Someone asked me one day "what is it that we do at the Meeting"? I've thought about that some and have come to the conclusion that is the wrong question. It is not the "what" we do, but the "why" we do the Meeting in Jasper. We recently shared together a 3 year celebration of the Meeting with a feast and boy was it a feast :) . About 2 years ago I pondered this question myself "what are we doing"? Are we just gonna come together every Thursday night and have church? I really hoped for more. Then I began to think about not the "what" but "why" did we want to keep doing the Meeting? I realized how much we had grown spiritually in a the first year and I had to believe that we wasn't gonna be just another gathering of Christians but that we was going to invest in lives of people. In other words we were going to "grow people" and "grow" we have done over the past couple of years.
I love church, I love people and I especially love to see myself grow and others around me as well. The Meeting has changed me in so many ways. My goal in the Meeting is to add value to others by preaching and teaching the Word of God and applying the principles daily in our lives from the Bible teachings. I cannot think of a subject that is not taught either directly or indirectly from the scriptures. The Bible was not written just for good news to sinners, but for those who proclaim the faith and want to walk in the light of the scriptures.
So what do I mean by "adding value"? Simply taking subjects every so often like the series we just finished (Grace, Divine Encounter, Defining Moment) or the one we are about to start (Money Talks) and learning from the principles taught and then applying them to our daily walk, all the time looking in faith towards the Cross of Jesus Christ. This allows the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. Jesus said "I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly". I believe that.
This new series that we are about to start on (Money Talks) really isn't all about money. Its not even about giving money. Its more about God's provision and resource management according to scriptures. So rest assured if you come we aren't taking up special offerings or trying to coerce or manipulate you into giving money.
The plan is to add value to our daily lives by exploring God's Word and applying principles that help us keep more of what we have and use it wiser. That my friends is stewardship and that is what God wants in our lives, good stewardship of all the assets and resources that He allows us to have. Because it really all belongs to Him in the first place. Wish I had of known all of this when I was in my early 20s LOL !
We want to thank each and everyone of you that take ownership and responsibility in the Meeting on a weekly basis. You put the "why" into each service everyweek as so many of you volunteer your time and talents, cooking, cleaning, singing, playing an instrument, praying, bringing folks with you (don't forget to ask 3 to come with you)etc. All of you are so important and it brings to light the "why" we do it. We are being used of God to "change lives". Aren't you glad that God is using you to make a difference in someone's life? We are looking forward so much to getting to be with you again Thursday, be sure to invite some folks to come with you. Remember only 3 a week will make such a difference over a matter of little time. You'll be glad you did, love all of you. bro bruce
Be sure to bring you a pencil and paper, you will want to make some notes over the next couple of weeks.
Here are some of the outline notes, not set in stone but a guideline nevertheless :)
1. Establish ownership God owns it all.. Psalm 50:10-12
2. Establish a foundation, God owns you and I. 1 Peter 2:9-10
( illustrate )
3. God's opportunities that come into that ownership.
4. Establish why we should not fear
Matthew 6:25-34
No comments:
Post a Comment