He is risen! Ps Melanie shows us how our hope is found in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

At the cross Jesus paid the ultimate price as the sin He took on himself separated Himself from the father. One of those crucified with Him understood his own guilt as well s Jesus’s total innocence. We accept this sacrifice when we realise our need for His grace and mercy. Our messes and shame lose their power at the cross.

Ps Mel shared how people get stuck through past hurts because they become cynical and only trust in God can move them back to where He wants them to be. Cynicism can lead to bitterness and addictions. Equally dangerous is when a person is believing in a false hope, one that doesn’t emanate from God. This person needs to leave false hope behind and put their faith in the living hope of the Lord.

Ps Paul talks about how to deal with three significant ways we can get stuck: issues from our past, believing lies, and making bad choices.

Ps Mel outlined four ways that we can be stuck in our lives: taking responsibility for others, refusing to let go of a season that has finished, ignoring what God is telling you to do, or you've handed the control of your life to others.

This week we first heard from Tim Taylor who spoke about the importance of reading the word at least four times a week, and the great capacity it has to change our lives and connect us with God. Ps Mel then spoke about the need for worship as a form of positive connection is our lives. Worship has the capacity to change what is going on inside us, which will in turn influence our outward behaviour.

One of the ways we grow as christians is through people we meet in the christian context of Groups. We learn to love people, be respective of their personalty type & character, and this helps with the development of our patience, acceptance and tolerance. We cannot do this in isolation.

Every person craves connection - we are created for it. As Christians we are commissioned to make disciples of Jesus and 1 Corinthians 9:21-23 suggests we should lead people to Christ by serving them.

One of the secrets to being close to God is a strong prayer life. Our prayer life can be greatly enhanced when we pray in the Holy Spirit, because He leads us into Gods will.

Tim continues our series on the book of Colossians, exploring the new life that Jesus has called us to live in. “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:3-4