need

Sharing with a friend last night I reminded him something we all know but fail to rest in way too often. After hearing his circumstances I remembered what I tell me from time to time and reminded him this simple truth… “God is your source”.
We tend to lean on what we do, what we know and get secure on our ability to be “self sufficient “. The difficult part of self sufficiency is the word “self”. It maybe just me but too many times our friend “self “ tends to shine like a rock star then in one moment it shows up non- sufficient.
God reminded us through this passage on Isaiah
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD. Isaiah 31:1
When we are making the cash and rolling at work and home we get this independent feeling and false sense of security that WE have done all this! Here lies the foundation for two ugly emotions to roll. One is pride. We get this haughtiness and sense of accomplishment. The other ugly emotion is the bookend of this play. After you have placed confidence in your self sufficiency and hit the inevitable wall of lack, fear comes in and puts demands on your “self” that in the end our “self” is found wanting!
Don’t get me wrong, God places gifts in our lives to have success in life and if we are smart, we use our talents and time to honor him and live in fruitfulness. But we are thinking best when we know there is only one who is all sufficient. This thinking gives us two better bookends of emotion. One is humility, always thanking God for fruitfulness and the other is trust, giving us an anchor in times of need.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

An Appeal!

When I was in a classical ministry setting I had many opportunities to see the local church give extensions of grace to many who were in need. Having served with Buren Goss and Eagles Way Church I often saw families helped at various levels whether food or shelter, the membership was always responsive and trusting that the needs were legit and “made a difference” in peoples lives.

In the spirit of that context I am asking for a microcosm effort of assistance for a gentleman who I have become friends with who works with me daily. He like many of us at times has hit some difficult circumstances. He is un-churched and has had little awareness of what Christ and His Church can do in our daily living.

He is in need of traveling to Boston to see his father who is failing physically. Shari and I have assisted in travel but he is depleted for cash. I want to be able to say to him …. “here is some money from a group of believers and they wanted to bless you”.

The amount really is secondary…. This small expression is power of this opportunity. You can send via my website “donate button” if you like (the quickest), but that will require you to be a member of PAYPAL. Or, I will be at EWC weds. night with Shari on a very brief visit and you may hand a small gift for JG and it will get in his hands when I return to Fort Walton Beach.

Please, if you’re unable, no problem…I know we all face challenges as our economy struggles, but if a few dollars are available I am sure they will look tens time greater because of the need.

Peace!