If I had a million dollars...

I’m sure many of us have daydreamed about what we would do if we were to win millions of dollars.  I’ve played this game for years.  What I would buy.  What I would pay off.  What I would build.  Over the years the “what I would do” has changed from “what I would buy for myself” to “what I would do for others.”  To be honest…both versions are fun to think about.  But the reality is…I have yet to win/earn millions of dollars.

Several year ago someone asked me, “Why should God trust you with millions of dollars when He can’t trust you with hundreds of dollars?”  Ouch…That wasn’t a fun question.  But it is a Biblical one.  Look at what Jesus is recorded as saying in Luke 16:10-13

10 “The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you haven’t been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will entrust you with the true riches? 12 And if you haven’t been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”  Luke 16:10-13

Over the next few days we are going to look deeper into this one passage.  But, we must start with the hard question.

Why should God trust you with more?  Are you currently faithful with what you have OR are you telling yourself, and God, that “when you get x amount, then you will be generous/faithful/honest/upright?”  
What could you do today, to show (stop telling God and start showing) God that you can be trusted?

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Unstable in All Your Waves?

“But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind.  For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:5-8

When you come to God asking for wisdom, you must also come fully ready to receive that wisdom.  Look at James’ warning.

"for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind.  For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.”

When I read this recently I thought of the last portion in this way, “he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his waves.” 

Here’s some truth.  Waves are real.  Waves are often.  Waves will always be.  
If you lack faith, you will be unstable in all your waves.  

Can you see it?  The person, floating in the ocean of life.  Being tossed by a wave one way…Then tossed by a wave in another.  Can you see him?  

I’ve been fishing in the ocean 2 times.  There will not be a third. 
Both times I got sea sick.  I don’t know if you have ever experienced this?  But I have and it’s horrible.  I’ve been sick lots of times.  Being sea sick is the worst!  Everyone else having fun, catching fish, and I’m laying down in a boat that WON’T STOP ROCKING praying for death.  You may ask, “Why did you go a second time?” 
Because, I’m stupid:)

Okay...
What I just described is life for a lot of people.  
Everyone else seems to be doing good at life…Having fun.  
And yet, they’re laying down praying for death.  
However, they will go a second time.  

You don’t have to be sea sick.
Just don’t go.
And...
You don’t have to be unstable in all your waves.
Look to God for the solution.  It’s there in his Word.  Read it.  Learn it.  Understand it.  Live it.  

The waves are still there.
They will always be there.
But, they will not toss you.  

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Just Tell Me What to Do!

“But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind.  For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:5-8

But you say…"Then why won’t God just tell me what to do?"
Here’s my response to your question…Actually I have two responses. 

First, You are concerned about the answer…God is concerned about the relationship.  

Me and my wife are helping our 6 year old girls learn to read.  To be honest, more Jenn then me but I have my moments:)  As a dad, it’s not just about helping Allie and Kristie read…For me, it’s the fact that they are in my lap, snuggled up to me, as they learn to read.  For me, it’s more about whispering in their ear, after they sound out a difficult word, “Good job Allie, you are getting so smart.”  As their dad, I’m really glad to see my girls learn to read.  But I really love the fact that they are learning while sitting with their daddy.  

Can you make the connection to your own life.  I know you really just want the answer to your problem.  But you need to know that God really just wants you.  

Second, God will tell you.  But you have to ask.  And, you have to listen.  Almost all Christians are experts in asking.  It’s listening where we must mature.  Here’s some truth for you, a believer listens with their eyes and their heart and sometimes their ears.    Are you confused.  It’s really not confusing at all.  It’s so simple.

- Tell God what’s going on.
You can speak it.  You can think it.  You can write it down.  You can paint it.  You can sing it.  The point is that you communicate with God.  He cares for you.  It’s not that God isn’t aware, He knows more about your problem than you do.  God simply wants you to want him.  God wants you to need him.  God wants you.

- Read the Bible to discover God's way and/or God's principal. 
This may take some time…You may need to ask someone who is more fluent in scripture for some help.  But remember, you’re not asking them to solve your problem.  You are asking them for scriptures that will speak to your situation.

- Apply what you read to your life.
This is called obedience.  And, this is called being wise.  Just because you know what to do doesn’t make you obedient or wise.  Knowing what to do and then not doing it will actually lead to a lot of guilt.  However, when you know what God says and then you do it…That is when God goes to work!  I must say this, knowing the answer isn’t the answer!  Don’t be misled.  Way too many people, too many good people, know what to do…They just choose not to do it.  That is why there is a fourth step.

- Share what God said and what you’re doing with a close friend for accountability.
First, this person MUST be someone who you want to be like when you grow up.  Please don’t allow someone who hasn’t been where you are to hold you accountable.  Find the person who knows.  Who understands.  Who has won in this area.  Share with them what God has said to you and allow them to hold you to living this out until you have victory.

I’m telling you.  The above way works.  But that’s not what most people do.  Most people do this...

- Read the Bible.
They can’t tell you what they read.  Only that they read.  They weren’t looking for anything particular.  What they read was good.  But it doesn’t go any further than that…good.

- Pray.
Then they pray…Typically more of a whine than a prayer.  Come on, we’ve all whined this type of prayer, pleading God to change something or someone…Just not me.  “God, it’s too hard for me to change my life.  Can’t you just change my circumstances?  Can’t you make my life easier?”  Nothing moves God to action like a great whiner…If your curious, that’s sarcasm.  

- Go about their life.   
Then they say “Amen” open their eyes and go to wherever they need to be next.  Nothing has changed. The problem is still there.  God wasn’t asked.  God didn’t speak.  They are still confused…Frustrated that God won’t help. 

What way seems best for you.  It’s your life.  And that’s the fun/frustrating part.  God won’t make you do either.  But, when you ask…He is faithful to respond.  

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Love Being Lost?

“But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind.  For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:5-8

What does this passage communicate?  When I read this passage I’m reminded that God wants me to win!

We make life too hard...Like life is one big game of Marco Polo.  Did you play that game as a kid?  A world full of Christians walking around with their eyes closed…With out stretched arms…Hoping to run into God’s ever hidden will.  

I hated that game as a kid and I hate it even more as an adult!
We, as followers of Jesus, must mature in this way of thinking.  Following God is not a game of Marco Polo.  
Open your eyes. 
Look to God’s ways found in God’s word.

And then…Wait for it...Walk in that direction.  

Why in the world do we do anything but that?
Yet...
We do everything but that.

We talk to friends.
We read books.
We cry.
We complain.
We ignore.
We stay medicated.
We stay intoxicated.
We do just about anything other than...
But that, is not what James tells us to do.  James says...

“he should ask God...he must ask in faith without doubting…"

Don’t neglect asking God.  
Then...
Don’t neglect doing what God says.
Can I offer this prayer for you today?  It’s a prayer for two things, wisdom and courage.

Father, I ask for wisdom.  There are several areas of my life where I need your guidance.  Father, would you give me wisdom in (tell God whatever area of life you need wisdom in)?  I ask in faith.  Your Word tells me that if I ask in faith you will give it to me generously and with reprimand.  I ask in faith and I thank you in advance for your guidance.  

Father, there’s more.  I trust that you are faithful.  It’s me that I’m worried about.  Will you give me courage to actually do what you say.  I’m afraid that (tell God why you are afraid to obey).  Give me courage to be faithful to what you ask me to do.  I do desire to be a wise person.  Help me to apply what you show me.  Amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Knowledge Applied

I think we often have to be reminded that generosity isn’t just dollars.  Generosity, when fully understood, is a person’s whole life…Within every area of your life there is an opportunity for you to become generous.

Read the passage below, and identify the what God give generously.

“But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind.  For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:5-8

What does God give generously in this passage of scripture?
Money?
Property?
Influence?
Power?

Not in this passage.  Here, God gives wisdom.  Not only does God give wisdom, but he gives to all who ask generously and without reprimand.  

Could we agree on this next statement?  Our world desperately needs wisdom.

I believe this to be true.  However, I need to make it much more personal.
I desperately need wisdom.
You desperately need wisdom.  

The great news is…God wants you and I to have it!  
But I must make sure we understand what wisdom is

Wisdom = knowledge applied.

Just because you know something doesn’t make you wise.
You become wise when you actually do what you know.  

We are going to spend the next few days on the above passage.  It’s one of my most favorites in all the Bible.  My hope is that it will speak to you as we continue our 90 Day Generosity Challenge.

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Not Made for Cozy

Moving beyond our comfort zone is not the easiest thing to do.  But if we call ourselves Jesus followers it is definitely something we are called to do. I’ve heard it said again and again,  If you became a Christian to solve all your problems and live a life of comfort then you have a HUGE surprise coming your way.  The Bible is full of examples of people called to step out in boldness and in faith.  99.9% of the time the waters they were stepping into were unknown and scary.  Let’s consider Mary, the Mother of Jesus.  She had a pretty comfy life prior to meeting Gabriel.  Falling in love, planning a wedding, probably thinking about the family they will start together.  Then BAM! God calls.  She steps completely into the pain that sometimes comes along with obedience.  Her and Joseph both step into it. Wildly and boldly if you ask me.  Their whole lives (and ours) are forever changed because of their obedience.  God did not call on Mary to kinda sorta follow and trust His plan. No, she and Joseph had to trust wholeheartedly, completely, boldly.  The waters they were facing were completely uncharted.  All they knew is what God told them to do and that He was with them. 

The same is true for us.  God wants us to step out of our comfort zone in obedience. To walk in faith. To be generous with our time, with our stories, with our brokenness, with our prayers, with our possessions, with our smiles, with our talents.  It all belongs to Him anyway!  He did not create us to just stay safely and quietly in the harbor.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."  James 1:22

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9   

Blessings,
Audra Shuey                                                                                                           

Make Them Smile

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. 3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. 4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. 5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence—and is set on fire by hell.  7 For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. 8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. 11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water.”  James 3:1-12 (NET)

Yesterday, Jenn and I went to see Garth Brooks in Wichita KS.  We had a great time and Garth put on a great show.  However, my favorite thing wasn’t his songs (all 2 1/2 hours of them).  My favorite thing was how Garth honored those around him.  Garth Brooks took time to praise each member of his band…Then, he introduced all the fellow Kansans, that were a part of his backstage crew, that are never seen by the crowds.  He didn’t just say their name and point to them…He talked about them.  Praised them.  Some of the loudest cheers of the night came during this time.  And I loved it!  

In the scripture above James writes about this very thing.  Use your words wisely.  Better yet, use your words to lift others up.  Read again James final question, "Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs?”  

As a follower of Jesus, we are expected to speak differently.  Our choice of words can easily define us.  It is extremely rare for a person who is always yelling, cursing, gossiping, or shouting mean things to be identified as a Christian.  Yet the opposite is often true.  Someone who is kind and encouraging it is easy to assume that they are a Christian (and a lot of the times you would be correct).  

Today, let Jesus be the boss of what you say.  Let his words become your words.  Be generous with your praise.  Don’t offer false praise, people can see through that.  But rather, look for the win.  Look for the thing that you can celebrate in another.  

Today’s generosity challenge…Make someone smile by saying nice things about them. 

May there be thousands of smiles today,

Pastor Matt

Generous Praise

 “Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift” 2 Corinthians9:15

How huge and powerful that word “unspeakable” is. It means “impossible to express in words”. Here is God again, giving, giving, giving. And this gift is so good, so perfect so indescribable. That gift was the greatest of all, His son, Jesus. Our Lord, Jesus. With a gift like that, we could never out-give God.

I’ve also found myself using this verse when I share my story of how I received the gift of a heart transplant from a young girl almost 18 years ago. It comes to my mind as my gentle husband puts his strong, loving, safe arms around me. As I hear my precious daughter’s sweet voice singing to her adoring Abba Father “You’re my first love, Everything about You is love, Flowing over more than enough, And I love You, and I love You”. And oh the miracle of my curly-haired, passionate, loving son. Almost four years ago this wild child was born into our crazy little family against all odds, as there are only about 70 women with heart transplants who have also had children post transplant.

I could keep adding to the list, but its your turn. Where can you recognize God’s generosity in your life and praise Him for it? Have you received the most precious gift of all by letting Jesus be Lord of your life?

Love,

Kari Alejandre

God said to him, You fool!

“The land of a certain rich man produced an abundant crop, 17 so he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to myself, “You have plenty of goods stored up for many years; relax, eat, drink, celebrate!”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded back from you, but who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 So it is with the one who stores up riches for himself, but is not rich toward God."

When you have more than you need you are always faced with a question.  Do I give some away or do I build bigger barns (buy more stuff)?  

When you have more than you need you might begin to trust in your excess...“You have plenty of goods stored up for many years; relax, eat, drink, celebrate!” You stop trusting in God to meet your needs because...well, you have met your own needs.  You don't really need God.

"But God said to him, 'You fool!'"

Don't be misled.  God did not call this man a fool because he acquired wealth.  God did not call him a fool because he worked hard and earned more than he needed.  God called him a fool because him hope was in his wealth.  He "stores up riches for himself, but is not rich toward God."

Don't be foolish.  It's okay to have more than you need.  But make sure that you honor God with your wealth.  So...what is God saying to you?  What will you do about it?

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Fight Greed

13 Then someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But Jesus said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator between you two?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out and guard yourself from all types of greed, because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Real quick...Jesus only did what his Father told him to do.  The Father did not ask him to be these two brother's "arbitrator".  So...what are you in the middle of that God has not told you to do?  It is my opinion, that the greatest sign of spiritual maturity is that you, like Jesus, only do what the Father ask you to do.

Now...About generosity,
“Watch out and guard yourself from all types of greed, because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  

Was Jesus speaking to the younger brother who wanted some of his brother's inheritance?  Or, was he speaking to the older brother who didn't want to share?  Or, maybe both?

Don't stay too long on these questions because you might miss the main point.  Pay attention to your life that you don't get greedy.  Your life is not about abundance of possessions.  

If you love to have more.  Here's how you fight it...give stuff away.  The greatest antidote for greed is generosity.

Blessings,
Matt

If Jesus Wrote Me a Letter

This is from one of our leaders.  I hope you will enjoy it.
Blessings,
Pastor Matt

It’s 8:30 am.  My daughter’s school bus has just picked her up.  I’m headed to a meeting I know I will most likely be late to.  My two kiddos are in the back seat watching Kung Fu Panda 2 for what seems like the gazillionth time & I’m really hungry.  No, not for a bagel.  I was desperately hungry for my Fathers embrace in that moment. For His Word!  I read while waiting for the bus but I wanted more. I decided to tune out kung fu, make better use of my drive time and listen to a Francis Chan podcast.  Love me some Francis Chan.  The original podcast I chose wouldn’t work so I just randomly picked one.  This one happened to be on a study of Revelations 2.  Jesus is speaking to the Church in Ephesus.  It starts out wonderful! He says ” I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my names sake, and you have not grown weary” (Rev 2:2-3). If Jesus Would have stopped there, they’d be golden.  Good to go.  Forever blessed to continue His good works Right? But Jesus does not stop there.  He goes on to say, “ But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the works you did at first.  If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent” (Rev 2:4-7).  The Church of Ephesus did everything right, ALMOST.  They did not take heed to Jesus & Jesus is always good on His word.   Today in Turkey, where Ephesus is located, 99% of the population are Muslim and the region is devoid of Bible-based Christianity. Francis then went on to ask “What if Jesus wrote a letter to my church? What if He wrote a letter to me?”. That thought captivated me.  I’ve been toying with different ideas on this blog, even started a couple.  But when I decided to write tonight I knew exactly what I was writing on.  God has kept this on the surface of my mind and heart all day.

Ok…What if Jesus wrote me a letter?  Firstly, how stinking cool would that be?!! Secondly, Whaoh! 

So, here it goes. Me being open and vulnerable and true.  It really is the only way to be.  If Jesus wrote to me, Audra Lynn Shuey.

Dear Audra,

Oh how I love you! I see you.  All of you.  I know your heart.  I’ve counted all your tears.  I know every hair on your head, to me you are beautiful.  I know how much you truly care for others, concern yourself for their needs.  I know how often you put others before yourself.  I see your efforts.  Nevertheless, I also see your fear.  Why do you not truly trust me after all we’ve been through? Have I not told you If you have confidence in me that I will make you like a tree by the water that will never fear the heat and always bear fruit? Do you only believe half of my Word? Do you not truly believe that I will establish your plans if you commit to me? When you are afraid put your trust in me & me alone.  My dear child, you cannot serve two masters. Confess & repent and I am faithful to forgive.  

If you’re reading this  you are most likely a good person. I am a good person.  But am I doing everything I can to be holy? To live righteously? And, in my opinion, most importantly, am I doing it for the right reasons? Don’t hold your breath to get a letter in the mail from Heaven; but one day we will be in the presence of God.  On that day I do not want to have to explain how the “power” of green paper kept me from reaching my full spiritual potential here on Earth.   Tomorrow is a new day & I want to do everything I can to make sure my letter from Jesus ends right before “nonetheless”.  

Ill end with some of my favorite scripture that seems appropriate…

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions. And give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ~Luke 12:32-34

Are You Committed?

Psalms 37:5,7  “Commit your future to the Lord!  Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf...Wait patiently for the Lord!  Wait confidently for him!”

Have you ever done the above.  Have you ever committed your future to God?  This is not a flippant commitment.  Please don't just start rattling off some words that sound good.  However, do take some time to think through this today and see if you are willing to do what King David urges you to do.

It is a good thing to point your feet in the direction of God...And then not waiver from it.  No matter what, I'm going to walk with God.  No matter what, I will not not leave this path to pursue another.  

If/When you choose to do this...What you will find is that you will become a more generous person.  How, the closer you are to God, the more you want to bless others.  

Choose this day whom you will follow,
Pastor Matt

Dr. God

Today I woke up with a lot on my mind.  So many thoughts that I found myself feeling very anxious.  So, I stopped.  I quit all my planning and sat still.  While I was sitting, I couldn't put my finger on "why" I was feeling the way I was.  Then this scripture came to mind.

Psalm 139:23, King David says, "Examine me, and probe my thoughts!  Test me, and know my concerns!  See if there is any idolatrous tendency in me, and lead me in the reliable ancient path!"

Sometimes we simply need to go to Dr. God.  We need to lay on the examine table and let him figure us out.  I know...you hate going to the doctor.  Me too.  But what I hate more than going to the doctor is feeling how I was feeling this morning.

Over the last 60 days we have been doing a lot of talking and teaching about generosity.  But here's the truth.  It's hard to be generous when you're not spiritually healthy.  You may be curious to what my learning was this morning.  I don't mind telling you what the doctor said.

I was off 3 days last week.  Today all that "stuff" was waiting on me.  Plus all the "stuff" that I was currently working on.  All my thinking was going towards that and my prayer and reading life was being moved to the back of the line.  This morning, God reminded me that He goes first.  So, I stopped what I was trying to do on my own.  I gave God the respect He deserves and then I invited Him to join me in what I was doing.  

That's me.  What about you.  What is Dr. God saying to you today.

Get better soon,
Pastor Matt

 

Vision

 "When there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but the one who keeps the law, blessed is he!"  Proverbs 29:18

Another interpretation for this scripture is "Where there is no vision, the people perish."   

Think about this verse in the context of generosity. When you have no vision for how you will give...You won't. You will cast off restraint and go back to what's the most comfortable for you.  

But, when you have a plan, when you have vision, you will continue towards what you are hoping to accomplish. So, what is your vision for your generosity?  What do you hope to accomplish? 

And, notice what is the foundation of the vision. Not your feelings or emotions but rather, "the law."  God's Word is the foundation. What God says is what forms our vision. Why?  Because God's ways are best and God's ways work.  

Look to God for the generous vision He wants for your life. Apply his ways to your thinking. This is the best vision for your life.  

Blessings, 

Pastor Matt

Worry

Worry will destroy a generous effort. Especially the type of worry that is focused on you not having enough. This type of worry is what consumes the world. 

One of my favorite passages is found in Matthew chapter 6. In this chapter we read, "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" - Jesus

What are you worried about?  Is your worrying doing any good?  Today, as you go about, notice the natural world around you. Do you think the animals worry?  It seems that they are provided for. Are you not more important than they?  If God takes care of them...What might that mean for your life? 

You may want to read all of Matthew chapter 6. Here you will discover more about Jesus' thoughts on worry.  

Trust our mighty Jesus!  His ways are best. His ways work.  

Don't worry, 

Pastor Matt

 

Here on Purpose

How much time do you give Jesus?
I'm not talking about church attendance.
And...I'm not talking about those prayers of crisis.

I'm talking about the time you choose to give Jesus every day...On Purpose.
The time to talk to praise and thank him. (Wow!)
The time to tell him about what's going on in your life. (Now...)
The time you stop talking and start listening. (How?)
The time you step into obedience and see God's ways working in your life. (KaPow!!)

I believe this is our most important act of generosity.  Giving Jesus...Yourself.

Let me provide a scripture that I cling to.  It's found in the Gospel of John, chapter 15.

“I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit. You are clean already because of the word that I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me." - Jesus

The time you give to Jesus is your greatest gift.  It is here, that Jesus speaks into your life.  It is here that Jesus claims space in your life.  It is here that Jesus gets bigger and sin gets smaller.  

Why am I writing this?  Because, it's really easy to get caught up in outward expressions of generosity and unintentionally neglect the private, unseen, times with our Lord Jesus.

Here on Purpose,
Pastor Matt

Family

I made it to my home town late Tuesday afternoon. Waiting at my parents house were my only living grandparent and my two sisters and their families. It didn't take long for my kids to got past their shyness and start playing with their cousins. And of course by playing I mean running around like a bunch of kids hyped up on Mt. Dew.  

Being around family is a blessing. But, for some it can be a great challenge.  For this reason let me remind you to prepare yourself for this Thanksgiving. Be prepared to reflect God's generous love. You may be the only reflection of God's love they see.  

You are the salt of the earth.  Don't lose your saltiness. 

You are the light of the world.  Don't hide your light. 

Blessings, 

Pastor Matt

 

14 Families

Here's a quick Chicken Drop testimony from one of our members, Karry.

"I need to say generosity is infectious as well. When we first started out, my grandson was grumpy and didn't want to do the Chicken Drop but after getting caught up in the action of giving them away, he ended up stopping cars on the way back to New City and even got a couple of folks in the Big Lots parking lot handing them frozen chickens. Total 180 on attitude of being generous!"

This is how generosity often happens.  
At first we're grumpy about it.  
Then we try it and it feels good.  
Then, our generosity pours into other areas of our life.  

So, which phase are you currently in?

What a great week to be generous!  
I currently have 14 families who are looking for some Thanksgiving help.  
If you want to provide groceries for a Thanksgiving meal for one of these 14 families, email me at matt@newcitychurch.com and I'll get you the information.  

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

What a Sunday!

What a great day we had yesterday.  So many of you joined up at 3:30pm to deliver 750 frozen chickens to our local neighbors.  For me this was especially fun as I took my 6 year old twin daughters with me.  This experience was a great one for me because one of thing I want to teach my kids is how to be generous.

This is important.  Generosity is learned.  
Now, I do think that it's in each of us to be generous. 
However, wanting to be generous and being generous are two very different things.   

Look what Paul writes to the church in Cornith with regards to their being more generous, "You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you’re articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too."  

Not only do I want to grow in my generosity, I want to teach my kids to do the same.  But, the only way to become more generous is to...Well, become more generous.

So, if you joined us yesterday and you enjoyed yourself...Do something like that again.  Then again.  Then again.  Then again.  What you might discover is that God keeps you going.  

Try to out-give God.  You can't, but it's fun trying.
Thanks for making yesterday great,
Pastor Matt