Weekend Message/Devotion
August 11, 2019
What Gives Your Life Meaning?
Luke 12:32-40
Sermon Prayer: “Heavenly Father, I stand before Your people, to deliver Your message. Though the words are mine and I prepared this message, I pray that this message is Your message in its entirety. I pray your blessing and anointing on the message, its delivery, its reception - and most of all, its application in our lives.” Amen
Weekend Message/Devotion
Today’s gospel message should give us each a real wake-up call. As the title asks, “What gives your life meaning?” Sure, it’s easy to come back with a quick response, but I’d like you to ponder this question, as you journey through the week and after hearing today’s message.
I think God ranks up there with most of us among life’s meaning, our families, our jobs and careers, our accomplishments and awards and that kind of stuff. But, besides God all the things mentioned center mostly on us, don’t they? I would extend that same question on to the life of the church. What does the life of the church center on? That’s a real can of worms to open, isn’t it? Whether we are looking at it in the first person or the church, I fear the truest and most honest answer is directed inwardly.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Verse 34
I met with a dear young lady and her sons just this week. I performed her wedding some time back and she has remained in contact with us, off and on since. They live quite a distance from our church and eventually found a church home where they were quite comfortable. However, one of the reasons that she wanted to come talk to me was that she and her husband were beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable with some of the things going on in the life of the church. A major concern is that this church has a higher degree of concern and directs finances more towards buildings and trappings with the intent of attracting more people. Going lacking are things like nursery and small children’s facilities and care and less on outreach and ministry beyond the walls of the church.
It would not be a fair comparison at all for a great number of reasons, but as I am getting on in age and we experienced a split some time back, we decided that paying rent, insurance, maintenance, etc. as small as we are was not giving the life of our church much meaning. Therefore, we moved out of our rented facilities and meet in homes. We are comprised of middle-class everyday people. We take it to heart that “We Love and Serve God by Loving and Serving Each Other”. When we say each other, we are saying every each other that we encounter.
Examples that come to mind are:
Our Intercessory Prayer Ministry. Every week, more and more people contact us, asking to be put on that prayer list, many from overseas countries and all over the United States.
Outreach. We are always looking for ways to bless others as much as we can with God’s blessings. Last month we were able to provide a family in need with a new microwave. We were prepared to pay for repairs to a central air conditioning unit for a family, located in a depressed and crime infested area of town. Unfortunately, it was beyond repair. We are trying to locate a used car within our budget or to receive as a tax-deductible donation that we can have made ready for a single handicapped mom whose husband recently left and committed suicide.
There are always great needs all around us and though we cannot respond to all of them, we shall respond as God directs us.
Having said that, let me also say that we have never asked for money from anyone. We don’t even take up a collection. There is a basket at the entrance of the service for free will gifts and donations. Our treasury is not overflowing in abundance, but we are as stable today as we have ever been.
Our bank account was hacked last month for $2,000. We reported the discrepancy to the bank and they
have already replaced that money into our account.
There is GREAT pleasure in being a good steward of God’s treasures.
Let me also say that we try and remain as anonymous as we can in our outreach efforts. What we try to do is bring glory to God not to our church and certainly not to us. Let me also say that with every blessing extended is an introduction or reminder of the Greatest Giver - JESUS CHRIST, Who gave all.
Let us be FAITHFUL and let us be ever ready to receive Jesus at His second coming. That could be before I even finish typing this message or before you finish reading it or hearing its delivery. Think about that for a moment, as you ponder what gives your life meaning. Do you live for God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)? Is your bank account, model car, home address, title and job description what gives your life meaning?
My wife Edna goes every day, twice a day to my dying sister’s bedside to minister to her with bathing, cleaning, changing, massaging and just giving whatever comfort she can. That is certainly part of what defines her and gives her life meaning.
I invite you to consider a prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I love You and I want to live for You and for You to direct my life in such a way that brings glory to YOU. I submit to You and pray that You will give me specific directions for my life. AMEN
If you pray this little prayer – find a quiet private place and just sit quietly and wait for His answer. He may direct you to a bible passage. He may allow a beautiful thought to come to mind that may even seem beyond your ability, if it is from Him, it is not beyond your ability. However, be warned that it may be beyond your comfort zone.
Let us pray.
I humbly and sincerely ask for your prayers!
https://churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-articles/311609-how-to-pray-for-your-pastor-ronnie-floyd.html?utm_source=outreach-cl-daily-nl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=read-more&utm_campaign=cl-daily-nl&maropost_id=&mpweb=256-7370272[HG1]
Note: It is the practice of this church to preach straight from the bible. We follow the lectionary assigned readings from which the sermon/messages are derived.
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