8.2.12 "Equipped with Power from on High"

Today's Reading is Luke 24:36-39, 45-49 ³⁶While they were still talking about this, Jesus Himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  ³⁷They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.  ³⁸He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? ³⁹Look at My hands and My feet.  It is I myself!  Touch Me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have…”  

⁴⁵Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.  ⁴⁶He told them, “This is what is written:  The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name for all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  ⁴⁸You are witnesses of these things.  ⁴⁹I am going to send you what My Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

“God, what do You want me to hear?” What do these verses have to do with this week's theme  “Go...Caution!!!... Go!!!”   ???

The men in this passage are the same men that Jesus called and sent out as His Twelve Apostles.  He tried to prepare them for how difficult their task would be as they witnessed to others about Who He really was. He warned them that they would be persecuted because of Him. Yet, in spite of how hard their work would be, He promised that He would provide whatever they would need.  Food, shelter, finances, even the words that they would need to speak would be provided at just the right time.

These same men witnessed their Lord being mocked, beaten, tortured and crucified.

And then, after three days of doubt and questions, agony and confusion, grief and loss - the Resurrected Savior appears to them multiple times.  They thought they were seeing a ghost – they were frightened, and doubting.  Yet, our patient Savior shows them His hands and His feet.  He lets them touch Him!  Once again, He did exactly what He told them when He sent them out – that He would provide everything they needed -- even the “Living proof” that He was truly the Risen Savior.

And the provision doesn't stop there...

⁴⁵Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 

He reminds them of their calling to proclaim the Good News; however, He tells them to wait a little longer – until they were equipped with power from on high.   He wasn’t going to leave them un-equipped. Even though He was about to leave them physically, He would still keep providing for them - through power from on high!  ⁴⁹I am going to send you what My Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

What does this have to do with me, on this day, God?

Are You telling me that You continue 2000 years later, to provide everything that I need in order to be a witness for You?  When I have doubts and troubles, You will open my mind so I can understand Your Word?  Are you reassuring me that You fill me with “power from on high” - the Holy Spirit - to strengthen me, guide me, and even tell me what to say at the right time?

How amazing!  The same promise You gave to Your very first disciples - on the very first day that you rose from the dead - You give to me, too!   The same way You equipped Your first witnesses is for me, too.    With that kind of provision - I am ready to face this day - I have everything I need!

What is God saying to you this day?

-dawn

8.1.12 "Powerful Promises"

Today’s scripture reading is 1 Peter 5: 5b-11 All of you, clothe yourselves with humility^(B) toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”^{[a](C)   6} Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.^{(D) 7} Cast all your anxiety on him^(E) because he cares for you.^{(F)     8} Be alert and of sober mind.^(G) Your enemy the devil prowls around^(H) like a roaring lion^(I) looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him,^(J) standing firm in the faith,^(K) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.^{(L)     10} And the God of all grace, who called you^(M) to his eternal glory^(N) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,^(O) will himself restore you and make you strong,^(P) firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.^(Q)  

As I first read this portion of scripture, God’s promises are what caught my attention.   His promise to lift me up in due time, His promise that He cares for me, His promise to restore me, to make me strong, to make me firm and steadfast!  His promise to give me grace when I humble myself and the promise to care for me.  That’s a lot of promises.  Sunday’s message from Matthew 10 was about God’s provision for us even in the midst of hardship, suffering, resistance, tension and friction.  When I think of my calling to live out my faith in a broken world as authentically, lovingly, and zealously as possible, I know I’m going to come up against the things I listed above.  The devil will make sure of that!  But none of that has to limit me or my witness if I’m trusting in the promises that God has given me.  His promises are His provision for me.

Today’s scripture ends with, “To Him be the power for ever and ever.”   If I’m trusting in that power,  then my anxiety really does fall on Him and I can be free when I come up against some form of persecution because He has my back!  He has the final say.  He has the ultimate authority to lift me up in due time regardless of what I’m dealing with.  And I believe God is calling me into an “urgent”  & “impactful” calling...  not one that I can take my time with ... or can think about tomorrow instead of today.   Time is wasting away for those who are far from Him, so earnestly praying for people who don’t know Jesus and seeking opportunities to be His light in their lives is urgent.   And I guarantee if the devil is prowling around looking for someone to devour... and God is calling me to be alert and sober, then the devil knows the time is urgent too!

Sometimes it seems hard to be humble when the message of Jesus is so urgent!,  I believe however, that humility is attractive to this broken world.  There’s so much arrogance and pride and a “me first” mentality, that humility towards others is noticeable and a great way to show someone they are valued by me and by God.  And I know if I humble myself before God and surrender to Him, He will provide me a way to be clothed with humility towards others.

No trial or struggle I experience now compares to the promises that I will experience and am experiencing now.   I don’t have to wait until I get to heaven to experience His  promises... He is providing for me now and every day...and provides for all of us in the same way - all who call Him Lord.  That’s enough to give me goose bumps!    How about you?  Are you willing to put it all out there, put it on the line, be vulnerable for Him - no matter what?   Can you trust in His promises so fully that fear won’t hold you back?   Today’s scripture has really made me ask these questions.... I would love to hear what He’s saying to you about it!

Denise

7.31.2012 "On-The-Job Risking"

Please pray for a surrendered heart, discernment and wisdom as you read today’s reading from 1 Peter 4:12-16: 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Over the course of my 18 year career since I left college, I have worked in 8 different jobs all around the country. And when I say 8 different jobs, I’m not talking just different companies with each position being a duplicate of the next position. I’m talking completely different career fields (they all tie together in my communication background...but communication is a V-E-R-Y broad, sweeping umbrella). I’ve worked as a writer and special events coordinator in environmental communications for a semiconductor manufacturer, as a technical writer and desktop publisher for a robotic accessories manufacturer, in IT administration for a Native American tribal nation and their business holdings, as a marketing communications project manager, as a Life/Health/Property/Casualty Insurance Rep in two different states, and as a certified teacher. We moved a great deal in the past due to transfers via my husband’s employers - the US Navy and Applied Materials.  Inevitably, my career often stopped as soon as it started because we had to keep moving to a new location.

Since I often had a great deal to learn in my new positions, I would have a distinct training period where I became familiar with my new employer, learned any skills I was lacking, earned necessary certifications, or went back to school to take a different path. I can vividly recall the moment in each position, though, where the training period ended, and I was called upon to “do” the job. Like a young bird, I had to risk it all and step out and take a chance on my first flight, hoping that my skills - both old and new - prepared me for what lay ahead. Wow - what a stomach-turning, thrilling, terrifying moment of risk it was each and every time! There were many, many times that I tried a new task during this "on-the-job risking", only to find myself back at square one and facing the difficulty of a new learning curve on something else I hadn’t yet absorbed. I often found myself very thankful for the wisdom of seasoned employees around me!

This week, as we are looking closer at Jesus’ call to His disciples to go and put into practice what they have seen Him do, I can’t help but think of those of those first on-the-job experiences (risks) I faced again and again.

We already know that Christ is calling us to a life of action that flows out of the grace He has given us. I believe that this week we are learning that this life of action in Christ’s name is not going to be easy - it is tough, full of hardships and trials. Peter is telling us, point blank, to expect it. When we take risks and put ourselves “out there” in the name of Christ, hardship is going to happen. Period.

In fact, before Jesus sent out his disciples in Matthew, He gave them practical warnings about hardships and how to handle them, because He knew what was in store.

In 1 Peter, I almost feel like Peter is giving us wisdom he learned through some of the on-the-job trainings he had with Jesus. Peter lived through what he is writing about and, like a seasoned co-worker, he’s giving us tools to ride the waves of hardship that this job contains. It is a bit clearer to me in the Message version:

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

 If you're abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that's a different matter. But if it's because you're a Christian, don't give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name! (1 Peter 4:12-16 THE MESSAGE)

So rather than wondering where God is in the midst of a hardship, I can see it as a chance to gain understanding in what Christ experienced on my behalf - and how much more sweeter will peace, joy, and the glory of Christ be after experiencing the trials I’m facing!

In the next part of the reading, it seems that Peter also even goes a step further to say that I can count myself LUCKY because of my hardships.That Christ so shines through me as I risk it all for Him, that the world (or rather, the ‘prince of this world’) has taken notice and is on the attack.

Peter does say, though, to be sure that my difficulties do not intentionally stem from risks taken via my sinful nature. If my hardships stems from that, then it isn’t the Holy Spirit the world sees in me. The world just sees my own foolishness, my sins. But if my trials do stem from the risks I take because of my faith, I can be proud that I'm facing hardships for Christ.

Sounds like a man speaking from on-the-job experience. I pray I can put His wisdom into practice in "on-the-job risking" in the name of Christ each day.

Lisa

7.30.12 "God of All Comfort"

Welcome!  Today’s Blog is based on 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Whenever I read these words in Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth I am reminded of Bert and Kathy, young couple I knew during our time in Springfield, Illinois.  They were grief stricken when their second child, a little boy, died shortly after he was born.  The death was the result of a blood disorder.  I remember how in their grief they turned to the Word of God and Christian friends for help and solace.  God showed up in a big way and brought a peace and comfort that only He alone could bring.

That experience had a profound affect on their Christian faith.  They went to see the Chaplain at the hospital where the baby died and volunteered to be available to minister to other couples like themselves grieving the loss of a child. The Chaplain, realizing that because of their experience they had something very unique to share, accepted their offer.  They wanted to be a conduit and not a reservoir of God’s grace.

Time after time, sometimes in the middle of the night, Bert and Kathy would go to the hospital to be available to grieving parents.  Because of the comfort that they had received from God, they were in a unique place to bring comfort to others.  They found that in each case, God gave them His words to speak as they carried out His ministry.

All of us go through trials and difficulties.  Sometimes they come as a result of health issues or personal problems. Sometimes, as in the case of Paul or the disciples who Jesus sent into the countryside in the Matthew 10 sermon text, we experience trials because of our Christian faith.  Today, God wants us to know that His promise to bring comfort is sure and that He is the, “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Paul shares in his letter to the Corinthians how he has been comforted in his afflictions.  He is helping them see that when difficult times come, they can count on God’s comfort as he did.  And not only that, God will give them the opportunity to comfort others, just as he is now bringing comfort to them.

What trials and struggles are you facing?  How might God lead and empower you to bring His comfort to others today?

-john frahm

Go!!! Caution!!! Go!!!

Welcome to Sunday's Blog! I would like to try something for a couple of weeks!  We will use Sunday's Blog to try to process what God was doing in each of us through the worship and message from that morning!  So on Sundays we will list the scripture text from the service at Point of Grace!

Then all of you can share insights and questions about the scripture!  Talk about what spoke to you if you were in worship or heard the message!  If you were unable to be at Point of Grace this morning - the discussion will hopefully be a blessing and also provide a opportunity for everyone to chime in!

Here is the text!

Matthew 10, "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spiritsand 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.

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. ⁶ Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. ⁷ As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,^[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

⁹ “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts — ¹⁰ no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. ¹¹ Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. ¹² As you enter the home, give it your greeting. ¹³ If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. ¹⁸ On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

²¹ “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. ²² You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ²³ When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

7.28.12 Saturday's Blog

Welcome to the POG Blog! The Saturday blog will be different than the others. Instead of a staff person or lay leader beginning the discussion, we are asking that YOU begin the discussion on what today’s Scripture is saying to you and how it relates to Sunday’s message. Enjoy praying, digging in, sharing thoughts and responding!

Have a great Saturday!   Denise

Today's Scripture reading is  Matthew 28: 16-20:

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.^{(A) 17} When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.^{(B) 19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,^(C) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,^{(D) 20} and teaching^(E) them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you^(F) always, to the very end of the age.”^(G) What is God saying to you through this scripture today?

7.27.12 "Leader-less or Lead-able?"

Welcome to Friday’s POG Blog.  My prayer for us today is that God will open our eyes and hearts to see what He has for us in today’s reading:  Father, bless each of us as we read Your Word and share thoughts with one another in today’s blog.  May we be open to Your leading this day as we surrender ourselves and our agendas to You; we receive Your agenda for us this day.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen! Today’s Scripture is 1 Peter 3: 15-18a,

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.  For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

Have you ever had a day where you were just irritable, maybe angry or hurt and lashed out – at anyone from your spouse to the young gentleman loading groceries into your car?  I definitely have (more than I care to admit)!  That behavior on my part has never caused anyone to ask me why I exhibit hope in adversity.  Ever.  Probably because I’m not exhibiting hope in adversity!

On the other hand, if I am going through a tough time and someone sees hope in me despite my circumstances, they just might ask why I can hope in what might seem to be a hopeless situation.  In that instance, I have two options for response:  1) I can pompously wave my hand and smugly say to them that I have Jesus and if they don’t then they better seek Him out or they’ll never have any chance of hope; or 2) I can live as it says in 1 Peter 3: 15, “Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master.  Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.” (The Message)

When I choose to speak to others about Jesus in an arrogant manner, I render myself leaderless…clueless…aimless.  By choosing arrogance, I am remaining a victim of my brokenness by closing my heart to Jesus’ love and I am perpetrating brokenness in others by not sharing the truth of Jesus’ Love for all God’s children!  How can Jesus lead someone like that?  But when I “keep my heart at attention, in adoration before Christ” then I will be ready to give a gentle, humble, loving answer to everyone when they ask the reason for the hope I exhibit.  Then I am someone Jesus can lead!

Well, there ya go.  My thoughts on today’s reading.  Does this topic resonate with anyone else?  I would love to know what God is bringing to your heart!  What is He saying to you about being ready to generously share the reason for your hope – Jesus?

Jennifer

7.26.12 "Compassion for the Harvest"

Welcome to Thursday’s PoG BLOG! Today’s reading is from Colossians 4:2-6

^"2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  ³And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  ⁴Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.  ⁵Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  ⁶Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

The theme for this week is  “Compassion with a Cause.”  I have pondered the “gut-wrenching” story Pastor shared on Sunday about the time he and his friends went swimming in the stock pond on their farm.   He was having a party and somehow they “accidentally” ended up going swimming in the pond without permission.  Later that day, his father was digging post holes – and being a man of few words – stopped digging long enough to say to his son, “I guess there will be no more parties for you.”    Later that night, Delton timidly peers down the hall to his dad who was at the table eating his nightly bowl of cereal and quietly says, “Goodnight Dad.”   His dad simply raised up his hands, and said, “Come here, D!”  And Delton runs into his father’s arms.

I have heard this story many times.  Yet, each time he tells it, I cry buckets of tears! Why does that story make me cry every single time?

I think I cry out of relief and unbelievable response to undeserved grace???   I was so sure that the ending was going to be tragic.  I was afraid of the horrible damage that was going to happen between Delton and his dad.  Indeed, Delton was punished for his disobedience – no more parties.  But the night could have ended so horribly.  His father could have refused to look him in the eye.  He could have turned his face away from his son.  He could have “made him pay” by sending him to his room and removing his favor from his son.  He could have…..  he could have…. He could have…..

But instead, he held out his hands and invited Delton into his arms!   Oh, the undeserved compassion!  Oh, the undeserved grace!  Oh, the unconditional love!  Now, if an earthly father has that ability to show gut-wrenching compassion ---  oh, how much more our Heavenly Father  shows His naughty, rebellious children over and over and over His amazing gut-wrenching compassion!

The other application rolling in my head from Sunday’s Scripture is in Matthew 9:36-37 “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.’”   I loved the explanation offered concerning these verses.  Jesus looked on those people, whose lives were a mess, who were suffering many ways, and His heart broke!  And that’s when He exclaims that the harvest is plentiful!

When a harvest is “ready” – we say it is “ripe.”  There are times when the peaches are “just right” for picking.  There is a window of opportunity to harvest wheat.  Cut it too early – and it’s not going to be a good crop.  Wait too late, and it will fall over on itself and be impossible to combine.

So too, there are times in a person’s life when they are “ripe” for harvest!  There are moments  when everything is falling apart  - when health fails, when unemployment has stretched to 18 months, when a divorce seems like the only way out of a marriage – when there is no hope.  Interestingly enough – it is at these points in life when a person is “ripe” for harvest -the perfect time for them to receive the hope and gut-wrenching compassion that the Savior has for them!

What are You  saying to me today, God?

^"2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  ³And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  ⁴Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.  ⁵Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  ⁶Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

I want to be devoted in prayer, and be watchful and thankful when I come across people who are hurting and in need.  I want  to pray that God will open a door for me to proclaim the mystery of Christ – and to proclaim it clearly – to make the most of every opportunity - about His amazing love and compassion for them – and about the Hope that can be theirs with Jesus Christ even though they are going through horrendous circumstances.  I want to be wise in the way I act toward outsiders and make the most of every opportunity.

I need to let my conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that I may know how to answer everyone.  I long to show the same gut-wrenching compassion to others  that I have been shown.  I need to remember the tender compassion Delton’s father showed him – to remember why it brings me to tears – and to remember to show this same sweet compassion to others when they are down and out and when they are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Can you think back to times in your life when you were at such a low point?  Was that a time when you were “ripe” for the message of His love and compassion and grace?

Do you know anyone who is “harassed and helpless like a sheep without a shepherd?” Perhaps God is calling you to take notice – and to see that the harvest is ready – maybe that person is “ripe” to hear about the Hope you have in Christ your Savior.

We would love to hear your thoughts about this Scripture and perhaps what God has been teaching you this week. Have a great day!

-dawn

7.25.12 "Sharing the Good News"

Welcome to today’s Blog!  The Scripture is 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21.  I encourage you to pray, then read, then ask God what He’s saying to you through His Word today.   I liked The Message version of this passage, so that’s what’s printed below: ^16-20Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.   ²¹How? You ask.   In Christ.  God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.  (The Message)

What grabs me and has convicted me about this passage is the call given to me to share this incredibly Good News with the people around me.  As a representative or ambassador of Christ, He is counting on me to proclaim, announce, and be a bearer of this Good News in a broken world that desperately needs “GOOD NEWS”!  In all honesty, I can get somewhat complacent or “used to” what this Good News means for me, and loose the zealousness with which I should be sharing it.  I can easily forget the impact that it has on people who are far from God... who have no hope...who desperately need a fresh start and new beginning in their life.  It should be fresh for me every day and a priority for me to get the word out about this amazing God who made us right with Him and gives us a fresh start!  The Message version says we are speaking for Christ... the NIV version says God is making His appeal through us.   So I have a responsibility and high calling as His agent to speak freely about this Good News and live authentically in it so people get a glimpse of what this Good News means for their life and their eternal destiny!  Pastor said on Sunday, “God calls people to Him to work through them.”  I love that because it has such purpose.  I am not here to be saved then rest in that salvation... but to receive new life and work for Christ’s cause as zealously and diligently and intentionally as I possibly can because of that salvation!   If God put all the wrong on Jesus, who never did anything wrong, so I could be right with Him... how can I possibly not live out this calling as an ambassador with zeal and to the best of my ability?

I want my response to God’s amazing gift to honor Him and His cause.  To have compassion on a broken world, like Jesus did, is my deepest desire.  I want to have God’s heart for humanity and the world.  And I want to have a splagknizomai (gut wrenching compassion) desire to see people have a new beginning because of Jesus.

Lord, help me to have Your heart, Your desires, and Your zeal to share the Good News!  Please equip me to be your ambassador to a broken world.  I love you, Amen.

What grabbed your attention in this passage?  Do you just wait around and hope for an opportunity to share the Good News or are you intentional about looking and praying for opportunities?  Are you being creative in where you go, what you're involved in and what you do... specifically so that you are in contact with people far from Him?   Or do you avoid mingling with people far from God because of their attitude, language or lifestyle?  These are questions I'm asking myself as well....    I would love to hear your thoughts!

Denise

7.24.2012 "All of Us"

Thanks for stopping by today! Lord, please come by Your Spirit. I surrender myself completely and totally to You. Please guide me through Your Word - You know exactly what You want to reveal to my heart on this day at this time. Thank you for your amazing, gracious love.

Ephesians 2:1-5: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved.

When I read today's reading, two things really strike me - the first is that Paul is including every single one of us - even himself - when he referred to "All of us" in this passage. The second thing that hits me is that he refers to living and dying as if they can exist simultaneously.

Lord, why these words and phrases? What do you want me to understand?

"All of us"....As Paul is talking to the Ephesians in this passage, he is very much stressing that all of the Ephesians were once captive to the world around them. Not one was exempt from committing sin...

I wonder if it became easy for the Ephesians to think better of themselves as they grew stronger in their faith walk, or if they began to pull away from those around them that weren't believers, and saw them as "unclean" or as "bad influences"? I imagine it became easy to begin to differentiate the believers from the unbelievers and to compartmentalize or even segregate from them; I bet they found it easier to converse about how their faith had impacted their lives with others who have experienced the same thing. Or their lives became more routine and the folks in Ephesus found themselves hanging out in fellowship or eating with those they saw each week when they came together to worship - those friendships were "safer" and "easier to maintain" since they saw each other once a week anyway. I can also bet that, as the folks in Ephesus felt more and more removed from their sinful lives, that they even began to categorize certain sins as worse than others - maybe adultery was worse than telling a lie to a business partner. Or possibly that disobeying your parents wasn't as bad as stealing. Or perhaps that gossip didn't count if it was in the name of ministry....

I wonder if the people of Ephesus needed a reminder that they, too, were worthy of a life of damnation....if it weren't for the immense love of God that saved them through Christ.

Lord, am I guilty of this as well? Do I separate myself and keep myself safe from the influences of the world, only to really succeed in closing myself off from being used by You to influence the world for You? Do I forget that I, too, am a sinner - no more, no less than anyone else- and that I am constantly in need of Your grace and forgiveness, even before I finish this sentence?

"Death while living"... It seems that Paul is referring to how we are so spiritually dead whenever the world's standards consider us very much alive. For me, it seems like God is reminding me that our neighbors have a "story" - that the person we see who is enjoying all that life has to offer, and appears to be very successful and happy, is really dead and empty if he or she is void of faith in Christ. But how would we know anything about our neighbor's story if we aren't getting to know them and including ourselves into their stories?

Lord, do I pass my neighbor by, without really "getting to know" their story? Do I get close enough to discern if Your light is shining in their lives or if they are subject to the "princes of this world"? How do I put myself "out there" - out of my comfort zone - where you are calling me? How do I remember that, if it weren't for your saving grace, that I had walked the same path and come from a similar story and would continue to be spiritually dead, yet alive to this world? 

What do you want me to do with what you have revealed to me today?

Wow - I didn't realize God was going to take me on this particular journey when I first read these verses! I'm not sure where it will lead, but I will continue praying and following Him on it.

You may find something completely different - listen to what God is telling you. I would love for you to share below!

Lisa

7.23.12 "Accepting Compassion"

Welcome to today’s blog and thanks for tuning in!Before reading the scripture verse, please take time to pray that God would prepare you and open your heart to what He has to say to you through His word and today’s blog.

Titus 3:3–7 “ 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

The gut-wrenching compassion described in verses 4 – 5 reminds me of Pastor’s story of his father’s compassion shown toward him when he and his buddies took an ill-advised side trip to the water tank, deeply disappointing his father. Verse 5 starts by making it clear what the motivation for God‘s compassion IS NOT: righteous things we have done (basically anything we may consider “good” coming from within us). Then the verse continues by stating what the motivation for God’s compassion really IS: his mercy (basically all of the love and grace that flow from the heart of Jesus).

I’m not very good when it comes to accepting hand-outs. There is something deep within my heart, some sense of justice that says I only want to receive what I deserve. I don’t want to take anything I haven’t earned. I struggle with this and I think many of us do. It is a part of our American system of values: don’t become a burden to society, work for what you receive, don’t rely on other people, etc. When it comes to graciously receiving the gifts God has for me (compassion, grace, mercy and peace), my reluctance to accept these gifts and insistence that these gifts come in return for my “good behavior” is nothing less than a sin against the 1st commandment. God says “You shall have no other gods before me”. When I refuse to accept God’s gifts or look upon them as my reward for good behavior, I am placing myself as a god before the God of the Universe.

He is God and I am not! What about you? What is it that is getting in the way of you accepting God’s gut-wrenching compassion? There is so much in these five verses. When did God save you out of a period of foolishness, disobedience, deception, and enslavement? What will you do today to remember/accept God’s real motivation for that compassion (mercy) and forget/put aside our misguided notions for his motivation (our “righteousness”)?

I’m interested in hearing what God is saying to you. May He bless your walk today!

mark liebenow

7.22.12 “Compassion to Action!!!”

Welcome and thank you so much for joining in!Our guide for the blog this week will be the scripture text that was the basis for today’s message at PoG!

Matthew 9:35-10:4” 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.” 10 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.

What captures your attention from this account?

If you were at Point of Grace this morning, what is still rolling around in your heart and mind from the message and what God has been doing in you today?

This account has struck me on multiple levels! What is really calling out to me as I write this is Jesus having intense compassion over the condition of the people and then “acting” on that compassion to help. He loves deeply and then acts on it! I think the apostle James says , “Be doers of the word and not hearers only!”

First, of all I am so thankful that Jesus has compassion on me – and I am so glad that He has acted on it by dying and rising for me! I am thankful that He is still acting out of that compassion even to this day sending His Spirit bringing love, joy, hope, peace, forgiveness etc. to me as gifts purely by His grace!

It is this amazing compassion of Christ that drives His every move! Our God has an amazing capacity to be “compassionate”! Digest that for a minute! Jesus has an amazing capacity for compassion!

Then He moves to action!

Some of the action motivated by His compassion was for Him only to do! He alone went to the cross and rose from the dead so we could have hope and life! But a great deal of what Jesus is moved with compassion to do involves us! We are His instruments of compassion – bringing His love, grace, power, healing, wholeness into the lives of others! That is overwhelming and exhilarating all at the same time! WOW! Maybe that is why Jesus first tells us to PRAY to the Lord of the harvest! He is in charge – we respond as He calls and directs!

What grabbed you from this text or the message today? I look forward to the conversation this week! delton

Saturday Blog!

Welcome to the POG Blog!The Saturday blog will be different than the others. Instead of a staff person or lay leader beginning the discussion, we are asking that YOU begin the discussion on what today’s Scripture is saying to you and how it relates to Sunday’s message. Enjoy praying, digging in, sharing thoughts and responding! Have a great Saturday! Jennifer

Today’s Scripture is: Revelation 5: 9-12 New International Version (NIV) 9And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” 11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

What’s God saying to you? Let’s discuss…

Eternity's Impact on Today

Please begin with prayer for an open heart, before you read the passage below. Revelation 21:1-5 - 21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” ⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Go to www.cnn.com and scan the first 10-15 headlines that you see.  I am writing this on Wednesday and the first 6 headlines relate to the crisis in Syria and show a picture of an explosion.  Then the headlines listed relate to the drought, Nazi war crimes, kidnapped girls, the Navy firing on a boat, the Penn State debacle, a billionaire murdering his wife, government fraud, and then maybe the worst of all---politics!

I know that our society is sensationalistic and unfortunately, negative things captivate our attention much more than the positive.  The network TV shows seem to require major drama, sex, deceit, etc. to gain ratings, because this is what society craves.  Working in ministry has numerous positives, but also some negatives.  We are privileged to spend a lot of time with people and learn about their journey, joys, and struggles.  At times, the brokenness that we see in the lives we encounter can be overwhelming and weigh on your heart tremendously.  I look at the headlines, my life, and the lives around me and say this cannot be it, this cannot be the final word!

Romans 8:22 says that, ‘We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.’  Paul is referring to the fractured nature of everything around us and the longing for restoration, healing, and wholeness that came through Christ our Savior.  The text from Revelation paints a picture of life beyond our current existence and gives us hope of what is to come for all those that trust in Christ.  We see a new heaven and new earth and a completed relationship with God as we are fully present with Him.  There is the promise of no more tears, suffering, death, mourning, or pain, because He has made all things new!  Incredible!

We have seen this week in worship, the texts, and the BLOG that we are called to have perspective in suffering and Jesus’ ultimate purpose is salvation today and eternally.  It doesn’t mean we won’t suffer---James 1 promises ‘trials of many kinds’, so they are coming.  In these trials of many kinds, it’s very appropriate to mourn, be angry, need space, and whatever other healthy outlet we react with.  The Christian has something the rest of the world does not have though---hope!!  Hope of Christ’s return and an ultimate restoration of heaven, earth, and our bodies.  Our call is to carry the hope of Revelation 21 into all the trials we face and know that what we are going through now, is not the final word!  We live hope-filled lives, because our God reigns!

How does the Revelation 21 text give you hope when facing trials?  What else has helped give you perspective when facing challenges?  What would it look like to take steps of faith, trusting in this passage, throughout the trials of every day life?

mike

7.19.12 "That you may KNOW Him better."

Today’s reading is from Ephesians 1:17-21.   Paul is writing to the Christians in Ephesus: ¹⁷ “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.  ¹⁸  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and His incomparably great power for us who believe.   That power is like the working of His mighty strength, ²⁰ which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above  all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” 

There is so much here – but the verse that keeps grabbing my attention is this:

“That you may know Him better…”

I keep thinking about the woman in Matthew 9:20 who had been bleeding for 12 years.  She “knew” Who Jesus really was.  She “knew” that if she could only touch the hem of His garment that she would be healed!

I keep thinking about the two blind men in Matthew 9:27 who cried out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”  They were the first ones to refer to Him as the “Son of David.”  They “knew” Who Jesus was!  The religious leaders who supposedly “knew” everything about God and His Word and the coming Messiah – didn’t “know” the Son of David – even when He was standing there in front of their very eyes.  They physically could “see” – but, the eyes of their hearts could not “see.”   The blind men physically could not “see” – but the eyes of their heart “saw” and “knew” Who Jesus really was!  I love that!

I want to be like the blind men – and “see” Jesus – don’t you?

I want to “see” Him ---  I want to “know” Him better.  He doesn’t want me to settle for just “knowing” His name or reading stories about Him!  He wants me to really “know” Him!  The closest relationship I can parallel with this is my marriage.  Other people "know" my husband. To some, they "know" him as their pastor.  He has a lot of close friends.  He is extremely close to his family.  He is very “tight” with his children and they “know” him very well!   But, me?   I “know” my spouse better than all of them!  I have lived with him, laughed with him, cried with him, and have experienced struggles and victories of life with him.  Yet, this is only a glimpse of what “knowing” Christ is like!  Oh, how I yearn to “know” Christ even more than I “know” my husband.  I want to “live” with Christ, to “laugh” with Christ, to “cry” with Christ, to go through struggles with Christ, and to experience Victory through Christ!

I keep thinking about the blind men and what Matthew says that they did as soon as they were healed.  Jesus warned them not to tell anyone.  “But they went out and spread the news about Him all over that region.” (Matthew 9:31)   I love the Message version of verse 31:  “And then, as soon as Jesus healed them, they ran out and started “blabbing” it to everyone they met.” 

The blind men “knew”  Him.  The blind men’s hearts “saw” Him.  And now the blind men could physically “see” Him, too!  But, this wasn’t enough!  They couldn’t wait to “blab” what they “knew”  to everyone they met!

“The eyes of their heart were enlightened in order that they may know  the Hope to which He had called them”!   I want that, too.  I want the eyes of my heart to be enlightened in order that I may “know” this Hope to which He has called me ---- and I want to be “accused” of “blabbing” about this Hope to everyone I meet!

How about you?  Do you "see" Him?  Do you "know" Him?  Do you "blab" about this Hope to which He has called you?

-dawn

Stepping back to see the forest...

Please begin with prayer for an open heart, before you read the passage below. John 11:25-27 & John 11:38-44 - ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ²⁶ and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”  ²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ,^[a] the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”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 believed, you would 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.”

(For extra credit, read all of John 11---the context is huge here and 11:45-57 reveals a tremendous amount about why Jesus was put to death.)

There is a saying that goes something like, ‘you can’t see the forest through the trees.’  This came to mind in reflecting on the message Sunday as well as the texts in John 11.  It basically means that someone gets consumed with the details of something or what’s immediately in front of them that they lose perspective on the bigger issue and what’s really important. 

We see Lazarus’ sisters Mary and Martha distraught and frustrated with Jesus that He was not there, because He could have saved their brother.  If you read John 11:5-6, we see Jesus’ loved them (they were probably some of His closest friends, outside the disciples), learns of the sickness, and then stays a couple more days where He is.  Jesus, don’t you care about this man?  If you really cared, you would drop everything and rush to our side and fix the situation!  We quickly become gods…

Maybe Jesus had a deeper agenda with the girls in this situation and the people surrounding the situation.  If Jesus would have come running when he saw on Facebook that Lazarus was sick, who knows how the trajectory of Mary and Martha’s lives would have gone.  I believe that Jesus was trying to teach them and us something through this---Jesus is Lord through life and death---pain and joy---wealth and poverty.  We so often become consumed with the struggle or pain that is right before our eyes, we lose sight of God’s larger desire. 

I believe that we can simultaneously want healing for our self or someone close to us and also humbly trust that God is bigger than that moment.  We see Jesus demonstrate this praying in the garden the night before His crucifixion (Take this cup…but Your will be done) and we see Paul demonstrate it with the thorn in his flesh in 2 Corinthians 11-12 and then ultimately displays incredible wisdom and perspective in Philippians 4.  God wants us to ask, but He also wants us to surrender and trust in Him.  In reflecting on Jesus many miracles, people came with infirmities of all kinds and many of them He healed---His deeper agenda was to heal their soul though and this is the ground we must stand on as well! 

At POG, we have the Love Fund that a few of us administer and are stewards over.  It is a challenge to know when is appropriate to give a family or individual money.  When you hear someone losing a house or having utilities cut off, the natural inclination is to throw money at the problem, if it’s available.  I feel that I/we have learned that we can actually inhibit God from the deeper healing and transformation that He desires by intervening some times.  It’s challenging, but actually withholding money can be better for the individual and families than giving money.

This is analogous to our prayer life---if God gave us everything that we asked for it would not be good for us or those around us.  My 4-year old has been asking for lots of things lately (a 2 story house with a balcony, every toy he sees, candy at odd hours, movies around the clock, etc.) and if we answered yes to everything we asked we would have a very spoiled, unhealthy kid with parents that could not pay their mortgage.  In attempting to be good parents, we tell our kids no frequently, because we sort of grasp the bigger life picture or at least much more than a 4 year-old.  Now, magnify that on God, in terms of our asking for things.  We don’t always know why healings don’t happen or God doesn’t answer a certain way, but we move forward in faith, trusting that God is very good, very gracious, and works for the good (His definition, not ours!!) of those who love Him!  Lazarus coming back to life was much more than Mary or Martha could have imagined and that journey of trusting Jesus transformed them.

Does the trees/forest quote resonate with you and your life?  Have you been so consumed by something that you missed the bigger picture and didn’t allow God to work outside the specifics of your request?  Have you later gained perspective and had a more accurate understanding of God’s desire and bigger purpose in your life?  I would love to hear your stories and how this text spoke to your heart!

mike

07.17.12 We are "More Than Conquerors"

On Sunday Delton talked about how Jesus enters our uncleanness and makes us clean and whole, just as He did with the synagogue leader’s daughter and the bleeding woman. We don't know what happened to these individuals after they walked away from Jesus' presence, but I have to believe that their lives were forever changed. I think that today’s reading from Romans has Paul giving a practical view of what it looks like to live life after we have been pulled out of our uncleanness and cleaned and made whole through Christ. Take a look:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)

Lord, what do you want me to learn today?

The first thing about this reading that caught my attention is that Paul describes us as “More Than Conquerors.” I believe that Paul is saying that is our new state of being after Jesus enters our lives and makes us clean and whole.

What, exactly, is a conqueror? By definition alone, a conqueror is “one who is victorious, a champion, a hero, a winner.” To me, these words seem to aptly describe one’s status at the end of a battle or event -- simply a moment in time. History has many examples of conquerors that were overthrown or lost their next battle, and of empires that were decimated after ruling for hundreds of years.

As "More Than Conquerors", I think Paul is telling us that our victory through Christ goes beyond the momentary and is unchangeable. But I also think that it means that we are called to more than just relishing in the victory - more than just calling ourselves saved and stopping there. We are to LIVE a "More Than Conquerors" life.

Lord, what does it mean to live a "More Than Conquerors" life?

As I read Paul’s words, I also realized that he’s given us a full picture of what we no longer need to fear as we live a "More Than Conquerors" life.

We no longer need to fear:

• challenges in our physical and emotional needs or comforts [trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness]
• entering into any battle in His name (either as the offense or defense) [danger, sword]
• issues concerning our health or even the onset of death [death, life]
• any threats that come our way from the spiritual realm [angels, demons]
• what is happening or what will happen in the future [the present, the future]
• the actions of any governing authority [any powers]
• our location and the challenges it presents (be it drought or flood or fire) [height, depth]
• or any of His creatures - other people, animals, this world and even ourselves [anything else in all creation]

Wow! I don’t think Paul left anything out! NOTHING can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. What challenges are you currently facing? As they come to mind, see if each one is included in the above list. I bet you will find the list all-inclusive. I did when I tried it.

So if we live a "More Than Conquerors" life -- we aren’t just outwardly, fleetingly victorious -- Christ's victory is in the very essence of our being!

I recently read a description of early Christians that caught my attention - could this be what it looks like to live a “More Than Conquerors” life?

The love which they felt towards the Lord Jesus was not a quiet emotion which they hid within themselves in the secret chamber of their souls, and which they only spoke of in their private assemblies when they met on the first day of the week and sung hymns in honor of Christ Jesus the Crucified. It was a passion with them of such a vehement and all-consuming energy that it permeated all their lives, became visible in all their actions, spoke in their common talk, and looked out of their eyes -- even in their most common glances.

Love to Jesus was a flame which fed upon the very marrow of their bones, the core and heart of their being, and therefore, from its own force burned its way into the outer man and shone there.

-- Charles Spurgeon

Does it describe you? Me?

Lord, what do you want me to do with what you have shown me in Your Word today?

Lisa

(Artwork: 'More Than Conquerors' by Mark Lawrence)

7.16.12 Monday's Blog

Please read today’s passage, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” ⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?     Where, O death, is your sting?” ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God!He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Here are a few thoughts concerning the passage assigned for today, and the sermon text yesterday, Matthew 9:18-26, I would love to read yours.

It comes as no surprise that the passage from Corinthians is one of the most frequently read texts at Christian funerals. It brings great comfort to the grieving heart of a believer to know that Jesus, through His suffering, death and resurrection, has won the victory over death.  Through His selfless sacrifice, He promises to cloth us in garments that are imperishable and immortal.  Hard as death might be, its sting is gone. Death does not have the last word because of Jesus. There is hope; death brings life beyond life.

When Jesus lived, the Jewish people had many rules to guard against becoming defiled or unclean. Two things to avoid if you wanted to remain ‘pure’ were dead bodies and women with internal bleeding.  In the Matthew text, we see Jesus violate both prohibitions. But with Jesus things are different.  When the cloak of Jesus touches the women and when Jesus takes the hand of the little girl, rather than becoming ‘unclean’, healing and life happen.

In his commentary on this passage, N.T. Wright suggests that in His ministry, “Jesus was beginning His whole work of rescuing the world, saving the world, from everything that polluted, defaced and destroyed it.  And those who would benefit would be those who would believe.”  It is a tremendous motivation to remain close to Jesus.  Like the ruler, the women, the blind men and the mute, seeing the power of Jesus increases our faith and grants us the certain knowledge that with Jesus all things are possible.  Life beyond the grave is assured.

Lord, help me to live closely to you. Help me to see your healing ministry as a way of authenticating of your magnificent gift of salvation.

-john frahm

7.15.12 - “Barrier Crossing Compassion!!!”

Welcome and thank you so much for joining in!Our guide for the blog this week will be the scripture text that was the basis for today’s message at PoG!   

Matthew 9 “ ¹⁸ While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” ¹⁹ Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.²⁰ Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. ²¹ She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” ²² Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. ²³ When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, ²⁴ he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. ²⁵ After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. ²⁶ News of this spread through all  that region. ²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” ²⁸ When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”       “Yes, Lord,” they replied. ²⁹ Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; ³⁰ and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” ³¹ But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. ³² While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. ³³ And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” ³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

There is a great deal in these stories!  What really captures my heart as we begin this week is the deep and personal nature of Jesus’ compassion.  He crosses over tremendous barriers to connect with the people who desperately need His help! 

I don’t know about you but many times I won’t even cross the room to help someone out!  No kidding – I will get in these “I’m tired and I deserve some veg-time” moods and become almost oblivious to simple needs that people have around me!  As I think about this I recall just last week how I was crashing on the couch with something on TV that was adequately sedating me into oblivion and … now that I think about it… my wife was in the kitchen cleaning dishes, counters etc. and I was checked out!  I crossed no boundaries to help out when the opportunity was right there!

Now I know the scripture accounts we are considering are much deeper than my story but it is one of the places my mind went when I considered the “barrier-crossing compassion” of Jesus!  He crossed the barrier of “uncleanness” by touching a dead girl, and celebrated the touch from a bleeding woman!  It was also the compassion of Jesus that touched some blind men – making them whole!  And it was His “barrier crossing compassion” that ultimately conquered death for more us!  Praise God!

Sometimes I get stuck on trying to figure out the “quality of faith” that the people had by which they received healing.  As if there were some “need a miracle” faith formula!  Perhaps that is the wrong starting point!  Perhaps that would put me too much in charge!  I think the best starting point for me is engaging the reality of Jesus - His compassion, power, love, forgiveness etc.  I also need to identify and celebrate how He has shown himself strong in my own life - already!  Then, having my faith a bit more surrendered and a bit more Jesus - focused maybe I will be open to all “He” wants to do in my life!  I get to come to Him fully confident of His grace and truth, compassion and love for me and “ask” boldly for all of my needs!

There is a mystery here – but I think being amazed at His “barrier crossing compassion” is the absolutely best better starting point for me this week!  Otherwise, I am sure to get bogged down right off the bat!

What grabbed you from this text or the message today?  I look forward to the conversation this week!

delton

7.14.12 Saturday's Blog!

Welcome to the POG Blog! The Saturday blog will be different than the others.  Instead of a staff person beginning the discussion, we are asking that YOU begin the discussion on what today’s scripture is saying to you and how it relates to Sunday’s message!   Enjoy praying, digging in, sharing thoughts and responding!

Have a great Saturday!    Denise

Today’s scripture is:      Acts 4:5-12    New International Version (NIV)

⁵ The next day the rulers,the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. ⁶ Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. ⁷ They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! ⁹ If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lameand are being asked how he was healed, ¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹ Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

What's God saying to you?.......