Point of Grace Online Worship - December 19, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 12.19.21 Sermon Notes – “Re:turn to Advent – ‘Anticipation”

Waiting with anticipation/expectancy fuels passion, joy, excitement being more fully alive.

Fear of the unknown and the possibility of disappointment tempt us to take control.

Life giving anticipation/expectancy gets replaced with controlling expectation or “give up” cynicism.

Luke 1 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

“Live expectantly looking for the kindness of God!”

Living expectantly looking for the kindness of God:

• Trusts God is on the move … for all of us!

• Helps me deal with the consuming questions. How? God’s presence seems to always be the answer!

• Opens us up to see and seize God’s kind provision every day - releasing joy!

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

“My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

Daily Opening Prayer Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I rejoice in the fact I get to spend these moments in Your presence. It is so good to be with you Jesus, so good. You are so very kind to me. Please, restore me in You and renew me in you that I might experience all of You that is possible. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life and saturate me in Your JOY this day. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in Your story – the story that includes me. I long to live expectantly this Christmas week. Help me see and seize your many kindnesses to me today especially your gracious kindness you will reveal in Your word to me today. (“You are welcome to take two minutes for reflective silence. You may do that by pausing this recording and hit play when you are ready to continue”.)

Daily Closing Prayer Jesus, help me live every moment of this week in open expectancy. I do want to see and seize all you have for me. You are so kind. Help me rest in Your promises in Your word today. You are a so good. There is a really good chance my controlling expectations of people and events will take over at times. Help me Jesus in those moments to see the slippery slope I am sliding down so I can immediately turn to You, Your word and Your kindness to me. Jesus, in moments of disappointment I might succumb to the temptation to “give up” on Joy. Guard my heart and help me return to a place of anticipation and expectancy that Your love and kindness to me is real … help me wait for You. Today I long for You and celebrate You and Your coming to be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. You have shown me so much favor in your love for me in Jesus. Thank you Thank you Thank you.

I Rejoice in God My Savior! I Rejoice in You Father! I Rejoice in You Jesus! I Rejoice in You Holy Spirit! 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 1:26-38 Tue – Luke 1: 39-56 Wed – Matthew 1:18-25 Thu – Isaiah 9:6-7 Fri – Luke 2:1-12 Sat - Luke 2:13-20 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 - December 12, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 12.12.21 Sermon Notes – “Re:turn to Advent – ‘Rejoice’ in the Waiting”

What’s the Pink candle doing in the middle of the Purple ones?

Rejoice – To noticeably express joy.

Default: I “have joy and rejoice” when I feel really good about me and my circumstances – and maybe not even then.

Jesus wants far more for us than that! Remember He is on a mission to connect us and all people with the meaningful life He intends for us! That meaningful life is filled with joy!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4

The Good News:

In Jesus, Joy and Rejoicing are freed from the suffocating constraints of our circumstances!

We get to trust Jesus for Joy and Rejoicing because;

•                     Joy is from Jesus not us or our circumstances

•                     Rejoicing is in the Lord and all He has done, is doing and will do for us …. not in our circumstances.

Galatians 5 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace …”

John 15 “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……. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

2 Corinthians 6 “As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Philippians 4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” “

Zephaniah 3 On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from you your arrogant boasters. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill. 12 But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord. 14 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! 15 The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. 17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Luke 2 But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Daily Opening Prayer (including 2 minutes of silence) Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I rejoice in the in the reality and opportunity to spend these moments in Your presence. It is so good to be with you Jesus, so good. Please, restore me in You and renew me in you that I might experience all of You that is possible. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life and saturate me in Your JOY this day. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in my true identity as a child of my heavenly Father with an irreplaceable role to play this day, in Your larger story. Jesus, help me untangle from all other claims on my attention as I engage with you in this time. I ask for more of your JOY today and an increased capacity to REJOICE in You and all You are to me. I am open to You Jesus now … I rest in You… (Spend two minutes of reflective silence with eyes closed, this time is embedded in the audio version … just rest in the presence of yourself and Jesus!)

Daily Closing Prayer Jesus, through the waiting of this Advent give me a deeper desire for you and for Your JOY in my life. I long for you and for a life of REJOICING! I long also for Your return to make all things new – when JOY and REJOICING will flow uninhibited! Jesus, I renounce any and all ways I tend to look to others and my circumstances as my source of JOY and my reason for REJOICING. I want You and all You have done, are doing and will do for me to be the foundation of my JOY - then I will be able see and not miss all the myriad people and experiences in my everyday life as invitations to REJOICE. Jesus, I admit that I am not good at JOY and REJOICING especially when my situation and circumstances are difficult and overwhelming. I trust Your grace in these moments. I trust you will meet me in those places as well. I know having your JOY does not ignore my reality but rather helps me navigate my reality with You in the center - and when You are with me then the possibilities HOPE and JOY and PEACE abound. Thank you – Thank You – Thank You! I receive You now. I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them. I am waiting for your cue. 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 – John 15:5-11 Tue – Zephaniah 3:14-17 Wed – Philippians 4:4-7 Thu – Nehemiah 8:2-3,8-11 Fri – Luke 1:39-49 Sat - Luke 2:8-14

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 - December 5, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 12.5.21 Sermon Notes – “Re:turn to Advent – Prepare in the Waiting”

Advent is a season of waiting and preparing for _______ is coming!

A) what

B) who

C) None of the above  

What does “preparing” as I wait for the One who is coming look like for me now?

Insights about preparing from the first advent of Jesus!

Luke 3 … the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’” 7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” 15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Notice God “comes” to rescue His people “in the wilderness”. Without “preparation” they will miss Him.

I get to prepare by “owning my need” for Jesus and “opening up to receive” Jesus.

How? STOP and RE-SEE

- STOP for silence and reflection on my need for Jesus and my receiving Him as He comes for me.

- RE-SEE preparations and celebrations not as “the point” but rather “pointing” to something greater. We get to re-see preparations and celebrations as pointing us to the coming of Jesus when He will make all things new. Our innate yearning for a restored world shows up in our desire to live a more enchanting life and create a more enchanting world in this season. Let this desire remind us we were originally designed for Eden and point us to Jesus who alone promises to restore us and our world at His return. This re-seeing the season’s celebrations will allow us to enjoy what they do deliver and be far less disappointed in how they fall short… because they will. The season will “leave us longing” and that is a good thing. Come Lord Jesus, Come!  

STOP and RE-SEE

Daily Opening Prayer (including 2 minutes of silence) 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, immerse me now in my true identity as a child of my heavenly Father and my irreplaceable role in Your larger story. Jesus, help me STOP and own my utter need for You as my Savior, Leader, Lord, Hope and Life … Jesus, open me up to receive You and all You have for me today … I rest in You … (Spend two minutes of reflective silence with eyes closed … just rest in the presence of yourself and Jesus!)

Daily Closing Prayer Jesus, through the waiting of this Advent give me a deeper desire for you. I long for your return to make all things new! Jesus, I renounce any and all ways I tend to replace You through the celebrations and preparations of this season. Help me Re-see ways this season actually ignites my passion and longing for You. I want more of you Jesus. I need, utterly need, more of You Jesus. Fill me to overflowing with your life and your love. Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. I receive You now. I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them. I am waiting for your cue. 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 – John 1:6-16 Tue – John 1:19-28 Wed – John 1:29-37 Thu – John 3:25-36 Fri – Revelation 21:1-7 Sat - Revelation 22:12-17 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 28, 2021

11/27/21                                       Re:Turn to Advent                                     Sermon Notes

Advent is a way of disrupting normal life so that we can encounter Jesus in a fresh way

How can I engage with Jesus in a new and fresh way this season?

Advent helps to reorient ourselves within God’s larger story

The incarnation of Jesus is like the storming of Normandy

Already & Not Yet

John 11 (Excerpts)

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35 Jesus wept.

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

What does this teach us about waiting?

- Waiting grows us up

- Waiting gives presence

- Waiting gives longing

How do we wait well?

1. Wait expectantly

2. Wait honestly

3. Wait with

Jesus has done everything needed for our salvation. Now we GET to be participants in bringing that rest to others.

Psalm 25

In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.

2 I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Jesus I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them. I am waiting for your cue. Amen.

Prayer of the Week:

My dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you now to be restored in you, 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 I surrender every aspect and dimension of my life to you. I give you my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I cover myself with your blood—my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I ask your Holy Spirit to restore me in you, renew me in you, and lead this time of prayer.

Heavenly Father I pray that I am able to see clearly my place in your story as a dearly beloved child. You have given me all that I need for salvation and life in you and in your kingdom. And yet you desire me to be a participant in your kingdom and to join you in your mission to bring all things back to you. I get to do this! Holy Spirit guide me and direct me as I seek to follow you.

Jesus through waiting I pray that you give me opportunities to grow and mature in my faith. 4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Jesus through waiting give me a deeper desire for you. I long for you to return and bring all things into new creation! I want more of you Jesus, fill me to overflowing with your life and your love.

Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. Jesus I renounce anything that is creating distance between us. At this time feel free to spend a few moments confessing anything that rises to the top of your heart.

Jesus I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them. I am waiting for your cue.

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 – John 11:1-6 & 14-15

Tue – John 11:17-27

Wed – Isaiah 40:1-5 & 28-31

Thu – James 5:7-8

Fri – Romans 8:18-25

Sat - Psalm 25:1-5

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 - November 21, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 11.21.21 Sermon Notes – “Soul Recovery – Immerse, Untangle, Give Thanks”

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 ………

Untangle – “My soul needs a “change of mind toward God” (repent) much more than I think it does.” I need practice untangling from my “it’s up to me” mindset toward a “turn to God agreeing with Him” mindset!

Give Thanks – “My soul needs me to have a “lifestyle of gratitude” much more than I think it does. I need a lifestyle of giving thanks so I actually live like life is “grace” making way for the joy my soul needs.

Mark 6 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand. Mark 14 22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the[c] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 1 Thessalonians 5 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Colossians 3 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.

Eucharisteo – “give thanks” … Jesus revealed that life lived to the full is a life full of eucharisteo.

Eucharisteo is the way of living with the living God because within Eucharisteo is charis (grace) and within charis is chara (joy)!

Joy is the realist reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy! Ann Voskamp – one thousand gifts

A Eucharisteo lifestyle!

“If you want to make it real write it down.” Somebody Smart

Philippians 4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!... 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer of the Week (Note: This week’s prayer is designed with some pauses built in so when there is a pause don’t let it surprise you.)

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. I immerse now in my identity as a child of my heavenly Father identity which you gave me in my baptism.

Father in heaven I thank and praise you specifically for your creation that surrounds me. Thank you for the natural world you have given me to live in and for the miracle of physical life that I experience in my body every moment. Jesus, help me thank you now! (Take a 20 second pause to give thanks, out loud if possible, for God’s creation and all His provision for your physical life as you experience it today.) Father, I praise and thank you for your love for me and the salvation you have given me through Your life, death and resurrection. I get to have life now and life eternal because of the gracious gift of Your life for me. Jesus help me give thanks for You now!

(Take a 20 second pause to give thanks, out loud if possible, for God’s gift of love and grace to you in Jesus as you experience it today.)

Father, I praise and thank you for people and relationships you have given me to experience. Thank you for gifting me with people who love me and care about me. Thank you for people, even if I do not know them personally, who You use to bring me blessing, provision and grace. Jesus help me thank you for people now!

(Take a 20 second pause to give thanks, out loud if possible, for God’s gift of people and relationships in your life. Notice the unique people and relationships God brings to mind on this particular day.)

Fill me afresh Holy Spirit so that I might live this day with a Spirit of gratitude in my heart and words of thanks on my lips. (Allow your heart to continue to give continued thanks as you are inspired concluding this prayer with your own “Amen” when you are finished.)

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 17:11-18 Tue – Psalm 136:1-9,23-26 Wed – Ephesians 5:15-20 Thu – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Fri – Colossians 3:15-17 Sat - Psalm 116:1-7, 17-19

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 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.