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Our Senior Pastor welcomes you to our weekly Friday Blessings update! In This Issue
Preaching Pastor Reents is
preaching at Saturday Evening and Traditional Worship services.
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Fearless Living With Your Money 
This weekend, the FEARLESS LIVING emphasis moves to FEARLESS LIVING WITH YOUR MONEY. One of Jesus' most interesting parables is the Parable of the Talents, found in Matthew 25:14-30 and also in Luke 19:12-27. It is interesting from a number of perspectives, but it is clearly directed to the stewardship of our resources. Money is one of the most-talked-about issues in life, but also one that offers the greatest temptation in terms of how we use it. Most people, no matter what their income level, believe that they don't have enough of it. Most people also believe that if they had enough of it, they wouldn't have any more problems . . . or at least their problems would be greatly diminished. Jesus puts that myth to rest as he tells the Parable of the Talents. The message is simple . . . it's not about how much you have . . . it's about how you use what you have! That's Biblical Stewardship! One of the least known facts in the Bible is that Jesus talked about the subject of money more than any other subject, including prayer. He understood that nothing gives us a false sense of security more than a full purse or a bulging wallet. He even went so far as to suggest that it's harder for a rich person to enter heaven than it is for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. But the reality is that we live in the wealthiest country in the world, and in spite of the recession-laden economy, we life a life of abundance. What would be a daring activity as we reflect on FEARLESS LIVING WITH YOUR MONEY . . . how about entering into real stewardship . . . taking responsibility for what you have been given. How about daring to use your money for God's purposes, rather than allowing your money to dictate your life. How about daring to invest in a cause you believe in. How about daring to spend your money or give your money to where it matters, not just where it's easy. How about daring to give heartfelt, extravagant gifts.
Are there things you spend money on without thinking? How can your use of money reflect your faith? Imagine splitting $100 to reflect your values. What would that look like? Are you daring anything with money, for something beyond your own benefit? 
Festival of Faith Reminder REMINDER: If you haven't
called the church office or gone to our website www.stjohnsblooomington.org to register your name
and number attending Festival of Faith worship on PRAYER: God our provider, you have given us money as a tool to provide for ourselves and others. Help us use our financial resources to be a blessing to our communities, our church and our world. Enable us to be good role models in all of our lives, by using what you have given us in ways that show sacrificial giving and sacrificial living. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Alive in Christ, |
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