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. 7                   Phil 4:15-19    

15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

The Christians who made up the church in Philippi gave generously to support what God was doing through Paul’s ministry.  In verse 18 there is a phrase that’s found only 4 times in the original language of the New Testament.  The words give a picture of something that is a fragrant aroma and a well-pleasing sacrifice to God.  The Philippians’ generous giving was just that; “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”

If you want to know something that stirs the heart of God – something fragrant and pleasing to Him – it is generous giving with right motives to support His work in the world.  That alone should motivate us to give more generously where He is obviously at work.  There is no doubt that God is at work in and  through Grace Fellowship.  Our generous giving makes this possible and pleases our Heavenly Father.  When we give with right motives – striving to meet the needs of His mission in this world, He promises to meet all of our needs.  That’s something to consider – to ponder – as we anticipate our Celebration Offering on Nov. 23^rd.