17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
She encouraged us to take off our old selves and put on the new. When we are secure in our relationship with Christ and his love and grace, then we can "stick out like a healthy thumb" and positively impact those around us. She made the point that we should not dwell on past sins because it does not honor God to disbelieve his forgiveness (that one really hit home with me). When we know we are forgiven, we forgive. When we know we are loved, we love. When we know we are graced, we grace. I am really excited to read and study this book with my small group.
While the girls attended the simulcast, the men got together to build sets of cornhole boards for the guys that didn't have them. Afterward we all met over at Riverland woods to grill out for Ben's birthday. It was a wonderful day filled with God's word and great fellowship.
