Don’t forget to invite someone

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MISSION GEORGIA OFFERING

Church Goal: $500.00 Received to Date: $200.00

SEPTEMBER COLLECTION LIST FOR OCC

Tools for boys ages 10-12 (need to fit in a shoebox)
Sewing Kit
Fishing Kit
Kids Underwear

The collection box is located outside Nikki’s office.

MID-WEEK DEVOTION

Don’t forget to check out Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotion in the book of Psalms. They are uploaded each Wednesday on the sermon page.

Giving as of September 13, 2022

Budget for 2022 . . . . . . . .  $322,471.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $229,447.69
Received to Date . . . . . . . . $211,310.82
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,201.37
Tithes Received this week . . $16,861.00

From OUr Family and Music Minister

When I was in middle school, my parents planned a trip to Disney World with my Grandmother and Great Aunt. Those who knew my Dad’s mother, Ms. Emily or Gammy, will remember that she was a sweet lady, but when she had her mind set on something, she did it. So during the morning and early afternoon, we would tour the park, return to our cabin, and then return to park in the evening.  My Mom and Aunt would stay back and relax; however, Gammy didn’t want to miss out, so she returned with us every time we went.

On one of the nights, I had been asking to go on Space Mountain, a roller coaster that you ride entirely in the dark. Finally, after much aggravation, my Dad conceded, and we started standing under the giant golf ball-looking structure in this long line. Then as we entered in, we were faced with an additional, longer wait. As you get to the ride, they have a door you can exit through, so you don’t have to get on the roller coaster. My Dad had fully intended for my Grandmother to use it, especially with all the health warnings we had been observing for the last 45 minutes. But those who know my Grandmother know that she refused to use the door. She had stood in that line for 45 minutes and had not stood in that line to take the exit. So that night, I rode a roller coaster in the dark with my 85-year-old Grandmother, and she handled it better than some of the young people we saw getting off it in tears.

In life, we are going to make plans, My Dad had plans for my Grandmother, but the plans didn’t go his way because he had not consulted with her when he made those plans. In James 4, James teaches that the best way for believers to face the future, instead of making plans and expecting God to bless them, is first to seek God’s will and then make sure our plans fall within His purpose for our lives. As followers of Christ, we are called to follow God. Then, when we accept Christ as our Savior, we must be willing to give up the driver’s seat and become a willing passenger.

In these verses, James speaks to believers who are boasting of their plans for the future-plans that they designed without God’s guidance-plans that focus on doing business and making money. These believers had put themselves in complete authority over their future plans without acknowledging that they could not predict the future. Instead of submitting to God, they claimed control over their destinies. Making and boasting about the plans that we have made without consulting God is a sign of pride and self-centeredness.

God’s plans for our lives are much greater than we can ever imagine. If we allow Him to use us and mold us no matter what our future is like, the joy and fulfillment will be unmatched compared to what our minds could imagine.  We sometimes may have trouble day-to-day interpreting what God wants us to do. It may be because we have neglected to pray and study His Word. If we aren’t looking, we aren’t going to find it. We do know God’s desire is for everyone to hear about His love and to have His children live a life that reflects Him. That is an excellent place to start. There is nothing wrong with planning for the future; however, make sure God is guiding that future.