Any Coin But Pennies
Paul Pryor

It seems that everywhere I go these days, there are vending machines. Even when there is a warm body present to help you find what you need, it just seems easier to get your soda, candy, snacks, stamps, newspaper, etc., out of a vending machine. The other day I was in the post office to mail a letter and instead of standing in line to get my stamps, I just put some coins into the machine and out came my postage.

I'm sure you've probably stood at a soda machine or gumball machine and wanted something to satisfy that craving in your belly. Down deep into your pockets you go looking for change. Low and behold you need five more cents but all you have are pennies! And of course you can use any coin combination EXCEPT pennies. I think that if I were a penny. I'd have a real inferiority complex.

Pennies may not matter to the mighty vending machine moguls of the world but they certainly matter to Christ. There is no person, no amount of money, no job done or talent expended that is too small for Christ to notice. Consider the story from Mark 12:41-44, "And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich “Any Coin But Pennies” cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

It is not the amount that concerns Jesus but the heart. I may become discouraged because I don't have a million but Christ can do as much with the mite as he can with the mint. What Jesus wants is our hearts. When we give our hearts to Christ, He can take whatever we have, whether it be great or small, and accomplish His will with it.

Consider what He has done in the past with what was, in human terms, very little. He fed multitudes with a few loaves and fishes. He conquered the world with just a few ragtag men from Galilee who had, no political power, no army, and no financial backing. Look at the lives changed, the governments influenced, the good done all over the world for the past 20 centuries.

Don't become discouraged because you don't have some great talent or large amount of money. God has never needed that in the past and He never will. Give Him all you have and He'll take care of the rest.

We are still trying to restock our pantry. We will soon be entering the holiday season soon and need to be prepared for any needs that should arise. Bring canned goods and personal hygiene items. 

October Calendars
The October Activities Calendar and Those To Serve List is available today in the foyer. Be sure to pick up a copy.

PM Fellowship
We are scheduled to meet tonight in the annex after the evening services to honor the birthdays and anniversaries for the month of September. Members are asked to bring a snack or covered dish.

Ladies’ Work Group
The Ladies’ Work Group is slated to meet tomorrow (Monday) evening at 7 pm in the Ladies Workroom behind the annex. All of our ladies are encouraged to attend and participate in the groups projects.

I know you are but one person ... Yet you are one person! You can brighten a corner, ease a burden lift a load, open a door, inspire an entire congregation ... Even lead an entire generation to Christ! In spite of you or because of you, some lost soul will find God's heaven.