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ALL OF A SUDDEN...

Submitted by siteadmin on Thu, 04/02/2010 - 13:34.

Well, what an incredible day Sunday 31st January was!
Our theme for First Fruits, Philippians 2:2 says this: then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. And we did exactly that. We came in Purpose, with a purpose.  We, the Church, came together as ONE, to give financially to God and believe in Faith for some 'Suddenlys' to occur in our lives, the lives of others, and in the life of our church; the faith in the room was almost tangible...
REAL GENEROSITY
As a church we believe, talk up, and live out generosity. First Fruits Sunday was, not only an opportunity to give over and above our weekly giving, but it was also a visual display of the generosity of Today's Community Church.

In his series ‘Outside the Lines’, Tony Harrington talked about the story of the poor widow in Luke 21.
Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, "The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford—she gave her all!
This year, I was personally challenged to give above and beyond what was comfortable. I didn't want to give within the lines; I wanted to be stretched by my giving. I wanted to feel the pinch. And I wanted it to be a sacrifice. God is the only one who can see our heart and our motives, and it certainly puts a smile on his face when we come, ready and excited to give.  As I watched people cheerfully give, and pin up their pictures - which represented 'Suddenlys' - I couldn’t help but be moved. 
STAND IN FAITH
God is seriously doing some great works in people! Already the stories have started to come in about how God has done some amazing things all of a sudden! Some even before we gave on Sunday. As I walk along our Faith Board, this is what I see people believing for:
  • Health & Protection for their family
  • A Change in Wigan
  • God’s Wisdom
  • A new Home
  • Confidence & Strength
  • Growth in their Business

Everyone has their own 'Suddenly' that they are believing for, and each one is special to God’s heart. I know that as we each put our belief, trust and hope in God, He will increase our faith in Him…we will rise to a new level. 

I challenge each of you, every time you walk past our Faith Board, to take a moment. Why don't you look at a persons picture, pray and keep it on your heart? You may not know what that picture represents, but God certainly does. Let's all believe for each others 'Suddenlys'. 
In addition to our Faith Board, this Sunday there will be a Suddenly Board! On the Suddenly Board you can pin up pictures of the 'Suddenlys' that God has started to do in your life. Let’s bring honour to God, and thank Him for the 'Suddenlys' that are going to appear on that board. In 1 Corinthians 10:31 it says: ‘...whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God.’ Let each one of our 'Suddenlys' glorify our awesome, faithful God!  Alex Fisher  

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