21 July 2010

Day 2 of our annual revival is over and I only have one question... Were you there? If not, YOU missed another power-packed night of praise, worship, and dynamic speaking. The lesson of the night, "GOD's Bailout Plan", taken from I Kings 17:8-16. This story deals with Elijah and the widow woman who trusted in God, obeyed his commandment, and in turn was granted a BAILOUT from God. What was that Bailout you asked? God sustained her and her son by ensuriing that she and her son ate everyday since they obeyed the word of God brought to her through Elijah.   So, what does this story have to do with us? Well, Pastor Lewis pointed out these three points.

When we are going through out tough times and we feel like we need to start short changing the kingdom, we must remember these things:

1. Economic conditions may change BUT out requirements to give to God have not.
2. Economic conditions may change BUT out our trust and faith in God does not.
3. Economic conditions may change BUT God's provision will not.

Pastor Lewis explained that our economic situations does not change the very principles of God. God never told us to bring our tithe and offering into the storehouse ONLY if you have it and you're confortable. God expects us to be obedient to his words in the good times and in the tough times. We do this through faith, not allowing it weaken in our trials.  We are told to bring tithe and offering into the store house so that there is MEAT is thine house. His house is the church and your tithe is used to work for his kingdom. This is so that MINISTRY can take place. We are charged to spread God's word and bring the lost to him. Are we doing that? Are we concerned with our very mission in life or are we more concerned about what we thing people are doing with the money?  How can the kingdom grow unless we sustain our very resource for ministry.

God doesn't put us in situations and allow us to fail. We will sustain you while you are going through, but we must have faith and believe that he will and then OPERATE in that faith. We can speak faith, but can we live like we have faith? We must walk in that confidence, with our heads lifted, knowing that our God has our back and he will get us through ALL of our situations.

Last night's lesson was a very IN YOUR FACE type of lesson, as most are, because it touched and hit everyone in the house. We all have these situations and we all contemplate short changing God because of our situation. We make excuses for not coming to church, we make excuses for not tithing, and the truth is, we are, at that point, operating in fear. God doesn't give us the spirit of fear, that's of the devil. He plants that false evidence that appears real and we must resist him at all cost and stick to the principles of God for our blessing.

Now, Wednesday, tonight, is the last night of revival. Don't let excuses keep you away tonight. This is your LAST NIGHT this week to hear the word that will rejuvenate you, and help you to be a better individual, a better Christian, a better person, and productive member, a happier individual. SEE YOU TONIGHT. 7:00pm.