Overwhelmed? In Good Company

There's plenty happening these days, which might be why today's message is titled "Overwhelmed?" Nevertheless, here are a few upcoming events to be aware of in the life of the church.

1. After church today there was supposed to be an Open House at Pastor Terry and Leah's. 6442 Tresdan Road... It has been postponed till Next Sunday.
2. The Council is seeking a Worship Commission Chairperson.
3. There will be a Fish Fry /Silent Auction / Bloodmobile, October 14, 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
4. Youth Group has resumed for Wednesday evenings.
5.  Pot Luck is next Sunday...
6. Oct 21 Handbag Luncheon. See Paula for details.

Terry opened our time of worship by reading Psalm 137 and the worship team then led us in several songs. The offering was taken while the worship team sang "I Am Yours, You Are Mine."

Cheryl Borndal led us in our time of bringing petitions to the Lord and then Pastor Terry brought the message.

Overwhelmed? In Good Company

Today's message will be drawn from Exodus 18. Terry stated that he wanted to make three points this morning: (1) The nature of being overwhelmed. (2) That others outside of your own circumstances sometimes have good insights for you. (3) Letting Christ reign supreme in your life.

Today's Bonsai tree was a dwarf variety of a Ponderosa Pine. It's actually an amazing, and old, tree. But many people just see it as a shrub. People often miss things that are quite special, things that might expand our appreciation for God's creation.

Today's story from Exodus is about when Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, visited Moses. In their conversation Jethro reminds Moses that is is God who brought you out of Egypt. The two are in agreement that what God has done is very great.

In the next paragraph, beginning in verse 13, Moses is taken aside for a moment of correction. After seeing Moses judge and rule for a day Jethro asks, "What are you doing? Why are you doing this?"

Often, what we think is normal is often not normal at all. Why do we do the things we do? Often we are so far off base we don't even realize it.

Moses answered Jethro, explaining his rationale for running things this way.

But Jethro states directly, "This way of doing things is not good... Listen to me. I will give you some advice, and God be with you."

Moses' father-in-law then told him to select capable men to whom he could delegate the task of resolving issues. The capable men can make decisions for anything not complicated, and the most difficult cases would be brought to Moses.

Summing Up: The Spirit of God gives gifts to each of us individually to bring to the greater whole, that we might fulfill God's purposes as a body of believers. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.

You never know where the seeds you sow will become effective. But as it is written, "Let us not be weary of doing good."

It is an important piece of God's plan, that we learn how each of us fits into God's larger purposes.