This week I was thinking about giving. There is always someone who needs. We let you know when there is a special need here at church and this church family is so awesome about giving to those that need help. We are amazed, blessed and thankful for your hearts to give. From my experiences I have seen that giving is a seed that will always produce a harvest.
“He who gives to the poor will not want..” Proverbs 28:27
This verse is amazing to me. For some reason I don’t know if people truly believe it. If we give to the poor we will never want. All we need is supplied as we open our heart to others. Wow! This time of year we are dedicated to helping as many families that we can in our neighborhood. We know people are hungry and in need all year round so we don’t just help others at the holidays but it is a special time to make sure they have something extra. Giving is a touchy subject for some. Those caught up in the system of the world know nothing but fighting for what they want. They can’t understand our heavenly Father’s system. The Bible says that we are in the world but not of the world. Our needs are cared for by our Lord. If you believe the world system has power over you then you will cave in to fear when things get tough. The world system thrives on fear and control. Those in control create fear and the sense of lack to keep us codependent upon them. We need to learn to live for God’s purposes no matter what. Our hearts are to be fixed on His words. We can’t let economy and the lies of the media dictate our generosity, our commitment, our peace and our joy.
This is the time of year we focus more on giving and being thankful. It is always exciting and fulfilling to give to others in need. This is when we can let Him demonstrate His love and provision for us and through us. But one thing we can’t do. We can’t speak the negative words of how bad things are and then expect anything different than what we have spoken. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it.” Proverbs 18:21 When talk the sorrows and woes that we see around us we end up in sorrow because our hearts believe what we are speaking. When you get into fear – mediate on scriptures that speak life and His promises to supply our needs.
When we were in India I found myself overwhelmed by the lack and need. So many people wanted us to give to their ministry. Some wanted $30,000 for a church, $20,000 to get their orphanage up to government requirements, another $10,000 for someone else and so on. It was breaking my heart and my vision, faith and trust was limited. My mind would think “We can’t do that! They just think Americans are rich!” The Lord immediately told me that is not the right thought. Wow. How easy it is to limit the Lord. Why do I think I have to produce this kind of funds? He says He is the Provider and I know that in theory but evidently not in my heart. We could be the vessels the provision flows through! Many times I think that we hinder His miracles and provision by our thoughts and heart beliefs.
“Remember this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously – that blessings may come to someone – will also reap generously and with blessings. Let each one give as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver – joyous, prompt to do it- giver whose heart is in his giving. And God is able to make all grace come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever need be self-sufficient.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
“Give and gifts will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will they pour into the pouch formed by the bosom of your robe and used as a bag. For with the measure you deal out – with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others – it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38
Hope is the confident expectation of good. God is the God of hope. Never give up hope and always speak words of life over every situation in your life. The heart of hope sees victory and opportunity in every situation that is before it. We can NEVER let the fear of lack get a root in our heart and stay. We must stay focused on His Word. How do we do that? You read these verses and put them before your eyes continuously instead of the words of the world. You’re listening to something all the time. It may be the media, other people, yourself talk or it can be the Lord. The choice is totally yours.
One thing I was meditating on this week was Thanks – giving. We can give thanks that He provides a way for each of us to give. Thanks for being able to give. Isn’t that awesome! Here is another one of His promises. “And God Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your recourse's for sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness – which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness and charity. Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous and your generosity as it is administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. For the service that the ministering of this fund renders does not only fully supply what is lacking to the saints – God’s people- but it also overflows in many cries of thanksgiving to God. Now give thanks to God for His Gift, precious beyond telling – His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:10-12, 15
As a church we never stop sowing and planting seeds as we give around the world to help others. I believe with all my heart that no matter what the offering or financial situation is at church we can always sow and give to others. The ministries we support monthly as a church are folks that we have developed a relationship with throughout many years and we know they are sharing the same Good News message around the world. We are continuously praying about where to give as a church. Please pray for us as we give to those in missions that are giving their lives to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It takes faith and belief with no doubting for us to give to those we have committed to and still pay whatever else needs taken care of here. Pray as we reach out to our community and give to those in need. As you give, you trust us to use what you give wisely. The finances of this church are not too different from your own check book. We have to constantly trust Him and stand on His words as He showed me in India. We faithfully give to each ministry once a month and give thanks that we can do this as He provides the seed. These are the missionaries we are for sure supporting.
Right now there are a few other needs we wanted to let you know about. We have noticed that it seems to help you when we can let you know needs and then you can prayerfully choose which ministry you would like to sow into at this time. These are all needs for the next week or month. Pray if you can sow seed in any of this areas and always note your giving with the area you want to give to. We are faithful to give where you designate.
Enjoy this season of focusing on all we can be thankful for. Think about all the ways He provides for you so that you can give to others. Sometimes it is miraculous. Never doubt His ways but enjoy listening to Him and trust His wisdom. It is an exciting adventure that defies the worldly system but brings us joy unspeakable as we walk in His way and His Words! Thank you again for your faithful giving. Giving and love are keys to the prosperity of this church family. Love you!
“He who gives to the poor will not want..” Proverbs 28:27
This verse is amazing to me. For some reason I don’t know if people truly believe it. If we give to the poor we will never want. All we need is supplied as we open our heart to others. Wow! This time of year we are dedicated to helping as many families that we can in our neighborhood. We know people are hungry and in need all year round so we don’t just help others at the holidays but it is a special time to make sure they have something extra. Giving is a touchy subject for some. Those caught up in the system of the world know nothing but fighting for what they want. They can’t understand our heavenly Father’s system. The Bible says that we are in the world but not of the world. Our needs are cared for by our Lord. If you believe the world system has power over you then you will cave in to fear when things get tough. The world system thrives on fear and control. Those in control create fear and the sense of lack to keep us codependent upon them. We need to learn to live for God’s purposes no matter what. Our hearts are to be fixed on His words. We can’t let economy and the lies of the media dictate our generosity, our commitment, our peace and our joy.
This is the time of year we focus more on giving and being thankful. It is always exciting and fulfilling to give to others in need. This is when we can let Him demonstrate His love and provision for us and through us. But one thing we can’t do. We can’t speak the negative words of how bad things are and then expect anything different than what we have spoken. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it.” Proverbs 18:21 When talk the sorrows and woes that we see around us we end up in sorrow because our hearts believe what we are speaking. When you get into fear – mediate on scriptures that speak life and His promises to supply our needs.
When we were in India I found myself overwhelmed by the lack and need. So many people wanted us to give to their ministry. Some wanted $30,000 for a church, $20,000 to get their orphanage up to government requirements, another $10,000 for someone else and so on. It was breaking my heart and my vision, faith and trust was limited. My mind would think “We can’t do that! They just think Americans are rich!” The Lord immediately told me that is not the right thought. Wow. How easy it is to limit the Lord. Why do I think I have to produce this kind of funds? He says He is the Provider and I know that in theory but evidently not in my heart. We could be the vessels the provision flows through! Many times I think that we hinder His miracles and provision by our thoughts and heart beliefs.
“Remember this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously – that blessings may come to someone – will also reap generously and with blessings. Let each one give as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver – joyous, prompt to do it- giver whose heart is in his giving. And God is able to make all grace come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever need be self-sufficient.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
“Give and gifts will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will they pour into the pouch formed by the bosom of your robe and used as a bag. For with the measure you deal out – with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others – it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38
Hope is the confident expectation of good. God is the God of hope. Never give up hope and always speak words of life over every situation in your life. The heart of hope sees victory and opportunity in every situation that is before it. We can NEVER let the fear of lack get a root in our heart and stay. We must stay focused on His Word. How do we do that? You read these verses and put them before your eyes continuously instead of the words of the world. You’re listening to something all the time. It may be the media, other people, yourself talk or it can be the Lord. The choice is totally yours.
One thing I was meditating on this week was Thanks – giving. We can give thanks that He provides a way for each of us to give. Thanks for being able to give. Isn’t that awesome! Here is another one of His promises. “And God Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your recourse's for sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness – which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness and charity. Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous and your generosity as it is administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. For the service that the ministering of this fund renders does not only fully supply what is lacking to the saints – God’s people- but it also overflows in many cries of thanksgiving to God. Now give thanks to God for His Gift, precious beyond telling – His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:10-12, 15
As a church we never stop sowing and planting seeds as we give around the world to help others. I believe with all my heart that no matter what the offering or financial situation is at church we can always sow and give to others. The ministries we support monthly as a church are folks that we have developed a relationship with throughout many years and we know they are sharing the same Good News message around the world. We are continuously praying about where to give as a church. Please pray for us as we give to those in missions that are giving their lives to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It takes faith and belief with no doubting for us to give to those we have committed to and still pay whatever else needs taken care of here. Pray as we reach out to our community and give to those in need. As you give, you trust us to use what you give wisely. The finances of this church are not too different from your own check book. We have to constantly trust Him and stand on His words as He showed me in India. We faithfully give to each ministry once a month and give thanks that we can do this as He provides the seed. These are the missionaries we are for sure supporting.
- Homes of Refuge – Tony and Rosa helping orphans in Peru – building church
- China Call – Kevin and Karen Hardin - China, Ministry in schools and to marriages
- Amiran and Marina Adamian – Marriage ministry with Rick Renner in Russia
- Mark and Lynnie Roche in Fiji –Ministering to the single mothers & their children
- Dustin and Haydee Campbell – YWAM ministry to Philippines
- Jachin and Sarah Pendleton – Ministry to Muslims in Afghanistan
- Impact Ministries – Jim Richards
- Vincent and Alice – Orphanage in Kenya
- LaVere and Beth Sooper - Europe
- Faith Ministries International Network
- Bill and Lenah Kilel – Growing and teaching Bible schools in Kenya and Africa
Right now there are a few other needs we wanted to let you know about. We have noticed that it seems to help you when we can let you know needs and then you can prayerfully choose which ministry you would like to sow into at this time. These are all needs for the next week or month. Pray if you can sow seed in any of this areas and always note your giving with the area you want to give to. We are faithful to give where you designate.
- Thanksgiving baskets to our community
- Christmas baskets and giving tree for our community
- Peru – Christmas
- Kenya orphans – Christmas giving – scholarships – High school in January
- Trip to Kenya
Enjoy this season of focusing on all we can be thankful for. Think about all the ways He provides for you so that you can give to others. Sometimes it is miraculous. Never doubt His ways but enjoy listening to Him and trust His wisdom. It is an exciting adventure that defies the worldly system but brings us joy unspeakable as we walk in His way and His Words! Thank you again for your faithful giving. Giving and love are keys to the prosperity of this church family. Love you!
