Week of Thursday, May 20, 2004
•
MESSAGE OF THE WEEK
• BRIEFS
God’s generosity
is abounding
By REV. MARTY CARTER
Ypsilanti Assembly of God
Even in churches today people ask, "What’s in it for me?"
In other words, how can you meet my religious needs? What
can you do to save my marriage, save my family, save my job, save my sanity,
save my sense of well-being, save my soul?
David was a man who knew foremost of all the blessings that
were available to one who truly feared and served the Lord. David had
received much honor and power and wealth, as well as grace from the Heavenly
Father. David also knew the Lord as righteous—requiring His servants to obey
His will.
We see the evidence of the fact that there is much blessing
from God fearing in our prayers as well.
We do not hesitate to ask God for healing, for relief from
financial pressures, for the justice of God to prevail over evil, for God’s
guidance, for His compassion and His mercy.
The 103rd Psalm is a good example of praise to
God for all His bounty that He gives to His people. When only a part of it
is read, the reader is overwhelmed at the goodness of God and reminded of
all the benefits of serving Him.
God blesses our physical being. He forgives our sin. He
heals our disease. He heals our problems. He redeems us from the pit.
God does all this because of His concern for our well being.
He sets us free from the bondages of sin, disease, mistakes/accidents, and
from fear. In general, God is concerned about what we face.
God also has a concern for our daily needs as well. He takes
note of the fact that we have desires. God also responds to those desires as
well.
There is a reward for fearing God because God is just.
We are assured of knowing the paths that He intends for us
to tread.
God is merciful. He is compassionate and gracious. He is
slow to anger and He abounds in love.
God does not bear grudges. He is not a man that He should
act like one. He gives us what we do not deserve—mercy.
God is unfailing in His love for people—all people. He
desires to show people the depth of His compassion for them.
When we look at these things, hopefully we will be reminded
of the good things that God has brought to us in the past. Probably we might
consider that if God never blessed us again that we would have received much
from His hand. But we also must consider that God blesses much more
abundantly than we can even realize—His generosity is abounding: even more
than we ever dared hope.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The youth of the First
United Methodist Church, 209 Washtenaw, will lead the service at 9:30
a.m. May 23. The sermon title is "McTalents." Sunday school and nursery care
are available. For more information, call 482-8374.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
First Baptist Church,
1110 W. Cross, meets at 9:30 a.m. May 23 with Pastor Randy Johnson
preaching. Sunday school for all ages is held at 11 a.m. The women’s Bible
study meets at 3 p.m. May 26 and the chancel choir rehearses at 7 p.m. the
same day. The men’s Bible study meets at 8 a.m. May 22 and May 29. For
information, call 482-7380.
HOSANNA 2004:CELEBRATE JESUS!
Hosanna 2004: Celebrate Jesus!
will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. May 23 at the Ypsilanti High school gym,
Packard and Hewitt roads. This is a multi-denominational,
multi-generational, multi-ethnic, multi-racial event for Christian churches
and ministries in the Washtenaw County. A worship band from Harvest Mission
Church, adult and youth dancers from many churches and a interchurch choir
will be part of the programs. For more information, call 994-3243.
OPEN ARMS LUTHERAN CHURCH
Open Arms Lutheran Church and
day care, is hosting a
"Support our Troops Rally" at 1 p.m. May 29 at 7865 Belleville Road,
Belleville. For more information, call 699-5000.
ST. JOHN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
St. John Missionary Baptist
Church, 866 Monroe, will celebrate
its 54th church anniversary nightly at 7 p.m. through Friday, May
21 with guest pastors and churches for the week: Wednesday: New Jerusalem
Baptist Church of Ypsilanti, the Rev. Jimmy Aplin, pastor; Thursday: New
Testament Baptist Church of Ypsilanti, the Rev. Freddie Banks, pastor;
Friday, New Covenant Baptist Church of Ypsilanti, the Rev. J. Nathanial
Crout, pastor and at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 23 the Second Baptist Church of
Ypsilanti, the Rev. James Brooks, pastor. |
