I get to be generous… like our Generous God!
I’ve learned a lot this past year on generosity. I used to think it only had to do with money… but there is so much more!
First, here are a couple Bible passages that have been near my heart on the topic of generosity…
“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” - Proverbs 11:25
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” - Ephesians 1:3
2 Corinthians 9:8-15 - go and read the whole section!
“8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
…11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.
…13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News (Gospel) of Christ.
…15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!”
It’s hard for me not to go into full ‘preach’ mode with these passages because there is SO much goodness to share! But just some bullet points…
We get refreshed when we lean into generosity
Our Generous God has already given us EVERY spiritual blessing; we are lacking nothing
We will not only have everything we need, but plenty leftover to share with others
In every way (not just money) we can always be generous
Our generosity is directly connected to our obedience to the Gospel… not because we ‘have to’, but because we ‘WANT TO’!
And generosity is a gift too wonderful for words
Again, so much goodness in these passages, but here is the reason why I wanted this to be a blog update to share with you.
Generosity is connected to the calling we are sensing to go to Panama, …NOW!
Like I said at the beginning, I used to think generosity only had to do with money. Growing up on a farm in SD, I had this sense that I wasn’t going to have a lot financially in life, and I was okay with that. I think it was part of God preparing me to say ‘yes’ to a calling to a life of ministry.
Because we are made in the image of God, we not only reflect Him (Who He is) to the world, but we also represent Him as His messengers.
This means, that because our God is a generous God… we too, are all made to be generous for His Kingdom purposes!
And I love hearing stories of when God works powerfully through His people to provide for His Kingdom purposes. Make sure you keep reading to the end to hear some amazing updates from Jon Fowler, director of Word of Life Panama. God is moving through His people!
I’ve often ‘day dreamed’ of people who have the ability to give a ‘blank check’ for whatever the financial need is. To have so much in abundance that the check could be written for any amount, and not only perfectly meet the need, but have above and beyond leftover.
I had that experience last spring… but NOT with money!
We had invited our friend Jon Fowler up to our church to share about what God is doing at Word of Life Panama. We had been bringing teams to serve in Panama for years at this point, and we were also starting to help other churches bring teams down as well.
I was able to fill the room with ‘friends of Panama’ who were leaning in, sensing excitement for the unique work God is doing there. I was able to tell the story of how that gathering of people happened. I invited up my good friend Jon to cast the vision, and then I got to go to the back of the room and watch it all happen.
And I found my self overwhelmed with emotion… I cried… because it felt like I got to write a blank check of generosity… but it wasn’t money… it was relationships! Friends… following Jesus together… on mission for the Kingdom of Jesus… to Panama!
When I experienced that, more than ever, my heart longed to continue to be a part of it! When we step into the generosity God has put in all of us, we want to do it more, because it is for Him!
Over the last eight years, we have sent nine teams to Panama, 142 people, students and adults. As well as now four other churches and a ministry group sending their own teams!
Another 'friends of Panama' night that happened more recently!
I get to be generous… like our Generous God!
This is why we are sensing God’s call to go on this mission as a family. We feel uniquely wired to step into this role and generously be a part of such a bigger story of what God is doing in advancing His Kingdom in the hearts and lives of people all over the world!
Would you join us in this?!
From Jon Fowler, director of Word of Life Panama
Update on Ministry NEEDS and ...PRAISES!
I am in shock as I write this email! We had mentioned in our last news letter that we have various projects/needs that are impeding our progress as a ministry, and in just the last week we have seen the Lord provide in amazing ways!
Our two biggest projects have now been fully funded! The hotel for missionary staff lodging during camp season and special conferences throughout the year ($850K), and four cabins for the Discipleship School ($280K)! A total of $1,130,000 has now been committed! We are blown away at God's gracious hand on our ministry at Word of Life Panama.
