Point of Grace Online Worship - April 21, 2024

The JOY of His Presence April 21 Sermon Notes - Rev Mike Coppersmith

THE JOY OF HIS PRESENCE

Christ’s Resurrection Appearance to His Disciples

John 20:19-22

What is Missing?

THE OVERRIDING PRIORITY OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN THE AMERICAN CHURCH TODAY!

Psalm 86:15-17

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, O Lord. 16 They rejoice in Your name all day long; they exult in Your righteousness. 17 For You are their glory and strength, and our power is based on Your favor.

Psalm 16:8-1

I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

WHEN JESUS SHOWS UP, SORROW TURNS INTO JOY!

John 20:19-22

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!’”20 After he said this, He showed them His hands and side. The disciples were OVERJOYED when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

WE ALL KNOW SORROW.

Matthew 26:38

Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with SORROW even to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”

Luke 22:45

When Jesus arose from prayer and went back to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from SORROW.

JESUS IS ALIVE AND ALWAYS SHOWS UP WITH HIS PRESENCE AMID OUR SORROWS!

John 20:19

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

Matthew 28:20 (Amp)

“…behold, I am with you all your days—perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion—to the very close and consummation of the age.”

John 14:18-19

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see Me anymore; but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live.”

WHEN JESUS SHOWS UP, SORROW TURNS INTO JOY!

John 20:20,22

After he said this, He showed them His hands and side. The disciples were OVERJOYED when they saw the Lord….22 And with that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:25-28 (NLT)

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. 26 No wonder my heart is filled with JOY, and my mouth shouts His praises! My body rests in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. 28 You have shown me the way of life, and You will give me wonderful JOY in Your presence.

Joy is:

Happiness Coming from Knowing God’s Presence and Trusting God’s Promises Regardless of the Circumstances.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NLT)

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!”

John 20:22

And with that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self control. Against such things there is no law.

WHY CAN WE HAVE SUCH SPIRIT-GIVEN JOY IN OUR LIVES ON A CONSISTENT BASIS?

WE KNOW WHO’S WRITING THE STORY!

WE KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS!

Vivit!

Point of Grace Online Worship - April 14, 2024

Point of Grace – 4.14.24 Sermon Notes – “… with the Risen Jesus” – Baptismal Identity

Matthew 28 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

My “baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” means God has claimed me has His and I am no longer “available” in the “relationship marketplace”. My Baptismal identity says I am “with Jesus” and He is “with me” all day every day. That is who I am!

John 3:3-8 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.”

Galatian 3:26-29 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Titus 3 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Romans 6:1-11 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

In Baptism God gives “with Christ”, “in Christ”, “clothed with Christ”, “born again from above”, born of the Spirit”, “children of God”, “belong to Christ”, “saved through the washing of rebirth”, “heirs in the Father’s family”, “died with Christ”, “buried with Christ”, “raised with Christ” – IDENTITY.

Baptism is about “Who we are!” because of “Whose we are!” We are the forgiven, redeemed, fully alive, dead to sin but alive to God, children of God.

Our daily living flows from this identity. We do what we do because it is “who we are”. We don’t do what we don’t do because it’s “not who we are”.

“Baptism is God’s work, and what He does is sure and certain. Nothing is more certain in all the universe than the name that God placed on us in Baptism – the name by which God revealed Himself to us. Baptized into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we have God’s own pledge and promise in Baptism that He has forgiven our sins and delivered us from death, hell, and the devil.

In time of doubt, temptation, or failure – and especially in the face of death – we can boldly say, “I am baptized into Christ,” and be certain that the comforting words of Romans 8:1 are true, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”

Luther’s Small Catechism

Point of Grace Online Worship - April 7, 2024

Point of Grace – 4.7.24 Sermon Notes – “… with the Risen Jesus” 1 – “Captivating Revealer”

Quote from “Beautiful Outlaw” – by John Eldredge

We need Jesus. The Real Jesus. The Risen Jesus. This is the where the “Deeper Wider Journey” begins. What’s it like to be “…with the Risen Jesus”?

Luke 24 - 13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

The encounter on the Emmaus road is not only, as Tom Wright says, “a wonderful, unique, spellbinding tale” but also “a model for a great deal of what being a Christian, from that day to this, is all about.” Here we find the covert Christ joining us on our journey through life. And here we are reminded that we must proactively invite Him into our questions, our relationships and our homes. Here our hearts catch fire and the scriptures come alive. Here He walks and talks with us, patiently answering our questions, realigning our thinking, teaching us to pray. Here at the table we share the bread and the wine, remembering His death and recognizing the reality of His resurrection right before our eyes. And here we are propelled into the darkness as witnesses of the wonders we have seen. from “How to Hear God” by Pete Greig

“Hearing God begins and ends with meeting Jesus” – Pete Grieg

Jesus is our “Captivating Revealer”

Luke 24 - 13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

This same Risen Jesus is captivating, mysterious, good, playful, gracious, helpful, revealer, safe,

in charge of our journey with Him, witty, strong, knows what’s best for us.

He is the same Risen Jesus who suffered, died and rose for us and

He is the same Risen Jesus who invites us into His Presence today and every day.

Point of Grace Online Worship - March 31, 2024 (Easter)

Point of Grace - 3.31.24 Sermon Notes – Easter

Re-thinking Easter!

Matthew 28:1-10 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Easter challenges my thinking not just about “resurrection” but about all of life.

Easter invites me into a whole new way of thinking.

But changing my thinking is hard …… we have some well-worn paths through which we process life’s realities and most of the time we are more “stuck” than we think.

These women were called to a whole new way of thinking … 3rd Day Thinking

They started the day in 1st and 2nd Day thinking but ended it in … 3rd Day Thinking

Is my focus today about:

The “Resurrection of Jesus”

or

The “Jesus Who is Risen”?

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

1st and 2nd day thinking defaults to fear, because what we face is bigger than who we are and what we have?

How does this show up in your life?

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

3rd Day thinking constantly has the Risen Jesus in the picture… His presence affects everything.

With 3rd Day thinking the Risen Jesus is our “frame of mind”! He graciously gives us new thinking as we yield to His presence every day. He graciously helps us let go of 1st and 2nd day thinking. “Do not be afraid!”

3rd Day thinking changes everything towards fullness of life!

A Prayer for 3rd Day Thinking and Living

Jesus, I receive you as my Life,

and I receive all the work and triumph in your Resurrection,

through which you have conquered sin, death, judgment, and the evil one.

Death has no power over you, nor does any foul thing.

And I have been raised with you to a new life,

to live your life—

dead to sin and alive to God.

I take my place now in your resurrection and in your life,

and I give my life to you to live your life.

I am saved by your life.

I reign in life through your life.

I receive your hope, love, faith, joy,

your goodness, trueness, wisdom, power,

I receive Your, strength, humility, courage, vision

and I receive Your union with the Father.

Oh Jesus, apply to me today

all the work and triumph in your resurrection; I receive it with thanks,

and I give it total claim

to my spirit, soul, and body,

my heart, mind, and will. Amen

Point of Grace Online Worship - March 29, 2024 (Good Friday)

Point of Grace Online Worship - March 24, 2024

Point of Grace - 3.24.24 Sermon Notes – Palm Sunday – “If you only knew what would bring you Peace!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CkhFQol0xE

The Prominence of Holy Week in the Gospels (chapters)

                     Baptism  (3 years)      Palm Sunday  (1 week)      Resurrection   

Matthew             3                                         21                                      28

Mark                   1                                          11                                       16

Luke                    3                                         19                                       24

John                     1                                         12                                       20 (21)

Matthew 21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” 

Context of Tension

-        Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem for Passover (35,000 – 100,000+)

-        Romans, Jewish Leaders (Pharisees), Zealots, Pilgrims

-        Jesus had raised Lazarus 2-6 weeks earlier in Bethany 2 miles away.

-        He was popular among Galilean pilgrims coming to the festival.

-        Jesus healed 2 blind men in Jericho 2 days before

-        He rides in on a donkey (Zech. 9:9)

-        Accepts the praise of the people as Messiah (Psalm 118:25-26)

-        Cleared the Temple and called it back to its purpose as a “House of Prayer”  

Luke 19 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said,
 “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, 
because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

This Palm Sunday is a time of God’s coming,
He comes humble … but He comes as the King, who was crucified and now risen and reigning,
He comes to bring peace to all who will receive Him who will surrender to Him alone in worship crying out,
“Hosanna! Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Point of Grace Online Worship - March 17, 2024

Point of Grace Worship 3.17.24 Sermon Notes – “Open Hearts, Open Heavens” Pastor Mike Coppersmith

Luke 3:4-6

A voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked road shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.”

OPEN HEARTS, OPEN HEAVENS

Preparing the Way for what God Has in Store by Inviting Him to

Break Open Our Hearts and to Break Open His Heavens

OUR GOD IS A GOD OF OPEN HEAVENS!

Ephesians 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

FOR US TO EXPERIENCE THE FULL BLESSINGS OF OPEN HEAVENS, WE MUST HAVE OPEN HEARTS!

1 Samuel 16:7

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Matthew 22:37-40

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Romans 10:9

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Jeremiah 29:12-13

Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.

Ephesians 3:17

…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

Acts 16:13-14

On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home.”

OPEN HEARTS OFTEN COME FROM BROKEN HEARTS!

Psalm 51:16-17

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Joel 2:12-13

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.”

Key Point

Brokenness may involve grieving, mourning, sorrowing, weeping, lamenting, acknowledging to God that all is not right at the present time, but—when God is a work in Christ—from Broken Hearts come Open Hearts and from Open Hearts We Experience the Full Blessings of Open Heavens!

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. 2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come…3 to all who mourn in Israel, He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.

SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE

SEEK GOD’S FACE, NOT JUST HIS HAND

Psalm 27:4,7-8

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple…7 Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of You, “Seek His face!” Your face, Lord, will I seek.

SURRENDER IN PRAYERFUL DEPENDENCE UPON HIM

Point of Grace Online Worship - March 10, 2024

Point of Grace Worship 3.10.24 Sermon Notes – “Come with Me by ourselves to a quiet place?” – Jesus

Jesus invites us into Slowing, Solitude, Prayer, Scripture

Matthew 11 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Come to me, The invitation is to a personal encounter with Jesus.

all you who are weary and burdened, “Jesus, I need You…. I want You” - self-sufficiency deafens us to Jesus

and I will give you rest. Focusing on God’s promises enables us to “do” our part

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, Jesus’s yoke is His “way” for us to carry the loads of life

for (that) I am gentle and humble in heart, Focus on His promises – What is He promising?

and you will find rest for your souls. Jesus is flooding us with promises to trust – fighting for us.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” He is good and He knows us well.

Key Take-Aways

• The invitation is to come to Jesus personally.

• Surrender to a posture of “need” not self-sufficiency.

• Focus on the promises before trying to “do” the demands.

• Learning His new “yoke” – way of carrying the loads of life. Time, patience, perseverance. Remember who He is.  

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

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,

by prayer Talk it over – talk it out – convert worries into prayers!

and petition, What is the ask?

with thanksgiving, Give thanks for who God is, what He has done and what He will do.

present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Susannah Wesley Story

Early in her life, she vowed that she would never spend more time in leisure entertainment than she did in prayer and Bible study. Even amid the most complex and busy years of her life as a mother, she still scheduled two hours each day for fellowship with God and time in His Word, and she adhered to that schedule faithfully. The challenge was finding a place of privacy in a house filled to overflowing with children.

Mother Wesley’s solution to this was to bring her Bible to her favorite chair and throw her long apron up over her head, forming a sort of tent. This became something akin to the “tent of meeting,” the tabernacle in the days of Moses in the Old Testament. Every person in the household, from the smallest toddler to the oldest domestic helpers, knew well to respect this signal. When Susanna was under the apron, she was with God and was not to be disturbed except in the case of the direst emergency. There in the privacy of her little tent, she interceded for her husband and children and plumbed the deep mysteries of God in the Scriptures. This holy discipline equipped her with a thorough and profound knowledge of the Bible.

“Come with me, by yourselves to a quiet place!” - Jesus