The Gift of Goodness

Goodness…

It's the gift that can only be described this way. "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God. And other people will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up." Romans 14:17-19

Altar Sunday

"Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girls, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him. His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones  and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful. For he promised our ancestors-Abraham and his children-to be merciful to them forever." Luke 1:46-55

The Gift of Patience

Patience…

It's the gift we all need, but never want to ask for. It's the gift, if given will display self-control, love and gentleness all at the same time. It's the gift Jesus freely gives and displays for us every millisecond.

If you are able, give the gift, but also receive the gift, it will be life-transforming.

"Love is patient." 1 Corinthians 13:4

"Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness." 2 Peter 1:6

The Gift of Honesty

Honesty…


It's the gift that is desperately needed today. It's needed in our homes, our jobs, our schools, our nation, even within ourselves. It's one gift we should be more mindful of giving out. We will never understand the urgency and importance of this gift. Without it, there will be deception and misleading of every kind.

If there was ever a gift for us to give, it would be the gift of honesty.

"The Lord hates cheating, but he delights in honesty." Proverbs 11:1

The Gift of Selflessness

Selflessness…

It's the gift that is found in Christ. It's the giving up of one's self in order to put others first. It is the gift God gave us when He sent Christ to die for us. It's the gift, that if used, will change lives, homes, even nations. It's the sweetest gift you can give Christ and others.

Christ's birth, death, and resurrection is the perfect example of selflessness.

"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life." Luke 9:23-24

"For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do what I want." John 6:38

The Gift of Gentleness

Gentleness…

It's the gift that should grace our homes daily and our lives always. It's the prettiest gift you could wrap yourself in. Nothing speaks God's grace more than a kind, mild-mannered heart.

"You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." 1 Peter 3:4

The Gift of Love

Love…

It's the gift that is requested by all and required by Him.

You can never go wrong in giving the gift of love. It quiets angry hearts. It restores broken hearts. It brings joy to the joyless. It brings comfort and hope and is the greatest reflection of Christ.

Give the gift of love with all your heart! Jesus did.

"God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sen his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friend, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us." 1 John 4:9-12

"God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect." 1 John 4:16-17

The Gift of Peace

Peace…

It's a gift we all desire, yet one that is given the least. If given it produces a harvest of blessing and righteousness. Let's give the gift of peace.

"And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness." James 3:18

Altar Sunday

How will you find me 

What will you see

Will it be a heart devoted to thee

As I kneel at your feet

I give all to thee

Leaving none to be found

I will walk away 

hearing the only sound

Give it all to Me

The Gift of Hope

Hope…

It's one of the most needed gifts today and is found in Christ alone.

"Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. And his name will be the hope of all the world." Matthew 12:18-21

The Gift of Kindness

Kindness…

It's the gift that keeps on giving.

"Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart."  Psalm 3:3

The Gift of Forgiveness

Forgiveness…

It's a gift we all could use and one we could all afford to give.

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."  Colossians 3:13

It Is these that need the Gift of Christ

7stead, 

She entered our office with a sweet and gentle smile. 

Her gentle spirit radiated through out the entire meeting. 

As it came to a close she said something I wasn't quite prepared for. 

Her heart opened and she began to express her brokenness. 

"On July 30th my husband died while running on the treadmill. He had just recently seen a cardiologist who had given him a good report. On July 1st, we both decided we wanted and needed to lose weight. He was always all in with everything. I wasn't there when it happened. Every since then my life has been a little off." 

My heart broke for her. God's timing is amazing in all things. I had just spent time with Him the day before, praying for those who have lost loved ones. And then today a complete stranger, now sister, sharing her loss. 

In that moment it seemed as though I had no mouth to speak words, just arms; arms that grabbed hold of her and hugged her. 

The moment she walked out the door, I immediately went to the foot of the cross grabbed a hold of Jesus and cried out for His presence to surround her, comfort her, and encourage her. 

Sweet one, it is these precious ones that we should be grabbing a hold of; loving on, surrounding, praying over them, and giving them the precious and perfect gift of Jesus.

He is the Light that penetrates the darkest darkness. He is the comfort that allows you to take a breath. He is the one who wipes away your tears. He is the strength you need to get out of bed and keep serving Him.

He is your every and only need. 

Wrap your arms around someone hurting. 

And whatever you do, trust Christ and complain less. 

Give more and take less. 

Love more. Encourage more. Pray more, and focus less on yourself and more on Christ.

Jesus was selfless when He came to earth to save us. Let's follow that example.

"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” Philippians 2:1-8

cross.

The Best Gift-The Perfect Gift

"Don't be afraid! He said. I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!" Luke 2:10

The best gift you could ever give is the gift of Christ. 

Wrap Him up and send Him out. 

There will never be a more life changing gift.

It's the one gift that will always keep on giving from generation to generation. 

It's the gift that brings joy, love, hope and peace.

So stop searching for the perfect gift, Jesus is the perfect gift!

Remember the Reason

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors." Luke 2:14

Father, it's so easy to get caught up in the list making, the shopping, the wrapping, even the decorating. So much so, we begin to lose sight of why we even celebrate Christmas.

How have we fallen so far away from you?

How have we gone from what is all about You, to being all about ourselves, our wants?

Slipping You in doesn't suffice.

For some, this time of year brings a mixture of joy and deep sadness. It's a reminder of the emptiness they feel for their loved ones.

Yet in the midst of their sorrow, may they lift their eyes to You and realize that You fill the void, You heal their brokenness, You restore their joy.

Remind us of the price You paid. Remind us of the reason You came.

Jesus draw us back to You, now and forever.

Fill us with hunger pains that only subside when we feed on Your very Word.

Father it seems we have made this Season about the worldliness, the getting rather than the giving. Oh yes Lord, their are many who give of themselves for Your sake. Bless them with spiritual blessings.

Ignite a fire within the Body of Christ that cries out Your holiness to the nations. Ignite a burning passion within the Body of Christ that brings unity, boldness, and proclamation of Your first coming and second coming!

May we not gather around the tree to open the presents of materialism. May we gather around the tree on our knees to open the present of life-Your life.

 Jesus slow us down to savor this time, this occasion. May all our preparing be for You. May our focus be on doing for the least of these rather than for the selfishness of our flesh.

Show us how to honor You in a way that brings millions to the Cross.

Altar Sunday

As you make your way to the altar, may your heart be full of praise and little of self.

Happy December!!

Before It Ends

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8

Isn't it amazing how fast time flies? It seems like yesterday we were celebrating our first Thanksgiving in Jasper. 

Now here we are almost two years later and oh, how our lives have changed.

I can remember that moment when G came home and sat me down and said he felt like God was calling him out of football. I remember my response, "Well maybe you should go visit with Him again."

And he did, not because I told him to but because he felt it to. It was not but two weeks later he came home, sat me down and said, "Babe, God is calling me out of football. He has confirmed it several times."

And at that point I knew. So we prayed, took a huge step in faith and here we are today.

God has been so faithful. We are thankful 

and beyond blessed for His sweet blessings and presence in our lives.

He has opened the door for us to serve and minister to others together. 

 

He has opened up so much time for G to be home, be involved, to travel, and to be by my side as I teach. That alone is very dear to me.

I didn't want to let November run out and I not share all that we are thankful for.

So here is a few things we as a family are thankful for.  I had lots of help with this :)!

1. We are thankful to be used by God.

2. We are thankful that God's plans are greater than ours.

3. We are thankful for our new home.

4. We are thankful for Dax's continued healing.

5. We are thankful to have more time together.

6. We are thankful to be able to take trips.

7. We are thankful for our Church home and the oppurtunity to serve.

8. We are thankful that both boys are saved and baptized!!!!

9. We are thankful for our sweet new friends.

10. We are thankful for this new profession that provides and blesses others.

11. We are thankful for all of our families health.

12. We are thankful to be near family.

13. We are thankful for what God has planned for us each day.

14. We are thankful for each new day.

15. We are thankful for God's Word.

16. We are thankful to be able to spend Christmas in New York.

17.  We are thankful for our patients.

18.  We are thankful for each of you!!

And many many more! 

I am thankful for my precious women that God has so graciously allowed me to teach and learn from.

And I am so thankful to be able to share His word with you and many others. 

Praying your hearts overflow with thankfulness and joy! 

Captivated

When was the last time you were truly captivated by Jesus' love and beauty that it moved you to songs of praise?

"Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord! Praise him, you who serve the Lord, you who serve in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; celebrate his wonderful name with music." Psalm 135:1-3

Altar Sunday

Sometimes remaining silent at the altar heals more.

Do You?

He was the second of two. A twin. He came out grasping the heel of his brother.

His mother learned of the blessing he would receive before he was even born. 

Rather than waiting on God's timing she chose to take things into her own hands, thus setting the example for him to follow, and he did just that.

He lived up to his name "He deceives".

As a young man his first deception came when he stole his brothers birthright. Then later on stealing his blessing and deceiving his very own father.

We too can be guilty of these very things.

We can deceive others by pretending to be followers of Christ, yet never live as one. Deception can come in the form of appearance, money, a "friend", authority figure, even self. 

We can also ignore God's will and timing by acting to quickly. We are known for our impulsive behavior. There is a reason God does not tell us our futures, could you imagine?

Have you deceived others, your family, your children, your friends. Have you pretended to be someone your not? 

Maybe like Jacob you have deceived others to gain more for yourself. 

What about ignoring God's timing and stepping outside of His will? 

Whether it be a job, a relationship, family, etc, trust God and His timing for your life.

Most importantly, as a parent, make sure you are not deceiving your children.

Either be all in for Christ or not. You will do more damage and confuse them more by living one part in the world and the other part as a Christian.

To read more about Jacob head on over to Genesis 25-50!