​As is my custom, I include some thoughts I’ve had this previous week in the bulletin.  Today is no different. I’ll be sharing some thoughts with you in regard to this special day, our Friend Day.  It may be that before darkening the threshold of the front door you didn’t know what to expect in visiting us.  If I may, allow me to ease your concerns.  The people you’ll see today are made up of pretty much the same kind of folks you’ll find in any group of people.  We’ve got our friendly, happy, and loving folks and we have some who may not seem as friendly, happy or loving.  We’re a diverse group, coming from varied backgrounds that are at different stages of knowledge and spiritual growth. We readily admit that we don’t know everything; that we don’t always do things right…that we don’t always treat each other as we should; that we haven’t arrived—but that we’re simply on the journey (together). We aren’t brought here by any illusion of our perfection or righteousness.  We were brought together by our recognition that we are sinners in need of the cleansing blood of Jesus.  That’s the reason we can worship together, stick together, and with God’s help, accomplish some things that make a difference.  You won’t have to look very far to find failures, but the bottom line is that you will find people who love Jesus, who are dedicated to His Word, and who do their level best to adhere to His teachings.  Thanks for sharing this special day with us.  It means SO MUCH to have you worship our Creator alongside us!  Stick around after the conclusion of the services today.  Join us in our lower fellowship hall.  Break bread with us.  The only thing you’re required to bring is yourself and an appetite!  We love having you here, and we want to express our appreciation by sharing ourselves with you.                                                
 
Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you!                                                                                Kevin

God helps us do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. In the book of Exodus Moses was a man who thought he could do great things without God’s help. Acting on his own, he rose up to protect one of his own Hebrew brothers and in so doing, killed an Egyptian. Because of his actions, he had to flee from the presence of the king of Egypt to save his own skin. Moses went to dwell in the land of Midian for many years. It was here that God shaped him to do for God what Moses had failed to do on his own. God appeared to Moses in a burning bush to let him know that he had plans to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian oppression. I chuckle when reading this exchange because it’s so typical of us when we try to avoid being used by God!
1. “Who am I that I should go?” God replies: “I will be with you, Moses.”
2. “Who will I say sent me?” God’s reply: “I AM”.
3. “Suppose they will not believe me?” Reply: “Throw down the rod in your hand”. {It becomes a serpent} “Pick it up again.” (At this point, I’d be saying, you win, God, you win!!! {Once again becomes a rod}. “Put your hand in your bosom” {Leprous}. Put it back again.” {Clean}.
4. “I’m not eloquent of speech.” Reply: “Who made your mouth?”
5. “Please send someone else.” Reply: “Take Aaron, your brother!”
 How often are we like Moses? How often do we uses excuses to avoid doing the tasks God has called us to do? If you’ll remember, God becomes angry with Moses at the end of this discourse. What is God calling you to do to bless Him today? Is it worth wasting God’s time listening to our excuses?
 
Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you!                                                                 Kevin
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1 Peter 4: 10. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace; whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
 
Spiritual gifts in the body differ greatly. A gift you possess may not be on another’s radar screen at all. For instance, Jacob informed me he’d like to get the community garden up and producing again soon. The only reason I’d have a “green thumb” would be the result of a broken chip in a jar of guacamole that I’d attempt to retrieve without using a knife. John Piper once said, “The prism of your life will retract one of the colors of grace that would never come through my prism.” Unity in diversity is what makes the Lord’s church so functional. Energy is used by a person working in the kingdom of God. If only select parts of the body are in motion, the other parts atrophy. Synergy, on the other hand, is the result of ALL parts working together to produce a result far greater than could be accomplished by one. One of the worst ways we in the church have tried to lead people into utilizing their spiritual gifts has been guilt. You may have been prodded by guilt into doing something that really didn’t connect with your God-given talent.  The result was certainly less than favorable. You may have burnt out on that ministry. You may have become bitter or even resentful to the point you almost threw in the towel. Result-driven, forced religion can easily lead to that end. I’ve experienced it, personally. Instead of resorting to guilt to receive results, why not use glory? If I know whatever I do will result in giving God more glory, I’m going to be far more receptive to that than I would be if I did it simply because “nobody else will do it.” If you begrudgingly do something in the kingdom of God unwillingly, it will be evident. But, if you do something in the kingdom of God that makes your Heavenly Father smile, you’ll do it with a completely different mindset. The next time you engage in a task, silently say to yourself: “To God be the glory.” And, whistle while you work…it makes people wonder what you’re up to!
Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you!                                                                                             Kevin