Scripture: Psalms 109:31 “For He stands beside the needy, ready to save them
from those who condemn them.”

Main Idea: We all have a need to live totally free and to overcome our past.

Key Thought: A lie believed as true will affect your life as if it were true.

Discuss:

1. Are you still believing any lies about yourself? How can you be transformed by
the renewing of your mind?

2. What deceitful (not God honoring) desires are you still pursuing? How can
they be made new?

3. God so wants to help restore what has been lost. What do you need restored
in your life?

4. God wants to heal all of our wounds, what wounds do you have that still need
healing and need to be brought to God for His healing touch?

5. Unforgiveness will keep us captive as long as we harbor or keep it. Who do
you need to forgive for any offense against you? You are not condoning the
hurt, you are being set free from it.

Next Steps: Forgive every person and situation you have unforgiveness for and
ask God to forgive you.

Verses to learn: Eph. 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Hey NLC Epping!!!

It was great seeing you all this past weekend. I just wanted to follow up with all of you and remind you about a few things we learned this past Sunday. As we continued in our current series, "Who Do You Think You Are", we learned that we are FREE. God does not want us to be defined by our past and what we have done, but rather He wants us to be defined in light of what HE has done. Take a look at this scripture:

"Therefore, you are no longer a slave, but a son or a daughter. And if you are His child, then you are also an heir through God" Galatians 4:7

God promises us that we are His heirs when we are adopted into his family. God's desire for us is to be free from the things that have taken us hostage... our worries, doubts, anxiety, disappointments, expectations, bitterness, resentment.... These are all things that can hold us hostage. But when we realize that we are heirs and are entitled to all that God has for us, we can be free from all of these things. God wants us to experience joy, peace, and love, but that will only come when we realize that we need to let go of the things that enslave us and take hold of the freedom that God has ALREADY given us. We just need to actually take it and live in it.

Who do you need to forgive to experience freedom? Maybe an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend? Maybe your spouse or another family member? Do you need to forgive yourself?

Matthew 5:48 says this, "Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete"

Remember that Christ first loved us. He died for us so we can live a life of freedom. His desire for us is to live with this freedom and to not be held captive by the things that so many of us struggle with. Take hold of His freedom today.

Scripture: Matthew 5:13b& 14b “ You are the salt of the earth.” “You are the light of the world.”
Main Idea: Salt needs to be well seasoned and light should not be hidden.
Key Thought: If you know who you are in Christ you will know your calling and that will define what you do.

Discuss:

• How does salt preserve and how can you help affect that?
• How does salt create thirst in you and the people around you? What can you do to make them thirstier?
• Salt melts – What in your life needs melting?
• Salt heals –What needs healing in you and those you know? How can you help?
• You are the light of the world. How much are you shining and how can you shine brighter?

Next Steps: There is seasoning in the Word of God. Read it, study it, then start to add seasoning to your life and also clean your lantern. Remember that your salt and light will change lives. It is love and grace at work.

Verses to learn: Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven!”

Here are a few things coming up at NLC Epping:

• This weekend, we are having Sunday Lunch. We are all going to the Epping Burger King after the 2nd experience. This is a great opportunity to just get to know a few folks from NLC Epping. PLus, there's a great play place for the kids! We hope to see you there.

• June 17th is going to be the date for NEXT this month. "NEXT" is an awesome environment that we've created at NLC to allow you the chance to get your questions answered as well as hear the history and vision of Next Level. June 17th is a Monday, so we plan on grabbing dinner at a TBD location. Stay tuned for more info.

• On June 23rd, NLC Epping will have their first ever Baptism Celebration!! We can't wait to celebrate with all of you who are making this decision. Simply put, baptism's are an outward expression of an inward change. There is still plenty of time to sign up so let us know as soon as you can if you would like to be a part of this awesome day!!

I can't wait to see you all this weekend as we continue in our current series, "Who Do You Think You Are?"

Scripture: Romans 12:1 “ And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice---the kind He will accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask?”
Main Idea: When you know who you are it gives you purpose.
Key Thought: Who has God said that you are?
Discuss:

• Who or what are you worshiping that interferes with worshiping God will all you have? 
• How does God want you to worship Him

John 4:23 “But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship Him that way.”

• How can you worship with awe?

Hebrews 12:28-29 “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.”

• How can you worship with abandonment? What is holding you back?

2 Samuel 6:21-22 David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord.
So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this…………………….”

• What does it mean to worship with intimacy? How do you get intimate with your Lord and Savior? What’s holding you back?

Next Steps: Spend some time with God listening and asking Him to tell and to show you how to be intimate with Him. Put that into practice.

Verses to learn: Psalms 63:2-5 “I have seen You in Your sanctuary and gazed upon Your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself; how I praise you! I will honor You as long as I live, lifting up my hands to You in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest of foods. I will praise You with songs of joy.