Read and reflect on the following passages this week as you think about our God who reigns over all, and who knows your name:

• Psalm 113
• 1 Samuel 2:1-10
• Luke 1:46-55

Read the following passages and reflect on how God is at work to restore your life and the world, and how you can join in His mission:

• Romans 3:21-30 
• Romans 4:18-25
• Romans 5:6-10
• Romans 6:1-14
• Romans 8:31-39
• Romans 11:33-36

How to be Friends:

1. Affirming one another’s strengths, abilities, and gifts

• Romans 12:10
• James 5:9
• Romans 12:3-8

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2. Affirming one another’s equal importance in Christ

• Romans 15:7
• 1 Corinthians 12:25
• 1 Peter 5:5
• James 2:1

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3. Affirming one another through visible affection

• Romans 16:16
• James 1:19
• Ephesians 4:32
• 1 Thessalonians 3:12

How to be Family:

4. Sharing one another’s space, goods, and time

• Romans 12:10
• 1 Peter 4:9
• Galatians 6:10

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5. Sharing one another’s needs and problems

• Galatians 6:2
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11
• Hebrews 3:13

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6. Sharing one another’s beliefs, thinking, and spirituality

• Colossians 3:16
• Ephesians 5:19
• Romans 12:16
• 1 Corinthians 1:10

How to be Servants:

7. Serving one another through accountability

• James 5:16
• Romans 15:14
• Ephesians 4:25

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8. Serving one another through forgiveness and reconciliation

• Ephesians 4:2
• Colossians 3:13
• Galatians 5:26
• James 4:11
• Matthew 5:23-24
• Matthew 18:15 

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9. Serving one another’s interests rather than our own

• Hebrews 10:24
• Romans 15:1-2
• Galatians 5:13

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As we journey through our series, Forgotten God, we want to learn how to live in the power of the Holy Spirit every day.

This week, read through what Scripture says about who the Holy Spirit is and what He does in our lives.

As you read these passages, ask yourself, “How is the Spirit working in this way in my everyday life? Or how might He do so?”

He helps us when we are in  precarious situations and need to bear witness.

• Mark 13:11
• Luke 12:12

The Counselor teaches and reminds us of what we need to know and remember. He is our comforter, advisor, encourager, and strength. He guides us in the way we should go.

• Psalm 143:10 
• John 14-16
• Acts 9:31 
• Acts 13:2 
• Acts 15:28 
• 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 
• 1 John 5:6-8

From the Spirit, we receive power to be God’s witnesses to the ends of the earth. He draws people to the gospel and equips us with the strength we need to accomplish God’s purposes. He also draws believers closer to Jesus.

• Acts 1:8
• Romans 8:26 
• Ephesians 3:16-19

By the power of the Spirit, we put to death the misdeeds of the body. The Spirit sets us free from sin, which we can’t do on our own. This is a lifelong process we entered into, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, when we first believed –Romans 8:2

Through the Spirit, we receive adoption as children, which leads us into intimacy with the Father. The Spirit bears witness that we are God’s children –Romans 8:15-16

The Spirit convicts people of sin, both as we enter into a relationship with God and throughout our lives in Christ.

•  John 16:7-11 
• 1 Thessalonians 1:5

The Holy Spirit brings us life, freedom, and hope.

• Romans 8:10-11 
• 2 Corinthians 3:17 

By the power of the Spirit, we abound with hope – Romans 15:13

As members of God’s kingdom community, each of us is given gifts from the Holy Spirit for the common good. We all have something to offer because of what the Spirit gives to us – 1 Corinthians 12:7

Those led by the Spirit will be transformed into Christ-like character, attitude, and action.  

• Galatians 5:22-23
• 2 Corinthians 3:18

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. When we don’t know what to pray for, He helps and even intercedes on our behalf – Romans 8:26-27

As we journey through our series, Forgotten God, we want to learn how to live in the power of the Holy Spirit every day.

This week, read through the following passages and consider the following questions:

• What was causing this person’s fear?
• How did God empower them to overcome their fear?
• What gave this person confidence in God?
• What calling did God place on their lives?

• Genesis 15:1-7
• Exodus 14:1-14
• Joshua 1:1-9
• John 20:19-29

• Genesis 1:1-5
• Psalm 36:5-9
• Psalm 89:11-18
• Matthew 5:13-16
• John 1:1-4
• 1 Peter 2:9-10
• 1 John 1:5-7

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Today, we remember that we are not God. We come up against our limits. We are reminded of our need for a Liberator. We grieve the divide between us and the Hope we crave so deeply. We are reminded that we don’t enter into this season alone, we grieve, wait and watch together.

- Jason Evans

Reflections on Lent

Today marks the beginning of Lent, the forty days (not including Sundays) before Easter. This is a season of soul-searching, serious reflection, and repentance.

Often, people associate the Lenten season with “giving up” something. Fasting is withdrawing from a good gift of God for a short time to make room in our hearts for more of Him. We remind ourselves of our primary call to love God, not just the gifts that He gives.

During this Lenten season, we want to clear out the mess that so easily accumulates in our lives, so that we are free to love God and people wholeheartedly.

Here are a few resources to help guide you through this journey:

Daily Devotions

• Daily Bible reading for Lent, from the PC(USA) Lectionary

• 40 Days: A Journey with God, Rice, and Beans, by Chris Seay (password: 40days)

• Daily Lenten devotions, by Goshen College

Lent Resources

• What is Lent anyway? by Christine Sine

• Lent: Giving up coffee or my life? by Eugene Cho

• Ash Wednesday, by Jason Evans

This article from Charles Lee, The Power of Pause, gives some practical steps towards finding these moments. As he writes, “Simple moments of pause will make a world of difference.”

Read Psalm 67.

The word “selah” is not completely clear in its meaning, but scholars believe it means something like, “stop and think about it” or “pause.”

As you read Psalm 67, pause for about 30 to 60 seconds each time you read the word “selah.” At the first pause, breathe in the life of Christ, and breathe out all that separates you from Him. At the second, breathe in the love of God, and breathe out the grace & mercy of Christ.

“Some people are looking for a fight because they aren’t in one.” – Rob Bell

Reflections from Nooma 016: Store

Read Mark 3:1-6.

• How can you learn to deal with the little things that are not worth getting angry about? How can God use these things to help you grow into the person He wants you to become?

• Read Isaiah 58:1-12. A couple of weeks ago, we discussed God’s heart for justice from this passage.
  • What are the things that make God angry?
  • In contrast, what are the things that please Him?

• What are some things worth getting angry about? How can you direct that anger towards something constructive, something bigger than ourselves?

May you become aware of your anger.

May you learn to channel it, to focus it, direct it into something beautiful.

And may it fuel sacred acts of healing and restoration.

- Rob Bell