S I G N S . . .

“I have made you a sign…” (Ezekiel 12:6)

Our lives are full of signs… advertisements, billboard, icons, logos, for sale signs, mathematical signs, neon signs, quotation signs, pedestrian, street, traffic signs, vacancy, warning, zodiac signs and so on.  And our English language even contains many other synonyms for “signs”… gestures, symbols, predictions, endorsements, omens, signals, clues, marks, symptoms, etc.  We sometimes talk about “signs” of the times, “signs” that we’re catching cold, or getting older, or growing up. 

But the Bible also contains many references to signs, such as the following:

Genesis 9:12-13 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:  I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”

Exodus 3:12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Luke 2:11-12  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

John 4:48 Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, ‘”you will never believe.’”

For these many reasons (plus the fact that our church’s new front yard sign is being constructed now), SIGNS will be the theme for our 2011 Financial Stewardship focus, culminating in Celebration/Commitment at both morning worship services on Sunday, November 13th.

As you think about what God is doing in your own life, what signs is He sending to you?  Are you prepared to receive all that He has for you by responding to those signs?  Over the next few weeks, look for more signs from God, but also prayerfully consider your role and responsibility as part of God’s family at East Cobb UMC during our 2011 Financial Stewardship focus…SIGNS.  Remember, God  loves you and I do, too!