Winning Over Temptation!

Good morning and happy Monday!
Two weeks ago we started our new Casual  Summer Teaching Series titled, Faith That Works, based on the New Testament Letter of James. James is all about learning to live out what God says about a grown up faith life.
Yesterday we tackled the not-so-popular subject of temptation from James 1:13-18. It's something everyone faces. The following are a few questions to consider in your small group or with a couple of friends as we seek to win over those things that would hinder or hurt our journey of faith.
1. Temptation is seeking to meet an honest need in harmful ways. Spend a few minutes discussing some of the everyday temptations that people give into without even realizing it.
2. James says that God is untemptable and unable to temp us. Why is that important to remember when we face temptation?
3. The Course temptation takes has never changed since Adam and Eve. It begins with desire, then deception, then disobedience (sin), and if allowed to continue it will, sooner or later end in death. The Evil One never deviates from this course, yet, we continue to get "stung" by temptation. Why? What's the real issue? Why does this Course continue to be so effective? 
4. The Cure for temptation is to Wake Up to how temptation works, Look Up to God, and Store Up God's truth. Share a time when you got "stung" by temptation, and then explain how the Cure could have helped you win over temptation.
James argues that everyone of us can more and more, enjoy the life God invites us to live. It will require that we grow deep and wide in our love and commitment to Christ. Growing up in our faith life is a process that takes time! So don't give up, keep at it, knowing that God is working for our good as we seek to win over temptation.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Frank

Making the Most of Change!

Happy Monday everyone!
I trust last Monday’s Memorial Day holiday was a good one.
With Summer on the immediate horizon and the variety of changes it brings (e.g., graduations, vacations etc), I thought it was appropriate to address what the Bible says about change.
Yesterday we explored three major changes that change us...all from the life David, the second king of Old Testament Israel.
During yesterday’s message I offered three questions to consider under each type of change that are designed to help us respond in a way that will help us make the most of change.
Prioritized Change Asks:
What one thing do I need to stop?
What one thing do I need to start?
When will I begin?

Providential Change Asks:
What is my real test?
Who will I share my test with?
How can I best honor God?

Painful Change Asks:
What is causing my pain?
When will I bring it to the Lord?
How close is my relationship with Christ? (On a scale of 1-10)

In addition, here are a few questions to consider this week as a follow-up to yesterday morning’s teaching:

1.      Describe a time in your life when you added or subtracted something from your life in order to follow more fully after God. What was the result of prioritizing that change?

2.      Yesterday, I made the statement that “Goliaths” are tests God brings into our lives to prepare us for greater maturity and effectiveness. Describe a time when God tested you. What was the test and what did you learn.

3.      David was well acquainted with painful change. He understood how difficult it is “swallow.” Describe a painful time of change in your life. What did God teach you through that time? How instrumental was “drawing near to God” while facing that change?  

4.      It is possible that you are currently facing one or more types of change that we explored in David’s life (Prioritized change, providential change, & painful change). We should never face change alone. Are you willing to share the change you’re facing in order to receive encouragement and support from others?

May God continue to cultivate positive change in our lives and our church family as we seek to follow hard after Him!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Frank