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Phrases I heard in great repetition when I was growing up in the 70’s and 80’s

Took a while for me to even understand some of them, but some sweet brother said something poetic, and then everyone else latched on to it and before you knew it, it became repetitious prayer language or at least platitudes that we still hear from time to time. By the way, literally prayed that no one would use these today!

ready recollection – “please keep the preacher from rambling. . .” I can identify!

those providentially hindered – nice way of saying, be with the church skippers!

at the next appointed time – signaled the prayer and worship was coming to a close

separate and apart – we are doing this for convenience, though these to expressions of worship are distinctive”

as we stand and as we sing – ”lunch time”

guide, guard, and direct us - Asking God to keep our minds not only focused on the good things, but also alert to temptations.

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Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

- Matthew 28:19

“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. ¹⁶ Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. . .”

- Mark 16:15-16a

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.

- Matthew 28:20a

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Discipleship:

Being with Jesus

Becoming like Jesus

Doing as He did

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Transformation is possible, but it is not inevitable.

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This is so cool and exciting to see the structure come up. Another exciting part of this is to see how faithful you’ve all been to your commitments to help support its construction. The framework is awesome and fun to watch daily. This has already changed since this photo was taken recently!

But if you were to walk under the roof and see what is taking shape inside, you’d be even more blown away. Imagine a spacious room where we will fellowship together. Eating meals, growing in our relationships, gathering for events. New classrooms where the gospel will be shared, our hearts will be filled with the great news to share with others. The gatherings of our community among us – deepening those relationships with spiritual dialogue. See the rooms taking shape that will house care bears, helping hands, a place to shower couples with our love, or to celebrate. A place of invitation for friends. A place to challenge us to grow.

See the framework is important – but what takes place on the inside is even more important. Let that be a challenge to all of us. Let’s keep moving forward.

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“REGULA”

Latin term meaning, “rule or regulator”

where we get

“TRELLIS”

Around the 3^rd or 4^th century, followers of Jesus realized that as they consumed scripture and tried to apply the teachings of Jesus and His followers who were led by the Spirit, they realized that transformation can be slowed down by our own weaknesses as well as our surroundings. Growing as disciples of Christ would require us to practice certain things – the things we noticed about Jesus, His own practices. There was also a lot of thought about how we could make our deepest desires more focused. The imagery of a trellis came to mind. A vine will grow naturally in the wild if it has sun, water, and soil. But a well-designed structure to assist it in its growth can cause that vine to thrive.

The latin word trellis, means a rule or regulation. It points to the straight boards one might use to train a vine, to maximize its growth and fruit bearing. When a trellis system is built thoughtfully, and there are several types are used, there are three main things that happen as a result of it.

It provides opportunity for the vine to climb higher, reach toward its source of strength
it removes it from the ground, protecting it from ground scavengers, trampling, and even mold from trapped moisture
given more space to breathe, it produces even more fruit

When done right, this is what you get

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“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

- John 15:5

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Our proximity to Jesus determines the effectiveness of our influence

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Don’t miss the warning of losing connection with Jesus

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For apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.

- John 15:5b-6

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“Nurturing a growing spirituality with depth in our present-day culture will require a thoughtful, conscious, intentional plan for our spiritual lives.”

-Peter Scazzaro

Emotionally, Healthy Spirituality

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A “TRELLIS” FOR OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES

INTENTIONALLY STRUCTURED

GIVES ROOM TO BREATHE

HELPS US AVOID THINGS THAT ENCUMBER OUR GROWTH

GUIDES US IN THE

DIRECTION WE SHOULD GROW

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INTENTIONALLY STRUCTURED

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Proverbs 4:20-27

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Proverbs 4:20-27

Be attentive
Listen up
Look for truth
Seek a clear conscience - healing
Be vigilant
Wash your mouth
Keep moving forward
Be intentional in your walk
Stay on the “straight and narrow”

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H.A.B.I.T.S.

“Hang Time with God”

“Accountability”

“Bible Memorization”

“Involvement in Community of Faith”

“Tithing Commitment”

“Study of Scripture”

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TAKE THE TIME TO BREATHE

(BE STILL)

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Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. ⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. ⁷ My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

- Psalm 62:5-7

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My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips, ⁶ when I remember You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the watches of the night; ⁷ for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy.

- Psalm 63:5-7

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QUIET TIME WITH GOD

Meditate on His Goodness

Count your Blessings

Pray for Spiritual Awareness

Pray for His Refining of You

Surrender to His Will

Offload your Burdens to Him

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ELIMINATE

THINGS THAT ENCUMBER

OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

- Hebrews 12:1-2

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When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. ²³ For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life

- Proverbs 6:22-23

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REMOVE ENCUMBRANCES

Idolatrous Pursuits

Busy Activities

Idle Wanderings

Sinful Behaviors

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BE DISCIPLINED IN DIRECTION

LET CHRIST TRANSFORM YOU INTO HIS IMAGE

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SELF-DISCIPLINE/ DIRECTION

God has given us a spirit of power, love, discipline

2 Timothy 2:7

A man without self-discipline is like a city without walls

Proverbs 25:28

Deny ungodliness, be self-disciplined

Titus 2:11-12

Train for godliness, intentional self-control

1 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! ⁸ When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

- John 15:7-8

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STRUCTURE FOR OUR BENEFIT

It will help you turn vision into reality
It will help you find peace when your values and behaviors line up
It will help you live at a healthy pace
It will help you balance freedom and discipline

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Having a disciplined “rule of life” will open our hearts for God to

“GUIDE, GUARD,

& DIRECT US”

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CREATE A

SPIRITUAL TRELLIS

IDENTIFY DIRECTION