by George | Mar 9, 2021 | Community News
Freewill Offering
“Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments.”
Exodus 35:21
Israel as a young nation was in the aftermath not a huge moral failure. While Moses had gone away to meet with God, they began worshipping a golden calf.
If not for God’s mercy, and Moses’ intercession, God would have wiped them out and started over with just Moses.
Being freshly forgiven, God renews the covenant with them.
Then, it was time to move forward. God wanted a Tabernacle to be built for worship. God had given Moses very specific instructions.
God wasn’t going to make it appear by saying “Let there be a Tabernacle!”
It would require work, and the contributions of the people.
Notice that the contributions are “freewill” not “mandatory.”
God was giving the people an opportunity to join in the building of a Tabernacle, a place that would serve as a reminder of God’s presence.
So, everyone “whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing…” brought their offerings.
This was going to be a collaborative effort. Each one brought what they had.
Look at this list from Exodus 35:22-28!
- Earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold
- Blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair, red skins of rams, and badger skins.
- Silver and bronze
- Acacia wood
5. “All the women who were gifted artisans spun yarn with their hands, and brought what they had spun, of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. And all the women whose hearts stirred with wisdom spun yarn of goats’ hair.”
6. “The rulers brought onyx stones, and the stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate, and spices and oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.”
Male or female, common person or leader, all of them who had “willing hearts” brought an offering.
Each one of us brings something to our job every day. We may have different roles and responsibilities, but when they are brought together, it makes for a beautiful finished product!
The “freewill” part of our job is the commitment to having a positive attitude and giving our very best to our teammates and those we serve.
by George | Mar 7, 2021 | Community News, Newsletter
March Community Church Ministry Newsletter
“March Madness”
According to Wikipedia, March madness is defined as: “The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, also known and branded as NCAA March Madness, is a single-elimination tournament played each spring in the United States…”
It’s must watch TV for die hard fans, and a thrilling, stressful time for the players and coaches.
While March madness is going on, Community Church Ministry will be doing 9 Easter egg hunts, (LORD willing!)
There is still time to choose your bracket, er, Easter egg hunt that you would like to be a part of. We need groups, and individuals, to help make these a success.
Even more importantly, we need your earnest prayers for no rain, for the ones who attend, and for the volunteers.
The schedule: (Again, LORD willing!)
Thursday March 18th @ 6:30- Dutch Gardens MHP.
Monday March 22 @ 6:30- Callier Forest Apts
Thursday March 25 @ 6:30- Pine Village MHP
Saturday March 27-
12 noon- Willingham Village
2 pm- Main High Apts
4pm- Graham Homes
Monday March 29 @ 6:30- Ashland Park Apts
Thursday April 1 @ 6:30- Darlington MHP
Saturday April 3 @ 12 noon- Deerfield Subdivision
Thanks in advance for your help, and may God richly bless you!
— Blessings! Pastor George Nix
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by George | Feb 25, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Speak LORD
“Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
I Samuel 3:10
Samuel was a young boy when his mother brought him to Eli. Hannah said: “For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.”
I Samuel 1:27-28
We don’t know how old Samuel was when he went to minister to the Lord. Some have said that he was probably somewhere between 3 and 7 years old.
“Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”
I Samuel 3:1
“The word of the LORD was rare in those days…”
(Sounds like today, doesn’t it?)
The setting for chapter 3 is at night, sometime before dawn. Priests were supposed to keep the light of the lamp burning until the morning light. (Exodus 27:21)
God calls out to Samuel, but he doesn’t know it’s God’s voice. He thinks it’s Eli calling him. So, Samuel goes to him. This happens 3 times before Eli realizes that it is God calling him.
So, Eli gives Samuel some wise counsel. “Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”
I Samuel 3:9
Author David Guzik says:
“Eli told Samuel to:
- Make himself available for God to speak (Go, lie down).
- Not be presumptuous about God speaking (if He calls you).
- Respond to the word of God (Speak, LORD).
- Humble himself before God and His word (Your servant hears). Speak, LORD: We must hear from God. ”
Too many times I rush in and out of prayer time without listening to the voice of God.
Oswald Chambers gives us a challenge:
“Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance… Every time circumstances press in on you, say, “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen.”
*** May we all pray with a humble heart and say sincerely “Speak LORD for your servant is listening.”
