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Prayer is simply communicating with God, yet we often make it more complicated than it needs to be. Let's be honest—most of us could use a boost in our prayer life. If we took it a bit more seriously, we’d find that when we pray, we draw closer to God.
As we conclude our Sermon and Study Series, "Eyes of Faith: Viewing Life Biblically," our focus shifts to the practical application of living out our faith. Join us in exploring the fundamental question: How do we live our lives biblically? Through God's guidance, leaning on His wisdom, and aligning with His Word, we will delve into the transformative journey of keeping in step with His Spirit as we navigate and address the world's issues through a biblical lens.
Did you know that Jesus, in his infinite wisdom, touched on the topic of money in a whopping 11 out of the 39 parables he shared with the crowds? It's pretty fascinating how he used money as a tool to unveil our true priorities. Think about it – our bank statements spill the beans on what truly matters to us. At the core of Christianity lies this beautiful idea that God, in His vast creativity, crafted everything, and it all ultimately belongs to Him. We humans? Well, we're more like stewards or managers of these divine resources, and that includes our hard-earned money. Stewardship isn't just a small part of the Christian journey; it's the whole shebang! It's about embracing the notion that every penny we manage is a chance to express our devotion and care for what truly matters in the grand scheme of things
Did you know that your God wants you to really know Him? He wants you to know who He is, His character, and how He relates to you as a human. He wants you to know Him as your Father who loves you dearly. When you know Him, it is much easier to trust Him in whatever He chooses to do on your behalf.
Have you ever asked someone “How are you doing?” And they respond by saying, “I’m blessed by the best!” Have you ever thought about what they were getting at? When we recognize that all things come from God— our homes, our careers, our ability to take a breath— you’ll begin seeing how truly blessed you are by God. When we are blessed, we are also called to be a blessing. To give back to God the love, respect, and adoration He deserves for blessing us even in the midst of suffering, of when money it tight, of the highs and lows of life. God deserves our praise!
Who do you thank? Gratitude in all things comes through a renewed heart and mind. Being thankful is found in the Bible multiple times. As Believers, as followers of Christ, we are called to give thanks to God for everything— in all things, for all things, during all things. Thankfulness is to produce rejoicing in our lives to glorify God. Saying “thank you” to God hardly seems enough in light of all He has done for us. And yet, when we do, He gladly receives our praise.
God’s love manifests in our lives through the words and works of His people. When Jesus said He came to give us life abundant, He was not necessarily talking about money or things that the world deems important. He was speaking about receiving more and more of His love— to be blessed to overflowing so that it ends up pouring out in the lives of others. As we move closer to the cross of Christ, may we take on an attitude of gratitude for each word spoken and each deed done with love from the Father.
Do you know our lives are to reflect the thankful heart we have for what God has done? We ought to desire to walk into His presence with singing because of what Jesus has done— He saved us, He redeemed us, He called us His own! That is worth giving God all the praise and thanksgiving for working in each of our lives. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, let us remember the cost and give thanks to God for His hand of mercy and grace upon our lives.
The first church knew that love meant sacrifice. They used their time, talents, and treasures to make sure that everyone’s needs were met in their congregation. They shared what they had, and because of their love, no one among them was needy. They relied on godliness to make them content. The generosity of the church in meeting all the needs among them allowed the apostles to preach with great power. The actions of the church, their willingness to give of themselves bore witness to the change that Jesus could bring to a life.
This week we take a few steps into a New Year and trust God with everything that might lie ahead in it. God is always doing a new thing in our hearts, minds, and lives when we surrender them over to His plan and purpose. Join us this week as we discover “All Things New” and how God longs for us to join Him in this New Year.
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