Bible References:   Matthew 5:13-16; 2 Chronicles 26:4-16; James 1:7 In the early Christian Church there were some noticeable practices: ·          Prayed for the Emperor ·          Prayed for the people around them ·          Sacrificed and helped the less fortunate – widows, orphans, poor, destitute ·          They witnessed to the world around them by their life and service to God. Today: ·          Christians are generally known for opposing abortion ·          Christians should be known more as those who love and care for orphans and seeing orphans adopted into loving families ·          Christians are to be imitators of God who has adopted us into his family ·          Take care of people and love them as God loves them ·          Christians need to be careful to live properly among unbelieving neighbouts ·          Christians should and could care for those in prisons and coming out of prisons by being there with them on release (having s

Bible References:   Isaiah 59:9-15; Genesis 39 (chapters 37 – end Genesis); Psalm 107:10-15; James 1:1-4 ·          Isaiah addressed the people as they were not living in truth ·          Like us Isaiah longs for and desires truth ·          We can feel guilty about our sins but it won’t change the fact we have sinned ·          We need to recognise and confess our sins ·          Sin is a result of turning our backs on the way God wants us to live, turning our backs on God Himself Example of Victorious life:   Joseph (Genesis) ·          People seemed to like Joseph and were drawn to him ·          Joseph was betrayed, sold and yet he ended up overseeing, being put in charge ·          Joseph was brazen about living with God in a land that didn’t serve God ·          Joseph wasn’t a whinger.   He didn’t get blessed from whinging.   ·          He commanded respect ·          He relied upon God ·          He didn’t give in to a negative attitude

Job 5:1-27 Do you know people you find wearying?   They incessantly 'share' stories of the personal wrongs done to them with anyone who will listen, and frankly, they become a burden. These people weary you, so you avoid them. Yes, I know that's not what Jesus would do. However, if we are truthful, it is what we do.   We all know others in far worse circumstances than these people - yet they who endure such circumstances are often the ones we delight to be around. Why?   Their lives exude joy! They encourage you, and you come away with a renewed sense of purpose, an uplifted spirit, and a smile.   Certainly, they're wounded, and they know it. But those who are a delight to be around even in the midst of their difficulties, don't bathe in that woundedness and others are drawn to them because of their joy. We cringe from the attitude of those who weary us and we're attracted to the attitude of those whom even in the trials of their own lives, encourage u

References:  Psalm 91, Joshua 1:8 Our Soul:  who we are, personality, relentless desire to know God. Our soul longs for th peace to know God: thirst for God - a relentless desire to know God peace - within ourselves, with others, with God. Until we experience redemption and forgiveness in Jesus Christ, our souls won't settle. You can try to quieten down the desire to know God through good works, alcohol etc, but only in Jesus Christ can you have real peace in your soul. In spite of all going on in our lives, when we know Jesus Christ, our soul can be at peace. God wants Christians to live a victorious life.  He designed our lives with purpose. God should always have first place in our lives, not our jobs Unforgiveness and strife will pull us down Walk in love - God's love (reference 1 Corinthians 13) Line up your words with God's words Always maintain an attitude of gratitude Count your blessings and name them Honour God continually in your

Bible references: Heb. 10:25; Gal. 6:10; Ephesians 2; Romans 12:5; Hebrews 10:24; Eccl. 4:9-12; Proverbs 27:17; Heb.3:13; Gal. 6:12; Matthew 18:20; John 17:21; 1 Peter 4:10; 1 Corithians. ·          As Christians, we are to be actively participating in the family of God ·          Not actively participating in God’s family is disobedience ·          As Christians we belong in God’s family ·          Being in a family means doing things together – fellowship ·          We do good to each other because we love each other ·          Jesus Christ is our Foundation Stone, Corner Stone, and Cap Stone – we, the family of God make up the wall, without all of us the wall will have a hole and crumble. ·          The household of God is held together by Jesus Christ NOT by us ·          A family is   a place to belong and we should be able to express and practice love and reconciliation within the family ·          We are not to be deceived by sin and stubbornness