NOTE: We faced technical difficulties this week, and apologize for the audio quality on this recording. We did our best to edit it enough that it can still be listened to and shared. Thank you for your grace as we troubleshoot!

Description: Randy & Lorie Spain share the powerful story of how God restored their marriage after separation and divorce (they are now re-married)! Pastor Blaine follows up with some Biblical reminders about the expectation of forgiveness and the consequences of un-forgiveness in the lives of Christ followers.

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28

Living in the fullness of new life in Christ requires:

1. Crucifying our old sinful selves
2. Refusing to let sin control our lives

3. Taking one step at a time “living under the freedom of God’s grace"

"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires." -Romans 6:8-12 NIV

When we trust in Jesus, life always eventually triumphs over death...but not always when or how we want it to. The good news is that Jesus is present with us in the pain of grief and loss.

"When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 'Where have you laid him?' he asked. 'Come and see, Lord,' they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, 'See how he loved him!' But some of them said, 'Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?'" -John 11:32-37

What are the prayers you have prayed to which God has said "no" or "not yet"? We cannot avoid trials, but we can choose how to respond to them.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -James 1:2-4

The messiness of our lives becomes the source of our boasting because it reveals the beauty and power of the Gospel.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." -Ephesians 2:8-9

Psalm 16 teaches us that following a beautiful Savior leads to beautiful relationships, beautiful families, and ultimately, a beautiful life.

"This is a good life—my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy, and my body is at rest. Who could want for more? You will not abandon me to experience death and the grave or leave me to rot alone. Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment." -Psalm 16:9-11 (The Voice)

As we dive into Psalm 103, we learn that PRAISE is a weapon, a compass, and a catalyst.

• Are you ready to wield the weapon of praise to defeat forgetfulness?

• Are you ready to allow the compass of praise to reorient your life around God’s character and activity?

• Are you ready to let praise be a catalyst that fuels new steps of faithfulness?

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." -Psalm 103:11-12

How does remembering our past help us trust God with our future? Guest Speaker Chris Pfarr walks us through the themes of remembrance and trust within Psalm 143.

"I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done...Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." -Psalm 143:5 & 8