Good News 

This month we will be offering our stewardship emphasis, Stewards Living with Purpose. Through faith, we understand that we were made by God and for God. God’s amazing love is seen in His creation and in His desire to have all people live with Him for eternity. To fulfill His purpose, God gives us different abilities and talents in all areas of life so that we may do His work. Not only is God the source of our abilities and talents, He gives us motivation to develop them and opportunities to use them in His service. Whether we are given many or few abilities, we can be thankful for what we receive and use our gifts to extend His kingdom and in service to others.

God wants us to be productive people. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). God wants people to be “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). He does not appreciate laziness, idleness, or fruitlessness. He calls us to bear fruit (John 15:16), to serve (Ephesians 6:7), to give (Matthew 10:8), to love (Matthew 22:37-38), to witness (Ephesians 3:7), and to obey (John 14:23). God seeks people through whom He can work.

Through our lips, He tells others of His life-saving Gospel; through our hands and feet, He brings love and care to those in need; and through our minds, hearts, and checkbooks, He financially supports the work of the Church As Christians, we are called into ministry. Through faith, we become more than just spectators. We are God’s representatives who are called to serve, just as our Master, Jesus, ministered to the people of His time. “For I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15). Our ministries take place wherever we are. Rev. Robert Morris in his book Beyond Blessed wrote, “I believe the Bible calls us to live our life on mission. Living on mission means that we don’t focus on ourselves and our desires but on what God is doing in the world and how we can partner with His work.”

As God’s people, we are to use what we’ve been given in service for the Lord and to bring glory to Him. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to resist the temptation to use our time, abilities, and money for our own purposes. The Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament enables us to use all of our blessings according to God’s plan and for His glory. We are not given the same or equal abilities or opportunities. We are called only to serve our Lord as He equips and enables us.

Serving Christ Together,

Pastor Steve Deombeleg