A Prayer about TITHING

When I set aside my gifts for God.

DEAR GOD,
Each year as I determine how I can give to your financially, I consider what I receive from giving.  I know that supporting the church and the work of godly people around the world can provide great joy.  Also, I want to give to you because you truly are my number one priority, and I am so grateful for the blessings you have given me.  I know that maintaining a habit of regular tithing will help remind me that you are the source of all my blessings.  God, as I commit my tithes to you, I ask that you use my gifts to support your work in my community and around the world to meet the needs of hurting people.  By my gifts, may I show my commitment to you and honor you for your faithful provision in my life.

"Give, and you will receive.

Your gift will return to you in full --

pressed down, shaken together to make room for more,

running over, and poured into your lap.

The amount you give

will determine

the amount

you get

back."

Luke 6:38

The Voice

We flew to Bulgaria without a clear understanding of what was to come.  What we stumbled into has challenged us in our ways of thinking about God and faith.

At first glance, Hari seems unique. In simple obedience to a voice no one else can hear, he boldly shares his faith with everyone he meets.  But Hari is not so different from us. He has made a choice to pursue and trust God completely.  It is a choice each one of us could make. We could each be like Hari: genuine, obedient, bold and faithful.

This is your chance.  The voice is speaking to you as well.  Can you hear it?  Are you listening?
You may never have a vision, but God reaches out to each of us in a way uniquely suited to who we are. What is He saying to you?  What were you created for?

For over two years we prayed that God would bring us a story that showed His hand in someone's life. He brought us this story and we're compelled to share it.

We have no clear distribution plan or strategy for this story, but we believe that God does.  Watch the video, share it with your friends on Facebook, or tweet about it.  Feel free to download it and show it to groups you are a part of, or use it to start discussions.

A Prayer about the CALL OF GOD

When I wonder if God has a calling for me.

Dear God,
Deep down inside, I long to be a part of something bigger than myself.  I sometimes wonder why I was born and what I should be doing with my life.  I believe my search for purpose is actually the result of you calling me to discover the reason you created me.  I often wish, God, that your call would come in the form of an audible voice, miraculous sign or a direct phone conversation.  But that's not usually the way you communicate, and you don't always call people to extraordinary, life-changing adventures.  Your call is often a task right in front of me, something I can do today; it might be working in the nursery at church, caring for an ailing parent, giving kind instruction to a child, making dinner at the Rescue Mission or planting in the Community Garden.  Lord, you have given me special gifts and abilities, and you want me to use them now, not just for or ten years from now.  Help me to answer your call to serve you and other people today so that I might be fully prepared when you call me to something bigger.  Thank you that in everything you call me to do, you will equip me with the desire, vision, support, and resources I need to carry it out.

May the God of peace make you holy in every way,

and may your whole spirit and soul and body

be kept blameless

until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

God will make this happen,

for he who calls you is faithful.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24