::truth::

Business Class Pride

“Attack the Status Quo” seems to be the motto for the book of James! The attitudes James exposes in chapter 4:13-17 are nothing less than a clash of worldviews that the brother of Jesus must confront.  The first “worldview” is what we might call “business class pride”, a practical atheism that presumptuously plans as if there was no God. “Religion is all well and good for Sunday morning, but I’ll take control of my own pursuits starting Monday”. We plan as if tomorrow was guaranteed and we determined the outcome of events.

Yet as recent headlines have shown us, our lives are but a vapor. We are here today and gone tomorrow. And if we were so smart about the future, why did the economic downturn catch us so off guard?

No, humility demands we confess we are much more frail and ignorant than we’d like to admit.  But there is another way to view the world.

Rather than “business class pride”, we need to live life before the face of God – something ancient theologians called “Coram Deo”. R.C. Sproul explains it like this:

“This phrase literally refers to something that takes place in the presence of, or before the face of, God. To live coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God”

“Living under divine sovereignty involves more than a reluctant submission to sheer sovereignty that is motivated out of a fear of punishment. It involves recognizing that there is no higher goal than offering honor to God. Our lives are to be living sacrifices, oblations offered in a spirit of adoration and gratitude.”

As we conduct our lives in the business world, we do so with an understanding of the sovereignty and providence of God. Yes, we must make plans and do business. But we do so in a spirit of simple humility and joyful dependence on God for the outcome.  As a wise man once said, “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3

And when God alters our plans, rather than frustration and irritation, we can respond with trust and excitement about the new adventure He has for us! To quote John Newton (writer of “Amazing Grace”):

“When I hear a knock at my study door, I hear a message from God. It may be a lesson of instruction; perhaps a lesson of patience: but, since it is his message, it must be interesting!”

The well wisher of your soul’s happiness,

Pastor Tom

::prayer::

Christine:  Please pray for my friend Trey’s step dad who has liver cancer.  Trey, his mother and step dad are believers.

Sandee: I am having a stressful time at work right now.   Pray that God would give me the strength to get through it and that I would remember that my job is not what matter in the end.  Pray that I keep my focus on God.  Pray that Jordan, Nichole and Brett would keep their focus on God.

Carolyn:  Strategic planning meetings this week Wednesday – Friday.  That we would hear the voice of God, and then follow, believe and obey.  Also pray for me to walk in energy and love, ready to serve the Body as we travel to Staff Conference in Colorado.  My schedule has been very heavy lately.

Julie: Please pray for my father, Julian, and my husband, Tito, to keep them healthy and strong.

Deborah:  Via God’s will, I would like to find a state certified kitchen to bake in.

Nancy:  Praise the Lord for Jonathan’s good progress so far.  Ask God to continue to work in his life – physically and spiritually.  Also, pray for strength for Tom and I to stand firm in another difficult trial that has arisen.

Lindsey:  Pray for her as she continues her Summer Internship in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Andria: Pray for safety and a good opportunity to reconnect with her brother as they travel from Arizona to Orlando.

Wendy: Please pray for my friend Sandy’s grandson Sammy. He is 9 and they just found the osteo-sarcoma in his left femur.

::community::

This Week:

• Youth “Game” Night: The youth are invited to chill at the Welch’s this Friday evening. Bring a board game and snacks! 6:30 – 9:00PM. RSVP to tom@swchurchonline.org.

Sunday, July 5 –

• 9:15 AM – Family Bible Classes for all ages.
• 10:30 AM – Worship Service
• Next Sunday’s Message: “The Prosperity Trap”, from James 5:1-6

THIS WEEKS SERVANTS:

• Set-up: Glenn & Sons
• Prayer: Ren Bigelow
• Nursery: Betsy Warren
• Greeters: The Tindall’s

::mission::

Linda Pace (Dominican Republic) - Praise that Linda has found an apartment close to her mother’s while she is on home assignment.  Pray for the opportunities that will come her way in the next 6 months.

Tim & Janice Greenfield (Guadalajara, Mexico) – Praise that 15 couples began a 7 week journey on improving their marriages.  Three of the couples are brand new to the group.  Pray for these couples as they nurture their marriages and grow closer to God.