New Beginnings Lutheran Church

Where is God taking you? How do you see your future? The future appears to us like the waves of the sea: always changing. So even as we pursue what we see ahead, we hold loosely and move forward in faith that God will direct us, like Abraham.

Your when measures your success. You’ll know it when you see it. When will you know you’re accomplishing your mission--when you hit the bullseye? Nehemiah had clear goals and tangible outcomes to pursue. So will you.

Your how is the method you employ to accomplish your mission. Your how is the process that translates into action. Joseph exhibited this strategic thinking and Pharoah set him in place to implement his logic. Are you ready?

Your what is your mission. Your mission is your compass, your guiding north star. Your mission is your God-given mandate. This clarifies what you do. Moses knew what he had to do--God told him. God has told you too.

Your why explains your motivation. Why do you do anything? Or why don’t you? Your why also determines how you respond to what life throws at you. Job didn’t know why things happened, but he knew his why. Do you?

We’ve learned in this series that miracles help us see significance (the word “sign” is in significance) in the past, present, and future. Hopefully, we focus not on the miracles so much as the miracle worker. Like a window, we are meant to see through them.

We’ve learned in this series that miracles help us see significance (the word “sign” is in significance) in the past, present, and future. Hopefully, we focus not on the miracles so much as the miracle worker. Like a window, we are meant to see through them.

Miracles were around before Jesus. And claims of healings and even exorcisms point to more than one source. What makes a miracle work and, just as important, what work does it do in us? Miracles work a variety of outcomes.

People followed Jesus for more than just the catchy stories He told them. Jesus demonstrated authority and power. But the miracles of Jesus are about more than feeding people and curing their diseases. They mean far more.

Jesus cured the sick, cast out demons, and showed power over nature. Accounts like these are not unique to Christians. So what is the meaning for us behind the signs and wonders Jesus performed─both then and now?

Do you believe in miracles? Stories of miracle workers appear throughout the history and various religions of the world─even today. How would the message of Scripture have us see the signs and wonders Jesus performed? What do they mean for us today?

The Bible is not just one book but a collection of 66 individual books written by 40 different authors from all walks of life: shepherds, farmers, tent-makers, physicians, fishermen, priests, philosophers, and kings. Despite the differences in occupations and the span of years it took to write it, the Bible is an extremely cohesive and unified book that leads to Jesus. There is one main plotline weaving the different books and stories together. Once you grasp this core storyline and how all the books fit together, you can pick the Bible up at any point, and you’ll know right where you are and what’s going on. This week, prepare for worship by picking up your Bible and reading 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Proverbs 3:5-6, and one other chapter of your choosing and ask yourself, “How does what I read point to Jesus?”

THE CROSS IS NOT ABOUT WRATH | Jesus’ death on the cross is about redemption and atonement. But why do we need to be redeemed, what is atonement? Because of wrath! Jesus’ death and resurrection paid the debt that we had to God. Now we are free to live in faith. During this lesson, we will remember that Jesus’ death was because of our sins, not because of anything that Jesus did. The Father killed the son on account of your sin. “The wrath of God was satisfied” and we respond with thanks and praise.

GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES | Poor Richard's Almanac was created by Benjamin Franklin in order for him to make a living. Inside each addition, he would include short ‘proverbs’ like this one. But it is not true. While the sentiment might flow out of the thought from our last study, we must understand that we cannot do anything on our own. It is only through the redemption of Jesus and the power of the Spirit that any of our works, prayers, or very lives mean anything. God is the only one who comes to empower, uplift, and sustain our faith for acts of service in His kingdom.

THIS WORLD IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT | Classic inspirational poster material. Rise to the occasion and make a difference. While not wrong on their own, this line of thinking can become our god because we make ourselves to be gods. While it is true God has placed us in this time and place to make a difference, it is not for our glory, for God’s name to be proclaimed and worshiped above all things.

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE | Live and Let Die is an awesome song from Paul McCartney that reminds us of this common lie to live your life now. Carpe Diem, the Latin sentiment for “Seize the day,” while inspirational, can lead us to live in such a way that does not display the hope we have of eternal life. If all we are is crude matter, then sure, why not do whatever is going to be best for you in this life? But God calls us to live for a higher purpose to display His power and love to the world. This is why He originally chose the children of Israel so that all people on Earth might be directed to God, but they rebelled and lived life how they wanted to, just as we do today.

JUST LIVE YOUR TRUTH | “What is truth?” (John 18:38) Our lives are defined by ‘truth’, and today, that seems harder and harder to identify. Everyone wants their own truth. Paul writes that in these last days people will turn and listen to whatever their itchy ears like to hear. God’s truth is not always popular, and it certainly isn’t the easiest to follow in our sinful world. In this session, we will analyze the “truths” that surround our everyday experiences and explore how we can share God’s ultimate truth with others.

GOD WANTS YOU TO BE HAPPY | “Why wouldn’t God want me to be happy?” “If God is good, then He wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to me.” While this line of thinking might sound right at first, it is false. We are making an assumption about God that is never expressed to us anywhere in the Scripture. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Many times the prophets, the Apostles, and Jesus himself tell us that we will have “trouble” and “suffering” in this world. The devil uses this lie to create a barrier between us and the truth of God’s love. God is the good, good Father, creator of all things. Like a good parent, he allows us to experience the consequence of our sin through death and suffering. Feelings are emotions that God has given to us. Our feelings are not always right; sometimes, they are, but other times, they lead us down the wrong path. If our feelings define our reality, then hopelessness and despair will eventually ruin all our lives. But, through this pain, He is refining, molding, and shaping us

LOVING COMMUNITYWanna see God? Then you best attend this Sunday.

LOVE MINDSETGreat minds think alike? Not often. But grace minds think differently than you’d think! Was that too repetitive?