MISSIONS- THE HEART BEAT OF THE CHURCH

Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. –Spurgeon

 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 15:16

            When I visit other churches I often find myself looking at the Missionaries they support. Some have pictures of their Missionaries along the walls, some have Missionary displays, and I went to one church that had a digital photo frame with pictures of the Missionaries it supported scrolling on the screen. I thought, “WOW, what a way to honor those that give so much!”

            Today, we start our 2019 Faith Promise Mission’s Conference at Calvary. Our goal this week is to challenge our people with this thought, “How am I winning souls for Jesus Christ?” What and how am I being effective in seeing someone come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? Some people can’t get around too well so they pray for those that can, some knock on doors, some surrender to the Missionary Call from the Lord, some give to Missions, and some do it all! One thing is for sure, if you’re saved you will be doing something in the area of Missions! The greatest thing we can do is tell someone about Jesus and what He has done for you!

GIVE IT UP!

It is always right, to give right!

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. Luke 20:25

Yes, it’s that time again—tax time! The time of the year when we all go through our boxes to find as many receipts as we can so we can swindle out of paying our “fair share”. (We rob the state and feds every year and we have no problem doing it. Our motto is, “They have enough money!” But yet we sit back and complain about the rich folk who do the very same thing—hypocrites! I think they have enough money as well but what the feds and locals don’t know how to do is spend it wisely! Anyway I digress….)

Friend, Jesus said it was right to render unto Caesar the taxes owed. It is right to provide for our safety (Police, Firemen, Military), our well being (Good Roads, Affordable Energy, Clean Water if needed.), and many other things the government provides. But the government is bloated. It is truly filled with many fat politicians that have forgotten what it means to EARN a dollar! But that doesn’t mean we rob cheat and swindle every nickel we can out of them. No we render unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s and God is honored!

The last part of that verse says, “and unto God the things which be God’s.” Give your tithe! As I recently heard in a message from a missionary friend, “He’s going to get it anyway!” It may be with some new tires, a washing machine, or a new engine for a car with only 75,000 miles on it but He will get it out of you one way or another. I am reminded today that God loves a cheerful giver. I don’t know about you but I cannot remember the last time I was changing a flat, swapping out a washer, or headed to the ER singing, “Count your blessings name them one by one.” Naw, we too stinking mad to sing a song such as that! But you let everything be going smooth! Bills have been paid and you have money in the bank. Boy, you’ll strike up the tunes and be singing the Hallelujah Chorus!

Child of God, I do believe scripture says, “The Lord loveth a cheerful giver”—So give it up- Cheerfully! Amen!