3.18.14 "ONE Thing Remains!"

Ephesians 4:3-6 ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

I’m reminded right now of the song “One thing remains” from this passage – ONE hope, ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all – ONE thing that encompasses everything. This brings such relief to me.

Right now, there are a lot of things going on in my life, but I read this and I remember that no matter what happens, it’s all in ONE set of hands. When I worry about medical issues, or financial issues, He already knows the outcome. When I celebrate successes in my life, my family, my friends or my community, He’s at the center of it all and gets all the credit! Jesus has washed away all of my sins and I am clean. He took all my anxiety and all of my trials and troubles onto His shoulders so that I can rejoice in His love and grace and truth and joy.

I tell you what – that is a MUCH easier way to live life than to try to separate everything! One thing that I give all the credit to, it’s so simple! We are ONE in Him and should help each other through the good and bad times! We have ONE Father – all of us! – which makes us all brothers and sisters in Him, but we often don’t get along or we let disagreements tear up our relationships. We are ONE body of Christ and we should be supportive and encouraging of everyone, because we are ONE family. I’m striving for more of this in my life. I want to live in harmony and truth in this world and to be given the humble responsibility to just love His people is something that I’m so grateful I was called to. Now I walk forward, leaning on the ONE who will never leave me and who just loves me, even with all my baggage, and I rest all my hope on Him.

Heavenly Father, help us to be a healthy church and family.  Help us to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  May there be unity in our local church and in the church worldwide. Help each of us in the body of Christ to exercise the gifts that you have given us. Help each of us to grow into a mature knowledge of Jesus in a healthy, growing church. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Toni

“Your love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me… ONE thing remains”

3.17.14 "To Be Mature"

Heavenly Father, thank you for this time we have together.  I thank You for the many blessings you’ve poured into my life, known and unknown, and praise You for the work you’ve begun in me.  Quiet my mind and thoughts, that I can hear only You.  Amen Ephesians 4:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

 4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

I wonder how the early church reacted when hearing these words from Paul, especially knowing that he was writing from prison.  Hearing an imprisoned man beseech his fellow Christians to live a life thankful for freedom, and to behave humbly, gently, patient with each other must have been very convicting.  I’ve had a first row seat over the last few months to witness two brothers and a sister “bearing with one another in love” as their father’s life on this earth ended due to lung cancer.  I have been very thankful to see the patience that Jim has given his dad and his siblings during the weeks of trying to honor James Sr.’s wish to stay at home.  This was only possible through the support and prayers of our extended family, our friends, and our POG family.

I like the Message version of these verses below.  This version adds discipline into the mix, and a reminder to “notice differences”.  To me, that is mature love, noticing when someone needs assistance, and quietly being salt and light, without expecting notoriety or even thanks.  Jesus was all about humble patience, love, and gentleness when the situation called for it.  After giving His life for us (and rising), how can we not “bear with one another in love”?

The Message (MSG)

4 ^1-3 In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

Dear Father, thank you for sending your Son to redeem us, poor sinners, and to give us an example of the humble, patient, gentle kind of lives you want us to lead.  Send us your Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and deeds on this earth.  In your name we pray, Amen.

kristi

p.s.  Remember – we Begin with prayer this week! J

Father in Heaven,

I pray that out of Your glorious riches you would strengthen ________ with power through Your Spirit in _______ inner being, so that Christ may dwell in ________ heart through faith.  And I pray that _______, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all Your holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that _______ may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Amen.

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 42: 1-5

1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.

5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Blessings! Jennifer

3.14.14 The Blessing of the Lord’s Supper

Lord, quiet our hearts as we once again ponder your life giving words for us. Amen Luke 22:19-20 (NRSV)

19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

Jesus spoke these words at the last supper on the Thursday evening before he was crucified. They are the words that pastor Delton speaks over the elements of Holy Communion every time we celebrate the sacrament. They are a reminder that Jesus gave His body and shed His blood so that in this time of the New Testament or covenant we can know the forgiveness of sins and the strength to live the Christian life.

In receiving the body and blood of Christ, under the elements of bread and wine, we are assured of God’s love in a tangible and powerful way.  The sacrament of Holy Communion has been so precious to me because it is Jesus reaching out to me in a loving and a personal way to wash me clean of my sin and feed me with His very body and blood so that I am forgiven and strengthened to live as He intends.

I love Martin Luther’s response to the question “What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?” in his small catechism. He tells us that the blessing of taking the Lord’s Supper is “shown by these words, ‘Given and shed for you for the remission of sins’; namely, that in the sacrament forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.”

Lord, thank you for the precious sacrament of Holy Communion. Thank you for the forgiveness and life that it promises through the sacrifice you made for us. Amen.

John

3.13.14 "Wineskins"

  Matthew 9:14-17

¹⁴ Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

¹⁵ Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

¹⁶ “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. ¹⁷ Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Over lunch a few years ago a good friend of mine told me the story of a summer job he had back when he was in high school.  He worked for a company that printed among other things text books.  His job was using a machine called a binder that sealed the printed pages to the book cover one at a time.  After several days of training the day finally came when my friend was given full control of the binder and allowed to go at it on his own.  At the end of the day he had bound more 1,000 books and even though he thought that was pretty good he was anxious that he might not have performed up to expectation based on some of the looks he was getting from some of his co-workers.  He resolved to do better the next day and sure enough at the end of the day he had bound nearly 1,500 books.  Still the looks and attitudes he got from his co-workers made him feel uncomfortable and worried that perhaps he might just not be cutting it.

The following morning when my friend reported to work his worst fears were realized.  There was a note on his time card requesting he report to the operations supervisor’s office before he reported to his station.  As he approached the office with his stomach in knots mentally he prepared for the worst.  He had never been fired before.  What would he tell his parents?  Maybe the supervisor would give him another chance if he promised to work extra hard.  Softly he knocked on the supervisor’s door.  The supervisor distracted by a file he was reviewing told my friend to come in and have a seat.  My friend figured he was reviewing his termination papers.  Finally the supervisor looked up and placed the open file in front of my friend.   The file contained a performance report showing the number of books bound by all of the workers in my friends department.  The supervisor looked at my friend and began by telling him there had been numerous complaints filed on him by his co-workers.  It seems that before my friend showed up the average daily books bound per worker was 325.  In two days my friend has set two new records and in fact established a new standard, one the other workers were afraid they would have to also live up to.

In the passage today JESUS is explaining that a new standard is being established, one that blows the doors off the old one.   GOD in the flesh and, as Pastor often says, the very Author of the book is speaking as only HE can!   Just like the co-workers of my friend these words had to be frightening to the people of that time.  The old ways, the ways to which they had become accustomed to and comfortable with were now obsolete, changed by the only ONE with the authority to do so.  A new standard was being established and things would never ever be the same again!

LORD we lift your name on high.   You came from heaven to earth to show us the way; From the earth to the cross, our debts to pay; From the cross to the grave, and from the grave to the sky, LORD we lift your name on high!  I love you Jesus, Amen. Jim L.

3.12.14 "My Slate is CLEAN! Jesus DOES Love Me, Too!"

Jeremiah 31:31-34 The Message (MSG)

^31-32 “That’s right. The time is coming when I will make a brand-new covenant with Israel and Judah. It won’t be a repeat of the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant even though I did my part as their Master.” God’s Decree.

^33-34 “This is the brand-new covenant that I will make with Israel when the time comes. I will put my law within them—write it on their hearts!—and be their God. And they will be my people. They will no longer go around setting up schools to teach each other about God. They’ll know me firsthand, the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow. I’ll wipe the slate clean for each of them. I’ll forget they ever sinned!” God’s Decree.

The new covenant under God is filled with hope.   We are building a relationship with God through Jesus.  I am thrilled that God has forgotten that I ever sinned.  I no longer have to hang my head in shame for my past because I am free.   Jesus was sent to build the new covenant (relationship) with us and HE wrote on our hearts the word of God with love.   I never believed that Jesus died for me before I became a Christian.  I believed that Jesus did die for people, but not for people like me.  The amount of hope I have received since becoming a Christian and learning that Jesus does love me has been life changing.   This passage is filled with the promise that Jesus will be with us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and your compassion.  I now believe when I fall you will be there to help me back up and hold me in your arms.  I am never alone and your peace fills me when I am weak.  Thank you Father for all of your grace and your mercy.   In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Peace and love,

Priscilla

Blessings Promised, Blessings Delivered

Our Scripture for today is Genesis 12: 1-3, “The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. ‘I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’" This section of Scripture is our first real look into Abram; we’ve met him and his brothers in the verses before, but that was all family history whereas this is the beginning of really learning who Abram was and how he would be shaped and used by God. So, what can we learn from these few verses?

1) Abram listened to God. The very first time in Genesis that Abram is mentioned once the family history is completed, The Lord is saying something directly to him. God is giving specific instructions to Abram about moving away to a new land.

2) He was trusted by God. The Lord knew Abram was a trustworthy man who would follow God’s lead into the new land.

3) He trusted God. He trusted God to lead him and his family safely to the land set aside for them to further God’s kingdom.

4) Abram was to be a blessed man. In verses 2 and 3, a version of the word “blessed” is used 5 times! God promised to make Abram into a great nation and BLESS him, make his name great and that Abram would be a BLESSING, that God would BLESS whoever BLESSED Abram, and that all the peoples of the earth would be BLESSED through Abram.

Wouldn’t you love to be remembered the way we remember Abram? His life wasn’t a cake walk, for sure, but when we look to Scripture for “spiritual giants” he’s definitely up at the top of the list! All the blessings that God promised in the first 3 verses of Genesis 12 were delivered on and we have the whole story recorded for us to share with every generation. In chapter 25 (the end of Abram's story), his death is recorded this way: “Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years.”

How have you seen God’s blessings promised, then manifested, in your life? Please share your stories!

Father God, thank You so much for showing us grace and mercy. You bless us deeply and in ways we can’t even imagine, until You show us. Lord, may we bless Your Name with our every breath and become like Abram – listeners, trusting You to lead, and blessed by You in Your good time! We love you, Lord! In Jesus Name, AMEN!

Jennifer

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 62

1 Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. 2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3 How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence? 4 Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.

10 Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

11 One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God,

12     and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”

What are your thoughts on this passage? Does it speak to your heart? Please share your thoughts with us and how you were moved this week! We love to hear from you!!

Blessings, Jennifer

Listen to today's scripture reading!  Listen up - these words are full of fullness! Colossians 1 18 And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

In just a few verses look at things we are told about Jesus:

• in charge of the church - in all times and in all places - that's a lot to be in charge of
• first to rise from the dead - never to die again with all who believe in Him to follow!
• reigns supreme in everything - now there is an over achiever - He can handle it - I can't- better to let Him lead!
• the one who pleases God - reminds me of the Father's words at Jesus baptism, "In Him I am well pleased!"
• contains within Himself the fullness of God - so when we get Jesus we are getting God in the full!
• reconciles all things to God - WOW! That is what I constantly need, to reconnect with God!
• Makes peace through His sacrifice on the cross - Peace  made possible through Jesus!  Peace is allusive no more!

Today I take a step of faith into believing that the Jesus who is available to me and desires to fill me constantly with His fullness is truly the Jesus described above!  Why would I want to be in charge of my life when He is so much better qualified!

There is nothing that I will bring to Him that He cannot handle - has not already handled!

Today I think I am supposed to embrace the "fullness" of Jesus - He truly is the one and only!

WOW!

delton

3.6.14 "God’s Plan for me!"

Lord, You are a faithful and forgiving God and worthy of all our praise.  Thank you!  Quiet our hearts and remove distractions so we can focus all our attention on you.  Teach us your truths Lord.  We Love you!

In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen!

Jeremiah 29:11-14

New International Version (NIV)

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 hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the Lord,”

These verses were written to the Israelites who, at that time, were in captivity in Babylon.  Jeremiah wrote to them to encourage them to live their lives in Babylon in the best possible way.  He assured them God had not forgotten them and He had a plan for their future.  He was with them, would listen to their prayers and would find Him when they sought Him with their whole heart.

These verses are encouraging to me.  They assure me that no matter where I am or why I am there God is with me and He has a plan for me.  When I think of some of the things I have been asked to do I have been surprised.  Why me?  In one particular instance I wasn’t the first or even second choice for a job but when the others turned the job down I was asked.  I am convinced I was God’s choice for the job.  It was His plan for my life at that time.

That assures me that God does have a plan for my life.  His plans are perfect and they never fail.  I can trust Him with my life. I may not be where I want to be and I may not get asked to do what I think I want to do but if I seek God’s heart and follow His leading I will be given the job God has for me at that time. It will be the best for me.  God will be with me and will give me the ability to do it.  He has a purpose and a plan.  However, I have to surrender my agenda and follow Jesus’ leading in my life.  I need pour my heart out to Him and earnestly seek Him.  He will fill me with peace, hope and a future that’s perfect for me.  God has the power and ability to do more than I can ever imagine.

What plans has the Lord given you in your life?   How does that encourage you?

Thank You, Lord, for giving us a hope and a future and for having a plan for us.  Thank you for your salvation, for your love and for always being found by us when we seek you with our whole heart.  We love You Lord,

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen

Charleen

"Filling Up!"

Take a look at the scripture for today! Ephesians 5: 15 "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit"

And here is the Message version of the same verses.

"So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! 17 Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants. Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him."

I think the Apostle Paul understands people.  And it seems people haven't changed much in the 2000 years since he wrote this.  We all will seek something to fill up on.  This implies that we are all empty to some degree or another.  The plea of the Apostle is to "fill up" on the Holy Spirit or to put it in the Message terms, "Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of Him."

There are "unwise" places and things to go to for our "fill up".  He mentions alcohol as one of those.  Things haven't changed, have they?  Alcohol is still a favorite "go to" to catch a buzz, veg a little, relax, escape ... but it doesn't last and it never delivers.  I love a good beer but it can't fill the "empty"in me....... "be careful" says the apostle.  There are a hundred different "go to" places that we can go for a fill up.

Only one ultimately brings life though!

The idea that God Himself desires to fill us up...... to fill in all the cracks and crevices of our beings with His presence is mind boggling, exciting and intriguing to me.  "Be filled with the Spirit!"  says the Apostle.

I remember studying this verse in Greek.  The verb for "filled" is in the present tense which should be translated as "keep on being filled".  We leak.  We need ongoing filling.  Today is Ash Wednesday.  Our service tonight at Point of Grace offers intentional opportunities for "filling up".

Father in heaven I come to you now to be filled with your Spirit.  Please fill me with your Spirit again and again and again today! Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Amen

delton

Our Small "Asks"

19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Our Small “Asks”

Recall Delton’s object lesson in church yesterday, where “all we can ask or imagine” is represented by an inch of water in a leaky, plastic cup … and God’s “fullness” and “power” is represented by pitcher after pitcher after pitcher of water. What a vivid example of how small our “asks” are and how little it takes to satisfy.

I’ve never thought about it that way before.

My thinking has always been that we (I) ask God for a lot. We ask for health. We ask for a good job (or even any job). We ask for a nice place to live and nice clothes to wear. We ask for safety. We ask for relationship. We ask for love. We ask for purpose and meaning. We ask for all of these things for ourselves, our families, and our friends and acquaintances. What can be “immeasurably more” than all this?

Do we ask for strength of faith? Do we ask for humility of purpose? Do we ask for opportunities to give and to serve? Do we ask for courage, strength, and the wisdom to do what is right? Do we ask for opportunities to exercise our spiritual gifts on behalf of God’s Kingdom? Most of all, do we ask often enough that all of our thoughts, words, and actions are to be in accordance with His divine purpose? These are the kinds of “asks” that God answers “yes” to. He answers them in abundance. This is how we tap in to the pitchers and pitchers of blessing from our most generous God!

What a small amount that we ask for.

John H

3.3.14 "Be Bold With Big Prayers!"

Welcome to the PoG Blog!

Lord,

To whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We ask that you speak to us through your Holy Word.  Please allow us to put aside anything that would distract us from you and your great love for us.  May the words we read go deep into our hearts and may they strengthen us for holy living.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen!

Ephesians 3:19 - 21

¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Immeasurably.  Cannot be measured.  It is difficult for me to get my mind around that concept.  We measure everything: wealth, beauty, distances, and even things like humor and emotions.  For a math/science guy like me it is hard to think of something that can’t be measured.  But Paul is trying to tell me that we have a God whose able-to-do-ness is beyond measure.  Every once in a while I think I actually get a glimpse of what Paul is talking about.  When I look up in the sky and see so many stars that I can’t begin to count them, when I see something as majestic as the Grand Canyon, when I stand on a beautiful beach and look out into the ocean.  It’s at those times that I can begin to appreciate how much ability and power God really has.

So how should this awareness of God’s true power affect my life?  Of all the ways it affects me, I’d like to focus on prayer.  Knowing that God does immeasurably more that I can ask or imagine means I can pray prayers that are bigger and bolder.  I need to ask for the moon, because God will give it to me.  His resources are without limit so I don’t need to be conservative in the way I pray.

I encourage you to stop right now and pray a prayer that comes from the bottom of your heart.  Pray for what is truly on your heart.  Don’t pray a “safe” prayer.  Be bold!  Remember, you have a God who can’t be measure or quantified.  He is waiting for our big prayers!

Mark

2.27.14 "A road map through HIS Word!"

Revelation 2:1-7 To the Church in Ephesus

2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands ² I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. ³ You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

⁴ Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. ⁵ Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. ⁶ But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

⁷ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

It is absolutely awesome that our GOD not only gives us a way to Glory through JESUS CHRIST but a road map through HIS word.   Is GOD real?   Real and serious enough for the living CHRIST to send a message through John to HIS church in Ephesus at some point after Paul, their spiritual anchor, had passed on.  This passage demonstrates the importance of the church because you don’t “call out” something you don’t care about it.  It’s like when we hear the whining, “Why is coach (insert Mom, Dad, Teacher) so hard on me”?  It is generally not because they hate you and want to see you fail.  Indeed it’s just the opposite.

This passage reminds me of a great explanation of this process I recently heard.  It describes three stages to the Christian process.  First is justification.  This occurs when we accept CHRIST as our LORD and savior.   The second is sanctification.  This is the journey that begins after we accept CHRIST and believe.  It is also the most difficult stage because this is where the evil one sets his focus.  He wants to do everything to keep us from the third stage of the process, glorification.  This is when GOD’s purpose is achieved through us and HE is glorified.

The sanctification of the church at Ephesus is in trouble and the path to glorification is being threatened because they have forgotten the feeling they had at justification.  The love and passion experienced when they discovered CHRIST and the stain and stench of sin removed has faded from memory.  Although they are going through the motions, the excitement and hunger is missing.  They are instructed to go back to the basics.  They are told not to focus on attendance, meetings, events, or problems.  Indeed they are not to focus on the church at all.  To do so will result in the loss of the light!  The church at Ephesus is forcefully encouraged to focus on one thing, CHRIST!

HEAVENLY FATHER, we are you creations, your children, your church.  Please send your HOLY SPIRIT to open our eyes and fill our hearts with your glorious purpose.  Strengthen and protect us as we are so often tempted to shift our focus away for the light.  We ask this in the name of JESUS CHRIST! Jim L.

2-25-2014 “God can do anything, you know”!

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Have you had any experiences like this? Where God has given you more than you could imagine?

Sometimes I forget that our God is able to do more than we can ask or imagine. We will ask things we want but God will answer in His way and His time, and when He answers it will be better than what we asked for. There may be times we don't realize that His answer was better than we hoped for, but in time, the truth of the blessing will shine through. We have to be willing to see it, though, and see past the fact that He might not have answered in the way we hoped – but don't be discouraged, because His way is so much better!!

I also want to share The Message version of this passage:

^20-21God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

“God can do anything, you know”! What a statement! I use this term a lot when I talk, when I really want to drive a point home and make sure it's being understood - “you know”. So matter-of-factly! Far beyond our wildest dreams, more than we can fathom or understand. He loves us greatly, so much that He sent His only son to die for us – all to prove His love for us. A fact I, personally, need to be reminded of!

Father, we thank You for Your love and for the wondrous way that You work in our lives. You are so mighty and powerful and even within that place; You are so loving and caring. We are humbled by Your greatness and we love You dearly. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Toni

2.24.14 "God is Love!"

  God is Love!

Heavenly Father, thank you for this time we have together.  I thank You for the many blessings you’ve poured into my life, known and unknown, and praise You for the work you’ve begun in me.  Quiet my mind and thoughts, that I can hear only You.  Amen.

Ephesians 3:14-19

New International Version (NIV)

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

The references to God as our Father, and that he loves us so much brought a song to mind that I learned as a child:

Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children, God is love, God is love; Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children, God is love, God is love.

The other verses are the same except for the first two words – verse two is Thank Him…, and verse three is Love Him... I know that I won’t ever be able to understand the depth and breadth of God’s love for me on this side of heaven, but I think Paul is asking us to remember our value from God daily, in our “inner being”.  If we can start our day being “rooted and established” in His love… how powerful is that?  What do we have to fear?  When I think back to singing that “Sunday school” song as a child, I didn’t question those statements.  I accepted them as truth.  As an adult, my mind is divided and distracted from that simple truth by the busyness of my day,

I love Paul’s prayer that Pastor Delton encouraged us to use each day (see below).  Just the wording instantly aligns my priorities with God, takes the focus off of me, and reminds me how much we all are loved.

Father God, You are my Father, on earth and in heaven.  Please send your Holy Spirit to remind me that I am Your child, loved and treasured by a Daddy “from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name”.  Open my eyes and ears to the daily opportunities you give me to proclaim Your love to Your children around me.  I praise you, I thank you, and I love you.  Amen.

kristi

Father in Heaven,

I pray that out of Your glorious riches you would strengthen ________ with power through Your Spirit in _______ inner being, so that Christ may dwell in ________ heart through faith.  And I pray that _______, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all Your holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that _______ may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Amen.

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: Galatians 1: 11-24

I want you to know brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.

Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles - only James, the Lord's brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.

Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." And they praised God because of me.

What are your thoughts on this passage? Does it speak to your heart? Please share your thoughts with us and how you were moved this week! We love to hear from you!!

Blessings, Jennifer

2.21.14 “My life … Am I losing control or giving control?”

  ^{Galatians 2:}

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

“My life … Am I losing control or giving control?”

This verse reminds me of the phrase that Delton occasionally uses in his sermons … “You are God and I am not!”  It’s in our sinful, human nature for us to want to control all aspects of our lives.  We want to control our time, our finances, our relationships, and even our children!  And yet, as Christians “crucified with Christ” we must to let go and trust in God in all things.  Living “by faith in the Son of God” is the only appropriate response for us in given the ultimate sacrifice of God’s perfect son.  We can be in no better hands than those of the God of the universe.  By following the dictates of Galatians 2:20, we should not fear “losing control”, but take comfort in giving control to One so much more capable of guiding our lives than we could do on our own.

Blessings,

John

2/20/14 "Come follow Jesus!"

John 3:14-18 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

The feeling I have after reading these passages is amazing.  I want to jump up and cheer and say, "Come on people you have to follow Jesus!"  The last line verse 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” resonates so loud to me.  I felt so lost, alone and VERY ANGRY before I received Jesus.  I told a friend of mine, who has only known me since I received Jesus, that people were afraid of me because of my anger.  She was shocked and said that she would never say anything like that about me.  An old friend of mine was in the room and she confirmed that I am a completely different person after receiving Jesus.  The hope and joy that comes from believing in Jesus and feeling HIS love is overwhelming and almost intoxicating at times.  I used to roll my eyes when people tried to tell me about Jesus.  I have made sure to call them and tell them about my love for Jesus now and thank them for caring enough to try and lead me to HIM.  The pastor said this past Sunday that we have got to do a better job at getting people to know the love of Jesus.  If they decide on their own to turn away that is one thing, but we have to make sure that we at least try.  I was horrible when it came to watching anyone who claimed to be a Christian.  I would watch their every move and because I felt that they were out to show me what a horrible person I was and how I was going to burn (yes, this was said to me). My thought is that we must show the LOVE of JESUS first.  Show a person through your actions the love and then they just might follow you to Jesus.  A person who did not know me took the time to stop her car and get out to give me a hug all because she knew I needed love. I told her that I didn’t believe in Jesus and I had no intention of ever changing.  She never batted an eye and continued to show me love.  Through her love and the AMAZING POWER OF GOD I am one of you people today and I couldn’t be happier.  What may seem like a small action to you may be life changing to someone else.  Everyone is loved by Jesus but not everyone knows this or how to receive HIS love.  Maybe if we just sprinkle a little bit of love salt on people they will begin to seek HIS love.

I hope you are filled with joy and peace as you go through you day and night.  May God give you what HE knows you need today.  Peace and Love

Priscilla

2.19.14 "For what Reason?" & "On my Knees"

Ephesians 3:14-17a  (NIV)

¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from Whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

The Message My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father Who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask Him to strengthen you by His Spirit - not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength - that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite Him in.

“Father, what are You trying to talk to me about today?”

The first thing my eye keeps “seeing” as I read this, is in vs 14 where it says “for this reason” and “my response”. What reason?  My response to what?

This reminds me of school, when a word like “therefore” starts a new paragraph, and the teacher makes you stop and go back and figure out what happened before the “therefore.”   “But I am in a hurry, I just want to get this done, it will take too much time to go back and see what is going on!!!”   When I give in to slowing down, and reading the “stuff” before the “therefore” it takes on richer meaning and depth.

What “reason?”  Is the reason in vs 19+?

“You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here. God is building a home. He’s using us all – irrespective of how we got here – in what He is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now He’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together.”

Is this is the reason  - that from the time the apostles and prophets laid the foundation – until the time that Paul was writing this letter to the Ephesian believers about being a part of the “building” – all the way until today, February 19, 2014 – that we ALL are going to be used by God.  Did you see that?  Not only am I not an outsider to this Gospel, but I am just as important of a “brick” as everyone else in the construction of God’s Building!  He is using me?  Yes! Just like He used people throughout this Salvation story – He is using us ALL.  Is this what came before the "therefore?"

Next, my eyes “see” that Paul is kneeling before His Father in heaven on OUR behalf – what is he asking God to do for us?  Why is he kneeling?  What is He asking?

He is praying, on his knees, that our Father would parcel out everything – all of His glorious riches – to strengthen us – me – you – today – 2/19/14.  The same things he was praying for these new Christ followers while he was in jail – he is praying forward to today.  What is he praying for – for me?

“Strength.”  Strengthen me how, why, for what?

¹⁷  I ask Him to strengthen you by His Spirit - not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength - that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite Him in.

Whether I am a “new” Christ follower – or have been a part of God’s family for a very long time, I should not “skip” over this prayer for me for strength.  I daily need to have this glorious inner strength.  Today, February 19, 2014  I desperately need His Spirit in me.  My day will go terribly wrong if I rely upon my own strength.  I need Christ living in me today.  I need to re-open the door and invite Him inside of me, and into my day.

This is refreshing. I am tired.  I left Sunday after church for Beaumont with my sister.  Beaumont is a long way!  And you have to choose to drive through downtown Houston at 80 mph,  or take little 2-lane roads like 105 and dawdle behind tractors and slow-moving traffic and small Texas town squares for five hours at 50 mph.  We traveled there for her to formally retire as a professor at Lamar University, pack up her office, and drive back to Austin…. The same 2-lane road!  And yes, we got stuck for about an hour behind a Double-Wide trailer being moved.  Sigh.

So, my Spirit is tired.  I need refreshing.  And I forgot that I had today's Blog.   I can “tackle” this day with brute strength from my own power. I can slump through the day counting the hours until I can crawl back into bed.  Both of those choices do not require the Glorious inner strength of the Holy Spirit.  Both of those scenarios do not sound like a very life-changing day to me.  Or, I can re-invite Christ into my tired spirit.  I can re-invite Him into my day – and find Him filling me with His glorious inner strength to face this day with eyes wide open to however He wants to use me as a brick in His building – today.

Finally, my mind keeps seeing the word “kneeling”.  I don’t get down on my knees and kneel before the Father very often.  Ok – rarely.  Well – almost never.  I could sadly count on one hand the number of times I have spent kneeling.  Ugh.  That hurts to confess.  The times I have been on my knees were in utter despair, sobbing and groaning, kneeling as a “last” resort when I can no longer stand by my own power.

What would it feel like to come before the Father on my knees, and pray when I am NOT in utter despair?  What if I prayed for people on my heart and mind and on my “prayer list” on my knees?  The few times I have been on my knees – there is no messing around.  When on my knees – I am not giving God a trite “shopping list” of prayers and needs.  When I have been on my knees – I am truly repentant, and am reverent in awe and utmost respect for my Father in heaven.  Wow.  What if I prayed like that for others?

What if I used the words from today's Scripture as a prayer... and inserted people's names into it.....

"I ask Him to strengthen you (Delton, Rachel, Friends with Cancer and health issues, new believers, etc) by His Spirit - not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength - that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite Him in."

  What if I prayed this prayer from Paul, for all the people in my life - on my knees?

Perhaps this is what God wanted to talk to me about today.  Perhaps He is challenging me - as His special brick -  to pray today and this week on my knees. Perhaps He is giving me new words to use when praying for others - that He would fill them, too, with His glorious inner strength.   Is God perhaps challenging you to do the same?

If so, wouldn't it be fascinating to share with each other what praying this prayer for others – on our knees – feels like and how it changes our prayer lives and our roles as bricks in God’s building?

Want to join me – on our knees?

-dawn