The Gift of Grace
By Warren Halstrom, Worship Pastor
When I became a Christian as a senior in high school, I faced the rather unpleasant reality that I had some considerable deficits in my character. I really didn’t care about others… at all.
My orientation toward the idea of forgiveness came suddenly and unexpectedly because right around the time I accepted the Lord, my dad left my mom. I vacillated between self-righteousness and the truth that I had just been given the greatest gift anyone could receive, the gift of grace. Of course, grace comes with an obligation, to forgive others, just as I had been forgiven. That was hard, especially for me at that stage of my life. I carried much of my self-centered worldview into my new life in Christ.
Then I married Shelly. Her family background is replete with selfless “others-centered” people with a track record of helping others as long as life itself. As I observed her heart for others and consistent acts of kindness, I became aware that you’re, at the very least, supposed to notice others, observe their needs, and seek to do your best to help out, even at the expense of your time, comfort level and money.
While the journey was to be long, my first steps had begun. Are there first steps regarding Christian character that you need to take? What has God revealed to you about areas in your life that need change? Take some time now to ask God for the wisdom to see an area of shortcoming in your own character, and the willingness to take strides toward Christlikeness, that you may be a greater witness for Him.
The Gift of Grace
April 25, 2021 • Warren Halstrom
Pastor David's Giving Challenge
May 1, 2021 • David Emmert
Pastor David’s Challenge A few years ago, Pam & I decided to change our lifestyle so that our budget would be oriented toward giving rather than spending. We downsized our home, eliminated some hobbies and made other changes that freed up our income. The end result was a greater level of giving than we ever thought possible. As always, Jesus is right when he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) As you contemplate your own growth in giving during Live Boldly, consider the following steps. If you’ve never given to your church before, making a first time gift is an obvious place to start. Say you give occasionally- set a goal to give consistently. Ready for another step? The Bible talks frequently about giving of your first fruits. That’s farmer-speak for giving the first dollars from each paycheck. Think of the impact you could have if you started giving electronically each payday! How about setting a goal to give 10% of your income by the end of Live Boldly. Imagine the influence on your own children as they watch you rearrange your priorities to make tithing a reality in your home. Maybe you’ve experienced a financial windfall. It could be a modest amount like a favorable tax refund or a large amount like an inheritance. Think of the influence those resources might have both here in Tallahassee and around the world.
Trusting the Supplier
April 30, 2021 • Natalie Thomas
Trusting the Supplier by Natalie Thomas, Business Administer In order for my husband and I to go beyond our tithes, we had to reexamine our budget or what we call our spending plan. Since we felt that God had already given us an amount to increase our tithe by, I had the task of making it work in our spending plan. Since our monthly income for the most part didn’t really change, I took a look at all of our expenses to see what we might reduce. By reducing expenses we actually saved more than the amount of our planned increase in our giving. Now our spending plan lists our tithe first, then our beyond amount, and so on. Our giving process all started with us being obedient to the Word and I challenge you to take a step of faith and test God with your tithes and even beyond. What a blessing it has been for me and my family to bless our church that in return blesses so many other people. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. – 2 Corinthians 9:10