I WANT TO ALWAYS HAVE: What is your prized possession?
I WISH I HAD NEVER: What would you like to change in the present/past?
I DREAM THAT SOMEDAY: What are your plans for the future?
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I said to myself, “I know more and I’m wiser than anyone before me in Jerusalem. I’ve stockpiled wisdom and knowledge.” What I’ve finally concluded is that so-called wisdom and knowledge are mindless and witless—nothing but SPITTING INTO THE WIND. Much learning earns you much trouble. The more you know, the more you hurt. I said to myself, “Let’s go for it—experiment with pleasure, have a good time!” But there was nothing to it, nothing but SMOKE. What do I think of the fun-filled life? Insane! Inane! My verdict on the pursuit of happiness? Who needs it? With the help of a bottle of wine and all the wisdom I could muster, I tried my level best to penetrate the absurdity of life. I wanted to get a handle on anything useful we mortals might do during the years we spend on this earth. Oh, I did great things: built houses, planted vineyards, designed gardens and parks and planted a variety of fruit trees in them, made pools of water to irrigate the groves of trees. I bought slaves, male and female, who had children, giving me even more slaves; then I acquired large herds and flocks, larger than any before me in Jerusalem. I piled up silver and gold, loot from kings and kingdoms. I gathered a chorus of singers to entertain me with song, and—most exquisite of all pleasures—voluptuous maidens for my bed. Oh, how I prospered! I left all my predecessors in Jerusalem far behind, left them behind in the dust. What’s more, I kept a clear head through it all. Everything I wanted I took—I never said no to myself. I gave in to every impulse, held back nothing. I sucked the marrow of pleasure out of every task— my reward to myself for a hard day’s work! Then I took a good look at everything I’d done, looked at all the sweat and hard work. But when I looked, I saw nothing but smoke. SMOKE AND SPITTING INTO THE WIND. There was nothing to any of it. Nothing. Ecclesiastes 1:16-2:11 (The Message)
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LOVE GOD LOVE PEOPLE HOW HAS GOD TAKEN CARE OF YOU?
IN WHAT WAYS ARE YOU HOLDING BACK HOPE OR SPREADING HOPELESSNESS?
HOW ARE YOU SHARING HOPE WITH OTHERS?
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Write down what God’s Word shows you in these practical descriptions of the “good fruit” of a godly life…
JAMES 1:17-18 JAMES 1:21-25
Watch what you say to others (1:26)
Look after the hopeless & needy (1:27)
Keep clean, unstained by the world (1:27)
DIG DEEPER: 3:1-12; 4:11-17
DIG DEEPER: 3:14-20; 5:1-7
DIG DEEPER: 2:1-13; 3:13-18; 4:1-10
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life have will your t c a p im ome? What tions to c a r e n e g r fo
I still can't believ e how amazi ng it was to exper ience the power of God by...
I t ch an yo u sh ar edge thd em ygolifspe w he n m e b y. .. el w it h I'll never forget that summer we stepped out in faith by...
When nobod y else would , thank you for being the one who.. .
ting for set s k n a h T by… example
an
Remem ber that time we were overwh elmed by...
do to do you need to TODAY, what r? ve re fo count make your life
BF F – ser ious ly, fore ver , no ma tter whe re we go we’ ll alw ays hav e in com mon ...
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Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you. Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex. $ Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. SINCE GOD ASSURED US, “I’LL NEVER LET YOU DOWN, NEVER WALK OFF AND LEAVE YOU,” WE CAN BOLDLY QUOTE, GOD IS THERE, READY TO HELP; I’M FEARLESS NO MATTER WHAT. WHO OR WHAT CAN GET TO ME? Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. FOR JESUS DOESN’T CHANGE—YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW, HE’S ALWAYS TOTALLY HIMSELF. Hebrews 13:1-8 (THE MESSAGE)
HOW DOES THE REALITY OF HEAVEN AFFECT THE WAY YOU RELATE TO… 1 – people you know?
$ 5 – money / possessions?
2 – strangers in need?
6 – your own identity / insecurities?
3 – people suffering injustice?
7 – the church / spiritual mentors?
4 – dating / future spouse?
8 – Jesus?
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