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. 9                   Psalm 37:21-28

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;

22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off.

23 If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm;

24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken

or their children begging bread.

26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.

27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.

28 For the LORD loves the just  and will not forsake his faithful ones.

Would you consider yourself to be righteous; not self-righteous, but truly righteous?   Would you consider yourself to be a generous person; not just for show, but someone who’s genuinely generous?

What do these verses suggest?   Those who are righteous give generously.  We can only be made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ, but this passage is talking about righteous living before God and people.    If we live in such a way as to please the Lord, He gives us security and makes our steps firm.  Even if we make mistakes, God still upholds and protects us.  God provides for the needs of those who are righteous.  The righteous are always generous and their children are blessed. 

I think it’s very interesting that David points out in these verses that the righteous give generously and are always generous.  He also states that God will always meet their needs, and their children will be blessed.    Do you think that being righteous is a good choice?   The characteristics are clear and the benefits are amazing.