"Where Is Your God Story?"

This past weekend our guest speaker, Dr. Herman Norman, shared with us that our faithful obedience to God results in a "God Story": that is, we will be able to share our testimony of the miracles God has done on our behalf.

Dr. Norman said, "You can  have both Heaven and heaven on earth with a God Story." He referenced Luke 18:28-30, in which Jesus assures his disciples that their sacrificial giving will be recognized and rewarded by God Himself.

"I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life." (Luke 18:30)

It's wonderful news! But, it is a promise reserved only for those who give all. As our guest speaker shared, the God Story cannot be told by those who stay in the boat. Like Peter, who obeyed Jesus's call to step out of the boat in spite of the raging winds (see Matthew 14:22-33), we must have ears open to hear and hearts willing to follow our Lord.

Do you have a God Story?

Lord God, some of us are like Peter: we can honestly say that we have left everything we had in order to follow You. Thank You for Your promise of abundant supply, a testimony to us and to the world that You care for Your servants. We are grateful for Your provision, sent on Your timetable, to the glory of Your name.

Circumstance And Evidence.

On this past Sunday, Dr. Norman shared part of his testimony concerning his response to God’s call to give. Our guest speaker said that when God asked him to give more to ministry efforts, his initial response was to look at his circumstances. The extreme indebtedness of his family, along with the looming costs of three children nearing college age, initially caused Dr. Norman to take a negative stance toward giving to God.

Are we in the same situation today?

Our God has called Bronx Bethany to prepare a building for the children and youth of our community. Our prayer is to raise at least another $250,000 (or, ideally, $450,000) by next Sunday. We are challenged, individually and corporately, to band together and give towards this goal.

Do you see it happening? Or do you see a thousand reasons why it can't or won't happen?

Dr. Norman reminded us that the apostle Paul did not browbeat any of the churches he visited. Instead, Paul had this stance toward giving: Friends, do what you can with what you have. That is our task. And that is what we do, regardless of our individual circumstances.

We can do this because, far above the realm of circumstances, we see life through the realm of faith. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)  Those of us who were in last weekend's English-language services heard testimonies, some in person and some on video, of men and women whose faith in God's power transcended their seemingly hopeless circumstances.

In the midst of indebtedness, the Spirit of God inspired Dr. Norman and his family to embrace the grace of giving. They eventually obeyed by faith and through action, and experienced the joy of doing what God led them to do. If our giving is, as our speaker said, a spiritual decision, then we can rest in God regardless of the circumstances we face.

Have faith. Trust God.

Lord God, I pray that You will encourage us to give.  You, great Giver of life and all good things, have called Your children to reflect Your character. We pray that You will transform and change us from obligated donors to joyful givers.

A Message: Two: You.

Over last weekend's English-language services Bronx Bethany had a guest speaker. Dr. Herman Norman returned to us to encourage us in the Lord as we continue our Lifestyle Stewardship Capital Campaign. Dr. Norman shared with us that there was a time where the apostle Paul visited churches and asked them to give, then visited again a year later for a "progress report." Our speaker, who returned after a two-year absence, quipped, "I'm a year late."

Can you remember the previous two years of our lives? Some members of our church have moved; some have obtained new or better employment; some have become unemployed. But whether our lives have changed drastically or stayed the same, we as a community of faith continue to embrace this call to give.

Dr. Norman brought to our remembrance one of the sayings of our campaign: "Not equal giving, but equal sacrifice." He also noted that the apostle Paul was very frank in stating that his "giving" churches were in fact extremely poor, yet they gave joyfully to the work of the Lord.

Today, the Lord brings us to His side and asks us to confess where we stand concerning giving to His work. Yes, He already knows the answer. But He has given us confession as a means of spiritual discipline. We have the privilege of being open and transparent in the presence of our Lord who loves us. Will you take time to talk with Him today about your attitude toward giving to Him?

Lord God, give us the grace we need to give to You with authentic joy and gratitude.

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. (Second Corinthians 8:1-2)