Daily Devotions

Today's Bible reading: Genesis 29-30; Luke 12

Scripture:

Luke 12:13-15a “Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me’. Jesus replied, ‘Man who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you.’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.’”

Observation:

Jacob and Laban engaged in a not-so-subtle competition with each other over Laban’s daughters and their flocks. Leah and Rachel competed with each other for family position and for Jacob’s love through their children and sexual favors.

Then we see a man in dispute with his brother over their inheritance. Jesus spoke to the root cause, of greed in many forms and warned us to watch out for covetousness.

Application:

It is very easy to fall into competing for status, substance and affection with others; even those in our immediate family. Such cravings soon stand in the place of God and can destroy the most intimate of relationships.

In fact greed destroys many families and causes many relationships to deteriorate into competition, envy and outright fighting. Natural love is tested by our personal needs for intimacy, security and status.

Keep my focus on Jesus to meet my needs and practice the discipline of sacrificial love for others will grow my relationships in a godly way.

Hello Sonrise!

We will be starting a Financial Peace University Course with Dave Ramsey this Sunday, January 15 at 5pm. Everyone is welcome to this free preview night, please come and bring your family. The full course costs $ 100 per family. Each evening begins with a video for the first hour, then small group discussion for another 45 minutes or so. Talk to Al Miller for more details.

Sonrise is hosting ‘Couples Night Out’, an event promoted by World Vision on Monday February 6 at 7:30pm. Couples Night Out has the simple but effective vision to engage couples in an evening of fun and faith. Phil Calloway (pictured above) will speak at this event; Phil is a comedian and author of 22 books with a focus on the humourous side of family life. Musician Jay Calder is also part of the program. Tickets are $5.00 per couple and are available at Connections this Sunday. I encourage you to bring some friends along for a great night. This will be widely advertised and is one of four venues in Greater Vancouver so the 400 tickets may well sell out quickly. You can check out some more details on their website at www.couplesnightout.ca.

Our LifeTeams are starting a fresh season with a variety of topics and if you have
not yet joined in the fun, please check out the list in the lobby and talk to the leaders
who would love to have you as part of their group. This is the core opportunity to live out our faith lives in community.

Vancouver Missions Fest at Canada Place is coming up January 25-27th. There are brochures and a full book describing the vision and opportunities of Missionsfest in our Lobby. Don’t miss out!

Blessings,

Pastor Stan