Grace Timonium

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, Daniel 1:1-13, Daniel 1:17-20, Timothy 2:20-22, This weeks paper tiger is Peer Pressure and fitting in. Have you ever battled with ether of these? Join us as we take a look at Daniels story in Daniel 1. Lets see how the Lord lead Daniel to not need to conform to the world around him.

Scripture: Isaiah 54:17, 1 John 4:4, Judges 6:11-16, Judges 7:22, 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, Judges 7:2, Why do we own labels that are bestowed on us by others? We carry them through life and begin to believe them about ourselves. They make us insecure. But God shows us that insecurity is nothing more than a paper tiger in today's message.

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-29, 2 Timothy 1:7, James 4:14, Psalm 90:2, Can any of us by worrying add a single hour to our life? Worry is futile and yet we give it so much power over us. Today we de-fang the paper tiger of worry.

Scripture: Psalm 149:5-9, Judges 20 21, Philippians 4:4-7, Acts 16:25-26 , The early church understood the importance of prayer and worship; the bible states they engaged in it daily. it wasn't something that they onlu resorted to in times of trial, but it was a part fo their routine and it sustained the church. How do we live a life of daily prayer and worship? How do we cultivate it and sustain it? What does this look like in our busy lives?

Scripture: Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 12:12 , Acts 2:46-47, Hebrews 13:2, Matthew 25: 35 - 40 , 1 John 4:19 , Fellowship is the gathering together with others and living all aspects of life as a community. And yet, our present-day society is one that sends a text instead of making a phone call or gathering on Facebook instead of meeting in person. We live right next door do others and sometimes don't know anything about our neighbors. God desires us to be in relationship and communion with each other and to be intentional about living in community.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10 , Acts 2:44, Acts 4:32-36 , Matthew 6:31-33, We're told that the early church were generous and freely shared their resources with one another; "with anyone that had a need". They even sacrificed their own comfort by selling their belongings to meet the needs of others. What does sacrificial giving look like in our world? How can we come alongside one another to help those who have need?

Scripture: Acts 2:5-13, Acts 4: 32-33, Ephesians 4:4-7, Philippians 3:20, Ephesians 2:14-16, Galatians 3:28, The church we read of in Acts was diverse with representation from believers of many nations and backgrounds. People of different cultures, classes and ethicities were present. And yet, we read of their unity. They were unified to the point where they were of one faith, one body and one purpose. Our society seems to be going in the other direction. How can today's church model the life of the early church and be both diversified and unified?

Scripture: Acts 1:8 - 11, 1 Timothy 4:12 , The word witness in the Greek is the same word for martyr; one that dies for a cause or belief. The early church witnessed to the power and person of Jesus Christ in how they lived and, for many, it cost them their lives. Despite a threat to their lives, they proclaimed His goodness and His grace and love for all mankind. How do we learn from their model and employ an effective witness in today's world?

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10, Mark 6:6, Hebrews 11:16, Romans 1:7b, Hebrews 11:1, So much of the time we do whatever we can to avoid danger. We hedge our lives in with protective measures that keep us from feeling vulnerable and unsafe. But vulnerability is exactly what is required if we are going to feel anything. Vulnerability comes from the Latin word that described a break or gap in someone’s armor, leaving them at risk to being hurt. So many of us have built armor around our lives in order to be safe and now we find ourselves isolated and alone. This mindset of safety at all costs actually robs us from the rich and satisfying life found in Jesus.

Some of us have contracted the “disease to please”. People pleasers are miserable. Living our lives for the approval of others is a dead end street. Many times we are tempted to live in order to gain ‘likes’ and praise from people that we don’t even know. This empty exercise doesn’t fill or satisfy us and causes us to live hollow lives devoid of meaning. Becoming obsessed with what people think about you is the fastest way to forget what God thinks about you. God has wired you perfectly to live uniquely and boldly and his loving eye of approval is ALL you need!