We’re beginning the 3rd and final week of fasting, praying and seeking God during The Power of Everyone Series. 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. I’m pumped about the miracle I believe we’ll experience this Sunday – Nov. 23.
Bless you – Pastor BJ
Nov. 17 1 Chronicles 29:1-9
1 Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God. 2 With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God — gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble — all of these in large quantities. 3 Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: 4 three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, 5 for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?” 6 Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. 7 They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. 8 Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
If you are going to be a leader, you need to set the right example. It is evident in this passage – as Israel prepared to build a Temple for God – that David was “ALL IN”. It’s also evident that the leaders consecrated themselves to God and were also “ALL IN”. The evidence of being “ALL IN” was seen in their generous giving. I think verse 9 is significant; “The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.”
If you consider yourself to be a leader at Grace Fellowship, is your example the kind that causes the people in our church family to rejoice? Does your example encourage them to also give wholeheartedly and freely? It should.
Two servant leaders at Grace Fellowship are Buck & Dana Manoushagian. When I asked for some “life stories” related to this series – here’s what Buck had to say:
What could possibly be more appropriate at Grace Fellowship Church than something titled- The Power of Everyone. That is what Grace Fellowship is all about. The “Power” we know comes from our God. But, it is manifested through the people at Grace Fellowship Church. The “Power” comes in many forms- love, kindness, mercy, acceptance, empathy, forgiveness, grace, joy, and prayer. These are things that only the Holy Spirit can empower through willing servants whose hearts have been transformed by Jesus Christ.
This is why Dana and I are ALL IN at Grace Fellowship. We believe with all that we are that the Holy Spirit is alive and resting on Grace Fellowship. We believe that God will continue to perform miracles that can only be explained in one way- GOD DID IT.
This is why we are excited to be able to and we are called to give regularly and sacrificially to Grace Fellowship. We are excited to give back to our God what He has so abundantly blessed us with.
We will serve Him joyfully in whatever capacity He calls us to serve. It is a privilege to be able to do anything for the God who created everything.
Dana and I are ALL IN when it comes to Grace Fellowship. We believe in the people and believe God will continue to reach out to, bless, and expand the ministries at Grace Fellowship if we are faithful to call on His name and give Him all the praise, honor, and glory.
Bucky Manoushagian
BJ Rutledge 