August 18, 2013

The Missing Piece

1. Joy _________________________ you.
And Nehemiah continued, Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Dont be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength! Neh 8:10 (NLT)

You must set aside a tithe of your cropsone-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. 23 Bring this tithe to the designated place of worshipthe place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honoredand eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the LORD your God. 24 Now when the LORD your God blesses you with a good harvest, the place of worship he chooses for his name to be honored might be too far for you to bring the tithe. 25 If so, you may sell the tithe portion of your crops and herds, put the money in a pouch, and go to the place the LORD your God has chosen. 26 When you arrive, you may use the money to buy any kind of food you wantcattle, sheep, goats, wine, or other alcoholic drink. Then feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and celebrate with your household. Deut 14:22-26 (NLT)

2. God is basically ____________________________.

1Tim 1:11

3. God rejoices __________________________!

For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zeph 3:17 (NLT)

Life Group Questions

1. Would others around you say that you're mostly happy or mostly unhappy? 2. Read James 1:17. What are the God-given gifts (good things) in your life? Name as many as you can. 3. When do you enjoy? What fills and satisfies you? Is it part of your regular lifestyle? How can you make it so? 4. "Arrange your life so that you're experiencing deep contentment, joy, and confidence in your everyday life with God." How could you follow this? 5. Make plans to "celebrate in the presence of the Lord" together as a group.

4. _________________________ being joyful.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father James 1:17 (NLT)