What is 25:40 Sunday?

When there are 5 Sundays in a month, we call the 5th Sunday “25:40 Sunday”. In the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 25 and Verse 40), Jesus told his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me”. (This was in response to their question, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?”)

On the 5th Sunday, we choose to worship the LORD out in our community by being the hands and feet of Jesus. We show the love of God to our neighbors by ministering to their physical needs. If you’d like to join us, we’d love to have you!

This past Sunday (July 31) was our very first 25:40 Sunday.

WOW! What a huge success!!! But that’s not how it looked when the day started. As I was preparing for the day, I wasn’t sure how things would work out. When I got up (very early) on Sunday, the weather looked terrible. We had planned work that would require us to be outside all morning. We had planned to hold a short worship service at the beginning of the morning (also outside). We had planned to work at two locations–Maggie Ross’ home and the Purdy home. The work at the Purdy home couldn’t be done because of the weather. Most of the work at Maggie’s was lawn work. Also not good when the grass is wet.

The work we hoped to accomplish at Maggie’s was:

• Cut back the willows from the entrance to her driveway
• Level and seal her house (The foundation of the addition to her home had rotted and collapsed causing the addition to separate from the rest of the house. Last winter, it snowed in her pantry!)
• Cut down dead trees and split the logs into usable firewood.
• Rotate and stack her firewood

When I arrived, I and a few others immediately began setting up shelters to give the folks a chance to get out of the rain for breaks. Maggie had a 12′x15′ tarp that we were able to string over her “grotto”. I also borrowed my wife’s 10′x10′ EasyUp canopy. We got the tarp and canopy up and were ready as the first folks arrived. Whew!

Around 10:15am we started the worship service. I had planned to sing, to pray, and then to have a short devotional. Because of my anxiety over the weather and all the work that needed to be done, I panicked and gave up on the singing and praying. I quickly led the folks through the devotional (based on Mark 6:35-44 and Matthew 25:31-40). I really wish I hadn’t panicked. We should have spent time focused on our LORD and what He means to us. Next time, we will spend time in true worship and prayer.

As I said, the day was a complete success. We had 33 people participate. (Our average attendance on a Sunday is 40.) That’s excellent considering we have never tried this before and I wasn’t sure how the people would respond. We even had two people come earlier in the week to work because they couldn’t be there on Sunday! And, the feedback I have received has been excellent. I’ve only had one person object to holding the event on Sunday. Everyone else has said they loved it and want to continue doing this in the future. We even had volunteers from the community come and help out.

Our next 25:40 Sunday will be Oct 30, 2011. Please be in prayer that God would show us where He wants us to minister in our community next. And, may He receive all the glory!

Here are a few pictures of our first 25:40 Sunday:

As a father, have there been times when I wanted to bless my child, but withheld the blessing because I didn’t feel my child was giving me all the love she could? If my child dishonored me, did I ever withhold blessings from her? What are blessings anyway? Sure. I have withheld material gifts from my child because she was acting inappropriately. But, are material things truly blessings? When I read the scriptures, I read of fathers placing their hands on the heads of their children and blessing them. In those cases, material goods weren’t being bestowed. No, in those situations the father was imparting to the child a blessing (or curse) using words of affirmation.

Also, in the cases where I withheld material “blessings” from my child because her behavior didn’t meet with my approval wasn’t that more of a disciplinary measure? Almost a bribery kind of thing (I.e. “If you clean your room by 5:00pm, I will let you go and hang out with your friends.”)? Is that how God relates to us? Really?

I think the blessings we receive from God are nothing more than acts of unconditional love from Him. At times, He may choose to “bless” us with material stuff or spiritual gifts or good health or (you fill in the blank), but those “blessings” usually are given because He has a purpose for them being in our lives not because we’ve been a good kid. In other words, He wants us to do something for the kingdom so He equips us for the task. But, I don’t think that’s what a blessing is. I think a true blessing from God is given out of His heart of love for us. It is not something we earn through giving Him our best.

So, how do I get a blessing? Simply by being in right relationship with God. I can’t do anything to earn a blessing. I can’t force Him to bless me by giving Him something. That’s bribery. All I can do is remain in relationship with Him. It will be His decision if I am to receive His blessing.

But, isn’t being in a right relationship with God blessing enough? Anything else is just icing on the cake.

At first glance, I saw this as a negative statement. I read it as a statement which spoke of God hindering His servant from growth. But as I have reflected further, I see a very positive concept. As the pastor grows, God will cause growth to take place in the assignment. This is a very interesting thought. It makes me think of two verses of Scripture: Matthew 25:29 & Luke 12:48.

Matthew 25:29 reads, “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” In this passage Jesus teaches that the servant who is found to be faithful will be entrusted with even more responsibility. Further, He gives a warning that His servants need to be faithful stewards over that which He has entrusted to them. Because if the servant isn’t a faithful steward, there is a danger that the ministry he has been given will be taken from him.

In the Luke passage, the second half of the verse states, “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” I see that as saying I need to give 150% in my ministry to Two Rivers. In so doing, I will be proven to be a faithful steward who can be trusted. But, even more than that, by my faithful 150% work I can expect God to grow the ministry here.

Father God, help me today, and tomorrow, and next week to prove myself a faithful steward. Show me the areas that need improvement and give me ideas on how to make those improvements. Amen!

Wow, this passage has truly gripped my soul this morning. Verse 11 especially speaks to me. “Teach me Your way…”  What is God’s way for me to live by His truth? I believe it must be connected to the idea in the last sentence in verse 11–”Give me an undivided mind to fear your name.”

I have served the Lord for over 35 years. (That’s more than 1/2 of my life.)  Do I not already know God’s way to walk in truth? Let me recount the way I already know:

(1) The greatest commandment is to love God with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength.

(2) I cannot come to God except through the blood of Christ.

(3) I cannot serve two masters. Either I will hate one and love the other or I will do the reverse.  I cannot love both at the same time; it is not acceptable to God.  He will not share His place in my life with anyone or anything else.

(4) God has declared that I am His child.

(5) God has gifted me with His  ever-dweIling Holy Spirit.

(6) God’s Holy Spirit will guide me into all truth.

(7) God’s Holy Spirit has sanctified me wholly.

Verses 12&13 say exactly what my heart is feeling–I will love and serve the Lord  forever!  The chief reason for this is in response to what He’s done for me. He has faithfully loved me. And He has  rescued my soul from spending an eternity in death!!!  I join the psalmist in what he felt, ”give me an undivided heart” that I may fear and serve the Lord. 

This idea of an undivided heart is not the result of an action on my part. An undivided heart can only result from God’s work. Only God’s Holy Spirit sanctifies. And that is exactly what  I’ve been talking about. An undivided heart- one that is totally set on the things of God- is the result of entire sanctification. Now, the question must be asked, “am I living the truth that I know?”  What evidence can I point to that shows I am  living out God’s truth?

Father, as I go about today’s activities please show me the evidence that proves that I am living in the Truth. If there is any part of my life that doesn’t measure up to Your standards please show me. Stop me in my tracks and make me painfully aware of the truth.  And then, help me to lean on You as I make the changes to bring my life back in line with Your truth.

God knew best what I needed to get the job done.  What appeared to me to be an obstacle in the path was actually my Heavenly Father’s means of providing a blessing while I worked.  If I had chosen to not work on the planter box, I never would have realized how He was reaching out to me in love.  Thanks, Dad!!!!

Oh, what fools we mortals be.

Soli Gloria Deo!!!!

I have been trying to find the time to finish a project that was started last summer by the Work & Witness team.  What is the project?  I’m glad you asked.  I’m installing a planter box/retaining wall in front of the parsonage.  Last year the W&W team installed the retaining wall.   I am now trying to finish the planter box.  I spent many back-breaking hours yesterday digging the trench to install the concrete blocks that make up the wall.  (The blocks are the diamond-shaped kind that lock together at the back.)  I finished the trench last night and planned to lay the pea gravel and the blocks today.  Then, finally, I would be able to prepare the soil in the planter and, by the end of the summer, fill the planter with low-maintenance plants that are natural to the Interior of Alaska.  (It’s called xero-scaping.  It’s a type of gardening that provides beauty without a lot of maintenance/watering.)

I awoke this morning feeling a little stiff, but motivated to get the planter box completed.  I looked out the window to find that it is raining.  So, now the question arises.  Do I continue with my plans and just work in the rain?  (Actually, it’s a miserable drizzle.)  Or, do I put the work off to another day and choose another project (there are many) that can be done indoors on a rainy day.

Quite honestly, my body is sore and tired.  It welcomes the idea of not going back outside and working on the planter box.  But, that is the easy route.  What’s a little rain?  How will it harm me to work in the rain?  It will make things a little more uncomfortable, but it won’t stop me from accomplishing me planned activity.

As I sit here trying to make my decision, a thought rises–what does this situation have to say about my walk with Christ?  As I am trying to live out my daily life and some rain (minor obstacle) appears on the scene.  What should my response be?  Should I just press on in the direction I was headed?  Should I change my direction?  Should I stop and wait until I see the obstacle removed?

The obvious answer is that I should pray and ask the Lord what His plan/purpose is.  Does He still want me to continue in the path I have been on?  Is the obstacle that has appeared in my path a message from Him to make a change?  Is the obstacle in my path a hindrance placed there by the enemy of my soul?  It would be fool-hardy of me to just press on through/around the obstacle without first seeking the Lord’s guidance.  But, it would be just as fool-hardy to abandon my plans.  Just because an obstacle has appeared before me, it doesn’t mean I have to stop everything I am doing and totally rework my plan.  But, sitting, waiting, and doing nothing while I wait for the obstacle to be removed is just as fool-hardy.  That would be another way the enemy could stop me from accomplishing that which the Father has asked me to do.

So, what should my response be?  What should I do the next time an obstacle appears in my path when I am trying to live out my faith?  I should take time to reflect and seek the Lord’s guidance.  Once I am convinced of His will and purpose, I should press on in the direction He chooses even if it means living with the obstacle for a while.

And, what will I do about the planter box?  Well, as much as my body would rather I do otherwise, I am going out there and getting the job done.  The rain won’t hurt me.  As a matter of fact, it might be nice to not be “hot and sweaty” while I work.

Soli Gloria Deo!

God is reminding me that I serve a God who doesn’t sleep.  Day or night–24/7–365–He is ever present and ever-watching over me.  He has the power to make the sun shine in the middle of the night.  He has the power to cause a rainbow to shine in exactly the right location and at the right time to remind me of His ever watchful care.

Do you know what the rainbow symbolizes?  Check out Genesis 9:8-17.  In this section of Scripture, God established a covenant between Himself and all flesh (man and animals) that even though He has the power of destruction by means of water, He will not use it again.  God will always keep the waters of the earth in check and never again allow a worldwide flood.

He set the rainbow as a reminder that He has ultimate power over us and that He is a God of His word.  When He makes a promise to us, we can take it to the bank!  Are my problems any less significant than they were a few minutes ago?  No.  But, I am reminded that my problems are nothing when compared to the greatness of the God I serve.  He who can hold back the Flood has the power to take care of little ole me.

Thanks, God, for reminding me of Your faithful love and concern for me.  I think I’ll go back to bed now.  (I think I’ll probably dream sweet dreams, too.)

Soli Gloria Deo!

I am not surprised.  God has been showing me, lately, that He is a God who I can trust.  When He declares something–it happens.  He is proving to me that I can pray about something–ANYTHING–and He will answer.  What a cool thing!

The enemy of our souls tried to get my day started with the song “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”, but the Light of the World shone through that smoke and revealed His truth.  Now I’m singing, but this is the song in my heart:

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.  I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.  On Christ the Solid Rock I stand.  All other ground is sinking sand.  All other ground is sinking sand.

Soli Gloria Deo!!!!

This Sunday, May 30, immediately following the morning service we will have a light lunch to celebrate both Memorial Day and Pastor Bob’s Birthday.  We will provide a 6ft sub sandwich, birthday cake (carrot his favorite) and homemade ice cream.  If you would like to bring something to add to the lunch you are welcome to bring whatever you’d like.

Somehow, I don’t think that’s what it means to be spiritually gifted! If you would like to know more about your spiritual gifts click on the comic then scroll down and click on the “Spiritual Gifts” logo.