From the Pastor
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I have found that one of the hardest truths to teach to the Church is
II Corinthians 5:7, For we walk by faith, not by sight. When it comes
to finances, personal relationships, and every day decisions, we put
our trust in the things that we can see, instead of what God can
provide or how He can change people. As I was presenting this truth in
a meeting one day someone said, But, I live in the real world. Well, if
we are going to change the real world we will have to do it by faith in
God, and not by our own limited experience. True faith is not a blind
leap into the darkness like many would suppose, but a trust and
confidence in the
character and promises of God.
There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for
a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little
shack in the distance. He made his way over to the shack and found a
water pump with a small jug of water and a note. The note read: "pour
all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you
will get all the water you need". Now the man had a choice to make, if
he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked he would have
all the water he needed. If it didn't work he would still be thirsty
and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and
get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still
might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He
poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at
first nothing
happened and he got a little scared but he kept going and water started
coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a
shower, and filled all the containers he could find. Because he was
willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he
needed. Now the note also said: after you have finished, please refill
the jug for the next traveler. The man refilled the jug and added to
the note: Please prime the pump, believe me it works!
We have the same choice to make, do we hold on to what we have because
we don't believe there are better things in store for us, and settle
for immediate satisfaction? Or do we trust God and give up all that we
have to get what God has promised us? I think the choice is obvious. We
need to pour in all the water, trust God with everything. Then once we
have experienced what God has to offer, the living water, we need to
tell other people, Go ahead prime the pump, believe me it works!
Your Pastor and Friend,
Rev. Chuck Halipilias
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Suggestions to mt570@bellsouth.net
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