READ IT! - Monday Reading - Daniel 3

Yesterday, the sermon included the following scripture.  

Let's review it together today.

Daniel 3

New Living Translation (NLT)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue

3 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up. 3 So all these officialscame and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4 Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
7 So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

The Blazing Furnace

19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.
25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.

PREPARE FOR IT! - Saturday Reading - Daniel 3

Tomorrow's sermon will include the following scripture.  

Let's read it together today to prepare our hearts.

Daniel 3

New Living Translation (NLT)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue

3 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up. 3 So all these officials came and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4 Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

7 So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

8 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

The Blazing Furnace

19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.

25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god[!”

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.

MISSION IT! - Living on Mission with Abraham in Genesis 18

Week 1 – Living on Mission with Abraham in Genesis 18

Living missionally is all about reflecting and incarnating the heart of God and joining with Him as agents of the Good News of redemption.  Living in this way is proof of a growing relationship with the Almighty.  Abraham displayed several aspects of the heart of God in this passage: hospitality, recognizing the image of God in others, and intercession.  The Spirit of God enables us to do the same every day.

#1 – Hospitality

Abraham was minding his own business, hanging out in his tent when he noticed three travelers standing nearby.  He could have continued to mind his own business, attempting to stay cool in the heat of the day.  (I imagine him performing the very manly “sup?” head nod of acknowledgement.)  Instead, he chose to engage the travelers and go out of his way to serve them.  He assumed the posture of a servant and asked for permission to wash their feet and feed them.  When they agreed, he enlisted the help of others (his community) to make it happen.  (Sarah, make some bread!  Servant, cook some meat!)

#2 – Recognizing the Image of God in Others

Abraham recognized something God-like in the travelers that caused him to take notice of them, to value them, and to desire to serve them and meet their needs.  It is important for us to recognize that mankind carries the Imago Dei – the image of God – because God chose to create us in His image. (Genesis 1:26, 27)  Yes, all of mankind. (Even THAT person.) This perspective will inevitably cause us to think differently and treat people differently.

#3 – Intercession

Abraham recognized God’s desire to carry out justice on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Victimized people were crying out to Him because of the wicked things they suffered in these cities.  Their cries were deafening.  It was time for Him to act.  Abraham knew that God had every right to act justly.  But, Abraham knew that the nature of God would not allow Him to destroy the righteous along with the wicked.  He hoped that his loved ones were righteous and therefore eligible to be saved. In fact, he hoped that the entire city could be spared destruction.  He pleaded with God, hoping for repentance and redemption of the people of these cities.  He asked God for mercy.  He pushed the envelope and asked repeatedly.  Will you spare it for 50 righteous people, 45 righteous people, 40 righteous… 10 righteous?  He interceded for more and more mercy and not a single request was denied.  Not once did God say, “No, my mercy does not go that far.  Enough is enough.”  We, too, can boldly ask God to have mercy, to save, to spare.

When we live missionally, we reflect and incarnate the heart of God in our daily practices.  This can only be accomplished through an abiding relationship with God.  The closer we get to Him, the more we learn to notice the needs of others and serve them, to view one another as high-value-image-bearers who are worthy of love and service, and to join with Jesus in praying (asking, pleading, interceding) for their repentance and acceptance of the Good News of redemption.  Let’s practice living on mission and get caught RedHanded – LovingOurCity.

- Pastor Angela

PRAY IT! Abraham's Heart for a City

Genesis 18 is one of many examples throughout Scripture that shows us a roadmap of how to intercede (or simply, to pray on behalf of others).  In verse 23, we read about how Abraham "drew near" to God.  This is priority number one!  John 15 confirms the power and necessity of abiding in God.  Read it here:  John 15 (ESV). 

In Genesis 18:27, we can get an idea of step two.  Abraham says, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes."  Abraham opens his mouth and talks to God.  (Sounds simple, but how many times do we try everything else first, and go to God last?)  Abraham does not let his humanness and inability to fix Sodom and Gomorrah on his own deter him from coming to the Lord in prayer.  Abraham speaks to God anyway.  He prays anyway.

Is it really that simple?  There have been days, where if I had been Abraham, I would have been wanting to pray for myself.  "God... when are you going to make good on your promise to me?  I do not care about Sodom and Gomorrah."  Then there are days where I certainly do not want to pray for _________.  But then God checks me.  (Dang, that abiding!)  _______ needs someone to pray on their behalf just as much as anyone else.  How could I not want _______ to be drawn close to God and blessed by God, when that is what God wants?  There is nothing wrong with praying for ourselves.  However, there is great, humbling power in praying for others. 

In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers proposed that "The real business of your life as a saved soul is intercessory prayer.  Wherever God puts you in circumstances, pray immediately, pray that His Atonement may be realized in other lives as it has been in yours.  Pray for your friends, now; pray for those with whom you come in contact now." 

It is sobering to read Scripture where an intercessor is being looked for, but not found.  In Ezekiel 22:30 it says, "I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one."  In Isaiah 59:16 it says, "He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene..."  PoC, our family, friends, and community need us to stand in the gap, roll up our shirt sleeves, and pray for them.

So what does this look like, practically?  Consider this: 

Instead of... flipping off the man who cut you off in traffic, pray on his behalf.
Instead of... judging the girl in the skimpy shirt, pray on her behalf.
Instead of... hating your co-worker who tried to ruin your reputation with gossip, pray on her behalf.
Instead of... waging yet another war with your mother-in-law, pray on her behalf.
Instead of... criticizing your community for making that decision, pray on their behalf.
Instead of... shaking your head at the leadership of a different country, pray on their behalf.

The person you prayed for may not have anyone else in their lives praying for them.  If not you, then who?

In sum:

Abide.  We do not generate the Godly compassion on our own to spend serious time in prayer on behalf of others.

Pray.  Just do it.  "I am weak but He is strong..." 

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for loving my city and everyone in it.  Bless my city with an outpouring of Your love and kindness that leads everyone to see Your goodness and turn toward You. 
Amen.

Join us for prayer service, 7pm, tonight!

Pastor Celia

Standing in Prayer / Standing in Honor - A Letter from Pastor Todd

Dear PoC Influencers,

Some time ago, I had an opportunity to attend an event with several other people where I was asked to teach on various principles of discipleship. While at the event, I witnessed the mistreatment of one of the participants. I didn’t know the back story. I didn’t know the full circumstance. I didn’t know either side. All I knew was what I witnessed - that the treatment of this fellow believer was so over-the-top, so public, and so calculated that it was clear to me that it had been planned for some time. It also seemed desperate and misguided. It broke my heart. And, because of my very limited view and contact with the individuals, there was little I could do. So, I prayed. And, as I prayed, I consistently felt a missional impulse from the Lord to simply watch and pray, wait, and keep my eye on this fellow believer.

As I watched this believer from a distance, I was more and more impressed by her ability to show grace under fire. While I waited for God to present me with an opportunity to “remember” her, I was able to see in her some very impressive things that I would not have seen if I had not obeyed the Lord’s direction to simply “keep an eye out”. Often, if we are too quick to react, we miss the chance to collect much-needed evidence that only comes as we simply “let things play out”. I came to appreciate how she handled herself, even in the face of confusing opposition that just didn’t make sense. I began to pray that God would bless her and her family. Even though we did not live close to each other, the Lord listened to the prayers we were both praying, independently of each other. A few months later, the opportunity I was waiting for presented itself, and I was able to “remember” her and use my limited position and influence to help promote her so that others could see God use her in a powerful and unquestionable way.

Last week we looked at a rather unsatisfying story in the Bible – the destruction of Sodom and
Gomorrah. It was a hard lesson to preach: we must intercede . . . even if the situation seems hopeless.
Well, this week, as we look to Daniel chapter 2-3, the story is a little more hopeful. It just feels right, and the listener/learner is able to enjoy a powerful moment as God delivers the three Hebrew children out of the furnace. High-5’s all around. It’s simply an amazing story of God’s faithfulness.

As we look to the beginning of the story at Daniel 2: 48-49, we see Daniel, from a position of influence, “remembering” his friends, promoting his friends, and then watching as his 3 friends show world-changing steadfast and brave faith that is obvious to all as they are challenged to take a stand for God. Remember that the three Hebrew Children: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had already
been standing together in prayer with Daniel for some time. All of this bold praying led to Daniel’s
“promotion” first as Daniel interpreted a dream for Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon who then gave Daniel a high position within his government. And, that’s when Daniel remembered His friends and asked the King to give his friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, jobs as administrators. God gave them influence and authority as they remembered each other. And they understood that all authority is meant to be used to serve and lead people to draw closer to God. Once promoted, Daniel jumped at the opportunity to enlarge His team of God-fearing influencers who had a heart for the city. Who better to have on your team then those who have been standing with you in prayer?

Let me ask you, what would happen if, like Daniel, we determined that those who have helped with
prayer shall, out of our gratefulness, share in our honor? Like Daniel, we might also find that those
who stand with us in prayer are more ready than any other to serve and influence with us. One of the
best ways to be caught red-handed in the middle of God’s plans is to ask the Lord how to leverage the
influence He has given us in the community so that we can remember and promote the people of God
who earnestly seek Him and run hard after Him to the point that an entire city begins to take notice.
Look what happened after God miraculously protected and delivered Daniel’s three friends from the
flames. Daniel 3: 27 reads, “All the princes, governors, lieutenant governors, and other officials of the king gathered to look at the three men . . .” Amazing!

PoC, God wants your life to influence your city. Who is standing with you in prayer? Who has shown
themselves to be faithful and a God-lover? Ask God to show you how you can join Him in His mission by allowing others to share in your honor.

I can’t wait to see you Sunday. The PoCKidz will be with us, so it’s gonna rock . . . hard!!

Remember your Red-Handed Challenge to do at least one random act of kindness this week. Keep
joining God. Don’t be afraid to get caught right in the middle of His plans.

Remembering You Always in Prayer,

Pastor Todd

FAMILY IT! -- Family Devotion Wednesday -- "Stronger Together"

Every Wednesday we’ll share a devotional thought about the weekly passage designed to be shared with your family.  Our hope it to bring everyone in the house around the proverbial table to connect through God’s Word.  Maybe you already do this in your house.  Awesome!  This could be an addition to your regular Wednesday time.  If family devotion time is new to you and your kids, this is a great opportunity to start with a weekly activity.  It may help to pick a consistent time when you’re already together, like before breakfast or right after dinner.  Use your natural family rhythms to maximize the opportunity.  

Ok, ready for some family time? 

Supplies: Bible

READ

Start by reading Genesis 18 together.  (If you have younger children, just paraphrase.)  

THINK

When I read this passage, there are so many things God does that surprise me.  But the most surprising part of this story is when He decides to get Abraham’s input on His plan for Sodom and Gomorrah.  I mean, He’s GOD.  He doesn’t need anyone else’s input, anybody’s rubber stamp of approval.  As the omnipotent Lord Almighty, He can do whatever He wants.  And it’s not like He needs a sounding board—He’s omniscient, the all-knowing Creator of Heaven and Earth!  And yet the Father chooses to bring Abraham into His decision-making process, and through that, deepen their relationship. 

God models a truth about people here: when we make decisions with other people, we strengthen our connection.  By sincerely seeking input from others, we offer a sense of value and respect for them that can be hard to come by.   I remember a time when my dad was looking to change jobs.  There were several options on the table, and all of them involved an out-of-state move.  I was in junior high at the time, so I knew what it meant when my folks said some of the possibilities offered higher or lower salary or that taking a certain job would mean more or less time at home for my dad.  Even so, I was surprised when my parents asked for my input.  Now I was not naive enough to think that my opinion would be the final word.  I knew better than that, and yet I still had a sense of importance that Mom and Dad would want to know what I thought about everything.  When decision time finally came, we were a stronger family because we had discussed it together.

APPLY 

Every person has to make some big decisions in their life.  New jobs, new homes, new schools.  Whether or not to start swim lessons and stop soccer.  When to date, whom to date…or maybe even if to date.  Some decisions are kind of small things, like where to go on vacation, while others are kind of big things, like where to go to college.  Every person has to make some big decisions, but when we choose to make those decisions as a family, sincerely listening to each other’s thoughts, we strengthen our family bond.  Take some time now to share some decisions each of you are thinking about.  Maybe it’s a big thing, or maybe it seems insignificant.  Share it anyway.  See what your family has to add to your thought process.  Even very young children can offer input on vacation destinations, etc.

Of course, the strongest families have the Father within them, a welcomed member around the table.  As much as we seek the voice of others, we should seek His voice most of all.  (In the end, it was God who decided which job my dad should take.)  Close your time together by offering up your decisions to Him, listening for His input and guidance.

PRAY 

Loving Father, we praise You for the love You pour out so freely.  Your love allows us to have options.  Your grace allows us the freedom to do what we want to do.  But here and now, we choose to follow You and Your leading.  Guide us as a family through this process, Lord.  Bring us closer to each other and to You.  In Your Holy name we pray.  Amen.

REPLY
Did you and your family enjoy this devotional blog?  We'd love to know about it!  Our hope is to continue providing this weekly opportunity for families to do a devotion together.  If your family did this devotion, please shoot us an email, text or just post a comment to this blog.

EXPLORE IT! - Genesis 18

Genesis is a fantastic book of the Bible.  Its pages are full of lively accounts of our heritage as Christians.  The stories Genesis tells not only reveals details about history, but also about the character of our Heavenly Father.  Tradition holds that all the books in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) are written by Moses.  Some scholars will argue this point, but since the author doesn’t sign his name, Moses is our best fit.

Genesis 1-11 tells the story of human history.  These passages are both poetic and narrative in nature.  Genesis 12-50 shares the historical narratives of the Israelite nation.  It’s very interesting to me that the account of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18-19 is found in the second section of Genesis and not the first as it seemingly has nothing to do with Israelite nation.  Instead it seems to be a story about the destruction of foreigners.

In Genesis 18:16-33 we enter into a discussion between God and Abraham.  God decides to fill Abraham in on His plans.  It then appears as if Abraham tries to make a deal with God, but that is not really the case.  Haggling is a common practice in all Middle Eastern business practices.  In our passage of Scripture, while it seems strange to us, Abraham is not acting out of character for someone of his culture.  Knowing that his Nephew Lot and family are in Sodom, Abraham is trying to negotiate terms for those within the city.  This concern for Lot, Abraham’s extended family, is most likely the reason this story is shared in the second half of Genesis instead of closer to the account of Noah and the flood, another story about judgment and destruction.

But I would like to suggest this account is not only about judgment and destruction.  It is also a testimonial to God’s faithfulness.  Genesis 19:29 says, “So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.”  God remembered the conversation with Abraham and saved those who were found righteous. 

We serve a God who is not only good, but also just.  He remembers our conversations and desires to save those who know Him.  It’s our job to pray for our non-believing friends.  It’s our job to introduce them to the only one who can save them:  Jesus.  God is faithful and will be faithful to all who are found righteous.

Blessings,
Pastor Amy

READ IT! - Monday Reading - Genesis 18

Yesterday, the sermon included the following scripture.  

Let's review it together today.

Genesis 18

New Living Translation (NLT)

A Son Is Promised to Sarah

18 The Lord appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day. 2 He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground.

3 “My lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while. 4 Rest in the shade of this tree while water is brought to wash your feet. 5 And since you’ve honored your servant with this visit, let me prepare some food to refresh you before you continue on your journey.”

“All right,” they said. “Do as you have said.”

6 So Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, “Hurry! Get three large measures[a] of your best flour, knead it into dough, and bake some bread.” 7 Then Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a tender calf and gave it to his servant, who quickly prepared it. 8 When the food was ready, Abraham took some yogurt and milk and the roasted meat, and he served it to the men. As they ate, Abraham waited on them in the shade of the trees.

9 “Where is Sarah, your wife?” the visitors asked.

“She’s inside the tent,” Abraham replied.

10 Then one of them said, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!”

Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent. 11 Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children. 12 So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?”

13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

15 Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh.”

But the Lord said, “No, you did laugh.”

Abraham Intercedes for Sodom

16 Then the men got up from their meal and looked out toward Sodom. As they left, Abraham went with them to send them on their way.

17 “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked. 18 “For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. 19 I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”

20 So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. 21 I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.”

22 The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham. 23 Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked? 24 Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes? 25 Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

26 And the Lord replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”

27 Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes. 28 Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?”

And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.”

29 Then Abraham pressed his request further. “Suppose there are only forty?”

And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the forty.”

30 “Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak—suppose only thirty righteous people are found?”

And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it if I find thirty.”

31 Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?”

And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”

32 Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?”

And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”

33 When the Lord had finished his conversation with Abraham, he went on his way, and Abraham returned to his tent.

Vision Sunday Highlights

What a great day of celebration God gave us!
19 friends were welcomed into membership, 9 new believers were baptized, 23 were first time guests to PoC, nearly 200 people received the new Love.Our.City. t-shirts and heard about the exciting ways God is moving through Point of Change and the mission He has for the immediate future!
ALL the glory belongs to Jesus! Praise Him!

Video highlights:

- photo album link -

Let's Get Caught! - A Letter from Pastor Todd

Dear PoC Family,

Every time I think of this past Sunday’s Vision Sunday, I smile.  God is with us in a big way.  It’s always fun when we have to bring in more chairs to accommodate a SRO crowd.  Celebrating new life is just the best.  It was wonderful to see the smiles of recognition as God’s Vision for the next season of our ministry together was shared.  He’s up to something big!!

This week we will start our exciting new sermon series called, “Red-Handed:  Love. Our. City.”  The big idea for the sermon series is, “The daily goal of the missional life is to be caught RED-HANDED, right in the middle of God’s plans.”  The question could be asked, “Is PoC ready to live missionally, to be caught in the middle of God’s plans?”

Well, I believe we are getting more and more ready and that it really is a matter of starting somewhere, doing something, and basically, just diving in.  It’s also largely dependent on intimacy with God.  The more and more intimate our relationship (personally and collectively) grows with Jesus, the more ready we will be.  The closer we get with Him, the more we are filled with Him.  That creates the noticeable change that I believe we are seeing and will continue to see.  Paul spotted this as he wrote to the Romans, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.  Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God . . . through the power of the Spirit of God.”  (Romans 15: 13-14)

During this sermon series we will meet several Bible heroes who cried out to God for mercy and deliverance for their city.  The common link that connects these city-hearted heroes isn’t their compassion or their city-mindfulness as you would expect.  No, the common link is their very close intimate relationship with God.  They are not having to bend God’s heart to theirs, they are aligning their hearts to God’s already merciful heart.  The more “one” we are with God, the more we will get caught red-handed in the middle of His plans.  We will be wonderfully and blessedly guilty by association.

This Friday my incredible, beautiful, and God-hearted wife, Kim and I will be married 22 years.  Now, for some of you folks, 22 years isn’t that long.  In a lot of ways, we’re still young pups, but during those 22 years, Kim and I have enjoyed being led by Jesus through our very own intimate journey.  We aren’t quite at the point where we finish each other’s sentences, and we will likely never will be, but we are enjoying a Spirit-led one-heartedness that comes when passions align.  The things that are important to Kim have also become things that are important to me.  In the same way, our individual dreams are becoming shared dreams.  Ha, I knew she’d come around!  J

And, this is what I believe we are seeing at PoC.  The more and more intimate we are getting with God, personally and corporately, the more we are being associated with Him . . . and His always good work.  I think we are ready, now more than ever, to get caught!!

Your Pastors Are Praying For You,

Pastor Todd

P.S. – Man, PoC, you invited like crazy last week.  Join us in reaching out again to those same friends and family members.  We want to see them back this week and every week.  Let’s get “caught” together.

Tuesday Readings

Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)

The Widow’s Offering

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”


Matthew 12:28 (NIV)

But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.


Acts 10:38 (NIV)

...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Monday Readings

Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)

The Widow’s Offering

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”


Luke 4:1-2 (NIV)

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted[a] by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

Sunday Morning

Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)

The Widow’s Offering

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”


Luke 1:35 (NIV)

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God.

Saturday Readings

Mark 12:41-44 (NIV) - The Widow’s Offering 

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Friday Readings

Luke 6:12-16 (NIV) - The Twelve Apostles 

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.


John 7:38 (NIV) 38 

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”[a]

Thursday Readings

/ / / / / / / / 8

Overarching Principles for Spiritual Vitality

/ 1:	GET PEOPLE MOVING. "So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ."  Colossians 1:28
/ / 2:	EMBED THE BIBLE IN EVERYTHING.  READ MORE OF THE BIBLE THIS WEEK THAN LAST WEEK. "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right."  2 Timothy 3:16
/ / / 3:	CREATE OWNERSHIP OF THE MISSION.  START LOCALLY, THINK GLOBALLY. "Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.  Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.  This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ."  Ephesians 4:11-13
/ / / / 4:	PASTOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.  EVERY MEMBER IS A MINISTER. "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden...in the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."  Matthew 5:14,16
/ / / / / 5:	LEAD FROM A CHRIST-CENTERED HEART. "Love the Lord your God will all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength."  Mark 12:30
/ / / / / / 6:	NOTHING WITHOUT PRAYER.  THE PRAYER SERVICE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SERVICE OF THE WEEK. "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
/ / / / / / / 7:	FUN IS RELEVANT.  IF THE JOURNEY ISN'T FUN, NOBODY WILL WANT TO GO. "I am the door.  If anyone enters by me, they will find pasture (refreshment).  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  But I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."  John 10:9-22  "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "The joy of the Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."  Psalm 28:7-8
/ / / / / / / /8:	EMPHASIS ON DAILY PRESENCE WITH GOD AND HEALTHY PRESENCE WITH OTHERS. Key study and focus on:      - Luke 15:1-32 (The Prodigal Son)      - John 15:1-11 (I am the Vine)      - John 15:-12-27 (Loving Others)      - Matthew 18:15-20 (Conflict Resolution)      - Matthew 18:1-14, 21-35 (Forgiveness)