Not the Powerball one. But the Prayer one.
I know the powerball lottery was on many of your minds.
Come on, lets be honest. Some of you dreamed of what you would do if you won, and more of you even bought tickets. I know I know the first thing you would do is tithe.
But what was interesting about this lottery was the number of shows that talked about how the lottery could screw up your life. Only a few people in the world will ever see that kind of prosperity and so most of us will live well below the 500 million line. So those who win often will lose their lives because they cannot handle being rich.
When you've lived in poverty your whole life, its hard to live in prosperity.
And this is just as true in the church as it is anywhere else. Most of us associated with newLife know what it means to live in poverty. Never enough people to serve, never enough money to give, never enough musicians to play, never enough of the Pastors time.
I remember when we had no instruments for worship at all and for three months you could hear every dollar that hit the offering plate and it sounded like a bomb going off. We only had two singers and my song leader just got out of jail. Yes, he went back in six months later. Don't ask.
I remember when we had no qualified men to be leaders and so we used any man who would serve. Scary I know.
I remember when we stressed over every offering, especially in the summer wondering if we were going to be able to pay the light bill. Still there.
I remember so many Sundays asking Debra if she thinks anyone is going to come to church.
I remember long periods of time when no one came to know Christ.
If you've been with us over the last 10 years you know what I am talking about. We've lived in poverty as a church and we have learned how to live there. God is still Good, God is still Great, but the truth is its survival at its best.
When you've lived in poverty your whole life, its hard to live in prosperity.
Church, God is beginning to Prosper us.
Gary and Cindy
Brendon, Brittney and Christian
Our Amazing Small Group Children's Leaders
Our Outstanding Greeters and Ushers
For the first time in our History as a Church we have more than we have ever had or even thought to have. This is Ephesians 3:20-21 being lived our in our lives.
Ephesians 3:20-21 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,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Yet, When you've lived in poverty your whole life, its hard to live in prosperity.
and so here are a Couple of thoughts I want to help you with:
Beware of your Attitude.
We're used to being poor, don't think that life was better there. We prayed our guts out for God to give us more, be thankful when you've received it. Don't worry because Gary isn't me. No one wants two of me. Don't complain because the music is different. So are Brendon and Brittney, With That attitude no type of music will move you to worship. Praise God that there is more and with more comes different.
Be Careful with your Friends
We are used to being poor and when God blesses sometimes they get jealous and do any thing they can to humble us. (they think its God's calling)
Be Ready for opportunities of life you've never had.
We've been poor, Now we're Rich, What kind of God experiences will we have now that God has provided so much for us?
We have won, what will you do with God's Blessings?
