Pat White, the Holy Spirit and You

USA Today had a feature article recently about the NFL draft featuring our own WV quarterback, Pat White. As you know, Pat is incredibly talented and gifted. He passed for 6000 yards and rushed for 4400 yards. His incredible speed and quickness makes him an extremely versatile player. Pat could play quarterback, running back, receiver or a kick off returner. The article predicted Pat would go high in the draft. He did. The Miami Dolphins drafted him in the second round.

Pat has a great professional career ahead of him and I look forward to watching his progress. But after I read the article I had this thought: “How many of us don’t even try to find, use and develop our gift because we’re not a Pat White?” We think God is looking for “great” and so we hesitate to give him something that is “good.”

I heard a speaker this week that said, “God is not looking for us to do the impossible, He’s asking us to do what we can.” Remember the little boy with the bag lunch in John 6 who gave it to Jesus. It was just some bread and dried fish. Jesus took that little gift and used to feed the 5000 people. Remember the poor widow in Luke 21 who put a few pennies in the offering plate while the rich put in big bags of gold? Jesus said she gave more than the rich did because her small gift represented deep love and real sacrifice. She gave what she had.

Here’s a powerful Gift Principle: Anything we give to God, no matter how small it may appear, God will take it, and use it, and multiple its’ impact beyond our wildest dreams. In other words, you don’t have to a Pat White to used by God, you just need to be you, willing to give what you have.

The “E” in our vision of LIFE stands for: “Everyone involved in ministry.” When everyone at Emmanuel finds their place and begins to use their gift, we discover we can do more together than we could ever do alone The speaker at the Faith Link dinner told the story about the old horse pulling contests you often see at county fairs. The winning horse pulled 4500 pounds. The second place house pulled 4000 pounds. Then someone asked the question: “How much could they pull if you yoked them together?” They did and the two horses together were able to pull an additional 3500 pounds. That’s the power of teamwork, the multiplying power of synergy and cooperation.

Rich Warren puts it this way: “That's what God does in our lives. He takes us, He breaks us, He blesses us, and He uses us. He multiplies a little into a lot because it was planted as a seed.”

Practical “gift” challenge: Fast one meal in May and use that time to pray. Ask God to bring to mind one person who is hurting or struggling. Ask God to bring to mind the groups in our community that are doing work that honors him. Then take the $5-10 dollars you saved from missing the lunch and call that person you prayed for and invite them out to lunch; or give a donation to the group or person you prayed for that is making a real difference in people’s lives.

If you have accepted Jesus into your heart, then you have God’s Spirit living in you. If you have God’s Spirit living in you, then you have received a gift. If you have a gift, then use it. You don’t have to be Pat White to do amazing things for God. You just need to be you and willing to give what you have.

Giving what I have with you, Pastor Kurt Busiek

Emmanuel is a church that seeks to offer LIFE to the world. The LIFE we offer includes:
L oving God (the Great Commandment - Love God and People)
I ncluding Others
F ellowship Groups
E veryone involved in Ministry (the Great Commission)
"Go into all the world and make disciples..."

Emmanuel is a diverse, family church of around 300 that includes a variety of ages and backgrounds, gifts and interests. We worship in a blended style that includes both sacred hymns and contemporary choruses. Our services are both traditional and informal.

If you are seeking a church, we would love to meet you sometime.

If you have questions, call 485 5171 or email Pastor Kurt at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Check out a TV commerical we aired this year on WTAP:

http://www.wtapcreative.com/client/Emmanuel.html

Services
Sunday Morning Worship:
8:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Evening: 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Evening Dinner: 5:15 p.m.
Wednesday Evening Bible Study: 6:00 p.m.

Contact Information
Telephone: (304) 485-5171
Address: 1710 23rd Street Parkersburg, WV 26101 (near the City Park)

FAX: (304) 485-5194

Emmanuel's Capital Project Phase One has been completed.  Thank you for your support!