West Main

Every Choice Comes With Sacrifice

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:31-33).

In the above text, Jesus is calling us to put into first place in our lives that which is most valuable. The truth, no matter how seemingly obvious or commonplace, is that only one person, place, or thing can occupy first place. Thus we now can see a fundamental truth we all face as human beings in this world: Every choice comes with sacrifice. Choosing what to place first in our lives means not choosing something or someone else to be in first position. So every time we make a choice we are at the same time making a sacrifice. The choices we make on a daily basis, whether major or minor, reveal what we are willing to give up and what we are not willing to give up.

What we do not choose, or what we sacrifice in making a choice, can often tell us more about what or whom we value than what is actually chosen. What are you willing to sacrifice in making your various choices in life? What do these sacrifices say about what you actually value? What do you give up and sacrifice on a routine basis? On the other hand, in the passage quoted above, Jesus seems to indicate maybe we can have our “cake and eat it too” when he says, “. . .  and all these things will be given to you as well.” So if I choose God’s kingdom and righteousness first, then I get “all these things” (material things) as well! Is this a case of a choice without a sacrifice! No, not really. Remember, only one can be number one. Scripture teaches us that our God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5) and he will not share first place in our lives with anyone or anything. There can only be one, and God is One (Deuteronomy 6:4). So by placing God first, I sacrifice all else. Only after sacrifice does God in his grace choose how and in what way to bless me with needed gifts once our choice of him and our sacrifice of all else is complete. Before you can be resurrected, you must first die. Before Jesus saw glory, he first tasted the grave. Every choice comes with sacrifice! Jesus chose to love us and sacrifice exploiting his Deity so that we might live (Philippians 2). Even the choices of God come with sacrifice. It is only by having God in first place that all the sacrifices and all the choices we make may have their proper meaning, purpose, and place in our lives.

So as you go about your life this week ask yourself these two questions: What do my choices say about what I am willing to sacrifice and what do my sacrifices say about the choices I make? Are you making the right choices? Are you making the right sacrifices?

– Terry

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE IN FAITH AND LIFE  is the topic for our upcoming Parenting Seminar on November 10, 12, and 13. We will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 10,  in the auditorium with Terry Christopher teaching and discussing the topic of “Loss of Christian Community in the Modern Family.”  Saturday’s session will start at 6:00 p.m. and will continue until 9:00 p.m. On Sunday, Brian Pannell will be teaching in the auditorium for All Adult Classes at 9:00 a.m. on the topic of “Youth Cultures of Today.”  Terry will continue with the theme of the seminar in his morning sermon.  After the morning service, we will have a luncheon discussion group led by Ron Zielke.  We will have child care available for the seminar sessions. All seminar sessions are open to all parents of all ages.  We encourage you to come and be a part of these valuable classes.

CHRISTIAN RELIEF FUND  --  Now is the time to be extra generous for our “adopted children.”· This is the time of year that we need extra funds to send them a Christmas present.· Please be extra generous this month as the donation can is passed around during our class time.· Thank you for all your support of our kids.

DIRECTORY PHOTOS  -- We are beginning our directory photo process earlier for our new photo directory for next year.· We are encouraging all families who would like their directory photo updated to contact Sandra Cummings ASAP. We want to encourage all of our members to have their photo taken by Sandra if you want an updated picture in the directory instead of submitting your own photo.· Thank you for your help.

HARVEST CRAFT FAIR  -- Calling all crafters - now is the time to get all of your craft creations together and ready to sell.  We will be holding our Craft Fair November 18-19 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Please contact Debra Burchett if you would like booth space as we still have a few spaces available.

***This would be a good time to get some of your holiday gifts.***

THANKSGIVING DINNER  -- Please join us for a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner at the building on Thursday, November 24^th.· Dinner will begin at 2:00 p.m. We have a sign up sheet posted at the back of the auditorium for food items to bring or if you don’t like to cook, cash donations to West Main are gladly accepted to help defray the cost of the meal.· Please contact Brad or Ronda Holm to see how you can help with our dinner this year.· Please invite your friends and neighbors - it promises to be a great afternoon of fellowship!

ANGEL TREE  -- Please be looking for our Angel Tree at the back of the auditorium to see how you can help with Christmas presents for our Christmas Basket program. For more information or to suggest names for baskets, please contact Brian Pannell.

ROOM NEEDED  --  Kathy York’s daughter, Jesseka, has a friend that is in need of a room to rent in the Central Point area.  If you have a room that is available, please contact Kathy.

Nov 10,12,13: Parenting Seminar

Nov 14: Baby Shower for Linkyn Bucey at Anderson’s home; 7:00 p.m.

Nov 18, 19: Craft Fair at the Building; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Nov 24: Thanksgiving Dinner at the Building; 2:00 p.m.