Day 1 A Beautiful Mixture

Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV) Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

This week, we focus on “What should we do?” God’s Word is not a simple list of instructions… “do this….do that”. It is a beautiful mixture of the Gospel grace and encouragement. Perfect Love from a perfect God! Reread today’s passage from Hebrews and let the Holy Spirit speak to you from the highlighted phrases. Where is he drawing your attention? Who is he sending you to love as he loves you?

Prayer: Lord, please give me a clearer understanding of your great love for me that my heart may be stirred to love You and to love my neighbor more each day. Amen

Day 2 Worship
Acts 2:46–47 (MSG) They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

Today’s passage gives me two points that may on surface seem contradictory, daily discipline and exuberant joy. A daily discipline may conjure images of determination to meet the challenge or imposed requirements. Exuberant joy sounds freewheeling and unrestricted. How do they come together? They meet in relationship. Worship is the meeting of God and His people. It’s the heart of relationship He has desired and built into creation from the beginning, the relationship He restores in Christ, the relationship we live out our lives celebrating. Our desire as Trinity is for people in general to like what they see as we dance through life’s events worshiping our Dance Partner.

Under the umbrella of this passage reflect on these questions and give God your answer.
• How disciplined, that is regular and prioritized, is your worship life with your Trinity family? How is that discipline a joyous outburst of your relationship with your Lord and Savior?
• What celebratory worship bursts out in your everyday living? Who hears praise for God come from your lips?

Day 3 Connect

Acts 2:46–47 (MSG) They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

Maybe you missed it when we were talking about worship, but there’s a small hint here that worship is not just about me and God. It has an impact on the We, those I worship with. We become family. We share the personal connection of home and the cross-section of need for food and the celebration of sharing not only the food but the love of God. Small group life is built around pursuing our relationship with God through His Word, but the icing on the cake is the relationships that spring out of that shared relationship. Many of my life-long friendships sprouted in the living room at small group. Don’t miss out! Ask the people you sit next to in service about their small group. Check out the group listing at TLC4u.org… click on Groups. Ask God to guide you to a group.

If you’re in a group, take some time to pray for each person in your group. Thank God for the group leader. Pay attention if God is nudging you to become a group leader and tell Him your obstacles asking that they be removed. Pray for all the groups that will be starting up in February.

Day 4 Serve

Mark 10:42–45 (NLT) So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

We spend much of our time as consumers. Food, clothes, entertainment, even education options and physical training options often boil down to what I get and who serves me well. We can bring this same attitude into church with us and our internal rating system kicks in: 
*** music 


****sermon

*****donuts 


**smiles 



When we become active in a church we make assumptions about the people on the periphery and display our rank as “good church people”.

When we become active in a church we make assumptions about the people on the periphery and display our rank as “good church people”.
Have I made you uncomfortable yet? Jesus says, “Among you it will be different.” Our relationships are not vertical and hierarchical. We relate on the common ground with all of humanity. Jesus served to the point of ransoming many with His life. Who do you serve when you walk in the door for church? Who out in the wide world are you willing to ransom? We have serving options as easy as holding a door and as complex as transforming the life of an inmate. Contact marge.franzen@tlc4u.org for help in finding your sweet spot for serving.

Day 5 Ambassador

2 Corinthians 5:13 (MSG) His love has the first and last word in everything we do.

Our love for God serves as the fuel to minister to others and spread God’s word. His grace and love for us provides the spiritual nourishment we needed to venture out and serve in the communities around us or in the work we are doing. Our ministering to others can begin at home, within the church walls of Trinity to each other.

One such way is through worship. Worship can be done alone or as a group through prayer; reading, meditating, and speaking the Word. We gain a deeper understanding about God, our place in His family, and the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Worship then can flow into connecting with others within the church walls through small group study to renew our souls and minds. Then we are equipped to serve others in the community. God has given us the authority and power to show love to others because He is coming soon and we must gather His sheep. In doing “what we do”, we fulfill the mission of Trinity to look, live, and love like Jesus.

As ambassadors for Christ please pray for God to reveal the best way to carry out your commitment whether it is attending worship on a regular basis, participate in a small group, and provide service through and at Trinity. Take on the mission of Trinity carry it out into the battlefield beyond our walls.