The Well

Stereotypic impressions of the church from the outside? “They want money.” What’s the flipside of this negative take? What is a cheerful giver? We’ll explore this topic today.

2 Cor. 9:6-15

In a world of suffering and sadness, God gives his servant confidence that the Lord himself will come and stand upon the earth—and that his servants will see the Lord in resurrected bodies. Here is stunning gospel hope for a broken and dying world.

Look at the richest and most powerful people in today’s world. What are they doing besides trying to gain more power and riches for themselves? Pastor Jeff teaches you today that there is a difference between those who live in contentment with what God has given them and those who are consumed by the drive and desire for more. God wants you to be content and to realize that He will provide for your needs. Look back on your life up until this point, and think about how He has gotten you this far.

If God can perfectly order the events of the Christmas story, we can entrust Him with stories of our own. We should mirror Mary's surrender and submission to God's plan. 

Notes:

Galatians 4:4 (NKJV)
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.
 
READ Luke 1:26–33
 
#1 God Is Always On Time
 
Luke 1:28 (NKJV)
“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
 
Luke 1:29 (NKJV)
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.
 
God is always on time.
 
READ Luke 1:34–38
 
#2 God’s Timing Requires Our Surrender
 
Luke 1:38 (NKJV)
“Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
 
Matthew 6:10 (NKJV)
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
 
READ Mark 8:34–36
 
God’s plan is always better.
 
Surrender doesn’t mean God makes everything comfortable.
It means God makes everything count.
 
Surrender always leads to Christ. 
 
Psalm 84:10 (NKJV)
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
 
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
—Jim Elliott
 
READ Luke 1:39–45
 
#3 Our Obedience Has A Radius
 
Luke 1:15 (NKJV)
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
 
What is God asking you to do?
 
What areas in your life is God calling you to submit and surrender?
  
Too many Christians are satisfied with comfort when God is offering conquest.
 
Obey God.
Submit to scripture.
Live a life of integrity committed to God.
 
Let it be to me according to your word.

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Anne shares from John 1.

Sometimes when you’re in a stressful situation, the thing that helps you stop spiraling is to see the situation from a different angle. Getting a fresh perspective on the situation, either from consulting with a close friend or from mentally choosing a different approach, can ease your anxiety and give you new energy. Well, Pastor Jeff reminds you today that God has the ultimate vantage point, and He can show you the kind of perspective shift to give you a hopeful view of life.