Category Archives: Giving and Sharing

Christmas Fortnight Day 10 A Word from THE WORD! #422

21 Sunday Dec 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Approved Unto God, Baby in the manger, Be not conformed to this world, Gifts of the Spirit., Giving and Sharing, Giving or Getting, Giving Or Taking?, Giving Thanks to God!, Glitz, Glory To God, God's Ability for our Inability!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth

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Christmas Fortnight Day 10   A Word from THE WORD! #422

Here we are –only a few days until Christmas Day.  A question.  Which do you enjoy most, giving or receiving gifts?  Of course we all love to receive gifts, it’s nice to know that someone cares about us enough to give a gift.  But when I give, why do I give?  To receive, to be noticed, obligation??

I think the key is to remember the GREATEST GIFT!!

John 3:16 reminds us,

“For God so loved the world,

that HE GAVE

HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON,

that whosoever believeth in HIM

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.”

God loved us and gave HIS SON to die for us.  What do we give?  Some of us choose and give the perfect gift for each person according to their needs or likes.  Others of us buy a dozen of some great bargain and give one to each person on our list.  Now each style of giving has it’s positives and negatives.  But what is important?  Money, self, time?

1 Peter 4:9-10 says,

“Use hospitality

one to another

without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift,

even so minister the same

one to another,

as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God...”

This refers to spiritual gifts, but I think we can learn a lot about giving here.

We are to be hospitable-‘friendly & welcoming to strangers and friends’.

We are to give as we have received,

“For unto whomsoever much is given,

of him shall be much required….” (Lk 12:48b).

In a word—YOURself.   God gave Jesus–I can give ME!!

Don’t get caught up in “price” or “vogue”.  Is there someone who’d love to hear your voice, spend time with YOU, have your help for a difficult task?   Maybe just a visit from YOU?

Think about it!! Is there someone on your list who just needs YOUR time?  Is there someone you need to call today?  Is there someone who needs a token of your LOVE?

Stop!!  Think!!  Listen to your heart!! 

Then just DO IT!

 As Jesus Himself said to us before He went to the cross, so may we live for HIM!

“Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life

for his friends.”  John 15:13

And Paul said it better than I.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Amen and Amen!!!

Christmas Fortnight Day 6 A Word from THE WORD! #418

17 Wednesday Dec 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Christmas Ponderings, GET READY, Giving and Sharing, Giving or Getting, Giving Or Taking?, Gospel, Grace, JESUS, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails

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Christmas Fortnight Day 6 A Word from THE WORD! #418

We’ve looked at lights and ornaments, today let’s look at money.  Well, not exactly ‘money’ but ‘accounting’.  Most of us think of money when we think of accounting but God may have something different to say. Christmas has become very commercial; there is no doubt but that’s not my focus.  We all have a debt to pay, regardless of what we spend at Christmas.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness of God

in him.”   2 Corinthians 5:21

The sinless Lamb of God came to pay my sin debt so I could be ‘accounted’ righteous before God.  As someone said, “He paid a debt he didn’t owe, I owed a debt I couldn’t pay...”   Praise God for that precious sinless babe—He came to pay MY sin debt.

“For the WAGES of sin

is death,

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord”, Romans 6:23

James also reminds us that Jesus’ death offers you and me the opportunity to receive the righteousness of God through faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin!

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith,

Abraham believed God,

and it was imputed unto him

for righteousness:

and he was called the Friend of God.”  James 2:23

Abraham like you and I, had a sin debt, and God exercised an accounting transaction for him by faith in the coming Messiah—the One who would pay for sin of all who will believe—by grace through faith (See Ephesians 2:8-10). Imputed means ‘to credit to an account’, God imputed righteousness to Abraham by faith in this coming Messiah and we are saved the same way.  We are made righteous by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus, our Messiah as payment for sinners like me!  We sinners can receive the ‘gift’ of salvation to PAY for our sin, all through this baby born to die for sin—yours and mine.

Well, that ought to give us something to celebrate at Christmas time and all year long.  Like I tell people, ‘I love Christmas, because I love Jesus’, and if I belong to Jesus then I can—no I should—celebrate Jesus/Christmas all year long.  I have received a credit to my account, and I need to share it!!!

How?  By letting that ‘light’ we talked about shine through me.  By being an ‘ornament’ of grace that spreads His love and kindness to all those in my path–

At the gas station—

At the bank—

At the grocery store—

In the checkout line—

At church (even there!)–

Everywhere and

all the time

being “God so loved the world that HE gave”

to all.

“Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16.

Amen and Amen!!!

Gratitude Will Shine??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #410

28 Friday Nov 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Giving and Sharing, Giving Or Taking?, Giving Thanks to God!, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Gratitude to Generosity, Great is Thy Faithfulness, How much goodness is enough?, Humility, Thankful, Thankfulness with joy!, Thanksgiving, That They May Know

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Gratitude Will Shine???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #410

As we have just celebrated Thanksgiving, I want to share a simple reminder that gratitude isn’t about a day, but rather an attitude, that will color our whole outlook toward the world, and shine a measure of love, kindness and helpfulness to those around us.  And while this time of Thanksgiving is so stressful for so many people, your kind smile and a thank you could do wonders for some one!  Let’s look at some scriptures that can help us put on that Jesus’ Shine!!!

“Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light unto all

that are in the house.

16 Let your light

so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

Let me make just a few comments on this passage, for we cannot be “the light of the world” unless we know Jesus!

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

Without “the light of life”, we have no ability to “shine before men”!  Just as the moon has no light of its own but is rather a reflection of the light of the sun!  So without “The Son”, Jesus, we have no light to share with the world—a lost, dark and dying world, in need of light and life!  A world to which Jesus sends us out with His light when we are born again by His Spirit.

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:11-13

Oh, to shine His light in all we do—everywhere we go—in all our ways—in all we say!  Oh, to be Jesus to someone who needs to hear and see how much HE loves them, and so do I!   How much of Jesus are we taking to this world?  Just a bit on Sunday?  Just a bit at Thanksgiving or Christmas, or even Resurrection Sunday?  How about every day, in every way, for all to see Jesus not me!  Giving our gifts in secret to those in need, rather than blowing that trumpet to announce our good works and get the credit!   How about the clerk at the quick mart?  Or the teller at the bank?  Or the checker at those crowded “box stores”?  How about to little children who are sometimes too loud, and too rambunctious?  To that one who has caused us harm or offended us!  One of the verses I had my children learn and speak to each other when they were mad at each other, still works today, for you and me!

“Let all bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:31-32

Now, if you have nothing to be forgiven for, this may not apply to you!  Really?  Not!  We are called to extend to others the grace, forgiveness and mercy that God gives to each of us—each day!

And just to pull all of this together, the prophet Micah, made it clear what God expects at the very minimum.  And don’t devalue his emphasis on “humility”!  Our light can dim in a moments time in the presence of pride!

“He hath shewed thee, O man,

what is good;

and what doth the LORD require of thee,

but to do justly,

and to love mercy,

and to walk humbly with thy God?”  Micah 6:8

Paul gives us a great picture of how humble we are to live!  May we take this to heart as we go forth into a new year soon!

“Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him…”.Philippians 2:6-9a

Amen and Amen!!!

What Gift Will You Give??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #294

05 Thursday Dec 2024

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding In Jesus, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Giving and Sharing, Giving or Getting, Giving Or Taking?, Giving Thanks to God!, Love, Love Is Action

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What Gift Will You Give???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #294

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea

in the days of Herod the king,

behold, there came wise men from the east

to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he

that is born King of the Jews?

for we have seen his star in the east,

and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things,

he was troubled,

and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests

and scribes of the people together,

he demanded of them

where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him,

In Bethlehem of Judaea:

for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda,

art not the least

among the princes of Juda:

for out of thee shall come a Governor,

that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called

the wise men,

enquired of them diligently

what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said,

Go and search diligently for the young child;

and when ye have found him,

bring me word again,

that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king,

they departed; and, lo, the star,

which they saw in the east,

went before them,

till it came and stood over

where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star,

they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house,

they saw the young child with Mary his mother,

and fell down, and worshipped him:

and when they had opened their treasures,

they presented unto him gifts;

gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream

that they should not return to Herod,

they departed into their own country

another way.”   Matthew 2:1-12

Something you may have never considered is what I call us to consider in this scenario—these men (and we don’t know how many there were, but most deduce that since there were three gifts there were possibly three men…) had seen a star, an unusual astronomical sign and they were overwhelmed to see it, and they also were familiar enough with Jewish scripture that they knew a King, a Messiah had been promised by God, so they made this incredible journey to find this King to worship Him—I believe they were seeking the Redeemer.  So they proceeded to the capital of Judah, Jerusalem, to find this King—where else would you seek a King but in a palace.  Not so in this case.  Of course the reigning King, Herod, was a wicked man but feigned interest in the child, to know where he was (and of course tried to kill him later) to join them in worship!  NOT!  But that’s not what I want to consider.

As you read the narrative, Herod called for the religious leaders, who should know where Israel’s Messiah would be born, and as they knew the scripture (even if they didn’t know the author) who gave Herod the information he requested.  Then in his deceptive designs, he sent these visitors to find the child and then “let me know”!  This is where I want us to focus; these men had just advised the king and the religious leaders that there was a newborn King of the Jews (whom you would think to be anxious to seek and honor their promised Messiah/King!); yet not one person from Jerusalem went with these men.  No stir over this newborn King at all!  Not one soul went to seek and worship Him except these strangers!  Are we any different today!

I celebrate Christmas because I love Jesus!  The question I have for us today is do I seek Him?  Am I bringing Him gifts?  I spend time, money and effort on gifts for others, but what have I done for Jesus, what gift have I considered, thought about and purchased for my King—the redeemer of my soul?  What will I do for Jesus this “Christmas” season?  There are so many opportunities to share in HIS name—giving to missions, sharing food for the hungry, giving to organizations that feed and clothe the down-trodden, or perhaps serving at a soup kitchen!

In essence, what gift have I brought to Jesus?  Or will I be like those in Jerusalem, and hear about Him, know He’s arrived, see the needs, and do nothing, go nowhere to worship Him, or just write it off to “I don’t have time for this!”!  Just asking?  God blesses us continuously, what will we do for Him when we have the opportunity.  I encourage you to find out what you can do for this One we claim to love and adore!  Worship isn’t just a word, or an abstract ideal, it’s the giving of ourselves to someone or something in total devotion.  What are you devoted to?  One easy was to find out is to examine your checkbook—not being nosy, just saying what you love, you’ll spend money on; be it self or others.  You get to choose.  But choose wisely, there is a test!

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,

and as an high wall in his own conceit.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,

and before honour is humility.”  Proverbs 18:10-12

Amen and Amen!!!

Bless A Friend Today??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #226

31 Friday May 2024

Posted by in A Witness--Good or Bad???, Friends, Friendship, Fruit of the Spirit, Giving and Sharing, Giving or Getting, Giving Or Taking?, Kindness, Kindness has no expiration date., Love, Love Is Action, Lovest Thou ME?

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Bless A Friend Today??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #226

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

Following up on our post about friendship last time, I want to just take a few minutes to issue a challenge to each of us.  I’ll share some scripture and ask each of you to do some kindness for a friend today.  It doesn’t have to cost money, it could be a phone call, a card, visit next door, go see a friend in confined circumstances (be that an assisted living facility, a nursing home, a jail, or any other facility that allows visitors), or cut a flower from your garden (or even veggies will do, who doesn’t like fresh veggies from the garden).

I’ll share a story, not bragging, I just want you to know that we often don’t know the effects of our kindnesses.  We had a neighbor who had a gentleman in a wheel chair living with them. I’d always wave and speak when he was outside on the porch, and one day he was outside, and I was working on my prized roses, and I felt the Spirit prompting me to take him a rose, so I clipped a pretty one, wrapped it in moist towel and went next door.  I have to tell you that man almost cried as he told me, “That’s the first flower I’ve received since my wife died!”   Well, friends I have to tell you that impacted me as much or more than it did him.  Oh, may we listen and heed the promptings of The Spirit no matter how seemingly insignificant to us.   So, make that call, send that card, take that flower—God can bless someone through you in ways that we can’t comprehend.

“And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul,

that the soul of Jonathan

was knit with the soul of David,

and Jonathan loved him as his own soul…

… 3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant,

because he loved him as his own soul.”  1 Sam. 18:1&3

Amen and Amen!!!