October 11, 2024, 10:00 AM
I receive a daily quote from a friend of mine named David Vaughn.
One day this past week, the quote he sent to me read like this: "Every trial has an expiration date."
Are you currently going through a time of trial? Jesus told us to expect trouble in this world.
We can, however, take comfort in knowing a couple of things: 1) It will pass eventually and best of all 2) We take comfort in knowing that Jesus has overcome the world (see John 16:33) !!!
Maybe the trial is really an opportunity for you and I to change something in our life.
We can make a short-term change through sheer human willpower. I've done this before, but found myself going right back to my old ways after some time. Can you relate?
Long lasting change, however, only comes through the supernatural power of God through His Holy Spirit.
Are you tired from trying and failing to change?
You may be trying to do something in your human flesh that can only be done supernaturally -- and that's impossible!
Remember 1 John 4:4 -- "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
Are we relying on the Holy Spirit a little? A lot? Completely?
We had a great day last Saturday (10.05.24) at First Christian Church.
We held a "Meal Packing" event in our Fellowship Hall. The goal of this project is to provide a “hands-on” activity that encourages missions and outreach in both individuals and the local church. The plan is to gather several churches and individuals to work on a project together and make a much greater impact. We partner with a local mission organization that provides food to places with great needs. Around 55 volunteers (over 20 from FCC) packed shelf stable, nutritious meals that are shipped to children and families who struggle with hunger and malnutrition.
I am happy to report that we were able to pack just over 20,000 meals for the Psalm 82:3 Mission (www.psalm823.org) that operates in Liberia, Africa. The director of the mission (Matt Lee) had a chance to be on hand. That was really special! It gave the project more meaning.
A big THANKS to Scatter Joy Ministries and Barbara Rendel for helping organize and pay for the food to be shipped. Mission Journeys graciously sponsored the lunch prior to the packing sessions. Lifeline Christian Mission assisted us in the packing process. It was a TEAM EFFORT!
We will be doing another event like this in the near future. Stay tuned!
Currently, I am preaching a sermon series looking at the "Seven Churches of Revelation." This coming Sunday (10.13.24), we'll talk about the church at Thyatira. This church had let too much of the world into the church.
We'd love to see you at FCC. Our Bible School begins at 9:30 am and our Worship starts at 10:30 am.
God Bless,
Greg H.
