GIFTS

 

GIFTS

It happened more than two thousand years ago

according to the true story of old

when wise men presented gifts to baby Jesus.

Costly gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense.

Gifts meant for a King

these wise men did bring

as they came and bowed down to worship Him.

Today we sing about this in a hymn:

We three kings of orient are.

Bearing gifts we traverse afar -

field and fountain,

moor and mountain

following yonder star...

To the Christ-child they presented their gifts

after traveling over sandy drifts.

From the far west they came

to the town of Bethlehem.

Today we give gifts at Christmas

because of their example to us

from these wise men who brought royal presents

to the King who still lives in our presence.

Have you thought about what gifts you could give to Jesus

as you prepare to celebrate another Christmas?

Not costly gifts but divine gifts.

Gifts that will lift someone's spirit.

* * * * *

C Comfort the Comfortless

So many people are in bondage -

to depression, addiction, or rage.

They are searching for an answer.

The answer is found in the Savior.

H Help the Helpless

Yes, bad things do happen to good people

rendering many good people unable.

Be a helper to someone today.

Your willingness will make their day.

R Right Delights

Does your inner attitude

match your outer attitude?

Replace this fight

with right delights.

I Imitate Christ

When Jesus Christ was reviled,

he did not revile again.

Do you tend to pay back when reviled?

Instead, be like Christ again and again.

S Surrender Selfishness for Selflessness

We live in a me-me-me, more-more-more generation,

seemingly never content with our situation.

Many others wish they had it as good as you do.

Maybe something you have will bless someone, or two.

T Thank the Thoughtful

Have you ever thought to thank

those who everyday make

our lives a little easier?

Do so before you become busier.

M Meditate on Memorization

With Scripture to guide you,

learn to live by God's rules.

Peace, joy, and contentment will follow

when you memorize and follow.

A Abandon Abundance

Are you caught up in materialism?

It's another form of idol-ism.

Realize God will supply.

He even likes to surprise.

S Share the Savior

Christmas is a perfect time

to share the Savior so take time

to pass on the Good News to those you come in contact with.

Sharing the Savior is the most perfect Christmas gift to give.

On coming to the house,

they saw the child with his mother Mary,

and they bowed down and worshiped him.

Then they opened their treasures

and presented him with gifts of

gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Matthew 2:11

It is more blessed to give then to receive.

Acts 20:35

God loves a cheerful giver.

II Corinthians 9:7

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give,

not reluctantly or under compulsion,

for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you,

so that in all things at all times,

having all that you need,

you will abound in every good work...

Now he who supplies seed to the sower

and bread for food

will also supply and increase your store of seed

and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

You will be made rich in every way

so that you can be generous on every occasion,

and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people

but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

II Corinthians 9:7-8, 10-12

Comfort

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

II Corinthians 1:3-4

Help

...those able to help others...

I Corinthians 12:28

Delight

Delight yourself in the Lord

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Imitate

Be imitators of God,

as dearly loved children and live a life of love,

just as Christ loved us

and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering

and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1-2

Surrender

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,

but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests,

but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4

Thanks

I thank God every time I remember you.

Philippians 1:3

Meditate

May my meditation be pleasing to him,

as I rejoice in the Lord.

Psalm 104:34

Abundance

Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed;

a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

Luke 12:15

Share

...sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:6