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Christian author, Richard Foster, writes, "The crying need today is for people of faith to live faithfully." I would have to admit in my own life that I often feel a chasm between my belief and practice. It seems like there is a battle between the "life of the Spirit" and the "life of the flesh" that wars within me. The Bible says that the Spirit brings life but the flesh brings death. Although I know this in my head and experience it in my life, unfortunately I am not always victorious over the flesh. Fosters' words ring true and resonate deep within me... I pray the chasm between my belief and practice narrows.

As I grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ there is a deeper realization of the centrality of the gospel in and through all things. The Lord is gracious to show me that giving affords me the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness, mimic the nature of our Lord and win a small victory over the relentless call of money for my devotion. Martin Luther conveys this insight, "There are three conversions necessary: the conversion of the heart, mind and the purse." Our church family has a tremendous opportunity to proclaim the gospel and give evidence of God's grace working within them as they give generously.

 Your pastor,

David Ritsema

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