Commerce First United Methodist Church Welcomes You to a Place to ...
Know, Grow, and Show God's Love!
This website is mobile responsive/friendly and can be easily viewed on your desktop computer, tablet/laptop computer, or smartphone.
" Reflecting the Nature of God"
“Generosity enlarges the soul, realigns priorities, connects people with the body of Christ, and strengthens congregations to fulfill Christ’s ministries. Giving reflects the nature of God. Growing in the grace of giving is a response Christian disciples offer to God’s call to make a difference in the world.” -- Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Robert Schnase
When I read these words I was startled and convicted all at once. Personally I think I am a pretty generous person. I love to find just the “right” gift for someone that is dear to me. I intentionally read cards in the stationary section of the store trying to find just the right humor or words to send to friends and family. But I have to admit that sometimes I can be tightfisted or slow to forgive if I feel someone is being deceptive or makes me angry.
As I began to think about “giving reflecting the nature of God” I began to think of the many ways God showed generosity throughout the Bible. In the garden God gave humanity dominion over creation and still did not abandon them when they disobeyed. God gave Abraham and Sarah the legacy of the Hebrew people when they were long past the age of bearing children. To the Israelites God sent a leader to bring them out of captivity and into the Promised Land. Throughout the Bible we see God forgiving and welcoming frail, failed humanity, always inviting them back into relationship.
Through Jesus Christ we see God inviting all humanity to be part of the family…not just some but all. “For God so loved the world.” Jesus, this amazing gift from God, spoke of living generous and open lives so that others could see God reflected in us. People who encountered Jesus became joyful and extravagant in how they loved, how they shared, and how they lived. In a world that promoted selfishness and greed, Jesus was counter-cultural…and still is today. Jesus reminds us to love our neighbors, do good to those who are harsh against us, take care of the needy, be people full of joy and life. Generosity is not about money…it’s about allowing our lives to reflect the nature of God.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Kathy
As I began to think about “giving reflecting the nature of God” I began to think of the many ways God showed generosity throughout the Bible. In the garden God gave humanity dominion over creation and still did not abandon them when they disobeyed. God gave Abraham and Sarah the legacy of the Hebrew people when they were long past the age of bearing children. To the Israelites God sent a leader to bring them out of captivity and into the Promised Land. Throughout the Bible we see God forgiving and welcoming frail, failed humanity, always inviting them back into relationship.
Through Jesus Christ we see God inviting all humanity to be part of the family…not just some but all. “For God so loved the world.” Jesus, this amazing gift from God, spoke of living generous and open lives so that others could see God reflected in us. People who encountered Jesus became joyful and extravagant in how they loved, how they shared, and how they lived. In a world that promoted selfishness and greed, Jesus was counter-cultural…and still is today. Jesus reminds us to love our neighbors, do good to those who are harsh against us, take care of the needy, be people full of joy and life. Generosity is not about money…it’s about allowing our lives to reflect the nature of God.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Kathy
Do you need help with the “afters”?
After the funeral, after the diagnosis, after the job loss, after the divorce, after the crisis.
Stephen Ministry: Christ caring for people through people.
Contact Pastor Kathy Lamon for more information.
After the funeral, after the diagnosis, after the job loss, after the divorce, after the crisis.
Stephen Ministry: Christ caring for people through people.
Contact Pastor Kathy Lamon for more information.
Watch our Sunday service live or recorded on LiveStream.com or one week delayed on Cable Channel 15 Sundays @ 11:00am and Wednesdays @ 1:30pm
Follow Us on Facebook and YouTube!
Facebook
|
YouTube
|