5/6/2018

Exodus 25:1-2 (KJV)
¹  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
²  Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.

Giving from a generous heart, this is something that God talks about in both the Old and New Testament. However, how many of us are truly generous with a willing heart. Do you give to God because it is expected of you?

I remember a conversation I had with a man about forty years ago. He said that the church that he had attended in his younger years wanted everyone to pledge to give to that church and then when they did not get that amount from him or her, they reminded them. Because of this, he had quit going to church. God in his word states he wants people to give because they want to, not because it was required.

We are to give willingly, generously and abundantly. When we give, we are to give from that which God has given to us. He gives us talents, skills, finances and time.

We, the IFGEA, are blessed with members that have talents, skills, finances and time. Here at the Campground we see how blessed we are by all the generous givers throughout our association. We are blessed with people who are willing to pray for our leaders. We are blessed with people who have skills, tools and time to come work on our campground and the new sanctuary. Then for things that we are not able to do God has blessed us with people that have funds to give that cover the cost of that need.

To me one of the most important ways the IFGEA has been in the past and still is being blessed today is by all the prayers that our members have prayed for us, here at the campground. Thank you for your prayers.

During this week, please take the time to think about how God has blessed you and ask yourself are you giving back to God with a willing heart in the way that he as blessed you? On the other hand, do you feel that you are obligated to give?

Dear Lord, my prayer today is that your people, the people called by your name, offer you praise and thanks with a willing heart. Bless those that give to you with a willing heart. Amen.

C.I. Wilson

4/29/2018

Revelation 5:12-14 (KJV)
¹²  Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. ¹³  And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. ¹⁴  And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” Do you think the Lamb (Jesus) is worthy to be honored, blessed and praised?

We should offer praise, glory, and honor to Jesus every day that we live. We should not let one day go by without praising him. We, God’s created beings, we were created in his image so that he could communicate with us, to have fellowship with us and for us to know him. When we pray to God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost, we should always add our thanks and our praise for what we have received from on high.

We should be practicing here on earth, giving honor, glory, and blessings; because when we get to heaven, we will be doing so there.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Lamb to be offered as the sacrifice that was needed so that I might be able to know you. Thank you for the development of churches so that we can have fellowship with others as we offer up our praise. Amen

C.I. Wilson

4/22/2018

John 17:4 (KJV)
 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Can we truly say that we have finished the work the God has given us to do here on this earth during our lifetime?

Jesus was able to say it and if we steadfastly to the work that God gives us then on that day that we stand before God we will be able to say with Jesus, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”

Thank you, Lord, for the encouragement that you give us in your word. For with your encouragement and your strength we will be able to say that we have finished the work that you gave us to do in our lifetime. Amen.

 C.I. Wilson

4/21/2018

I was reading an article by Thom S. Rainer and it made enough sense and had a very good point that I wanted to share it with you. If you wish to read the article you will find it at: https://www.lifeway.com/pastors/2018/04/19/seven-ways-church-members-should-prepare-for-a-sermon/

The article talks about how we as churchgoers should prepare for the sermon just as the person preaching has to prepare for that sermon. Most of the members of a congregation spend little to no time preparing for the service. If the minister prepared as much as the congregation did, how much would you get out of the service?

Back when my husband was pastoring and we had a revival scheduled, he would also schedule the week before that revival for nightly prayer services. When the people pray for the service before, then they are preparing themselves for that service. If we are prepared by asking God to give the preacher the words that need to be said that we might grow in our faith then we will see greater work.

Let us get the habit, if we do not already have it, of praying for each service that we attend BEFORE we get to the church. Then we will see a revival start, if only in our own lives.

C.I. Wilson

4/20/2018

John 16:7 (KJV)
 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

In the 16^th chapter of John, we read how Jesus is preparing his disciples for the time ahead when he would not be with them. However, he is also telling them that he will return and he has planned on a way to see them through the time between.

We do not like hard times, we do not like goodbyes and we would prefer not to have to face them. However, we cannot just dwell on the hard times and the goodbyes. We are to focus on the joy that comes after the hard times. We are to look forward to the end of our trials and separation.

Jesus said he would send a comforter. Here in John he spends some time telling us about the “Spirit of truth” and what he can do for us - - - - IF - - - - we let him.

It is our choice to accept this comforter or to deny him. If you choose the comforter that Jesus sends your life will still have its hard times and hard situations however, we will have someone walk with us through those times and situations.

Dearest Savior, thank you for sending us help in the person of the Holy Ghost. Thank you for making a way for us to not feel alone and forsaken but, to feel that we are important enough to you that you sent a comforter.

I ask that you help us to fully understand your father (God), your comforter (the Holy Ghost), and yourself. Amen

C.I. Wilson