Tim's Topics: Giving Everything of Yourselves in Thankfulness.

Tim's Topics: Giving Everything of Yourselves in Thankfulness.: The Widow's Offering 41 As Jesus was sitting opposite the treasury, He watched the crowd placing money into it. And many rich pe...

Giving Everything of Yourselves in Thankfulness.

The Widow's Offering
41As Jesus was sitting opposite the treasury, He watched the crowd placing money into it. And many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amounted to a small fraction of a denarius. 43 Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more than all the others into the treasury. Mark 12: 41-43

Recently a person walked into our church needing assistance and as I listened to the persons plight, I was more than willing to help. As I dug into my pockets, I found that I only had sixteen dollars. With it being a week away from my payday, this was all the money that I had for the week. If I drove carefully, I would have enough gas and should have enough to get around. Eating lunch at home is a better healthier alternative than eating out.

Knowing that this persons need was greater then mine, I emptied my wallet and gave him everything that I had monetarily until my next paycheck. As I gave the money to the person they looked at me with eyes that were asking "Is this the best you can do"? I explained that this was all the money that I had, and hoped it would be enough for the moment. Rather then a thank you I got a head nod as the person walked out the door. I pray that my meager offering will bless this person and provide the maximum comfort possible.

I tell this story not to pat myself on the back, but to emphasize the fact that if a person is giving you all that they have it is more important then the money itself. Giving all that you have to a greater good is what the woman did when she placed all that she had in the treasury.

Giving everything that we have in love of God and care and concern for others is truly the call of those that proclaim to follow Christ. Those that receive the gift are called to understand the sacrifice that it took in the persons heart, in the fact that they sacrificed so someone else need not sacrifice. 

Beloved, when someone extends a blessing to you, make sure to at least inside yourself understand the sacrifice that the person has made for you. When our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ sacrificed himself on the cross, he gave everything of himself for our eternal forgiveness and salvation. It was more then two coins, it was more then sixteen dollars. Jesus gave everything, may we never forget to show appreciation. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

As we celebrate International Girls Day today, let us always be thankful for the woman and the two coins.

This is the day that the Lord has made, go out and be appreciative for your blessings and give everything that you have for His glory.

Pastor Tim.

A Vote for Neither. A Vote for God!

The views written are those of the author alone.

Matthew 23:23 ESV “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.

Like many in America this election season I find myself cast into the abyss of not knowing who to vote for and maybe not wanting to vote for either of them. I ask myself and also tell myself that voting for either Trump or Clinton will be voting against my Christian beliefs. Do I vote for Trump and be in fear of what he may do, or do I vote for Clinton and condoning what she has done in the past.

Today I was told that not voting at all is a wasted vote and that the person I don’t want to be elected may be elected. My answer to that is my vote will not be wasted as I do not support either of them, and my conscious as a Christian will be clear. Many people of faith, many that claim to be followers of the cross of Christ, will either vote for Trump or Clinton. What does this say about the values of this nation, what does it say about our Christian values?

 Which do we hold closest to the vest, our being Republicans, Democrats, Independents or Followers of Christ?

A 2005 article written by the Reverend Billy Graham titled The Unpardonable Sin Graham states that the only sin that cannot be forgiven is the one of turning our backs on God. “The Bible says only one sin is unforgivable -- and that is the sin of refusing God's forgiveness. If we turn our backs on God and refuse to have anything to do with Him, then we will eventually pay the consequences for our stubbornness” (Graham 2005).

The question that many followers of Christ must ask themselves is: “Is a vote for either major party candidate turning our backs on God by following those that have turned their backs on God in relation to their personal and public lives? This is a question that many Christians must ask themselves before they enter the voting booth this November. Is a vote for neither a vote for God? Is a vote for neither showing that our faces are facing God?

Beloved, these are just the thoughts of someone who is not a supporter of either candidate. These are the thoughts of a person that believes that America can do much better than the nominees that we have for the highest office in the land.

As Americans we have the freedom to make our own choices, what will yours be and have you truly thought about what God thinks about our choices? The Bible is clear, that no matter what we do and no matter what Trump and Clinton do, God is in charge. Jesus will return for His Kingdom, no matter how we vote, but I will face God until that day happens and never turn my back on my values and my witness to God’s Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Pastor Tim.

Bibliography

Graham, Billy. 2005. The Seattle PI. Accessed October 10, 2016. http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/The-only-unforgivable-sin-1173615.php.