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The GCF: Open Our Hands, Lord


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#1 Liz Udall

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Posted 25 November 2015 - 01:27 PM

Today I listened to John Stumbo's Thursday Morning Address to Council from this summer. You can view the condensed version of this here: John Stumbo Video Blog No. 25. The Lord used this message to really convict me of the sin of consumerism, greed, and pride. The pride that I should be able to direct how each dollar I give should be used. The consumerism that says I need more and better things. The greed that wants to give just enough to check the box and no more.

 

I tend to think of myself as a generous person. My husband and I give to a number of our missionary friends. However, I know we can do so much more. Seeing what could happen if our Alliance churches gave 10% of their budget to the GCF was astounding. I really appreciated how John Stumbo shared from his heart about this. 

 

This is the prayer of my heart in response:

 

Lord, you gave freely of Yourself. You didn’t regard equality with God a thing to be held onto. You emptied Yourself, taking the form of a human servant. You poured Yourself out on the Cross. O God, everything I have belongs to You and is a gift from You. Would You enable me to live life with open hands? Open hands with everything You have entrusted to me? Show me how to respond to Your call to complete Your Great Comission. Give me the grace to obey.

 

Amen.


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#2 Patricia Whalen

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Posted 01 December 2015 - 08:12 AM

Amen and amen!!!


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#3 Phil

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Posted 24 February 2016 - 02:40 AM

Great post Liz. Of the three sins mentioned (consumerism, greed, and pride) I think pride is at the dark heart of the other two. And sooner or later we'll all learn that pride really does...goeth before a fall. 


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#4 smaniar

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Posted 02 September 2016 - 03:43 PM

Amen, Liz. Living open-handedly is like a diamond in the rough-- from the outside it can feel vulnerable, uncertain, and a little lonely, especially in certain cultures where independence and self-reliance (and therefore holding onto one's resources for future needs) is prized. But once we take steps toward living open-handedly unto the Lord, where all He has given us is freely offered back to Him, what freedom, what joy, and what power of His presence is manifested in our lives! Holy reliance on Him... for after all, His has blessed us in order to become a blessing to others.


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#5 Surely goodness

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Posted 09 September 2016 - 06:12 PM

I just got here joining an hour or so ago.

LIZ I hope your vision & words are always going to bring life & joy to His call , we ALL share
BE blessed to be a blessing everyone. If you will thank God He does the same for my husband & I.
Amen
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#6 Brenda Rodriguez

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Posted 02 November 2016 - 08:35 AM

Thank you Liz!

BTW Congratulations. I have enjoyed your new family pictures. Bless you!


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#7 Bukenya6

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Posted 29 August 2017 - 02:02 PM

Glory to our lord