Addiction

I’m so thankful to be a part of a church that cares about the restoration of people. In reality, if you can breathe and you’re human then you probably have issues, struggles, disappointments and let downs. All these things can set us up to addictive behavior. Often our addictions are addictions because we have unresolved underlying issues. Mountainview Christian Church has a restoration ministry because we believe God can change people, save lives and marriages, encourage and support the lonely, broken and lost. I was pleased to hear Pastor Dave share with our church about addictions and give us practical steps to break free from our addictions.

As I thought through the message on Sunday as verse kept coming back to mind:

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will alsoprovide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

God is aware of our addictions. What is your addiction? What are you willing to overcome your addiction? Pastor Dave reminded us to not deceive yourselves, to understand and resolve your underlying issues, to remember your addiction is a life-long battle and to think about what God is calling you to do with the rest of your life. I hope you know that Mountainview is committed to partnering with the Holy Spirit and producing life change.

Our Restoration Ministry is for real people with real issues to find real answers. If you’d like more information about this ministry please contact Pastor Dave at the church. This ministry is making a difference in many lives. Currently we have four counselors and one life coach available seeing between 35-40 clients each week. We have a partnership with 12 Step programs where nearly 150 people come into our church building for support each week. In addition to the 12 Step programs we offer classes such as Divorce Care, The Genesis Process, Grief Share, Hungry for Hope, Changes that Heal and How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk.

We finish our HOSTAGE series this week with LIES. Lies we tell and lies we believe can hold us HOSTAGE. We will provide you with a practical strategy to break free from LIES. I hope you’ll plan on being here as we wrap this series up.

Don’t forget to swing by on October 31st for Trunk or Treat, 6:30-8:30pm. Bring your whole family to our parking lot for a night of decked out vehicles, family fun, foods and treats as we strive to bring light into our community.

Mountainview, I am proud of you, I believe in you and I love you!
Pastor Tom

Bitterness

What a great weekend we had at Mountainview! I'm incredibly pleased to see the positive response many of you had on Sunday. We are committed to praying for those of you who indicated your struggle with bitterness. In fact, many of you with week have been challenged to face your bitterness with courage and boldness. We are thinking of you and praying for you.
Bitterness ruins and forgiveness restores. Who are you bitter toward? Why are you bitter? How can you begin to forgive? What one step will you take this week to begin forgiving someone who hurt you?

Consider the following Scriptures and questions:

· Matthew 5:43-48

o How did Jesus say we ought to treat our enemies? (vs. 44)
o What did Jesus say we ought to do for those who persecute us? (vs. 44)
o Why type of people did Jesus cite as loving those who love them? (vs. 46)
o What exceptional standard did Jesus give us? (vs. 48)
o If our God is able to exhibit grace and mercy to everyone, why is it difficult for us to be like Him?
o What would have to happen in your heart in order for you to be able to pray for an enemy?
o In what ways does a loving spirit demonstrate that we are God’s people?
o For which of your “enemies” will you pray every day this week?

· Matthew 18:21-35

o What makes forgiveness difficult?
o What question did Peter ask Jesus? (vs. 21)
o What surprising answer did Jesus give Peter? (vs. 22)
o How did Jesus illustrate His answer to Peter’s question? (vs. 23)
o What did the servant go do after his debt was cancelled? (vs. 28)
o How did the onlookers respond when they saw the first servant throw the second in jail? (vs. 31)
o If God is so willing to forgive us, why are we sometimes unwilling to forgive others?
o How do we sometimes forgive with strings attached?
o What should we do if we don’t feel like forgiving others?
o What individual(s) do you need to “release from their debts” this week?

This coming Sunday we will continue our HOSTAGE series and look at worrying. The word worry comes from an old German word that means to choke or to strangle. This is what worry does sometimes. Worry strangles the life out of us, even though there are so many things to worry about. How many of us are held HOSTAGE by WORRY?

I pray you have a great week! Don’t forget to invite someone to church with you on Sunday, because no matter who they are or what they are going through, I believe they will walk out with much more HOPE than when they walked in! Mountainview, I am proud of you, I believe in you and I love you!

Pastor Tom