Tis The Season To Worship

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” – John 1:14.

This year will be like any other. We will all hear the comments, view the illustrations and observe the traditions that surround every Christmas season. But there is one phrase that you tend to hear most often at Christmas time. You will hear people say that this person, this group or all of us could use a little more Christmas spirit. But what exactly is Christmas spirit? How do I get it and how do I demonstrate it every day? 

To me, Christmas is about worshipping our Savior. It is about falling on our knees in wonder, worshipping God, who came to us a baby, lying in a manager, surrounded by animals, because there was no room in the inn. No matter if you were saved yesterday or have been a follower of Jesus for decades, it is hard to get your arms around the wonder of the Christmas story. 

Christmas “spirit” is not found in bright decorations and Christmas music. It is not found in a Christmas tree. It is not found in brightly wrapped gifts. Nor is it found in out-dazzling our neighbors with a bigger outdoor display. It is not found in being warm and glowing. It is found in the joy of knowing that the history-changing story of Christ’s birth is true.

I believe true Christmas spirit is a deep-seated joy in worshipping the Christ child born to save mankind from their sins. It is so easy to celebrate Christmas by exchanging gifts and spending time with family, but never connect the celebration with the reason for it. It is much like going to a wedding reception to celebrate their union without knowing the bride and groom.

If you truly have the Christmas spirit, you could remove the trees, lights, presents, food, and music, and your joy would continue unfazed. That is because they personally know the Christ who was born in a manger.

If we all worshipped this mystery at Christmas, lived that worship in every moment of our life’s during the Christmas season, we would all have the Christmas spirit. The Christmas season brings a perfect opportunity to include our friends, neighbors, and relatives in our worship of God and model to them our love of Him. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you define Christmas spirit?
  2. Should our worship experience be any different at Christmas? Why or why not?
  3. If you decided to “skip Christmas,” what impact would that have on you?
  4. Are you willing to change anything about how you celebrate Christmas this year? If so, what? How will those changes effect your Christmas?

Worship In Spirit And In Truth

“Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” – John 4:21-24. 

In John 4:21-24, Jesus says that worship is no longer about a place (i.e. the temple) but rather about “spirit and truth.” Because of Jesus, we no longer need a high priest to enter the temple and sacrifice animals on an altar once a year on our behalf. Jesus has become the great high priest and His sacrifice was once for all. When we are saved by faith, we are no longer dead to sin, but instead Christ now lives inside of us.  Galatians 2:20 says it this way: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Jesus tells the Samaritan woman in John 4:23 that a significant transition is about to take place: “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.” (4:23),  There are people who mistakenly believe that if they go through the rituals of worship, then they will be good in the eyes of God. But they haven’t dealt with God on the heart level. Jesus is telling the Samaritan woman that externals don’t matter as much as what’s in the heart.

God created the world for His glory so God now is seeking worshippers who will bring Him glory, not just for an hour on Sunday, but every day through all their activities. We can’t properly worship God on Sundays if we’re not worshipping Him throughout the week. I believe that worship in spirit is, in part, emotional or felt. This is not to say that we should go crazy and jump up and down and yell at the top of our lungs in church. Genuine emotions for God result from focusing our minds on the truth of who He is and what He has done for us at the cross. But if your worship never touches your emotions, something is wrong. It’s like my love for my wife.  My relationship with my wife is not built on my feelings, but rather on my commitment to her. But when I think about all that she means to me, I feel love for her and I try to express that love in a way that shows her that I love her.

As we gather each week to worship God we are reminding one another of the great love of God and our desperate need for Him. My prayer is that we will let that truth sink into our hearts and respond in spirit, with our whole being, devoting ourselves to Him and to each other. Pray that we would continue to understand what it means to worship God during the Christmas season.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think when you worship God in spirit and in truth?
  2. What are some worldly influences that choke out worship in your life? How should you deal with them?
  3. Complete this sentence: If truly worshipping God is my priority, my daily schedule must change by doing….

Created To Worship

Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround him; strength and joy fill his dwelling. O nations of the world, recognize the Lord, recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.mLet the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!mTell all the nations, “The Lord reigns! – 2 Chronicles 16:23-31.

The methods and acts of worship have been as diverse as the people who have thought them up. Mankind has worshipped many things and many god’s over the years. But the challenge of worship is not just an issue for ancient times, it is an issue for us today. A.W. Tozer wrote back in the 1940’s, before we had worship teams, theater lights, and welcoming environments, the following: “It is certainly true that hardly anything is missing from our churches these days – except the most important thing. We are missing genuine and sacred offering of ourselves and our worship to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We were created to be worshippers. John 4:23 tells us, “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.” Worship is unnatural only in the sense that so few people really know how to worship. God calls to us and invites us to come and worship Him, even though He doesn’t need our worship to be God. He delights in our worship because He is worthy of it and our worship demonstrates our acknowledgement of just who He is. Worship is the one thing that brings us closest to the ideal of what we are meant to be as a follower of Jesus. Psalm 95: 6-7 says, “Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!”

John Piper wrote: “There are two great passions in the universe: God’s passion to be glorified and man’s passion to be satisfied. However, these two do not need to conflict. They can come to simultaneous fulfillment through worship, because God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him alone.”

I would ask you to remember through this series what we are and how much time we spend doing what God intended us to do. We were carefully designed and created to worship. Secondly, there is absolutely no point in this life that you and I can come any closer to God than when we are worshipping Him with a sincere heart. In those moments, when we are pre-occupied with God and all the outside distractions are pushed aside, and it’s just us and God. That is when we are nearest, this side of heaven, to being exactly what God created us to be.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you view worship as something that mainly happens at church, or does it happen in other areas of your life?
  2. Read Romans 12:1: Did hearing the message change your view of what it means to worship?
  3. I commit to work this week on improving that which I was created for – worship.
  4. I will be in prayer for our church as we work through this series.

Show Of Hands

“In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.” – 1 Timothy 2:8.

Perhaps you have experienced it. You are in church. The band is rocking. The place seems to pulse with excitement. Some hands come up. The music swells and the hands reach higher. You are caught up in a moment of worship. You want to raise your hands. In fact, you want to dance. Maybe even shout out your gratitude to God. But you aren’t sure about the whole thing so you are content to sway a little bit and to soak it all in, hoping to grab more of the experience.

The Bible gives us reasons why we can lift our hands during worship, but never says we must express our faith in this way. God loves me in spite of my sin, and lifting hands during worship or prayer is just one way to show this. It is one way to make a connection with a supernatural God. 

People worship in a variety of ways in our group. Some raise their hands. Many do not. Some sit. Some kneel. Some stand. With that in mind, here are several reasons the Bible encourages us to lift our hands.

 Lifting our hands can be a desperate plea to our heavenly Father. “Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children for in every street they are faint with hunger.” (Lamentations 2: 19) Lifting your hands is an expression of gratitude. Lamentations 3:41 says, “Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven…” 

Just lifting your hands doesn’t glorify God. But if your heart is overflowing with gratitude, thanksgiving, or desperation to see God move, then we are lifting up our hands as an extension of our hearts. 

OK, I get all that. But do I have to lift my hands? The Bible gives us reasons why we can lift our hands during worship, but never says we must express our faith in this way. 

Raising your hands is not a sign that you are super spiritual or have an extra strong relationship with God. Reaching for God can’t bring Him closer to you, He already bridged that gap through the cross. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is what made a way for us to have a relationship with God, not whether or not we raise our hands during worship.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like to raise your hands, or does that make you feel uncomfortable?
  2. What are some physical ways you can express your love and gratitude toward God?
  3. Does your view of worship change during Christmas?
  4. What can you do this week to improve your worship?

Pick Up The Bill

“And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” – Genesis 14:19-20

The idea of giving, or tithing, has been around a long time. In the passage above, Abram gave the first tithe to the priest Melchizedek. This would suggest that the practice of paying tithes has been known since the days of Adam. Tithing demonstrates our love and loyalty to God. As Pastor, I have heard people equate giving as paying another bill, like the utilities, car payment, etc. Is that a good way to look at tithing?   

Giving is more than paying a monthly bill. Rather than simply being mechanical, giving is a spiritual discipline that tangibly expresses our faith in God to provide for us and to use what we give for His kingdom. First, a little background on what happens when we give. 

Each week we gather together for worship on Sunday morning. At the end the service we take time to give. This is an act that we do together as a church family. It demonstrates that we are a single church body. We are a family that comes together united by the same faith in the same Savior. We share the same hope, joy, goal in life, and burden for the nations and our neighbors. And we are a family that is working together to help the whole world find and follow Jesus.

When we give we are also communicating that we as a church share in this work together. We support the work of the gospel both in Panama City and across the world together. When we give we are saying that we are joining with God in “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” ( 2 Peter 3:9) We desire to see God glorified. Also, giving includes the component of trust. In giving our money, we are saying that we trust God to provide for our needs. We know that God does not need our money, but He uses it. God is our Father and He cares for us, looking after our families individually and the church collectively. We should give cheerfully, sacrificially, thankfully, and generously for it.

Giving then, together as a church, should be an expression of our faith in God to provide and to use what we give for the advancement of the gospel. When we read 2 Corinthians 9 we see there is far more invested in the giving than just paying a bill. There is personal examination, contemplation of the need, consideration of what and how God provides, evaluation of what they are giving towards, and an occasion to give thanks to God. 

“So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:5–9)

Are you giving joyfully, sacrificially, generously, faithfully, and thankfully? It is different then writing a check to Gulf Power each month.

Discussion Questions

  1. What fears do you have about tithing?
  2. In your experience, what are the benefits of tithing?
  3. How do you go about determining how much money is enough in your life and then how much to tithe?
  4. Pray about taking the tithe challenge if you have never done so.

The One Percent

“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8.

It seems like the 2008 recession was just yesterday. It is hard to believe that it has been 8 years ago that our country was wracked by unemployment, underemployment, and mortgage-backed securities. Millions of Americans saw their fortunes fall. Futures were crowded and a new term emerged, “the one percenters” which has become a shorthand way of referring to the people who are so rich they are not impacted by downturns in the economy. Those are the people with the highest income levels. But who are the one percenters in God’s eyes?

When we compare the one percent of today against the standards of success in God’s Word, we are immediately reminded of Isaiah 55:8 which says, “”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.”  Our culture makes wealth the gold standard of success. Jesus, however, has a different standard. Jesus tells us that people’s lives are not “measured by how much you own.” (Luke 12:15). In one of his parables, Jesus identified as fools those who continually strive to accumulate more and more for themselves “but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12:16-21). Instead they tirelessly work to accumulate treasures on earth, “where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19) and where global economic crises can devastate their value.  Jesus calls His followers to build up a far safer investment with a far greater return: treasures in Heaven.

Although God wants us to prosper, the acquisition of riches, the real joy in life comes from a relationship with God. Paul wrote: “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” (2 Corinthians. 8:9). Psalms 37:16 adds, “It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich.”

The prophet Jeremiah has a message for those who count on themselves rather than count on God: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!’” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

The fact is: Wealth does not guarantee happiness, nor will it lead to the ultimate goal in life-eternal life in the Kingdom of God. What makes a man rich? “The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22). 

The responsibility of proper handling what God gives us in this life is an awesome responsibility. This is why Jesus said: “And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?” (Luke16:11). Being a one percenter and having true riches is having a deep and meaningful  relationship with God.

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you feel blessed? Why or why not? How would having more money make you feel more blessed? Or not?
  2. What do you generally associate with someone who’s considered rich? Do you consider yourself rich?
  3. Do you believe everything you own is in some way a gift from God?
  4. From what you know about God, what would God have you do with your surplus of goods, money, or time?

To Your Heart’s Content

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.” – Philippians 4:11.

If someone asked you a simple question, “are you content,” what would your answer be? Are you content with your circumstances? Last week we talked about Jeremiah 29:11:”For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Psalm 84:10 says, “A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else…” Paul “prayed that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.” (Ephesians 3:16). Jesus said that “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35). and Jeremiah 31:14 says, “… my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord.” If all these Scriptures are true – and if you believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord – you should be content.  So are we truly content?

When should we be satisfied? When should we be content? “I have learned how to be content with whatever I have,” Paul tells us in Philippians 4:10-13.  The Apostle recently has received financial support from his church. He writes: “How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Paul is not self-sufficient. He is God-sufficient.Whether he has little or much, in every circumstance, Paul is content. Why? Because if he has God, he has all that he needs. Note that Paul emphasizes his contentment both when he has little and when he has much. For both lead to temptations: It is not easy to be content when you have little. And it is easy to find contentment in money or material possessions. We need not to be self-sufficient, but God-sufficient. If I have God, and if He will never abandon me, I have all that I need to be content. 

2 Corinthians 9:8 brings out the same idea: “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

Contentment is the byproduct of finding your identity. security and trust you have in God. For there is no lasting joy, no genuine security, no true identity apart from Him.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you define contentment? In your own experiences, what have you discovered to be the key to contentment?
  2. Why are we not content with just the basic necessities? How does our culture fuel discontentment?
  3. When we struggle to be content, what are we saying about our view of God and our relationship with Him?
  4. What steps can we take to be more content ?

Money Matters

“The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.” – Luke 8:14. 

Despite what many people believe, money is not the root of all evil. Neither is it good or bad, nor does it make a person good or bad. What the Bible actually says is, “The love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Those two little words, “love of” make a huge difference to the total meaning of this verse.

Loving money has to do with placing your trust in it. What you put your trust in is what you serve. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” (Matthew 6:24). God is not willing to share you with the world. Exodus 20:4-5 reminds us. “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…”   

Obviously, everyone needs money; therefore, we must be careful it is not controlling us and that we are not serving it by letting our money and possessions define who we are. Because if it is controlling us, then it is easy for money to be the root of all kinds of evil in our lives. Not that it will happen every time. But here is how it can become a priority. Having money provides options and control. The more options and control one has, the more freedom and comfort one can experience, and that’s the very reason it has the potential to develop a lesser dependence on God.

Money can give us a level of confidence, but the Bible reminds us that without God we can do nothing (John 15:5).  The love of money is the root of all evil because the “love of money” puts one in a position where the need for God is diminished or even eliminated. 

When people think of the relationship between God and money, they typically believe they are in direct opposition of each other. God does not hate money. He just hates what it has the potential to do to people who’s heart is already far from Him. Money is neither good nor bad in itself. It’s simply a magnifier. It magnifies what people already are. The facts are, God is the ultimate authority and creator of the entire universe while money is only a medium of exchange. That’s all money is and ever will be. Although it’s a  component of everyday life, it’s still just a “thing,” and therefore, it is subject to failure and change. It is not something we can put our eternal confidence in. 

The Apostle Paul tells us to teach those who are rich in money that the love of money is the root of all evil. He wants us to teach them to not be proud and trust in their wealth, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need. The rich in money should use their wealth to do good, be generous to those in need, and always be ready to share with others (1 Timothy 6:17-18).

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is treating money and things carefully different than loving money? Why or why not?
  2. Where does an obedient Christian draw the line on luxury? (having anything more than the bare necessities)
  3. There are many ways to “seek the kingdom of God above all else.” How does that impact how we view our money?

Made Of Money

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. – 1 Tim 6:10 (NLT)

Most Christians, and a fair number of non-Christians, know full well “Money is the root of all evil” is a Bible verse. This verse is one of the most misquoted and misinterpreted verses in the Bible. The full text is “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”  That is not to say that money cannot cause problems. Money is not neutral, it can be very dangerous to the Christian seeking to serve God.

People are also quick to point out that it is the “love of money” that is the problem. Although wealth can be a blessing, God’s Word also gives numerous warnings about the misuse of money. Paul strongly cautioned Timothy about the danger of loving money because “…people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.” (1 Timothy 6:9) And in 1 Timothy 6:17 Paul says, “each those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.”    

This tension between the positive and negative aspects of money is seen throughout the Bible. One example is Luke 16:13: “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

Money is tempting to our flesh because it seems to be the solution to any problem. The promise of having more is pretty beguiling so no wonder so many people spend their lives trying to acquire more and more. Jesus told a parable about a rich man who planned to tear down his barns only to build larger ones to store his crops and goods. Jesus spoke of this man’s foolishness because he was storing up earthly wealth but did “not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12:16–21). Solomon also knew well how fleeting earthly riches are: “Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.” (Proverbs 23:4–5).

Wealth and physical possessions will not bring true, lasting joy—they are small in comparison to the treasures of spiritual blessings God offers to those who love Him. Therefore, Christians should rightly use the money God gives us, but not love it, since it is only temporary. Consider the following words of Jesus:

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:19–21)

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some life experiences that have influenced your relationship to money?
  2. How do you go about determining how much money is “enough?” Is it wrong to work hard to try to get ahead financially?
  3. Read 1 Timothy 6:6-19. Which part is most convicting to you personally? Share why it sticks out to you.
  4. What can we do this week to put money in the right perspective and priority?

Life Without Limbs

“We can’t, and we should not, compare sufferings. We come together as a family of God, hand in hand. And then together coming and standing upon the promises of God, knowing that no matter who you are, no matter what you’re going through, that God knows it, He is with you, He is going to pull you through.”  – Nick Vujicic.

Nick Vujicic was born with phocomelia, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of legs and arms. Faced with countless challenges and obstacles, God has given Nick the strength to overcome obstacles that most people would view as insurmountable.  Nick’s challenges have not kept him from enjoying great adventures, a fulfilling and meaningful career, and loving relationships. Nick has overcome trials and hardships by focusing on the promises that he was created for a unique and specific purpose, that his life has value and is a gift to others, and that no matter the despair and hard times in life, God is always present.

As a child, not only did he deal with the typical challenges of school, he also struggled with depression and loneliness and questioned why he was different from all the other kids around him. But Nick had a choice, he could be angry at God or be thankful for what God gave him.

One of his favorite passages in the Bible is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Imagine for a moment being born without arms or legs with no fingers to experience touch, no legs to walk, run or dance. To never hug your wife, or hold your child. How difficult would it to be thankful, to view God’s plan as prospering you.

It was at age 19 that Nick started to fulfill his dream of being able to encourage others and bring them hope through motivational speaking and sharing his story. The shift in consciousness began with another Bible passage, when he read John 9. Jesus said that the reason the man was born blind was “so that the works of God might be displayed in him.  He believed that God had a plan for him and that was using him in ways that others could not be used. Nick says, ”If you believe God has forgotten you, he hasn’t. He didn’t forget me.”

Whatever your pain or struggle, God has a plan for you. Just ask Nick. 

Discussion Questions

  1. What would it be like to have no arms or legs? How would your life be different?
  2. How do you think Nick is able to stay so positive despite his physical disability?
  3. What can we do this week to embrace the plan God has for each of us?