Category: Giving

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The Gift List

I’m sure most of us have a “gift list” for December. It has the names of those we hold dear and want to do a little something special for. The love of our life is probably at the top followed by family and friends; somewhere, a little ways down the list could be the names of the neighbors, the kids teacher, the mailman, the garage collectors, the white elephant gift for the office and the secret sister gift.

Now that we’re thinking about the “gift list” let’s redirect our focus just a bit.

In November, I asked you all to join me in making a daily gratitude list. Each day I wrote down at least three things in my journal that I was grateful for from the day before. Yesterday I took time for go back and read those pages. You know what? It made me smile and my day was just that much better.

Since today is December 1st I’m going to ask that you join me in making a new list, the gift list.

Every day we receive small gifts from family, co-workers, even strangers but many times they pass unnoticed. I’m going to make a conscious effort this month to list the gifts I receive.

Those gifts could include a plate of cookies, a cheery phone call, a lunch date or a helping hand, a kind word or a gentle smile. It may be hearing your favorite song on the radio or in a store – just the thing you need to brighten your day. If we look, we will find little gifts everywhere.

“Loving-favor has been given to each one of us. We can see how great it is by the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:7 NLV

The most wonderful gift of all, of course, is God’s gift of His Son. Through the life and death of Jesus we have been given mercy, grace and love. Those should be the first gifts we recognize and put on our gift list.

“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

As we go through this month and make our gift list let me encourage you to share what you receive with others. If you receive an act of kindness, share kindness. If someone gives you the gift of patience then share that patience with others. If you receive a box of chocolates or a plate of cookies, share those too. (Said with a smile on my face.)

When we give freely, our gifts may have a life long impact.

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Maxamino’s Portion

Sometimes I am surprised at the things that come to mind and the lessons the Lord teaches me from those memories.

Years ago when Dave and I were farming alfalfa in central Arizona we had a man who worked for us. His name was Maxamino. He was such a great help. He was responsible for doing all the irrigating of the 900+ acres we farmed. He was a happy man, always a smile on his face, always willing to do what he was asked.

It was Thanksgiving and we were cutting hay. When alfalfa needs to be cut it doesn’t matter what day the calendar says it is. I had made the traditional Thanksgiving dinner and we ate after we swathed hay in the morning. I fixed a big platter of food for Max and Dave took it down to his house. He was overwhelmed by the amount of food that we took to him. He told us that this plate would have been enough for his whole family.

I realized how blessed we were and was grateful for how the Lord had provided for us. Since that Thanksgiving I have been reminded again and again how important it is that we share what the Lord gives us.

There will always be someone who has more than we do but there will also be those who have less. We have been commissioned to be a light in the world. The Lord wants to shine through us and one way He does that is through our giving.

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 The Message

As I was reading this morning I came across these words:

“He will bless those who fear the Lord, both great and lowly. 14 May the Lord richly bless both you and your children. 15 May you be blessed by the Lord  who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 115:13-15 NLT

Part of the blessing we receive from the Lord comes through giving. Look for someone to bless and let God’s light shine through you.

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Good Fertilizer

Yesterday I listened to a conversation between two very wealthy men. One man was asked about his philanthropy. He is extremely generous; always giving to make the lives of others better. This man said he looked at wealth in the same way as he did manure.

Interesting thought.

He said if you hold manure too close it will cause everything you do to stink. But, if you throw it away from you, it can be used to fertilize the ground and cause things to grow. He was using his wealth to cause communities to grow; he was fertilizing local economies.

Such an amazing perspective. This man chose not to hold his wealth close to him, instead he wanted to spread it around where it could benefit and prosper others. If more of us had this attitude there would be much less selfishness and greed.

“Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. 32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself. 33 “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:31-25 NLT

The Apostle Paul was willing to give up all his personal acclaim and possessions to see that the world knew the greatness of God’s love for us. He learned that from Jesus – instead of holding His position in heaven tightly in His grasp He gave it up freely so that all would know His Father’s love, forgiveness and desire for renewed relationship.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me. 15 Just as the Father knows me, I know the Father, and I give up my life for my sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them together too, when they hear my voice. Then there will be one flock of sheep and one shepherd.

17 The Father loves me, because I give up my life, so that I may receive it back again. 18 No one takes my life from me. I give it up willingly! I have the power to give it up and the power to receive it back again, just as my Father commanded me to do.” John 10:14-18 CEV

Jesus fertilized the world with God’s love. He spread it everywhere He went.

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” I John 3:16 NLT

In light of this analogy I can honestly said that I want to be a fertilizer spreader. I want to fertilize the world with God’s love.

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True Treasure

One of the things I value most is the cedar chest I have in the guest bedroom. It was my Mom’s hope chest. I loved it when Mom would open it and let us go through the keepsakes that were inside. I remember seeing a newspaper that told about the end of World War II and then there was the program from the Ice Capades, a date night that she and Daddy had so many years ago.

It’s interesting that my kids, grown adults now, also enjoy going through the cedar chest. It’s contents are my most valued treasures. There are the family photo albums which contain pictures of my parents as young adults; my grandparents wedding picture and then the treasures that our kids made in Sunday School or public school. There’s a plastic candy cane wrapped in eyelet, a wooden board that has been sawn in wood shop and painted with red letters that say “#1 Mom”. There’s a sweet letter that tells me how much I am loved and a bud vase with a red rose that was made in ceramics.

My treasures!

All this has me thinking this morning, what have I given the Father that He would deem worthy of putting in the cedar chest for safe keeping? What is valuable to Him? It was then I remembered the story of a widow who gave all. I’m sure her two little pennies are in the Father’s treasure chest.

“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. 43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44 NLT

What the widow gave was an insignificant amount but the way she gave was priceless!She held nothing back; she gave her all.

When I was little, before we would head out the door to church, Mom would take some coins and tie them in a hankie for us to take to Sunday School and place in the offering. I remember being so excited to carry that hankie, my offering, and give it to Jesus. Sometimes I would pull the knot so tight, I didn’t want to loose the coins, that I would have to use my teeth to loosen the knot at offering time. I loved giving all I had to Jesus!

If the Lord had a cedar chest I’m sure my hankie would be in it. It was the symbol of a child’s love, a cheerful heart, giving all.

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.” II Corinthians 9:7-11 NLT

True Treasure isn’t measured by the amount given but by the attitude of the heart. It’s just like that candy cane, wooden sign and sweet letters that are in my cedar chest. Those items have value because they were given from the loving heart of a child to their parent.

Whatever we give to the Father should be given from a heart of love. We can give money, time, possessions, attitudes, kindness. When we give, we are planting seeds and those seeds will return a harvest in like kind.

Give the Father your best; that is the treasure He desires!

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Leftovers

After a long weekend of family and friends my refrigerator is always filled with leftovers. I have this issue of preparing too much food. I never want anyone to go hungry when they are at our house. This last weekend was no different – we have leftovers!

Do you realize we have a whole industry based on leftovers. Restaurants have “to go” boxes; Rubbermaid, Tupperware, ziplocks, Pyrex all make containers to put your leftovers in. Really, so how important are they?

They were important to Jesus.

“Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up toward heaven and blessed the food. Then he broke the bread and fish and handed them to his disciples to give to the people. 17 Everyone ate all they wanted. What was left over filled twelve baskets.” Luke 9:16-17 CEV

What the Father blesses and Jesus uses to meet a need is not insignificant! It’s valuable.

The Bible teaches us that God’s word is like a seed and when it’s planted in our lives it will bring a harvest, sometimes thirty, sixty and even a hundred times as much. Now that harvest may come in the form of joy, peace, wisdom, health, finances, possessions, and yes, spiritual harvest too.

Elijah asked a widowed woman to give (plant) her little bit of oil and flour to make him a cake during a time of famine. She did! The result was she never ran out of oil and flour until the famine was over.

We should always be aware that we aren’t being wasteful but we shouldn’t be miserly either.

We should be grateful for the blessings that God has given us. Make sure we aren’t taking them for granted; accept the blessing, use it but continue to value it so that you can be a blessing to others.

We can give our time, our encouragement, our knowledge of God’s word, finances, food, clothing, hospitality – all of these are blessings from the Lord.

We’re not told what happened to the twelve baskets of leftovers in the story but I’m sure that Jesus had his disciples continue to share the blessing.

Be a blessing sharer today.

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Love to Give

If you were crippled and had been for many years and someone offered you money or healing which would you chose?

That’s exactly what happened in the story I was reading from the book of Acts this morning. Peter and John were on their way to the Temple at the time of prayer. A man was there begging, he was crippled. He asked for money. Peter told him they didn’t have any silver or gold but they had something to give.

“One day Peter and John went to the Temple area. It was three o’clock in the afternoon, which was the time for the daily Temple prayer service. 2 As they were entering the Temple area, a man was there who had been crippled all his life. He was being carried by some friends who brought him to the Temple every day. They put him by one of the gates outside the Temple. It was called Beautiful Gate. There he begged for money from the people going to the Temple. 3 That day he saw Peter and John going into the Temple area. He asked them for money.

4 Peter and John looked at the crippled man and said, “Look at us!” 5 He looked at them; he thought they would give him some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold, but I do have something else I can give you. By the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth—stand up and walk!”

7 Then Peter took the man’s right hand and lifted him up. Immediately his feet and legs became strong. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk. He went into the Temple area with them. He was walking and jumping and praising God.” Acts 3:1-8 ERV

Peter and John had been with Jesus for three years. They had experienced similar miraculous acts when Jesus encountered people who needed to receive a touch from God. Jesus would meet the physical needs of people and then minister to their spiritual needs.

Giving isn’t just about money, although that can be important. Giving is seeing a need and being used of God to meet it. Zacchaeus, the tax collector, needed to be accepted. Jesus met that need by going to his house for dinner. The adulterous woman needed a kind and loving heart. Jesus ran off her accusers and then gave forgiveness. The leper needed to be cleansed, the blind needed to see, the father needed his son delivered from demonic oppression, the multitude needed lunch and Peter needed the removal of the shame he felt for denying Christ.

Each and every time Jesus met the physical need and then offered the love and forgiveness that comes only from the heart of God.

“This crippled man was healed because we trusted in Jesus. It was Jesus’ power that made him well. You can see this man, and you know him. He was made completely well because of faith in Jesus. You all saw it happen!” Acts 3:16 ERV

Who is around you that needs a touch from Jesus? Maybe it’s the neighbor down the street who needs someone to help babysit for a few hours or perhaps the lady who sits next to you at work is feeling overwhelmed you can help by making a dinner for her family. Does someone need a hand with household repairs or is it the man at the gas station that could really benefit from someone filling his tank with fuel?

If we ask the Lord to show us people in need, He will! He will never ask us to give something that He hasn’t supplied to us in the first place. He asks us to be willing to give what we have. Peter and John didn’t have money but they had something much more valuable!

Once they met the physical need they were able to share the love of God with the man. When people know we care about them as a person, they will be more open to hearing what we say about the Father.

“Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don’t feel sorry that you must give and don’t feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give. 8 God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others. 9 The Scriptures say,

“God freely gives his gifts to the poor, and always does right.”

10 God gives seed to farmers and provides everyone with food. He will increase what you have, so that you can give even more to those in need. 11 You will be blessed in every way, and you will be able to keep on being generous. Then many people will thank God when we deliver your gift.” II Corinthians 9:7-11 CEV

When we have a cheerful heart, God gives us what we need to help others. We get the joy of giving and God gets the glory!

Look for opportunities to be like Jesus. It’s fun!

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A Wagon Full of Broccoli

A story from the Bible that most of you are familiar with is the boy with the lunch of five loaves and two small fish. This morning I’m going to share a personal experience that is very similar.

My story is about a truck bed filled with broccoli.

Years ago, when our children were little Dave had a connection with a vegetable grower. He had acres of all kinds of vegetables and would occasionally tell Dave to stop by a field and “take as much as you want”. This particular day Dave came home with the bed of his mini truck filled with freshly harvested broccoli.

What in the world would we do with all this broccoli?

Since Dave was on his lunch break from work, the first thing I did was steam up a large pot of it, cover it with melted butter and served it up on his plate. He loved it! We were going through a particularly rough time financially. Work had been hard to find and we felt blessed that Dave had the job he did but after we paid the rent and utilities there was very little left for groceries. That made this lunch particularly delicious – God had supplied!

Before he left to go back to work, Dave unloaded the broccoli in the kids little red wagon. It was overflowing and I took the rest into the house, washed it and put it in the near empty refrigerator. And then I sent the kids up and down the block offering broccoli to any and all who wanted some.

As they left, I remembered the story of the little boy’s lunch and how Jesus blessed it and it multiplied.

“Late in the afternoon, the twelve apostles came to Jesus and said, “No one lives in this place. Send the people away. They need to find food and places to sleep in the farms and towns around here.”

13 But Jesus said to the apostles, “You give them something to eat.”

They said, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish. Do you want us to go buy food for all these people?” There are too many! 14 (There were about 5000 men there.)

Jesus said to his followers, “Tell the people to sit in groups of about 50 people.”

15 So the followers did this and everyone sat down. 16 Then Jesus took the five loaves of bread and two fish. He looked up into the sky and thanked God for the food. Then he broke it into pieces, which he gave to the followers to give to the people. 17 They all ate until they were full. And there was a lot of food left. Twelve baskets were filled with the pieces of food that were not eaten.” Luke 9:12-17 ERV

This is the story I read as part of my morning devotions today and every time I read it, it reminds me of how the Lord provided for us with a wagon of broccoli. As the kids headed off with their wagon I remembered praying, “Lord, I’m sharing this broccoli like the boy shared his lunch. Thank you for providing for my family. Thank you for giving us something to go with the broccoli to make a proper meal”.

When the kids got home they were very excited because the neighbors were all so happy to take some of the treasure from their wagon. We certainly didn’t want to waste anything the Lord had provided. So, the proper thing to do was to share.

I put the kids to down for their naps and went about my afternoon chores. Shortly before Dave was to be home from work there was a knock at the door. It was a friend; he had just come from the meat packing plant where he had picked up a beef they had butchered. He gave me a dozen packages of ground beef. He had cheese, butter and milk too – he was a dairyman and he had brought some of his surplus to share with us.

I was overwhelmed by God’s goodness. We had given broccoli and had received all the makings for a full dinner! Like the little boy who had given his lunch and received back more than he had given up, we received so much more than we had given.

I’ve never forgotten the lessons of trusting and giving that the Lord taught me in those early days of our marriage. God has always been faithful to His word and He has never abandon or deserted us.

“My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 ERV

I don’t know the needs that you may have today but I know my God can and does bring the supply. Trust Him, give Him what you have – it may be a small lunch or a wagon full of broccoli – and watch what He will do.

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Using Your Talents

Starting this new year, I am taking inventory of what the Lord has given me; health, a wonderful family, dear friends, a strong mind, creative thoughts, a friendly smile, the ability to communicate through the written word, my home, organizational skills and I’m a good cook. I would consider these things my “talents”.

Jesus tells the story of a master who had three servants and the master left each of the servants some “talents”. He went on a journey and when he returned, the master called each of the servants in to give an accounting of what they had done with their talents.

“Some time later the master of those servants returned. He called them in and asked what they had done with his money. 20 The servant who had been given five thousand coins brought them in with the five thousand that he had earned. He said, “Sir, you gave me five thousand coins, and I have earned five thousand more.”

21 “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!”

22 Next, the servant who had been given two thousand coins came in and said, “Sir, you gave me two thousand coins, and I have earned two thousand more.”

23 “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!” Matthew 25:19-23 CEV

The first two servants had used their talents wisely and had brought an increase. The third servant, however, had buried his talent and all he had to give the master was the original amount with no increase. Jesus said the master called this servant wicked and slothful because he hadn’t used what he had been given.

The first two servants were called “good and faithful” and they were given more responsibility and authority from the master. So many times this story is taught in regard to money but to me it’s more than that.

In the book of James, we are told that every good and perfect gift we have comes from the Father. And in Ephesians we are told that whatever we do, if it’s a spoken word or physical action, we should do all to the glory of God.

These words of Jesus about giving are recorded in the book of Luke.

“If you love only those who love you, should you get any special praise for doing that? No, even sinners love those who love them! 33 If you do good only to those who do good to you, should you get any special praise for doing that? No, even sinners do that! 34 If you lend things to people, always expecting to get something back, should you get any special praise for that? No, even sinners lend to other sinners so that they can get back the same amount!
35 “I’m telling you to love your enemies and do good to them. Lend to people without expecting to get anything back. If you do this, you will have a great reward. You will be children of the Most High God. Yes, because God is good even to the people who are full of sin and not thankful. 36 Give love and mercy the same as your Father gives love and mercy.
37 “Don’t judge others, and God will not judge you. Don’t condemn others, and you will not be condemned. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give to others, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands—more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.” Luke 6:32-38 ERV

So I encourage you today to take those things that you have, your talents, and share them with others – a smile, a helping hand, a meal, your love and friendship – watch them multiply.

It will be such a joy to hear “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21

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Rich in Mercy

I am grateful for God’s mercy. The Bible tells us that we are given new mercy every morning.

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. 24 Deep in my heart I say, ‘The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!'” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

Have you ever felt like people judged you wrongly? They misunderstood or misconstrued a situtation or an action and immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion. You were branded, judged and even convicted.

Have you ever done that to someone? That’s the harder question to answer honestly. I have and it’s something I am ashamed to admit. When we judge and assess a situation our reasons are so self-righteous. We have so many excuses for our actions and why others are wrong.

” But God is rich in mercy, and he loved us very much. 5 We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against him. But he gave us new life together with Christ. (You have been saved by God’s grace.)” Ephesians 2:4-5 ERV

If anyone has a right to judge it’s God. He is perfect in everyway and so His judgements are pure but He chooses to show mercy. Another term for mercy is “loving-kindness”. The Bible tells us that His loving-kindness, His mercy, goes on forever.

“Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever.” Psalm 106:1 NLV

Thank you Lord for always showing mercy. Since God is both just and merciful it’s necessary to see how both work in harmony. God cannot let His mercy override His justice. We have all sinned and sin needs to be judged. That’s where Jesus steps in.

“God has shown His love to us by sending His only Son into the world. God did this so we might have life through Christ. 10 This is love! It is not that we loved God but that He loved us. For God sent His Son to pay for our sins with His own blood. 11 Dear friends, if God loved us that much, then we should love each other. ” I John 4:9-11 NLV

Since God lavished His love on us we are expected to act accordingly and show love to others. There should be no place in our lives for condemning attitudes.

“Treat others just as you want to be treated. 32 If you love only someone who loves you, will God praise you for that? Even sinners love people who love them. 33 If you are kind only to someone who is kind to you, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners are kind to people who are kind to them. 34 If you lend money only to someone you think will pay you back, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners lend to sinners because they think they will get it all back.

35 But love your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid back. Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true children of God in heaven. He is good even to people who are unthankful and cruel. 36 Have pity on others, just as your Father has pity on you.” Luke 6:31-36 CEV

These are the words of Jesus. There are no exceptions like it’s ok to judge people who cut you off in traffic, are rude to you in the grocery store, don’t share your same political view, or who are antagonistic. NO EXCEPTIONS!

I’m working on making this my daily goal in the upcoming year. If I say I want to be more like the Father then I need to be less judgmental. There’s no room in His life for it and so there should be none in mine!

Here’s to a Happy & Mercy-Rich 2019!

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O Christmas Tree

Each morning I sit here with my Bible and my coffee, looking at the Christmas tree adorned with angels and tiny lights. I love it!

I think the thing that is most striking about this tree is there are no gifts beneath it and that gives me a real sense of peace, joy and contentment.

There were years when our children were younger and having no presents caused me heartache. I shed many tears wondering how the Lord was going to provide because we had no money for gifts. Frankly, we had very little money for food so it would have been foolish to think of trying to buy Christmas presents.

But this year is different. This year, and the last number of years, there has been a true contentment in celebrating the season with loving hearts and devotion. Yes, we have given gifts to the ones we love and we have received in kind. But the greater joy has come in thanking God for the many blessings He has abundantly given. Our lives are so filled with His love and provision that there is no wanting or needing anything more. Yes, the word is contentment.

With contentment comes peace. True heart-felt peace. The kind of peace that says all is well; no worries, anxiety or stress. The Bible refers to it as peace that by-passes our understanding. Peace that anchors us in every situation. It doesn’t mean that there is an absence of difficulty or problems, rather that there is a confidence in God that means all is well.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

8 Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 9 You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you…1 11 I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. 13 Christ gives me the strength to face anything…19 I pray that God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus!” Philippians 4:6-19 CEV

I remember a little chorus that I sang in Sunday School when I was just a girl. “What can I give Jesus, I want to do my part. What can I give Jesus, the love of all my heart. My hands and feet and money too; My praises and my song. I give them all to Jesus for all to Him belong.” The greatest gift we can give is the gift of our heart.

I know many of you have found your true contentment in Christ and have been living this way for years but perhaps there is someone you know who is struggling with the lack of peace and joy this Christmas because there aren’t any presents under the tree. I hope you will share with them what the Lord has taught you about trusting Him and the peace that brings.

In the last few lines of the Christmas Carol, O Christmas Tree, we are admonished to learn to trust in God. I hope you have found that lasting and abiding trust.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer’s here,
But also when ’tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There’s only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !”


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