Scripture: Acts 10:30-31
Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God…’”
Thought for the Day: So is bribery the solution? It sure appears as if God hears the prayers of Cornelius, in part, because he has given alms (an offering) to God. Are our prayers answered because we have finally caught God’s attention with a gift or we found the right carrot? I don’t think so, and as an alternative reading, I would suggest that faithful living, including generosity, is not a tool for getting what we want. In our Crossing the River Campaign, we are not looking for gifts that could be construed as an attempted bribe offered to God. Instead, prayer, generosity and other Spiritual Disciplines situate a person so as to perceive how God is already at work in fulfilling God’s dream and to become a participant in that activity of God.
Like some of you, I’ve shown up to an event on the wrong day. I’ve shown up for an event on the right day, but at the wrong address. Rechecking the invitation would have made good sense. Putting the address in my GPS before leaving the house would have been wise. Preliminary work always helps in getting to the correct place at the right time, whether that is a physical location or a specific life-attitude. I believe God is always working to guide us into God’s future, but our spiritual orientation may not be fixed on the One who desires to guide us to the edge of the river and invite us to take the plunge. Prayer, generosity, fasting and other Spiritual Disciplines are tools that shape us to more fully perceive and participate in God’s dream for Cypress Creek Christian Church.
Prayer: O Holy God, may the life of faith I live help orient me toward you and the kingdom you are inviting me to help build. Amen.
TOMORROW
(Wednesday)
Study at noon
Dance Classes starting at 5:30pm
Simple Dinner at 6pm
Study at 6:30pm
Children’s programming at 6:30pm
Youth Group at 6:30pm
Crossing Over Campaign Coffee at 7:00pm
