WHAT’S BELOW?
– Word of Challenge from Pastor Gary
– Fall Freebie

Word of Challenge from Pastor Gary

There is so much meaning packed into the little word ‘vain.’  In addition to other implications, vain is defined as ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile; without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless.

Have you experienced feelings of worthlessness or insignificance?  Have you ever felt as though all your effort was for nothing?   Does the phrase ‘spinning your wheels’ appear to be a frequent theme in your life?  Consider this: your worth, significance, and effectualness comes directly from your relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”  There is a two-fold message in this verse that we must not overlook.  First of all, God must be involved in our efforts.  Secondly, we must be putting forth an effort.  Both are important.  Many believers read the first and focus upon ‘unless the Lord builds’ and ‘unless the Lord watches.’  Then, they relegate all responsibility to the Lord and completely omit their own.  The reverse scenario also takes place in which many believers try to do the work in their own strength or effort.

Doing the work in your own strength or not doing the work at all will bring results most accurately described by the word ‘vain.’

I pray for your life and efforts to be effectual, successful, valued, and of much worth!  Let’s do the work and let’s do it in the strength, wisdom, and love of the Lord.

-Pastor Gary

Fall Freebie

We are giving you the “Turn Over a New Leaf” Gospel Magic lesson free when you pick up a “Fall Festival” resource or anything else you need from Children’s Ministry Today’s online resource center at:  http://childrensministry.org/estore/fall-festival

“Turn Over a New Leaf” – Your kids can take their relationship with God to a new level during this new Fall season! This lesson challenges your kids to set aside the bad choices/habits from the past and “Turn Over a New Leaf” by committing to God’s goals for a better life as revealed through Scripture and the voice of His Spirit.

Volunteers from your group will freely select four cards to set aside from a group of five cards, each picturing a large leaf. Turning over each of the four leaves reveal large, humorous emoticons which you use to discuss four poor choices/lifestyles from the past that must be changed by “turning over a new leaf.” Finally, you turn over the last chosen leaf to reveal new goals of obedience and friendship with Jesus.