DO YOU EVER GET TIRED? DO YOU EVER GET HUNGRY? Why on earth would we ask THESE questions? Of course, we ALL get tired at times … and we ALL get hungry probably more often than we care to admit! At the height of intense, fatiguing work – the thought of being able to finally fall into our comfortable bed at night becomes ever more sweet; and just walk down the street past a restaurant or a bakery, and the tantalizing aromas wafting in the air make our tummies growl and our mouths water!!! We can be SO tired … and SO hungry ~ and these are natural feelings. After all, God made our bodies to require rest and food ! We probably should listen to their basic needs more than we do – and give them adequate rest and proper foods! Just this morning, on my day off (that’s never really a day off!), my sweet husband encouraged me to stay in bed for a bit of extra sleep after he left the house. I resisted, and he insisted! The lingering thought of some rare, unexpected moments in my bed convinced me to agree with his idea … and I laid back on my pillow! When I awakened some ninety minutes later, my first thought was what a precious gift my husband had given me – and how much my body had needed that solid rest on a chilly, rainy, overcast morning! Before I jumped into my day’s long list of work, I opened my Bible because I love to hear what God has to say to me from His Word. Reading in the book of Amos, I saw what a hard stance God took against His nation, Israel, when they went off in other directions and no longer pursued Him. Talking to them, He said, “You know, don’t you, that I’m the One who emptied your pantries and cleaned out your cupboards, Who left you hungry and standing in bread lines? But you never got hungry for me. You continued to ignore me. God’s Decree.” Then He goes on to tell them that He’s the One who stopped the rains, and that though the people would stagger from village to village, crazed for water, their thirst never being quenched, He says, “but you never got thirsty for Me. You ignored Me. God’s Decree.” (chapter 4:6-8, The Message Bible) I couldn’t help but pray, “O Lord, help me to always be hungry for You … to be thirsty for You! Help me to not ignore You, but to listen and follow and pursue you without fail! Help me to want more and more and more of You so that I will always have “all I need and more” to spill out onto others the very fragrance and essence of Christ! I’m reminded of a song we used to sing that should be our song still today: “Of things I’ve had my fill, for You I hunger still; Lord, fill me up; Lord, hear my cry, for more of You!” Part of the Beatitudes in Matthew even allude to this in Matthew 5:6 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.” That’s a promise with a blessing … IF we hunger and thirst after God-priorities! When things in life get out of alignment, often it’s because we are tired and badly in need of physical rest. In answer to the opening question of these “ponderings”, let’s turn to Matthew, chapter 11, where Jesus is asking some questions of His own: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Did you catch the pattern He is setting out for us? Come … get away … rest … walk … work … watch … learn … keep company … live! Add two words to each of these single words … come WITH ME …rest WITH ME … walk WITH ME … live WITH ME, etc., etc. When we actively choose to do these things daily ~ we WILL find the rest and nourishment that we need! Let’s take a lesson from the nation of Israel and not ignore God … but pursue Him! Every day!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
WE WANT TO WELCOME Liz and Aleana and Caida who blessed us with their presence this past Sunday as we worshipped together, and also to Don, who joined us for Sunday School! What an encouragement you were to us, and our heart’s desire is that each of you were blessed and touched by God’s Spirit!
LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES to our granddaughter, Lindsay, in East Grand Forks, who will be 9 on October 3rd! We love you, Lindsay!
GOD IS AT WORK! We continue to marvel at God’s work in our midst as He is changing lives and meeting needs and drawing us closer to Him! He is so deserving of ALL the praise!
LOOKING AHEAD . . .
THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4th:
10:00 a.m. – WORSHIP & PRAISE – come just as you are - and leave, knowing you’ve been with Jesus!
11:15 a.m. – SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES – exciting lessons for all ages!
This Sunday we will celebrate Communion; remembering God’s extreme love gift to us, His very own Son, that we might live with Him forever! It’s also a time to ponder our sins and ask for forgiveness and cleansing, that we might live forgiven and free! Come and drink in from God’s Word as Pastor Doug preaches an anointed message, partake of Communion, and stay for Sunday School for another session of learning and sharing!
12:00 noon – KIDZ BLAST with Pastor Doug and Debbie for Sunday School kids that are pre-junior high age. We will be having lunch at McDonald’s – having a blast at the Serengetti Water Park – and coming back to Pastor’s and Debbie’s home for fun treats! The cost is $10, but if you need help with the expenses, let us know! We want every kid to be able to be a part of this event!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6th – 6:30-8:00 p.m. - JR/SR HI YOUTH: RE: FUEL … ready for a spiritual boost after school? We’ve been taking advantage of nice weather for outdoor activities, and now as the weather is cooling, we will be spending more time on our devotionals and lessons – and of course, ALWAYS enjoying the snack time!!! Join us at Pastor’s and Debbie’s home for a great time!
NEXT SUNDAY: OCTOBER 11th: Invite some friends for worship and Sunday School! The youth will be kicking off a fundraiser for youth group funds, so your support and encouragement is really appreciated!
JUST A FEW WEEKS AWAY! WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE in St. Paul at the Xcel Energy Center is coming up on October 16-17 … “A GRAND NEW DAY!” For full details, check the link on our church blog! It promises to be an uplifting, life-changing event for all who attend! Be in prayer for the speakers and musicians!
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
What a great, prayer-answering God we serve! He LOVES hearing our heart’s cries, and He loves doing what He does best: giving us His guidance and peace and answers, according to His will and for His glory! For those going through the tough times, the struggles are real, whether it is physical, emotional, financial, or spiritual. Let’s remember to pray for each other’s needs as we lean on God for provision and intervention and victory in all these matters! May God use us to minister to family and friends and others in our community – and around our nation and world, wherever He gives us open doors!
THIS WEEK – Remember, “We can put our minds at ease because God’s mind is on us!” ~ Unknown
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
