Cars begin lining up early before our gates open at 8:30 on giveaway day, which last until 11:30. There is plenty of food for everyone who comes during those times.
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK ~ He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. Ephesians 4:11.
People took their seats and waited for the concert to begin. The musicians were world-class, and the music would be masterful. Suddenly each musician began playing their instrument with polished skill – violinists, flutists, percussionists. But the sound was a confusing set of grating noises. Then the conductor stepped onto the platform. With a single motion, the instruments began playing in a balanced and beautiful way. In Ephesians 4, Paul tells us the Church is a group of people, each with their own gifts and roles to play, and we must follow the direction of Jesus. Some are apostles, missionaries who are sent to plant churches. Some are prophets, taking the Word of God and exhorting. Some are evangelists with a gift of leading others to Christ. Others are pastors who shepherd the flock and teachers who feed the flock. The end result? “So that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,” v. 12-13.Take your place, and remember when each of us follows Christ’s lead, our churches will not be a collection of noise but a symphony of grace sounding forth the truth. (From a devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah)
God has placed within each of us as Christ-followers a gift or gifts to use for His glory. If not in the fivefold ministry here in Ephesians 4, it could be one of the motivational gifts found in Romans 12 (prophesy, serving, teacher, encouragement, giver, leader, mercy). If we do not know what our gift is, it is imperative that we seek and discover what it is. Then we must take and use that gift to support and help in the furthering of His Kingdom. By doing so, under the direction of Jesus, we rightfully take our place in His symphony of grace, sounding for the truth. ~ God’s blessings, protection, and favor to all.
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK ~ Recently, I traveled with my family to the beach for vacation. Once on the beach, we would set up chairs and umbrellas as our base for the day While spending time in the ocean with my five (5) grandsons, I realized that we had drifted some ways down the beach. We began the strenuous journey back through the oceans current to be in sight of our family. The drifting didn’t happen suddenly but slowly over time.
Hebrews 2:1 says, “We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” Just like we drifted away from our family at the beach, if we are not careful, we can drift away from the truth (Jesus) that we have experienced and heard. This usually does not happen suddenly but subtly as time passes. There are many factors that could be the reason for our drifting away: Life crises or disappointments can be an issue. Experiences of loss, deep pain or seemingly unanswered prayers can lead to resentment or letdown. The busyness of life and distractions can slowly choke out time spent studying scripture and prayer. Complacency in our own success and self-sufficiency causes us to neglect the daily need for God’s guidance and direction. Unaddressed sin in our lives may cause us to justify bad habits that may create a barrier to lead us to avoid God’s presence. Isolation by pulling away from a supportive church community or fellow believers removes a vital layer of spiritual accountability and encouragement. These are only a few of the things that can cause us to drift away from desiring God’s presence. It is important for us to know and realize that these issues are not foreign to any of us. I would probably say that we all have experienced at least one of these challenges at some point and time. When we do, instead of fighting the current of our issues in our own strength, let us confess our sins to the Father who forgives and desires to see a right fellowship restored with Him. ~ God’s blessings, protection, and favor to all.
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK ~ If you want to start a very spirited discussion with two or more Christ-followers, ask the question, “what is God’s will?” There will be many different answers to that question and most of them would be considered correct. Answers are mainly derived from an individual’s interpretation of Scripture or belief in what they have read or experienced. The Word of God is not lacking in direction for what God’s will is for us spiritually. It is through His will for us spiritually that will guide and direct us in the natural things of life. Whatever God’s will for our lives may be, it will certainly include the three practices found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Be joyful always, pray continuously, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
First, “be joyful always.” This is not a fleeting or temporary sense of happiness, but it reflects an overall attitude of reliance on God’s love and goodness. This joy flows out of a personal relationship with God that is not deterred or diminished by any external conditions. It is rooted and grounded in trust of God’s faithfulness.
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK ~ We live in a world today where people seek and desire to be served. They will go to great lengths to see that their needs are met through being served by others. My business background has taught me that the one thing that can separate you from your competition is to meet the needs of your customer with exceptional service. Most people, including myself, will pay a little more to get that kind of service. The challenge is finding individuals or companies that have a sincere heart or goal to serve others. Why? Because serving others is not a primary characteristic that we find very often in the “it’s all about me” culture in which we live.
How can we as Christ followers separate ourselves from the rest of the world? What is a characteristic that we can embody that will stand out and make us the peculiar people God has called us to be? One way is by having a committed and sincere heart to serve others. Jesus was our example as He lived a life of service. He said, “the Son of Man (speaking of Himself) did not come to be served but to serve” (Matthew 20:28a). We are to follow His loving example by finding our place of service in the world in which we live. As Jesus did, service is most of the time putting others needs before our own. It is an act of self-sacrifice. Whether ours is working with babies in the nursery, teaching a Sunday School class, visiting shut-ins, helping at a local shelter, or reaching out to the lonely and hurting, these are acts of service by giving of one’s valuable time. Other acts of service are giving of one’s resources to further God’s Kingdom at their church, supporting a local food ministry or to support foreign missions. Whatever it may be, let us be found as ones who are dedicated to living lives of service with a willing and sincere heart for His glory. ~ God’s blessings, protection, and favor to all.
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK ~ When an individual, government, or organization is unable to be present in an official capacity, they can send someone to represent their interest. That person is known as an “emissary”. It is usually a diplomat, agent, or messenger who is sent on a specific mission to act as a representative of someone in their physical absence. Jesus sent someone into the world to be His emissary when He rose to Heaven. Jesus promised His disciples in John 14:16, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter to be with you forever.” The word “another’ is the most important word in the above verse. Another can mean “another of a like kind” or “another of a different kind.” Another in this verse means “another of a like kind.” The Comforter, Jesus’ emissary, is the Holy Spirit. As Jesus fellowshipped with His disciples in the Upper Room, He taught at length about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was sending a clear message to them that when the Holy Spirit came, the Spirit would be just like Him, His emissary.
The Holy Spirit would perfectly represent Jesus in every way and duplicate His life and ministry. He would mirror Jesus to such a degree, in fact, that whatever Jesus would say or do is exactly what He would say or do. With Jesus soon to leave the disciples, His emissary would be of comfort and strength in His physical absence. The Holy Spirit is called to be our helper, comforter, advocate, encourager, and intercessor. The Holy Spirit mirrors Jesus’ own heart, character, power, and actions that we find in the four gospels. This should inspire us to study the gospels to become more familiar with the character and nature of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ absence here on earth, He did not leave us as orphans (see John 14:18), but He sent His emissary, the Holy Spirit to be with us. He lives within us, leading and guiding us in every situation of life. ~ God’s blessings, protection, and favor to all.
