Starting Strong - by Justin & Irene Renton
January 19, 2025
Sermon recap: Finding Your Place in God's Plan for the Year
Tough times refine us to help us change and bring out impurities. During these times, Jesus prays for us. Don't waste your pain: strengthen others. Use what you learned and turn your misery into a ministry. Seek help when spiritually weak and get involved. There are blessings for obedience. If you missed the lesson, you can watch it on our YouTube channel (it starts at 37 mins).
We are called to excel in the grace of giving—it’s not just a duty, but a spiritual act of worship. Be consistent and faithful in our giving. Set it aside intentionally, and don’t delay in fulfilling what you’ve committed to the Lord. Don't let your imperfect view of God impact your giving.
Changing takes courage—but parenting God’s way means choosing His path, and knowing where our help comes from. Righteousness is about healing and strengthening relationships, not achieving perfection. Don’t conform to the world’s ways—seek God’s perspective on parenting. Model the behaviour you want to see, and let His Word draw your heart to your children, and theirs to yours. Be present in their spiritual journey—it's not optional, it's your responsibility.
We are like broken pieces of pottery. God went looking for us, he found the fragments of our lives discarded by life/shame/disappointment, and put us back with the blood of Jesus. Treat each other not as broken but perfected through Christ.