Bishop Alexis A. Thomas revealed the vision and expansion plans for the church this morning. We are planning to build a permanent East Valley Campus, (the services are currently held in a high school auditorium), and remodeling and expanding the foyer of the main campus building for better crowd flow and control, and paying off debts on current facilities. Sadly, the congregation grew quiet. The enemy has bombarded us with negative thoughts and impressions about preachers asking for money. THIS IS A TRICK OF THE ENEMY! There is no shortage in the earth! Did you hear me? There is no shortage in the earth! The enemy uses the spirit of poverty, lack, and rejection to keep us from really seeing and understanding the truth! The enemy knows that if we ever get the truth about prosperity and abundance, we will destroy his kingdom! 1 John 3:8 says, "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." (KJV)
The enemy wants you to think that if another person or group prospers, it must be at your expense. Don't be fooled! The way to get is to give. Giving is spiritual! Luke 6:38 says, "Give to others, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands—more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you."(Easy-to-Read Version)
Bishop acknowledge that there are members of the congregation that are currently struggling financially. Then he reminded us of a very familiar Bible story. 1 Kings 17:8-16 says, "Then God spoke to him: “Get up and go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I've instructed a woman who lives there, a widow, to feed you.” So he got up and went to Zarephath. As he came to the entrance of the village he met a woman, a widow, gathering firewood. He asked her, “Please, would you bring me a little water in a jug? I need a drink.” As she went to get it, he called out, “And while you’re at it, would you bring me something to eat?” She said, “I swear, as surely as your God lives, I don’t have so much as a biscuit. I have a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a bottle; you found me scratching together just enough firewood to make a last meal for my son and me. After we eat it, we’ll die.” Elijah said to her, “Don’t worry about a thing. Go ahead and do what you've said. But first make a small biscuit for me and bring it back here. Then go ahead and make a meal from what’s left for you and your son. This is the word of the God of Israel: ‘The jar of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil will not become empty before God sends rain on the land and ends this drought.’” And she went right off and did it, did just as Elijah asked. And it turned out as he said—daily food for her and her family. The jar of meal didn't run out and the bottle of oil didn't become empty: God’s promise fulfilled to the letter, exactly as Elijah had delivered it!
Bishop said, "God creates moments to get his people out of financial difficulty and challenges by creating moments for his people to exercise Faith in Him!" Think of the Faith this woman had to exercise! There was a famine and a drought in the land. She was a mother. A true loving mother will sacrifice to provide for her children. I love this quote and it fits in nicely right here. "A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." ~(Tenneva Jordan) But don't miss what God says, in verse 9, "I've instructed a woman who lives there, a widow, to feed you.” Did you get that? God had already spoken to the woman! Even though she protested when the prophet asked her to make him a cake, God said he had already told her to feed the prophet. I was discussing with a dear friend recently, how to know if God is telling you to do something or if it's the enemy. The Bible says, "in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." Matthew 18:16 (KJV) The widow had two witnesses to the fact that she was to feed the prophet. Even though this was the worst day of her life, an opportunity presented itself and her life was changed forever. What the prophet said, came to pass! Her little bit of food was multiplied and she and her son did not have to eat their last meal and die of starvation. Bishop encouraged us, "The worst day, can be your best day!"
God is waiting to bless us! What's the hold up? We have to check ourselves in the mirror of the Word. If we're looking good in the mirror of the Word, then have Faith that God has provided and the blessing is on the way! Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides." (Amplified)
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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