The Cattle On A Thousand Hills

Last Sunday I was quite surprised. Thank you all for your encouragement and gifts. Over the past several weeks, I felt like I was being hammered. Cars breaking down. Septic system not working. Laundry piling up. College bill due. Your words and gifts of encouragement were exactly what I needed. My thoughts went to the book of Philippians, where Paul mentions their gift to him. He wrote that their gifts were "a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God." On Monday morning, I shared with the guys in the warehouse about your generosity and encouragement. They were quite impressed. They were able to hear how God worked through you to encourage my family. It was a reminder to me that it is indeed the Lord God who works in you to will and to act according to His purpose. Thank you for being an instrument of encouragement. You were also an instrument of hope as I was reminded of Philippians 4.19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." We know that God is aware of our difficulties in life. We know that God owns the cattle on the thousand hills. But in the midst of our difficulties, it easy to wish that God would sell just a few of His cows. As Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, that the birds of the air do not sow or reap or store their food, yet God feeds them. It is a vivid reminder that God does take care of us and He blesses us in so many ways. My hope and trust in the Lord's promises were renewed because of you. Your gracious act resulted in praise to God and resulted in others hearing how good God really is. Gratitude is a form of praise. Not only are we grateful for you, but for how God works in our lives. As we near Thanksgiving, may your hearts be full of gratitude to God for He is a Mighty God full of great deeds. Blessings, Pastor Pete