Point of Grace Online Worship - November 14, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 11.14.21 Sermon Notes – “Soul Recovery – Immerse and Untangle 2”

Hebrews 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Soul Recovery – Immerse – “My soul needs so much more of God than I think it does!” I need to stay immersed in God’s Presence, Love, Goodness, Truth, Story, Words, Spirit, Grace, Creation, Power ………

Soul Recovery – Untangle – “My soul needs more ‘change of mind toward God’ than I think it does.” I need practice untangling from my “it’s up to me” mindset toward a “agree with God and turn to Him” mindset!

Mark 1 4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom (rule and reign) of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

“Repent” – change of thinking - untangle from default thinking about God, self and how life works.

“Believe the good news” – trust, have faith, immerse in the good news that God is present and reigning in Jesus.

Untangling Tools: Practical ways to move from “it’s up to me” default thinking to “agree with God and turn toward Him” untangled thinking? (Important note: Anytime we invite Jesus to reign and rule in a situation untangling begins.)

- Repentance Pause - “Jesus, I pause to check my thinking and turn towards You. I ask you to come into this situation and reign.”

- Allow for Transition

- Benevolent Detachment - “Jesus, I give everyone and everything to You!”

- Protection from the warfare of others! “In Jesus name and by His authority I bring the rule and reign of Jesus between me and all people and their warfare so that only those things of the love of God and Spirit of God pass through to me!”  

- Sabbath – Taking time to “be” not “do”! Stop – Rest – Delight – Contemplate

“On Sabbath I embrace my limits. God is God. He is indispensable. I am His creature. The world continues working fine when I stop.” Pete Scazzero - Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

Prayer of the Week (Note: This week’s prayer is designed with 15 second pauses built in so when there is a pause don’t let it surprise you. The idea is that after each prayer section we take a short time to personally engage more fully what was just prayed.)

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank You for the opportunity to be in Your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in You. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in Your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, untangle me Jesus, untangle me. I am Yours and You are mine. Jesus, I pause now to check my thinking and turn my mind towards You. Heal my thinking, help me notice the tangles in my mind and soul and to invite You in to every situation, concern and anxiety that occupies me today. Jesus help me do this now. (15 second pause) Jesus, I give everyone and everything to You. I give everyone and everything to You. You are God… I am not. I give everyone and everything to You. Jesus help me do this now. (15 second pause)

Jesus, I ask for Your protection from the evil one over my spirit, soul and body, my heart, mind and will. I now take my place in Your authority and bring the rule, reign and work of Jesus between me and all people and their warfare that only the things of the love of God and Spirit of God pass through to me. Jesus help me do this now. (15 second pause)

Jesus, I rest in the security of Your love and presence. Thank You for loving me. Help me rest in the comfort of Your invitation to me to stop striving and simply come to You. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Jesus, help me be at rest with You now. (15 second pause)

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 – Psalm 51:1-12 Tue – Mark 1:9-15 Wed – Psalm 139:1-6,13-15,23-24 Thu – Matthew 11:25-30 Fri – Nehemiah 1:1-11 Sat - 1 Peter 5:5-10 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 - November 7, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 11.7.21 Sermon Notes – “Soul Recovery – Immerse and Untangle”

Hebrews 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Souls thrive when immersed in God and untangled from all that hinders and entangles.

Soul Recovery 101 – Immerse – “My soul needs so much more of God than I think it does!”

Psalm 42 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. 6 My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.

“My soul needs so much more of God than I think it does!”

I need to stay immersed in God’s Presence, Love, Goodness, Truth, Story, Words, Spirit, Grace, Creation, Power ………

When my soul needs a __________ and I bring it a _________ something needs to change!

Immersion takes “time and effort” ……... “Untangle? ”

“Immersion in His Presence”: Word, Prayer, Worship, Sacraments, Sabbath, Creation ……!

Some Practical Immersion Rhythms I Belong Daily – Word and Prayer, (Music) Weekly Worship (Sabbath) Get Outside Pause App Simple Service in His Name

A Beautiful Story of a Soul Immersed and Untangled Mark 14

Prayer of the Week (Note: This week’s prayer is designed differently. After a brief prayer introduction, we will pray a portion of Psalm 95 followed by 30ish seconds of silence for us to “immerse” in the words just prayed. We will do this three times.)

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank You for the opportunity to be in Your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in You. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in Your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, untangle me Jesus, untangle me. I am Yours and You are mine. 1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (pause) 3 For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. (pause) 6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. (pause) 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 – Psalm 42:1-8 Tue – Ephesians 3:16-21 Wed – Hebrews 12:1-3 Thu – Colossians 1:15-23 Fri – Revelation 20:6-10 Sat - Psalm 149:1-5

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 - October 31, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 10.31.21 Sermon Notes – “Reformation – Why does it matter?”

Romans 1 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, (Gospel - the good news of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus) for it is the power of God for salvation (Saving from sin, sin’s judgement and into a new life) to everyone who believes, (trusts by faith) to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed (a declared legal status of being right, true, without fault, acquitted) from faith(God’s faithfulness) for (our) faith, as it is written, “The righteous (declared righteous, acquitted) shall live by faith.”

The Gospel says that, on account of Christ, God offers “declared righteousness”, a legal declaration of acquittal of all charges, even though it is not earned or deserved. We receive this “righteous” status through faith in Him and what He has done in Christ.

Ephesians 2 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, (He) made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, … 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

2 Corinthians 5 In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Two things flipped for Luther that is “good news” to me.

1) God “declares me righteous” legally by grace and I receive that through faith. This means I get to have “union” with Him now and His Spirit can live in me.

2) The “life” (meaning, purpose, value, joy, authentic, etc.) I want and need comes from “outside” of me as a gracious gift from God because of Jesus which I daily receive by faith.

What does this mean?

I get to exchange “a life of striving” to make life work for a “life of syncing up” with the One who is Life and has the meaningful life I am intended to live.

Prayer of the Week

Holy and Victorious Trinity, Father-Son-Holy Spirit , You alone are worthy of all of my worship, my heart’s desire, all the praise all the glory of my life. I love You, I worship You, I trust You, I give myself over to You in my heart’s search for life. You alone are Life and You have become my life. I renounce all other god’s and idols and give You the place in my heart and in my life that You and You alone truly deserve.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me. You are my true Father—my creator, redeemer, sustainer, and the true end of all things, including my life. I love You, I trust You, I worship You. I give myself over to You, Father, to be one with You as Jesus is one with You. Thank You for proving Your love for me by sending Jesus. I receive Him and all His life and all His work which You ordained for me. Thank You for including me in Christ, forgiving me my sins, granting me His righteousness, making me complete in Him. Thank You for making me alive with Christ, raising me with Him, seating me with Him at Your right hand, establishing me in His authority, and anointing me with Your love and Your Holy Spirit and Your favor. I receive it all with thanks and give it total claim to my life—my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will.

Jesus, thank You for coming to ransom me with Your own life, making it possible for me to be “declared righteous” in the courts of heaven. I receive all the work and triumph of Your cross and sacrifice for me. I receive the forgiveness of all my sins which clears the way for me to live this day “synced up” and reconciled with my Father in heaven who loves me very much.

Holy Spirit, fill me afresh. I want You and need You so very much today. I deeply desire to live each moment empowered by You and You living in me. I now surrender my “self” and my agenda for today and receive You and Your agenda for me. 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 – Romans 1:1-6, 16-17 Tue – Ephesians 2:4-10 Wed – Romans 5:1-5 Thu – Isaiah 53:3-7,10 Fri – 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Sat - Romans 5:6-11

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 - October 24, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 10.24.21 Sermon Notes – “Recover Together 3”

“RECOVER Together” “Recover TOGETHER”

TOGETHER is such an essential part of the meaningful life that Christ intends and the RECOVERY we desperately need.

1 Corinthians 2 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. 12 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

We are the body of Christ … He is the head. His Presence, His message and His Spirit makes us One.

We each matter to each other in ways we can’t imagine. Presence matters. Life is a shared experience.

Jesus led “Recovery” means

- great grace for each other including ourselves,

- active intentionality in the ways of Jesus,

- coming back stronger, deeper, and more potently alive in Christ as individuals and as His church.

Prayer of the Week Father in Heaven, thank You for loving me from eternity. You are my true Father and I love You very much. As I begin this prayer I ask You to come by Your Spirit and fill me afresh with Your presence so that I might embrace and receive all that You have for me. You are love and You are life and I receive You by faith and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day.

Jesus, I thank You for coming in the flesh to be the Way so that I could be reconciled to my Father in heaven who loves me very much. I receive all that Your work and triumph has done for me. I am amazed that You have made it possible for me to be forgiven completely and given a new heart and new life to live. Give me grace today to rest in You. I ask You to search me and know me and reveal to me where You are working in my life that I might join You in the recovery of my soul. Jesus, help me notice the places in my heart and soul that are particularly tender and wounded. Help me be as gracious and merciful with my heart as You are. I invite You Jesus into the places of my being where I need life and peace this day. (Rest for a few moments in His presence inviting Jesus into the places of your heart that need His peace and wholeness as He reveals them.)

Jesus, thank You for making me a part of Your church, the body of Christ, so that I am not alone and neither are my brothers and sisters. Help me see my vital role as I interact with others. I am sorry I have sometimes looked down on others and looked down on myself as being less significant or less important. I affirm that You have arranged the parts of the body as You see fit. I look forward to living this day fulfilling my role as Your servant and member of Your body. I pray that your vision for Your church be realized this day. “That there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

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 – 1 Corinthians 12:3-6,11-20 Tue – 1 Corinthians 12:21-27 Wed – Romans 12:1-8 Thu – Romans 12:9-18 Fri – 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 18-25 Sat - 2 Peter 1:3-11 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 - October 17, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 10.17.21 Sermon Notes – “Recover Together 2”

Put Recover Together Logo hear

“RECOVER Together” “Recover TOGETHER”

TOGETHER is such an essential part of the meaningful life that Christ intends.

Jesus, what can I be doing in this season to “Recover TOGETHER” in my life and for my church?

Mark 2 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

“We each need a “TOGETHER” of friends who bring friends to Jesus!”

Sometimes we are the “carried” friend and sometimes we are the “carrying” friends!

Why do we need a “together” where we can trust Jesus is central? Look what happens!

“4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” … … … 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Dealing with Resistance – TOGETHER like this can be HARD!

.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?

“We each need a “TOGETHER” of friends who bring friends to Jesus!”

Prayer of the Week My dear 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 Lord and God and give every aspect and dimension of my life – my spirit, soul and body, my heart, mind and will – to You and You alone. I ask Your Holy Spirit to restore me in You, renew me in You and lead me in this time of prayer.

Jesus, union with You in every dimension of my life and through You, union with my true Father in heaven is of pivotal importance to me today. I may feel like there are many other things that are “more important” in this moment but I step out in faith and resolve that being synced up in union with You is the most important step to take. The quality of our connection profoundly affects every other aspect of my life. I now receive You Jesus as my Lord, Leader, Savior and Lover of my soul. I surrender to you and ask that You apply to me all the work and triumph of Your cross, death and sacrifice for me as well as Your life resurrection and ascension. I confess my sin and brokenness to You now and receive Your complete and total forgiveness, (You my take a few moments to confess any sin and soul brokenness that is on your heart right now and receive complete forgiveness.) Jesus I want to live the moments of this day reconciled to my Father in heaven and in synced up union with You and the Holy Spirit.

I praise You Jesus for friends that I trust will bring me to You. I thank you for some of them now and mention them by name (just mention who comes to mind by name.) I thank you for the friends, some of which I may not know, who provided this I Belong reading, devotion and prayer because they are friends who bring friends to Jesus. Jesus, I also thank you for all opportunities I get to bring friends to You in the course of everyday life. I ask Your kingdom reign to come over every dimension of my life so that I might see and seize opportunities to help people connect with You … to love people in such a way that encountering me helps them encounter You.

I specifically pray for all Grow Groups at Point of Grace, those that exist and those You desire to come into existence, that they might be places where friends bring friends to Jesus in real and ever so gracious and effective ways.

I love You Jesus and invite you in to every aspect and movement of my being as I live this day in Your 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 – Acts 2:42-47 Tue – Mark 2:1-12 Wed – John 4:27-42 Thu – Mark 10:13-16 Fri – John 1:29-42 Sat - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 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 - October 10, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 10.10.21 Sermon Notes – “Recover Together”

“RECOVER Together” “Recover TOGETHER”

What does it look like in Fall 2021 for each of us and all of us to “Recover TOGETHER”?

Put the “I BELONG to Jesus, His church, His mission” logo here

TOGETHER is such an essential part of the meaningful life that Christ intends.

Jesus, what can I be doing in this season to “Recover TOGETHER” in my life and for my church?

“At home in my house there is no warmth or vigor on one, but in the church when the multitude is gathered together, a fire is kindled in my heart and it breaks its way through.” Martin Luther

Hebrews 10 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

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

What beautiful thing does God long for us to have that we so desperately need?

“Koinonia” – fellowship, having in common, sharing, participating together

1 John 1 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

John 15 2 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

“Christian fellowship cuts across race, color, education, background, and every other cultural barrier. There is a level of friendship in the church that I have certainly never experienced outside the church.” Nicky Gumbel

Ephesians 3 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 4 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all…..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.

Jesus soaked TOGETHER is the best together in which to RECOVER!

Jesus, what can I be doing in this season to “Recover TOGETHER” in my life and for my church?

Prayer of the Week Our Father who art in heaven, Holy be Your Name, Your Kingdom reign come, Your will be done … Jesus thank you for making it possible through Your life, death and resurrection for me to engage personally with my Father in heaven who loves me very much. Thank you Spirit for Your constant and consistent work calling me to daily follow You by faith and enlightening me with your gifts and fiery yet gentle presence. Fill me afresh that I might follow You well this day.

Jesus, even as I began this prayer with the opening phrase of that familiar prayer You taught us to pray I am struck by the first word, “Our”. As I come to You now, Father, Son, Holy Spirit I am not alone. I not only have Your presence with me but I am part of Your family here on earth. I have a place at the table among Your many children, I am not forgotten, I am a child of God and member of Your family – the church. I am part of “a people belonging to God.”

Jesus, I thank you for the church, the body of Christ, the people of God and I now take my place as a vital part of it. I lift up my local church, Point of Grace (or whatever local expression of the church you are connected to) and ask You to move mightily among us as a church in these unusual times. I ask specifically that You would show me ways that I could tangibly help my church Recover TOGETHER. The condition and climate of the world has been hard on “togetherness” and I ask You to help me see my vital yet appropriate role in the restoration and renewal of “togetherness” in my church that my church might continue to be a vibrant place of restoration and renewal for people.

(Please take a few moments as this prayer concludes to contemplate, pray and listen to Jesus respond to the petition, Jesus, what can I be doing in this season to “Recover TOGETHER” in my life and for my church?)

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 – Hebrews 10:19-25 Tue – Ephesians 2:19-22 Wed – 1 John 1:1-7 Thu – John 15:12-17 Fri – Ephesians 4:2-6, 29-5:2 Sat - 1 Corinthians 12:20-27

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 - October 3, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 10.3.21 Sermon Notes – “The Art of the Open Heart”

So much life-giving impact flows when a heart is open! It’s the way of Jesus!

Open hearts give away patience generously … because they’ve already been given so much by God.

1 Timothy 1 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Galatians 5 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control;

Colossians 3 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Open hearts see people … grace-fully! Open hearts are present … with a Jesus presence! Open hearts show compassion … praying and listening!

Open hearts give away patience generously … realizing so much has been given to them.

Why is impatience so natural and patience so hard?

Patience with God? With people? With circumstances? With ourselves?

Impatience may run deep in the human heart BUT patience runs deeper in the heart of God.

Exodus 34 “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished;

Hebrews 414 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

What now?

The Open Heart of Jesus for me and in me means I get to;

See people - gracefully,

Be present - with a Jesus presence,

Show compassion – listening and praying

Give away patience - that has already generously been given to me!

How could a group of people who lived like this change the world?

Prayer of the Week Jesus, I come to You now to be restored in my relationship with You today. Thank You Jesus for reconciling me to my Father in heaven who loves me very much. Thank You Spirit for filling me afresh with the very presence of Jesus. I receive You now and consecrate myself to You and Your purposes for me this day. I am Yours and You are mine.

Jesus, today I praise You for Your amazing grace towards me – Your unmerited favor that You continue to show me day in and day out. Your grace blows me away. Thank you! I specifically praise You for patience with me. You patiently love me when I act unlovable, You wait for me when I stray to other gods, You pursue me when I stand You up repeatedly, You keep calling me when I ignore You, choosing other interests over shared moments with You. I am so sorry and yet so thankful for Your patience with me. I now receive Your deep, personal and patient love for me. I love you Jesus … thank You! In this moment I rest in You and intentionally allow Your patient love to touch my soul, heal my heart, extinguish my rebellion, soften pride’s hardness, soak my lifelessness into living. Thank You for being compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness and for maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. (Exodus 34).

Jesus, I am the daily recipient of the blessings of Your Open Hearted love. I join You in the mission of revealing Your Open Heart to the world. I join You as Your missionary in my little part of the world making a “salt and light” difference in the lives of the people around me. Jesus with an open heart towards others I ask You to live through me; - so that I see people , really see them with grace filled eyes, - so that I am present, fully present with people ushering in a sense of Your presence with them, - so that I show compassion in real and tangible ways, - so that I give away patience today generously and abundantly.

I expectantly pray for You to do this in me and through me today! 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 – Exodus 34:4-14 Tue – 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 Wed – 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Thu – James 5:7-11 Fri – 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Sat - Colossians 1:9-14

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 - September 26, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 9.26.21 Sermon Notes – “The Art of the Open Heart”

So much life-giving impact flows when a heart is open! It’s the way of Jesus!

The Art of the Open Heart

Learning #1 – Open hearts notices people … grace-fully! See … Hey … Pray … … Grace-fully

Learning #2 – Open hearts are fully present … with Jesus presence! #presentwithPresence

Matthew 9 35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Learning #3 – Open hearts have compassion … praying and listening!

Compassion

- splagchnizomai (splangkh-nid'-zom-ahee) to be moved as to one's bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity)

- “Because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”

- “See the pain in people instead of people as a pain”

Compassion Acts

Pray – “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” We join Jesus in His work of redeeming people as we pray with our “yes” on the table.

Listen – a powerful, relevant and often first way to love with compassion.

#compassionacts#compassionprays#compassionlisten#listenfirst

Open hearts have compassion … praying and listening!

Prayer of the Week

Father, Son, Holy Spirit I am so excited that I get to live this day united to You in the very depth of my being. Thank you Jesus for reconciling me to my Father in heaven who loves me very much. Thank you Spirit for filling me afresh with the very presence of Jesus. I receive You now and consecrate myself to You and Your purposes for me this day. I am Yours and You are mine.

Jesus, today I want to take some time to gaze and be amazed at Your compassion for me and for all people. Compassion authored in Your heart becomes a gut-wrenched grace that removes worthiness from the qualification of whether one gets loved. In fact, your compassion has no filtering list – You just see people…… ALL needing love, grace, mercy and redeeming rescue. I am so very glad that I am counted in the, ALL, people that You view with compassion. Thank you!!! I now receive Your unmerited favor on me. I am so unworthy of Your grace but so in need Your grace. Thank you! Jesus, today I open myself up to be shaped by Your compassion FOR me so that people might receive Your compassion FROM me. I surrender to such a transformation. I want to see people through compassion lensed eyes. With these eyes You see me and with these eyes I want to see others. Moved by compassion I now pray, as You asked me to do, for You to send people to bring the good news of Your kingdom reign in words and deeds. Send workers into Your harvest field Jesus, send them.

Even as I pray, I open myself up be a part and play my role in this prayer’s answer. I affirm now that I am not alone in this harvest work but do play a significant role as a worker in Your harvest field. Use me I pray to bring Your Kingdom grace to someone today. Today, I get to listen, truly listen, with compassionate ears and follow Your lead, Holy Spirit, in all the next steps of loving people well as Your “salt and light” influencer in my part of Your world. WOW! The adventure continues. 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 14:13-21 Tue – Nehemiah 9:16-21,26-28 Wed – Matthew 15:29-39 Thu – Matthew 9:35-10:4 Fri – Matthew 20:29-34 Sat - Colossians 3:12-14

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