Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

Monday: Read Zechariah 9:9. Why is it important that Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecy? What does riding in on a donkey signify about Jesus’ leadership?

Tuesday: Read Hebrews 13:7. Who have been the great leaders in your life? What principles from their leadership can you use in your own life?

Wednesday: Read James 4:10. Humility is something we should all be praying for. The donkey is naturally a humble animal. The donkey knows his place in the world, and is content with being a donkey. Where do you need to pray for humility and contentment in your own life?

Thursday: Read John 3:30. John the Baptist famously proclaimed “He must increase and I must decrease.” How does a humble spirit point to Christ?

Friday: Read John 13:13-17. Jesus led with a servant-like leadership that we don’t often see today. He came to serve, not to be served. In the leadership roles in your life, how can you be a servant leader?

Saturday: Read Luke 19:28-34. What do you need to be “untied” from? Consider fasting from these things in your life that tie you down. Ask God’s Spirit to help you.

You can GO DEEPER this week by listening to “Make Me A Servant (You Tube)."  Be sure to put in your calendar our upcoming worship opportunities:

• Maundy Thursday (April 18th): 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
• Good Friday Tres Ores (April 19th): 11:30-3 p.m. in the Sanctuary
• Good Friday Tenebrae (April 19th): 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary
• Easter (April 21st): 7 a.m., 9 a.m., and 11 a.m.

Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Join us during Lent for food, fellowship, and video series study!

Day 1: Read Luke 23:34. When Jesus speaks His first word, the good news is He is not only speaking to the crowd gathered in His day, He’s speaking to us today. Jesus is not merely pointing out sin, He is praying for God’s mercy for those who sin. Turns out, when Christianity speaks of sin, the aim is not to make us feel guilty, but to help us discover the grace and healing mercy of God that we so desperately need. Where do you need, today, to experience God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness?

Day 2: Read Matthew 18:21-22. Forgiving someone three times was the typical rabbi answer to how often do you need to forgive someone. Peter feels generous with seven times, until Jesus says 77 times or as some translations put it, 70x7 times. On the cross, Jesus’ first words demonstrate God’s willingness to forgive our sins, and they call us to become people who follow in His path – people who can pray, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” To whom do you need to extend God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness today?

Day 3: Read Luke 23:42-43. In the Bible, “remember” is a loaded word. In the Old Testament, when God remembers individuals, He delivers them. God remembers Noah and delivers him from the flood. God remembers Abraham and saves Abraham’s nephew, Lot. God remembers Rachel, Jacob’s wife, and she has a son. God remembers His covenant with Abraham and saves and delivers the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. And so, this convicted criminal, experiences amazing grace –Jesus will remember, and this criminal will get paradise. Where do you need to remember God’s amazing grace in your life today?

Day 4: Read Luke 19:10. In Luke’s Gospel account, this verse provides the theme for all that Luke writes: for Jesus’ mission to this tax collector, to the criminal on the cross, to each person then and now, Luke reminds us that He comes and dies for all people. His mission is to seek and to save those who are lost, to bring us to be with Him in Paradise. Who is someone God wants to seek and save, that you know? Pray, not only for that person to come to Jesus as their Lord and Savior; pray also God uses you as part of His rescue mission to seek and to save!

Day 5: Read Luke 23:46. Make Jesus’ prayer, your prayer today: Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.

Day 6: Read Psalm 31:1-5. How does this Psalm help you understand and pray again today: Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book No Wonder They Call Him Savior: Experience the Truth of the Cross by Max Lucado.

Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Join us during Lent for food, fellowship, and video series study!

Day 1: Read Luke 23:18-19. In the Sweet Swap, Jesus shows God's love is for real people. As it turns out, Barabbas is first on the list, but not the only one on the list.  Jesus has tried to show throughout His whole ministry, who He is and what God's love is about ... even when He's on trial. What surprises you about the crowd choosing Barabbas? About God letting them choose Barabbas? About God choosing you and taking your place?

Day 2: Read Luke 22:67-69. The religious leaders ask for Jesus to tell them who He is, but they won't believe anything He Says. Instead He will show Barabbas, Caiaphas, and the rest, the full extent of His love on a cross. Where have you had the opportunity to show and/or tell of God's love? Who listened to what you had to say about Jesus? To whom, instead of listening to what you said, were you able to show God's love?

Day 3: Read Isaiah 53:6. Usually when we think of the story of Jesus' death, resurrection, and early church beginnings, we tell the story of Peter's transformation, or how Jesus' brother James, who at one time thought Jesus was crazy, becomes the leader of the church of Jerusalem. Perhaps such success stories give us hope, remind us what God can do, and such stories should. But God's love is not just for Peter and James. It is also for Barabbas, Caiaphas, Pilate, and the rest. Who can you pray for today who does not know Jesus, to come into a living relationship with Him? Who can you pray to invite to our Easter services?

Day 4: Read Luke 23:23-25. Legend has it that Pilate and his wife Claudia become Christians and devote followers of Jesus. The Coptic Church has adopted this legend as truth and calls them both saints.  Who could have guessed there'd be a Saint Pilate? I don't know if that legend is true, but I do know that Jesus died for all sinners - from those in the crowd who shouted for his crucifixion, to Pilate who condemned him to death - no mater what we've done. God loves you as He finds you. Take time today to come clean with your sins and confess them to God, ask for and receive His forgiveness.

Day 5: Read Isaiah 53:5. What wounds do you need to give to Jesus for healing? Give those wounds to Jesus today in prayer.

Day 6: Read 2 Corinthians 5:14 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. What is God making new in your life these days?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine by Max Lucado.

Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Join us during Lent for food, fellowship, and video series study!

Day 1: Read Luke 22:31-32. Jesus warns Peter he will fail, and Jesus even lets Peter know that He’s praying for Peter and God will even use Peter’s failure to lead others to know Jesus. What area of life do you need to remind yourself Jesus is praying for? What is a past failure Jesus is now using to tell of His love to others.

Day 2: Read Luke 22:61. When Jesus turns and looks at Peter, what was in that look? Judgment? Hurt? Anger? Forgiveness? When Jesus looks at you, what do you think is in that look? When life is going right? When life is going wrong?

Day 3: Read Luke 22:61-62. Repentance means we go from thinking, "I'm not THAT bad," to realizing, "This is my sin. This is how it affects me and others and my relationship to God." Take time today in repentance – confessing your sin to God, thanking Jesus for the forgiveness He provides and asking the Holy Spirit to guide you to live life God’s way.

Day 4: Read Mark 16:7. What if you read this verse and put your name in the place of Peter’s name? What does it mean for you to personalize Jesus resurrection as being for all the disciples and for you by name?

Day 5: Read John 21:17. Failure humbles us. Failure can also teach us. Jesus uses Peter’s failure to teach him, to open Peter up to a whole new level of serving. Jesus love for others was demonstrated by His death on the cross. Our love for Him is demonstrated by our care for others. How do you answer Jesus’ question, “Do you love me?” With your words? With your actions?

Day 6: Read Acts 2:38-39. Since Peter had overcome his greatest failure through the forgiveness of Jesus, Peter makes that same offer to his listeners then and now, to you and me. Where do you need to receive God’s forgiveness today for the fresh start God desires to give?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine by Max Lucado.

Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Join us during Lent for food, fellowship, and video series study!

Monday: Read Matthew 5:43-48. Why is loving your enemies so difficult? Who are the “enemies” that you might identify in your life? Pray for those enemies throughout the week.

Tuesday: Read Romans 12:14. What are ways that you can be a blessing to those who “persecute” you (or inconvenience you, or make you mad)?

Wednesday: Read 1 Peter 3:9. God doesn’t want us to return evil for evil. What are ways that you can actively practice that with the people that make your life more difficult.

Thursday: Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. God is love. He gives us a perfect word picture of what that love looks like. In all honesty, we will never be able to give the same love that Christ gives. But how can this love impact the way you love others in life?

Friday: Read Proverbs 24:17. Purposefully pray for your enemies who have succeeded.

Saturday: Read Exodus 23:4-5. How can acts of love towards your enemies (like rescuing his/her donkey) impact your discipleship journey? How can it impact your enemy?

Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Join us during Lent for food, fellowship, and video series study!

DAY 1: Read Luke 22:40. What is a temptation pressure point where you need to take Jesus' advice and bring it to God in prayer?

DAY 2: Read Luke 22:44-45. The disciples sleep, exhausted from sorrow. They have not taken Jesus' advice. In prayer, Jesus will find strength for the trials before Him. Without prayer, the disciples will not. When have you prayed and found strength? When is a time you look back now and wish you had prayed? What lesson do you learn from praying and not praying? And what will you pray about today?

DAY 3: Read Luke 22:42. Right now, what situation in your life do you need to say to God, "Not my will, but Yours be done?"

DAY 4: Read Luke 22:46. This is at least the second time Jesus has asked his disciples to pray so that they would not fall into temptation. Why the repeat command? How are you doing in praying for that temptation pressure point from day 1? What has happened in the past three days? Where do you need to keep praying? Where do you need to ask for forgiveness? Where do you need faith to follow God's will?

DAY 5: Read Luke 22:43. Life's battles are won or lost on the field of prayer, but even prayer can be a battle. There are times when the only answer you will receive during prayer is the assurance that you're not in this lone. When you pray, what do you expect to happen? When have you experienced God providing strength as part of His answers to your prayer? Where do you need to pray for strength in following His will for your life today?

DAY 6: Read Luke 22:39. Don't miss what Luke wants to teach us - Wise disciples follow where Jesus leads, no matter the path ahead. Typically, we pray to take away the pain; perhaps we need to learn to pray, "Take us through the pain and to a deeper relationship with You." What have you learned about prayer and the strength God provides in the past week? Where do you need to pray for the strength to follow Jesus in the week ahead?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book "Prayer: Does It Make a Difference" by Philip Yancey.

Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Photo by Fancycrave on Unsplash

Don’t forget that construction is: messy, memorable, and makes a difference.

Day 1: Read John 13;34-35. How can community-building relationships be messy? How might “loving like Jesus” move through the mess? Where might you need to take that first step to clean up the mess today?

Day 2: Read Acts 2:44-45. American Christians fear that the early Christian church was a bunch of communists when they read this verse. In reality, they were committed to meeting needs in practical ways. They lived out the love Jesus describes in John 13. How might God have blessed you to meet the need of another?

Day 3: Read Acts 2:43. When you think of your relationship with Jesus, what have been some memorable moments? How do they still impact your life today?

Day 4: Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-14. When do you feel connected to the body of Christ? When do you feel disconnected? How might God be calling you to strengthen your relationship with Him, with others, and with His  church – the body of Christ?

Day 5: Read Acts 2:46-47. When have you been part of something where you look back and realize God used you to make a difference? How is that difference making you strong in serving together with others?

Day 6: Read 1 Corinthians 12:26-27.  An old proverb says, “Shared sorrow is half-sorrow. Shared joy is double joy.” How has that been true for your life experience? When can others share their sorrow and joy with you? Along with God, whom do you share your sorrow and joy with on a regular basis?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book Total Family Makeover: 8 Practical Steps to Disciple Making Homes by Melissa Spoelestra.

Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

 AS PRAY THIS WEEK FOR CREATE FOR COMMUNITY: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Photo by Simon Abrams on Unsplash

How to be love:

• Worship. Make an effort to be here Saturday at 5:00, or Sunday at 8:00, or 10:30. It’s not always easy – but it is so necessary! (Hebrews 10:24-25) Come to hear God’s Word and receive His grace and love in the words of absolution/forgiveness, in Communion, and in the remembrance of Baptism.
• Connect. Join a Life Group to do life with others and make an impact together!
• Learn. Be in the Word of God daily! God’s Word will IMPACT you as you see how much God loves you, and it will change the way you interact with others. (Psalm 119:105)
• Serve. Look others in your community. Talk with them. Grieve with them. Be joyful with them. (Romans 12:15) How can you ever share your faith, hope, and love if you only hang around other Christians?

Monday: Read Hebrews 6:13-20. Paul talks about how Christ is a “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul”. How has God been an “anchor” for you? Have you ever had other “anchors” in your life that didn’t end up working like you thought they would? How does the hope of Jesus Christ lead to “inner peace”?

Tuesday: Read Ephesians 5:1-2. Being imitators of God can be a bit “daunting”. God is perfect. He created the world! Though it’s good to be imitators of God, who else can you imitate in your life that has been a spiritual figure for you? How does following God change the way you want to present yourself?

Wednesday: Read Colossians 3:16. Paul tells us to “let the Word of God dwell in your richly.” What is a way that you can ensure you are in the Word of God each day? Try meditating on Scripture or having a “verse of the day” that you think about all day long.

Thursday: Read Mark 9:50. Christ calls us to be “salty.” Not in a “pirate” kind of way—but in a way that makes us “taste good.” How can your words serve as “salt” to others? To whom do you need to be “extra salty” this week?

Friday: Read Romans 12:9-13. Being hospitable is something we don’t always think of. How can you show love through your hospitality to: (1) your family, (2) your co-workers, and (3) your friends?

Saturday: Read 2 Corinthians 6:4-10. What makes a great servant of God? Ask the Holy Spirit to assist you in working on the areas of “servant hood” with which you struggle.

Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

 AS PRAY THIS WEEK FOR CREATE FOR COMMUNITY: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Photo by Larm Rmah on Unsplash

Monday: Read 2 Corinthians 8:5 and 2 Corinthians 9:7. When you think of giving back to God, what thoughts come to mind? Is there guilt or grace or some combination of both in why you give? Take time in prayer today to thank God for all He has given and ask Him to give you a generous heart for the day ahead.

Tuesday: Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. In what ways are the Macedonians examples of how to best give one’s resources to serve God and others? Is there a specific way they demonstrate you would like to see growth in your own life of giving and generosity?

Wednesday: Read 2 Corinthians 9:7. How have you experienced such cheerful (literally, “hilarious”) giving in your life? What motivates you to be a cheerful giver?

Thursday: Read 2 Corinthians 8:5. On a scale of 1-10, evaluate your level of generosity. What has helped you become more generous? What still causes you to hold back?

Friday: Read 2 Corinthians 9:7. Look at the pathway to excel in giving. Where are you:How have you seen your giving and generosity grow? When did you discover that giving was more than money but all of life? When did you realize giving generously also included money?

Saturday: Read 2 Corinthians 8:5 and 2 Corinthians 9:7. Why is it important to God that we not only excel in the grace of giving but also in becoming a cheerful giver? Where do you need to pray for wisdom and courage to excel in the grace of giving? Where do you need to pray to be more cheerful in your giving?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading this book I LIKE GIVING by Brad Formsma, and The Generosity Ladder: Your Next Step Toward Financial Peace by Nelson Searcy and Jennifer Dykes Hanson.

Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

 AS PRAY THIS WEEK FOR CREATE FOR COMMUNITY: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Photo by Daniela Cuevas on Unsplash

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

Day 1: Read Luke 10:38-42. Think of a time when you have been a Mary and think of a time when you have been a Martha. What was your frame of mind and where were you in the rest cycle?

Day 2: Read Psalm 23. What does God require from us in Psalm 23?  What does He offer in return?

Day 3: Read Luke 5:1-11. What lesson do the fishermen learn about work here?

Day 4: Read Genesis 2:2-3. Did God need to rest after the work of creation? Why do you think He rested?

Day 5: Read Mark 2:27. What exactly is the Sabbath as described here? How do we often get this backwards?

Day 6: Read Philippians 4:6-7. What kind of rest is described here? How do we get that kind of rest?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading this book Total Family Makeover by Melissa Spoelstra.

Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

 AS PRAY THIS WEEK FOR CREATE FOR COMMUNITY: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.