Why Do We Give ?
Moral Concerns Call to Action
When Jesus called His disciples , when He commissioned them , when Jesus spoke to the crowds that followed Him , He used action words to designate the behaviors He was commanding the disciples , followers , those wishing healing , etc . to do . When our pastors and elders in the I . P . C . Messenger articles write their directions on how we should act , study , or respond , the parts that I appreciate the most are the actions that a person can take to make a difference in his or her own life and the lives of others to glorify our Lord and Savior . So it is with the way God gives us directions on how to respond to His calling . So when God calls you to protect the unborn , the response needs to be a behavioral as well as mental and spiritual change . What will I do , personally , to accomplish this task that the Lord has laid on my heart ?
This is how I came to the Right to Life movement in Savannah and became a sidewalk counselor at the abortion clinic here . The successes of babies saved , moms and dads coming to Christ , and people experiencing the love of God for the first time are truly awe-inspiring . Coming face to face with the works and power of the devil are eye-opening and real in a way I never experienced before . The example you set to your Christian friends , family , children , even strangers makes a difference . He can and does use imperfect sinful Christians like myself to accomplish His goals on a daily basis . God will use you too !
So let ’ s say God has laid a burden on your heart for the unborn and their families . What can you do ?
1 ) Pray about it . Ask for clarity on what you should do , how you should do it , and then pray for the strength and clarity to implement His direction for your life .
2 ) Talk with you Christian friends / family about it . Here at I . P . C . we have so many valuable resources both professional ( pastors , elders , deacons ) and personal ( friends , Sunday school peers , and mentors ) all provided by a loving God . Use them ! Talk with someone who does it already . Seek out people who are doing the work now and find out what it takes .
3 ) DO IT . That ’ s right , the time has come to initiate the new actions or behaviors that you have chosen and know are right . If it takes some training , find it . If it takes some additional resource , get it . Put on the full armor of God because Satan will come after you in new tangible ways when you are following God ’ s lead , especially when you start .
Volunteer opportunities are abundant in Savannah with the Right to Life movement :
- Sidewalk Counselors for Life Savannah - Savannah Care Center - THRIVE express - The Living Vine - Rincon Care Center - 40-days for Life - I . P . C . bus trip to Washington D . C . - MCC committee at I . P . C .
Please talk with any members of the I . P . C . Moral Concerns Committee with any questions or clarification that you may need to accomplish God ’ s will for your life in the Right to Life movement .
Submitted by Forrest Williams Moral Concerns Committee
Why Do We Give ?
Once a year during stewardship season , the officers of the church take the opportunity to focus attention on ‘ tithes and offerings .’ I would like to do this by posing the question — Why do we give ? Our God is self-sufficient , meaning that He is not dependent upon us for anything , including our money . So why are we called upon to give ? I think there are several reasons .
First , in order to make a determination on how much to give , we are forced to take a look at how much we have . This is a time of reflection on God ’ s goodness to us , to count our blessings , and to recognize that the heavens and the earth belong to God , and all that is contained in them . ( Psalm 89:11 )
Second , it is an opportunity that God gives us to show our love for Him through our obedience . God demands our love and obedience . As a loving Father , He provides the means and the method by which we reveal our love and our gratitude . ( Deut . 16:17 )
Third , God loves us and wants to bless us for our obedience . Our obedience in the area of giving “ releases God ” to pour out tremendous blessings on us . ( Malachi 3:10 )
Fourth , giving serves as an exercise of our faith that He will provide for all of our needs . As we faithfully give , we confirm our trust in God ’ s promise to provide for our every need . ( Luke 12:27-28 )
As we approach the stewardship season , please give prayerful consideration to what God has called you to give and that He would enable us to give with cheerful and grateful hearts . …“ For God loves a cheerful giver .” ( 2 Cor 9:7 )
— Andy Brodmann Stewardship Committee
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