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


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   



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