New Day Christian Church - Weston, WI

Roots: Jacob + Leah

As we continue to look into the lineage of Jesus we’ll see the hurt that can be caused when we let competition and jealousy motivate us. But even in the midst of a bitter feud, God advances His plan to bring hope and peace. And who couldn’t use a little more hope and peace today?

Genesis 29:35 (NLT)  Once again Leah became pregnant and gave birth to another son. She named him Judah, for she said, “Now I will praise the LORD!” And then she stopped having children.

BIG IDEA: No matter what you experienced yesterday, today is a day to praise the Lord.

THINK FAST! Consider fasting from food for a meal this week, or even for a full day, and let your hunger prompt you praise God for who He is. This is a good reminder that even when it feels natural to grumble, we can choose to be grateful. Psalm 118 is a good guide to help you praise God.

Roots: Isaac + Rebekah

In the lineage of Jesus, Isaac and Rebecca are perhaps the best example of a loving husband and wife. As we learn from the ancestors of Jesus, we learn about our own spiritual heritage and find ourselves more deeply rooted in Christ. 

Genesis 24:67 (NLT)  And Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife. He loved her deeply, and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother.

BIG IDEA: Seek God’s will in order to love others well.

THINK FAST! Fasting is a way of divorcing ourselves from the temporary happiness of stuff in order to seek the eternal holiness of God. What is something you could stop for a month, while replacing it with prayer and Scripture?

 

What’s Your “Love Language”?

Sometimes people know that they care for each other deeply, but they don’t feel loved. A person could be giving and receiving love a certain way, and the person they care for could express love in a very different way--like they are speaking foreign languages. Check out the free resources at www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/ to learn more about how you give and receive love, your Love Language.

Roots: Abraham + Sarah

Roots: Abraham + Sarah

In generations past, ancestry was critically important in understanding a person’s identity and their place in society. Modern disciples of Jesus have a spiritual ancestry that helps us understand our identity, and helps us grow to be a blessing to the world.

Matthew 1:1 (NLT)  This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham

Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

BIG IDEA: Even though we can’t keep up with perfection, we must faithfully run with perseverance.

MORE TO THE STORY: Genesis 12-22 covers the calling of Abram and continues through God’s ultimate test of his faith. Prayerfully read it this week, and see how God grows your faith.

THINK FAST! What is something you could fast from during the month of March that would help you fix your eyes on Christ and strip off a sin that has been tripping you up?

Roots: Our Spiritual Family Tree

Roots Intro

In generations past, ancestry was critically important in understanding a person’s identity and their place in society. Modern disciples of Jesus have a spiritual ancestry that helps us understand our identity, and helps us grow to be a blessing to the world.

Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) 6  And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7  Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

As if Your Life Depends On It

Did you ever wake up on a Sunday morning and think, “Not sure if I feel like going to church today….?”

Sometimes we lose momentum and enthusiasm, even in the midst of absolutely AMAZING promises from God. Let’s invite God to reignite our worship and revitalize our perspective. Let’s jump out of bed excited to worship God with other disciples, because we realize with all our heart, soul and mind that our life depends on it!

Matthew 18:20 (NIV)  For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am with them.

All Things New: Whatever It Takes

Giving Through a “Whatever It Takes” Attitude

Good works apart from faith in Christ are ultimately meaningless, and faith without good works is dead. Disciples of Jesus need to be ready and willing to be God’s instruments of hope in the world today.

James 2:14 (NLT)  What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

All Things New: Giving Through Biblical Teaching

Giving Through Biblical Teaching

The Bible is a collection of writings penned by many authors over hundreds of years, but every word is inspired by one Holy Spirit. While billions of people have studied these Scriptures, real change happens in our hearts, in our homes, and in our neighborhoods as we obey the Spirit’s words.

Galatians 5:24-25 (NLT) 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

All Things New: Giving Through the Spirit - Spiritual Gifts

God gives disciples of Jesus spiritual gifts in order to build each other up and make the church effective. Discover your gifts and how to use them for God’s glory.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT) "A spiritaul gift is given to each of us so we can help each other."

1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.  Use them well to serve one another."

Jude 1:20 (NLT) "But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit."

 

Spiritual Gifts Assesment: www.spiritualgiftstest.com

All Things New: Giving Through the Spirit

The Holy Spirit is often misunderstood and neglected.  By God's design, we want to be people driven and led by the Spirit to bring renewal into our hearts, our homes, our neighborhoods, and beyond.

KEY VERSES: 

Luke 4:18-19 (NLT) “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.”

Titus 3:6, 8a (NLT) He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.  ...This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good.

Kneeling on the Promises

"And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads with us believers in harmony with God's own will. " (Romans 8:27) Everyone comes across times in life when praying is difficult.  Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit to help us provide the words that we lack.

Romans 8:26-27

Four Promises from Paul

You will face a ________when you do not know how to __________.

 

When we are ___________ the Holy Spirit will __________.

 

The divine one ________ us helps us pray to the divine one _________us.

 

The Holy Spirit always lines up our prayers with the ___________ of God.