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Apple, Confession, connection, Eve, First Epistle to the Corinthians, God, List of Christian denominations, New Life, Personal life, small groups
Hebrews 10:24-25 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (NLT)
Recently at Healing Place Church, Pastor Dino Rizzo is teaching a life development series called “I Want A Better Life”. While he is teaching the message on Sunday’s, he has challenged all members to get connected in small groups and conduct weekly bible studies centered around this subject on a dvd he provided. Personally, I have signed up for at least 5 groups (a lot I know) because I want to connect as much as possible with other believers in the Word. The enemy wants us to live our lives in isolation so that when we are faced with temptations we can sometimes suffer through pain, hurt, and bouts of disbelief.
Faith-based small groups allow you the opportunity to fellowship and grow with other Christians and believers. Some may have experienced what you are going through and they can uplift you and motivate you through the challenges of daily life that we all deal with.
1 Corinthians 10:13 reads “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (NLT) In this weeks study, Pastor Dino compares the temptations that we are faced with in life to an “apple.” In reference to the apple that Eve was tempted with. The “apple” represents the struggles and temptations that all of us face. Eve made a choice to believe the counterfeit and the lie that brought about condemnation, however that was not destined for her. Neither is it our destiny. The temptations or apples of life always deal with the future. The enemy is in the business of stealing your future (Jeremiah 29:11). However, God is faithful and will provide a way out of the temptations that we face. He has not left us to deal with the apples in our life alone. He provides a way out through others. The single most common way out involves talking about your temptations to another person. The other person can be a source of “accountability” or an armor bearer for your life, someone willing to serve and assist you through life’s challenges.
James 5:16 (NLT) Make this your common practice: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. ”
In order to start “living a better life,” we need to start experiencing “new life.” One way to do that is simply by getting connected to people who also have a hunger and thirst for God. Start to connect yourself and get plugged in with small groups offered at your church and in your communities. We all have “apples” in our lives and we need each other for support to overcome them.