Brothers and Sisters, first of all I pray that you all have a blessed day and second, that you are making the gospel attractive to those around you who may not be believers in Christ.

Watch your tongue and your behavior–be professional, gentle, and gracious as you yourselves have received a great grace that you did not deserve.

I am moved to let you in on how my life is going in these “post Fort McPherson days.”  I spend a lot of my time in preparation for preaching on Sundays, preparing notes to teach seminary classes and bible studies, getting ready for pastoral counseling sessions, getting out in the community, and traveling to board meetings.  I am also in a Doctor of Ministry Program that “aint no joke!”  Obviously there are also things that happen in the lives of those around me that cannot be scheduled such as illnesses, deaths of loved ones, etc, in which I offer assistance if it is wanted.  I am learning that a lot of pastoral ministry is simply “being in the right place at the right time.”   The absolute most important thing I do is bowing before the Throne of Grace in prayer so that I can continue to perform my duties in the joy of Jesus.

Do you have joy?  I mean really?  If you don’t, why not?  Let me tell you what I have experienced as one of things that can easily steal your joy–the worship of money.  This is not the only joy killer, but if money is your God and source of security, it opens you up to all types of temptations.  Understand this beloved of God, your money belongs to Him and it can be gone very quickly; scriptures say that if you even look at it the wrong way, it will fly away like a bird.  I am still in the process of learning to love and worship Jesus Christ ALONE.  I admit, I am tempted on an hourly basis to fall down and worship this very fragile god.  However, the Lord has shown me that I must look to Him as my only hope for an abundant life.  Brothers and Sisters, be generous, use your money justly to bless others, give to the church, support charities, save in accordance with good stewardship, don’t be greedy and scared that you are going to be poor–don’t let that type of mentality make you stingy.  Your money is not yours.  You have been set free from fear to do good.  Be rich in your relationship with God and people.

~ Former Sr. Pastor Mike Higgins

Proverbs 23:4-5
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.  Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Ecclesiastes 5:10
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.  This too is meaningless.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.