Good News
Sharing the Fruit of God's Love
Grace and peace to you in Jesus’ name,
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). We will reap what we sow. If we sow kindness, we will reap kindness. If we sow discord and selfishness, that is what we will reap.
There is a parable about a selfish man who inherited a rice field. The first year the man irrigated the field and it was fruitful. The water, in fact, flowed onto his neighbor’s field and it also produced an abundant harvest.
But the next year the selfish man thought: Why should I let this water flow through my field into his? Water is precious and I must keep it. So, he built a dam. This prevented the water from flowing into his neighbor’s field but it proved disastrous to his own crop as well. Irrigation water nourished the field only if it flowed. When it did not move because of the dam, the water became stagnant and the field became a swamp.
We don’t own any rice fields. Still the parable is clear. Think of what we have inherited from God; think of all He has given us. If we are selfish, refusing to share, and keep it all for ourselves, our lives become stagnant, dismal swamps of mere existence. But if we give back to God by giving to others, both the giver and the receiver share in the fruits of God’s love.
This is what Jesus did in his earthly ministry. Our Savior always put others first and by doing so, he revealed the love of the Father to fallen humanity. Think about your everyday interactions and the places you frequent, not just in church. Assess your surroundings and look for someone that you can share the love of God with.
As we come to the end of the 2024-25 school year, I would like to thank the faculty and staff of ICA for giving back to God by sharing the fruits of his love with their students and families. This past year has been especially challenging, yet God has provided for ICA in ways we could not foresee. Be sure to thank our faculty and staff for their commitment, patience, endurance, and selflessness for this past year of education at ICA.
Lastly, during the month of June we move into the longest season of the Church year—Pentecost. It is also known as the Time of the Church—the time we focus on growing together in the life of the Holy Trinity. I look forward to joining you on The Day of Pentecost, June 8, as we enter the next season of worship at Immanuel, growing together and sharing the Fruit of God’s Love.
In the fellowship and love of Christ,
Pastor Deombeleg
A Stewardship Thought from Steward Builders
God-pleasing stewards are faithful in their prayer life, in worship, in reading God’s Word, and in receiving God’s Sacraments. God-pleasing stewards are faithful in sharing the Gospel. God-pleasing stewards are faithful stewards of the compassionate love of Jesus for others. God-pleasing stewards are faithful stewards of their time, talents, and treasures. God-pleasing stewards are faithful stewards of the kingdom of God in their families, in their work, and in daily living.
Informer
