5.12.14 "Life Wins - Abundantly"

  Life Wins – Abundantly!

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.

John 21:4-14

The Message (MSG)

^3-4 The rest of them replied, “We’re going with you.” They went out and got in the boat. They caught nothing that night. When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn’t recognize him.

⁵ Jesus spoke to them: “Good morning! Did you catch anything for breakfast?”

They answered, “No.”

⁶ He said, “Throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens.”

They did what he said. All of a sudden there were so many fish in it, they weren’t strong enough to pull it in.

^7-9 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Master!”

When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes, for he was stripped for work, and dove into the sea. The other disciples came in by boat for they weren’t far from land, a hundred yards or so, pulling along the net full of fish. When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid, with fish and bread cooking on it.

^10-11 Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.” Simon Peter joined them and pulled the net to shore—153 big fish! And even with all those fish, the net didn’t rip.

¹² Jesus said, “Breakfast is ready.” Not one of the disciples dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Master.

^13-14 Jesus then took the bread and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus had shown himself alive to the disciples since being raised from the dead.

This story is a reminder of the blessings that are in my life that I choose to ignore. Safe and comfortable in my misery, I can dwell on the most ridiculously negative things! We live in a society that sends us signals EVERYWHERE that we need and deserve more in life. The simple truth in these verses tells us that we HAVE MORE in Jesus – Pastor Delton called it “an abundance perspective”. I want to CHOOSE abundance over scarcity living (the place the evil one would have us live). We are reminded in these verses that God is bigger than our life’s problems, as long as we choose Jesus over this life; as long as we love HIM more than anything. This will be my mantra this week – will you join me? I love Jesus, I love Jesus, I love Jesus!

Dear Father: So often I live in worry, guilt, and regret. You sent your Son so that all of those are wiped out of my life. Send your Holy Spirit to remind me that your Son’s sacrifice and resurrection is my abundance! Make me thankful each day for the new beginning You give to me. I love you Jesus, I love you Jesus, I love you Jesus! Amen.

kristi

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!

Psalm 23 A psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Have a Blessed day, friends!

Jennifer

5/9/14 Thanksgiving and Prayer!

Ephesians 1:15-17English Standard Version (ESV) Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[a] toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

Please share your heart! Isn't is AMAZING that people you and I have never met are rejoicing because they have heard of our faith in Christ? Just think of it! We rejoice over other people who have placed their faith in Christ! Christ unites us through the Holy Spirit according to our Father's will!

And our rejoicing pails in comparison to God's rejoicing and singing over us!

Have a blessed day! May our faith in Christ be firm as we reoice in our God!

"When God Hides!"

Welcome to today's reading and blog! The story continues from Luke 24: "²⁵ And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.  ²⁸ So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, ²⁹ but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.³⁰ When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. ³² They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” ³³ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, ³⁴ saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” ³⁵ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

In 23 years of being a pastor I cannot remember ever preaching on this text until last Sunday!  It always bothered me a little!  I think the part that bothered me was the idea that Jesus seemed to prevent the two guys from recognizing Him until the time was right and the right time was when they started eating.

Why?

Why?  That has always been my big question.

As I wrestled with this all last week I realized I was not allowing God to be God in the story.  When God hides himself it irritates me.  The whole journey of preparing the message and then preaching on Sunday was God humbling me to let Him be God.  I think the click point came for me as I was preaching for the second time and some things began to make more sense.

God was calling me to trust Him in this story and in my story that when He "hides" himself from me it is for my good.  When He reveals himself in a way I didn't expect and can't control it is for my good.  He is a good father in heaven.

When the two guys were able to recognize Jesus it was at the opportune time for their journey of faith and the time leading up to that full of confusion and angst was not wasted - God was using that time as well to create a hunger for Him and an understanding of Him and His story that would "burn in their hearts"!

I get to remember He is God even when He seems hidden and that He is still working in me and through me and when His timing is right - I will see what He leads me to see!

He is a good Father in Heaven!

delton

5.6.14 "When Jesus Disappoints!"

The account for today's blog is Luke 24:13-24! These verses in the middle of that section caught my attention!

"¹⁷ And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. ¹⁸ Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” ¹⁹ And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰ and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. ²¹ But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. ²² Moreover, some women of our company amazed us.They were at the tomb early in the morning, ²³ and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 

Jesus had disappointed these disciples of His.  It says that they "had hoped" that He was the real deal - God come to earth - savior of saviors - but... hope was lost!  He had died!  He had let them down!  They had received news from others earlier that day that the tomb was empty and that some angels had said that He was alive....... but it wasn't enough!  They were still disappointed to the point of "looking sad"!

Jesus will disappoint you!  He has me!  Even when you are believing strongly that God is real and He is everything His book says He is  there will be those times when He just doesn't come through.  When that happens we can really lose hope, slide into despair, recoil back, limit our faith, relegate Jesus toward the category of "tried Him but can't really depend on Him"!

About the time I sense that I am being disappointed by Jesus (because He is doing things His way and not my way) the truth of this story can be very helpful for me!  The story concludes like this!

 ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. ²⁸ So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, ²⁹ but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.³⁰ When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.

In the midst of being dramatically disappointed in Him - Jesus was actually right there with them, they just couldn't see Him!  Jesus would show Himself when the time was perfect for their benefit.  Jesus loves me too much to be controlled by me.  I am thankful for the message of this story.  Even when I sense that Jesus is really disappointing me He is actually right here with me doing something greater that I could have imagined! And I will see Him at some point!

That's awesome!  I get to "work through" my times of disappointment with Jesus and not get "stuck" there!  He is with me!  He is alive!

That's good news today!  He is always up to something good in our lives even when we cannot see it .... or Him at the time!

WOW!

Enjoy!

delton

"Resurrection - Again!"

Welcome to today's PoG Blog! The reading for today is the resurrection account from Luke 24!  Below is a portion of that reading!

⁵ And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, ⁷ that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” ⁸ And they remembered his words,

As I looked at what the reading was for today - now several weeks after Easter - I thought, "Resurrection Again?" !  As I caught myself thinking that way it was followed by the thought (I think Spirit prompted) "Resurrection is for everyday!"

It is so important for me to remember that!  If Jesus rose from the dead then He is alive today and is working by His Spirit to bring resurrection life into my life and yours today!  Resurrection is for everyday - for today!

As I reread the passage from this perspective the phrase, " “Why do you seek the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here, but has risen" caught the attention of my heart!  The angel's question is poignant and telling.  We human beings do look for "life among dead things".  I look for "life among dead things"! I wouldn't look for a new born in a morgue!  

I am not sure what this means for me today but I sense that as I mull the angel's statement around in my head today the Holy Spirit will be asking me, "Delton, Why are you looking for the living among the dead?"  Perhaps when I need some peace in the midst of anxiety I will turn to a quick prayer instead of an act of control or outburst of anger.  Perhaps when someone disappoints me today I will see my natural responses (like a biting remark or roll of the eyes) as a graveyard of tombstones and hear the Spirit's whisper, "don't look there - there is no life there - look to the One who is not there - He is Risen!"

This should me an interesting day asIi open my life up to NOT look for the living among the dead!

He is Risen - and that matters Today!

Enjoy,

delton

5.03.14 "Make a JOYFUL NOISE to the LORD!"

Focus on God for a few moments asking His Spirit to speak to your heart. Listen to Him by reading the scripture,  dwelling on the words and phrases that capture your heart.  Pray everything that is on your heart and mind!

Psalm 98

ESV

Oh sing to the Lord a new song,     for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm     have worked salvation for him. ² The Lord has made known his salvation;     he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. ³ He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness     to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen     the salvation of our God.

⁴ Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;     break forth into joyous song and sing praises! ⁵ Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,     with the lyre and the sound of melody! ⁶ With trumpets and the sound of the horn     make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

⁷ Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;     the world and those who dwell in it! ⁸ Let the rivers clap their hands;     let the hills sing for joy together ⁹ before the Lord, for he comes     to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness,     and the peoples with equity.

Please share your heart!

5.02.14 "The Helper is HERE!"

Focus on God for a few moments asking His Spirit to speak to your heart. Listen to Him by reading the scripture,  dwelling on the words and phrases that capture your heart.  Pray everything that is on your heart and mind!

John 14:25-27

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁵ “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. ²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Please share your heart! How is the Spirit helping you?

5.01.14 "Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit"

Focus on God for a few moments asking His Spirit to speak to your heart. Listen to Him by reading the scripture,  dwelling on the words and phrases that capture your heart.  Pray everything that is on your heart and mind!

John 14:15-19

English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

¹⁵ “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,^[a] to be with you forever, ¹⁷ even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be^[b] in you.

¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

Please share your heart! What is God speaking into it?

4.30.14 "Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures"

Focus on God for a few moments asking His Spirit to speak to your heart. Listen to Him by reading the scripture,  dwelling on the words and phrases that capture your heart.  Pray everything that is on your heart and mind!

Luke 24:40-49

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴⁰ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹ And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish,^{[a] 43} and he took it and ate before them.

⁴⁴ Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, ⁴⁶ and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, ⁴⁷ and that repentance and^[b] forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Please share your heart!

4.29.14 "Jesus Appears to the Disciples"

Focus on God for a few moments asking His Spirit to speak to your heart. Listen to Him by reading the scripture,  dwelling on the words and phrases that capture your heart.  Pray everything that is on your heart and mind!

John 20:19-23

English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

¹⁹ On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews,^[a] Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” ²² And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Please share your heart!

4.28.14 "Peace Be With You!"

John 20:19-23 ¹⁹ On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

One of the most brilliant rays of sunshine that GOD blessed my life with was my Mom.   No matter what was happening in my life her words, smile, and touch made it all better.   That kind and gentle ray of sunshine went dark shortly after I graduated from college. Mom lost her battle with cancer. She did not go quietly in her sleep. Her illness was fraught with pain and suffering, physically for her, emotionally for those of us who watched helplessly. This was the first lost my immediate family had experienced and it was a doozy. Mom was the glue that kept the family together, our spiritual heart and soul. Her loss revealed cracks in what I had always thought was a rock solid family foundation.   Things would never be the same. We would all have to adjust to a new normal.

This is the only way I can relate to the way I believe the disciples must have felt in the aftermath of the loss of CHRIST.   They had to be traumatized beyond description, hiding, and living with this horrific loss absolutely scared to death they would be next.   But that’s where the story changes. The risen CHRIST appears leaving no doubt that HE is GOD and that death is not the end.   Things would never be the same. CHRIST established a new normal.

Though rocked to its core and changed forever my family’s foundation remained intact and, over time actually grew stronger. Slowly each of us began to recognize that GOD had been busy putting people and plans in our path that would see us through the storm long before the first cloud even appeared.   There would be more funerals and more storms, but in the midst of those times that followed there was also something else -- peace.   For those of us who believe, we know death is not the end. In today’s passage, the “peace” the risen LORD offered the disciples more than two thousand years ago is the same “peace” HE offers us today.   The grave is not the end. Life wins!!!

Gracious Heavenly FATHER thank you so much for rewriting the end of my Mom’s story and changing normal forever! She lives and we live because YOU live. Remind us when the storms come that we are no longer condemned but free to live in absolute joy and peace. In CHRIST’s Name we pray, Amen.

James 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!

Psalm 103

1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

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

4.25.14 "Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ"

Romans 6:5-11 NIV- 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin- 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

This is Great News! Let’s CELEBRATE JESUS today!

I am celebrating my life Today; for many years ago, God chose this day for me to begin my earthly life!   He chose me and gave me life! (Thank you God!) J

I am also celebrating my Life in Christ, because Jesus saved my life when he touched my heart and told me that He Loves Me! He changed my life at that moment in time from one of loneliness, worthlessness, and meaningless to one who is loved, cared for, and wanted (Thank you Jesus!). On that wonderful day in my life, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I gave my life to him and he filled me with His Holy Spirit! (Thank you Jesus!)

[When someone saves your, life you want to tell that person, how grateful you are for saving your life. You feel indebted to that person for the rest of your life. You want to do something to repay them, because they are your hero. There is a bond of love and feeling of owing them your life. ]

Because Jesus saved my life by His Death and Resurrection, He is my Hero! I love Him and I give my life to Him-Fully and Completely! I am overfilled with the Joy of the Holy Spirit! I died with Christ, and I am raised spiritually with Christ, Once for all!

I first gave my life to God when I was young, but it has not been easy (as we all can relate to) to stay totally committed to him.   I have gone up and down in my commitment level to him.   I have struggled with doing what God wanted me to do vs. doing what I wanted to do. At first I was so overjoyed to be rescued and I was eager to please God. I tried to do it all in my own strength, to prove how good I was to God, to win his love and approval. Over time I could not keep up. I stopped trying so hard, I didn’t think it really mattered.   I wandered away from God spiritually.   I grumbled and complained about my life. I had my private pity parties. I was envious of l others whose lives seemed to be so much better than mine. I stopped trusting God to lead me and help me. I felt anxious and stressed out about all my responsibilities for family and for other groups we were a part of then. I feared the world around us that was filled with so many dangers, I did not want to even go out and do anything.   Life became a chore! Ugh!

I thought God had shut me out, but it was really I who had shut him out.   I was choosing to live without the power of the Holy Spirit. I was choosing to follow the way of death. I shut Christ and Life out!

“WHEN FEAR COMES – PRAY HARDER”   “ABSORB MORE JESUS!”

Because of Jesus, I did not totally give up or totally turn away. Jesus pursued me and brought me back to Him. I knew deep down I could not live without Him.

I prayed for God to help me! He woke me up and revived me. He breathed life into me. He forgave me and freed me from my self-destruction!

“LIFE IS IN. FEAR IS OUT!”

Now, my life is so much better! Everyday I get up with my husband and we worship and pray together! We haven’t done that in a long time. God is working in both of us; changing our hearts as we choose The Way of Life together! (Praise God)

Also, My daughters and I have started doing the Jesus Calling Devotional by Sarah Young together before school each day. (Praise God!) These have been the desires of my heart for a long time! J

Now, as I open myself up to His Holy Spirit more and more, he has been opening new doors to me. I am learning to listen more carefully to Him, and I am trying to just do what he is calling me to do. But I am still a work in progress (as we all are).

I am excited to see where His Way of Life will lead me as I journey towards my final destination! I already know where the way of death leads and I don’t want to live there anymore! “DEATH WILL NOT WIN!   LIFE WINS!”

HE HAS RISEN! HE HAS RISEN INDEED! HALLELUJAH!

Dear Jesus, you are my hero, you are my Lord, and Savior! Thank you for going through a terrible death for me. I praise God that He raised you up from the grave and freed me from my sins and eternal death., once for all. With you I am also raised to life, today and forever! I’m looking forward to the day when we will be face to face, but for now I place my hope and trust in you to lead me and guide me in the way you want me to go. The Way of Life!     Amen!

Patrice

4.24.14 "Overflowing with HOPE!"

Welcome to the PoG blog! Please pray:

Lord of the Universe,

I come before you today acknowledging that you are God and I am not. I confess to you all of my sins, including those that I will commit today. Please forgive me, and wash me in the cleansing blood of Jesus shed on the cross. I thank you for creating me, loving me, and buying me back from sin, death, and the devil. Thank you also for all the physical gifts and spiritual gifts you have blessed me with. God, please speak to me and work in me during these next minutes as I focus on your Word.

In Christ Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!

1 Peter 1:3 – 9

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.   

He is risen! Christ is risen, indeed!! Hallelujah!!!

I love Holy Week and Easter. It is so rich. As beautiful as Christmas is, the symbol of our faith is a cross, not a manger. Part of what makes Easter so rich is that it gives me so much HOPE and draws forth PRAISE. I think that is what Peter is writing about in the above scripture. Look at how many places he speaks of hope and praise: “Praise be to the God”, “a living hope”, “in all this you greatly rejoice”, “may result in praise, glory, and honor”, “are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy”.

Peter recognizes that life will be no bed of roses and we will have to endure hardships for a little while. But even in the midst of that, Christians have reason to be full of hope, because of Jesus’ victory over death at Easter. And Christians should overflow in praise and worship. Because of God’s mercy and love for us, we are full of joy which leads us to want to praise God at all times and in all circumstances.

“This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” As we go about living our lives today, let’s remember what Christ did for us on the cross and in the empty tomb. May that remembering help us to live lives of HOPE and PRAISE!

Mark

Believe It or Not!

Good morning! Our Scripture for today is John 20: 24-31 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord! But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came in and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

This passage always reminds me of my humanity and Jesus’ perfection. As a grumpy, fault-finding human, I would have jumped on what Thomas did wrong and let him know I was irritated that he didn’t trust me or our friends. I would definitely not let life win; just the opposite. But in His perfection and loving gentleness, Jesus doesn’t condemn Thomas; instead He invites Thomas to touch His wounds and believe. He then uses Thomas’ “I’ll believe it when I see it” attitude to remind us that we won’t have the benefit of seeing before believing. We must believe by faith that Jesus is present when we invite Him to be. The notes in my study Bible sum it up well: “A physical appearance would not make Jesus any more real to us than He is now.” Jesus IS real and Jesus IS alive; seeing and touching Him would not make him any more real or alive – He either is, or He isn’t. We choose to believe, through faith given by God, that Jesus is not only real, He is ALIVE.

Are we like Thomas sometimes, wishing we could touch Him and have a face-to-face conversation? Of course! It is in those times we have to remember He is present and even though He can’t be seen by our weak human eyes, He will always reveal Himself to our hearts – if we only ask and believe. Let’s pray together the prayer from our Easter Sunday worship:

Jesus, I sincerely receive you as my life, my holiness and strength, and I receive all the work and triumph of your resurrection, through which you have conquered sin and death and judgment. Death has no mastery over you, nor does any foul thing. And I have been raised with you to a new life, to live your life – dead to sin and alive to God. I now take my place in your resurrection and in your life, through which I am saved by your life. I reign in life through your life. I receive your life – your humility, love and forgiveness, your integrity in all things, your wisdom, discernment and cunning, your strength, your joy, your union with the Father. Apply to me the fullness of your resurrection. I receive it with thanks and give it total claim to my spirit, soul and body, my heart, mind and will. Amen.

Be bold and be blessed, friends! Jennifer

Life Wins!

Matthew 28:1-10 1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

It is here in these few verses of Matthew where death (which had been with humanity since the original sin of Adam and Eve) lost and Life Won! With Christ’s prophecy-fulfilling resurrection, we no longer need fear death, but now can live confidently in our eternal LIFE with him in heaven!

It seems appropriate that the two women who kept the faith, who were with Jesus through the lowest points in his earthly life … both his crucifixion and his burial (Matt 27:55-56, 61), were the first ones to receive the good news at the empty tomb of our Lord’s resurrection and our eternal LIFE!

As they are receiving this wondrous news, the women are asked two things. First, is to believe (“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”)! Second, they are asked to tell the Good News (“Go quickly and tell his disciples” and “Go and tell my brothers …”)!

In this time of Easter, we are asked to do likewise. Believe that through Jesus’ resurrection, death has lost and LIFE has WON! With this wondrous news, we can’t help but spread this Gospel of LIFE to those around us.

He is risen! He is risen indeed, Hallelujah! John H.

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 heart preparations for Easter Sunday? How does it relate to the message of Holy Week? Enjoy reading, meditating, and sharing your thoughts with others today!

The Burial of Jesus

57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Please share how you are processing Holy Week and your heart preparation for Easter Sunday! We love hearing from you! May blessings abound over you and yours!

4.17.2014 "DIRTY FEET?—PLEASE LET ME WASH THEM!"

John 13:9-17 New International Version (NIV)

⁹ “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

¹⁰ Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” ¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

When I read these verses several words came to mind: HUMILITY, SELFLESS, NON-JUDGMENTAL, ACTION & SERVICE.

Humility-“⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” Our Savior, Our King, The Son of God assumes the lowest of tasks. The job of the most low of the low. The task of washing the disciples’ feet! When I think of this, the 1^st thing that comes to mind is my wife despises my feet even touching her. She gets really upset if my feet touch her anywhere. I like to think of my feet as half way clean. But the Disciples walked in sandals & the roads were not paved like today, but very dirty & dusty. Add to that a little moisture, sweat-well you get the picture. And here is the Son of God not only touching, but actually washing these filthy, nasty feet. You have to really love & care for someone to humble yourself this much to perform such a demeaning task.

Selfless-For the reasons outlined above. HE didn’t care what the others thought. HE didn’t care how demeaning it was. HE was providing the example for us to follow.

Non-Judgmental-Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray him. He washed Judas’ nasty feet anyway. I have a hard time being civil with someone that I know dislikes me, or that has done something behind my back. And here is Jesus washing the nasty, grimy feet of the very person that will betray him & turn him over for his ultimate crucifixion. There is my model, if Christ can do that without judging, then I can turn my other cheek & forgive someone that talks about me behind my back.

Action-Jesus calls his disciples to action to Service. “¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” He provides the blueprint for us to serve & BLESS our fellow man. He calls us to action, to serve all that we come in contact with. To Bless everyone humbly, selflessly & without judging. That is our calling-To be a disciple & to extend God’s Love, Message & Forgiveness to all people that we encounter.

And tonight as we worship for Maundy Thursday, think about Jesus’ washing of His Disciples feet.   As you wipe the feet of the person in line behind you before partaking of communion think about how our Savior humbly served by washing those nasty, disgusting disciple’s feet.

It is a symbolic act. But more than that, it is our call to humbly serve Our Lord & Savior without judgment by following His example.

I truly feel humbled that Jesus has called meto serve & make disciples. Do you feel called to BLESS others? I would love to hear from you.

Jerry

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.

4/16/2014 "Who is This?"...

Good morning all! Father, thank you for this time together. May we hear your voice in the very depths our hearts and be inspired to action…following Jesus in the way and the path you have marked out for each of us, bringing glory to Your Holy Name. Amen.  

John 13 (NKJV)

13 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

² And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, ³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, ⁴ rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. ⁵ After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. ⁶ Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”

⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

⁸ Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”

 Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

Well, let’s dig in. In staying on our topic “Who is This?”, I think these verses have a lot more to do with our topic than just the “action” of this event…but then again, the “action” is what He is all about…and therefore, in following Him this “action” becomes our way…whether we fully understand or not.

Until I got down to verse 3 “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands” - I was just reading the story, and wondering why Pastor hadn’t included the verses that would give us “the rest of the story”.

Then I began to look at what Jesus is telling us through the Apostle John…that He, being the Son of God, is our sovereign Lord and Savior, with whom God the Father has entrusted the entire world…and He fully understands His mission, in which He obediently…willingly will do whatever is required…all the way to the cross..and back to the Father…and why? ”... having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”. What Good News!

That’s when I began to understand Why Pastor had seemingly pulled up short here. If I would have read on, then this would have become just another “Easter Season Story” and how is Jim going to better apply it to his life (not a bad thing)…versus our pattern of thinking getting interrupted…looking through a different lens…going to a place where Jesus is messing with us…so as to discern and understand, and therefore not to miss the true meaning of His “unexpected” action.

I understand Peter’s honest, heartfelt reaction to what Jesus wanted to do for him…he knew who Jesus was, the Promised One, the Christ, our Messiah..and Peter wasn’t going to have any part of any “action” that would diminish Jesus stature as our King…he just didn’t fully understand His mission. So now, I think…I hope…I get it. Jesus mission is to wash each of us so we can be with Him!...and what a washing it is! Given to us by a Servant King…who by His humble “action” of grace & love, has filled the “leadership void” in all our lives, enabling us to faithfully, confidently, yet humbly, be on mission with Him.

May we all be so humble…yet bold in all we do, by the Spirit of the Son!

Blessings to you and yours,

jim