September 22, 2009

Number 38

VIEWPOINT

Why do you suppose God has blessed the church in America so much in the past several decades?  As we look at our own lives, we see we have been caused to prosper tremendously by the Almighty.  Compared with the rest of the world, we have a mountain of blessings to count.  Why have we been so highly favored?

A declining portion of the population in the United States has sharp focus on spiritual things.  It is not as easy to get Americans to study the Bible as it was in the past.  But in other parts of the world, we seem to never run out of interested people who want to learn about Jesus.  They are eager to hear of the hope of eternal life in him.  I wonder if that is why God has blessed the church in America:  so we can help take the gospel to the places in the world where it will be gladly and readily received!

Christians are instructed to do “something useful” with our own hands, that we “may have something to share with those in need” (Eph. 4:28).  The “need” is certainly not limited to food and material necessities.  The greatest “need” is the spiritual one, and at Cedar Grove we are emphasizing the fulfillment of exactly that need. 

Robert and Mary Martin will visit our church family next Sunday, September 27, 2009.  Robert will report on the evangelistic work being done in the Pacific Islands.  But he will also help us realize that God is doing a great work in other parts of the world.  It’s a terrific encouragement to know that thousands are coming to Christ in other places. 

The words of the Lord remind us that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).  If not for your generous giving, the work of the Lord would be hindered.  If not for you, Robert and Mary could not accomplish everything they do.  What a privilege to have a part in the work that God is blessing! 

I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word!  RA

Praying for “Our Daily Bread”

WE ARE flesh-and-blood creatures.  We need bread in order to live.  Daily bread.  Fresh bread. Food.  We are souls destined for eternity, but these souls are embodied with digestive systems.  If we don't eat we won't pray. (Eugene H. Peterson, Tell It Slant)

“[YOU] GIVE US”:  this means that the ultimate source of all this for us is God himself, his love, his concern for us; in whatever form or from whomever we may receive the gift, all is from him.  But this means that the first meaning and goal of these gifts is God himself.  (Alexander Schmemann, Our Father)

TO ASK with such confidence implies a relationship of trust.  If we have problems trusting in God, it's not likely we'll be able to pray this petition from our heart.  It's not likely, either, that we will have much of a personal relationship with our God. (Michael H. Crosby, The Prayer That Jesus Taught Us)

MOST OF US perish from too much bread rather than too little, filling the gnawing emptiness within through ceaseless consumption. . . .  For us, we ought to pray for the grace to be able to say, in a culture of consumption, “Give us the grace to know when enough is enough” or, “Help us to say ‘no’ when the world entices us with so much.”  (William H. Willimon and Stanley Hauerwas, Lord, Teach Us)

A GLUTTON is one who raids the icebox for a cure for spiritual malnutrition. (Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Seeker's ABC)

GIVE ME neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:8-9)

THE PRAYER to the Father for daily bread was part of Jesus’ wider and deeper agenda.  At the heart of it stood a central biblical symbol of the kingdom:  the great festive banquet which God has prepared for his people. . . .  The banquet, the party, is a sign that God is acting at last, to rescue his people and wipe away all tears from all eyes. . . .  “Give us this day our daily bread” means, in this setting, “Let the party continue.” (N. T. Wright, The Lord and His Prayer)

– Compiled by Richard A. Kauffman