I’m excited you’ve joined our church family in this exciting adventure as we experience The Power of Everyone coming together to thank and seek God. For 21 days leading up to Sunday, Nov. 23rd, we’ve committed to pray, fast and seek God’s direction personally and for our church. I hope you’ll pause at 10pm each night and pray for about 10 minutes; do this individually, as a couple, or as a family.
During the days leading up to Nov. 23 and our Celebration Offering and the Thanksgiving Family Festival, I’ll list a scripture for you to read and consider. I’ll also share a few thoughts of my own, but my primary desire is that you ask God to reveal to you what this passage means in your life and how you should apply it as you think about what God would have you do. I would also ask that you pray and ask God to speak to the hearts of all the people in our church about this particular passage concerning what they should do. It’s going to be a great adventure. Bless you – Pastor BJ
Nov. 6 1 Tim 6:17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being wealthy; many times wealth is the blessing of God. The Bible says in 1 Sam 2:7 that it is God who makes some poor and some rich. Some of the greatest men in Biblical history such as Abraham, Job, Solomon and David were extremely wealthy. But as this passage says, don’t put your hope in wealth which is uncertain; rather, put your hope and trust in God.
A couple days ago we talked about treasure in heaven. Another way to store up treasure in heaven that you will be able to enjoy for eternity is to be “rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” What do you think this means for you? How would you evaluate your life? Would people say you are rich in good deeds? Would people who really know you say that you are willing to share what you have? Would others around you identify you as a generous person? Regardless of what they say, what do you think God’s evaluation of your life would be?
If you want to lay up treasures in heaven, and then take hold of life in all its fullness here – why don’t you consider a life of good deeds, generosity and sharing. A great place to start with good deeds is serving in some capacity with our Thanksgiving Family Festival. A great place to think about generosity is in praying and asking God what He would have you give for our Power of Everyone Celebration Offering on Nov. 23rd and what commitment He’d have you make beyond the 23rd. A great way to share is to fill at least one of our Thanksgiving Bags with all the food items for a needy family and return them to the church on Nov. 16th.
I can’t wait to see what God is going to do among us.
BJ Rutledge 