“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes, Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first-fruits of all your increase; So, your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3: 5-10 NKJV
As we live our life as a Christian we trust in the Lord, as our trust grows our faith in the Lord grows. The command to acknowledge Him means to observe Him and get to know Him in the process of living our life. The first-fruits of all your increase means that out of the blessings we receive we should readily give. This is one of the aspects of stewardship this verse points to what is the proper response of God’s gifts to us. God owns everything including all that we have. What impact should this have on us. How we use our time, talent and treasure?
“Thine, 0 Lord is the greatness and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, 0 Lord, and You are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you and you reign over all. In your hand is power and might; and in Your hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29: 11-14 NKJV
“The steward needs an open hand to receive from God and then an active hand to give to God and to others.” Murray J Harris
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So, let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever. Now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 9: 6-10 NKVJ
Thank You for your contributions which you give to St. James Lutheran Church. Please continue to pray for our Church, all members and our world. Spread the word of God. Invite a friend to church. May God Bless You.
Jerry Land
Stewardship Corner
The meaning of stewardship is not only being good stewards of our time, talents and treasure but also the word testimony which means the transforming of living with God in our lives. During the Christmas season so much time is spent with preparing for the holiday it is easy to sometimes lose the true meaning of the most wonderful time of the year and one of the most Holy days in the history of our world. Testimony is that we renew and celebrate the miracle of the birth of Jesus as Christians the Christmas story never grows old.
“And so it was that, while they were-there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2: 6-7 NKJV
Be ready when God sends forth someone going through a troubled time, in despair looking for someone to talk with. Take time for testimony, share the story of Christmas using faith and with the Spirit in your heart. Not only the celebration and miracle of the birth of Jesus but also of God the father.
“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His will. That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom you also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, you were sealed with that holy spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1: 11-13 NKJV) Paul told the Ephesians that God sealed them with the Holy Spirit when they believed.
God wants us to share the good news to everyone who will listen so share your testimony, you may change their life with new faith in God. Open the door with an invitation to visit a church service and with reading the Bible to grow in faith with God.
“According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” Ephesians 3: 11-12 NKJV
Let us together sing songs of the Christmas season with bold faith, joy and adoration of the birth of Jesus enjoying this wonderful season of Christmas and time in our life.
Thank You for all the contributions which you give to St. James Lutheran Church. Your contributions make your church stay strong financially. Thank You for all your help with the Thanksgiving community dinner a success. Please continue to pray for all members of St. James Lutheran Church, our community, those in need and our world.
May God bless you, your family and friends throughout the Christmas season.
Jerry Land
stjamesllano.org 