Pure Joy

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

- James 1:2-4

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

- 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

- Hebrews 12:1-2

Mixer

What are your plans for Thanksgiving this year?

‘Neighborly’ - Daily Devotional

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1. In the 11/7/22 entry, What Is A Disciple?, Pastor Ken says this about a disciple: “Not just talking about it, but being about it.” After meditating on the passage 1 Peter 4:1-11, what are some of the ways the LORD has identified that you are living for your own desires? What changes can you make that lead you into living for God instead?
2. In the 11/11/22 entry, Just Start The Conversation, Kyle Moss suggests a framework for approaching our prayer time with God: Just be yourself. What keeps you from being yourself in front of God? How does knowing God wants to be with you, just as you are, change your desire to spend time with Him? And how does this give you the freedom to just “be” with Him and not talk at all - what would that look like?

Sermon Questions

Scriptures:  James 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 12:7-9; Hebrews 12:1-2

1. How would you define joy and happiness by both a faith and a world perspective?
2. Read James 1:2-4. Why does James intentionally use the word consider versus another word such as celebrate, rejoice, etc?
3. Pastor Jared addressed a fallacy of Christian thinking – that nothing bad can, or should, happen to a Christian. Have you ever entered that line of thinking that, if you pray enough, nothing bad will happen? What, specifically, do you tend to focus this false belief on (i.e. your family, your job, your finances, your health, your home)? Are we as Christians immune to trials and tribulations?
4. It is a given that our trials can feel like an “injustice” or “unfairness”against us, but how does the promise of a God who holds all eternity change how we live through them?
5. If we consider James’ suggestion and trust that God doesn’t waste pain and suffering, despite our trials, we won’t be lacking. How does God mature us through our trials? Take a look at the potential gains and provide examples from your life of when you gained one or more of these after you’ve emerged from the storm:
   • Humility
   • Freedom
   • Faith
   • Heart of compassion
   • Creativity
6. Knowing that life is unfair and trials/tribulations are going to occur, how might you prepare your spirit to handle the next difficulty? Read Hebrews 12:1-2. How does this scripture encourage you?
7. Based on 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, what does a Go First leader do next in the world? How will you?

Serve

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Pray

Pray for our families and our communities as we approach this season of Thanksgiving. Pray for those who are missing loved ones at their table this year. Pray for those who do not have a table to join. Pray for those whose spirits are deflated, or healing seems impossible. Pray that the unbounding love of God will be poured out through His Church and cover all things this Thanksgiving. Good neighbors go first!

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.

Psalm 95:1-3

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