Point of Grace Online Worship - May 18, 2025

Point of Grace Worship        5.18.25     Sermon Notes  – “Come and See, Go and Tell – Sent Ones”

“Come and See – Go and Tell” 

John 20:19-23   19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, 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. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

The Resurrected Jesus is magnifying an essential part of their identity as His followers.  They are no longer just disciples (followers, apprentices, students) they are also “Sent Ones”!  As a disciple, I am also a Sent One!

·       “Sents Ones” stay in intimate relationship with the Sender (apo-stello- apostle – sent from ones)

“I mentioned at the outset that the word “mission” comes from the Latin “mission” which means “to send”.

The Biblical words for “sent” (both in Hebrew and Greek) carry a deep and indelible relationship with the “one who sends”. “Sent” not only links the sender and the recipient but also unites the sender with the one who is sent.
In other words, “sent” is not a mechanical transmission.  This would be like postal workers.  They simply deliver letters or packages.  There is no substantive connection between the mail carrier and the sender.  They don’t know who sent you junk mail.  They don’t know Aunt Betty who sent you a Christmas card.  They are just messengers.
By contrast, a Biblical use of “sent” implies that a piece of the “sender” goes with the one who is “sent”.  Its like an ambassador sent to represent the sender “in person”.  The ambassador’s handshake, words and message would be as if the sender were there. The sender and the one sent are tied to one another.”
“Loved and Sent” by Jeff Cloeter 

No matter where we are going, and who we are with we are “Sent Ones” from Jesus. 
This gives all of life Purpose!

·       “Sent Ones” receive Jesus’ peace “Peace be with you!” and His Presence, “Receive the Holy Spirit” which are vital for life as a “Sent One”!

·       “Sent Ones” are authorized to give away the gifts of the Kingdom of Heaven that are so desperately needed by everyone on earth.   “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven” John 20

2 Corinthians 5:17-20  17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

The gifts from King Jesus that we get to give away as authorized “Sent Ones” are beyond beautiful.

As Sent Ones, we go by Faith, with a message of Hope in the Love of the One who sends us.
We get to give His gifts away to people we know and people we don’t know.   

And we are Sent to people we know who do not yet know and trust Jesus. 
We get to BLESS them as “Sent Ones” from Jesus!
B – Begin with Prayer
L – Listen
E – Eat
S – Serve
S - Share your Jesus Story

Point of Grace Online Worship - April 27, 2025

Point of Grace Worship        4.27.25     Sermon Notes  – “Come and See, Go and Tell – Resurrection Faith”

“These three remain; Faith, Hope and Love”
 Paul, The Apostle

1 Corinthians 15 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

Faith is a relationship of reliant trust “in” someone or something that reveals itself through action.
Faith does not really exist without an “object” of that faith – someone or something to focus reliant trust.

Faith in the Risen Jesus is a “reliant trust” not only in facts of Jesus existence but on the person of Jesus himself.

Faith in general and faith in Jesus as a “relationship of reliant trust in Him” has many forces working against it. 

John 20:24-29
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

How is Jesus dealing with Thomas and his doubt?

Jesus is intent on giving and strengthening deep faith in all who will follow Him.  He is gracious and relentless in leading Thomas through doubt to “reliant trust” in Him which Thomas expressed in spontaneous worship.

Notice the vision Jesus casts for us! 

Matthew 15:21-28
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”     24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”
 And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Jesus knows how deep the gift of faith which He has given is. 
He goes to great lengths to grow us to living deeply in the “relationship of reliant trust” which He has given us. 

He knows that is the only place we truly experience Life in all its fullness.

WHO I AM IN CHRIST?
Originally Compiled by Neil Anderson 

I AM ACCEPTED...

• I am God's child. (John 1:12)
• As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ. (John 15:15)
• I have been justified (declared righteous). (Romans 5:1)
• I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
• I have been bought with a price and I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
• I am a member of Christ's body. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
• I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child. (Ephesians 1:3-8)
• I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)
• I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:9-10)
• I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 4:14-16) 

I AM SECURE...

• I am free from condemnation. (Romans 8:1-2)
• I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. (Romans 8:28)
• I am free from any condemnation brought against me and
   I cannot be separated from the love of God. (Romans 8:31-39)
• I have been established, anointed and sealed by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
• I am hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-4)
• I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me. (Philippians 1:6)
• I am a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
• I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:10)
• I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. (1 John 5:18)

 I AM SIGNIFICANT …

• I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life. (John 15:5)
• I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. (John 15:16)
• I am God's temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16)
• I am a minister of reconciliation for God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
• I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm. (Ephesians 2:6)
• I am God's workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)
• I may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12)
• I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 12, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 1.12.25 – Sermon Notes – The Baptism of Jesus

Matthew 3 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

It is helpful to remember the context, “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 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

What is being communicated to us and Jesus?

At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said,

“This is my Son, (identity)

whom I love; (love)

with him I am well pleased.” (approval)

What does this mean for us?

Galatians 3 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.

“I will never get tired of hearing the Father’s words at Jesus baptism. They are words of identity, affection and approval. They reveal Jesus as the True Son and the Beloved. LOVE is the essence of God’s character and the fragrance of the Trinitarian community. When we are baptized into the Trinitarian name we are enfolded in this community of love. Love is the greatest need of our beings and LOVE is what we get from the Father in our baptism. The identity of the “Beloved Son in whom the Father is well-pleased” is the approval we get in our baptism. We are clothed with Christ in Baptism. This is the gift we are given. God is revealing all of this to us so we will look nowhere else for identity, love and approval. Jesus is where we get all this. WOW! Daily renewal in this IDENTITY as “Beloved Son/Daughter” is a non-negotiable priority for the life of the Jesus follower because Jesus following is living the “life of the Beloved.” So let me say it again, “We look nowhere else for identity, love and approval….. Jesus is where we get all this. WOW!“ No wonder we need ample time in His presence everyday.”

In baptism I am “clothed with Christ” so that “in Christ” these same declarations are over me.

We get identity as forgiven, loved, approved and Spirit-filled children of God.

It is all a gift because of Jesus!

This all sounds nice but …….. we daily wake up in a world at war. What is being attacked?

Matthew 4: 1-3 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God….”

Our identity in Christ is always under attack from the devil, the world and our sinful nature.

“Daily renewal in this IDENTITY as “Beloved Son/Daughter” is a non-negotiable priority for the life of the Jesus follower because Jesus following is living the “life of the Beloved.” So let me say it again, “We look nowhere else for identity, love and approval….. Jesus is where we get all this. WOW!“ No wonder we need ample time in His presence everyday.”

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and choosing me from before you made the world. You are my true Father— I love you, I trust you, I worship you. I give myself over to you, Father, to be one with you as Jesus is one with you. Thank you for proving your love for me by sending Jesus. I receive him and all his life and all his work which you ordained for me. Thank you for forgiving me my sins, granting me his righteousness, making me complete in him. Thank you for making me alive with Christ, raising me with him, and anointing me with your love and your Spirit and your favor. I receive it all with thanks and give it total claim to my life I now proclaim this truth, “I am a lavishly Loved child of my Father in heaven.”

So today I get to live the Life of the Beloved. Amen

Point of Grace Online Worship - November 24, 2024

Point of Grace – 11.24.24 “You are a Givable Gift with Gifts to Give” Part 2 Sermon Notes

When we thank God for people, in their hearing, who have been His gifts on your faith journey they are inspired to believe they are “Givable Gifts with Gifts to Give” and the body of Christ is built up.

Philippians 1:3-10 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Notice how the Apostle Paul

Thanks God for people, in their hearing,

Reflects in how they are gifts to him and

Prays blessing and encouragement for their future.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

4 For we know, brothers and sisters[b] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Notice how the Apostle Paul

Thanks God for people, in their hearing,

Reflects in how they are God’s gifts to him (faith, hope, love)

Prays personalized blessing and encouragement for their future.

Colossians 1:3-14 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

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.

We get to:

-      Thank God for people in their hearing

-      Reflect on how they are (have been) God’s gifts to you (faith, hope, love)

-      Pray personalized blessing and encouragement

Point of Grace Online Worship - November 17, 2024

Point of Grace – 11.17.24 “You are a Givable Gift with Gifts to Give” Sermon Notes

Where does your heart and mind go when you think of yourself as a “gift”

to your family

to your friends

to your work

to your church….

How does seeing yourself as a “gift” affect the way you see yourself functioning in those arenas of life?

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 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. 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,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Romans 12:3-8 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Ephesians 4:7-13 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it……..11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

God gives

people as gifts

skills, aptitudes and abilities as gifts

manifestations of the Spirit as gifts.

You are a givable gift with gifts to give … so that the body of Christ may be built up …and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Is this what Jesus had in mind when He said, “You are the salt of the earth……14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16

Me? ….. Not me? ….. Am I a “givable” gift?

Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Do not underestimate the power of Christ’s redemption in your life. His power at work in us makes us a “givable gift”!

You are a givable gift with gifts to give … so that the body of Christ may be built up …and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 7, 2024

Point of Grace Worship 1.7.24 – Sermon Notes – Epiphany and The Baptism of Jesus

Epiphany – “to shine light on” - to reveal   

Mark 1:1-11
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

What is being ‘revealed’ through John’s message and ministry?       

-          “preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins……. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.”

-           And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I,… I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

We will never really “get” Jesus unless we “get” our need for Jesus!

                         Jesus has made possible forgiveness of sins  and life in the Spirit.

 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 

        2Cor.5 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and
the Spirit descending on (into) him like a dove. 

11 And a voice came from heaven:
              “You are my Son,                            (identity)
                whom I love;                                  (love)
                with you I am well pleased.”     (approval)

In baptism I am “clothed with Christ” so that “in Christ” these same declarations are over me.

We get identity as forgiven, loved, approved and Spirit-filled children of God.  It is all a gift because of Jesus!

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 9, 2022

Point of Grace Worship 1.9.22 Sermon Notes – “Who Am I?”

Identity questions are the biggest most important questions of all.

Who am I? Am I loved? Do I matter? Where do I fit? What is my Value? Purpose? What am I supposed to be doing? Do I have what it takes? What is the meaning of life?

Luke 3 21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.

Owning God’s “Whose am I?” answers for my “Who am I?” questions is a game changer for 2022!

Isaiah 43 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

But now, this is what Yahweh says— your Creator, O Jacob, your Former O, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. “Whose am I?” answers makes all the difference in the quality of my living!

Who is the One who says, ‘You are mine.’? 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I, I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. “Whose I am” makes all the difference in the value of me.

5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” His presence is everything as we follow Him in His global mission.

Owning God’s “Whose am I?” answers for my “Who am I?” questions is a game changer for 2022!

Consecration Prayer for 2022

Father in heaven, we come to You to be restored and renewed in You. We are Your amazingly loved children and You are our Father in heaven. We are Your church in 2022. We now consecrate this year of life as individuals, as families and as Your church to You and You alone! We surrender every aspect of our lives totally and completely to You. We yield ourselves to the leading of Your Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill us afresh every day this new year. We want to follow Your lead!

Jesus, we receive all the work and triumph of Your life, death, resurrection, ascension and current reign over our lives and church. We are not our own we have been bought with a price. Thank you for giving us salvation identity. We pray, “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come and Your will be done” in our lives, families and church in 2022!

Jesus, I am Yours totally and completely in 2022 - bought in and sold out for You and Your purposes for me. - My time, ability, possessions and money, - my sexuality, influence, personality and imagination, - my work, plans, pleasures and ambitions - my brokenness, imperfections, disappointments and failures - my loves, losses, worries and dreams - my everyday all day living

… is now set apart, surrendered and consecrated to You, Jesus! I give everyone and everything to You, Jesus!

I now bring the authority, rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over all aspects of my life and over all my arenas of influence this new year. We now bring the authority rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over our church, mission and purpose this year. Lead us Jesus lead us! We come in Jesus name against Satan and His kingdom binding and banishing him and all forces of evil from our lives, our families and our church this year in the powerful and victorious name of Jesus! Amen!

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. We encourage you to use the “I Belong” devotional resource to assist you every day. You can sign up for this daily resource by going to the “I Belong Challenge” button on the main menu at www.pog.church. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Luke 3:21-23a Tue – Isaiah 43:1-7 Wed – 1 Peter 2:4-5,9-10 Thu – John 10:1-5 Fri – 1 Corinthians 6:14-20 Sat - John 15:12-17 Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.