| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Fully Alive” Our Bible verse for today: “Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over – will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 (CSB) Our thought for today: “You will get more than you gave.” Yesterday I told you about the service-oriented attitude that exists in our church and how it produces such love and joy and a sweet spirit of fellowship. The day before, I described that same dynamic at work on mission trips and among mission team members. When the focus is on Jesus and on others, the fruit of the Spirit overshadows and dominates (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). In such situations you discover that not only does your strong faith have a significant impact in your own life, but it makes a difference in the lives of others too. That’s one of the reasons our members are so enthusiastic about our church life – the practice of their faith is more than just words and rituals. Instead, it takes the form of deeds that make a difference. Even our children and teenagers get caught-up in the enthusiasm of it all. In the devotional two days ago, I said that international mission trips are often described as a mountaintop experience. That’s true of healthy church life too. We’re at our best when we’re serving others. Individually and as a church, we’re at our best when we’re serving others. Another comment we often hear, both from mission teams and from church members is “I got more than I gave.” That’s what Jesus was describing in Luke 6:38. In that parable He described a marketplace scene His listeners would have related to, and He was contrasting a “good measure” from a “bad measure”. A dishonest merchant would have inaccurate scales that would result in the customer receiving less than they paid for. That would be a bad measure. An honest merchant would not only have accurate scales but then, once he had poured in the full measure you paid for, he would pour in a little extra just for … good measure. And if what you paid for filled the sack, that gracious and honest merchant would pound the sack on the table, pressing it down in order to create room so he could pour in a little more, perhaps even to overflowing. That’s how God blesses us, especially once we have blessed others. You bless others and He will bless you. He will bless you over and above, abundantly and generously, pressed down, shaken together, running over, and poured into your lap. You cannot out-bless God. You will get more than you gave. God Bless, Pastor Jim |
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