Healing

On this Second Sunday of Lent Pastor Brad welcomed us with warmth while noting that a lot of young people are missing this a.m. because the youth group had an overnight last night. Our theme continues along the overarching theme of healing. Today will address emotional healing. Some of our self-messaging hurts us, Too often, even when so many good things are happening in our lives, one criticism can send us into an emotional tailspin. Brad's aim today is a message of hope.

Darlene opened with with a gentle meditative rendition of "I Surender All." Brad and Darlene then led us in singing several songs from the blue songbook.

After the offering was taken, we shared news, needs and spent time in prayer.

Healing

As I open up the service, our goal today is to let the power of God come and deliver us from those false voices that we carry day after day through life so we can embrace the words that God declares about us.

What kind of negative emotional wound have you left yourself open to?

Brad said he would give us prompts to trigger where we might be struggling.

1) I want you to envision in your mind's eye a Chameleon.
When we feel we don't fit in we tend to compromise who we are and become something we're not. I Samuel 15:24 provides an example of this. There are all kinds of things people do to fit in, things that are not good for us. Too often we buy things we don't need to impress people we don't like.

2) Now picture Lady Gaga.
"No matter what I do is not good enough. I don't measure up." Lady Gaga is a performer, and we think we have to perform. "If I perform well enough maybe Jesus will love me." In the story of Martha and Mary, Martha caught up in trying to impress.
For some of us it's sports, or providing for our family. Are you burdened by this pressure of always trying to measure up.

3) Think about Elmer's Glue.
We want to stick, get clingy. Driven to connect with someone, trying to validate ourselves through being in a relationship, even one that's not good. Brad cited John 4:17, the story about the woman at the well who entered multiple relationships in an attempt to satisfy a need that only God could fill.

* * * *
Our goal is healing. Hold these truths, not the lies you tell yourself.

Embrace the fact that you are forgiven.  II Corinthians 5:17 We are new creations.
It's time to claim that forgiveness and walk away free.
Ephesians 1:7 "In Christ we have the redemption through His blood."
II Corinthians 1:21-22
The Bible is our "All Access Pass" that says we have access to the very throne room of God. Because of who we are in Christ.
John 8:36  "If the Son sets you free you are free indeed."
You are free to become everything Christ intends you to be.

Shut out the lies and listen to the truth of what God says about you:
You are forgiven.
You are secure.
And you are free in Christ.