I Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set side a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
Our giving to the Lord should be planned and be given cheerfully.

It is when we recognize our humble beginings that we realize the depth of God's working and what little we have to offer apart from Him. However in Him we have exactly what the world needs. For the sake of humility and the glory of God we must remember that we competent ministers by the call and power of God alone.

1 Cor. 1:26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

As you know from our recent newsletter, I am directing the summer program for students again this year (affectionately known as Summer in the Cities or SITC). One of the regular events we put on is a fellowship/outreach event at the University of Minnesota campus on Thursday nights.

What we do is provide free food and make use of green space, basketball courts and sand volleyball courts in the middle of the dorms to have some fun. What he hope for is a time for Christians involved with SITC to get time together to deepen their relationships with one another. But we also hope for relationships to form with students who don't know Jesus that are taking summer classes and bring up the gospel in natural conversation.

Last Thursday God granted a unique opportunity. I ended up playing soccer with a group of about thirteen students. I learned that these students were part of a group of about 100 incoming freshmen, are participating in a campus program through July 31st and all 100 of them are staying in a dorm right next to where we meet on Thursday nights.

We have a chance to target these 100 soon-to-be freshmen to share the gospel and hopefully enfold them into a Christian community right at the start of the academic year in September.

Please pray for the energy and loving boldness to engage with these students and that God would draw many of them to himself.

Thanks for partnering with us in ministry.
jared for the Wasses

Both James and Peter warn against sinful desires which battle within you or war against your souls. We each need to humble ourselves before the Lord. After all these instructions and warnings James says “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.” God has laid out for us what our relationship to Him should be and how our lives should be lived so we are without excuse when we sin.

James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. (NIV)

I Corinthians 14:26b All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.
What we do and say should build up the body of believers and unite and strengthen us in our faith in the Lord.

The book of Romans began with a statement that ;men have no excuse for not seeking God because of what may be known about Him through creation in Chapters 1 and 2. Now as the book ends, chapter 16 indicates men also have all the revelation they need through the prophets and the gospel proclamation. Anyone who truly wants to know God has all the information he needs.

Rom. 16:25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Abraham was considered righteous for what he did, “You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” Ephesians says “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith” and as a result we will do good deeds “faith without deeds is dead”. Our faith and what we do can not be separated, our deeds are a result of our faith.
James 2:19-24 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-- and shudder. 20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

I Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
We need to use all the gifts God gave us in love.

We are tempted by our own evil desires, which are enticing, our own solutions to temptations seem logical, quick and easy, but our source of escape from temptation is God, which will always lead to a better result.
James 1:13-16 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 12:25-26 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (NIV)
As believers, we are one body united in Christ Jesus, therefore we show our love for each other and do the work God has for each of us to do.