After I did my journaling this morning, I went to Family Dollar and bought some large manila mailing envelopes. Then I got my ICL lesson ready to put into the mail tomorrow. After that, I did a load of laundry at the laundromat across the street. We have no basement laundry in our building. The rest of the day was spent on the Internet and trying to complete New York Times crossword puzzles. I have a large book of 500 and I have gone to 136, but only completed one. I was amazed that I finished it. And it is number 13.
At 7:00 PM, I went to Labor of Love for the Bible study. Pastor began by saying he has a vision to buy the house next to the church told us how much it would cost to purchase and renovate. He says the money will come as we evangelize the neighbors, bring them into the church and teach them to tithe and give offerings to the Lord’s work. We do not coerce people into giving people more than their tithe, we do not have fund raising projects or sell items. The church is supported by, as the slogan they recite each week says, "tithes and offerings, fasting and prayer." The Bible passage pastor spoke on tonight was Matthew 10:1-16 where Jesus sent his disciples out into the towns to spread the Good News. He made 5 points about the verses.
1. You’re going. Jesus gave them instructions for what they were to do "as" they were going. He did not give them an option and pastor said that he will do all he can to get us to "go".
2. We must meet people’s needs. If a person has a physical need, that must be met first before they will be receptive to Gospel and if we meet their need, they will be eager to listen to what we have to say to them.
3. God will meet our needs. Jesus told the disciples not to take extra provisions but to rely on the hospitality of people in the towns where they came to preach.
4. The results are not ours. He told them that anyone who would not receive them was to be left. Our responsibility is to get the message of salvation to the people. Their response is between them and God.
5. There may be danger. They were being sent out as sheep among wolves. That is why on Monday, when we do our neighborhood walk, we go in a group. Pastor is upset that the group has been small and wants more of the church to get involved.
I stayed for choir practice too, even though I do not know the songs they are singing now. Next week the director said she will begin teaching new songs, so I will be able to learn them and then I can be a choir member.
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE! 