6.6.13 “All for one and One for all”

  Today’s Reading is 1 Corinthians 12:21-27

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

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

So often we lift up people that have gifts that we desire, such as entertainers or athletes.  God gave them special talents, but doesn’t want us to idolize them.  Why don’t we lift up the homeless person that stands on the street corner waiting for help?  They usually own almost nothing, yet survive in a harsh environment.  They sleep under bridges or in the woods and might only have the evening paper to keep them warm in the winter.  Why don’t we idolize them? Is it because we think they’re lazy?  Have we ever taken the time to get to know them and find out what drove them to be homeless?  Each of these people are equal and relevant in God’s kingdom.  We should not minimize or maximize the importance of any one person or lift up anyone over another.

Seek others that may be hurting more than you.  I remember when I was in elementary school I broke my leg.  My leg was the ailing limb, but the rest of my body had to step up and pull the load for my broken leg.  Once they put the cast on my leg, my arms had to help me walk by bearing the load of my body on crutches.  As I used the crutches, my arms started to get stronger and stronger, thus the weak limb actually helped to strengthen other parts of my body.  We are called to help others just as my arms had to bear the load for my leg.  I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people speak of helping someone in need and in the end they were actually the ones that got the most out of helping.

As we move into a more missional thinking remember this statement, “there should be no division in the body”.  As we see a homeless person standing on a street corner, what will it hurt to drop them off a sandwich or a bottle of water or just tell them that God loves them.  If someone in your office seems to be hurting or stressed, maybe we need to offer them some love or a listening ear.  We should never tear down or destroy a person, but instead we should build them up and help them.  I would like for us to try an exercise.  Each day when you go to work, school or just out, seek out that one person that rubs you the wrong way and make it a point to tell them good morning and let them know that you’re thinking of them and how nice it is to know them.  Who knows, this may become one of your closest friends.

Dave P.

6.5.13 "Surprising Gifts!"

Welcome to the PoG Blog! Today's scripture is,

1 Corinthians 12  7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

As we have been walking through this series on the Holy Spirit in the messages at Point of Grace there has been an overwhelming theme that the Holy Spirit is in charge and I am not!  I am reminded of what Jesus said about the Spirit being like the wind - you see evidence of it  but you cannot control it.  Again in these verses we see that the Holy Spirit is in charge - even of how He works in peoples lives, "11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 

He is in charge and I am not!  That is a good thing - even when getting gifts.  It is best that way!  He doesn't come to me in a "What do you want for Christmas?" mode.  He knows better what is best for me than I do.  This doesn't mean that I am not involved though.  I need to be a full participant, a good receiver, a great experiencer and exerciser of the gifts He has given me.  The body of Christ needs me to show up and use my gifts and manifest the Holy Spirit as He determines!

I few weeks ago I discovered that I am not as good a receiver as I thought I was - especially in those arenas I am not in charge of.  Our kids surprised Dawn and I for our anniversary with a 24 hour rental of a yellow 2013 Camero convertible!  It was fun.  But it surprised me how I had to be very intentional in my thinking and actions as we were beginning to experience the gift in order for me to enjoy the gift.  I have come to the conclusion I struggled a bit because I was not in charge of the gift.  It is not something I would have ever asked for.  It was totally  out of the box for us to intentionally drive around just "enjoying" life in a unique way!  I ended up enjoying the experience tremendously and so appreciate the gift that our children "determined" for us to get.  What I had to get past was the fact that "I wasn't in charge"!

I think that my life will get small and boring if I am in charge of all the gifts I get - so it is with the Holy Spirit!  I want to fully engage in all He has for me but I am discovering that I really do not need to be in charge of the gifts He gives me or how He works in me!  Holy Spirit surprises are good I think!

delton

What are your thoughts and feelings on this text?

I would love to listen!

6.4.13 "Different but the Same!"

Welcome to the PoG Blog! Enjoy the text for the day from 1 Corinthians 12!

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

What grabs me about this text is that even though we are gifted differently we all have a sameness in Jesus!  Our "sameness" is not that we are all alike - we are all different!  Our sameness is that we are all from God - born again into a new life by the Spirit of God that enables us to say - "Jesus is Lord"!

This week I get to be around my son-in-law Caleb some.  He and my daughter Rachel are staying with us about a week before that spend the summer in Colorado!  He is a great, gifted guy but very different than I am!  One simple thing he does is that he is so observant.  The other day we were working on some projects around the house and as usual I misplaced my glasses, coffee cup, tools etc.  Usually I would get frustrated and waste time looking for stuff I had set down but Caleb remembers everything.  "Oh, glasses? they are on the work bench!" "Oh pliers?  You left them on the table on the back porch!"  It's amazing- he is really good at keeping up with all his stuff and mine too!

He is gifted differently - even in little ways!  I feel humbled and usually embarrassed when stuff like that points out my flaws and weaknesses. I think though God wants me to celebrate the way people are different than I am - even in little ways - and also celebrate  how much I need others!  It knits me together with others - with my son in law - not because we are the same but because we have the same Jesus who is leading us all as Lord!

Relax - we are not all supposed to have it "all" together!  We are different - each bringing strength and weakness!  Our sameness is in Jesus!'

We need each other and can celebrate each other!

Enjoy!

delton

What do you think about all this?

6.3.13 "Ask! Seek! Knock!"

Welcome to a new week and to the PoG Blog!  God speaks to us in all sorts of ways, including through his Holy Word.  Thank you for responding to God’s call by checking out today’s blog.  Pray God will open your head and heart to what He has to say to you. Luke 11:9 - 13

⁹ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

¹¹ “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

In Sunday’s message we learned that it is critical not only to be in relationship with God, but to have fellowship with Him daily.  These verses from Luke speak of ‘fellowship’.  Fellowship involves asking, seeking and knocking.  Fellowship is about coming to God in the same way children come to their father: excited when Dad returns home after a long day at work, asking for the keys to the car, calling home from college seeking advice about a particular situation, etc.  All of these are things children do when they are in fellowship with their father.

Jesus goes further, as Luke records in vv. 11 – 13.  He gives us some imagery of what it looks like for a father to be in fellowship with his son.  Although no earthly father is perfect, fathers provide food, clothing, and shelter for their children.  They do these things because of their love for their children.  How much more will our Heavenly Father do for us?

Take a minute to think of all the ways your Father provides and cares for you.  The relationship is there – He is your Father!  Pray God will send his Holy Spirit to you so that you will experience today the joy of being in Fellowship with God.

mark

6.1.13 "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

Psalm 150

¹ Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his holy temple. Praise him in his mighty heavens. ² Praise him for his powerful acts. Praise him because he is greater than anything else. ³ Praise him by blowing trumpets. Praise him with harps and lyres. ⁴ Praise him with tambourines and dancing. Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes. ⁵ Praise him with clashing cymbals. Praise him with clanging cymbals.

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

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

5/30/13 A Mirror's Reflection

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Lord, we surrender this new day to You. Please restore me in You, renew me in You, and grow me in You today. I pray that this time I spend with You is a time of worship, a time of learning, a time of humility, a time of awe, and a time of peace. I pray that You will prepare me for the calling that You have for me today and continue the work You are still doing in me for the greater good of Your Kingdom. Amen.

When I read today's readings, there are certain parts of each verse that stood out to me. I would like to look at each part further with you today.

"the veil is taken away" - veils are very effective in putting up walls, even if they are typically a very flimsy separation. A line of sight is a necessity to the sensory beings that we are; I understand that when one loses his/her sight, the other senses are greatly heightened to compensate; even then, our brains are wired to create internal "pictures" that interpret the world around us. To have this veil removed, has to be freeing. I remember being a a bride and having the veil lifted at my wedding; seeing my husband for the first time as my husband. It was a very powerful experience. In the Bible, veils keep God's glory from shining on our faces; from being seen. Moses wore one to prevent others from being afraid of the God-glow on his face after he met God on the mountain. It is powerful to think that we can be like mirrors without the veil, reflecting God's glory uninhibited.

"where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" - Freedom. We all want freedom from something - paying bills, routine day-to-day, overbearing issue, hurt, pain, relationships - something. This isn't quite the type of freedom we are looking at here; rather, it is so much greater. By trusting Christ, we are loved, accepted, forgiven, and freed to live for Him. So in the midst of the bills, routine, hurt, pain, and relationships, we are already free in relationship with Christ to tackle those with Him at our side, in our hearts, and guiding our steps.

"being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" - In the Gospel, we see the truth about Christ, and it transforms us as we understand and apply it to our lives. As our knowledge deepens, the Holy Spirit helps us to change, becoming more and more the beings God created us to be. Becoming Christ-like is a progressive experience that will not be completed until we reach Heaven, but I am convinced that interacting with us as we grow in our Christ-likeness is how this world actually sees Christ in the flesh. By gazing at the nature of God with unveiled minds, we can be more like Him.

Ultimately, for me, this verse is reminding me that the separation between God and I is removed when I turn to Him, seek Him and connect with Him in relationship. With the veil removed, I become a mirror's reflection of His glory. The Spirit guides me each day - each moment - as I grow in my ability to live a life that reflects Christ more accurately, more fully. It is the Holy Spirit within me that makes this happen - I am not in charge.

Thanks for walking through this with me today. What are your thoughts?

Lisa

5.29.13 The HOLY SPIRIT is the power of ALMIGHTY GOD!

Thank you Heavenly FATHER for another day of life and for the many undeserved gifts that you continuously provide to us so graciously.  Send your HOLY SPIRIT to lead us in understanding your words this morning.  Grant that we may feel you presence and surrender all our earthly concerns to your loving arms.  In CHRIST name we pray. Romans 8:14-17

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[b] Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Whenever I think of the HOLY SPIRIT I think of power.  I’m sure I feel this way at least in part because of Pentecost.   The arrival of the HOLY SPIRIT was nothing short of spectacular.   There was wind and fire and everyone knew, even those that came in off the streets to see what was going on, that something awesome had occurred, something was different, things had changed.  The followers were no longer confused or cowering in fear, in fact they exuded confidence, strength, and excitement!  They instantly became bilingual and began to perform works of wonder.   This was no ordinary event.  This was the transfer of power from the CREATOR of the Universe into human hands.

This passage packs the power of Pentecost.    In order for us to become more than HIS creations, in order to become heirs GOD became one of us using HIS royal blood to wash ours clean and most importantly to make us family!   But HE was not finished.   With the next gift, the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT we are transformed like Pinocchio from a wooden imitation of a child of GOD into the real thing!  The connection is complete.  The strings of the marionette are severed and we are free, no longer bound by fake wooden illusions of life but connected to the real deal, to the bigger picture, to eternity!

Think about this for a moment.  This is a real reason to get excited.  It’s like answering the door and the Publisher’s Clearinghouse people are on your front porch!  With the HOLY SPIRIT comes the knowledge that we are not doomed! We are redeemed!  In “Hook” my favorite movie version of the classic fairy tale Peter Pan there is a scene where Captain Hook has our hero Peter cornered with sword drawn and a just blow away from a frightening, horrible end.  With an evil laugh and spiteful sneer he tells Peter to prepare for death.  Peter responds with that boyish grin as though he knows something Hook will never grasp. “To die would be a great adventure”, he shouts without missing a beat.   That’s what I’m talking about.  That is what this passage is saying to me.  We are connected by both blood and spirit to the ONE that controls it all and not as slaves but as his very own children.  The HOLY SPIRIT is the power of ALMIGHTY GOD.

If you can, please close your eyes for a moment and just ask your FATHER to let you feel HIS SPIRIT inside you.  HE has promised it is there if you ask and believe.   Whatever is going on right now in your day or in your life just close your eyes for a few moments relax and feel the SPIRIT flowing within…….can you feel it?

Jim L.

5.28.13 The wind blows wherever it pleases!

My dear Lord Jesus, I come to you now to be completely emptied of me and my control.  Restore me in You, renew me in You.  Please, Holy Spirit, fill my heart and my mind as I read the Scripture for tomorrow.  I surrender everything of today to You and receive Your love and Your life.  May Your Kingdom be revealed to me as I read and then write this blog.  In Jesus Name I pray. Amen John 3: 1-8

3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

I had a hard time deciding between the NIV version or the Message version.  In the Message, instead of saying “born again” they say “born from above” - the Greek version of “again” also means “above”.  Either way you have to die to yourself in order to be born of the Spirit and receive that “baptism into a new life” (Msg). Being “born again” brings up many memories. I remember when everyone talked about being “born again” in the 80’s.  I so wanted to have that experience but thought it meant having that one moment in life that others described as life changing. It wasn’t until the late 90’s that I discovered what grace was and then after that really read the Bible. I gained knowledge and some understanding, but it wasn’t until we started going to POG 10 years ago, that God revealed and is still revealing what it means to be born again. For me it means waking up every morning and deciding to be born from above, and staying in that constant connection through prayer and worship.  It’s not a one time event, it’s a daily decision.

Then there’s the talk about the Kingdom. Do you believe we can see the Kingdom while on earth? I do, only if I make that decision to be born again - and it sure beats looking, hearing, believing in things of this world. Notice Jesus speaks of the Kingdom two times - seeing and then entering. The Message version on entering - “unless a person submits to this original creation (being born from above)- the wind-hovering-over-the-water creation the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life - it’s not possible to enter God’s Kingdom. I love that explanation and when I read it, I think who would not want this fabulous gift? What makes it hard to not accept the gift of the Holy Spirit and all that He does? Well, after reading my old study Bible (thanks Erin for giving me the idea) I think it boils down to that C word that always gets in the way. I bet you guessed - CONTROL, uhhhhhhh! We cannot control the works of the Spirit, “the wind blows wherever it pleases”. (verse 8) The Spirit works in ways we cannot control or even understand.

I for one adore the Holy Spirit. I don’t always follow His advice, but am so very encouraged and humbled by His presence in my life.

Thank You, Lord for the gift You gave us all so long ago. I love how I get to call upon Your Holy Spirit to help me draw closer to You. I will choose to be born from above everyday of my life. Amen

Any thoughts?

May God Bless Your Day,

cindy

5.27.2013 When I Am Thirsty

“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.  Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7:37-39 NIV

In my scripture notes, my bible tells me that when Jesus says, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him,” he is referencing Isaiah 58:11 which says, “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”  So Jesus is teaching us that this is what the Holy Spirit is like.

As I think through this metaphor, the sun-scorched land is the world that we live in.  Full of self centeredness, violence, greed, lust, and every kind of evil.  It doesn’t take very much time in this barren environment before we are left feeling hollow, depressed, hopeless, weak…..thirsty.  But Isaiah, and later Jesus in today’s passage, are promising here that when the Holy Spirit comes, we have access to the solution…the water.

So what does this actually mean?  One thing that I really struggle with is self esteem.  I find myself constantly comparing myself to others, and listening to all the lies that the devil would have me believe…  I’m not skinny enough, I’m not a good enough sales person, I’m not very likeable, I talk too much, I annoy my husband and maybe he’s going to stop loving me,  people aren’t going to like me, etc.  Indulging these ideas makes me behave horribly at times.  And this makes me look like the world.  And this makes me feel very hollow…thirsty.

When I am in this place, and it finally occurs to me that I am thirsty, I go to the father in prayer or worship or in the word…it CAN feel like streams of living water are flowing from within me.  I am immediately struck by what the true reality is.  That I am loved.  Forgiven.  Worth dying for.  I have value.  And when I drink then “my frame is strengthened.”  With this confidence I am able to go back into the world, and act differently.  I can forgive.  I can be bold.  I can love.  When a coworker disrespects me, I don’t have to make it about me, and therefore respond in kind.  I know that I am forgiven, so it gives me the ability and desire (strength) to forgive him.  When my husband is preoccupied, I don’t have to assume that he doesn’t love me anymore.  I know that I am loved by the Father, so I have something to pour into him.  When my partner at work wins an award, I don’t have to be jealous…I know that I have value because I belong to God, so I can celebrate with him.  Make sense?

Lord, help me to always run to you when I got lost in the world.  Thank you for your Holy Spirit and all of the comfort He brings.  I love you! 

Erin

5.24.13 "Cuts to the heart hurt!"

Acts 2: 36-41 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus, whom you crucified.

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”  And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 

And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”  So those who received his word were baptized and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

I’ve been trying to visualize this scene playing out in my head.  I picture Peter and the other 11 apostles standing in the temple.  As Peter starts to speak I can’t help but assume that the twelve felt some sort of righteous indignation towards the crowd.  They knew who’d just been unjustly executed, and as Peter starts to speak it’s almost as if he is rubbing their actions (and their ignorance) in their faces.

He lists the reasons why everyone should have known exactly who Jesus was, and he speaks to where Jesus sits now…at the right hand of God.  He reminds the people “this is who you crucified.”  Maybe it’s just me, but I read a little condemnation into Peter’s tone.

But I love how Luke describes the reaction of the crowd in v. 37.  He says, “they were cut to the heart…”  Outside of the book of Psalms I struggle to remember such an eloquent metaphor of emotion anywhere else in scripture.  It’s perfect…and so disarming for me.  I instantly lose my desire to say “I told you so!”

And although this is only Luke’s recollection of the moment, I get the feeling that Peter changes his tone as well.  Rather than continuing to condemn, he dives right into the solution.  “Repent and be baptized…”  I can almost picture Peter smiling as he continues, “For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

I remember filling out a “personality questionnaire” a while ago.  One of the questions was “What makes you emotional?”  That was a tough question for me to answer.  But I started to think about movie scenes that got me choked up.  I thought of several scenes that really hit me hard.  They all had to do with long lost family members or friends restoring a broken relationship.  Seeing two people forgive each other and heal the brokenness always gets me.  I guess I see that happening here…and it feels warm.

40 days earlier the apostles were worshipping Jesus as their Messiah, the son of God.  And the people in the crowd were executing him as a criminal worthy of the death penalty.

But here they are a few weeks later, cut to the heart…desperate for forgiveness.  And so I love how the tone of the moment changes.  Once fundamentally opposed, now they refer to each other as “brothers”…joined in the mission.

I know that my “assigned passage” ended at v. 41 but if we read just a little further it says, “all who believed were together and had all things in common…they attended the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.” (v. 44-47)

I love it.

Jon

5.23.13 "Death is no match for Jesus!"

Acts 2:22-24(MSG)  “Fellow Israelites, listen carefully to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man thoroughly accredited by God to you—the miracles and wonders and signs that God did through him are common knowledge—this Jesus, following the deliberate and well-thought-out plan of God, was betrayed by men who took the law into their own hands, and was handed over to you. And you pinned him to a cross and killed him. But God untied the death ropes and raised him up. Death was no match for him.

This passage causes a range of emotions in me. It saddens me, angers me, uplifts me and makes me hopeful.

It saddens me to read that, even though it is common knowledge that Jesus performs miracles and wonders and signs, we still nailed him to that cross. We looked him in the eyes and betrayed him anyway. “Men who took the law into their own hands”

It angers me that I am one of those who nail him to the cross. We all stand among those who have been overcome by evil and sinned against him that day. None of us is faultless in that. Every time I see “YOU” in scripture, it is a reminder of that! Peter said, “You pinned him to a cross and killed him” and “You” is us – all of us – you and I!

Yet, I am uplifted that God overcame death, Jesus is victorious over the cross that we banished him to and He lives today! What’s more – He loves us! We put him through an unspeakable, horrific death and yet He still loves us! We aren’t worthy of the grace he bestows on us and still he gives us grace freely!

It makes me hopeful that death was no match for God. Because we stand at the right hand of Jesus and God intercedes that way in our lives, too. No amount of evil can keep us down. God is too powerful for evil to handle. He has chosen to forgive us when we continue to sin against him and he will always love us and fight the battle against evil on our behalf.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace and mercy, your kindness and compassion, your understanding and love. Thank you for never giving up on me regardless of all the wrong I do. Guide me this day to do your will and show others who you are. I love you Father. Amen.

Toni

5.22.13 "I Might?...No, I WILL"

Today’s Scripture is:  Acts 2: 14-18     (MSG)

Peter Speaks Up

^14-18  That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: “Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen:

“In the Last Days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit     on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy,     also your daughters; Your young men will see visions,     your old men dream dreams. When the time comes,     I’ll pour out my Spirit On those who serve me, men and women both,     and they’ll prophesy.

I love that this passage is aggressive!  It doesn’t have “maybe’s” in it.   God doesn’t say that He “might” pour out His Spirit… or if we act a certain way, He “might” give us His Presence….  He says He WILL pour out His Spirit on us.  We will prophesy, we will see visions, we will dream dreams…!  Doesn’t that get you excited…  to know that the God of all creation will pour into us His Spirit, and His supernatural wisdom and power?   The only requirement is that we believe in Him – and believe that He will do it!

Sometimes I have a hard time believing though.  Do you?  I don’t have a hard time believing that God is all powerful and supernatural…. I have a hard time believing He would download that power into me so I can have a supernatural affect on those around me.    He did it to the disciples and to the 120 people meeting that day at Pentecost… but me?   It’s easy to criticize those in the crowd that assumed the disciples and all the others were drunk, but how often am I one of those people?  I want to come up with a natural explanation for the supernatural – even when the evidence is right in front of me.   But if I believe what the Bible says… I mean truly believe, then I have to believe that I’m part of the “every kind of people” in this passage.  I will be filled..I will prophesy!  Don’t you know God is just waiting for me…and for you…to truly believe and receive so He can do supernatural things through us? 

There were a group of atheists that met in Austin a while back and they were asked if there was anything that could change their minds about the existence of God.   They said yes, “If we saw a miracle”.    So can you imagine how many people far from God or complete non-believers could come to know Jesus through seeing miracles?   Do we as Christians truly believe that God can do miracles through us, use us as His instruments of healing, and preaching, and prophesying, and sharing visions that come true!  This is all part of the power in us that comes from His Spirit (His Presence) being poured out into our lives.   

I want to be used by God!  I want to believe and not doubt!  I want people to see through me, the supernatural God I serve!   I want people far from Him to be in awe of our God, to come face to face with His love and power in a way that is undeniable.   I know that it’s going to take boldness, it’s going to take faith, it’s going to take belief, and it’s going to take humility…. knowing that He will use me… but He is God and I’m not! 

Lord, I surrender to you.  Thank you for pouring out your Spirit on me.  Thank you for the visions and dreams and prophesies that are to come.  Thank you for reminding me that you are a Supernatural God…the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  I’m not worthy of the gift of your Spirit, Father – but I thank you for it and ask that you increase my faith and give me wisdom and boldness to make a difference for your Kingdom!   I love you,  Amen.

Thanks for letting me share today!   What grabs you about this passage?

Denise

5.21.13 Amazed and Perplexed!

Lord, send your Spirit to guide and direct my thoughts as I meditate on your word today. Acts 2:1-8,12-13 (NIV)

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? - We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

I don’t know about you, but I am amazed or perplexed by something every day.  It is rare however, when I experience something that is both amazing and perplexing.  The God fearing Jews in Jerusalem on Pentecost experienced both. They were perplexed by the blowing of a violent wind and by a bunch of Galileans speaking in languages they had not been taught. They were amazed as they heard the disciples speaking in ‘tongues’ and declaring the wonders of God in languages they could understand. It is not surprising that they asked the question, “What does this mean?” That certainly would have been my question.

Peter, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, seizes the opportunity to provide an explanation.  He points them to the prophecy of Joel and helps them see that the answer to their question can be found in the Scriptures and in the work of Christ. We subsequently learn that Peter’s response to their question, his proclamation of the Gospel and his call to repentance, leads to the conversion of three thousand people.  God used the amazing and perplexing events of Pentecost and the obedience of Peter to produce a wonderful harvest.

When I find myself perplexed or amazed or both, I find that asking the question ‘What does this mean?’ is extremely helpful. I have learned that in moments of amazement and perplexity God wants me to turn to Him so that He can minister to me by His word and Spirit just as he did through Peter to those who were gathered in Jerusalem many years ago. In my walk I have learned that perplexity and amazement are often the means that God uses to get me to the place where He wants me to be.  Is God trying to get your attention today through amazement or perplexity or both?

Lord, help us to see that the many things that amaze us and perplex us are often the means through which you are helping us to focus our attention on You and on Your love for us in Jesus. Amen

John

5.20.2013 The Holy Spirit Empowers Me!

Acts 1: 3-9 “After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.  He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.  On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command:  ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

So when they met together, they asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’

He said to them:  ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”

There are two things that strike me about this passage.  The first is how Jesus commands his disciples not to begin their ministry until they had received the “gift my father has promised” ….the Holy Spirit. Even though these men had given up their lives to follow Jesus, and had spent 3 years in intimate relationship with him, Jesus knew that would not be enough to carry the torch to the world.  They could not begin this work on their own.  They needed the Holy Spirit.

The second part that hits me is where he tells them they don’t need to know the date or time when Jesus will restore the kingdom…he just assures them they will have the Holy Spirit…which is power!!

That is such a great reality check for me.  So many times in ministry, I get frustrated because it seems like my efforts don’t bear fruit…and my first thought is always, “How could I have handled this situation better?  I should have said this….or that.  How arrogant!  The Holy Spirit can surely cover my human limitations.  I was reminded of this last week when my friend Leo called.

I worked with Leo several years ago at my first pharmaceutical job, and Jon and I have kept in touch with him over the years.  Leo is not a Christian.  He is a very deep thinker…maybe a “spiritual type”?  But at the same time very logical, and not willing to believe in anything that he could not touch, taste, and feel…though he did admit to me on one occasion that he really wished he could.  The whole time I worked with Leo, I “worked on” him; always trying find ways to make Christ seem more appealing to him.  Most of the conversations in which I was trying to “save him”, I usually walked away doubting my own faith and feeling confident in my lack of impact.  I finally got to a point with him, that I thought enough was enough…so I sent him a book (Blue Like Jazz), and hoped that he would read it, and that Don Miller would be more persuasive than I was.  That must’ve been 3 years ago.

He called me last week to tell me that he found himself watching some strange movie the other night….and the end of it, he learned the title was “Blue Like Jazz.”  And even better….he told me that the next morning he walked out into his garage and opened the garage door.  As the light started to flood in, a book buried under some beer cans and bags of fertilizer caught his eye.  Guess which one?!!!  So he decided to pick it up and move it to his reading room.  Though I know that he still has not come to Christ, I feel strongly that this was the work of the Holy Spirit!  And I don’t believe that He is done with Leo!

This reminds me that He is the one opening the hearts of people.  I am only an instrument.  But he doesn’t require me to do it perfectly, he just asks me to do it, and promises me that I don’t go alone.  Thank you Holy Spirit!  Halleleuia!

Erin

5.20.13 Let's Celebrate!

Please find a quiet place to focus on these scriptures for a few minutes, asking His Spirit to speak to your heart, and in Jesus’ name, ridding your heart and mind of distractions, burdens, guilt, worry, etc.  

Today’s scripture is Acts 1:3-9

New Internation Version (NIV)

³ After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. ⁴ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with^[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with^[b] the Holy Spirit.”

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

⁹ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

Easter has always been a special time for me and my family.  We celebrate together in worship on Easter Sunday, and gather together to re-affirm the Good News “He is Risen, He is Risen indeed” to each other.  It occurred to me today while reading these verses that we don’t celebrate the “next step”, the sharing of this good news.

Interesting…  Like the disciples, who were undoubtedly excited to see Jesus again during those forty days and thought he was back to free Israel from Rome, we seem to focus on the present circumstances and traditions of our lives (celebrating Easter with family, eating together, visiting with each other, affirming our love for Jesus with each other) and not much celebration for the other HUGE gift from God, the Holy Spirit.  This scripture says that we will “receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on (us)”.  We need to call on the part of the Triune God that is always with us.  Only with the Holy Spirit can we have the power and authority to fully reveal to seekers the Good News.

The real conundrum for me is that sentence that says “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority”.  It is a reminder to me that He is God, and I am not, and that He controls time and results.  I can’t by my own effort or strength do anything, and running ahead of the Holy Spirit will do no good.  When situations arise that give me a chance to share God’s love, I need to remember to ask for the power from the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised. In the same verse describing the power that we receive from the Holy Spirit, Jesus commanded the disciples to share the Good News in ever widening circles “to the ends of the earth”.  I have to remember to begin each day or each conversation requesting the presence of our loving God, so that the Holy Spirit can use me to reveal Jesus.  Wow, the Holy Spirit really IS a gift, because when I try to share my faith without Him, I don’t make much sense.

Sharing God’s love with people is scary, and sometimes makes me cry.  When I was praying with the Kenyan people in Kitengela, I usually ended up crying as I prayed with them – so embarrassing and frustrating!  It happens to me at work, too, when people share their heartaches, health issues, and challenges.  If I ask if I can pray with them, I invariably begin firmly, but the honor of bringing them to the feet of Jesus usually brings me to tears.  Of course, they don’t seem to mind, and most have asked for more prayers.  Today’s scriptures reminded me that the Holy Spirit is always there with us when we share our faith in Jesus, and praying with His help will make any of our feeble efforts right.  That’s a lot to celebrate!  Why don’t we?!

Heavenly Father, I know that I cannot by my own strength share Your Good News.  Send your Holy Spirit to convict me to begin each day and each conversation of faith with You.  Amen.

kristi

5.17.13 Time to Suit Up!

Happy Friday Morning!  Please take few minutes to pray in order to open up your heart, before moving on. Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)

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.

It’s funny how some words or phrases can take us back in life.  I know this sounds sort of silly, but the idea of putting on the armor brings back a lot of the memories of being a kid and all the things we’d find  to put on as a uniform or armor to play war….an old belt for a sash to hold a play sword or gun….an old pot, or maybe one not so old that mom didn’t know about, for a helmet…old boots that were too big, but that were cool because of how tall they were and acted as protection for about half my legs….maybe even some play sunglasses from the 5 & 10 store that had special powers to see things that the enemy couldn’t!

Well, according to these verses, we not only have the power to see the enemy, but to stand our ground against him…because of the mighty power of the Lord!  I love Paul’s calling out of the troops…"be strong in the Lord and His mighty power”…the same power that was with Jesus in his life, death and resurrection. The same power that Jesus is willing to bestow on us, making our new identity in Him possible…by faith!  So, Time to Suit Up.  And wouldn’t you know it…our Father has some armor…no, he has “the full armor”, ready to go…bathed in his mighty power and rightly so, as Paul warns us to be ready for “when the day of evil comes”.  I don’t know if you caught this, took me a couple of times through…he used the word “when”…not “if”…all with the assurance of being able to stand our ground…if we choose to suit up!  I don’t know about you…but that kinda makes me want to run out on the field and line up….game on!

I know there’s a lot more to be gleaned out of these verses.  This was just as far as I could go tonight.  So please share what they’re saying to you…with all the rest of us.  I look forward to it.

Also, I was not in church at PoG this week, and it was great to be able to go to our website and listen to Pastor’s sermon and have the corresponding message notes with the blanks filled in.  So, a big THANKS, to all those who make that possible on a weekly basis.

One final thought….and you can thank Pastor for this one…I’m just going to embellish it a little…"Suiting Up” and being an “Authorized Agent” ain’t an option for you and me!

Blessings to You & Yours….In the Mighty Name of Jesus!

jim

05.15.13 - Major in the majors, don’t major in the minors…

Please begin with prayer for an open heart, before you read the passage below. Luke 10:17-22 – ¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. ²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”²¹ At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.²² “All things have been committed to me by my Father.No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Wow…well at least I got a simple, straight-forward passage!  Let me start off by saying that this really challenges me to understand the exact meaning and also how to apply it.  Here goes…

This is set in the sending of the 72 (disciples + other followers) and they return with joy and then have a conversation with Jesus.  They speak of their authority in action and how demons submit to them.  We, likewise, have authority as followers of Jesus in this battle.  I think I minimize the spiritual battle as well as my authority in the battle, but is this the most important thing??  Jesus responds with some unusual words---in effect, He has commissioned them and they are pushing back the forces of evil (Satan, snakes, and scorpions), which He validates.  Then, comes what I think is the core of the passage.  My paraphrase---‘Exercising your spiritual authority is good, but focus more on why you have this authority.’

For example…many parents spend lots of time posting cute pictures and sharing cute stories of their cute kids on cute Facebook (sorry I was on a roll).  Facebook is a great tool and it’s great to share some of these things, but my guess is that parents can spend so much time on social media like Facebook that they can actually neglect quality time with their kids.  So, they miss the most important things of parenting, for the smaller delights of sharing cute things about parenting.

Jesus was refocusing the eyes of the 72 on the prize, not the effect of the prize.  The results of receiving authority by being in relationship with Jesus is a really good thing, but it falls extremely short of the fact that we have been reconciled to God and get to spend eternity in close proximity with Him!!  We rejoice in the fact that our names are written in Heaven and not just the results of that relationship.

Finally, notice that in the preceding 16 verses in Luke 10 that Luke does not record Jesus saying anything about spiritual warfare or driving out demons.  It’s possible the 72 were majoring in the minors.  Maybe they should have returned saying that more people have come to faith in you and have had their names written in Heaven!!  It doesn’t mean that authority is not significant and that we shouldn’t exercise the authority we have as followers of Jesus---we should!  It just means that authority has its appropriate place in the life of a believer---major in the majors, don’t major in the minors!

What role does spiritual authority and fighting a spiritual battle have in your life?  Do you ever make minor things into major things in your faith?  How can we refocus on the major things without neglecting the minor things?   I would love to hear your journey and how this passage impacted you.

mike

5.14.2013 NOT A FAN!

Let’s pray: Lord I come to you humbled that that you ask me to be salt & light.  Please use me as your vessel to be your Disciple reaching out to all as the light on the hill.  Please clear my mind & spirit as I listen to your words & give me a new identity so that my actions become a symbol to all that I come into contact with today & in the future until I sit at the right of Jesus.   Amen.

Luke 9:1-9

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

9 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, ² and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. ³ He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. ⁴ Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. ⁵ If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” ⁶ So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

⁷ Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, ⁸ others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. ⁹ But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.

As I read these verses, I immediately thought of our Small Group Study entitled “Not a fan”  This study asked us if we were a fan of Christ sitting in the stands cheering for HIM each Sunday & then returning to our regular identity on Monday morning, knowing that we had done our thing & were good for another week.

Or were we, or did we aspire to be a follower of Christ?!  GOD challenges us to get off the sidelines, get out of the stands & walk with HIM & be HIS Disciple.  HE says we are equipped just as we are-keep it simple, don’t load ourselves up with a lot of tools, we are the tool!

It is easy for me to just sit back & enjoy what Christ has done in my life.  But the challenge is how can I help others to enjoy Christ in their lives.  In the Not a Fan series one part that resonated with me was the character acted one way at work & another way on Sunday mornings.  When a co-worker asked him if he was the same person that he sat with in church every Sunday, the character responded by saying, " That is Sunday. This is the real world."

Really?  Is that who GOD calls us me to be?  As long as I am good on Sunday & live a Christ-filled life then I am good with GOD?  Am I content with being a fan?  Or is GOD calling me to be a true follower & go & disciple to all?    Do I hit the snooze button on GOD’s alarm clock?  Or is there something that HE is calling me to do that I keep putting off?

Jesus tells me to go & “preach the kingdom of God & to heal the sick.”  I don’t need any extra equipment, HE is the tool.  I may not think that I am qualified.  Should I leave it to pastor or others that are more “in tune” with the Spirit?  NO, Jesus gives me the power & authority that I need to “drive out all demons & cure diseases.”

I struggle with this new identity thing & following Christ.  I have been on the sidelines so long.  It is easy on the sidelines cheering.  The hard part is getting off the bench & saying I can do this.  I can change my identity & I can act differently.  In fact, Sunday after church, my nephew had left a message saying he was in town & wanted to introduce my mother, Cindy & myself to his fiancé.  We were in Dallas a couple of weeks ago & were supposed to meet her then, but they never came over.  I was offended that he wanted to “ruin” my plans for Mother’s Day & meet with us Sunday afternoon.  But after thinking about it, I decided it wasn’t about my plan, this was an opportunity.  We called him back to try to get together, but he was already eating & no longer had time to get together because he had to head back home.  The point is it’s not about me, or my plans, it’s about HIM & HIS plans for me.

HE has given me the power of the kingdom of GOD.  It is up to me to use this GOD-given, Jesus-bought power.  How do I respond?  Do I keep cheering in the stands?  Or do I step to the plate & hit a homerun for JESUS!

Are you a fan, or are you a follower?  I would love to hear from you.

Blessings & Love,

Jerry

5.13.2013 "Jesus has ALL authority!"

Matthew 28 : 18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

What is Jesus suggesting in this passage? Is he saying he wants us to go visit all over the earth converting people and conducting baptisms? How is that possible? Let's look at how the passage begins.

First, Jesus confirms that He has been given authority not only in heaven but here on earth as well. Who has given this authority to Jesus? God Himself has! Authority is either given or not given. Having been given authority, Jesus has the power to grant authority as well. The second sentence in the passage seems to suggest that as He was given authority, so Jesus is passing this authority to His disciples. What is His command? He is charging His disciples to spread the good news of Jesus and His teachings not just to the people of Israel but to the entire world. As with being baptized into a new life, a new beginning through water, the disciples are to be a witness to those who don’t yet know God so they too may experience a new life, a new beginning in Jesus name. And, just as they were baptized in the Holy Spirit, so too does the Holy Spirit go with them, equipping them for the task at hand; a task they are not suited themselves to complete without divine assistance. Jesus finishes the passage by promising that as long as His disciples are bringing good news to those who hunger for new life, He will be with them until the end of time.

How does this apply to us? Are we to journey as the disciples did and bring the word of God to those who don’t know him? To some, the call to witness to people in far away lands will be given. To others, probably not.  It is the Spirit that compels us to individual discipleship. As the Spirit moves within my life, I feel called to be His witness to those around me…..to my neighbors who live near me, to my co-workers with whom I work alongside, to those I meet daily in my walk through life who might need the light of Christ in their life at that moment. We don’t often need to travel far to come across someone who doesn’t know God or whose personal relationship may be far apart from Him. Jesus gives us authority to be a witness to those just as he commanded His disciples to go and be witnesses.   Along the way, as we witness to others in Jesus name, He has promised to be there with us in our efforts. We have been given authority just as His disciples were given authority to spread the good news.

What does spreading the good news look like? How are we to make disciples of all nations? It can be something as simple as talking to someone about God, about Jesus’ sacrifice and forgiveness of sins, grace, mercy and eternal life. It could be praying with someone who is in need of prayer. It could be answering questions about faith, heaven, and the trinity. It could also be casting a huge light on how live your own life, walking with God, that gets someone to see and ask what it is about our God that allows us to live in peace and love. What a beautiful gift we have been given. The gift of authority has been handed down from God so we can spread light into a dark world. Authority gives us the freedom to speak of Jesus, in Jesus’ name. This passage allow us the freedom to be a light to the world just as the disciples were a light in their time.

Praise God!

Kevin

5.10.13 “Works not required, but desired”

  Today’s Reading is Ephesians 2:6 - 10

⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

What an amazing thought that we were raised up with Christ, not below Him, but with Him.  We are seated at the right hand of God with Christ.  This really changes my thought as to how I should act each and every day of my earthly life.  If we are seated at the right hand of God with Christ, being the Princes and Princesses of the Kingdom of God, then shouldn’t we try our best to act as Christ did with everyone that we come in contact with?  Christ always treated everyone with love and compassion even when he was holding them accountable.  We must also strive to live up to the level that we've been raised.  It doesn’t mean that we should just roll over when we are seeing something wrong being done, but we must address it with love, compassion and grace for the other person.

Through God’s grace we are saved, not by the works that we do.  Early in our spiritual life we are like a baby drinking milk, but as the Holy Spirit grows in us our desire to do God’s good works becomes stronger.  After Jessie headed out to college and my job of raising God’s children was over, I felt God saying that it was now time for me to move to my next phase of life in Him.  My desire for helping others and doing God’s will in my life began to grow and God put before me opportunities to serve Him by helping His children.  I feel that if works were required for us to be saved it would also open up the opportunity for satan to intervene and misguide us.  As humans we have a constant desire to be lifted up and made special, but this puts us above God.  I know that every time I try to be the God of my domain I mess it up pretty bad.  Life always seems to be more peaceful when I stay in my place which is total and complete dependence in God.  Christ even understood his role in God’s kingdom and would go to God in prayer to understand what God had for him that day.  He had total and complete dependence on God as we should so that He is glorified.  Who’s in charge of your domain?

Dave P