February 1, 2023 – “How Much Do We Sacrifice?”

“I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have.” 2 Corinthians 8:8-12

“Readiness speaks of how large a man’s heart is, his heart attitude, not how large his bank account is! God always looks at the heart (quality), not the amount (quantity)! In context Paul is clearly referring to the collection Titus was to oversee (2Co 8:4–7). Obviously God does not expect one to give what he does not have! Give out of what you have, not out of what you do not have. When a person gives according to what he has, such giving is acceptable or well-pleasing to the Lord (2Co 5:9+).(Precept Austin)

Most mainline churches today are struggling – struggling for people, struggling for money, and struggling for relevancy in their communities. We are facing a nation, and dare I say a world that is becoming more and more secular. Many persons spend willingly and even lavishly on themselves, and if they do belong to a church, they give sparingly and reluctantly to G-d. They spend more for their goods than they goods they give to charities and their neighbors in need. Some spend more for candy than they give to the poor, the homeless, and the hurting. Some spend more for gasoline than they give to all causes.

Giving to G-d does not need to be painful – but it can be proportional. Just as it is beneficial to eat proportionally, and to exercise proportionally, and to rest proportionally, it is also beneficial to see your way to give to G-d in the proportion of what G-d has given to you – and I am not just talking about money. We waste just as much talent and time on ourselves as we do money on ourselves. G-d simply asks that we consider G-d and our neighbor in need when it comes to portioning out all that we have – time, talent, and of course, our treasure.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, you are the Lord of abundance. Help me to count my blessings every day, to recognize the abundance you have given to me, and to share out of the love I have for you. Amen.

Pastor Dave

January 31, 2023 – “The Lord is My Rock”

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.” Psalm 18:1-5

Our relationship with G-d is at the heart of our moral life. And the images of G-d we form play an important role in how this relationship develops. For example, for most of my early life I had formed the image of G-d as an angry G-d, a harsh punisher and ultimate judge. As such my relationship with G-d was one formed out of fear – not love and grace. As Christians we have certain influences for forming an image of G-d: the Sacraments, prayer, and bible study. Each should have as much influence as our experiences in and out of the church. These all can and should influence how we think and feel about G-d. One image of G-d that comes to us through scripture comes from the Psalms (18, 62). These suggest the image of G-d as “Rock” – “The Lord is my Rock, my fortress”; “G-d alone is my Rock and my salvation.” The bible offers a wide variety of other images including fire, love, shepherd, shelter, bread of life, and the Holy One. And the parables point to an intimate, loving G-d.

Now you may not be comfortable thinking about or comparing G-d to a rock, or fire or even bread, but we should not hold just one image of G-d in our hearts. We need to multiply our images of G-d. Different images help us to appreciate different aspects of G-d, who, truthfully is always greater than any human description. Most of all, we need to remember that G-d is love.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, each image we have of you only adds to the mystery of your presence. Help me to see you as you want me to see you today – whatever image that may be. Amen.

Pastor Dave