6.13.14 "Life by the Spirit"

  Life by the Spirit

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.

Galatians 5:22-26

The Message (MSG)

^22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

^23-24 Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

^25-26 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

I missed Pastor’s message about marriage and “love’s possibilities” on Sunday, but our son brought the message notes home for me to study this week.

Jim and I have been blessed with 35 years of marriage, and I am so thankful we began our lives together rooted in our Christian faith.  However, looking back, in the beginning, it was a very superficial faith compared to the kind of relationship we long for now, in the Spirit.  We were very “faithful” to attend church on Sunday, attend Bible class, and were involved in our home church life.  As verse 23 above says, it was a very legalistic relationship we had with our Jesus – I sort of mindlessly walked through my life with Jesus then.

In some ways, lately, I feel like a very new believer, because I’m working hard to shed my old ways of thinking about relationship with Jesus.  And in the context of marriage, this new relationship really is challenging me.  I feel that it is a new kind of life in the Spirit, and my old habits of going through the motions of “shoulds” and “we’ve always done things this way” have very little meaning for me.  I’m excited and so thankful that God’s word reminds me that I’m an original, and better still, I’m to remember that everyone around me is an original, and my goal is to have affection and compassion for them.  Less me, more Jesus.  Less me, more husband.  Less me, more everyone around me.  We have so much to look forward to in our marriage, looking through the lens of the Holy Spirit.

Dear Father, thank you for your Word, that reminds us to dwell in the Spirit.  From that perspective “we have far more interesting things to do in this life”.  We praise you and we thank you for this!  Amen.

kristi

Second Fiddles, Art Supplies, & Belly Laughs

Romans 12:9-16 (The Message)

Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

“Father, thank You for Your Word today. Help me to be still; to put aside all the noise of the world around me, and to listen, really listen to what You are saying to me now. I Love You.  Amen.”

“Practice playing second fiddle….” I can remember back in school, trying out for a play or a sport, and not making the lead role or first base. I can remember the tears of my own children who did not get a great part or major position on the baseball team they were trying out for. And we would cry. And then at some point I would gently remind them, “Maybe it’s someone else’s turn to be the star. Maybe God needs you to be in the background and help someone else to shine.”

“Lord, where in my life do you want me to be content with ‘second fiddle’? Who do you want me to help to ‘shine’ today?”

“Be inventive in hospitality…” One of my all-time favorite memories of creative hospitality happened at Point of Grace four or five years ago. A dear lady, Priscilla, had just lost her husband, Juan. Her daughter Ruthie went to the same school as the Jost’s children. Lisa Jost  heard about what had happened and reached to them.  Instead of food or a card or money, (which are also wonderful gifts of love) she found out Ruthie and Juan used to spend time painting and drawing. So, Lisa gave her a basket of art supplies, paints, brushes, paper, etc.   It was certainly inventive, and meant so much to Priscilla that someone took time to find out more about her Ruthie! Many of you know these families – and Priscilla and Ruthie have been a part of the Point of Grace Family ever since! I love this example of inventive hospitality and more importantly, how this basket of art supplies led to a friendship, and ultimately to a new relationship between Priscilla and Jesus Christ!

“Lord, is there someone in my life today that You are asking me to reach out to? Please open my eyes to notice. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and give me a creative, inventive way to love this person.”

“Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down.” “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (NIV) Just last night, I got to spend time catching up with a very dear friend. Quite a few times the laughter was uncontrollable. It felt so good to share a good belly-laugh with her. And we also mourned with one another and shed a few tears as we caught up on life and it’s challenges. Within our church family, we have mourned alongside families who’s loved ones are now in heaven. We share joy with our brothers and sisters in Christ who have found jobs, or have announced that they are expecting a baby. That is how God intended the Body of Christ to function - to love one another!

“Thank You Father, for giving me wonderful friends to laugh and to cry with. Thank You for knowing what we would need here on earth, and providing such a wonderful plan of the Body of Christ. You know that we need one another. You know that we need someone to rejoice with and to mourn with. Thank You so much! Help us to love one another in these ways. Thank You for giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ, who gives us the example to follow in all of these ways. Help us to be more like Him today, Amen.”

Please take time to share any stories or thoughts that these verses bring to your mind! That is one way to share this Love – by writing it out on these Blogs – it encourages one another, builds each other up, and gives great testimony to the Father and how He is working in our lives.

Have a wonderful day! -dawn

5.11.14 "Love After You Messed Up!"

Welcome! Lord Jesus, come by your Spirit I pray and speak to my heart through your word!

1 Corinthians 13:1-8a  "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains,but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,but do not have love, I gain nothing. ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.⁸ Love never fails."

Even though I have heard this passage read, especially at weddings, so many times it still pours great meaning into my soul as I read and contemplate it again.  What grabs me today is the repeated phrase, "...but do not have love, I am nothing."  

As I contemplate this in the context of last Sunday's message about marriage relationships in Ephesians 5, I am drawn to a humbling conclusion.  Love is the real "salt and pepper" of my relationship ability with people and I can have the greatest of gifts but without love to adorn the use of those gifts I wind up amounting to "nothing"!  However, even the simplest acts of love that reveals something of patience, grace, hope, forgiveness, celebration, honor and perseverance - seasons my connection with others in profound ways that I cannot imagine!.

As I write this I am remembering a missed opportunity I had over the last several days to reach out with a simple act of love to a friend who has suffered a loss.  I missed it!  I had the chance to season our relationship with a simple act of love at an opportune time and I missed it.  I regret that!

What do I do now?

My mind immediately went into defense and excuse mode! Self-justification for missing opportunities is rarely satisfying!

Then I started to engage myself-condemnation/failure mode!  That did not go anywhere positive!

Then I tried the grace/love path!  Now we are getting somewhere!

I remembered that this love - explained above - is how I have been loved by God and really how I am loved by this person.  God has seasoned His relationship with me with love for a long time.  So I can receive forgiveness from God and myself while now thinking creatively (not guiltily) about how I can still show this person love even though I missed the prime opportunity!  Love seasons hopeless situations with life and joy and creativity!

Love always gives me another chance!  I get to love today even though I missed opportunities yesterday!  That is the way I have been loved by God - in the midst of my failures He continues to love me!  I get to "salt and pepper" the relationship with my friend with love today even though I missed an opportunity to season it before because love is patient, kind and hopeful ------ and keeps no record of wrongs!

How does all this strike you?

delton

5.11.2014 "The Way of Love!"

Father, please fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we may be holy as You are holy! May Your holiness be seen in us and through us. Shape us to do Your will so that You may receive glory due to Your Name! In Jesus Name! AMEN

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Way of Love

13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,^[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵ or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;^{[b] 6} it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

⁸ Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

How does this Scripture strike your heart today? Please share your thoughts!

5.9.14 "Submission!"

Welcome to the PoG blog!

Thank you for taking the time to check out today’s blog.  One way we honor God is with how we spend our time.  You are entering into a time of intentional connection with the maker of the universe, our Heavenly Father!  Before you start reading the scripture verse chosen for today,

please spend some time in prayer.  I recommend you ask God to: 1) free you from any distractions that might keep you from focusing on God’s word 2) quiet your heart and mind so you would be able to clearly hear His voice and 3) speak to you through his Holy Word and through this time of prayer and meditation.

Ephesians 5:22 – 27

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

 ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

I found myself thinking of a number of married couples, specifically my wife and I and a close relative and her husband, as Pastor Delton preached on Ephesians 5 this Sunday.  The word that keeps coming into my consciousness is “submission”.  God is calling husbands to submit to Him and wives to submit to their husbands.  I love the definition given for submission – submission is a surrender of the absoluteness of my personal will.

As I look back at the times when there was serious conflict in our marriage I can see now that I was pretty much sticking to the absoluteness of my personal will.  If I’d had an attitude more along the lines of “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” as I related to my wife, I’m convinced our level of conflict would have decreased significantly.

My number one responsibility in my role as a husband is to love my wife.  Love is the first and most important thing a woman is looking for from her husband.  If the wife does not feel loved I am fairly certain there will be troubles in the marriage.  When my wife and I were having some pretty serious problems, we spoke to a couple we both respected.  The woman told me I needed to “win back my wife’s heart; demonstrate to her (not just with words) that you truly do love her”.  I took that to heart and it has made a huge difference in our marriage.

Submission is critical in the life of a Christian: whether married or single, male or female, young or old.  May God grant us the strength and courage to submit to God and to each other!

May God bless your day,

Mark

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.”

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

6.05.2014 NOW EVERY DAY IS TURKEY DAY-LET US GIVE THANKS!

NOW EVERY DAY IS TURKEY DAY-LET US GIVE THANKS!  

Colossians 3:15-17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I highlighted the phrases that jumped out at me in these 3 verses:  Be thankful, with gratitude, giving thanks.

Pastor has been talking about shedding my old clothes & my old self.  Frankly my old self was not that pretty (especially without my clothes).  My old self took things for granted.  My old self seemed to always be asking for more money, more fun, more things, more…  My old self dealt with what was best for me.

Paul is challenging the Colossians & us to an attitude of thankfulness through all relationships-   relationships with each other & in our relationship with God.  He wants us to be thankful in everything that we say or do.  Now, I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time with this thanking thing.  I hate being indebted to someone.  I don’t mind giving to or helping someone, but I have a really hard time accepting gifts, praise, help-anything where I am indebted.

Yet Paul tells us to be thankful.  Don’t shrug it off.  Don’t accept it.  BE THANKFUL WITH GRATITUDE IN MY HEART.

So in my new life (& as pastor says it is a growth process that takes time, motivation & incentive) I am going to try to be more appreciative of my fellow man, not take things for granted & THANK GOD from the 1^st breath I take each morning when I get up to the last thing that I do in the evening before I close my eyes.  I am going to treat every day as THANKSGIVING DAY.  Thanksgiving is no longer just in November, it is 24/7 365 days a year.  Whether I get turkey or not, I will give THANKS!

I am going to try on this new suit.  It may feel tight & itchy & not as comfortable as my old suit, but I am filled with the Holy Spirit & excited about my future with God as the center of my universe.  I will give thanks & be glad in it.

How about you?  Are you interested in a new suit?  I would love to hear from you.

Jerry

Lord I come to you humbled that by Your grace I may have a new life.  Please use me as your willing & loving disciple reaching out to all as the light on the hill.  Please clear my mind & spirit as I listen to your words so that my words & actions become a symbol to all that I come into contact with today & in the future.  Thank You for loving me & forgiving me for my many sins without judging me.  I love you.  I praise you!   I adore you!  Amen.

Father God, thank You for Your Word and for the Light of Jesus teaching us how to live by Your Word! May we all learn from today's Scripture and be blessed by Your Presence in our day. Thank You, Father, for loving us so that we can love You! In Jesus Name, Amen! Today's Scripture is Ephesians 5: 8- 17

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible - and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

If you haven't had a chance to listen to hear Pastor Delton's message from yesterday (June 1st) please work a little time into your day to go to www.pointofgracechurch.org/social.php, click on "Empty NO More" and listen. It will truly bless your day!

In particular, Pastor shared a story about Merry, a long-time Point of Grace member who went to the waiting arms of Jesus last week. His words about Merry being a light for God were so moving and so very true. She was a real-life model for so many of us about how to fall in love with God and live our lives dedicated to Him. In today's passage, Paul is sharing some great motivators for keeping our focus on Jesus, one in particular that Merry learned and lived out: living as the Light of the Lord. We actually become His Light when we let Jesus permeate our lives so completely that we can't help but look like Him in everything we do. Living like this, in turn, shines His light on the people around us; we not only get Jesus in us, we get to share Him with everyone around us! That is a win-win if there ever was one!

Blessings, friends! 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!

Psalm 34

Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 22 The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

5.27.2014 The World is Watching

Dear Heavenly Father,   I Love you and praise you as my Creator and Sustainer.  You love me and desire what is best for me.   Thank you for that love which is given freely and without boundaries.  Help me listen to your words and be willing to apply them to my life.  Forgive me Lord for wanting my own way and not totally surrendering to you.  I need you Jesus.  I Love you Lord and desire to live my life to bring you honor and praise and glory because you alone are worthy.     In Jesus Name I pray.     Amen Ephesians 5:3-7

New International Version (NIV)

^“3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^[a]

 ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

 ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.”

Wow!!!  How do people see me?  Do people see my life as being different from the world?   Sunday Pastor Delton said “Jesus calls His church to unity and purity that the world might know him.”  Jesus wants my actions and my words to be uplifting and wholesome so people will see Him living in me.  I need to daily put on my new self.

Do I have any immorality, impurity, or greed?   Are my words wholesome and thankful?

The world is watching.  What do they see?   What do they hear?

Are my words empty or full of the Life of Jesus?

A few years ago, over a 3 year time span, a lot of changes occurred in my life and I chose to allow bitterness to take over. At that time, God removed me from some of the work He had given me to do.  My words had become harmful and empty and dead.  Sometimes I knew when I had spoken harshly.  Sometimes I was totally surprised when I later realized my words had been empty and hurtful.   During that time God worked in my heart, through the Holy Spirit, to convict me of my sin so I would repent and put on my new self again.  He placed people in my life to encourage me with their love.  The problem was I did not want to stop feeling sorry for myself BUT God did not give up on me.  He placed the desire in my heart to be restored to Him.  It did not matter what had happened. He was still God.  I remembered His promises to be with me, that He loved me and I am His.  He is my Redeemer and my Savior.  God did not change. I did.  I repented and received His forgiveness.  Every day I need to be still and remember that He alone is God.  Each day I need to put on my new self and start walking in the light of the Lord.   After a time He graciously restored me and gave me work to do.  I am so glad He protected His people from me but never turned from me.   I am so thankful to have such a gracious, merciful and loving Heavenly Father. I want my life to be totally surrendered to Jesus.  He is worthy of my all.

The world is watching you.

What in your life needs to be addressed and changed so it will honor and glorify God?

My Dear Lord Jesus I come to you now to be restored in you, to be renewed in you, to receive your love and your life, and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need today.  You alone are my God and I honor you and surrender every aspect of my life totally and completely to you.  I thank you Lord for always being with me. Forgive me for my pride and selfishness and protect the people who would turn from you because of me.  Help me to live a life worthy of being your child.  Amen

Charleen

5.26.14 "Are You Sure You Want to Wear That?"

Ephesians 4:29-5:2 ²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5 ¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Three things stuck out to me from this powerful passage and yesterday’s message.   First, during the service on Sunday, Pastor delivered a stunning visual demonstration of today’s passages.  He used an old suit coat given to him by a funeral home director to symbolize the old “self” (dead man’s clothes) and the suit coat he purchased and wore at his daughter’s wedding to symbolize the new “self”.   He also attached a sign to himself that was present regardless of which suit coat he was wearing which read “GOD lives in me.”  One of the most meaningful moments of his sermon for me was when he put on both coats, one on each arm, with that sign awkwardly pinned to his chest.   What a mess!  Seeing this poignant visual demonstration brought home to me just how conflicted I often am and, how absolutely lost I must appear to those who trust and depend on me.

Second, the first words of this passage are extremely powerful.  Again, the words from the sermon yesterday resonated.  Of all the creatures that live on the earth only humans speak!  The spoken word is so very powerful.  Consider that before a bill becomes law it must be read aloud at least three times.   Spoken words created the universe and brought humanity into existence.  How important is it then that we understand the power of the spoken word both in the positive and the negative; both publicly and privately.    How many times have we spoken something in anger (or ignorance) that we wish we could take back.  How many times have we not spoken up and later, often when it is too late wish we had.  Indeed, this is a powerful message and heartfelt warning to us about the power of the spoken word.

Lastly, once we believe, we are redeemed, and that changes everything.  We don’t change out of fear but out of love, because with CHRIST in us we are conflicted when we think and behave in any way that opposes his will and purpose for us.  We do not change so that we will be loved; we change because we are loved.  Once we believe, our fate and destiny is sealed according to this passage.   Once we believe we cannot un-believe (there is no such word), we can only doubt.  Our faith grows and our doubt diminishes as we strive to wear the new suit custom tailored by our Heavenly FATHER, paid for by our Savior, JESUS CHRIST, and express delivered to us by the HOLY SPIRIT!

Heavenly FATHER, we thank and praise you this day that our fate is sealed and our destiny assured because of YOUR great love.  When we discover today that we have slipped into our dead man`s clothing because it is so easy for us to do, give us the strength and discipline we need to surrender to the new self you have handcrafted for us from YOUR great love.  In CHRIST name we pray.  Amen! 

"Try Harder..... Maybe Not!"

Welcome to the PoG Blog! Digest these amazing verses!

^"5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15

Last Sunday we reengaged with Paul's letter to the Ephesians in chapter 4 when he gets really practical about actually "living out" the christian life!  In these verses recorded by John Jesus talks practically about living out our lives with Him!

What's the most important part about living out the Christian life?

Jesus says, "Remain in Me!"

We have two choices in figuring out how to follow Jesus in the practical-ness of daily life!

We can try real hard to be good and not bad or we can "remain in Jesus" like a branch stays connected to the vine.

Fruit is not optional in the Christ following life!  We must bear fruit!  Jesus says, the key to fruit bearing is not just trying, trying, trying!  The key is connecting, connecting, connecting to Jesus and fully surrendering to His life which flows through us to bear fruit!

I simply love the practicality of these verses!  I truly do want to live a life that looks more and more like Jesus!  These verses take the pressure off!  I get to connect, surrender and produce as God works in and through me!

It takes the pressure off and brings great purpose into my life!

WOW!

delton

5.22.2014 "In Your Anger Do Not Sin!"

Welcome to the PoG blog! Please pray:

Dear Jesus, my Lord and Savior,

I love you, Jesus!  I love you, Jesus!  I love you, Jesus!  I adore you and

I give you praise and worship.  I confess to you all of my sins, and I ask you to

forgive my sins in the name of Jesus.  Help me not to sin again.  Thank you for

your great sacrifice for me on the cross of Calvary.  Thank you for this time of

worship, prayer, and meditation on your Word.  Please give me an open and receptive

heart as I read your Word.  Please help me to hear your voice now and throughout

this day.

In the precious and powerful name of Jesus I pray.  Amen!

Psalm 4:3 – 5

³ Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;     the Lord will hear when I call to him.

⁴ In your anger do not sin;     when you are on your beds,     search your hearts and be silent. ⁵ Offer right sacrifices     and trust in the Lord.

In our worship this past Sunday, Delton continued the preaching on Ephesians that he had started before Easter.  Toward the end of the message time, he started getting into the second half of Ephesians 4.  In verse 26, Paul quotes from Psalm 4 above as he writes, “In your anger do not sin”.

As I look at these three verses from Psalm 4, I’m thinking that maybe the psalmist is giving me some ideas on how one can be both in a state of anger and yet not sinful, perhaps a sort of “righteous anger”?  First, verse 3 tells me the Lord will hear when I call to him.  The operative word here is WHEN.  God expects us to call out, to cry out to him when we are angry.  Who else could help us in our hour of need?  Second, in verse 4 he encourages us to get away/alone, look within ourselves and (most challenging to me!) to be silent.  This time of anger is a time for us to be quiet, reflective.  Third, we are told to offer sacrifices and trust in the Lord.  I’m not quite sure what to make of the part about sacrifices, but I know God is trustworthy.  God is saying:  “Trust me!  I know what you are angry about.  I hear your cries for help.  I’ll be with you and we’ll get through this together.”

The next time you feel yourself getting angry, think about the words of Psalm 4, take a deep breath, get off by yourself, look into your own heart, cry out to God and then trust Him.  He is faithful and He will be there even in your anger!

May God bless your day!

Mark

5.20.14 Let's Live Worthy of our Calling today!

Ephesians 4:1-3Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

I am not sure why God is bringing a certain memory to my mind this morning – but it really is “hanging in my heart and just won’t let go” so maybe He is using it to teach me more about this section of Scripture...

I remember a very early  experience I had at Point of Grace. I was helping with child care for ALPHA. There was an extremely unruly child that was really testing all of my patience and teaching skills! I dreaded each week when Alpha rolled around – and secretly hoped maybe his single-mother-parent wouldn’t be there this time. (ouch – I’m not proud – just being honest!) I remember the other woman helping with child care and myself having a discussion something like this, “Ach. Parents these days. This child should know better than this. Why, we behaved as children. We knew how to sit still and obey and play nice. What are things coming to? Tsk, tsk, tsk.”   (again, I am not proud of this.)

As the weeks unfolded, we learned more and more about this child and his home life. We learned more about the single parent and her background and her life story. She was not a Christian, she wasn’t raised in a Christian home, and she certainly never attended church were all the children magically sit still and behave like us! (ugh) When I learned her story, and understood more, my hard heart finally broke with empathy and compassion. All of a sudden, I looked at that child with new eyes, and a new heart, and treated him differently. Now, that time helping with child care, and the face of that child in my mind is one of my favorite memories of my years at PoG and how God was trying to shape us into a culture that loved and accepted His people - especially His people who did not yet know Him.

But the story doesn’t end there. I remember God digging just a little bit harder into my proud, arrogant, crusty heart and attitude toward others. “Dawn, why did you have to learn that child’s story before you began to love Him? Why couldn’t you show gentleness and kindness toward him just the way he was?”  (I am so sorry, Lord.)

I rest in this memory and the Scripture this morning with these thoughts….

I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

*To live a life worthy of my calling, I need to love all people, regardless of their behavior, regardless of if I “like” them, and treat them with kindness, love, gentleness, respect, JUST AS CHRIST TREATED ME AND STILL TREATS ME even though I am very unloveable.   I need to take time to get to know others, like we are learning in our BLESS focus where the E stands for Eat with them – spend time with them – get to know them - because of my love!

*BUT, I shouldn’t have to get to know them to love them. I should love all people I come into contact with EVEN IF I DON’T GET TO KNOW THEIR STORY!  This would be living a life worthy of my calling!

I am so grateful that God prompted that single-mother-parent to NOT stop coming to ALPHA!!! I am so glad that she kept bringing her son. They did not know the Savior when they walked through the doors at POG. They came to know Him, and were instantly Bought Back by Him! The salvation was instant – but the growth and maturity and change of behaviors took time.   I am so thankful God taught me this lesson and brought this memory back to me today.

Let's have a wonderful day loving someone that is different! Let's maybe ask them out for coffee! Let's get to know them – we may like them!  Hey, they may even start liking us! Let's also consider loving them already – even if we never get to know their story! Let's live life today worthy of our calling!

-dawn

5.19.14 "Called Out … to be a good Neighbor!"

Ephesians 4:25-27 (NIV)

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.

One of life’s blessings are good neighbors and a good neighborhood.  When the neighborhood relationships work, life can be so much more pleasant and enjoyable.  With good neighbors you can share food and share life.  They will watch your house (as you watch theirs) when you are gone.  They may even have children the same age as yours that become lifelong friends. 

But inevitably there is conflict with the neighbors.  They don’t mow their yards as often as you would like.  You just can’t believe the color they painted their house ... ugh.  Their dog barks at all hours of the night.  They have too many late night parties (where you weren’t invited).  Finally, you wish they would stop parking in front of your house.  After all, isn’t that your space?  Our reactions to these kinds of situations “give the devil a foothold” in our lives.

But, as Paul instructs us in these verses in Ephesians and as Jesus does in his second great commandment (Mark 12:31), the relationship with our neighbors holds a special place.  We must not spread lies and gossip about our neighbors.  Even if we occasionally get angry about what they do (as I’m sure they do with us), do not let that anger hang on.  In fact, resolve it immediately!  “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”  We must take special care of these relationships.

So remember, while we are Called to the highest standards of Christ-like behavior in all our relationships, this especially true in our relationships with our neighbors!

John H.

Saturday 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 100 A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

05.16.14 "The Good Shepherd"

Today’s scripture verses are: John 10:14-16

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”

Jesus calls himself the “Good Shepherd”.

He tells the disciples who he is in a way they can understand. I have an image of the good shepherd; like in Psalm 23. He cares for his sheep, and loves each one as if they were his children. He knows them each by name, and he knows their every need. He knows their tendencies and their ways.   He feeds them, he makes them lay down to rest, he protects them from dangers and keeps them in line with his rod and staff.

So if Jesus is the shepherd, that means we are the sheep!

We start out as cute and cuddly little lambs,; sweet and innocent, and grow into big sheep that get into trouble everyday. That is because we like to wander off and go our own way and try to take short cuts through life.

In Strong’s Concordance the word “know”, in the Greek means to understand; to be sure.

Jesus understands each of us individually. He knows for sure who we are and exactly what each of us needs.

This is amazing and mind boggling to think about. Think of all the people who have lived on the earth before us and all of the people who live now, and all of those who are yet to be born. Jesus knows everyone!

In verse 16, Jesus tells of more sheep in other pens, and that all his sheep know his voice and shall be one flock and have one shepherd. In my NIV Study Bible notes it says that this is referring to the future worldwide church! All around the world Christians are united through Christ! We are one flock with one shepherd.

This is so awesome to think about. Only God can talk to everyone at the same time and tell each of us what we need to hear individually. Only God has been around all down through the ages and knows everyone that ever lived!

Then to think that though there are millions of people on earth, God loves us each individually! He knows the number of hairs on our heads! That’s so amazing!

He cares for each one of us and he speaks to each one of us.

If we listen carefully, we can each hear our Good Shepherd’s voice. What is he saying to you?

Dear Jesus,

Please help each of us to hear the message that you have for us.   Help us each to tune into you and follow where you lead us. Help us to love you and trust you and to

Surrender our whole selves to you, Lord Jesus. Amen

Patrice

5.15.14 HERE’S THE PLAN-SIMPLE, DON’T SCREW IT UP

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 14:23-24

New International Version (NIV)

²³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. ²⁴ Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

Jesus I Love You. Jesus I Love You! Jesus I Love You!!!!

Seems pretty simple Love Jesus, Obey & Follow His Teachings & God, Our Father will Love me and will Welcome me to HIS House.

Loving means following His teachings. Following His Teachings means serving others. We love through our actions. Love is at the heart of Jesus’ words. So keeping Jesus’ words means loving one another. Seems pretty simple. Do that & God will love us and make a home for us.

So how can I screw it up? Because I’m human & humans by their very nature seem to mess up things. I have a better plan. I can build a better mousetrap. I can improve the plan. I can….

NO! Jesus provides a very simple blueprint. He even tells us that the blueprint is not His but His Father’s. All that I have to do is Love Jesus, Love My fellow man & serve others-Simple! It does not need to be complicated. It does not need to be improved. Just follow the plan-Love Jesus, Love One Another, Disciple & Serve.

God I Love you so much. God please forgive my human frailties. Please help me to live life abundantly and to love & serve others. Help me to not think of the glass as half empty but as half full. You have provided the blueprint to be loved & welcomed into Your house. Please give me the strength & desire to not stray but to follow Your plan. I LOVE YOU!

Jerry

5.14.14 "Jesus Promises Another Helper!"

Jesus Promises Another Helper 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 14:15-18 (NIV)

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

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

4.13.14 Do You Love Me? ~ JESUS

John 21:15-17 ¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

It’s funny when I read this scripture and I think to myself “Looks like I’m not the only one who needs repetition in order to understand a message!” and I feel some relief! I can be so hard-headed that people will tell me something and I will acknowledge it, shake my head, say “yes” or “ok” and then 2 minutes later I have forgotten what we were talking about. But sometimes people will tell me stories a couple of times, and I’ll finally get it after the second or third time. I feel my anxieties over these situations dissipate when I read this and I’m so grateful that I can clearly see that I’m not the only one who needs to be reminded a few times before I get it.

“Take care of my sheep”

I love that this is the reminder! LOVE! It’s the ultimate lesson we need to learn and it’s spelled out here three times so we don’t miss it! I always thought that loving people was an easy thing to do, but it’s something that I do struggle with from time-to-time. But that doesn’t stop me from trying to love everyone. I’m still working this out – the part where I actually SHOW others that I care about them rather than just assume they know I do, or where I keep people at arm’s length because I’m not sure I want to love them. But then I am reminded just how much I am loved and that, not only is it the biggest message from Jesus, but it’s a privilege to get to love them too! And to be loved in return….

Hi Papa, thank you for reminding us that this world is Yours and that Love prevails here. Show us how to love everyone, Lord, so we can honor You and what you have given us at a very high cost. We love you. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Toni