Matthew's Message - Friday 31st March 2017

Dear Church Family

Giving. It's basic to who we are and what we do.

As we approach Easter we'll be remembering how God gave his Son up to death that we might be forgiven and set free. And the Lord continues to generously give of Himself in so many ways to us and to the broken world in which we live, because giving is intrinsic to the nature of God. As disciples of Jesus we're called to do the same and to live a lifestyle of giving.

That's why we're pleased to put on our first EQUIP leadership day this Monday in St Michael le Belfrey Church, as we seek to give away what the Lord has given us. Please pray that goes well and that many leaders from York and the North are equipped by the Holy Spirit to lead their churches and communities into the future.

As we invest in each other through our midweek Belfrey Groups, so we're giving our time, our love, our wisdom and our prayers - asking the Lord to build each other up. Let's not underestimate the importance of this kind of giving and the support so many of us give and receive from each other in our church groups. It's so important! And at its heart is giving.

​Every time we reach out in mission to someone in need, as we share words of life and acts of love, we're giving. Giving, because God first gave to us.

​All good relationships are based on giving. When Sam and I spend time with a couple who are struggling in their marriage, usually something has happened so that one or other has stopped giving. When wedding rings are exchanged in a Christian marriage service couples say: 'All that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you.' That's promising a marriage based on giving - which isn't always easy, but it's how we thrive.

If you want some divine encouragement on giving, take three minutes to read and reflect on these 7 Scriptures on giving. You'll be inspired! 
1) Proverbs 11:25; 2) 2 Corinthians 9:8; 3) Proverbs 18:16; 4) 1 Corinthians 13:3; 5) Proverbs 31:9; 6) Psalm 37:4; 7) Proverbs 3:9-10.

So let's keep giving. Giving to others. And allowing others to give to us. (That's important too!) It's through giving that we thrive as God's people. And let's make sure we're regularly encountering Jesus and being filled with his life-giving Spirit, for he has so much more to give to each one of us. Such is his generous love.

God bless.

Matthew
(Vicar)