Point of Grace Online Worship - March 6, 2022

Point of Grace Worship 3.6.22 Sermon Notes – “Let Go to Hold On – The backwards way of Jesus!”

The backwards way of Jesus?

Die to live

Be last to be first

Be least to be great

Serve to Lead

Give away to receive

Let Go to Hold On

Following Jesus is a “Yes” to Him

But also a “No” to …….?

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Matthew 16

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. … 21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Peter has a “Self-Reliant-Self” along with a “God-Reliant-Self” … which one will lead Peter today?

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” Luke 9

What does “denying self … taking up my cross daily and following Jesus” look like?

The Self-Reliant-Self ……………. Has self in the center

The God-Reliant-Self ……………… Has God in the center

Following Jesus is a “Let Go and Hold On” Life … a “Yes to Jesus and No to Self” Life

Jesus, It is a step out in faith, trusting Your grace towards me as I ask You to reveal to me what it practically looks like this week for me to deny my “self-reliant-self” the lead and follow You with my “God-Reliant-Self” leading?

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Matthew 4:18-22 Tue – Luke 10:38-42 Wed – Matthew 9:9-13 Thu – Matthew 14:25-33 Fri – Matthew 16:21-25

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved

Point of Grace Online Worship - February 27, 2022

Point of Grace Worship 2.27.22 Sermon Notes – “He’s the One … Listen to Him”

Luke 9:28-36

The Transfiguration

What difference did it make then?

What difference does it make now?

Luke 9 28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

The Transfiguration

What difference did it make then?

What difference does it make now?

2 Peter 1 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[b] 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

Jesus is the ONE and Only

Listen to Him

He is Our Anchor and Compass

We need to trust Him as this for us right now!

Jesus,

Jesus what are you saying?

How do I live aligned with You every day?

I am listening!

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Luke 9:10-17 Tue – Luke 9:18-27 Wed – Luke 9:28-33 Thu – Luke 9:28-36 Fri – 2 Peter 1:13-18

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Point of Grace Online Worship - February 20, 2022

Point of Grace Worship    2.20.22 Sermon Notes – “Amazed and Astonished”

Luke 4:31-43

The Rescuer – Watch Jesus using His authority and power!

The Rebuked – Watch the demons and disease respond to Him!

The Rescued and Responding – Watch people, like you and me, respond to Him!

Luke 4 31 And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region. 38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them. 40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

The Rescuer – Jesus uses His authority and power:

• to rescue people … He is for us!

• with real kindness and goodness … no wonder they were astonished!  

The Rebuked – Demons and Disease

• Jesus is strategically restoring and correcting the painful results of a sin riddled world!

• Glimpses of a new kingdom with a new king!

• He is the One “all” powers must obey!  

The Rescued and Responding – People like you and me!

• Amazed and Astonished

• “Sought Him and came to Him”  

Jesus,

How do I respond to You in light of all this?

How do I live aligned with You every day?

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. Notice how Jesus uses his power and authority and how His kindness shows through. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Luke 4:31-37 Tue – Luke 4:38-44 Wed – Luke 5:12-16 Thu – Titus 3:3-8 Fri – John 10:7-16

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Point of Grace Online Worship - February 13, 2022

Freedom for the Captives           2/13/21

Luke 4:13-30

13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.

17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, 19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.

21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph's son?” 23 And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘“Physician, heal yourself.” What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’” 24 And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. 25

25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26 and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, he went away.

What is happening in this passage?

1. Jesus is announcing the arrival of The Kingdom of God

2. Jesus is defining His mission

"The creator has now come into the exiled world. With full control to make all things new and all things right. Jesus tames the forces of creation and brings harmony into the world."

Where Jesus is there true life is also found

Jesus’ mission particularly includes the outcasts both socially, spiritually and otherwise

Jesus invites us to join Him on His mission

We cannot join the healer unless we have been healed ourselves  

How do I find Identity, Belonging & Purpose?

“…What Madonna is looking for, what we are all looking for is an ultimate verdict that we are important and valuable. We look for that ultimate verdict [to affirm our identity] every day in all the situations and people around us. And that means that every single day, we are on trial. Every day, we put ourselves back in a courtroom“ Tim Keller The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness

How do I get that Ultimate Verdict? How do I get out of the Courtroom?

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week.

The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Luke 4:13-22

Tue – Luke 4:23-30

Wed – Romans 8:1-4

Thu – Luke 3:21-22

Fri – Ephesians 1:3-10

Sat - Psalm 139:1-5

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths... Just be... “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved

Point of Grace Online Worship - February 6, 2022

Point of Grace Worship 2.6.22 Sermon Notes – “Under Attack-4!”

Temptation?

The temptation of Jesus shows us that Satan will ultimately tempt us to “forsake the Father and take control ourselves” in order to get for ourselves the life we think we deserve.

His goal is to drive an eternal wedge between us and our Father in heaven!

James 1 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Satan will

- Cast doubt on the Father’s goodness, His trustworthiness and our “beloved” identity in Him,

- Deceptively present alternative routes to the good life and

- Lie about the reality of consequences.

Luke 4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.

I get a new mindset to face temptation because Jesus is the One who won!

In Christ, I am not a victim of darkness but a bearer of Light!

Matthew 16 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The church is not hunkered down and hiding but invading and prevailing!

21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

In Christ, I am not a victim of darkness but a bearer of Light!

1 Corinthians 10 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

When tempted I get to lean into my God’s faithfulness and look for His way of escape!

1Peter 5 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, James 4 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

In Christ, I am not a victim of darkness but a bearer of Light!

A Very Helpful Prayer

I now bring the kingdom of God, the authority rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ against Satan and against His kingdom and against every force of evil coming against me, my family, my kingdom and domain. I renounce all sin and all evil (name it if you can) and bind and banish evil away from me in Jesus name! Amen

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Matthew 16:13-20 Tue – Matthew 16:21-26 Wed – Luke 4:1-13 Thu – 1 Corinthians 10:1-14 Fri – James 1:9-15

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 30, 2022

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 23, 2022

Point of Grace Worship 1.23.22 Sermon Notes – “Under Attack-2!”

The Devil is real - his attacks are dangerous – Become one with the One who won!

Luke 4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

The devil is real, his attacks are dangerous, Become one with the One who Won!

Identity is Satan’s target!

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

What is this account revealing about Satan? Jesus? Me?

Satan? He attacks major human vulnerability - shortcuts and compromise to get authority, power, glory?

Why is “authority” so significant? What is the catch?

Satan is offering Jesus a way to get “rewards worthy of a king’s son” but his way bypasses the way the king has set for His Son - the cross.

Jesus? Jesus responds as one in close, personal union (identity) with God as a Heavenly Father! His identity as Son means He has one Father in Heaven and He only is worthy of worship. Jesus will trust the Father to give “kingdoms, authority and splendor” when and if He chooses. Philippians 2 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Me?

The devil is real, his attacks are dangerous, Become one with the One who Won!

Is it my “just me” identity facing the day or is it my “one with Jesus” identity showing up to do battle? My “one with Jesus” identity has great authority against evil because the One true God is worshiped and served!

Luke 10 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Two Simple Tools

The Lord’s Prayer

Hallowed be Your name … Your kingdom come … Your will be done … … on earth (in my domain of authority) as it is in heaven! Deliver us from the evil one.

A Very Helpful Prayer I now bring the kingdom of God, the authority rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ against Satan and against His kingdom and against every force of evil coming against me, my family, my kingdom and domain. I renounce all sin and all evil (name it if you can) and bind and banish them away from me in Jesus name!

The devil is real, his attacks are dangerous, Become one with the One who Won!

Daily Prayer

Jesus, we are so very thankful in this moment that You won against sin and Satan. And we give joyful thanks to You Father, for You have qualified us to share in the inheritance of Your holy people in the kingdom of light. For You have rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son You love, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Hallelujah! (Col. 1) Jesus, You are worthy to have all authority in heaven and earth because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. We join all of the company of heaven in saying, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5) Father in heaven, we pray that Your name be treated as Holy, that Your Kingdom reign would come, that Your will would get done on earth here and now in our lives and situations (name any specific situations where you long for kingdom break through) as if it were happening in heaven. Father, deliver us from the evil one and to that end I now bring the kingdom of God, the authority rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ against Satan and against His kingdom and against every force of evil coming against me, my family, my kingdom and domain this day. I renounce all sin and all evil (name any sins and evil influence you sense coming against you) and bind and banish them away from me, my family, my kingdom and domain in the mighty name of Jesus I pray these things. Amen

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. We encourage you to use the “I Belong” devotional resource to assist you every day. You can sign up for this daily resource by going to the “I Belong Challenge” button on the main menu at www.pog.church. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Luke 10:17-21 Tue – Colossians 2:9-15 Wed – Luke 4:1-13 (esp.5-8) Thu – Revelation 12:1-5,7-13,17 Fri – Philippians 2:5-13 Sat - Genesis 3:1-7 Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 16, 2022

Point of Grace Worship 1.16.22 Sermon Notes – “Jesus – Under Attack!”

The Devil is real - his attacks are dangerous - only One Way wins!

Luke 4

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Helpful Insights:

•                     This is a continuous narrative from the baptism account and the record of Jesus genealogy. The chapter break is unfortunate.

•                     There is a connection between Adam’s story, Israel’s story and Jesus’ journey. Adam and Israel failed to be faithful to their identity as God’s son – Will Jesus?

•                     Verses 1-2 creates the tension of war – battle – attack. Is Jesus in a position of weakness? Who took the bait? Jesus is a different kind of human being?

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

The Devil is real - his attacks are dangerous - only One Way wins!

1 Peter 5 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith,

Ephesians 6 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

The Devil is real - his attacks are dangerous - only One Way wins!

What was the first temptation and how did Jesus win?

3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.”

What is the “false choice based on a false assumption”? (The devil is very good at this strategy.)

Jesus, being Son of God and truly human, uses his power within the boundaries of His Father’s will not to take matters and His future into His own hands.

How are we tempted like this? How does it look different when “Jesus in me” shows up to deal with the devil rather than “just me” showing up?

The Devil is real,

his attacks are dangerous

only One Way wins!

Daily Prayer

My Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You now to be restored in You to be renewed in You to receive your Life and Your Love and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day. I honor You as my sovereign Lord and I give over every aspect and dimension of my Life totally and completely to You. You are God – I am not and I love you and worship and trust You as my Lord and Savior.

I love you Jesus and receive by faith all the work and triumph of your cross, death, resurrection and ascension. Thank you Jesus for your complete victory over satan and his kingdom and all forces of evil. I now take my place in your victory over the devil. You are Truth and he is lies and the father of lies. You are the Way, the truth and the Life and You hold the everlasting victory over sin and evil. I take my place in You Jesus – I in You and You in me.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to you Jesus and You are worthy to receive all glory and honor and power and dominion now and forever more. I now take my place in You and in Your name Jesus I come against the devil and all forms of evil that are coming against me this day. (Mention as specifically as you can how you sense evil is coming against you – tempting you – today and bring the authority of the name of Jesus against it.) I bind and banish all away from me in Jesus name.

Jesus, fill me with Your Spirit that I might see and resist every deceitful temptation the devil will present me today – not in my own strength but in the strength power and complete victory of Jesus Christ. In the Life and Power of His name I pray and I live. Amen

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. We encourage you to use the “I Belong” devotional resource to assist you every day. You can sign up for this daily resource by going to the “I Belong Challenge” button on the main menu at www.pog.church. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Luke 4:1-13 Tue – Colossians 1:13-20 Wed – 1 Peter 5:5-11 Thu – John 8:39-47 Fri – Deuteronomy 8:1-5, 10-14 Sat - Ephesians 6:10-13 Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.