ROMANS 12:4-5 N.T. WRIGHT: THE KINGDOM NEW TESTAMENT

4 As in one body we have many limbs and organs, you see, and all the parts have different functions, 5 so we, many as we are, are one body in the Messiah, and individually we belong to one another.

* Community is the home where we (as little children of our Father)

grow up into sons and daughters learning and doing His will.

* What does it mean to you when you hear, “…individually members one of another"?

** What might we discover if we take this a bit more literally?

“How do we think about our relationship with each other?” As a duty, a revelation, an opportunity, an honor?

* “We are not ourselves by ourselves. We are ourselves only in community.” – Eugene Peterson, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places, 2005. (Are we each a revelation of one another’s identity?)

* "Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses." – C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, 1941

(An encounter with God’s Image? A holy honor?)

* "When we step into God’s light, we walk with others who are stepping into that same light." – George MacDonald --Unspoken Sermons, 1867–1889. (An opportunity forward into faith?)

1 Cor 12:12b

…the “members”… though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

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ROMANS 8:19:

19 Yes: creation itself is on tiptoe with expectation, eagerly awaiting the

moment when God’s children will be revealed. ~ N.T. WRIGHT: THE KINGDOM NEW TESTAMENT

LUKE 13:34:

34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone the people sent to

you! How many times did I want to collect your children, like a hen gathers

her brood under her wings, and you would have none of it! ~ N.T. WRIGHT: THE KINGDOM NEW TESTAMENT

* Living in & from community is God’s “good, acceptable and perfect.”

* Community is the home where we (as little children of our Father)

grow up into sons and daughters doing Kingdom work.

22 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they

may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may

be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and

loved them, even as You have loved Me.” ~ John 17:22-23

* Practicing love for one-another in Community, makes what we offer the world around us effective.

* Think of living from community alongside and into the world.

Join the JOYLAND Community for this wonderful and most important topic as we discuss:

“How best can we give ourselves to this call?”

How healthy can a community be, living from our identities as Father’s much-loved children and as Jesus’ co-heirs and “full-stature” mature Sons?

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Follow along at our social outlets:

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4 As in one body we have many limbs and organs, you see, and all the parts

have different functions, 5 so we, many as we are, are one body in the

Messiah, and individually we belong to one another. ~ ROMANS 12:4-5 N.T. WRIGHT: THE KINGDOM NEW TESTAMENT

* Living in & from community is God’s “good, acceptable and perfect.”

* Community is the home where we (as little children of our Father) grow up into sons and daughters doing Kingdom work.

* Practicing love for one another in community makes what we offer the world around us effective. ~ John 17:22-23

* We are connected to each other - we are "share-holders" in community with one another - IF we choose to be...

Real love requires others. Community is becoming part of others.

Living transparently engaged in Community prepares us to live and minister effectively in the eyes & scrutiny of the world.

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This week the Joyland community goes deeper into intentionality, and discusses ways to grow in intentionality - and - the power of intentionality to impact all of creation!

We also investigate the Father’s intentionality towards us and how it is all about the intent of Love.

Join us and be part of this continuing revelatory conversation!

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In this thought provoking discussion, the Joyland community contemplates:

Is God always intentional? ​

God’s intention is always life, light, and Love!!!​

Are we called to always be intentional? ​

If we are always operating under intent, ​ then what intent?

Intentionality in Hope & Love, and what that practically looks like.

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joylandlife/

X: https://twitter.com/JoylandLife

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/joylandlife

In this thought provoking discussion, the Joyland community contemplates:

Is God always intentional? ​

God’s intention is always life, light, and Love!!!​

Are we called to always be intentional? ​

If we are always operating under intent, ​ then what intent?

Intentionality in Hope & Love, and what that practically looks like.

Follow along at our social outlets:

https://joylandlife.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joylandlife/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5-vPe7h_wjctIQxnaUQSnQ?view_as=subscriber

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joyland-life/id1494637858

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gCbEDE8pgrNhHlG0WM0fo?si=6fSKeO87SoGrx2BOUveHfQ&nd=1

Zoom: https://www.zoom.us/j/3377733377

Joyland App: https://tithely.app.link/joyland (You must follow this through your phone.)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joylandlife/

X: https://twitter.com/JoylandLife

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/joylandlife

HOPE is part of: Peace with God – Faith into Grace – Boasting in God’s Glory – Boasting in Our Tribulation – Growing Perseverance – Proven Character – Resistance to Disappointment – God’s own LOVE being present – Steady Hope in God Himself!

As HOPE manifest, we experience: God Himself – Full Joy – Peace in Believing – Abounding (more into more) Hope – Power of Holy Spirit; our Helper & Companion. Hope is already provided for all—without qualification—in the context Person of Jesus as Messiah to the Jews and as the Hope of Glory & Life to all the Gentiles.

All while we started out as helpless!

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ROMANS 15:13 NASU:

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Secular Definitions of ‘hope’: (from Oxford Languages Dictionary)

1a. a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen

1b. a person or thing that may help or save someone

1c. grounds for believing something good may happen

Biblical Definitions of ‘hope’: (from Old and New Testament words/usage)

OT usages: to wait, to hope, to expect, to be bound to (frequently in or to YHWH Himself)

NT usages: favorable & confident expectation, to trust, look forward with assurance (related to faith—linked with Joy and Peace—God is the God of Hope)

Romans 5:1-6 – Hope is woven inextricably into all this:

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult (NT:2744 [kauchaomai] = boast, vaunt, rejoice) in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint (NT:2617 [kataischuno] = shame down, put to the blush, dishonor) , because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

HOPE is part of: Peace with God – Faith into Grace – Boasting in God’s Glory – Boasting in Our Tribulation –Growing Perseverance – Proven Character – Resistance to Disappointment –God’s own LOVE (showing up in my heart!) – Steady, Consistent Hope in God Himself (Father, Son-Savior, and our Indwelling and Empowering Holy Spirit)

All while we started out as helpless!

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A NEUROSCIENCE GUIDE TO OPTIMAL BRAIN AND HUMAN FUNCTION:

The Gospel in neuroscience language -

* Hope Defined

* Dehumanization and Rehumanization

* Hope Realized!

Get the Book on Amazon!

Restored Hope: A Neuroscience Guide to Optimal Brain and Human Function eBook : Stephens, David

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0DK5FY1WG?storeType=ebooks

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