Before you kill another turkey, you need to answer three questions.  The Thanksgiving and Christmas season is an incredible opportunity for us to reflect on God’s faithfulness and become more aware of the needs of the people around us.  In every community there are real and tangible needs.

This next week may be the best opportunity to let God speak to you about how much He loves the world.   So how do we align our heart with God’s?  We must answer these three questions…

“Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas, a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”  Acts 4:36-37

3 Questions For Thanksgiving

1. Am I Paying Attention?  –   “Awareness creates opportunity for response.”

I guarantee you, if you open your eyes you will see needs all around you.  It is impossible not to see the lonely and hurting people around you.  At the train station, in the mall.  Just look into people’s eyes. When you feel like you need to do something, this is the Holy Spirit speaking to you.  Listen and sense the need.  Jesus always gave people a look, a touch and a word.

2. How Much Will I Give?  –  “Our heart demands our attention.”

Tithing 10%, and giving in general is a faith and heart question. We are instructed to set aside the first 10% of our income for the advancement of God’s kingdom.  It is the FIRST thing God wants us to do out of joy and empowerment as opposed to guilt and restriction.  He sees your heart to give and he is pleased.  He loves when our motivation is to please Him.  The verse below conveys His instruction regarding tithing:

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.”  Malachi 3:10-12

3. Will I Forgive My Family? –  “Family hurts but Jesus heals.”

One thing I can guarantee, we all at one time or another have had a family member offend us.  Life is short, Thanksgiving is here, so get over your pride. Seek forgiveness and forgive and this will be the most powerful thing you do.

“Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?”  Matthew 7:4

OK, sharpen the knife, time to eat!

Josh

We are officially #Relaunching @217church after 6 full years of ministry.  Our first Sunday services will be Sunday February 7, 2016  Don’t worry, we have regular weekend services leading up to this historic day for us as we prepare and build our teams!   Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00.  Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, we would love to have you join us.  Don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. or watch a weekend message here