THE PROMISE OF SPRING!

I was able to go to Church this morning without having to be concerned about leading the service or singing, so I could sit with Mr. HCB and enjoy being part of the congregation, which I did.

It was a great service, followed by Communion and the subject of the sermon was “Going Beyond the Maths” when Colin spoke about “Giving to God”.   As he said, it’s something that isn’t talked about much in our Church, but it’s probably the same in most Churches up and down this land.  However, it was a salutary reminder that many Churches are struggling, following the pandemic and being closed for sometime, when congregations dwindled, many didn’t return and also because of high energy bills and other outgoings.  

We were encouraged to think about our giving, and reminded that “tithing”, i.e. giving one tenth of our income, which is Biblical, is not actually about “giving to the Church” but about “giving to God”.

Colin gave us some interesting facts, which I quote here and hope he doesn’t mind:

1. Jesus told 38 parables - 16 of them are about “giving”.
2. Five times more is said about “giving” in the NT than is said about “prayer”.
3. In the NT there are 500 verses that speak about “prayer and faith”.  
There are over 2,000 verses that speak about “money and possessions.”
4. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Colin reminded us that today our giving is in direct response to all that God has done for us - and as a result, our giving is based not on what we can afford to give, or how big our bank balance is, it is based exclusively on what God has given to us - He gave His Son. If  you want to listen to the whole sermon, you can find it here.

After the service we enjoyed tea and coffee and a chance to chat with friends, following which I took this shot of the daffodils, which were just beginning to open, just outside  the sanctuary door.  How wonderful to see these and to know that God is keeping His promise that: 

“While the earth remaineth, 
     seedtime and harvest, 
          and cold and heat, 
and summer and winter, 
     and day and night 
          shall not cease.”
Genesis 8 : 22 - King James Bible

I love this “old” version of these verses from the King James Bible, and although it doesn’t particularly mention Spring, we know that the four seasons follow one another, so enjoy these beautiful daffodils and thank God that He keeps His promises.