I read about a tough old cowboy who lived years ago and he used to counsel his grandson that if he wanted to live a long life, the secret was to sprinkle a little gunpowder on his oatmeal every morning.  The grandson followed his grandfather's advice religiously.  Every morning of his life he did as his grandfather had taught him and sprinkled a little gunpowder on his oatmeal before eating it.  As a result of this, he lived to be 99 years old.  When he died, he left 14 children, 28 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and, in the building where he was cremated, he left a fifteen foot hole in the wall.

 

What will you leave behind?

 

King David desired to build a temple in Jerusalem to the honor of God.  But God told David to "stand down" and not build it.   However, He promised that his son, Solomon, would be permitted to do so.  From that point on, David began to give materially to the project and gather the resources needed for the construction.  In 1 Chronicles 29 David said to the people in his last words to the nation of Israel, "With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God...besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple" (1 Chron. 29:2-3).   When David died, he left behind the materials that were needed for Solomon to complete the first temple in Jerusalem.

 

We stand on the brink of one of the great projects in our church's history, the remodeling of our worship center.  I am pleased by the great response thus far to the project (especially from this past Sunday).  I hope you will join me in praying daily for the successful completion of this remodeling task.  But I would ask you to keep in mind the motivation for such a project as I shared Sunday from the lips of  King David: "This is not for man but for the Lord God" (1 Chron. 29:1).   

 

It is time to do as David said, "Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord?" (v.5).   It is time for us to give ourselves to the moral and financial support of our worship remodeling.  It is time to say along with Israel of old "We will too!"  We will give of our provisions to fulfill this vision.  I request only that each of us ask the Lord, "What should I give?"  And then be obedient to God and give generously as He directs. (Remember: not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice).

 

Later in 1 Chronicles 29, David rejoices to the Lord that "I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you" (v.17).   I look forward to the celebration that will be ours to the Lord by Easter Sunday 2015 as we rejoice together to our faithful Lord in our newly remodeled and beautiful worship center.  What a day that will be!

 

David was right in what he left behind for future generations.  Even so are we in what we leave behind!   All of this to the glory of God!

 

Devotedly yours,

Pastor Ron

 

P.S. Go to www.fbcpompano.org and click on the plans for the remodeling.