The Official Newsletter of Kingdom Builders of Central New York
Dec 11, 2021 12:01 pm
Mission Statement:
Kingdom Builders ministry exists to serve homeowners in the greater Oneonta area by providing quality labor to address construction needs that they are unable to accomplish by their own means. Although the practical focus is on construction, the spiritual focus is on building relationships with those served, with the end goal of demonstrating the love of Christ through ministry.
Who Do You Say I Am?
What structures your understanding of who God is or how He responds to our needs and worries? I often turn to a familiar Scripture passage when pondering these questions. In a nutshell King David, in Psalm 23, sees the Lord as a shepherd who provides for his needs and protects him from danger. He declares, "The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in want" and then extends and develops that metaphor, speaking as if he were a sheep. David expresses the security and safety that he personally experiences in the shepherd’s care before changing the metaphor to the Lord as a traveling companion who is constantly with him. The underlying reality is the emotional stability God provides the psalmist during the life-threatening situations he has experienced. David changes the metaphor yet again to depict a great royal banquet prepared by the Lord where David is the guest of honor and the recipient of divine favor, who enjoys unlimited access to God.
Often during the Christmas period, we pause and reflect on what the Christ Child did on our behalf; we are called to set aside our harried life and slowdown in order to enjoy the friendship of family members and friends. Yet, there are still those whose life is difficult and this season and the coming of the winter months brings sadness and sorrow. I spoke this week with a widow about her need to have some repairs done on her home. Her front entryway needs to be replaced because of dry rot that had damaged the doorposts and floor. Unfortunately, she had paid a handy man this past summer to perform the work before winter arrived but now, she finds herself still in need of the repairs on her home but without the resources to pay someone else to do the work.
Kingdom Builders is excited and humbled to be a part of God’s plan of meeting the physical needs of widows in our community like her, who do not have a family member to perform these basic tasks. Please consider partnering with us in this journey, through your daily prayers, financial gifts, and volunteering for projects.
Do you know a struggling homeowner on a fixed or limited income who needs to have a broken window replaced or a damaged floor restored? Please pass along our contact information and encourage them to visit our website to apply online. I had the privilege of introducing this woman to Kingdom Builders of CNY and the ministry we provide to our local community.
Ted Anderson, Chair
Message from the Board
We live in a time when fear and anxiety grip the world. Not all fear is bad, some can motivate you to a good place – you’re swimming in the ocean and you see a shark and fear motivates you to get to a safe place out of the water. Or you are near the edge of a cliff and you look down and are afraid – fear moves you back to safety. It is not this type of fear that I am talking about but rather a spirit of fear, that is not of God, that causes you to be gripped with anxiety and paralyzes you from being able to see God much less be used by Him.
The world, and in some cases the Church, has been struggling with this spirit of fear during the last couple of years. As believers, we do not have to be ruled by this. It can and should be a time that we as His Church can demonstrate our faith that He is not in this spirit of fear.
The world is looking for answers, and as a body as well as individuals, we can point them to the One who has them, but only if we do not allow ourselves to be gripped with this same spirit of fear. By God’s Grace, Kingdom Builders will continue to minister to those God places in our path – not only by addressing their physical construction needs, but more importantly, by building a relationship with them to demonstrate the love of Christ during troubled times. Please stand with us.
Bill Sears, Vice Chair
“Live near the cross, and your peace shall be continual.” Charles Spurgeon
PRAISE AND PRAYERS
Praise:
God that He is in utter control and will not allow anything that does not accomplish his purpose. (Psalm 121 and John 16:33)
That as a Christian we have permanent peace with God (Romans 5:1)
That the ruling of Christ in our heart is not an optional extra (Colossians 3:15)
God that He left his legacy of peace for us through his son Jesus (John 14:27)
Prayers:
Lift the fearful and anxious in our communities, that they may come to understand the truth – we live in fallen world where Satan is still at work, but God and his plan/ways are greater. (Isaiah 55: 8-9)
That we refuse to let setbacks steal our joy and in our sufferings be reminded that no earthly tribulation can destroy our relationship with Christ. (Philippians 4: 11-13)
Renew our community – send your peace and prosperity into this place where you have planted us. Bless each individual home and family. Build each house from the inside out; watch over our city.
Turn our hearts towards Christ during this Christmas season. Let us not miss the chances to celebrate the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love that was sent to us that first Christmas.
If you are interested in KB visiting your house of worship just let us know!
Our Facebook page is up and running! “Like” us on Facebook and
stay tuned for postings. Share content or invite other to “like” us as well.
https://www.facebook.com/Kingdom-Builders-of-CNY-101568865106761
