Saturday's Blog

Welcome to the POG Blog! Today is Saturday which means YOU get to start the discussion on today’s scripture!  What is it saying to you today?  How does it relate to your life right now?  How does it relate to the message from Sunday?  Enjoy reading, meditating, and sharing your thoughts with others today!

Today’s Scripture is:    Matthew 18:15-20

¹⁵ “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ ¹⁷ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

¹⁸ “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

¹⁹ “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

10.15.14 "Bear With Each Other!"

Welcome to the PoG blog! In Psalm 19 the psalmist writes, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  Before you read the scripture reading for today, please pray a prayer similar to the one above.  Invite God to speak to you in this time of reading and meditation.  Ask him to renew and change your heart.  Pray that God’s Holy Spirit will prepare your heart and mind for what He has in mind for you today!

Colossians 3

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

“Bear with each other” reminds me of something else I read in Ken Sande’s The Peacemaker.  Do you realize that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, there are many “offenses” against us that we can simply ignore?  Ken calls it “Overlook Minor Offenses”.  He writes, “In many situations, the best way to resolve a conflict is simply to overlook the personal offenses of others.”  Applying this truth has had a powerful impact on my life.  Because of Christ’s great love for me and His sacrifice on the cross, I do not have to react each and every time someone offends me.  I can quickly make a decision to overlook the offense and move on.  No need to mention to the individual or someone else that I have been offended.  No need to make a point of telling the offender that I have forgiven him/her.  As I mentioned Sunday morning, there is so much freedom in living life this way!  The more I move in the direction of overlooking offenses, the more freedom I experience.

What about you?  Have you thought about “offenses” that you’ve experienced?  Are there offenses that you’ve simply chosen to overlook?  Can you think of ways you can overlook more offenses in your life?  Ask yourself, “Do I really want to experience more peace in my life?”  If you do, I strongly encourage you to start overlooking more offenses.  Remember, don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill!

May God bless you as you forgive others the way Christ has forgiven you!

Mark

10.13.2014 "Forgive, How Often?"

Matthew 18:21-22   (NIV) ²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

When Peter was talking to Jesus and asked if he should forgive his brother seven times Jesus answered and said no not 7 times but you should forgive him 77 times.  Jesus was saying do not keep track of how many times someone sins against you. Always be willing to forgive when they ask for it.

Jesus has generously forgiven me and I need to be forgiving of others.  I am very thankful Jesus has forgiven, redeemed and restored me. When I am truly grateful for the forgiveness I have received from Jesus I can humbly pass that forgiveness onto others.

I can only forgive because I have been forgiven. I Chronicles 16:11 tells us to seek the Lord and his presence and his strength continually. As a child of the King I want my actions to honor him.

Forgiving is not always easy to do. We can only do it when we have a high view of God and desire to honor him with our behavior.

I can think of several times today that God has been gracious and merciful to me and has forgiven me. How can I not forgive those who ask me to?  When I forgive others it glorifies and honors Jesus.

How many times has God forgiven you today, this week, this month?  Pray about being able to pass that forgiveness along to others. God always hears and answers our sincere prayers.

Charleen

Dear Heavenly Father,

We are so thankful and grateful that you have forgiven us, redeemed us, and restored us. Help us, Father, to have a high view of you and to want to pass the forgiveness we have received to those in our lives. We want our lives to bring you honor and glory.

In Jesus name we pray,

Amen

Saturday's Blog

Welcome to the POG Blog! Today is Saturday which means YOU get to start the discussion on today’s scripture!  What is it saying to you today?  How does it relate to your life right now?  How does it relate to the message from Sunday?  Enjoy reading, meditating, and sharing your thoughts with others today!

Today’s Scripture is:    Psalm 136

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. ² Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. ³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

⁴ to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. ⁵ who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. ⁶ who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. ⁷ who made the great lights— His love endures forever. ⁸ the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. ⁹ the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.

¹⁰ to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever. ¹¹ and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever. ¹² with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever.

¹³ to him who divided the Red Sea^[a] asunder His love endures forever. ¹⁴ and brought Israel through the midst of it, His love endures forever. ¹⁵ but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His love endures forever.

¹⁶ to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever.

¹⁷ to him who struck down great kings, His love endures forever. ¹⁸ and killed mighty kings— His love endures forever. ¹⁹ Sihon king of the Amorites His love endures forever. ²⁰ and Og king of Bashan— His love endures forever. ²¹ and gave their land as an inheritance, His love endures forever. ²² an inheritance to his servant Israel. His love endures forever.

²³ He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. ²⁴ and freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever. ²⁵ He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.

²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever

10.10.14 I said, "daily kids daily"!

The reading for today is from Exodus 16! " The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin,which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. ² In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. ³ The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt!There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” ⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. ⁵ On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

This story about God's people journeying out of Egypt drives a couple of points home about God's fatherly divine-ness and my childish humanness!  God had rescued them from a horrible slavery experience in Egypt and now they are unsure of how they will eat on the long journey to freedom!  God knows - they don't!  They resort to ridiculous complaining which romanticizes "the good ole days" back in Egypt!  It takes no faith to complain!  Ouch!  I need to hear myself say that again, "It takes no faith to complain!"  God wants to mature them (and me) in the life of faith!

So He gives them a promise that will bring great relief to the people if they will believe Him.  He says there will be "daily" bread on the ground every morning and they should take enough for that day and trust tomorrow will have bread from Him as well.  Later in the story we find out that some people thought it wise to "save extra from today for tomorrow!"  Guess what! "²⁰ However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell."

So Jesus is telling us to pray in the prayer He taught "Give us this day our daily bread!"   God wanted the Israelites to have a practical way to trust Him as provider on a daily basis.  He gave them a core physical experience in which to live in daily dependence on the God of the heavens for their very lives.  He wants that life of daily faith for me too so He is teaching me to pray that way!

This is rather revolutionary for me as a 21st century american who has been encultureated with the values of individualistic independence!  It is as if Jesus is speaking to me (us) through the words of His prayer, "trust and depend on your Father in heaven... daily kids daily!"  It is not "trust after you have given it your best shot and you are at the end of your rope."  "NO" says Jesus, "It's daily kids daily......... for everything!

What challenge and comfort is God bringing to you through these words today?

delton

10.08.14 "DON’T WORRY, BE HOPEFUL"

DON’T WORRY, BE HOPEFUL Matthew 6:31-34 New International Version (NIV)

³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Luke 12:29-32 New International Version (NIV)

²⁹ And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.³² “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Ok, I get it-DON’T WORRY ABOUT FOOD, WATER, CLOTHES, MONEY…  I also included the Luke scripture because sometimes I tend to overlook things unless I am told several times.  Jesus, I think also knows that sometimes we don’t pay attention to what we are told & that it takes telling & re-telling before we finally get it.  I remember in Speech class back in High School that my teacher said “Tell them what you are going to tell them; Tell them and then Tell them what you told them.”  Jesus is doing that in Matthew and in Luke.  Just in the 3 verses of Matthew he says do not worry twice!  If you go back to yesterday’s verses in Matthew, He uses worry 3 more times and do not worry once more.  That is 6 worries & 3 do not worries in 10 short verses (Matthew 6:25-34).  Then in Luke another do not worry.

Like I said I GET IT!  Well maybe not.  As Pastor said on Sunday there is a difference between hearing it, believing it and acting on it.  I think that I get the first 2 (Hearing and Believing).  It’s that third one (Acting) that I sometimes have a difficulty with.   I know that I should not worry; Jesus tells me not to worry (4 times!); I believe that I should not worry and yet I sometimes find myself worrying!

My wife (Cindy) thought that it was rather humorous or ironic that God through our Pastor assigned me this scripture.  I tried to tell her that I don’t worry.  She came back with that I am always planning what I am doing tomorrow, or what I have to do in the next few days, week or month.  I like to think that is because I am organized.  But then that’s me trying to follow my plan instead of GOD’S PLAN.  That is me thinking that I am in control of what the rest of the day, week, month and beyond will bring.  SILLY ME!

Can I control the drought, economy, terrorism, high energy costs, Wall Street?  Obviously not!  So why worry?  Why be irritable, angry, fatigued, stressed?  For what purpose?  I know that I can’t control any of those things.  Yet somehow, I think that I can plan ahead and not just wait for God’s plan to unfold.

However, I do think that there is a difference in being concerned and being worried.  I went to my Granddaughter’s birthday on Sunday and I was trying to constantly watch my granddaughter and grandson to make sure they didn’t wander off or get hurt.  If I didn’t worry about that, then what kind of “Grumps” (that’s my name that they call me, I have no idea where that came from) would I be?  I go to the Doctor and get my annual physical and do my 5 year colonoscopy.  I can try to take care of myself (that is what I do have control over), but I can’t worry about whether I am going to get cancer, have a heart attack…  God wants us to be prudent and do things that we have control over.  But Jesus tells us NOT TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER. 

HE says “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all things will be given to you as well.”  So why worry?  Remember the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”?  I think it might be paraphrased to Don’t Worry, Be Hopeful.

I have heard it. I continue to believe it, now I need to act!  Or rather not act, not worry.  I am going to try.  Will you help me?  I would love to hear from you and how you handle this Do Not Worry thing.

Father, Please help me to be concerned about what I have control of and not worry about the majority of the things that I have no control over.  Please remind me that I am not in charge!  It’s your plan, not mine and that you will provide my daily bread.  Help me to live and enjoy each day on this earth, not worrying about tomorrow.  In Christ’s Name, I pray Amen.

Jerry

10.06.14 "Where is Your Treasure?"

Matthew 6:19-21; 24 ¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

These are extremely powerful passages.  I had three thoughts when considering them.  First I thought about my grandmother.  Back in “the day” I remember her words in times of stress or crisis.  “The LORD will provide.”  It would be many years later that I would finally connect these words to the story of Abraham and Isaac.  Blessed with a son after impatiently waiting decades, GOD then instructed Abraham to offer his beloved Isaac as a human sacrifice.  We know the story.  As they approached the location where the sacrifice was to be offered young Isaac curiously inquired about the key missing element, the sacrificial lamb.   Abraham’s reply, “The LORD HIMSELF will provide…”   Abraham is stopped just before slaying his son and indeed, trapped in thickets nearby is the ram that would be the sacrifice.   This mountain location is then forever called “the LORD will provide.”

My second thoughts are of the George Elliott classic “Silas Marner” and the Steve Martin movie adaptation “A Simple Twist of Fate.”  After unfairly losing his social status and fiancée, Marner becomes a recluse taking joy only in the gold he stock piles.  He is obsessed with it, taking great pleasure in counting it each night and securing it.  He is barely able to contain himself until he can count it again the next day.   This story reminds me so much of how many of us live our lives today.  How often do we check our bank balances or the stock market?  We know this story too.  The gold is stolen and Marner is devastated until one night an abandoned child shows up on his door step.  The miser finds a new, much more satisfying treasure in loving and caring for this helpless, abandoned child.  I read this story in school and saw the movie as an adult and in both instances I was struck by how much value we routinely place in things that ultimately are worth very little.

Finally I am blessed to have a new grandbaby.  As I look into her twinkling eyes and innocent smile I know the world she will live will be much different than the one we live in today.   When I was her age there were an estimated 2.5 billion people on the globe.  By the time she graduates high school it is estimated the global population will be over 8 billion.  Even as the population explodes, the world oil reserves (which are tied directly to food supplies) are vanishing with estimates showing depletion in just 40 years.  While scientists warn of the coming global warming crisis, ecologist say a fresh water crisis is already here.   When I was growing up I could have never imagined paying money for water out of a bottle like a soft drink.  In a speech to the United Nations in 2010 President Obama said that while the threat of global nuclear war decreased dramatically over the last 30 years the threat of a nuclear attack (by terrorist) is not only possible, but likely.   Economists also warn that capitalism and the free market as we have come to know them are simply not sustainable and the financial correction will be devastating.   Life for this little one will no doubt be a challenge.  However, amid all the gloom and doom I and confident of one thing.  The LORD will provide!

GOD of the Universe, we thank YOU for YOUR unconditional love and YOUR gifts of daily provisions for us all.  When we are tempted today to worry and fret remind us that we are loved by the CREATOR and provider of love itself!  In CHRIST name we pray, amen!

Jim L.

Saturday's Blog

Welcome to the POG Blog! Today is Saturday which means YOU get to start the discussion on today’s scripture!  What is it saying to you today?  How does it relate to your life right now?  How does it relate to the message from Sunday?  Enjoy reading, meditating, and sharing your thoughts with others today!

Today’s Scripture is:    Psalm 119:105-112

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,

a light on my path.

106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,

that I will follow your righteous laws.

107 I have suffered much;

preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.

108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,

and teach me your laws.

109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,

I will not forget your law.

110 The wicked have set a snare for me,

but I have not strayed from your precepts.

111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;

they are the joy of my heart.

112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees

to the very end

The Gardener

John 15:1-5

Jesus is speaking… “I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes (the Greek for “prunes” also means cleans) so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

Remain 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.

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.”

Why is it that when I think about being “pruned” – my natural default is a negative feeling? Why is it that our culture can’t stand to be “uncomfortable?” How have we come to see “waiting on something”  or “being uncomfortable”  or “pain” is something to be avoided at all cost?

During last Sunday’s Message the topic was “Thy Will be done…. On earth as it is in Heaven.” I was challenged to stop thinking of God’s Will in my life as a negative thing – and that really, when I am pouting or upset because something goes wrong – I am actually upset because God isn’t doing things MY WAY!  “I want You, God, to answer this prayer My Way – I want Your Will to be My Will.” ouch.

Instead, when things aren’t going my way, or the way I imagined, or when things are painful, I should change my “lens” and be thankful and excited that God’s Will in this matter will be even better than what I thought I wanted!

Same with pruning.  I have over a dozen Rose Bushes in my yard.  They are taller than me.  They look horrible this year.  Why?  Because I haven’t pruned them, I haven’t paid any attention to them really.  In the early Spring I did prune them back to about 2 feet tall, and for a while they looked gorgeous!  Since then they have bloomed and faded, bloomed and faded, bloomed and faded. Now, they are just …. Faded.  They are tall, and full, and have a lot of green leaves, but they are not producing any beautiful blooms.  There are no full, fat, pink roses that smell glorious.   I think my yellow bush from my children for mother’s day 8 years ago may be dead.   And my white JFK rose bush is not producing its magnificent white blossoms.  I used to enjoy snipping the different blooms and then marveled at who different each fragrance was, and the way the petals were shaped - if they were tightly packed, or loose and fluttery.  I haven not enjoyed them at all since this summer.

Why?  Because I haven’t pruned back the branches. All of the nutrients are being wasted on the leaves and branches that are shooting out everywhere instead of producing beautiful red blooms.

Why haven’t I?  Because it’s a HUGE job!  It requires a large scissor hedge trimmer – not electric - and  not those sweet little rose clippers that you see people in movies gingerly snipping with their cute little straw hats, white capri pants, with manicured nails, perfect hair, and powdery soft complexions.   No!  Because the stalks and branches are so thick  it requires all of my strength and grunting and groaning to prune them back far enough on each branch to do any good.  Seriously, some of the branches are now so mature and thick, it will require a chain saw! I won't be dressed in a summery outfit, my hair will be in a pony tail, my makeup will a mess, and my face and body will be profusely sweaty!  My arms will be bloody with my encounter with the thorns - no matter how careful I am.

But, if I would take the time and effort and trouble, they will be so fruitful, and the yard would burst with color and fragrances that bring much joy.  It is also hard for me, because I feel “sorry” for the branches that I chop off – especially if there happens to be a bud trying to grow – because I know the next step in this process is throwing all the branches onto a bonfire pile.  They are green right now, but after I chop them off, in a few days, they will wither and turn brown and die – because they are no longer attached to the main Bush.  But I know I must do this – in order to allow the rest of the bush to thrive – and now it is barely surviving.

Is this what it is like for us and God?  Is it painful for Him to prune me?  Does it make Him sad to say “no” to some of the things I have asked for, or paths I have been heading down?  He knows He must prune and clean, and say “no” and redirect me  - so that His Will can be done in my life – so that I can be fruitful for Him.  Otherwise, parts of my life will rob all of the nutrients from the main purpose I am here, and pretty soon I will not produce what He has in mind for me on this earth.  And before you know it, I will be struggling to just “survive” instead of “Thrive.”

“Thank You Lord for Your Word in the Lord’s Prayer.  Thank You for re-teaching me about Your Will being done in me on earth as it is in heaven.  Help me to rejoice and thank You when You prune me.  Help me to see it as a good thing – instead of pouting like a child.  I want to Bloom Gloriously for You – even though the pruning may be painful.  Thank You for being such a  good Father – and Gardener!”  Amen.

-dawn

Determining God’s Will

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. As I read this passage, I am struck by the road map Paul offers here.  First, offer our body as a living sacrifice – our true and proper worship.  “True and proper worship” is identified in my study bible as “your spiritual act of worship” - “not merely ritual activity but the involvement of heart, mind, and will. “  Heart, mind, and will – not a resigned submission but a joyful consent.  There is a popular slogan that immediately comes to mind – “All In”.  If my heart, mind and will are joyfully offered to God in recognition of all that he has done for ME, I am “All In”.   My heart; soft and vulnerable before God; tender and compassionate toward others.  My mind; seeking true knowledge of God in his word;  seeking understanding of his true character; seeking to know him as the loving Father that he is.  My will; surrendered to his leading; walking in obedience to his guidance; being shaped to conform to his direction.

Second, don’t conform to the pattern of the world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  The pattern of the world - a world that focuses on temporary pleasures; filling the empty places in our souls with success, money, things, self, etc.  The pattern of the world – focused on my will, my needs, and my desires rather than on God’s will.  How does the renewing of our minds happen?  Pastor told us that “God seems to believe in the power of prayer to change us. He is shaping us into joining Him on His mission to save a world.  We are to trust the process – PRAY then do.”  My prayers can be the key to allowing God to mold and shape me – to continue the process of changing me.  To continue the process of preparing me to join Him on His mission.  I must TRUST the process in order to experience the renewal of my mind.

As I offer myself in my spiritual act of worship and experience the renewing of my mind – I can begin to know God’s will by knowing GOD.  I can know his good, perfect and pleasing will.  What a road map!  No, not directions but a process that prepares us for our individual faith journey – our part in advancing God’s will throughout the earth.

Dear Father, I praise you for your word, teaching me about you and your love.  I thank you for the opportunity to bring everything to you in prayer.  I worship you and give you all glory!

Kelly

9.29.2014 "God’s will or mine?"

Matthew 26:39-46   NIV ³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

⁴² He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

⁴³ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

⁴⁵ Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

As I read this I ask myself what stands out to me.  What is God saying to me right now?

I think I see two things in these verses.

The first thing I notice is Jesus' surrender in prayer to the will of His Father.  He asks God if there was any other way to accomplish His will but He also surrendered to God's will. If there is no other way I will do what you ask me to do. As Pastor said in his message yesterday He just didn't surrender Himself to God's will He embraced it.  He wanted to do whatever God wanted Him to do with complete trust and peace in His Father's plan. He didn't demand His way but chose to obey the will of His Father.

The second thing I notice is Peter, James and John are sleeping and not praying. When Jesus came back after praying the first time he asked them to pray so they would not fall into temptation.  They didn't fully understand God's will and what was about to happen.

When I face a situation that consumes me do I choose to sleep or do I pour my heart out to the Lord?

Do I ask Jesus what His will for me is or do I tell him what my will is and ask him to embrace that?

Do I joyfully surrender my will and choose obedience to Him?

These are challenging thoughts.

This is hard when your life is the one being challenged. When God is asking you "Will you trust me?"  When we pray we can ask God for what we want but we need to choose to trust Him and surrender our will to His.  Jesus tells us we can step out in faith and trust Him.  He is always with us.  He cares.

Charleen

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are holy and perfect. There is no one greater than you. You love us and decide what is best for us. Help us, Lord, to willingly and joyfully surrender our will and control of our lives to you in every situation. Help us to trust you fully with our life.

We thank you for hearing every prayer and for answering each of them. 

We love you Lord. 

In Jesus name we pray. 

Amen

"God Says No Sometimes!"

The question of why God says "No" sometimes to our prayer requests - especially prayers for healing - puzzles me!  You and I both have prayed for healing for ourselves or someone we love.  We have prayed long and hard and sincerely and with as much faith as we have. As we wrestle with the prayer, "Thy Kingdom Come ... on earth as it is in Heaven", this week, flowing from Sunday's message at Point of Grace, I find myself re-asking the question about prayers for healing that do not get a "yes" answer from God!  Healing miracles have always been a "taste" of the Kingdom of God coming on earth as it is in heaven.  Jesus did these miracles, His disciples did these miracles, we are to pray for these miracles.

I am finding some comfort and explanation for this "Why some not others?" question in the story about the Apostle Paul written in 2 Corinthians 12. "Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul seems to have a physical malady of some sort and pleaded with Jesus to take it away - to heal him.  Jesus didn't!  Jesus didn't let His Kingdom come in that particular way at that particular time even though Paul (a guy known to do miracles of healing in the New Testament) pleaded with Jesus.

This is helpful for me because it helps me remember that when my prayers are not answered the way I think they should be that I am not alone.  Even one of the greatest of the greats, Paul, had the same issue.

Secondly, I don't need to go down the path of doubt and despair when that happens either.  Paul reminds me to go down the path of humility and faith.  God is up to something with His "no" answer but I just can't see it.... and whatever He is up to, it is ultimately good and consistent with His character as my Father in heaven.

Thirdly, Jesus' response to Paul asks me to reconsider the sufficiency of God's grace in my life and the power of God showing through my weakness.  I might think that the greatest display of God's power would be to "heal" me or do an evident miracle.  God knows that sometimes the greatest display of His power is when in the middle of unresolved suffering - peace and hope and joy from outside of oneself can flow freely. That actually becomes a greatest testimony of His kingdom coming. It is in our weakness that God's power is really shown to a watching world.

I will continue to pray for healing and for miracles from God!  No question!  But I will remember that He is the King of His Kingdom and He calls the shots.  Perhaps the greatest treasure I received today from this text is that my weaknesses have become in my mind 'holy ground' where God displays His glory.   I will struggle to believe that  - especially in a time of trouble - but today I am reminded that it is there to be believed!  "For when I am weak, then I am strong."  WOW!

delton

ENDURE & BE PATIENT

Colossians 1:9-14 New International Version (NIV) ⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, ¹⁰ so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. ¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Paul is telling the Colossians that he has never quit praying for them.  But that should be our call as well.  We are called to pray for each other-the ones we like, as well as the ones that we may not care so much for.  The “jerk” that cut us off on the highway.  We should pray for him that he should slow down and enjoy this beautiful world that God has provided and that God should bless him.  God may be calling that particular person to our attention to inspire a prayer for him.  Then we should pray for ourselves and ask for forgiveness for calling this child of God a “jerk”.

Paul is telling the Colossians and us that we should continually, without stopping, ongoing pray “that you/I may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”  Paul doesn’t tell us to pray once asking for God’s will to be done.  No he says we should see every event and every person as an invitation to pray.

Paul is also telling us to “ have great endurance and patience”.  Great- there’s that P word again.  Anyone that knows me knows that patience is definitely not one of my virtues.  But Paul is telling us to continually pray that God’s will be done.  We always want to know what God’s will is today, if not yesterday.  But Paul says to endure & be patient for God’s will to be done.  As Pastor said on Sunday, “if we are told to pray “come” then God’s reign is not here yet or at least not fully.”  So maybe there is a reason to be patient!

Jesus really wants us to be a child of God.  He really wants us in his kingdom.  By giving His life to save mine/ours, He has paved the way to get into His kingdom.  As Paul says above, by “giving joyful thanks to the Father, it has qualified us to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light.” All that I/we need to do to enter into His kingdom is to pray with endurance and patience and give joyful thanks to the Father.

Paul has given the recipe, now it’s up to me to follow it.  Will you follow with me?

Lord, teach me the secret of ongoing prayer.  Please give me the endurance and patience to pray for others and to give thanks to You.  Help me to see every event and every person in my life as an invitation  to pray.  Amen

Jerry

9.24.14 "The POWER of the Kingdom is Near!"

Matthew 10:1-8 10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

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

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

Do you remember the third grade?  I had a wonderful teacher in the third grade.  She was different from those that I had in first and second.  Don’t get me wrong, those early teachers were great teachers.  But they were motherly and grandmotherly like.  Ms. Rolf was in her mid-twenties and less authoritative.  As such we thought we could get away with a little more than with the more senior group.  Whenever she left the classroom it exploded into activity, most of which was harmless but strictly forbidden.  This would never have occurred on our other teachers’ watch.  But by the Third grade we had gotten smart enough to post a lookout.  A crack in the door gave the lookout a view of the hallway and whenever Ms. Rolf appeared the chaos would instantly go silent and she would enter a classroom of perfect little angles.  We discovered later that the little crack in the door worked both ways so the lookout was also being looked at.  We were not as smart as we thought we were.  But it struck back then how quickly things settled down when the word went out that the teacher was near.

The passage today when read in the context of verse 7 and the Sunday message is ultimately about POWER.  POWER so complete it can changes things just from coming near.  I have a new grandbaby and occasionally I actually get to spend time with her without the benefit of her Mom being present.  I am amazed at how she can sense when her Mom has returned even before she enters the room.  On several occasions she has awakened from a sound sleep just sensing that her mother has entered the house and is near.  If the CREATOR of the universe has so meticulously connected us to each other how intricate is our connection to HIM.   The sick are healed, dead are raised by the POWER of this holy connection, a connection that remains strong today in the face of unprecedented denial and rejection.

Recently I was moved by the story of Dr. Kent Brantly who chose a life of service and while working in a Liberian Ebola ward contracted the deadly decease himself.  With no known cure and a mortality rate estimated in some cases has high as 90 percent, the Doctor’s fate certainly appear sealed.  Perhaps it was sealed the moment he stepped into the hospital ward.  But you know the story.  A few weeks after being handed a death sentence the good doctor was Ebola free.   Interestingly enough during an interview after receiving this great news he did not thank his medical team or science, or make mention of the untested drug that may have been responsible for his recovery.  His first words were “GOD saved my life.” Amazing!  More than 2000 years after CHRIST gave instructions to HIS disciples the Kingdom of GOD remains near.

HEAVEN FATHER as we go about our task today remind us of YOUR truly awesome and wonderful power.  When we feel mad, anxious, fearful, bitter, depressed, let us feel YOUR presence and remind us that YOUR Kingdom is near.  In CHRIST name we pray, amen. 

Jim L.

9.23.14 “REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN HAS COME NEAR”

Matthew 4:17-22 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach,  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew.  They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 

20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John.  They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets.  Jesus called them,

22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus preached, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is Near.”

Jesus asked Peter and James to follow him and they left at once.

He called James and John to follow him and they also left their boat and their father immediately, without any hesitation.

What was it that caused them to respond to Jesus like they did?

Was there something within their spirits that told them that this was someone important?  Had they heard him preaching?  Did they witness his baptism with John? What motivated them to follow Jesus? These are questions that have always baffled me.

Now the question is,  ‘What is my own response to Jesus, calling me to follow him?

When I was first saved, I responded immediately.  I learned that God loved me!   At that time in my life I was desperate for love and to suddenly realize that the God of the universe Loved ME was huge!  It was like a light turning on.   I felt valued, and that I mattered!   I also experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit soon after accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  The Holy Spirit filled me up and was flowing all around me.  I felt a warm tingling sensation and a pulsating within that felt like God’s great big hand was holding my tiny hand, but the two were one!  It was so incredible, and hard to describe, but it changed my life forever.

I wonder if the disciples had a sense of who Jesus was; that the Kingdom of Heaven was near; inside of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself…

We can have the Kingdom of Heaven living inside of us also, through the Holy Spirit of Jesus!  As we are reconciled to God through Christ, we begin a life changing journey of following Jesus.  Which requires us to let go of our own will and surrender it to God.

The disciples left their whole life and family to follow Jesus!

They each dedicated their lives to telling others about Jesus and spreading the gospel, and most of them were martyred for their faith.

Is he asking us to do the same?

Well, … yes!  Perhaps-

He may not be calling us away from our families and jobs, but he is calling us away from whatever it is that is holding us back from following him completely with all that we are and all that we have.

It may mean separating from what you learned or practiced growing up, and even from family and friends who may not approve or even reject you because you are following Jesus.

Instead of keeping God and our daily lives separate, we are to look at everything from God’s perspective.  How can I work at my job for God?  How can I care for my family for God?  How can I reach out to others for God?

Pastor Delton’s message Sunday was so very powerful on the words “Thy Kingdom Come…” and how ‘with Jesus the “reign of God” broke in to do battle with the other rulers- “Sin and Evil”.  He also said, “We ask God to come into our situation.  He is our help!  The Kingdom must come down.  There is no hope if you,  don’t come Lord.”

By myself I can only go so far before I run out of energy, patience, and the motivation to keep going.

By the power of the Holy Spirit living and breathing within me, I have the confidence and strength to do all that the Lord has given me to do today!

He is calling us to come from being our own gods, to letting him be our only God!

He is calling us to be like Christ, who humbled himself and became a servant.

We are called individually, and as the church to sacrifice our own self, so that the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus, can come an live in us and work through us.  When we  surrender our lives to Jesus,  and come together in unity, then we are as the body of Christ to the world.   The Kingdom comes on earth, through the church!

Our Father,  May your Kingdom Come to each of us today.  Please help us to let you reign and rule over us and help us to let go of ourselves to receive all of you inside of our hearts and to be willing to follow you and obey you so together we can reach the world.

In Jesus Name,   Amen.

Patrice

The Kingdom of Heaven is Near

The Scripture for today is Matthew 3:1-6 3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” ³ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

⁴ John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. ⁶ Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

This weekend, Gary and I had the opportunity and privilege to be a part of World Mandate 2014.  The theme for the weekend was “That All May Know”.  That ALL would  know about the love and salvation found in Jesus Christ.  We enjoyed incredible worship and a variety of godly speakers.  One of the speakers was Jimmy Seibert, the founder and senior pastor of Antioch Community Church, the church that started World Mandate 26 years ago.  During his message, Jimmy taught that each generation has had the opportunity to be the LAST GENERATION.  Each generation has had the opportunity to spread the good news of the gospel to the ends of the earth.  Each generation?  My generation?  My children’s generation?

There were barely 120 people left with Jesus at the end (Acts 1:16).  Today, there are 2.1 billion people in the world that identify with Jesus in some way.  1 billion people believe that Jesus Christ is “The Way, The Truth and The Life”.  From 120 brothers and sisters to 1 billion – what an INCREDIBLE MOVEMENT of the Gospel.  1 billion brothers and sisters saved – the Kingdom of heaven has come near.  Yet, God’s kingdom is not fully realized  – there are another 6 billion brothers and sisters living in darkness.  6 billion brothers and sisters who do not know the love of their Father in Heaven, who do not live under the rule and reign of Jesus Christ.  6 billion brothers and sisters who need us, Jesus’ Kingdom people, to reach out to them and share the good news of what the love of Christ has done in their lives.

These numbers – 120 to 1 billion believers; 6 billion more that are lost in darkness; - these numbers are pretty overwhelming to me.  How do I, an ordinary woman in a suburban town, make a difference in God’s kingdom?  How do I help bring others under the rule and reign of Jesus Christ?  Honestly – I don’t know.  But I know where to start.  I will BEGIN WITH PRAYER and I will CONTINUE WITH PRAYER.  I will pray for the rule and reign of Jesus in my life; I will pray for wisdom and discernment in determining how I can be the hands and feet in God’s kingdom; I will pray that I heed Christ’s call to join him in his reign coming.

Dear Jesus, I thank you for your rule and reign in my life.  Thank you for allowing me to join you in your work throughout your kingdom.  Give me a soft heart for your lost ones and help me to love and serve “the least of these”.  I love you, Jesus!  I worship you Father!  I adore you Spirit!

Kelly

Saturday's Blog

Welcome to the POG Blog! Today is Saturday which means YOU get to start the discussion on today’s scripture!  What is it saying to you today?  How does it relate to your life right now?  How does it relate to the message from Sunday?  Enjoy reading, meditating, and sharing your thoughts with others today!

Today’s Scripture is:    Psalm 61

¹ Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.

² From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. ³ For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

⁴ I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. ⁵ For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

⁶ Increase the days of the king’s life, his years for many generations. ⁷ May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

⁸ Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day.

"You didn't know any better - but you do now!"

I Peter 1:13-21

So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing.

You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”

You call out to God for help and He helps – He’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, He’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.

Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought.

Even though it has only lately – at the end of the ages – become public knowledge, God always knew He was going to do this for you. It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, Whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

“What today, Father? What do you want me to read and see and hear from You? what does this have to ‘Hallowing Your Name?” Amen.

I used to think that Hallowing God’s Name meant to not speak the Name of God in a profane way. To keep His Name special. To stand up for Him when someone “cusses” with God’s Name. But as we have been learning in this current study of The Lord’s prayer, I see it is so much more. “I didn’t know any better – but I do now.” I claim to be a “Christian” and therefore, I am a walking advertisement about God. The way I as a “Christ Follower” live will either bring honor and glory to God, or will slander Him. When people watch me and my life, do they say, “If that is what being a Christian looks like? – Then thank, you, but no thanks.”   I so do not want to smear my Lord and Savior in that way. I want people to look at me as a “Christian” and want to know more about God and how He is a wonderful Father Who loves them and saves them!

I look at the following verses and perhaps I used to think they were full of “rules” or “demands” or “restrictions”. But now, with a different lens, they carry a reminder to remember that how I live reflects on Jesus – and therefore, that is why I should desire to change the way I live, instead of slipping back into old grooves that mar His Holy Name… and if I put my name into the verse, it is a big wake-up call to seriously consider the implications of how I do bring honor or do not bring honor to my Father in Heaven.

"Dawn, don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now.

Dawn, allow yourself to be pulled into a way of life shaped by My life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. I, God said, “I am holy;  ---  you be holy, too, Dawn.”

You call out to me for help and I help – I am a good Father that way! (so if I call out to my Good Father for help one minute – I dare not slander His Name the next minute by the way I live.)

Dawn, your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of Me. It cost Me plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. I paid with My Son’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought.

I always knew I was going to do this for you, Dawn. It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, Whom I then raised from the dead and glorified, that you can trust Me, and that you know you have a future in Me."

“Father, help me on this journey, to be fully conscious of You, Your Holy Name, and how my life will point people TO You, or AWAY from You. Please forgive me for the many times I have NOT made Your Name Holy and how my life may have caused someone to NOT want anything to do with You. Thank You for giving Your Son, Jesus Christ to save me. And help me, from this day onward, to be aware of how I treat You and Your Name.  Amen.”

9.16.14 "Hallowing God’s name …"

Ezekiel 36: 22 "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.  23 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes. Matthew 6:9 "This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

I’m sure that I’ve recited the Lord’s Prayer thousands of times over my life and never once connected these words of praise and reverence … “Hallowed be thy name” with the verses in Ezekiel 36.  In these verse, God is extremely unhappy with his people in Babylon.  They are not “hallowing” his name, but are living as the heathens that surround them.  Through their actions they are "profaning his name among the nations".  Yet, despite this, the God of the Israelites (our God) is a God of grace and mercy.  He promises them many wonderful blessings (see tomorrow’s blog) and He promises to restore “hallowed-ness” to his name through his people.

So, as we recite the phrase “Hallowed be thy name” at the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer, we shouldn’t take for granted that we’ve got this covered.  Our personal praising of God surely hallows Him, but that is not enough.  We also hallow His name through our thoughts and our actions while on here on earth.  When others see who we are and how we live our lives, we reflect our God.  We must continually live our lives showing honor, glory and hallow-ness for our God!

Blessings, jdh

9.15.2014 "Name above all Names"

  Dear Lord Jesus,

Please help me to listen and hear your message through today's scripture verses. Help me to let go of all that is clogging my mind, cleanse me of everything but you and your words.

Amen

Philippians 2:5-11

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So this is what came to my mind after reading this.  My simple interpretation:

Jesus became like a human, so that humans can become like Jesus, in that we too shall have eternal life and glory with him!

Jesus is exalted above all, and his name like Our Heavenly Father is to be honored above all, and one day it will be by everyone.

Trying to understand this more, I need to make it as simple as possible.

Jesus is God.

He became like a human and that meant giving up his powers. He was limited by his physical body, but his Spirit was stronger than his flesh and helped him to endure temptations of the flesh, like hunger and thirst.  It helped him to endure the suffering he went through and death. His flesh died, but rose back to life by the power of His Spirit.

As a man God worked through him to show the people that He came from the Father and does nothing without the Father.

Now Just as Jesus humbled himself and was obedient to death so that he could be raised to life and sent us his Holy Spirit, we also must die to ourselves, our human nature ; so that by grace the Holy Spirit of God can live inside of us and help us to have the same mindset as Christ.  

I understand this in my mind, but explaining it, so it makes sense to others; especially those who have never heard all of this, is not so easy.

Then actually walking and living in the Spirit is also difficult because we are also battling with our flesh!

As Pastor Delton shared his own inner battle story with us, in his sermon, I was thinking of my own inner battle that I had early Sunday morning.

I woke up early and wanted to get up and read the rest of the book Humility- by Andrew Murray.  The overall message of the book is that we must die to ourselves in order to live by the Spirit of Christ Jesus. I had only the last two chapters to read, but as I read My mind wandered to things that I needed to get done before my family woke up.  So I read a few pages and then put in a load of laundry.  I read a little more and did a few other things.  As I was finishing up the book, the last chapter was about actually living a holy humble life.

I began thinking first of all the things that I don’t like to do, starting with chores at home. My laundry room had been in need of cleaning for weeks, but I never took the time to really clean it.  Today, the Spirit gave me strength to do what my weak flesh wanted me to put off.  I thought about Jesus being like a servant and washing his disciples feet, of being persecuted and suffered so terribly for us;, for me. He didn't want to go through all that if there was another way, but there wasn't. He loved us so much, that he put us first, before himself!

I felt convicted that I was not living a life of humility, but letting my selfishness and pride guide me, and not the Holy Spirit.  So after cleaning the laundry room and doing a load of laundry, I decided to make my family some breakfast.  But now, again, I am bragging so you can see that I became a servant to my family.  Pride! It always wants to shine. Shifting my thinking from wanting praise and acknowledgement, for my own glory, to one of humility and becoming nothing to myself so that I can be a vessel for God to shine through for his glory. So that His name is honored and praised, not mine!

Jesus was my motivator today, his prompting, and his word helped me to try and walk by His Spirit. It’s a beginning.  Like a baby learning to walk. Walking in the Spirit, changing bad habits of the flesh to good habits of the Spirit, happens one step, at a time.  Letting go of the old self takes time and work, but we are not alone in this it is by His power and strength that we are able to be like Christ here in the flesh. Our job is to obey, God’s job is to work through us. We just have to let him!

Well, it's late Sunday night and I need to send this off to our faithful blog editor.

I'm not sure if it makes any sense to anyone, but I hope it does.

Thanks for reading, and have a blessed day!

Patrice