1 Peter 4:10
10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
In this section, Peter is telling Christians to differentiate themselves from non-Christians, by comparing how they lived before being saved to how the church is to live now. In this verse, he emphasizes that all we have is a gift from God and that we are to be good stewards of it. One commentary explained that God wants to bestow things upon others and wants to use us as instruments in doing so. Some of what He provides to us He intends for us to use to serve others, and that includes supporting our church.
Offering Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the unique gifts you have given each of us. Help us to recognize and understand these gifts, and give us the courage and wisdom to use them in service to others, and the discernment to know Your will, so that your grace may be evident in our lives and that you may be glorified through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Monday, July 14, 2025
God Is the Source of Everything - Deuteronomy 8:11, 17-18
Deuteronomy 8:11, 17-18
11 Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God… 17 Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’ 18 But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth…
Here the Lord is reminding us to remember that He is the source of everything. Don’t forget Him, lest we become proud and think we are the source of our own wealth. He gives us the power to make wealth.
Let’s remember this Easter that God paid the huge price of His Own Son so that we can be in fellowship with Him. We did nothing to deserve that. We must simply believe Him and receive the gift. And through that and His resurrection which we celebrate today, we receive eternal life! How can we withhold what He intends for us to use to support our church?
Offering Prayer
Lord, thank You for the abundance You have blessed each of us with and our ability to use it to support this church. In it, we can see we are precious to You, the Creator of everything, while at the same time, recognizing that it’s You and not ourselves that has given us the ability to earn our living. With this offering, we recognize our dependence upon You for everything, and celebrate our ability to support this church in which we rejoice in the resurection of our Savior and Lord. We pray this in the name above all names, Jesus Christ. Amen.
11 Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God… 17 Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’ 18 But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth…
Here the Lord is reminding us to remember that He is the source of everything. Don’t forget Him, lest we become proud and think we are the source of our own wealth. He gives us the power to make wealth.
Let’s remember this Easter that God paid the huge price of His Own Son so that we can be in fellowship with Him. We did nothing to deserve that. We must simply believe Him and receive the gift. And through that and His resurrection which we celebrate today, we receive eternal life! How can we withhold what He intends for us to use to support our church?
Offering Prayer
Lord, thank You for the abundance You have blessed each of us with and our ability to use it to support this church. In it, we can see we are precious to You, the Creator of everything, while at the same time, recognizing that it’s You and not ourselves that has given us the ability to earn our living. With this offering, we recognize our dependence upon You for everything, and celebrate our ability to support this church in which we rejoice in the resurection of our Savior and Lord. We pray this in the name above all names, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Cheerful Giving Revisited - 2 Corinthians 9:7
2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
A cheerful giver gives with joy and gratitude, recognizing the privilege of contributing to something bigger than themselves. Giving should come from a genuine desire to support the church and its mission, not out of guilt or social pressure.
How to cultivate an attitude of cheerful giving:
Reflect on God's blessings, by reminding yourself of the good things God has provided in your life, which can inspire generosity.
Pray about your giving to seek guidance from God about how much to give and how to give with a joyful heart.
Be intentional about giving by deciding how much you can comfortably give and commit to it regularly.
Focus on the impact by considering how your giving can positively affect others and the church community.
Offering Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather our tithes and offerings, we want to focus on giving cheerfully, as Your Word says that You love a cheerful giver. We acknowledge that all things belong to you. Everything we have comes from Your hand, and we are merely stewards of Your blessings. Help us to recognize Your leadership over all aspects of our lives.
May these gifts be used to further Your kingdom, as a testament to our gratitude and trust in You. Guide us to be faithful stewards, using all that You have given us for Your glory. We pray these things in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Start by looking at the bulletin, we see a couple of instances of “Worship”.
Worship Through Music
Worship Through Giving
Definition of worship - Show reverence and adoration for God
Respectful devotion, loving, honoring, obeying someone who deserves our highest regard
CS Lewis Institute - Worshiping God means acknowledging His power and perfection in gratitude. Includes understanding and awe of God’s Holiness. We remember how great He is and behave reverently in His Presence.
We are going to learn how our giving is loving, honoring, and obeying God, as we acknowledge His power and perfection in gratitude - therefore how giving is worship.
A cheerful giver gives with joy and gratitude, recognizing the privilege of contributing to something bigger than themselves. Giving should come from a genuine desire to support the church and its mission, not out of guilt or social pressure.
How to cultivate an attitude of cheerful giving:
Reflect on God's blessings, by reminding yourself of the good things God has provided in your life, which can inspire generosity.
Pray about your giving to seek guidance from God about how much to give and how to give with a joyful heart.
Be intentional about giving by deciding how much you can comfortably give and commit to it regularly.
Focus on the impact by considering how your giving can positively affect others and the church community.
Offering Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather our tithes and offerings, we want to focus on giving cheerfully, as Your Word says that You love a cheerful giver. We acknowledge that all things belong to you. Everything we have comes from Your hand, and we are merely stewards of Your blessings. Help us to recognize Your leadership over all aspects of our lives.
May these gifts be used to further Your kingdom, as a testament to our gratitude and trust in You. Guide us to be faithful stewards, using all that You have given us for Your glory. We pray these things in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Start by looking at the bulletin, we see a couple of instances of “Worship”.
Worship Through Music
Worship Through Giving
Definition of worship - Show reverence and adoration for God
Respectful devotion, loving, honoring, obeying someone who deserves our highest regard
CS Lewis Institute - Worshiping God means acknowledging His power and perfection in gratitude. Includes understanding and awe of God’s Holiness. We remember how great He is and behave reverently in His Presence.
We are going to learn how our giving is loving, honoring, and obeying God, as we acknowledge His power and perfection in gratitude - therefore how giving is worship.
He Who Is Generous Will Be Blessed Pt 2 - Proverbs 22:9
Proverbs 22:9
He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.
I thought I’d talk about some of the blessings that I know about due to our generosity to our church.
Yesterday - 17 women gathered for fellowship. From what I heard, it was a blast. I was told that it was loud and there was much laughter. There were stories shared between mothers and daughters. It sounded like there was a lot of love on display.
Last week, Tracy and I resumed a study of Lifetime Guarantee. It was a great time of study, learning, sharing, and fellowship.
We have our weekly study in John on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We had great fellowship, again there was laughter and love. And wonderfully deep study into God’s Word that Barry researches and prepares each week. Without our support of the church, we couldn’t have a full-time pastor who has time to do this during the week.
These are just a few of the things I know about. I’m sure there are many more.
Offering prayer
Gracious God, your word reminds us that generosity is a path to blessing, and that those who share with the needy will themselves be blessed. As we offer these gifts, we recognize that our blessings come from your hand, and we are called to share them with those in need. We pray that our offerings may bring hope and abundance to those who have little, and that we may be richly blessed in our giving. We ask that your work may be furthered through these offerings, and that we may continue to be generous and faithful in our giving. In Jesus' name, We pray in Jesus’s Name, Amen.
He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.
I thought I’d talk about some of the blessings that I know about due to our generosity to our church.
Yesterday - 17 women gathered for fellowship. From what I heard, it was a blast. I was told that it was loud and there was much laughter. There were stories shared between mothers and daughters. It sounded like there was a lot of love on display.
Last week, Tracy and I resumed a study of Lifetime Guarantee. It was a great time of study, learning, sharing, and fellowship.
We have our weekly study in John on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We had great fellowship, again there was laughter and love. And wonderfully deep study into God’s Word that Barry researches and prepares each week. Without our support of the church, we couldn’t have a full-time pastor who has time to do this during the week.
These are just a few of the things I know about. I’m sure there are many more.
Offering prayer
Gracious God, your word reminds us that generosity is a path to blessing, and that those who share with the needy will themselves be blessed. As we offer these gifts, we recognize that our blessings come from your hand, and we are called to share them with those in need. We pray that our offerings may bring hope and abundance to those who have little, and that we may be richly blessed in our giving. We ask that your work may be furthered through these offerings, and that we may continue to be generous and faithful in our giving. In Jesus' name, We pray in Jesus’s Name, Amen.
He Who Is Generous Will Be Blessed - Proverbs 22:9
Proverbs 22:9
He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.
KJV says “He who hath a bountiful eye…”
The world has a scarcity mentality. Politicians and their mouthpieces in their affiliated media outlets use that to turn us against each other. They separate us into groups not defined by God, and then turn us against each other by saying they’re getting what is rightfully ours.
The Lord says He gives us life, and that He gives it abundantly. Think about it: there is no limit to that which the Lord gives. There is always enough. There is always more. When has He not supplied your needs? If there were a time, you wouldn’t be sitting here right now. Philippians 4:6 tells us to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Rather than looking for where we think we don’t have enough, let us look at what we have plenty of, and for opportunities to share it. One thing every one of us plenty of is God’s grace and forgiveness. Every one of us can speak. Offer what God leads you to put in the collection plate and send that out to be used for His kingdom. And then be on the lookout for opportunities to share God’s abundance with others in the world.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings in my life. I pray that you would help me to have a bountiful eye, to look for opportunities to show your love, share your Gospel, show your mercy, to be attentive to the needs of others and to be generous in sharing my resources and time with those who are in need. May I be a blessing to those around me, reflecting your love and compassion. Help me to see the opportunities to serve and help others, and may my actions be a testament to your generosity and kindness. Thank you for the ability to give and for your abundant blessings. Amen
He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.
KJV says “He who hath a bountiful eye…”
The world has a scarcity mentality. Politicians and their mouthpieces in their affiliated media outlets use that to turn us against each other. They separate us into groups not defined by God, and then turn us against each other by saying they’re getting what is rightfully ours.
The Lord says He gives us life, and that He gives it abundantly. Think about it: there is no limit to that which the Lord gives. There is always enough. There is always more. When has He not supplied your needs? If there were a time, you wouldn’t be sitting here right now. Philippians 4:6 tells us to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Rather than looking for where we think we don’t have enough, let us look at what we have plenty of, and for opportunities to share it. One thing every one of us plenty of is God’s grace and forgiveness. Every one of us can speak. Offer what God leads you to put in the collection plate and send that out to be used for His kingdom. And then be on the lookout for opportunities to share God’s abundance with others in the world.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings in my life. I pray that you would help me to have a bountiful eye, to look for opportunities to show your love, share your Gospel, show your mercy, to be attentive to the needs of others and to be generous in sharing my resources and time with those who are in need. May I be a blessing to those around me, reflecting your love and compassion. Help me to see the opportunities to serve and help others, and may my actions be a testament to your generosity and kindness. Thank you for the ability to give and for your abundant blessings. Amen
Freely You Received, Freely Give - Matthew 10:8
Here Jesus is sending the 12 apostles to the lost sheep of Israel to preach that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
Most of us haven’t done these first few things, but we have freely received from the Lord. We’ve received all kinds of blessings freely, including the blessing of this church body. Let us freely give to the body to enable its continued operation.
Since this is the offering, I’m mainly talking about finances; however, there are so many ways that so many give to this body, whether it’s organizing events, bringing food to gatherings, or supporting members when they need it. When I joined, I heard about “country club Christianity”, meaning “I pay my fee, so now the church should do things for me.” That’s not what we are. Every part of the body has something to do. No part of the body simply hangs around and has things done for it.
And our ability to give and serve can change with the seasons. Sometimes you’re giving more, sometimes receiving more. And that’s fine, but don’t keep score. And don’t overdo it, which can prevent someone else from having the opportunity to give. In every season, be watching for where God is at work and join Him there, considering it a privilege that He invited you. In all things, including how much you put in the offering, be led by the Holy Spirit.
Offering Prayer
Lord God, we thank you for the many gifts you have bestowed upon us, both material and spiritual. As we have received freely from your grace, we pray that you would help us to be generous and to share your blessings with others. We ask for your wisdom in understanding how best to use our resources for the good of your people and the advancement of your kingdom. May we always remember the call of Matthew 10:8 to give freely, and may our actions reflect the generosity of your heart. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
Most of us haven’t done these first few things, but we have freely received from the Lord. We’ve received all kinds of blessings freely, including the blessing of this church body. Let us freely give to the body to enable its continued operation.
Since this is the offering, I’m mainly talking about finances; however, there are so many ways that so many give to this body, whether it’s organizing events, bringing food to gatherings, or supporting members when they need it. When I joined, I heard about “country club Christianity”, meaning “I pay my fee, so now the church should do things for me.” That’s not what we are. Every part of the body has something to do. No part of the body simply hangs around and has things done for it.
And our ability to give and serve can change with the seasons. Sometimes you’re giving more, sometimes receiving more. And that’s fine, but don’t keep score. And don’t overdo it, which can prevent someone else from having the opportunity to give. In every season, be watching for where God is at work and join Him there, considering it a privilege that He invited you. In all things, including how much you put in the offering, be led by the Holy Spirit.
Offering Prayer
Lord God, we thank you for the many gifts you have bestowed upon us, both material and spiritual. As we have received freely from your grace, we pray that you would help us to be generous and to share your blessings with others. We ask for your wisdom in understanding how best to use our resources for the good of your people and the advancement of your kingdom. May we always remember the call of Matthew 10:8 to give freely, and may our actions reflect the generosity of your heart. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
We're No Longer Living for Ourselves - 2 Corinthians 5:11-15
2 Corinthians 5:11-15
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we [e]are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
This verse came up as the verse of the day when I sat down to write the offering message. It didn’t come up in the context of me searching for verses on offering. It touched me as a great message about giving. In it, Paul reminds us that we are no longer living for ourselves, but for Him who gave us everything. He also is pointing us to what is important to God - not appearances but the heart. I’ll read it again.
Offering prayer
Gracious God, we come before you, acknowledging the profound truth that your love for us compels us to live a life that reflects your character. As we understand that Christ died for all, we recognize that we too have died to our old selves, and are now living a new life in Him.
We are humbled by the knowledge that your Son, Jesus, willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, bearing the weight of our guilt, and reconciling us to You. This profound act of love has transformed us, and we are now ambassadors of reconciliation, entrusted with the message of peace and forgiveness.
We pray that the fear of the Lord, the awe of your holiness, will guide our actions and shape our hearts, driving us to live in a way that pleases You. May we be instruments of your love, sharing the good news of salvation and reconciliation with those around us. We pray this in Jesus’ name.
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we [e]are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
This verse came up as the verse of the day when I sat down to write the offering message. It didn’t come up in the context of me searching for verses on offering. It touched me as a great message about giving. In it, Paul reminds us that we are no longer living for ourselves, but for Him who gave us everything. He also is pointing us to what is important to God - not appearances but the heart. I’ll read it again.
Offering prayer
Gracious God, we come before you, acknowledging the profound truth that your love for us compels us to live a life that reflects your character. As we understand that Christ died for all, we recognize that we too have died to our old selves, and are now living a new life in Him.
We are humbled by the knowledge that your Son, Jesus, willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, bearing the weight of our guilt, and reconciling us to You. This profound act of love has transformed us, and we are now ambassadors of reconciliation, entrusted with the message of peace and forgiveness.
We pray that the fear of the Lord, the awe of your holiness, will guide our actions and shape our hearts, driving us to live in a way that pleases You. May we be instruments of your love, sharing the good news of salvation and reconciliation with those around us. We pray this in Jesus’ name.
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