Saturday... So do I need to receive and give this gift?

I really do love to give gifts. I have some problems with getting gifts but I love to give gifts. Christmas is truly a celebration of giving. I know some have trouble with Santa Clause but he truly is a human example of giving.

Now Proverbs 23:6-7b (NLT) gives some wise advice. It says, "Don't eat with people who are stingy; don't desire their delicacies. They are always thinking about how much it costs." Some have major problems with this matter of giving.

Now God is such an unbelievable giver. Psalm 143:8 says, "Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you." And that is a gift that we can in turn give to God for all he has given to us. "for I give myself to you."

Now Jesus over in Matthew 6 gives some thoughts about giving to people who are in need and he really wants us to do that but for the right reason. He says in verses 2-4, "When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do - blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all they will get. But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." Yes, giving to those in need has it's reward if we do it for God.

Now he tells of another gift that is very important, very, very important but it is a gift that so many don't want to give and they will reap consequences if they don't give.

There is a gift that so many need to give. There maybe someone in your family who has really hurt you and you can't forgive them and it will be every evident to all those around you.

Right in the middle of the Lord's prayer in verse 11 it says for us to pray, "Give us today the food we need." He wants to give that, provide that if we ask. But it goes on in verse 12, "and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us." He will forgive us if we forgive them.

He goes on in verses 14-15, "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your heavenly Father will not forgive you." Did you notice that the word give is emphasized by the word for, forgive? That could be the greatest gift that you give this year and the greatest gift you receive but you must give it in order to get it. It is so, so important. It could make all the different in your life and the lives of your family if you would forgive and then ask God to forgive you. That is why He gave us the most important gift that has ever been given when he gave us his Son. Just give it and ask for it and accept it.

So do I need to receive and give this gift? Yes this is truly a celebration of giving. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

Tuesday... It is so worth it. It really is!

Tuesday... It is so worth it. It really is! Look at this, Proverbs 5:21-23 (CEV) says, "The Lord sees everything, and he watches us closely. Sinners are trapped and caught by their own evil deeds. They get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control." That is true of so many. Now look at this, Luke 15:1-7 says, "Tax collectors and sinners were all crowding around to listen to Jesus. So the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses started grumbling, 'This man is friendly with sinners. He even eats with them.' Then Jesus told them this story: If any of you has 100 sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won't you leave the 99 in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it? And when you find it, you will put it on your shoulder and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, 'Let's celebrate! I've found my lost sheep.' Jesus said, 'In the same way there is mo

Tuesday... Let's be smart.

Tuesday... Let's be smart. Proverbs 12:16a (CEV) says, "Losing your temper is foolish." It really is. And it is so hard to take it back. That is not smart. There are always consequence when we lose our temper and they are usually not good. Think of the last time you lost your temper at home, at your kids, at your spouse, at your pets. at your life, at where you live, at where you work. There are always repercussions and they are not good. The New Living Translation says, "A fool is quick-tempered." The Message says, "Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly." The Amplified Bible says, "The [arrogant] fool's anger is quickly known [because he lacks self-control and common sense]." It just is not a good thing. is it? But then the rest of this verse, this proverb (CEV) says, "ignoring an insult is smart." It really is. I have striven in dealing with people to give them a benefit of doubt. They didn't mean that, they

Friday... But, can be such a beautiful word.

Friday... But, can be such a beautiful word. It really can be life changing. Look at what Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians. In 2:1-3 (NLT) he says, "Once you were dead because of your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil - the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else." There it is, there it is. That is the way we are living or have lived. Dead is a definite word of finality. At least the devil thought so and maybe you do too. And then verses 4-5 starts by saying, "But", that beautiful life changing word of opportunity even though we are dead. Yes, we are subject to God's anger, "But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even t

Todays Beginning

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