Recently I read an article that indicated that Arizona didn't enter into the national recession until just recently and that we would, therefore, be one of the last states to exit out of the recession. As I talk to people in the congregation, I am hearing about layoffs, reductions in pay and difficulties in meeting bills. All these things are indicators of the recession hitting the people we know and love. I wish that I had the money to make things better for each and everyone of us, but I don't. I do, however, have something for each of us to think about- Prayer.

We have been studying prayer at the Wednesday Night adult study, and here are a few things that should guides us in our prayer lives as we seek God's wisdom in dealing with the financial difficulties in which we find ourselves:

1. Remember as you pray that God wants to meet your needs. There is a difference between what we need and what we want. Throughout scripture we are reminded that God knows that we have needs and that He wants to meet them (Matt 6. 25-34). In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus clearly teaches us to seek the Father and to present to him the things that we need to survive daily.

2. However, distinguishing between what we want and what we need is not always an easy task. Our needs have been clouded by our wants and a culture that has us convinced that what we want is what we need. In addition to praying for our needs we should also be praying for wisdom to discern what the difference is between our wants and our needs. In the book of James we are told that "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives liberally to all without approach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5). Ultimately we are seeking to bring our will in line with what God's will is for us. God may grant our requests for our wants, but he will take care of our needs.

3. Finally, if you are like me, finances cause you a great deal of worry and stress. When I get worked up over these things I turn to two promises of God. The first is found in Philippians 4:6,7. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." I think the key to this one is to be thankful-it changes your perspective from what you don't have to what you do have. However, please note that it also says that God wants to hear from you about what has you stressed out. The second promise I like to remind myself about is found in 1 Peter 5:6-7, "Therefore, humble yourselves under the might hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting your care upon Him, for he cares for you." This verse reminds me that God does want to hear from me when I have things that are troubling me because He cares for me.

Ultimately, God is going to answer our prayers in the ways that are best for us according to His will for our lives. We must humbly submit to God's work and rejoice in the fact that He cares for us, wants to give us peace and desires to meet our needs. While there is more for us to consider concerning prayer, these three things to consider will move us further along the path of an effective prayer life, be it for our finances or other issues we face daily.

Gather and Go
Pastor Dale

Culturally, people in the United States are part of a gift giving/receiving culture. We have holidays that center around the giving and receiving of gifts; Christmas, Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and of course, birthdays. Imagine what our culture would be like if we gave gifts but nobody ever opened them because they were afraid that the gifts that they received weren't what they wanted. Or worse yet, imagine a culture that received gifts but never used the gifts they were given. Consider a culture where people receive gifts but don’t use them because unwrapping them is too much work, and they are afraid that they might not like the gift. What about a culture where the people had an attitude of it’s better to let others that know what their gift is, use it, and I’ll just enjoy their gift as if it were my own. Unfortunately, many of these "cultures" could describe the church today.

We believe that God gives each believer a spiritual gift and that each person is expected to use that gift for the profit of all members of the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:1-7). Christians must move beyond the come and see mentality that has penetrated the church. We must role up our sleeves and get busy using the gifts that God has given us for ministry. We have settled into a mindset that it’s the pastor’s job to do ministry- it’s not, and if the truth were known, it never has been. The command to “Go and make disciples”(Matt.28: 19) was given to all of us. The command to “teach them all that I have commanded you” (Matt.28: 20) was given to all of us. All believers have been given a spiritual gift that they are to use for the encouragement and building up of the body of Christ (the Church).

People often ask me “How do I know what my spiritual gift is?” Well, there are lots of ways of finding out the answer to that question. You could take a spiritual gifts inventory test and that might give you a good idea about what you gift might be, but I think the best way to determine your spiritual gift is to roll up your sleeves and get busy in ministry. If the church has a need that you think interests you or that you think you might be able to help- step up and step out. As you engage in ministry this God given gift will become apparent to those to whom you are ministering. It is true that you may have volunteered to be part of a ministry that doesn't fall within your gifting- that’s ok. We are committed to helping you serve in the areas where you are gifted and interested. We will work with you to help you use your gifts, talents and faith to the best of your ability so that the body of Christ is encouraged, built up and that God is glorified through your service.

 Gather and Go