Be Bold!

This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God’s way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities. And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along. Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!

All this is proceeding along lines planned all along by God and then executed in Christ Jesus. When we trust in him, we’re free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go. So don’t let my present trouble on your behalf get you down. Be proud!           Ephesians 3: 7-13 

Father God, please use these words to speak to us and teach us from Your Word.  Lead us in Your way, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen

I chose to use the Message version of this Scripture because it takes a fairly complicated sounding passage and put it into terms I can totally understand.  There are so many pieces of this passage that I would love to dig into that I find myself struggling to even begin…not to mention the fact that it’s all so impacting that I could go on and on!  So, here are some of my favorite pieces:

• “It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details…I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians.”  Paul’s humility speaks so clearly here.  He acknowledges that there are Christians who are more qualified than him to take the gospel to the people.  Instead of boasting that God handpicked him because he had some special gift-set, he attributes the gifts he does have to God.

• “All this is proceeding along lines planned all along by God and then executed in Christ Jesus.”    I love love love to soak in the knowledge that God not only has a plan but that He will see it through!  Even though we may stray off His path and make mistakes as Christians, His plan will still come to fruition.  What a blessing to know that none of us can throw God off His game and alter eternity!

• And finally, “…we’re free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go.”  People may look at us strangely when we talk about God to them, but He’s got that covered – He has freed us in Christ to talk Him up!  The second part of that sentence reminds me how a friend always closes his emails:  “Be bold.”  I need that reminder that we’re free to be bold for God!

Well, there are my faves from this Scripture.  What about you?  Please share what in these verses speak to you!  I would love to read what you have to say!  I will close with this challenge - Be Bold!

Jennifer

2-17-2014 "The Gospel applies to EVERY ONE because that includes me!"

Welcome to the PoG Blog!

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”  (Psalm 118:24)  Whether you are just starting your day or are taking a quick break from the day’s activities or are about to call it a day – this day is a gift from God!  Take a minute to quiet yourself, tune everything else out and think about the God who created you and loves you.  Pray that God will keep you from being distracted and that He will speak to you as you read His word and meditate on its meaning for your life.  May God bless your richly in these next few minutes of intentional connection with Him!

Ephesians 3:1 – 6

¹For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³ that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. ⁶ This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

A mystery is “something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain”.  Some synonyms for mystery are: “puzzle, enigma, conundrum, riddle, secret, problem”.  There are so many mysteries about God:  How can such a righteous and holy God continue to love such lowly and sinful people?  How can God have no beginning and no end?  How can God create something out of nothing?”

In the reading for today, St. Paul is unpacking yet another mystery about God.  In Sunday’s message, pastor spoke of how the world Paul lived in was defined in terms of Jews and Gentiles.  If you were a Jew you were a descendant of Abraham, a part of God’s holy nation of Israel.  If you were Greek or Roman or Egyptian or anything other than a Jew, you were a Gentile.  Many of the Jews of that time believed Gentiles were outside of the grace of God; that the God who created the heavens and the earth was reserved strictly for the Jews.  What Paul is preaching in Ephesians 3 was rocking their world!

Delton was insisting on Sunday that there is NO ONE for whom the Gospel does not apply.  That there is NO ONE for whom Christ did not die on the cross.  As he spoke I started thinking of the people in my life who I am tempted to look at as Gentiles – people for whom the Gospel does not apply.  I thank God that the Gospel applies to EVERY ONE because that includes me!  And I pray that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, whenever I lock eyes on another human being I will always think “This is one for whom Christ died!”.

What a mystery!

Mark

2.15.14 "Saturday's Blog"

Welcome to the POG Blog! Today is Saturday which means YOU get to start the discussion on today’s scripture!   What is it saying to you today?  How does it relate to your life right now?  How does it relate to the message from Sunday?  Enjoy reading, meditating, and sharing your thoughts with others today!

Today’s Scripture is:    Isaiah 60: 1-5

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. ² See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. ³ Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

⁴ “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. ⁵ Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.

Share your thoughts!  What is God saying to you today?

2-14-14 "A Prayer for Unity"

Lord, thank you for this new day in which we get to celebrate again the unity that we have with you and the Father through your life changing Word and sacrifice. Amen. John 17:20-23  (NRSV)

20 “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Jesus is praying for two things in this passage.  First, he is praying that the people we care about will believe in Him as a result of the message of salvation we share. Second, he is praying that the people we care about will see that the unity Jesus shares with the Father is the same unity available to them and in which we ourselves share.

This is why I love Alpha so much.  It is an opportunity to see how the Father answers these prayers of Jesus.  As people on the course come to know about Jesus through the words spoken during Alpha, they are spiritually transformed and brought into the same unity that Jesus shares with the Father.  That relationship in turn brings the believer into unity with Christians worldwide regardless of their denomination affiliation.

There is great power in being part of a unified Christian church.  Not only is our message more powerful because we speak with one voice, but also because, by the power of the Holy Spirit, our unity is demonstrated in our love for Jesus and for one another. This unity gives a powerful witness that Jesus is the Savior of the world who has come to give His life so that our sin debt is cancelled.  Being part of the body of Christ also gives us full access to our Father in heaven who loves us more than we can ever imagine, not only on this day of Saint Valentine, but every day we live on this earth and forever.

Lord, thank you for the unity we share with Christians everywhere. Thank you for the unity that we share with you and the Father through your sacrifice for us. Amen.

John

2-13-14 "Abba, Father"

Abba, Father Galatians 4:4-7 (NKJV)

⁴ But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” ⁷ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

From the moment I read these verses in preparation for today’s blog, I’ve been drawn to vs 6..And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

You see, I’ve been on a journey for the past year and a half with my dad as he draws to the end of his days on this earth….he has lung cancer.  And up until this time, most of our conversations “around” faith were legalistic…law based and pretty much absent of grace.  The “Good News” was at most a way to quickly end the conversation.  This began to trouble me more than ever before...did dad really know that Jesus was his Lord and Savior?...that God the Father had sent His Son to live, die and rise again in glory so that he (dad) could be an adopted son?...and how in the world was I, a son, going to ask that of my father?...and if I didn’t, what kind of son was I?..where was my faith?  Was the “trouble” I felt in my heart…a sort of rift in my spirit…a nudge toward what my Heavenly Father had at hand for me to do?...and no matter how uncomfortable it made me feel, was I going to be obedient to my Father, trusting in Him, so that I could be his instrument of grace in my dad’s life?

Well, I’d like to be able to say that I responded with an immediate “yes Lord”!…but it just didn’t go down that way.  It took a lot a prayer, patience (mostly on His behalf with me) and work at listening to God, before I could respond….and I promise you, in my heart of hearts, I know that it was not because of anything I did, but all because “God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts.” And in that, I am so thankful that the Lord has opened up so many doors of conversation, sharing & prayer…yes prayer…me praying for my dad..and folks, that ain’t never happened before!  Oh, and yes, dad does profess Jesus as his Lord and Savior! Hallelujah!

In all this, sometimes in the place of my heart where as the boy of my youth, I yearn for the affirmation… the approval and encouragement of my daddy…I now as a son of my father, am so very thankful for the touching of our hearts that the Lord has blessed us with….and so enters in “Abba, Father”…

…Abba is an Aramaic word for "father" used by a child in intimate conversation within the home. When children addressed their father as Abba, they were expressing affection, confidence and loyalty. One of the most remarkable aspects of the life of Jesus was that he addressed God as Abba in his prayers and taught his disciples to do the same. So striking and significant was Jesus' addressing God as Abba that even in Greek-speaking churches Jesus' Aramaic word for Father was heard as the believers called out to God in prayer. They called God Abba because the Spirit of Jesus was assuring them within their hearts, the control center of their emotions and thoughts, that they were children of the Father. (IVP Commentary)

In closing, I’d like to share a thought my dad shared with me that was another one of those “I ain’t never heard” blessings to me:  “Jimmy, you know that little song..He’s got the whole world…it’s true, you know.  What’s true dad?  You know…He’s got the whole world in His Hands.”

In Him,

jim

2.12.14 "ONE in Christ Jesus"

Galatians 3:26-29 ²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

This text is so encouraging to me! So simple and basic, but boy, do we manage to get it wrong!

It appears that Paul had narrowed down the major divisions of society in this short passage and then cleared up how Jesus views these classifications. He references ethnicity (Jews/Greeks), social status (slave/free) and gender (male/female) issues, which looks to be right in line with the major issues we face in this world today, even in the church.

²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus.

This doesn’t mean that Jesus has wiped out the distinctions of who we are – Men are still men, women are still women, Texans are still Texans (had to throw that one in for Pastor), etc., but now, in Jesus Christ, these distinctions don’t have to divide us!

Now, please hear me here – If the church does not lead the way in unity, harmony and reconciliation, we can’t expect the world to do so either. The world has not been baptized in Christ and this text would mean little to them. It’s our task as a church to live out this message and empower those we come into contact with. Let’s find a way to lead them in grace (as we need so much of it as well!) and show them who Jesus is and what he’s done for us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for adopting us into your family. I pray for unity among all those who call upon your name and share your Spirit so the world may know there is a solution to conflict and division. In Jesus’ name,  Amen.

Toni

2.11.14 HOUSE DIVIDED?…ARE YOU KIDDING?….. HOUSE UNITED YEHAH!

Ephesians 2:19-22 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

When I read these verses, several phrases jump out to me: “no longer foreigners and strangers”; “members of his household” & “foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”  When I think about these 3 phrases I really feel blessed & special.

“No longer foreigners and strangers”.   That phrase brings attention to my changed status.  I am part of the “in” group.  Have you ever felt like a stranger, or out of place?  Have you tried to just “fit in”?  I have!  I don’t want to stick-out.  I want to feel like I belong.  When Cindy & I go on vacation, I feel uneasy sometimes & out of place.  I am not familiar with the area, or the customs.  I am a foreigner and a stranger & that makes me uncomfortable.  So when Paul tells me that I am “no longer a foreigner and stranger”, I relax and get excited because I belong!

“Members of his household”.   Wow, we are family!   No judgements.  I was born into His household through the blood of Jesus Christ.  He has included me and each one of us as part of His family.  Now that is a special privilege.  I am a part of God’s kingdom!  Nothing is stronger than family & I am part of Christ’s Family!  Now if that doesn’t make me feel special, then I am dead!

Finally, Paul says “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the chief cornerstone.”  I am included in the same house as the saints and God!  What cause for joy & celebration knowing that a structure built with the disciples as the foundation & Jesus as the cornerstone can not be destroyed!  And I am included!  I am not a foreigner, I am a part of THE HOUSEHOLD.

I am special!  I am in the “In Crowd.”  We are special!  We are part of God’s  house.  Now let’s party!

Dear God thank you for including me in your home.  I know that I sometimes disappoint you, but I know since we are family that you forgive me.  Please use me as your willing servant and disciple to bring more people home to our house.  Amen

Jerry

2.10.14 No “us” or “them”!

Please find a quiet place to focus on these scriptures, asking for an open mind and heart to hear God’s wisdom for us today. Ephesians 2:11-18

New International Version (NIV)

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Peace.  Isn’t that what some beauty queen contestants say their wish for the world is, “world peace”?  Having just viewed the movie “The Lone Survivor”, I was struck by the hatred and fear the soldiers from both sides had for each other – people from completely different parts of the world.  Both “sides” were following orders from superiors, and the outcome was not good for most of the participants in the battle portrayed in the movie.  In Ephesians 2:11-18, Paul declares that Christ is our peace, EVERYONE’S peace.  Not just the Jews, not just the Catholics, not just the Baptists… not people on one side or another.  The Good News is that God sent Jesus for all, and our challenge is to make sure everyone around us has this “peaceful” and saving knowledge.  That is our simple mission, though sometimes it doesn’t seem simple.

I confess that I am guilty of the “them” versus “us” mindset living in this world.  I naturally gravitate towards people similar to me, to my upbringing, to my experience in life.  However, I find it so freeing to be able to think of myself as an “in Christ person”, that I am no better or worse than my neighbor or co-worker.  God treasures all of us equally, and through the Apostle Paul, is gently reminding us that our ONLY identity is to be “in Him”, in Christ.  I noticed a couple weeks ago that in the first two chapters of Ephesians, the NIV translation has “in Christ” over a dozen times.  Reminds me of the “practice makes progress” mantra my piano teacher used to constantly say to me… “in Christ” is something Paul wants us to remember and live by.

Dear Father, thank you for sending your precious Son to preach peace to us, no matter who we are.  We are all as one church, “in Christ”, having “access to the Father by one Spirit”.  Now, please help me live and act like it every day – help me remember there is no “us” or “them”!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

kristi

2.8.14 "Saturday's Blog"

Welcome to the POG Blog! Today is Saturday which means YOU get to start the discussion on today’s scripture!   What is it saying to you today?  How does it relate to your life right now?  How does it relate to the message from Sunday?  Enjoy reading, meditating, and sharing your thoughts with others today!

Today’s Scripture is:    Psalm 146:1-6

Praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord. ²     I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

³ Don’t put your trust in human leaders. Don’t trust in people. They can’t save you. ⁴ When they die, they return to the ground. On that very day their plans are bound to fail.

⁵ Blessed are those who depend on the God of Jacob for help. Blessed are those who put their hope in the Lord their God. ⁶ He is the Maker of heaven and earth and the ocean. He made everything in them. The Lord remains faithful forever.

Share your thoughts!  What is God saying to you today?

"Things Above"

The verses for today's blog are short but very powerful. Colossians 3 "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

What is the apostle Paul trying to tell us here?  How is God trying to move us?  Trying to shape our thinking?

It seems to me Paul understands the power of "thinking" in the human experience.  What we think about and how we process things over in our minds really affects how we feel and how we act.  Our thinking matters.  Our thinking isn't perfect - nor independent - it needs direction and guidance.  These verses make the case that Jesus's resurrection has so affected our identities that we get to change our thinking.  We change are thinking by focusing on something different.  We get to focus our minds on "things above where Christ is".  The resurrection of Jesus is so powerful and its application into our lives is so significant that we get to "set our minds on things above, and not on things that are on earth."  

As I am writing this blog - in the back of my mind are all the things I have to get done today.  When I consider the challenges of the day it can get overwhelming.  Then I get to think about "things above"!  The fact that I have a Father in heaven who loves me very much and  that Jesus said He will always be with me.  "Things above" includes every promise from God - it includes the "grace" of God and the "power" of God abundantly available to me today.  Things change in my inner being as I think about "things above"!

Paul knows this is a deliberate action on our part - a step of faith - to "set your mind on things above".  This action is not natural - by nature our minds will go south - to the things on earth!  That is why it is a step of faith.  I am not all that good at this, especially when life is tough, but I am getting better at it.  I do want to get better at living in the reality of the resurrection of Jesus!

Enjoy setting your mind on things above today!

delton

02/06/14 GRACE!

Welcome to the PoG Blog!

Psalm 46:10 reads, “Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  This blog is yet another way for us to “be still”.  It is an opportunity for us to step out of our busy world with all of its attractions and distractions and to spend time listening to God.  I ask that each of you reading this take a moment to repeat the words Eli instructed Samuel to say to the Lord, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Romans 5:17 - 19

¹⁷ For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

¹⁸ Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. ¹⁹ For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

The phrase that captures my heart’s attention is “reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ”.  As we heard in last Sunday’s message, by the grace of God we have moved from a place where we were dead in our transgressions and sins to a place where we have been seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.

What an amazing turn of events!  How are we to respond?  Today I witnessed a conversation I can’t get out of my mind.  It illustrates what it is to embrace our position of being seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.

I was with a young man, nineteen years of age.  He has had a rough time of it; spending just fifteen minutes listening to some of what he has been through is enough to break your heart.  Now he is working hard to put his life back together, to start moving forward again.  One blessing he has received is the gift of a place to stay.  He is living with a family we all know and love.  A colleague of mine who was giving the young man advice related to college and his future asked him, “What’s the BEST part about getting to stay with the Weisers?”.  The young man thought for a good two to three minutes.  I was busy thinking of what an appropriate answer would be.  Then he said, “The best part is getting to stay at a place where there is grace.”  “If I make a mistake or mess up, they talk to me instead of just yelling at me.  I’m not used to that.”

The young man’s response caused my heart to well up within me.  St. Paul is telling us in Ephesians and Romans that we have been saved by grace: “it is by grace you have been saved.”

How else can we respond other than to share that grace with others?

Mark

2.5.14 "Changed"

Today’s Scripture is:   Ephesians 2:10 ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.   (NIV)

He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.   (The Message)

When I read this verse this morning, God spoke, the Spirit moved, I felt humbled, I felt called, I felt overwhelmed, I felt excited, I felt a churning in my stomach and heart, and tears came.  This hasn’t happened to me in long time… to feel the depth of God’s Word -  alive and active - minister to me in this way.  It actually took me by surprise, so I found myself asking God why I was so moved by this scripture today.  It’s not like I haven’t read it before or understood what it says… so why this verse for me today Lord…..?

My spirit is checked when I read the word “handiwork”, so I must need the confirmation today that I matter to You.  I’m more than just “a created thing”… I’m handiwork, special, You spent time creating me and designing me to have the gifts and abilities You need for Your Kingdom work to be accomplished.  I’m not just here to fill space, I have a purpose and a calling over my life.  There’s a reason You want me here.

My spirit is checked when I read that I’m created in Christ Jesus, so I must need to be reminded today that I have identity.  If I’m His and He’s mine, then all the power and authority and wisdom and strength and connection with the Father that Jesus has, is mine too.   You know I’m going to need all of that to do Your kingdom work, God.  You know I can’t do this on my own, no matter how hard I try or how great my abilities are.  But who am I to deserve Jesus?  Who am I to be trusted with authority and power?  Why do you love me so much?  Why do you trust me so much?    … here come the tears again…. wow – identity is huge.

My spirit is checked when I read that I have good works to do that have been prepared for me in advance.  You mean there’s a real plan for my life Lord?  That the decisions I make and the things I do aren’t just a hodge podge of things I’m trying to get right…but You actually nudge me here and there to get me headed in the right direction?  If you have prepared certain works for me to do, then it’s overwhelming to really realize and trust that if I’m asking you what my job is for You, and I’m asking you to lead, that You will not disappoint or abandon me, but will lead and show me how to be a missionary for you and where to be a missionary for you.  This is what you’ve been saying all along… it’s already in the works, just move… just go!

What has really hit me today as I’ve read his verse is that I’ve already taken a step of faith to believe all of this by leaving my staff job at Point of Grace and embarking on a journey of ministry on a farm in Elgin, to do good works that He has prepared me to do.   What has changed me by reading this today is a confirmation from God that I am in line with His desire for me.  It has just moved from a step of faith, to an acknowledgement of acceptance of His call.  God wanted me to see this today… He wanted to let me know I’m in line with His purpose… that’s why the tears came… that’s why the humility came, that’s why I’m excited and overwhelmed at the same time.

Thank you Father for the way you use scripture to love me, lead me, mentor me, and speak to me.  Pastor reminded me on Sunday through his message that I am a new creation and masterpiece and I become a gift receiver of this so I can go forward on mission 24/7 for You!  Here I am Lord, send me!

Thanks for letting me process this verse “out loud” today.  Please let me know how this verse has spoken to you and how God is leading you to live out the mission that He has purposed for you!

Denise

Our Deadness, God's Grace

The Scripture for today is Ephesians 2: 6-9 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 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.

The verses right before these tell us we were dead in our transgressions – dead to God; as Pastor emphatically stated it yesterday, “BAD dead!” We were as dead as dead gets to God. He really wants us to understand that we were dead. But why the emphasis on our deadness??

The next section of passages gives us a clue: To make sure the contrast between our deadness and God’s grace is stark. God literally gave us new life and then seated us with His Son, Jesus! He plucked us out of our mire and misery, washed us clean with the blood of Jesus Christ, then placed us at the table right next to Jesus, our Savior – a pretty sweet place for the likes of us.

So, God did this because we are so great, right? Nope. He did it because He can’t get along without us, then. Um, no. Oh, well, ok…He saved us because we have earned it! Definitely not. He saved us because of the incomparable riches of His grace. Nothing can compare to the riches of the grace He pours over us so that we have a chance to live – really, really live!

Lord, thank You for showing us grace when we don’t deserve it! May we always be mindful of just what it cost You to save us and seat us next to Your Son. Father, thank You for true Life! Amen!

P.S. This is the second time I’ve had the privilege of blogging on Ephesians 2: 8 & 9. I pray I’ve honored God – AND learned what He had for me to learn. Only God could orchestrate it so one of us writes on the same passage twice in a row! Ephesians is such an extraordinary book – what do you think? Has God moved you during our time in Ephesians? Please share!

Blessings, Jennifer

02/03/14 "Free of the death sentence through JESUS!"

Ephesians 2:1-5 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

The word that stuck out to me in this passage and in the message this week is not actually in the passage, but it is heavily implied and in Pastor’s notes, condemned.  In the natural all are condemned.  This reminded me of a documentary I saw that chronicled the last 90 days of several “death row” inmates.  For these men hope was pretty much non-existent, the date of their execution was set, and meetings with attorneys were very somber.  For the most part until the last hours of their lives the tried desperately not to deal with the inevitable.  They lived their last days casually acting as though their execution dates were not quickly approaching.  But the reality and burden of their condemnation was always there, never far from the surface.  You could see it in their eyes through the forced smiles and subdued laughter.  This is the dead I think Paul is describing in this passage, the condemned, the walking dead, a group in which we were former members.

But, by the love and grace of GOD, we have all received a full pardon and we are free of that death sentence.  Now we know the truth and live each day in the light and the love of ALMIGHTY GOD.  We still struggle.  It is not easy having lived among the dead especially when we have our own personal history there and when we know so many members.  But we are not the same.  It reminds me of the story of the father who after dropping his son off at grade school noticed he had forgotten his lunch in the car.  He parked and hurried into the school courtyard trying to catch his son when he heard a youngster loudly relaying a profanity laced joke to a group of other students.  He was stunned at the language but even more stunned when his eyes locked on his son who was the potty mouth joke teller.   The conversation that followed was not what you would expect.  The father did not take his son by the ear and escort him from the schoolyard screaming.  It was the son that reacted in embarrassment and remorse because what he saw in this father’s eyes was not fierce anger but bitter disappointment.

If we believe that GOD is always present and we love and respect him how could we every do anything dishonorable or disrespectful in his very presence.  That is no longer who we are.

HEAVENLY FATHER, thank YOU so much that YOU have paid the price and issued a full pardon freeing us from condemnation and the death sentence.  YOUR grace allows us to have peace in the middle of the storm because we know we are connected to LIFE itself in YOU.  Give is the strength and courage to enjoy this gift and live fully according to your will.

Amen

Jim L.

Saturday's Blog!

Welcome to the POG Blog! Today is Saturday which means YOU get to start the discussion on today’s scripture! What is it saying to you today? How does it relate to your life right now? How does it relate to the message from Sunday? Enjoy reading, meditating, and sharing your thoughts with others today!

Today’s Scripture is:

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

¹ You have searched me, Lord,     and you know me. ² You know when I sit and when I rise;     you perceive my thoughts from afar. ³ You discern my going out and my lying down;     you are familiar with all my ways. ⁴ Before a word is on my tongue     you, Lord, know it completely. ⁵ You hem me in behind and before,     and you lay your hand upon me. ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,     too lofty for me to attain.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?     Where can I flee from your presence? ⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;     if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. ⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,     if I settle on the far side of the sea, ¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,     your right hand will hold me fast. ¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me     and the light become night around me,” ¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;     the night will shine like the day,     for darkness is as light to you.

¹³ For you created my inmost being;     you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;     your works are wonderful,     I know that full well. ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you     when I was made in the secret place,     when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;     all the days ordained for me were written in your book     before one of them came to be. ¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God!     How vast is the sum of them! ¹⁸ Were I to count them,     they would outnumber the grains of sand—     when I awake, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you, God, would slay the wicked!     Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! ²⁰ They speak of you with evil intent;     your adversaries misuse your name. ²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,     and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? ²² I have nothing but hatred for them;     I count them my enemies. ²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;     test me and know my anxious thoughts. ²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,     and lead me in the way everlasting.

"I was blind. Now I see."

I Corinthians 2:1-5  NIV

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom, for I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

The Message You’ll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God’s master stroke, I did not try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple first Jesus and Who He is, then Jesus and what He did – Jesus crucified.

Isn't it amazing how when we are discussing God, religion, salvation, and the Scripture how quickly these "discussion" morph into long, lofty, complicated theological contests?   We strive to be convincing orators, powerful preachers, masters of words and phrases.  We trip each other up with our craftiness in arguments, persuasive speeches, and manipulative ways.

But, if I am sitting down with a person who is hurting, searching for answers to the pain and hopelessness in their life – what is going to finally “win” them to Christ?  Lofty speeches?  Mastery of words?  Convincing facts and details?  Probably not.   It will be a simple sharing of first – Who Jesus is – and what He did for me.  A theological mastermind can easily argue with my facts and statistics. But they cannot argue with my testimony of how God has redeemed my life.  My story is my story.

This makes me think about Pastor’s sermons. I am married to the Pastor.  I have heard a lot of his sermons.  In fact, I have heard almost ALL of them!  While it is true that I have often been impressed with his theological explanations, impressive research, historical background and amazing teachings  – that is NOT what I remember most.  No.  The times I have been moved to tears, or when God has “won my heart all over again”  - were the moments when the simple message of Jesus - Who He is, and what He has done - was preached plain and simple, raw and real, with much "weakness, fear, and trembling" by the messenger.

This also reminds me of the story about the blind man in John 9 who was healed by Jesus.  The leaders brought him in for questioning.  They argued about why he was born blind – if it was his fault or his parents.   Finally, the healed man had enough and said,  “Look.   I don’t know about all of that.  All I know is – I was blind.  Now I see.”   Simple.  Stop the lofty speeches and endless questioning.   “I was blind.  Now I see.”

Today's Scripture from I Corinthians is comforting, and confidence-boosting for me.  Sharing with others about Jesus – Who He is, and what He did – doesn’t have to be scary. I don’t have to come up with lofty, polished speeches. I don’t have to know Greek and Hebrew.  I don’t have to know maps and geography.  I don’t have to be trained at a seminary.  I can simply share the Hope I have in Jesus Christ.  I can simply share Who He is.  What He has done.  I was blind.  Now I see.  Plain.  Simple.  I don’t have to impress anyone.  Let them be impressed by Jesus.  All I gotta’ do is Tell.

-dawn

1.29.14 "Rich in Hope"

Today’s Scripture is:   Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And weboast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Having just gotten back from Kenya last week, I have a beautiful new perspective of what HOPE looks like as a Christian.  For almost 2 weeks, I had the opportunity to meet and rub shoulders with some Christian people of Kisii, Kenya who live in villages outside the city.  These are the poorest of the poor, which is why we were there helping them.  They live in mud homes with tin or grass roofs, no electricity, no running water, no stoves or toilets, and many don’t even have a concrete floor in their home.  In spite of what we consider poor…they are incredibly rich in hope because of Jesus.   I had an opportunity to worship with the Kisii people on two Sundays while I was there, and they were full of the Holy Spirit,  full of life, full of thanksgiving, and full of expectation…they really experience and live out their faith and having possessions has nothing to do with it!  On the last Sunday I was there, the preacher’s message was on the fruit that God gives us…peace, patience, long suffering, etc.  These are the possessions that matter to them.  They know first-hand that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Last Sunday, Pastor Delton spoke of the power of hope and the richness of inheritance which brings that hope!  He said that faith can’t grow without a firm basis of knowledge, but knowledge is sterile without experiencing faith!  I thought of the Kisii people when he said this and I felt humbled that God allowed me to see the power of knowledge coupled with the true experience of hope that these people live out every day and celebrate every Sunday.   They see God’s realness every time they have food on their table.  They see God’s realness every time their cow or goat gives them milk or they find an egg in the coop.  They see God’s realness every time a child heals from a parasite issue.  They see God’s realness every time a group of American’s come to vaccinate their animals and teach them how to grow better crops.   Their day by day survival creates a hunger for the understanding and knowledge of God’s Word and world and the very act of living day by day like that, gives expression to a deep faith that hopes in His provision.  I’m blessed to know these people who have given me more that I could ever give them.  I may have helped train them in animal husbandry or helped vaccinate their livestock, but they gave me a glimpse of how I should be living by faith and with the power of hope.  What they gave me is a fresh kingdom perspective that has an eternal impact.

I thank God for how He unifies His people around the world and how He humbled me through the beautiful, poor people of Kenya.  It reminds me of Matthew 5:3.  The Message version says,  “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”   And when I trust God for the richness of my inheritance, I have tremendous hope while I’m in this world and I can be full of the Holy Spirit, full of life, full of thanksgiving, and full of expectation!

Thanks for letting me share my experience with the Kisii people with you.  I hope this scripture ignites in you something special  as well!  If so, please share it!

Denise

1/27/14 Hope!

Please find a quiet place to focus on these scriptures, asking for an open mind and heart to hear God’s wisdom for us today.

Ephesians 1:15-17

New International Version (NIV)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

 

¹⁵ For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Being one of the “saints” at POG has been such a learning experience for me, in the area of prayer.  I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home, but prayer was pretty much reserved for church activities, and before and after meals. I’m sure my parents and grandparents prayed for me as I was growing up, but I don’t really remember overhearing those prayers.  As I learn to step out of that “canned prayer thinking mode”, these verses are a HUGE example from the Apostle Paul that we should be praying for each other, at all times, and for all things.  Thanksgiving, praise, requests, guidance, wisdom… every kind of prayer.  This prayer for all of the “saints” (including you and me!) was written down as a reminder of the importance of prayer.  It’s the very FIRST thing listed in Ephesians 1 along with thanksgiving.  Prayer.  Connection to God, and connection to each other.  Receiving God’s grace, and reminding people around me about God’s love and grace.

I recognized during worship this morning, as Pastor was stressing the importance of praying for each other, that it’s easier for me to pray for others than for my own family.  Yikes – what’s up with that?  Then I realized that very often, the things that I pray for, for Jim or one of the kids, is also VERY close to my heart – things I might be anxious or worried about.  I think that is why, before Paul stressed the importance of prayer, in Ephesians 1:1-14, he reminded us of the depth, width, and magnitude of God’s sacrifice, love and grace.  If we are praying from THAT place, with THAT knowledge, then what is there to be scared/nervous/anxious about?  God has got everything in our lives covered.  He only asks us to come to Him, to do this life, with Him.  Prayer is a conversation where we should encourage each other, and praise and thank Him for this life.  What better place to do that, than with the people we love the most?

Father, forgive me for letting my anxiety keep me from praying with my family and friends.  Thank you for a loving “saint” filled church, where I can go to be prayed for, and in turn, learn to lift others up to you.  Thank you for loving me, a sinner.  I accept your grace and love.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

kristi

Loved Before Time Began

Our Scripture for today is Ephesians 2: 8-10 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. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Father, lead us today in the way You want us to go; Your glory is our desire! May we reflect Jesus in all we do and say. All glory and honor be to Your Name, Lord! In Jesus’ Name, amen!

For me, this passage is a great reminder of who I am and Who I serve. It can be tempting to say, “I’m nothing. He is everything.” That is true to an extent – He IS everything. However, there is no indication in these words of God that says we are “nothing”. In fact, I think it conveys that we are very important to God!

From the very beginning of the passage we are reminded that He deems us worth saving, “For it is by grace you have been saved…” In order to feel a draw toward saving something, that something must have some value. But, being broken creatures we still need reminding that God is Who is doing the saving – He’s not saving us so we can tell everyone how great we are, He’s saving us so we can tell everyone how great HE is (which is our privilege as His people, after all).

Then we get more value poured into us with words like, “God’s handiwork”, “created in Christ Jesus”, and “God prepared in advance for us…” Is there any greater esteem than to be reminded God made us with His very hands and planned a future for us? He was thinking about us and planning for us before He even made the earth that we live on. That is Love that speaks volumes! It tells us that we are not “nothing”; we are created with a Love so deep, so perfect, so attentive that it existed before time!

How do you react to the idea that God planned for you to exist? That He’s had his heart set on you for eternity?

Blessings Friends, Jennifer

Made Alive!

Welcome to the PoG Blog! Our relationship with God is similar to other relationships we have in that it takes time for the relationship to grow. If we have a serious relationship with someone then we spend time with that individual. Before you read the scripture verse and comments below, please take some time to calm yourself in prayer, asking God to prepare your heart for whatever He wants to say to you right now. May God bless you through this time of intentional connection with Him! Ephesians 2:1 - 5 1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

The references to being dead make me think of phrases like “stopped dead in your tracks” or “dead to rights”. St. Paul seems to be saying that before Christ rescued us we were like the walking dead – people who appear to be alive on the outside but are dead inside. But because of God’s great love for us, we have been made alive in Christ. It reminds me of the transformation caused by the renewing of our minds, written about in Romans 12.

Why and how did this all happen? The final verse says it all. This great transformation, this sudden change from death to life, happened purely by the grace of God. There is nothing inside of us deserving of salvation. It is strictly by God’s grace – His undeserved love for us – that we have been saved. That is something that excites me. God loving me so much that He sent His own son to the cross. That is something that changes the whole way I live my life. May God bless you today as you are reminded of His great love for YOU!

Mark