We welcome our new Pastor, Adam Finney!
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Pastor Adam
graduated from college to be a High School History teacher and Baseball Coach.
God had other plans, and Adam joyfully followed the call to be a Pastor. Before
coming to Saint John, Adam previously served a congregation in Missouri for
over 6 years, while also coaching Jr. High Softball and High School Baseball
and for the last 2 years as the Youth Pastor at Good Shepherd in Elgin, while
also dabbling part time in the Information Technology field.
Pastor Adam is here to equip, empower and encourage young
and old to receive and share the blessings that God has given us all in Jesus.
Adam
and his wife Melisa enjoy spending time with his daughter Evelyn, bantering
over his Cardinals & her Cubs, watching Downton Abbey, rocking out to U2,
laughing at Jim Gaffigan, reading, and partaking in good food and beverages
with friends and family. They do all this while basking in the grace of God,
serving with others to grow closer to Him.
How to reach Pastor Adam:
Email: adamfinney@hotmail.com
Phone: (847)526-7614
Church Email gospel4All@yahoo.com Phone: (847)526-7614
"Doing What God Called You to Do"
We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field
God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you. - 2 Corinthians 10:13
God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you. - 2 Corinthians 10:13
Nobody is good at everything, and nobody is called to do everything. God has given each of us clearly defined roles in life. Paul understood that his job wasn’t to accomplish everything or try to please everyone, but to focus on what God had called and equipped him to do: ‘Our goal is to stay within the [boundaries] of the work which God has set for us.’ Only as you do that will you be successful, as God defines success. Satan will try to rob you of the joy of serving by getting you to compare yourself with others, or getting you to conform to the expectations of others. Don’t fall into his trap! You’ll always find someone who seems to be doing a better job than you, and you’ll become discouraged. Or you’ll find someone who doesn’t seem to be as successful as you, and you’ll become conceited. Either way, you lose out. ‘Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else’ (Galatians 6:4). There will always be people who don’t understand your God-given role in life or agree with you. That’s okay; don’t let it break your stride! ‘Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of...’ (2 Timothy 2:15). ‘Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You're in charge. Don't let anyone put you down’ (Titus 2:15). John Bunyan, author of the Christian classic, Pilgrim’s Progress, wrote: ‘If my life is fruitless it doesn’t matter who praises me. And if it’s fruitful it doesn’t matter who criticizes me.’ So, just do what God’s called you to do!
Brothers and Sisters, in your Baptism God has called each one of you His own child. In your life as a child of God you are following in the footsteps of God’s Son Christ, who is leading you to God’s never ending kingdom. Because God has made you His child to follow in the footsteps of Christ, strive in the month ahead to do that which God has given you to do as parents, grandparents, husbands, wives, workers, retirees, students, children, church members, citizens, and neighbors. If you don’t know what God has called you to do then seek His will and wisdom in His precious word, the Bible.
May God Bless and keep you in the wisdom of His Word of Truth and life.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to stay focused on your voice and Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
NOTE TO READERS: The above devotion was written/compiled (minus the closing commentary) from multiple sources by Tim Hetzner, President of Lutheran Church Charities and author of WORD Bible Studies. (Used with permission.)
Brothers and Sisters, in your Baptism God has called each one of you His own child. In your life as a child of God you are following in the footsteps of God’s Son Christ, who is leading you to God’s never ending kingdom. Because God has made you His child to follow in the footsteps of Christ, strive in the month ahead to do that which God has given you to do as parents, grandparents, husbands, wives, workers, retirees, students, children, church members, citizens, and neighbors. If you don’t know what God has called you to do then seek His will and wisdom in His precious word, the Bible.
May God Bless and keep you in the wisdom of His Word of Truth and life.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to stay focused on your voice and Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
NOTE TO READERS: The above devotion was written/compiled (minus the closing commentary) from multiple sources by Tim Hetzner, President of Lutheran Church Charities and author of WORD Bible Studies. (Used with permission.)
