Red Tree

John 8:1-11 the adulteress brought before Jesus.
Jesus did not condemn her, but told her to go and sin no more.
The woman was brought from the act of adultery and would have been filled with guilt and shame before Jesus.
Am I constantly weighed down from guilt, shame, and sin? Or am I full of joy, hope, and peace?
Remember:
-Sin is yielding to deceit. We give in to Satan's lures.
-People are carrying regret and shame. We can move forward by receiving the healing and cleansing forgiveness of Jesus. Receive forgiveness and forgive.
-Jesus is the healer, restorer, and redeemer. Lk 4:16-21 Satan is an accuser, but Jesus came to set us free.
-Shower people with grace.
Do:
-Who do you want to become? What do you want to be known for? What character do you want to have? Write out goals and action steps. Stress and busyness are enemies of grace.

Family Groove: Discipline

Hebrews 12:1-13
v1-3 life is like a marathon, we should be encouraged by others who have made it to the end, keep our eyes on Jesus, and keep a watch out for sin that can weigh us down.
v5-6 God disciplines those he loves, as his own children.
-all kids are evil. We live in a broken sinful world.
-start with discipline early and often. Teach the kids that you will say things one time, and they should obey. Prov 13:24
-it's easier not to discipline than to discipline.
-great discipline requires great discipline of ourselves.
-every kid is different and the discipline may look different.
-God loves your children more than you do, and loves us more than we can comprehend.
v7-13 Pour into your children biblical values and God's word and love. Teach them to follow hard after Jesus.

Family Groove: Parenting on Purpose by Joe Holman

God the father is our role model as a parent.
As a parent we should try to guide our children not to give in to temptation.
Lk 2:52 Help our kids grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with Good and men. We should have a target/goal for raising our kids. Hag 1:5, 7 Give careful thought to your ways.
Parent by planning - the idea is to help our kids become Godly adults, to prepare them to love someone else more than us. Prov 24:3 Asking the right questions helps you come to the right conclusions.
-When they are 35 years old, what do I want my kids to be like?
-What do I want them to do?
-What do I want them to know?
Godly characteristics should be taught all along.
i.e. Financial: Earn money for chores. $1.00 - 10 cents tithe, 10 cents savings, 10 cents tax. No impulse buys, no loans.
Teach them how to be an adult, practice.
*I must BE the person that I want my children to BECOME.

The Book of Daniel: Daniel's Vision

Dan 8: a dual vision of the Antichrist, past and future
v27 the vision was even beyond understanding for Daniel, but he went about the king's business. We need to be about the King's business also.
Mt 24:15-18 Jesus speaks of Daniel's vision in future tense, even though it had already taken place historically.
Dan 7 : 7-8 the Roman Empire, and the Antichrist.
Titus 2:12-13 Jesus is coming back! Live my life looking forward to the return of Jesus.

Suffering by Luc Faron

During pain and suffering, a right and proper understanding of who God is and what he's done positions man in a posture of praise.
1Peter 1:3-5 He is writing to a church who is suffering under Nero. God is worthy and deserving of our praise.
v3-4 Father - Jesus is God, our - my relationship with God is meant to be shared
Reasons God is worthy and deserving of our praise:
1. Picture of mercy. Titus 3:4-5
2. Provider of regeneration. v3
3. Powered by the resurrection of Jesus.
4. Preparer of an eternal inheritance. Imperishable, undefiled, unfading
5. Protector of our salvation.

The Book of Daniel: Nonflammable

Daniel 3
v10-12
We face the pressure of going the easy way of the world or following God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego learned from Daniel, the influence of Daniel gave them strength to follow God.
v13-18
They gave a gracious response to the king, while trusting in God. This kind of faith does not develop overnight, but through day to day time with God. God uses fire to develop and refine character. Their obedience was not dependent on God delivering them or on God always giving them what they want. What was most important is their obedience to God.
1Pet 3-7 God will walk through the fire with me and give me strength. This will show the power and faithfulness of God and Jesus Christ.
v19-25 God himself shows up when this kind of trial is experienced. We experience the sweetest presence of God in these times. Jesus was right there with them in the fire. Isa 43:1-2, Ps 23:4
v26-30 Nebuchadnezzer only called the 3 men out, but he saw 4 In the fire. Only what bound them was burned. Sometimes God takes us through a fire in order to burn off what binds us. They did not even smell like smoke - no need to let our experiences define who we are. We are not about our fame, but about God's fame.

The Book of Daniel: Pride

Daniel Chapter 4
Pride is a part of the fallen human condition. God hates pride.
James 4:6, 1:22-25, Prov 6:16-18, 2 Tim 3:14-17, Jer 29:1-32, v7, 10-12, let God use you even in the middle of the struggle. Pray.
Those who are prideful can easily be humbled by God.
How do we fight pride in our lives?
1. Admit and repent. v34, 2Pet 3:8-10
2. Humble yourself.  v34-35, 17
3. Praise Him!!! v37
4. Tell others. v2