Family of God

A Note From the Pastor…

 In today’s passage we will be examining the 6th, and final chapter, of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. It is a chapter that discusses bearing one another’s burdens, bearing our own burdens, it cries out for us to “not grow weary in doing good,” and it directs us to “do good to everyone.” In many ways, it serves as a calling for us as followers of Christ to not forget our fellow man!

 Often, when we think of helping others, we think of financial help. Many ministries today serve to help with food needs or to help with paying for utilities. God’s people have set up hospitals, volunteered at nursing facilities, and missionaries have spread out across the globe sharing, not only Christ – but building churches, digging wells, and setting up schools to help the most disadvantaged in the world. Amen & amen!

 Our own National and State governments today also help with housing, with food, and with education, (among other needs) – not just here, but across the world. According to one source, in the year 1800, almost 85% of the world lived in absolute poverty, (defined as the inability to regularly afford basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing). Fast-forward to 2017, and the percentage of people living in the world facing this truly crushing poverty is down to 9% of the world, (this number today sadly includes many children).

 However, in our country today, the true poverty is not usually food, clothing, and utilities – but a poverty of purpose, a poverty of contentment, a poverty of accountability, a poverty of compassion, a poverty of godly fellowship, a poverty of hope, or a poverty of love. There are problems in this world that can be fixed by “writing a check,” – but most of the true needs in this world don’t need more money thrown at them – they need Christians to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus in this world! The greatest need is not financial – but spiritual!

As we think of “bearing one another’s burdens,” may we seek to help carry the heaviest burdens of those around us – like loneliness, discouragement, or just being “tired” & weary. People in our community are not looking for a “friendly church” – they are looking for “friends at church.” May our greatest mission as a church be to see the “family of God” increase and the Lord magnified in all!

        Pastor Chris