"Saturday's Blog"

Welcome to the POG Blog! 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 Reading is:  Psalm 150  (NIV)

¹ Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. ² Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. ³ Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, ⁴ praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, ⁵ praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

10.5.12 "A Subtle God"

Lord Jesus, Open the eyes if my heart and the ears of my souls to receive all that You have for me this day!  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path! Amen 1Kings 19   And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁰ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” ¹¹ The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁴ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” ¹⁵ The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came ... ...

Elijah is truly one of the most interesting of all the Old Testament prophets.  Our text catches him in a time of depression.  Yes depression - biblical God-followers struggled with some level of what we call depression countless times.  His depression was caused by fear and loneliness.  Elijah had just been "God's man" in a showdown with the culture's idol Baal at a place called Mt. Carmel.  The prophets of Baal called on their god to show up - he didn't!  Elijah called on the true God to show up - He did!  - In a big way!

Needless to say the powers that be - King Ahab and Queen Jezebel - were ticked off at Elijah because, being Baal worshippers themselves, they did not appreciate the public humiliation of their "god".  Predictably, Jezebel issues a death warrant for Elijah.  Elijah is scared!   He is afraid and feels all alone! (This story is in is 1 Kings 18-19)

Then the verses above tells us God comes to visit Elijah in the middle of his fear, loneliness and depression.  The point the story seems to want me to get is the means God "didn't" use to connect with Elijah.  The point is, God wasn't in the great and powerful wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire ---- God came to Elijah in a voice - a whisper! We have a subtle God!  Sometimes He wants me to see Him in the great and grand works of His hands in creation or the mighty deeds of His Spirit in a radical conversion or a miraculous healing - BUT - I think God is whispering to me in this text, "Sometimes I come in subtle ways, non glamorous ways, quietways.  delton, I don't want you to miss Me!  I want you to catch My subtle presence and movements in your world and in your life." 

Jesus spent most of His ministry telling people about the kingdom of God - and how it was different than what they expected! They were thinking grand, mighty and pompous yet the king came humble, serving and healing!  He is a subtle God - bringing His kingdom forth into my life and my world, many times, in subltle ways.

He still subtly whispers through His Word and by His Spirit!  He will come by the subtle means of bread and wine this Sunday in the Lord's Supper.  His kingdom comes and He moves in subtles ways like simple acts of kindness instead of hate, forgiveness instead of bitterness, heartfelt prayers instead of glory seeking, lovers of good instead of lovers of self, the giving and receiving of words of encouragement instead of control and condemnation.

I am jazzed - I get to spend today listening and looking for my "subtle God" atwork and then by faith I get to join Him in what He is doing!

delton

10.04.12 - The call to disciple!!

Please begin with prayer for an open heart, before you read the passage below. Psalm 78 - O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. ² I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old—³ what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. ⁴ We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. ⁵ He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, ⁶ so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. ⁷ Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. ⁸ They would not be like their forefathers—a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.

In Matthew 13:35, we see Matthew quote Psalm 78:2.  He references this verse in the middle of Jesus longest section of parables.  Psalm 78 is ascribed to Asaph, who was a prophet and a contemporary of King David.  Asaph is said to have been the leader of one of David’s choirs---so, he was an old school worship leader that God used to pen some of the Psalms. 

Jesus has been using parables to reach out (not to exclude!!) to the hard-hearted people that were in Galilee during His ministry.  His deepest longing was that people would know God through Him and experience life now and life eternally.  Psalm 78 gives an interesting high level summary of some of Israel’s history.  People have become stubborn, rebellious, and their hearts were not loyal to God!  The call to God’s people has always been to love Him, be faithful & obedient to Him, and share His story. 

One of the main places we are called to share the story of God is in our own homes.  The Psalmist recognizes this and gives the beautiful intention of generation telling and discipling the following generation.  The desire is that the joys and story of God would always be on our lips and that we are intentional about sharing this, specifically in our homes.  Jesus would use parables so that His message would penetrate their hearts and stick!  I can almost see a father and son listening to Jesus and then discussing the truths of the Kingdom of God on the way home---or inquiring of Jesus the meaning and application of what He was just speaking on.

I think this is tremendously neglected in the homes of Christ followers today.  I know that growing up, we went to church every Sunday, but rarely, if ever spoke of our faith, or studied the word together or prayed at home.  In polling my students, this is the norm for the majority of them as well---some may throw a meal prayer in every now and then, but rarely do I see parents raising kids in the Lord as God calls us to. 

This could induce guilt---it’s just where my heart went with the passage.  There is such a correlation between faith at home growing up and faith of a kid throughout high school and beyond.  The majority of the kids that I have seen in ministry that continue following Jesus into their early and mid twenties had parents that were very intentional about raising them up knowing God.  The correlation is not 100%, but when I typically meet someone that’s mature in their faith, they had parents that were intentional!  As parents, we cannot create faith, but we can plant seeds and nurture the soil!

Parents---it’s our calling and responsibility to share the love of Christ and the truths of the story of God with our children and provide opportunities for them to grow and explore the truths of Christianity.  We pray for them and with them, we set a high priority of worship, we walk through Scripture with them and teach them how to read & love the word, we communicate and live out what’s important to God in our everyday lives and we disciple our children through the ups and downs of life.  We must begin with our own faith journey and then be intentional about their journey!

Were your parents intentional about raising you in the Lord?  What was good and what could have been improved on?  Is this a priority with your children?  If you don’t have children, what’s your game plan if and when you do?  I would love to hear how this passage, along with the message Sunday struck you.

mike

10-3-12 Living Inside Out

Lord, please open our hearts and ears to what is contained in Your Word for us today. Proverbs 3:1-10

My son, do not forget my teaching,     but keep my commands in your heart, ² for they will prolong your life many years     and bring you peace and prosperity.

³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;     bind them around your neck,     write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name     in the sight of God and man.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart     and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him,     and he will make your paths straight.^[a]

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;     fear the Lord and shun evil. ⁸ This will bring health to your body     and nourishment to your bones.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth,     with the firstfruits of all your crops; ¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,     and your vats will brim over with new wine.

"Living inside out, that's what it's all about -- dare to live, dare to shine, from the inside out."

As I read today's reading, I found myself singing the above lyrics from the theme song of our elementary class in Children's Ministry.

For me, it sums up the verses above - God shares so much practicality on how to live on the inside - how to stay connected with Him, follow His commands, love, be faithful, trust God, seek God in all things, be humble, and honor God by dedicating the best of ourselves to Him.

But the verses don't leave it there; they also give a glimpse of what the outside will look like when the living inside is happening as described -

• a prolonged life - remember that Kingdom views are so much bigger than ours - eternal life, exponential impact are more "prolonging" than physical existence on this earth,
• favor with God and man - love and faithfulness (and the other fruits of the Holy Spirit) can't help but shine out and affect our relationship with those around us,
• straight pathway - staying connected to God internally is lived out in the choices we make and the the way we live our lives because we can't help but follow the Compass that connection provides,
• health - physically, spiritually and emotionally,
• abundant fruit production - our faith in Christ will be evident in so many ways, it's overflowing.

It just seems that the list is so simple and practical - God says to stay connected to Me, seek Me, love Me, be faithful to Me, honor Me - so why is it so hard to do?

For me, I've always had a push and pull struggle with my weight. Up, down, sideways - I can never seem to get it figured out. But why not? It's a very simply formula - calories taken in need to be less than calories spent. Period. Easy, right?

For some of you, I can imagine it is, and I sooo admire you for that. But it isn't that simple for me. That simple formula assumes nothing else gets in the way of or influences what calories I take in or expend. That formula assumes I can apply it in any situation I encounter in my day, any emotion, any stress, or any obstacle. In fact, the real truth is I can want it, I can plan to do it, I can apply it some of the time, but many times I just can't keep it forefront in my mind. It is SUCH a simple formula, yet I easily fail at following it.

What would make me successful at following this formula more frequently? Maybe even having the formula develop into a habit, then a need, then an automatic, integral part of each of my days? Journaling? Planning? Intentionally checking on my actions and my thoughts as it pertains to all aspects of my life (I'm aware that it's not just at meals that I'm affected by this issue)?

What are the fruits of this simple formula? A healthier life, a better chance at being the "me" I know myself to be but often isn't seen, confidence, energy, a feeling of beauty, and on and on.

See, I know the simple formula, I know what it takes to succeed, and I know what the fruits are. And yet it is the HARDEST thing I face each day.

I do believe that God is intending to give us this insight in Proverbs so we know what formula is - to stay connected with Him in faith and relationship in all ways and all times. He gives us examples of what that will look like - what the fruits of this connection will be. But I don't believe He thinks we can simply, practically make it happen without difficulty. He knows what we are facing. He knows how hard following Him truly can be in this world. God doesn't want us to stop trying though.

He wants us to remember that "living inside out" is the goal - and that whatever we are living inside is what is being displayed on the outside. He so badly wants this beautiful, simple formula for us. I thank God I get try again every day to be on the inside what He desires for me, so that I can shine on the outside the way He intends me to. And by His leading, I will get the other "simple formulas" figured out too!

How did today's reading strike you?

Lisa

PoG Blog 10.2.12

Today’s Reading is from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31(NIV) 26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called.(A) Not many of you were wise(B) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose(C) the foolish(D) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not(E)—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.(F) 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,(G) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,(H) holiness(I) and redemption.(J) 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

(Message) 26-31 Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don’t see many of “the brightest and the best” among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.”

I don’t know about you…..but when I first read over the scripture for today, I immediately went to the “nots”! Boy, how the great deceiver wants to sneak in guilt and condemnation. So, I decided to stop….pray again…and to take the advice of good friend and just tell the old devil “OK, so what’s your point?”….and move on!

Then, I realized that I had missed the first verse, entirely….”think of what you were when you were called”….somehow…that touched my heart…Jesus had my attention.

Then..here we go again…into those “nots” about the wise…the influential…the brightest and the best…..the noble at birth…Hey, wait a minute…I kinda like that stuff…sounds pretty good to me…except for the noble birth thing (we don’t get to choose our parents). Then, Paul throws in that “by human standards” stuff….uh oh. Ok, Jesus, you’ve got my attention..again. Then Paul talks of the foolish, weak and lowly things…the despised things…the things that are “not”… that He, God the Father Almighty, has chosen to shame the wise & the strong – “to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him”

So what are you telling me Jesus?...are you warning me about how my pride…my boastfulness, the pursuit of wisdom & knowledge…the desire to be the best & the brightest..& how those things can get in the way of my relationship with you?...or is this really about me?

“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness & redemption.”

…no, it’s all about Him! There is nothing on this earth that I, or anyone else, can do or try to become…to earn salvation or to have life to full….my worldly significance matters not. He has and is much more than we can imagine. All that’s required is our simple faith in Jesus.

Oh, and about the “called” thing…..He chose that, too! So let’s go out humbly, yet boldly, and “boast in the Lord”!

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Blessings to you & yours! jim

10.1.12 “Be Humble”

Today’s Reading is Philippians 2:5-115 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Over the years I’ve seen those bracelets that has WWJD “what would Jesus do” on people’s wrists. So often I would think of the great things that Christ did like healing people of illnesses and delivering them from the evil one. After reading this, I think that the characteristics that made people follow Him was humility, caring, love and compassion. Christ didn’t go looking for people to heal, He just reacted to the situation that God put before Him. We too as God’s children should respond when that little voice in us says to show compassion to that person in need. Be loving and available to that difficult person at work that is having a tough day. Sometimes we feel that we can’t make a difference, but we should always remember that we are not alone.

As we head out today, seek to be like Christ by serving others in all that you do, not for your own glorification, but for His. There are many people around the world and in our own community that are in need of help. We just need to step out and let God work through us. As we prepare to do local missional work, Serve the City, it would be good to ask “what can I do to help one of God’s children”. As we embark on our relationship with Guia Lopez in Brazil, maybe having a personal relationship with one of the members is your prompting. Whatever your prompting is today please don’t just brush it away, respond and act on it.

Christ lowered himself to the lowest place possible as a servant and in turn God elevated Him to the greatest position in people’s hearts. He sacrificed His life so that we, His future bride, would have everlasting life with Him. What would you do for Christ if he walked up to you? If you’ll do it for Him, would you do it for His people?

Dave

9.28.12 "An Undivided Heart"

Jesus, Thanks for the opportunity to read this blog today and meditate on your Word!  I open my ears to You and step by faith into the arena of Your grace where I listen with an undivided heart! Amen The Scripture reading for today is Ezekiel 11:16-21, ¹⁶ “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’17 “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’18 “They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. ¹⁹ I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. ²⁰ Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. ²¹ But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

I love the promise of a new heart that God makes through Ezekiel.  He says, “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new Spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh!”   The sense is that a “divided heart of stone” was the default for the people and it took a mighty act of God to remove that “default heart” and give a new heart that is focused, has singular allegiance, tender, pliable, teachable, living – a heart of flesh.  But the default heart for humanity is a “divided” heart that shares its allegiance around – all kinds of gods get some of it – it probably is a very busy, tired, exhausted, lack of peace, overly entertained, love starved kind of heart.  A divided heart is in some sense “hell” to live with.  God warns, in verse 21, those who would reject His offer of a “new heart”- those who remain divided in their allegiance to “detestable idols” – it doesn’t look pretty!

When I contemplate these verses in light of last Sunday’s message about Jesus and the way He used parables, I am inspired once again by the pursuing love of God.  He says He spoke in parables because, “this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.” (Matthew 13)  Sometimes (most of the time) I don’t want to admit that the “default mode” for my heart is “divided and hard”.  But if I am honest with myself I can see it every day.  My natural drift is toward worry, anxiety, fear, criticism, gossip, entertainment as anesthesia, selfishness, hard heartedness, self indulgence etc. – these are all signs of a divided heart – one that is hardening into stone.  BUT – that heart and that “default mode” does not have to be the last word on my day or my life.  God has broken through in this world and in my life and given me a new undivided heart through Jesus.  He has paid dearly and in full for my new heart that I get to live from every day – I get to adventure into everyday with a “fleshy, fully alive undivided heart” that I access by faith every day!  That is what He promised Ezekiel and that promise can be fulfilled in your life and mine everyday!  That is exciting – we have new software – we don’t have to live in default mode- Jesus makes that possible!

I want to close with a few sentences of a pray I try to pray every day to practically access life from my new God-given heart.

My Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You now to be restored in You to be renewed in You to receive Your Love and Your life and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day.  I honor You as my sovereign and I surrender every aspect of my life totally and completely to You.  I give You might spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind and will and I ask Your Holy Spirit to restore me in you and renew me in you and lead me today.   Amen

delton

9.27.12 Fruit from the Gardener

This week’s theme has been “What kind of soil are you?”  taken from the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13.  The last line of that parable was “still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”  The Message versions says, “Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”  So, keeping in mind the question of soil and harvest, today’s reading is from  John 15:1-17 ¹  “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener.  ²He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  ³You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  ⁴Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.”

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.  ⁶If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown in to the fire and burned.  ⁷If you remain in Me and My words remain in you ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.  ⁸ This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.”

⁹  “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in My love.  ¹⁰ If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed 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.  ¹²My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.  ¹³Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for his friends.  ¹⁴You are My friends if you do what I command.  ¹⁵I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.  Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you.  ¹⁶ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.  Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name.  ¹⁷This is My command:  Love each other.”

Wow.  That is a lot of words to absorb.  There is no way to blog about it all.  So I will share what journey God led me on as I struggled with John's words.

My 1^st reaction when I read this tends toward self-condemnation.  I feel Fear.  Hopelessness.  Worry that I am going to be cut off from the Father because I have not been “good enough” or have not “done enough” or have not bore enough fruit.

Which leads me to my 2^nd thought - what is the “fruit” is that this refers to?  Is the fruit people I have “led to Christ?”   Is the fruit my good works?   Is the fruit keeping the laws and commandments?  Or is the fruit the “fruit of the Spirit”, you know – that list that has fruit in it like love, patience, kindness, gentleness…. I can’t remember the list.  So I look it up.

Galatians 5:22-23   “But what happens when we live God’s way?  He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

I like the “feeling” that I get when I read this!  I don’t see condemnation – but instead I see a very gracious “Gardener” God bringing gifts into my life – like in an orchard – fruit -  a gift of Fruit from Him to me!   That “tastes” so much sweeter than my default reaction of - “I am a hopeless branch  – I haven’t bore much fruit – I am going to be cut off and thrown into the fire!”

So the next time…

When I am having trouble loving someone, or when my patience is gone… When I have no kindness inside of me, no goodness whatsoever… When I am faith-less, when I am full of harshness, bitterness and nothing resembling gentleness at all… When all self-control is gone and I am on the brink of complete rage and immediate gratification… 

Instead of turning to the condemnation – the scary thoughts of  "cutting me off and throwing me into the fire” parts of this verse – I will read it with a different approach – and look at the PROMISES in the verse…

“Dawn, you are not clinging to Me, your Vine... you are trying to make it alone without Me… you are not remaining in Me…. Dawn, apart from Me, you can do NOTHING... that is why you are having trouble loving this person, having patience… that is why you are not being kind right now, why there is no goodness in you…

But, with Me, Dawn, when you remain in Me - I will bring into your life the fruits - of love,  and patience… with Me, Dawn, there will be kindness in you, and goodness… only by remaining in ME, will you be faithful, full of gentleness and self-control.. by staying completely attached to ME.

Isn’t that a big difference?

My hope of producing a harvest beyond my wildest dreams?  REMAINING IN HIM!

-dawn

9.26.12 "Co-workers in God's Service"

Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and open your ears to hear what He has for you today through the reading! The Scripture reading for today is  1 Corinthians 3: 1-9

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit^(A) but as people who are still worldly^(B)—mere infants^(C) in Christ. ² I gave you milk, not solid food,^(D) for you were not yet ready for it.^(E) Indeed, you are still not ready. ³ You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling^(F) among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? ⁴ For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,”^(G) are you not mere human beings?  ⁵ What, after all, is Apollos?^(H) And what is Paul? Only servants,^(I) through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. ⁶ I planted the seed,^(J) Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.^{(K) 9} For we are co-workers in God’s service;^(L) you are God’s field,^(M) God’s building.^(N)

Paul is really coming down hard on the Corinthians in this passage.  He’s saying they are not mature... still babies in regards to their faith because they aren’t acting like people led by the Spirit of God.  They aren’t bearing fruit from the Spirit... they are quarreling, they are jealous and they have false conceptions of the ministry that Paul and Apollos are doing.  The Corinthians were putting more emphasis on Paul and Apollos than they should have been and were choosing to follow and worship the men rather than God....and that ticked Paul off.    Paul is reminding them that God is the One to be worshipped and he and Apollos are just workers FOR God - and each serve a different purpose in God’s work.

Have you ever thought more highly of someone than you should because of a unique gifting or anointing that this person has... like teaching, preaching, or performing?   I know I have.  The temptation is to look at that person as having the ability to do more for the kingdom that you could ever do... and then be overly drawn to this person... and even jealous of them at the same time!   We can miss God in the midst of this kind of perception because we are so focused on the gift itself that we miss the God who provided that gift in the first place.   And we are so vulnerable to thinking that the gifts we have would never make a difference in expanding God’s Kingdom or feeling that we have to make something happen ourselves in order to expand the Kingdom.  I believe Paul was speaking to this mindset when he said, “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”

I have been in both camps before.  I’ve desired to be like someone who has a tremendous gift to teach or sing or lead worship or preach... rather than desiring to be like Jesus!  And I’ve also felt like I had a responsibility to bring someone to faith rather than recognizing that God is the only one that can do that.  It takes a tremendous amount of pressure off when I trust that God has given me the exact abilities and gifts that He determined I would have for the furthering of His Kingdom.  I can be myself.   I don’t have to be a great teacher or preacher to make a difference for His cause because the gifts I have impact in ways that other gifts don’t.   And I don’t have to “make” someone believe in Jesus.  Only God has the power to give faith - He just asks me to throw the seed - to be His co-worker.  Do I have a responsibility to be a light in the world, to be like Jesus the best I can, and to be a safe person for others to come to in times of need or pain or anxiety?  Yes...  I believe that’s part of cultivating the soil that the seed falls on and helps a person to feel more receptive to Jesus - but I’m not responsible for the results - and that’s very freeing.  Thank goodness that as a co-worker with Christ, I can look forward to God using me for His Kingdom’s cause and I can pray for a person’s salvation, but I can leave the “saving” to God!

Thank you Father, that you are a Saving God!  That you desire all to come to know you!  And thank you for using me.  I may feel like I have small gifts to offer in the advancement of your Kingdom, but all things are possible with you.  If I’m surrendered and focused on you and others... not my “ableness” to do something or make something happen - you can accomplish much through me.  I love you -

What are your thoughts about today’s scripture?  Did anything really speak to you today?   Let me know!

Denise

9.24.12 Monday's Blog

Please read today’s scripture, praying for an open heart and mind to listen to the wisdom God has for you through his Holy Spirit. Today’s Scripture Reading is: Mark 10:13-16

The Message (MSG)

^13-16 The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.

As Mike shared with us today at worship, Jesus used the parable of the four soils to hold up a mirror to His people. His people had witnessed Jesus’ many miracles, had heard Him proclaim Himself to be the Son of God, and they still questioned Him. And to make matters worse, they began criticizing the way He taught them - “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” (Matt 13:10). They continually challenged His authority. Yikes! As Mike outlined the context of the people’s reaction, it reminded me of my journey through this life – the many times my heart has been hardened, the many times I’ve treated my heavenly father as the third or fourth priority in my life, the many times I’ve allowed the distractions of this world capture my attention. Jesus gave me this parable to shine a light on the many ways the evil one would keep me away from relationship with Him. So, what’s the answer? When I studied today’s scripture reading, it began to make me smile, because the answer is very simple – the reminder that God wants us to come to Him like children to a father. He wants me to come to Him with the innocence of a child - the completely trusting, dependent attitude that children are born with. There are many studies in child development that describe what happens to babies and small children that are raised by negative, controlling, abusive parents. The natural dependence children have on their authority figure can totally shape their lives – good or bad. The Good News is that we know we have a loving and forgiving Father, and when we can come to Him with receptive souls like children, HE WILL fill us. As children are totally dependent on their parents, we are totally dependent on Him, and desperate for His love. As a father should care and love his children with gentleness and respect, Our Father will never cease to seek us and call on us for a relationship with Him. What a comfort!

What are ways we can seek Him? As we seek Him, what kind of attitude should we have?

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for never ceasing to seek us. In this life, we are desperate for the love and grace that only you can give. Our friends, our family, our acquaintances will sometimes fail us, but you never will. Make us yearn for your presence in our daily comings and goings – help us know you better, so that we can share the hope that we have in you with everyone we meet. In your Son’s name we pray. Amen.

Kristi

09.23.12 - The Parable of the Sower!!

Sunday’s blog introduces the scripture passage which was the basis of the message at Point of Grace earlier today!   This forms the theme for the week.  Daily blogs this week will host related passages and helpful insightful discussions to assist us all in following Jesus this week!  Matthew 13:1-23 - 'That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ He who has ears, let him hear.”

¹⁰ The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

¹¹ He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. ¹² Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. ¹³ This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;     though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

¹⁴ In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;     you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. ¹⁵ For this people’s heart has become calloused;     they hardly hear with their ears,     and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes,     hear with their ears,     understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’

¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. ²² The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”'

This is a very familiar parable, but one that contains so much depth, especially when considering the context.  Please respond with what grabbed your heart or challenged you from this text or from the message in worship this morn!

mike

9.22.12 "Saturday's Blog"

Welcome to the POG Blog! 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: 1-10  (NIV)

Jesus Has Risen

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene^(B) and the other Mary^(C) went to look at the tomb.

² There was a violent earthquake,^(D) for an angel^(E) of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone^(F) and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.^{(G) 4} The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid,^(H) for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.^(I) Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.^(J) There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them.^(K) “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers^(L) to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

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

9.21.12 No Resurrection? No Redemption... Plain and Simple

^{I Corinthians 15:12-17 The Amplfied Bible}

¹² But now if Christ (the Messiah) is preached as raised from the dead, how is it that some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen;

¹⁴ And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is in vain [it amounts to nothing] and your faith is devoid of truth and is fruitless (without effect, empty, imaginary, and unfounded).

¹⁵ We are even discovered to be misrepresenting God, for we testified of Him that He raised Christ, Whom He did not raise in case it is true that the dead are not raised.

¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised;

¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is mere delusion [futile, fruitless], and you are still in your sins [under the control and penalty of sin];

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¹² But now if Christ (the Messiah) is preached as raised from the dead, how is it that some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen;

The Sadducees did not believe the existence of spirits and in the resurrection.  It is likely that the Jewish contingency in Corinth contained some Sadducees as they were the primary voices that opposed the notion of a resurrection. Consequently, if Jesus rose from the dead, and they agreed that THAT had happened, but there was still no such thing as the resurrection of the dead, then it would be false to say that Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was the "first fruit" resurrection.  So, if according to their belief, there was no resurrection of the dead, then there was no first fruit resurrection.

¹⁴ And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is in vain [it amounts to nothing] and your faith is devoid of truth and is fruitless (without effect, empty, imaginary, and unfounded).

Without the FACT of the resurrection, there is no victory over death. Without Jesus’ demonstration that He conquered death, the judgment of man would still stand.  However, as the Innocent One was being judged for the guilty, Divine justice was compelled to exonerate him personally, and demonstrate that death had no holding power over Him! Jesus conquered sin and death by the resurrection. Therefore, if Jesus is not risen from the dead, then the gospel is powerless.  It is just a bogus message that contains no genuine hope; and without hope, there can be no faith; or faith is the substance of things hoped for…

¹⁵ We are even discovered to be misrepresenting God, for we testified of Him that He raised Christ, Whom He did not raise in case it is true that the dead are not raised.

¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised;

¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is mere delusion [futile, fruitless], and you are still in your sins [under the control and penalty of sin];

Everything works together. If Jesus is not raised from the dead, there is no hope of a general resurrection of the dead. If there is not going to be a general resurrection of the dead, then neither did Jesus ever revive after his crucifixion, and the message of the Gospel is a lie, and its preachers, false witnesses.

If Jesus was not raised from the dead, the power of sin and death has not been overcome; and we are still gripped by their power; and we have only the condemnation of God to face upon our own death.  The sentence of judgment that is upon every soul that has sinned is death. The only redemption from that verdict is based upon the One who has experienced the execution of our sentence as a voluntary, innocent, sacrifice; and the resurrection of that One to show openly and plainly that He has obtained the redemption for mankind.  No resurrection?  No redemption. Plain and simple.

-Vijay Armanath

9.20.12 "Signs"

Last Sunday, Pastor’s message was about the Pharisees and teachers wanting a sign from Jesus to “prove” who He was.  They wanted another miracle, even though they had already seen Him do miracles.  It was easier for them to have proof than faith.  He said they were an adulterous and wicked generation and the only sign they would get was the sign of Jonah.  Jonah was in the belly of a fish for 3 days, was spit out and lived.  Jesus died, was in a grave for 3 days then lived.  Jesus was speaking of the sign and miracle of His resurrection, which was the ultimate miracle and ultimate sign! The scripture for today...   Matthew 27:45-53       The Message (MSG)

^45-46 From noon to three, the whole earth was dark. Around midafternoon Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

^47-49 Some bystanders who heard him said, “He’s calling for Elijah.” One of them ran and got a sponge soaked in sour wine and lifted it on a stick so he could drink. The others joked, “Don’t be in such a hurry. Let’s see if Elijah comes and saves him.”

⁵⁰ But Jesus, again crying out loudly, breathed his last.

^51-53 At that moment, the Temple curtain was ripped in two, top to bottom. There was an earthquake, and rocks were split in pieces. What’s more, tombs were opened up, and many bodies of believers asleep in their graves were raised. (After Jesus’ resurrection, they left the tombs, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.)

The temple curtain torn in two, darkness covering the land in the middle of the afternoon, earth quakes and rocks splitting in half, tombs opening up and bodies coming out alive!  I can’t imagine how I would be feeling if I were there, watching these signs happen.  If I already trusted that Jesus was who He claimed to be, then these signs would be confirmation of that... if I hadn’t believed Him before, then surely these signs  would convince me that He was God and Savior!  Some did believe like the Centurion and guards that were terrified and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”   But my mind really goes to the Pharisees and teachers (who gave Jesus a hard time) and what they thought as they witnessed these things.   Did their hearts stay hardened to what was going on around them or did they admit their ignorance and cry out to God?  There had to have been some on both sides of the fence.

So I’m thinking, how could one see all of these signs and still not believe?  Have you ever been confronted with something you know is right, but because of your stubbornness, you put up a wall and refuse to see it?  The more you want to be right (even though you’re wrong), the thicker your wall is to receive the truth?  I’ve done that before... and it really is possible to have something right in front of you that you know is right or is true, and refuse to believe or refuse to do anything about it - all because of stubbornness or pride or desire.   So how close am I to being like one of those Pharisees?  I can easily read about their unbelief, hard hearts, and stubbornness, and say, “They are horrible! I could never do that...could never reject Jesus like that”.... but keeping in mind that I’m very vulnerable to that same stubbornness and  the thick walls, I need to say, “please Jesus, remove my pride and help me to see the truth!”

I don’t need a sign to know that Jesus is real and to know who He is... but sometimes like the Pharisees, I want to see a sign anyway.  I want Him to prove to me that He’s here.... I want a miracle - as if waking up every day isn’t miracle enough!  As if having clothes and food everyday isn’t enough!  As if having a relationship with Him and having His Spirit live inside of me isn’t enough!  I can see a sign of Him every moment if I’m only willing to lay down my pride and stubbornness and receive the truth!

Lord, forgive me for my unbelief and my demand for signs.  The ultimate sign - Your resurrection - has been accomplished....  You give signs and do miracles according your plans, not my demands!  And still, you are so generous with them...thank you Lord, I love you...

I would love to hear what God brought to your heart today. Denise

September 17, 2012 Seriously!

Father, please send Your Holy Spirit now to speak to me about what You want me to write about concerning this scripture. Open my ears and heart Lord to what You want to say to me. Please organize my thoughts to Yours. Amen  Ephesians 6:10-13

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

The theme of the message and this week is “Really....seriously... you don’t want to MISS this...” Well, now an hour and 15 minutes after I started my prayer and this blog, I’m asking myself - REALLY????, SERIOUSLY CINDY?????? I’ve been missing, not hearing what God had to say to me because, I’m not letting go, I’m not putting on His FULL armor, and by not doing that the devil has a grip on me. What a minute by minute fight it is for me!

But, listen to Me Cindy, because I’m speaking boldly to you right now. You, Cindy, can be strong, can fight this fight, can step on the devil’s head - but ONLY through ME!!!! HALLELUJAH!! Finally!!! and that is how Paul starts this section of scripture. Finally or most importantly be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

God wants me strong and He’s going to give me all the tools I need to be strong in Him and in His ways. Lord, let me not overlook or miss these “well-made weapons of the best materials” (message version) I hear Him saying, Cindy there are so many, many demons who come after you and your friends, your family - these demons are everywhere. It can be so overwhelming to me, especially after the grace of Jesus has improved our relationship or He has conquered a demon. In the message yesterday (Matthew 12: 43-45) it talks about how even when a demon is cast out, it returns with seven even worse demons and if we aren’t “occupied” by the Holy Spirit or, in today’s scripture, equipped with the FULL armor of God, we will not stand.

Lord, I will surrender my agenda to You. I know I can do nothing without You and can do anything with You. I receive Your FULL armor that You and only You have for me this day. I believe in Your promises and I will fear no evil because of You. You are amazing Lord and I thank You and give You ALL glory, honor and praise. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen

What did God say to you today when reading this scripture? I’d love to hear about it!!!

Love in Christ to all of you,

Cindy Russell

9.16.12 Sunday's Blog

Sunday's blog introduces the scripture passage which was the basis of the message at Point of Grace earlier today!   This forms the theme for the week.  Daily blogs this week will host related passages and helpful insightful discussions to assist us all in following Jesus this week!  Matthew 12 ³⁸ Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”  ³⁹ He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰ For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ⁴¹ The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. ⁴² The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

⁴³ “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. ⁴⁴ Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

⁴⁶ While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. ⁴⁷ Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

⁴⁸ He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Please feel free to share thoughts, inspirations, questions and insights concerning this text as well as the message that was shared at Point of Grace earlier today!

Enjoy!

9.15.12 Saturday's Blog

Welcome to the POG Blog! 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:  Colossians 1: 15-23  (NIV)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵ The Son is the image^(A) of the invisible God,^(B) the firstborn^(C) over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created:^(D) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(E) all things have been created through him and for him.^{(F) 17} He is before all things,^(G) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head^(H) of the body, the church;^(I) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(J) from among the dead,^(K) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased^(L) to have all his fullness^(M) dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile^(N) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(O) by making peace^(P) through his blood,^(Q) shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(R) in your minds^(S) because of^[a] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(T) you by Christ’s physical body^(U) through death to present you^(V) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(W)— ²³ if you continue^(X) in your faith, established^(Y) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(Z) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(AA) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(AB)

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

9.14.12 "Dealing with Condemnation!"

Welcome - so glad you are here today! Father, thank you for your light and love this day!  Thank you for real truth that flows from your word - help me receive well all you have for me today! Amen

We have a really cool scripture to contemplate today!  As we read, it might be good for us to remember the theme for this week at Point of Grace - "The Danger of Missing Jesus!"

John 3:16-21, "¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

This section kicks off with one of the most familiar scripture verses of all time.  I remember as a child being taught that John 3:16 was "the Gospel in a nutshell!"  What I did not read for years and years and years was the verses right after.  What catches my attention is Jesus' use of the word "condemnation"!  He says He did not come into the world to bring "condemnation" - "condemnation" was already here - "condemnation" is a given in our world.  What the world needs is "salvation"!

This is so important for me to remember! One of the ways I will "miss" the sweetness of salvation in Jesus is if I forget that "condemnation" over me and my world is my starting point - the given! "Whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son" I believe one of the most profound evidences in my own life -that Jesus is right in saying that I sit under this "condemnation" by nature - is the reality of self-condemnation in my own life and the lives of everyone - and I mean everyone - I know.  I mostly see "self-condemnation" by the ways we attempt to cover it up.  I (we) blame, change the subject, puff ourselves up, ignore responsibility, cut others down, hide, escape, argue, get angry, control, experience depression, etc. etc. etc.   There is something deep inside of us - no matter how much we try to cover it up - that says in a convincing voice that we are really not "everything we are cracked up to be"!  That we are not all right - that we are weak, have failed, not self sufficient!  This is evidence of a divine reality - we are under condemnation - a place which is void of life and hope.  The GREATEST thing is that "condemnation" does not have to get the last word even though that is our starting point it does not have to be our ending point!  "LIFE" can get the final say through Jesus!  Forgiveness of our sins can take the full weight off each and everyone of us through Jesus!  It is true we are under condemantion apart from Jesus.  And there is ample evidence to prove our guilt - BUT - God says that in Jesus we get a new start - a new life - a clean slate of forgiveness.  That is why Jesus words are so life giving, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned...!

This is ours through the miracle of faith!  Jesus gives us a free 100% effective solution for our "condemnation" problem! It is real!  Life in Jesus freed of condemnation and self-condemnation is real - to be tapped into everyday!

Jesus, thank you -thank you - thank you - I receive Your clean slate granting forgiveness right now!

Have an awesome - "no condemnation day"!

delton

9.13.12

  “Father, please give me an open heart, open ears, and open eyes to Your Word for me today.  Help me to listen.  Help me to apply it to everything You have been showing me this week.  But specifically, help me to hear Your voice and what this Word from You means for me TODAY!”  Amen. Today’s Scripture is Psalm 1.  “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.

 Whatever he does prospers.  Not so the wicked!  They are like chaff that the wind blows away.  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.  

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” This week’s Theme has been “The DANGER of Missing Jesus!”

Sunday’s Message revealed how God passionately reaches out to His broken, often obstinate people – but warns them of the danger of denial of Him.   Pastor gave a thought-provoking illustration using a PVC pipe and a music stand symbolizing a wall that we can build up between us and the breath of His Holy Spirit.

Next, add on to the PVC pipe illustration verses like Matthew 12:30 -  “Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters.”   And  Matthew 12:35 -  “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”  

This was scary!  My heart raced in anxious thoughts worrying if I have built a wall of rejection between me and the Holy Spirit.   I can be so obstinate – broken – stubborn – sinful –!!!  But, I certainly do not want to be cut off from His Holy Spirit!

I found myself wondering…  “Have I grieved You this way, Father?”  “Do You consider me to be one who is against You?”  “Have I sinned against the Holy Spirit?”  “Is there good stored up inside of me?”  “Am I in danger of cutting off myself from Your Holy Spirit?”    “I don’t want to end up MISSING  You, Jesus because of my hard-heartedness.”

Then the beautiful passage Jesus quoted from Isaiah brought much relief – “A bruised reed He will not break, a smoldering wick He will not snuff out!... In His Name the people will put their hope!”  What comfort!  When I am a bruised reed, barely hanging on in the stormy gale of life – He will not “break” me!   If there is even a smoldering ember left inside of me – He will not snuff me out!  I am so thankful for His patience and mercy with me.   In HIS Name – HIS Name – I will put my Hope!

As I read through today’s Psalm  at first I was filled with more fear.  "Am I walking in the counsel of the wicked?" " Will I be blown away like chaff in the wind?"  I know that I don’t “do” all the things that this Psalm says perfectly. “Yes, I am sinful.  Yes, I have done wicked things.  Yes, I mess up.   I don’t meditate on His law every day and night.

BUT I can say that my delight is NOT in the counsel of the wicked.  My delight is NOT in the way of sinners.   My heart yearns for walking in the counsel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  My delight IS  in the law (or Word) of the Lord.  As best I can, I meditate on His Word and try to receive it and let it penetrate my hardened, yet broken heart.

After reading it over and over, this Psalm actually  reassures me that if I am delighting in the Lord -  I am blessed!   If I am "blessed" then there is no fear that I have become hardened to the Holy Spirit!  It says that I am like a tree planted by streams of water… whose leaf does not wither!  There is no fear in this!

I desire and delight in the Lord!  I do not have to worry about the image of that music stand blocking me from the sweet, precious breath of the Holy Spirit.  There is no wall between me and my Savior!

How about you and your journey this week?  How is this Psalm relevant for you today as you study and chew on all that God is teaching about the danger of MISSING Jesus?

-dawn

09.12.12 - What overflows from our heart?

Please begin with prayer for an open heart, before you read the passage below. Romans 10:8-13 - ⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: ⁹ That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. ¹¹ As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Wow!!! What an amazing text and also a very dense and profound text.  This is such a core passage to the Christian journey and I would encourage everyone to be familiar with it and able to locate it.  Paul uses three Old Testament texts (verses 8, 11, and 13) to show the continuity of Scripture and the heartbeat of God. 

The word ‘heart’ really stood out to me from this passage as well as from the message on Sunday.  We are seeing the continued repetition of conflict in the Gospel of Matthew with the religious leaders of the day and there is an intensification of the plot to put Jesus to death.  Jesus is definitely transitioning the practice of faith, but the core of the message in both Old and New Testament is trust, surrender, faith, and obedience because He is Lord and we are not.  Their actions reflect their heart and they don’t want to give up their places of power and authority.

To confess ‘Jesus is Lord’ (which is one of the earliest Christian confessions of faith) is to clearly delineate our role and His role.  He is Lord---we are not!  It takes humility and the recognition of brokenness to speak and truly believe that phrase.  The speaking of those words without the follow through of the heart/life is empty and hollow.  The American Church can sometimes focus too much on praying a specific prayer and then quantifying those responses, because we like to be able to measure things and make the things of faith tangible.   We think the words spoken save us and this can give us false hope that eventually leads to damnation.  It’s clearly the words spoken, believed, and lived out!

I heard about a popular pastor from a couple centuries ago that would hold huge revivals in fields---people would approach afterwards and ask, ‘How many people were saved today?’  He would reply by saying, ‘We will know in a few years.’  The pastor correctly interprets the message of Christianity to be more than an empty recitation of words, but the confession of faith and subsequent following of Jesus that results in life change.  I am not saying that what we do makes us right before God, but the Christ follower is always shown to have regeneration and life change. 

Matthew 12 states that ‘out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks’.  Well, the religious leaders’ hearts were speaking loud and clear!  They considered Him a demon and would never dare bow to Him.  The religious leaders had hearts of stone and could not fathom coming under someone else’s authority.  We also see that they (and every other human) will be held accountable for their words.    

Jesus speaks frequently about the heart as the place of denial or response and the place that guides our actions.  When we are surrendered to the Holy Spirit and come under Jesus’ Lordship, our lives produce fruit---not because of our ability, but because of the Spirit living in us.  We receive these words in Romans with joyful and grateful hearts, along with humility and we respond through confession and surrendered hearts to Jesus.  Then we are motivated to share this incomparable message to all those we encounter!

Is it easy to confess your faith, but hard to follow Him with your heart?  What do your words and actions show about your heart?  What promises from this text grab your attention?  I would love to hear how this passage, along with the message Sunday struck you.

mike