Here we are again at the dawning of a new season-Summer! This is my time of year. I like it hot with plenty sunshine and outdoor activities. Summer allows us to see the products of Spring, like the flowers and the trees. Summer brings about all kinds of plans, such as our vacations and time for family. It also affords us a break from school, or other routine obligations. Some people even use it to take a break from God!
Summer is a wonderful gift from God to us and we must be sure to use our summer season prudently. We all should assess our plans and goals for this season to be sure that we have planned with our priorities in the right place. Matthew 6:33 is a constant reminder to keep God first. "Seek first the kingdom and righteousness, and the things we need will be freely given." We will plan our summer activities and vacations, some of which will be away from home. It is important that we remember our responsibilities to God and to our church.
Remember to pray daily. We don't take vacations from prayer! We are taught by Jesus in Luke 18:1 to "always pray and don't grow tired." We should demonstrate a solid life of prayer even when we are traveling away from our usual environments. I have found that early mornings are a great time to pray in order to remain consistent. We must also remember to worship. Some of you will be away from your church home. However, you may be attending church with family or friends in another city. You will see that we have brothers and sisters in Christ all over the country and beyond. No wonder we sing "What a Fellowship."
We must also remember to give. Your financial support is important and needed by your church even when you are away. Be deliberate about giving your tithes and offerings before you leave town or immediately upon your return. If you will miss a Sunday service, please know that your financial gifts belong at your church home. You should feel free to give an offering wherever you may attend. But, you should never negate your responsibility to your church. Your tithes should be given at your home church.
I'm already praying that this will be a wonderfully blessed Summer for you and your family. I'm trusting God to give us safety, peace, prosperity, and divine shelter during the Summer months. For those who will be traveling, I pray God's covering and traveling grace. I'm celebrating with our graduates who have achieved their diplomas and degrees. Many of which will be moving on to new stations in life, colleges, universities and careers. My prayers continue for those who may find this season to be one of challenge. God will grant us grace!
Each season brings its graceful gifts and glorious blessings. May this Summer be just what you need! May God's richest blessing be upon each of you.
Pastor E.L. Branch
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About Us
Third New Hope Baptist Church
Dedicated to providing a diverse ministry community that will assist both believers and non-believers in developing close, intimate relationships with God. We are a Christian community of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are committed to His Word and to His way of life. We believe in the study of the Bible and accept it as the authoritative word of God. We believe in the equality of the human race and the full expression of gifts and callings of individuals. We are dedicated to the worship of God, fellowship of believers, the spiritual nurture of each Christian and active Missions and Evangelism. Our Pastor of 35 years is the phenomenal Edward L. Branch.
Third New Hope Baptist Church is located in Detroit, MI at 12850 Plymouth (just 2 blocks west of Meyers Rd.).
Our worship services are each Sunday at 8:00am, 10:00am & 12noon
visit our website at http://thirdnewhope.com/
Dedicated to providing a diverse ministry community that will assist both believers and non-believers in developing close, intimate relationships with God. We are a Christian community of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are committed to His Word and to His way of life. We believe in the study of the Bible and accept it as the authoritative word of God. We believe in the equality of the human race and the full expression of gifts and callings of individuals. We are dedicated to the worship of God, fellowship of believers, the spiritual nurture of each Christian and active Missions and Evangelism. Our Pastor of 35 years is the phenomenal Edward L. Branch.
Third New Hope Baptist Church is located in Detroit, MI at 12850 Plymouth (just 2 blocks west of Meyers Rd.).
Our worship services are each Sunday at 8:00am, 10:00am & 12noon
visit our website at http://thirdnewhope.com/
3 comments:
Hey Pastor, I almost missed this. Thanks again for your commitment. Summer is a wonderful time of year especially in Michigan. We really have an appreciation for Summer because it's so short. I have taken a couple of short vacations this summer and I felt your prayer even when I was away, and for that I thank you again.
You are so right, some of us do think that Summer is the time to take a break. A break from work, a break from church and yes, sadly, even a break from God. Every good and prefect gift comes from God and Summer is one of those gifts as you said. So why do we deny the gift giver? We have a responsibility to our church/God's house and we should honor that responsibility all year.
One of the things that I fall a little short on when I'm out of town is my exercising. I have to work on that but my tithes stays at home. It doesn't go on vacation with me.
Let's continue to encourge each other and have a great Summer!
I love Summer. I especilly love this summer with all of the rain. We have had a lot of rain but the sun usually comes right out and dries up everything. God is so awesome. He allows us to experience all different kinds of weather in one day. We've had sunny days with heavy rain, we've even had some hail. I love it all because it all comes from God.
How beautiful the grass is after a fresh cut and a heavy rain. God has even spared us with our water bills this summer. So, let's not only remember God with our tithes, let's give a little something extra with the money that we saved on our water bills.
Be Blessed!
Welcome back Pastor from your vacation. You were missed!
The Lifestyle Stewardship Campaign is very exciting to me. I have been praying and I'm looking forward to hear more about it. Being a good steward is important to me and this campaign sounds like it has the potential to be life changing. I'm praying for my family to be willing vessels and give our full participation, and also for the whole congregation to catch the vision and be transformed.
Of course the enemy has already hit me with some major financial challenges, as with everyone else, since the beginning of this year, but I serve a God that is able. I try to read Ephesians 3:20,21 every day, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." The wonderful thing about the Stewardship Campaign is the sacrifice. We don't have to come up with more resources, we just sacrifice some of the things that we have or are currently doing and give from that. God has been preparing me for this campaign and I didn't even know it. I had to give up some pampering luxuries this summer and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
One thing that I do know is, what ever my commitment for the campaign is going to be, it will be achieved by the grace of God and I will be a changed person at the end of the three years. I will be stronger, my faith will be increased, and my relationship with God will be even better.
I will continue to pray for our church family and this campaign. 100% participation is our goal.
Yes, we can do it!
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