Spirit of Giving

            Christmas time usually lifts people's spirits. There are lights, presents, and the promise of snow. It is a time that we feel good about ourselves because we have given to others. I love giving gifts to others, but I don't want that happy feeling to ever fade away. This December, I am reminded that the reason we give gifts is because we are following God's example as He gave His son, Jesus, to die on a cross to give us the gift of salvation. This is by far the greatest, most precious gift that could ever be given! It is beyond measure - priceless even. No one can buy this gift of salvation which leads to everlasting life, but out of God's love and mercy, He offers it as a free gift to the world! That thought alone is astounding to me, since we as humans have done nothing to deserve this wonderful free gift. This example of selfless giving is my motivation and reason for giving to others. We need to make sure we have the right motives for giving gifts. Is it to gain popularity? Is it to gain something in return? No, Jesus DIED for me so that I could obtain salvation and live with Him someday in Heaven. How can I not try to reflect His selfless devotion to others in meager acts of kindness?
          How much better things would be if we all just stopped thinking about ourselves and what we can gain and actually did something for someone else with no strings attached. There are so many people who are lonely and hurting this holiday season. We can overlook them and convince ourselves that we have nothing to give them or we can offer them something. We really do have a lot to give other people, whether it's a little bit of money, material objects, words of encouragement, or prayer. Just something to think about during this CHRISTmas season.

God is on my side!

4 Given by God!

To all my fellow Christians, I wanted to share my thoughts with you.
So many times I let the things of this life burden me down. Instead of giving my problems to God Almighty, I let the burden accumulate until I break under the weight of it all. I ask myself a million different questions all starting with "why?" "Why didn't I do this?" "Why did I forget that?" "There's no point of return." Satan wants us to feel sorry and alone. It wasn't until God picked up the pieces and set me on my feet again and gave me hope that I was able to see clearly again. God still cared about me - He never stopped. Why did I not take my burden to God in the first place? Because I thought I could do it, I thought there was nothing He could do to help my situation. WRONG! God wants to help us and he does not want to see us suffer.
My challenge to you: so that you never forget how good God is to you and how He can work in your life, start a journal in which you date each entry and write when you feel God has blessed you. I have one and find it very encouraging to be able to read back over previous blessings. As the hymn writer put it, "Count your many blessings, count them one-by-one."
I hope you have been encouraged by this post.
~Vanessa 

 

Lack of FAITH

Fellow born-again believers,

I recently read in my devotional how we are to have faith in God.  He can do anything He desires, and can work in any situation.  So many times we put limits on God. We act like we need to fix the disasters in our lives because who will if we don't?  There's a God Almighty in Heaven waiting for us to trust Him with our problems and every situation in our lives. He is more than capable of helping us through the tough times, we have only to tell Him about the burdens on our hearts and ask for His help. But we must pray believing that He can do anything...and when He does come through for us or when we get a blessing or a miracle, it should not take us by surprise. That is the part that got to me. Why should we be surprised that God came through for us and answered our prayer?

That is a lack of faith. Just something to think about.

Mercies Anew

Count Your Blessings!
This alone is enough to put you in a thankful mood.  How we all need to count our blessings more often.  When we do, we will realize just how much we really have and to be thankful for it...like good health, a car that works, a job, a house, friends, family, and SO MUCH MORE! 
     Challenge for this week: for every negative thought you have, think of 2 positive things about it.  See if it changes your perspective and your attitude. Really, just try it. For example: at dinnertime - I don't like _____.  (Positive thoughts: 1. at least we have food on our table..... 2. at least i don't have to eat ______ everyday.) * Fill in the blank with whatever is applicable to you.

 "A Debt of Love"

Not willing any should perish,
God's love extends to all...
The sacrificial death on Calvary -
Redemption from the fall.
A love deeper than the ocean,
Reaching far and wide -
Receptive hearts are blessed,
As in Him they abide.
Such a debt of love we owe
For our Saviour's life laid down,
And as we onward go,
May we evermore be found
Loving others as He loved us -
Giving our lives for our friends;
Serving as our Saviour leads,
Until our journey ends.

"Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends."
(John 15:12-13)

A Friend Like No Other

How wonderful it is to know that even though I may not have many friends here on earth, I have one who sticks with me closer than a brother! Jesus promises in the Bible that He will never leave me or forsake me. That alone is enough to make me smile when I am down and out and feeling completely alone. But really, I'm never alone! Jesus knows all about you and me. He knows what we're feeling and what we are going through, and He's right there beside me...waiting for me to reach out my hand and let Him guide me through the dark.
#feeling comforted