2 Corinthians 9: 1-9

^{2 Corinthians 9:6-7}  

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

So I guess this means we are not supposed to race around all week, and when we finally slow down and settle into the pew on Sunday, check to see what’s left in our wallet and put that into the collection basket.

Any time activities are well planned and properly orchestrated we are more calm and comfortable. When we are flying by the seat of our pants, we cannot be at peace. It is not wise to take a trip without extensive planning and preparation. It is foolish to simply throw a few things into a suitcase without thinking through what we will truly need for each day of our journey, what it will cost, how we will pay for it, and what our ultimate goal or plan is when we arrive at our destination.

Several years ago my nephew, who was a young Pastor at the time, was traveling with us by car to Ohio. We took turns driving and talking, catching up on each other’s lives and getting to know my nephew again as he had been away for quite some time. I recall some words of wisdom he spoke when reflecting on a mentor of his from seminary; “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry.”

I latched onto that line, and have it posted in various locations at home and work as a constant reminder. This world encourages and supports just the opposite. How are we ever going to Be still and know that He is God, if we are constantly on the go until we plop down on Sunday morning?

Planning and preparation have never been my strength, however as the years race by I am learning the beauty in eliminating hurry, and the time it leaves for planning what I am to do for the Kingdom of God…in my daily life, in my prayer life, and in my giving. I urge you to do the same. 

Read/Listen to 2 Corinthians 9:1-9

Acts 5:14-16 (NIV) Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.

What is it that might draw our friends to church? How can we portray what our church has to offer our relatives who don't yet know the joy of a relationship with the Savior? Do we boast about the various programs they will find that will help them with their finances, heir marriage? Do we brag about our Vacation Bible School production when we invite them to bring their children?

Just what is it that makes us want to invite those we care about to experience our church? Do we want them to see the beautiful building; are we anxious to share the fellowship experience with those we care about? Before we invite someone to join us, perhaps we need to consider why we attend church. 

It might be wise to discover why we are drawn to get up on Sunday morning, the one day we might sleep in, and go to church. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.
Exciting programs might get our loved ones and their children into the building, but what is it that will keep them coming back? I must ask myself what caused me to return week after week. What was it about my church that was different from other things in my life? Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.

Looking back, I know that I felt something different when worshiping, my heart was comforted like never before and I wanted to have more of this. I know now it was the Holy Spirit's presence in the gathering, the peaceful feeling that seemed to be in the air. God used the people around me to help me feel like I was home. My tormented spirit encountered the Holy Spirit of God. Life will never be the same.

Acts 5:12-16

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

All Saints Sunday

The Coming of the Lord

Verse 16-18: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” 

This is a portion of one of the many letters written by Paul. "The Journey" bible states that this one was written to believers who were "faithfully living Christ-centered lives in the midst of incredible cultural pressure to do otherwise." Does that sound familiar or what?!

This bible also states the central ideas in 1st and 2nd Thessalonians:

-Christ's spirit helps believers to remain strong in the midst of cultural opposition.

-Paul gives his readers guidelines for living Christ-centered lives.

-Christ will one day return to earth.

-If we trust in Christ, we will live with Him forever. 

This reading reminds us once again, of the promise of our God. A promise that is unimaginably large, and too spectacular to forego, yet is missed out on every day because the guaranteed pleasure of today is more satisfying than what tomorrow might bring. 

As we imagine that glorious day when our God returns, we envision where our place will be in the grand scheme of things and hope to be near our loved ones. We must also remember those who have gone before us and what this day will mean for them.

All Saints Day is a universal Christian Feast that honors and remembers all Christian Saints, known and unknown. I love that statement, because who is it that truly proclaims one a saint? There have to be multitudes of God’s warriors here on this earth over time, who humbly earned the status of saint, yet went completely unnoticed by man. To all of you we sincerely say; Thank You. Rise triumphant, in bright array! 

Read/Listen to 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18

Palm Sunday

Mark 11:1-11

So here I am, a simple donkey. I’m minding my own business just standing here tied to a tree, trying to reach the grass on the other side. It looks so much greener over there! Well, the next thing I know, two guys approach and untie me. They try pulling me away, but I’m not very cooperative. You know how us donkeys are! Well, somehow all of my inhibitions are released and I am lost in the circumstance. Together we quest on to one of the most amazing adventures of my animal existence. I am somehow calm and comfortable.

The men gently guide me to a presence I have never, ever before experienced. I am humbled and honored somehow, and though I have never had a human on my back, I welcome the abrupt feel of coarse fabric on my torso, and the gentle weight of this man's body. Why? I am not certain, but am suddenly strong and proud.

He guides me down a dirt road covered in cloaks and branches. Though he doesn’t say a word, he seems to speak. People line the roadway and I hear chanting. “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” How did they know he would be coming, and why are they shouting to him? They know something I do not. I hear a woman’s quiet voice in the crowd refer to him as Jesus of Nazareth, and something about coming to save us.

As we reach the city and move past the crowds, in silence Jesus slips off of my back and tenderly strokes my head and ears. He intently heads toward the temple as the familiar men take me back to where they found me. I don’t want to go. I want to stay with this Jesus forever, but I oblige. Because of this experience, I will never be the same stubborn donkey I was. I don’t understand, but I am changed and I like it!