I am constantly amazed by your generosity! Collectively, you always meet a need when it is placed before you. Our Fulshear family is an extremely generous church by giving time, talents and money. Recently, I witnessed your generosity by helping support the Senior Citizens from our community, in the work of ministry, in benevolence, and in special contributions for the building, but It’s so much more. I have noticed that some of you are generous in sending cards to encourage others, preparing Bible classes to equip others, helping our girls to learn and serve generously, and by spending time encouraging those who are sick.

 The elders have asked for your generous support time and again in so many areas and your selflessness continues to rise to the top. The elders are committed to using our resources wisely and beneficially. However, their request has multiple blessings attached to it. We are blessed as we give because it honors the Lord’s statement, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). It also honors the Lord because we know “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). It honors the King because it communicates the respect we have for His spiritual shepherds, especially when they make a request and we respond as obedient sheep (1 Peter 5:1-5).

 Let’s remember to always keep our focus on serving, sharing, and supporting those who are in need as we wait for our Savior to return.

“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”  (Proverbs 11:25)

John 4:1-26

 When you think about love, what does it look like? Does it look like a sweet lady teaching the wonderful stories of the Bible to a class full of kiddos? Does it look like a sweet older couple who appear to be madly in love with one another even though their faces are lined with wrinkles and their steps have shortened almost to a shuffle, walking hand in hand in full assurance of faith and love? Does it look like the heart of a faithful servant, serving with respect and diligence in a food pantry helping to put food on the table for hungry mouths and empty bellies? Does it look like the innocent face of a newborn baby who is so pure and sinless? Yes, on all accounts!!

 There are a lot of people who display selfless, active, and unconditional love each day by the way they live in love. Love is a decision that acts unselfishly, unconditionally, and nonjudgmentally. It’s a tough life but necessary to live out a lifestyle of love!

 Jesus Christ is LOVE...Jesus suffers long, He is kind, He does not envy, He does not parade Himself, He is not puffed up, He doesn't behave rudely, nor does He seek His own, and He is not easily provoked. He thinks NO EVIL and doesn't rejoice in iniquity! He bears, believes, hopes, and endures ALL THINGS. Jesus is love with flesh and bones. He is a compassionate heart with a loving nonjudgmental look for the worst of us and serves, cares, and sacrifices anyway! He is what Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 13:4-6. 

 He displayed His love toward the woman at the well (John 4:1-26). He also displayed His love toward Matthew, a sinner (Matthew 9:9-13). He certainly shared His love with an untouchable group of lepers (Luke 17:11-19). There are so many people who are the recipients of Jesus's unconditional, unselfish, and nonjudgmental love. 

 Let's do all we can to follow the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and love with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let us love our neighbors the way Jesus loves them. 

 “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” -- 1 John 2:6

John 4:1-26

 When you think about love, what does it look like? Does it look like a sweet lady teaching the wonderful stories of the Bible to a class full of kiddos? Does it look like a sweet older couple who appear to be madly in love with one another even though their faces are lined with wrinkles and their steps have shortened almost to a shuffle, walking hand in hand in full assurance of faith and love? Does it look like the heart of a faithful servant, serving with respect and diligence in a food pantry helping to put food on the table for hungry mouths and empty bellies? Does it look like the innocent face of a newborn baby who is so pure and sinless? Yes, on all accounts!!

 There are a lot of people who display selfless, active, and unconditional love each day by the way they live in love. Love is a decision that acts unselfishly, unconditionally, and nonjudgmentally. It’s a tough life but necessary to live out a lifestyle of love!

 Jesus Christ is LOVE...Jesus suffers long, He is kind, He does not envy, He does not parade Himself, He is not puffed up, He doesn't behave rudely, nor does He seek His own, and He is not easily provoked. He thinks NO EVIL and doesn't rejoice in iniquity! He bears, believes, hopes, and endures ALL THINGS. Jesus is love with flesh and bones. He is a compassionate heart with a loving nonjudgmental look for the worst of us and serves, cares, and sacrifices anyway! He is what Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 13:4-6. 

 He displayed His love toward the woman at the well (John 4:1-26). He also displayed His love toward Matthew, a sinner (Matthew 9:9-13). He certainly shared His love with an untouchable group of lepers (Luke 17:11-19). There are so many people who are the recipients of Jesus's unconditional, unselfish, and nonjudgmental love. 

 Let's do all we can to follow the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and love with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let us love our neighbors the way Jesus loves them. 

 “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” -- 1 John 2:6

John 3:31 “He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.” 

Religious disagreements are inevitable with people.  With a difference of opinions, personalities, and perspectives, debate and discussion are normal.  However, when a dispute comes up always make sure that you are standing on the side of truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth found only in God’s word. 

As I read through the first three chapters of the Gospel of John, I continue to be amazed by John the Baptist, his love for Jesus Christ, and his willingness to stand for truth!  John does not shy away from standing for the truth.  As a matter of fact, standing for the truth is what got John the Baptist killed (Matthew 14:4). 

A dispute arose with some of John the Baptist’s disciples and the Jews over PURIFICATION (John 3:25).  The text doesn’t go into detail about the discussion, but it appears this is a discussion over purification in connection with the baptism of Jesus.  In chapter 3:22, John the apostle clues us in on Jesus and his disciples baptizing in the land of Judea.  In 3:26, the discussion is about everyone going to Jesus and His baptism.  It appears the disciples of John are questioning the legitimacy and authority of the baptism of Jesus.  John answers this dispute in 3:27 by stating that Jesus is gets His authority from God the Father.

In John 3:31, John is teaching his disciples that Jesus is baptizing by the authority of God. John says that Jesus is from above (because He is God) and that he (John) is from the earth.  John is showing that he is operating under the authority of Jesus……who is God! John simply looks past the dispute that his disciples have and directs them to receive what has come from God. 

We should always direct people to that which is from above, found in God’s word.  We should drop our opinions and perspectives to receive only that which is biblical.  The motivation in all discussion is to be biblical and loving as we share the truth. 

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” Ephesians 4:15

Where is your heart?  Let me ask the question a different way, what do you treasure most?  Jesus tells us that what is closest to our heart is the thing we treasure the most, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21).  Is it true that our hearts can be bound to our wallets?  Notice what our Lord says about our hearts (and possibly our wallets), “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt 6:19-20).  Jesus would also say in this context, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33).

 I am not the Lord and therefore I do not know your heart, however, I am good at observation.  What I noticed this past week with our first special contribution of the year was this, the Fulshear church of Christ has a heart connected to the kingdom of God and treasures in heaven, and a desire to honor the Lord.  

 Last Sunday the total given was over $20,000 for the regular and special contributions.  On top of that, you gave generously to help us serve the Senior Citizens that meet daily at the Irene Stern Community Center.  Gail Richardson was able to collect enough for the cost of the meal.  We are still in need of a foldable wagon ($100... see Gail for info) which is one of the items requested that would be most useful for Loraine.  

 I know that you are not trying to impress me, the elders, or members of this church family with your giving but I can’t help but be impressed and I know the elders are as well.  I’m amazed that you see giving to the Lord as a privilege.  THANK YOU!

 “...IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.” (Acts 20:35).