“God will always help us do His work.” I remember the first time I ever heard my brother, Jerry, use this phrase, but it made such an impression on me that, more than forty years later, it remains a foundational truth written on my soul. It is the basis for hope and optimism in planning and doing His work.
As I think about the Mission Sunday challenge which lies before us, I cannot help but reflect on Jerry’s words. Eight years ago, when we first set aside one Sunday’s contribution each year to support mission work, I could never have dreamed what the outcome would be. Had we continued our previous method of financing mission work with our regular contribution we would have likely given $400,000 for mission work. Are you aware that this Sunday we will surpass $1,000,000 given by this congregation to support mission work? “God will always help us do His work.”
The thought that during the next year every member at Palm Beach Lakes can know that about 500 neighbors around them will be receiving mail from this church is so overwhelming! God willing, it will not just happen one time, but again and again over the next several months. How many of us have driven to our homes and thought of all the souls in the houses we pass? How many have wondered if there would ever be a way to get the message of Christ into each of those homes? If all goes as planned, it will happen this year. “God will always help us do His work.”
The plan will involve so many members as we prepare to send the message to 100,000 homes. To do this there must be a massive response when the time comes to affix labels, to sort them and to get them to the post office. It will not happen with one group coming to the building for a few hours, but will demand many teams working together for many hours. Think of the impact! Think of the joy of knowing you have been part of getting His message to the 500 homes nearest you. Can it be done? “God will always help us do His work.”
Now add to this the support of foreign missionaries and you see how much greater the challenge is—the ongoing support of men in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, the island nations of the south Pacific and that amazing work in Paraguay. Then, there are the other opportunities which were announced this past Sunday which space does not allow us to mention. We have prayed for Mission Sunday; we have planned for Mission Sunday; we have been challenged by Mission Sunday. Sacrificial hearts will be blessed by God. Just remember, “God will always help us do His work.”