Baggage: Anger

Ok - so we went to CCV: Peoria this weekend, because we had a Neighborhood Group Leaders meeting. And wow. Their campus is large. Worship was great. I didn't experience the vulture-like first impressions - infact, we had to seek out people for directions - the welcome wasn't offered. When we finally got to the information center, the woman we spoke with was nice. Don was speaking in Surprise, so, we were hoping that it would have been a video venue, (to get a sneak peak of what to expect in April) but it wasn't they had a pastor from the Midwest (Phil Ling) speaking on the Baggage: anger. He did a great job - he was funny, engaging, and I felt out of place, like I was at a conference or something. It might have been the argument that I had with my husband that started with the direction of his driving, and the negative attitude that I had, but whatever it was it didn't feel right, and I was NOT happy. And the message on Anger.... yeah.... fueled the fire that Satan had started that morning. Sitting back and reflecting on yesterday really made me realize how we as the body are being attacked.

Anger -
James 1:19-27

There is righteous anger. Ephesians 4:26-27, Ecclesiastes 7:9
There are five faces of anger: irritation, indignation, wrath, furry, rage

There are three negative consequences of uncontrolled anger:

• It dulls our hearing and spiritual awareness. James 1:19
• It loosens our tongue. Proverbs 29:11, Proverbs 10:19
• It weakens our will. James 1:21, Proverbs 14:17

By reacting we paint ourselves into the corner.

Your behavior has a consequence. Proverbs 30:33

Three keys to keeping your temper under control:

1. swallow your pride - don't be defensive. forgive. release. James 1:21
2. obey the word - don't just listen to it. Listen means AUDIT James 1:22
3. restrain your tongue - don't spout off immediately. James 1:26

Proverbs 16:23

James 1:21: The Message "God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life."

I hope you were able to make it to service this weekend at parkway (aka: CCV:surprise ). Let me know your thoughts!

Baggage: Guilt

The first message in the new series Baggage. All I can say is wow! I needed a reminder!

Mark 7:21, Matthew 7:21, Proverbs 4:23, Jeremiah 17:5-10, Matthew 15:10-20
1. Guilt is the result of having done something we perceived as wrong.
big sin starts as a secret.

• I am as sick as my secrets.
  What is going on with you when no one is looking?
  Am I self aware? What would my closest friends say about this?
  Am I free?
  
• The Bible's perspective on guilt...
  it won't go unpunished. Exodus 34:7.
  it can be overwhelming. Psalm 38:4
  it can be taken away. Isaiah 6:7
  

2. Guilt is conquered by confession

3. Confession is an insult to God when we continue our sin rather than end our sin. Hebrews 10:26, Luke 19:8

4. Public confession is the first step towards a changed heart.

• when you go to God, you tend to REPEAT.
  when you go public, you tend to REPENT.
  
  God already knows what you are doing - don't try to stand by yourself.
  tell people, take a chance, seek help. Our small group will help to hold you accountable.
  A triple braided cord is much stronger. You, God, Us

5. The goal of confession is not a clear conscience(that feeling doesn't last), the goal of confession is a changed life! "Mark well that God doesn't miss a move you make; He's aware of every step you take" Proverbs 5:21 (Message Bible)

• He sees it all. He's not angered when he sees me sinning - it breaks His heart. He wants to free me.

What things in my life are causing guilt? (Things and people)Take a moment and write them down!!! Make it public by confessing the information with a friend or going directly to the person you feel guilty towards and apologize.

Callling us out in LOVE!

Psalm 32:15

February Prayer Requests

Add your prayer requests in the comments below

Just Around the Corner: Reflections

Where are you at? What do you need to do? Where will you go next?
John 16:33, Ephesians 3:20, Matthew 5:37, Habakkuk 2:3, 1 Peter 1:7, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Luke 18:27, Hebrews 11:17-19, 2 Corinthians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 1:9-10

In your current situation, where are you at?
Phase 1. It all starts with a DREAM.
God's Will will never go against God's Word.

Phase 2. You make a DECISION to do something about your dream.
You must invest - time, energy, money, and reputation.
You have to let go of your security blanket.

Phase 3. There is always a DELAY.
Many times we think God is saying no, when what He is saying is not yet.

Phase 4. DIFFICULTIES. There are two primary kinds of problems that will confront us at this phase: critics and circumstances (the devil really knows how to work with these)
God is more interested in our character than He is our comfort.

Phase 5. DEAD ENDS.
Some people prefer bondage over risk.
Push the devil back. Be purified and delivered.
Think about Moses and the journey to the promised land - it was supposed to take 11 days, but it ended up taking 40 years! Baal-zaphon - God's cul-de-sac

Phase 6. DELIVERANCE.
what's the best response to a dead end? EXPECTATION - God does what we expect. Are you praying, living in Him? Think of the God sized dream He has for us!

REMEMBER: God can raise the dead. Rely on God's Word and promises. (*how do you know what God's plan is, if you don't even know Him!) Face the facts and don't quit in the pit. Expect Delivery. God delivers however He wants. Work on Trusting him!

What must I do to prove faithful in my current phase? Luke 16:10

Memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13.

READING FOR THIS WEEK
SUNDAY: Matthew 17-19
MONDAY: Genesis 24-27
TUESDAY: Judges 7-11
WEDNESDAY: Psalms 18-20
THURSDAY: Job 13-14
FRIDAY: Isaiah 34-39
SATURDAY Romans 13-14

Saturday Praise!

Hi all....I think this is definatly one way we can bring God pleasure by sharing and remembering His many blessings. We do this by studying his word and allowing to speak into our lives. When we share it it gives Him glory.
Make it a point to share so we stay united together.
Love ya! ~Brenda

Unity

Ephesians 4:2-6 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Is there something in your life that you are trying to control? I am not God. Live in Love, stay unified with Christ, humble yourself. 100% turned towards God!

New Beginnings

What an amazing thought that our sister Brenda had this evening, to kick off our new beginnigs year with a blog to help unify us! Please use this blog to share your thoughts, about what you are reading! We look forward to sharing our discoveries in God's Word!