Baggage

Life Work:

Baggage Check: Forgiving as we have been forgiven

Scripture Memory Verse:

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Life Work Assignments:

1.      Take some time to really think about what baggage you are carrying. Some of the ways you know you haven’t forgiven someone is that you: continually bring up the past action in current arguments or conflicts, seeing the person or place where it happened makes you feel the same hurts or pains, or if you wish something bad would happen to the person. Make a list of all the people you have not forgiven and pray to God to reveal areas of unforgiveness in your life.

2.      Start reflecting on what God’s gift to you meant. There was a time where you have hurt someone or not done what God wanted you to, yet He forgave you. What would your life have looked like if everything bad you ever did was never forgiven?

3.      Love. Do Good. Bless. Pray for. This is what we are supposed to do towards those who have hurt us. Take a sheet of paper and make 5 columns. Set it up like this:

NAME

LOVE

DO GOOD

BLESS

PRAY FOR

In the first column, list all the people you have not forgiven from Life Work Assignment #1. Then, for each person write specific actions, you can do to LOVE, DO GOOD, BLESS, and PRAY FOR each person. Keep in mind, forgiveness is an action so DO the things you have written down.

4.      Rob Bell talks about that there are some situations in which forgiving is not forgetting. Situations of abuse or extremely unhealthy relationships may require us to get away from the relationship or set up boundaries. If one of the people you have not forgiven falls into this category, think about ways you can forgive without being in the same negative situation. Sometimes all we can do is pray for someone. Sometimes we may need professional help to create boundaries or get to a safe place, away from that situation. Do whatever it is that you need to do in those types of relationships.

Ladies who attended- What did God reveal to you about your own baggage this week? Anyone want to share some forgiving ACTIONS He prompted you to take????

BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!!

Don't forget! Bible study meets THIS week!
Tuesday, Sept. 14th from 7:30-9pm (no childcare provided but we can help you arrange!) and Thursday, Sept. 16 from 10-11:30am (childcare provided).

This weeks topic: BAGGAGE aka Forgiveness
Start thinking about your baggage. What are those hurts, hangups, and wounds that seem to never go away? We all have it! And if you don't think you do, that probably means you have a lot! :)

And don't forget our memory verse! See the previous post!

Hope to see you Tuesday or Thursday!

Masks

We had a great first OHF Fall Bible study meeting both on Tuesday and Thursday! Our topic was Masks- removing them and becoming authentic in our faith so that we can not only heal but bring others to Christ.

Here was the Lifework in case you missed it!:
Life Work:

Removing the Mask and Becoming Authentic Believers

Scripture Memory Verse:

“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open."

Luke 8:16-17 (NIV)

Life Work Assignments:

1.) Think about your own masks. Be honest and real with yourself as you look at what you are hiding behind and why. Start praying specifically about those things and ask God to help remove the mask.

2.) What are some practical ways you can remove your mask? Do you need to share with a struggle you have with a friend who sees you as “having it all together”? Do you need to do something that may make you appear weak in the eyes of another? Do you need to stop doing something that is perpetuating a false image of who you are? Write those things down and give yourself a date to complete them by. Ask a trusted friend to help keep you accountable.

3.) Consider the idea that the things we conceal are often things that God can use for His glory. In our weakness, He is made strong. Think about how God has or can use your weaknesses. Is there someone you can minister to or comfort, who is going through a similar situation that you once faced? Can accepting your weakness bring you into a deeper reliance and closer relationship with God? Write a prayer THANKING God for your weaknesses and how they can bring you nearer to Him.

4.) Authentic Christianity should be one of our goals in our Christian walk. We don’t want to be “Sunday Christians” (acting the “right” way on Sunday, but no other day of the week), especially amongst our military communities because time is of the essence. The military community is a mission field and we are the missionaries! If we don’t show authenticity to this special group of people, who will? For the military member, knowing Christ before going into the valley of the shadow of death can make the difference between life and death. For their families, having the hope of Christ before facing loved ones in those dark valleys can be the difference between hope and despair. Your life is an example, whether it be a good one or a bad one depends upon you! Look at your own Christian life. Are you authentic? Do you act the same, no matter what the crowd? Do you find yourself “hiding” your faith in some circles? Or do you find your regular day-to-day words and actions directly disputing the convictions you claim? Honestly take a look at this in your own life and write out specific ways you need to be more authentic in your beliefs and actions. Then, do it!