Why I Love My Church: A Note From My Pastor
Posted on 05.14.07 in Faith and there are 3 comments.
This week I plan to write a few posts about why I love my church. Again, I’m not writing this to say that my church is any better than any other church out there, but simply to be a positive voice of encouragement that there are a lot of great churches out there.
I thought I’d start out by posting a message that our pastor sent to all the small group leaders this week. I thought it summed up several of the reasons why I love my church: humility, faith and community.
I want to share one story to encourage you.
During the sermon I used an illustration by giving away a twenty dollar bill. In one of my pockets I had cash which I was going to give away to people and on the other side I had two twenty dollar bills, one for each service to use as an illustration.
In the first service I ended up giving away all the cash that I had in my left pocket, keeping the $20 for the next service. Toward the end of the ministry time I really had a heart for someone kneeling down, pouring their heart out to God and I thought “man, should I give away that $20? I don’t want to borrow $20 from someone for an illustration” but I said “Lord, my heart is just full to bless them” so I put the $20 in their hand and prayed over them and encouraged them.
Just 3 minutes later, as we wrapped up the service, a lady came up to me and she said “I know this might seem kind of strange but I was back there praying and God told me to come and give you the $20 to use for the illustration for the next service.” I thought “Man! Isn’t God incredible!!”
It wasn’t the dollar figure, it was the clarity with which she heard God and then God spoke to me. He intervened in this specific way to encourage His people.
I just want to encourage you today, that God knows where you live. That He knows what is going on with you. He knows the hairs on your head and surely He can take care of you. Our desire is to simply draw close, listen attentively and respond to Him with a whole heart. When we are living out of intimacy with Him we can trust Him to take care of all of our needs according to His riches in glory.
Foolishness for the sake of obedience. What my pastor did didn’t really make sense. What that lady did didn’t really make sense. But God wove to seemingly foolish acts together to bring glory to Himself and build faith in the hearts of His people.
It’s a simple story, but it’s a good example of the humility of not just our leadership, but the people as well; the faith in which they walk and the community that it builds.
Do you have any fun stories of God’s provision?
There are 3 comments.
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That is a really awesome story, I love hearing things like that.
When Brody and I were due with our first baby we only had a truck. The state we lived in did not allow baby seats in the front seat, so we knew we had to get another car, and needed a second car for Brody to get to work at the odd hours he worked. We really did not have any money, but just kept trying to find a way. Meanwhile some friends of ours were in Europe, oblivious to our situation, and both of them seperately felt they should get rid of their car to simplify, and wanted to give it away not sell it, and they both thought of us. Then they talked to each other, and when they returned showed up at our house with the car and the pink slip. Just a month before our son was born. We were amazed, and knew it was from God.
May 14, 07 at 11:08 pm
Awesome story.
Loved them both.
May 18, 07 at 02:24 pm
Kristin,
That’s awesome! I love stories like that…
Via the Feed
Kristin
May 14, 07 at 07:35 pm