How powerful is He in your life?
How much is He in your life?

Is anyone willing to explain the ratings they gave to the previous questions?

The things we do, the way we act is connected to the strength of our God. The smaller or lesser view of God we have the more powerful our fears and stress will be because all the power and answers fall on us and not on God. Is there any peace being independent from God?

How would you define peace? How would you explain the idea of “inner peace”?

How does the following passage help you?

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NIV

Does it inspire you to be closer to God so you can be stronger?

How has God strength brought you peace?

READ Matthew 11:28-29

In Matthew 11 Jesus has traveled through the towns of Capernaum and Bethsaida. He saw the lack of faith and peace in their lives, therefore Jesus warned them of this & predicted that their independence from God would destroy them.

What does Jesus promise us in v.28?

What does Jesus say we need to learn if we are to have peace or rest?

To be gentle means that I do not force my will upon others including God. How does being gentle in this way help you find peace?

How does humility help us find God’s strength?

What part of your life do you experience the most peace from God’s strength?

What part of your life do you experience the least amount of peace?

If you are ready to allow God to give you strength, if you want peace, then do as v. 29 says, learn from Jesus, follow His example of humility and trust in God. Close in prayer.