Where Do I fit in?
July / 19/ 2017
FOCUS ON MINISTRY
Do You know who purchases all the cups and plates that we use when we grab a snack or a quick cup of coffee?
The answer later in the email
 If Jesus asked you to raise his son, would you do it?
The curtain call Is here. God is seeking simple carpenters...
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The other day while I was running, I was challenged by a song on my playlist from Michael Card, a selection entitled, Joseph's Song. The song follows the challenges faced by Joseph upon learning that his bride-to-be is pregnant. Confusion, dismay, and disillusionment are but three of the emotions Joseph faces. In the middle of the night he is confronted by an angel who reassures him that God has overshadowed his Mary, and this son will be "The Son of God." But what shall his role be? How does he become a father to the Son of God? It is that moment that Michael Card addresses in his song. 

"Father, show me where I fit into this plan of yours", Card imagines what looms largest in Joseph's concerns. "Lord, for all my life I've been a simple carpenter; how can I raise a king... How can I raise a king?"


Yes, how can he, if it's up to him alone? But that's the point isn't it.

Each and every believer has been joined to God through Jesus and possesses God's sanctifying spirit, which now acts to employ in the Christian, a new way of thinking and a transformed way of living. And that's not all, every believer has been fitted with specific areas of giftedness, for most that means a color palette of multiple vistas, illuminating new abilities meant to be applied to the drab surroundings of the world around us and the walls of the local church. As an adult Bible School teacher I know noted recently, the possibilities are endless and the need is great. 


The bigger question for some surrounds the implementation of the transaction rather than the reality of its existence. They want to be involved, and they cannot conceive of a relationship with Jesus that does not include the opportunity to express a thankful heart in areas of worship and service. 

The great disappointment to God must be for those, content not to ask that question of themselves, who become illiterate to the outworking of his plan. Our God, who desires full employment in his church, must see those who are functionally or fully A.W.O.L from service and be grieved over the apparent lack of interest, or lack of commitment to love him with all of their hearts. 


The truth is, none of us are any better than Joseph, whatever our occupation. We are at best "simple carpenters" tasked with building the Eiffel Tower, and our greatest blessing is that God would call us to himself, save us, and then enable, equip, and engage us in the service of his kingdom. Is there really anything else in our lives that rises to that level of importance. Be careful. Your job, your school, your kids, and even your spouse are not the right answer?


How can YOU raise a king? You can"t. But God can and asks us to come alongside His Son for the greatest adventure of our lives. And I can tell you. Joseph was never disappointed, and we won't either...


Walk wisely

MJC

AND, ABOUT THE REST OF THE WEEK
  Let's finish Jesus's high priestly prayer in John 17 this week in Wednesday Bible Study.

Let's meet together as men on Friday  and discuss the stuff of angels and men.

On The Lord's day let's worship together as He has called us to do. 

Why not on Sunday evening, dig more deeply into the "Book" that is our training mannual

AWANA is currently on Summer break. Look for it again in September.

Books you should read:
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi: I'm working through this one with our High school Bible class. Perfect book to re-acquaint you with the distinctiveness of Christianity. 
More than a Carpener by Josh McDowell: This is the subject of our AWANA Trek group study.
Know What you believe, by Paul Little
Through the Gates of Splendor, by Elisabeth Elliott. 
The Scandal of the Evangelical Miind, by Mark Noll. Are Christians losing their ability to think?

Follow the link, and you can find them on Amazon

Take me to Amazon
WHO WE ARE
  Between the Ends is a weekly update from  Pastor Mark Congrove and Bethel Baptist Church. it stresses the days between Sunday and Sunday- between one weekend and the next, as a priority for the believer.

Connect to Mark's site
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