The Giving Life.

It is that time of year that most people are in the giving mood. We are happily running around getting gifts for those we love. Baking tons of cookies and breads that will be given as gifts and consumed. Decorating our homes, offices and cars in holiday themes. Making everything merry and bright.

Along the way we may drop a few coins in the Red Kettles send a check to a local charity or buy a gift for a child in need. Everywhere we turn we are being asked to give, give some more, then dig deeper and give again.

If you are like me you enjoy giving and you want to help every cause you can, but you can’t. Those dollars only stretch so far.

Giving make us feel good. We enjoy making people happy and the act of presenting someone with gift and watching them open it brings us joy. Why is it better to give than receive? The Bible tells us so.

Acts 20:35
I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 

Jesus was a giver. He gave to the poor, He healed the sick, He raised some from their death but most of all, He gave His life for us. Yes, Jesus was a giver.

Being a giver is a matter of the heart.

2 Corinthians 9:6
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:

“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”

All this giving and doing for others sometimes leaves us exhausted, financially broke and emotionally tired, especially this time of year. We have so much to do and it all comes at once. No matter how much we prepare for it and do what we can ahead of time, when crunch time comes, it comes with a vengeance.

God gives us hope and encourages us not to grow weary.

Galatians 6:9-10
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 

  Let’s talk about the one person that sometimes we don’t give to. . . ourselves. Now I’m not telling you to go buy yourself a gift, although that isn’t a bad idea sometimes. But how about giving yourself the gift of eternal life. After this worldly life is over, you can live a life of bliss with Jesus in Heaven.

This holiday season, give yourself the gift of Christ – it doesn’t cost a dime, just your obedience and commitment.

Read the plan of salvation that Jesus has for you.

May God bless you.

Memorial Day

by Lillian Humphries

Memorial Day is next Monday, May 25th, 2015. How will you celebrate? Gather with family and friends for a picnic/cookout? Go to the beach or the lake? What memories can you pull from your memory file about Memorial Day?

When I was working and raising my two daughters, Memorial Day was a paid day off of work. A day I could sleep in. A day I could maybe catch up on some things around the house or finish a project.

I knew the real meaning of this special day. I would always stop and teach my children why we had a Memorial Day and to honor the men and women, who gave their lives for us and then go on with my plans. Maybe include a parade later in the evening. Who doesn’t love a parade?

The older you get the more you think about things. I think about things a lot, maybe sometimes too much. That can be another blog sometime. J During this upcoming weekend and the celebrations, I ask you to take a few minutes and ponder some thoughts.

Nothing is free in life. We live in the land of the “free and the brave” What is the “cost” for American freedom”?

• American Revolution: 25,000 lives lost
• War of 1812: 15,000 lives lost
• Civil War: 750,000 lives lost
• World War I : 116,516 lives lost
• World War II : 405,399 lives lost
• Vietnam War: 58,209 lives lost
• War on Terror: 6,717 lives lost

Most likely there is not one of us who has not been touched by one or more of these lost lives. These numbers do not include those who were wounded physically or mentally by the search for our freedom.

There is one more statistic I would like us all to consider.

One life was given on the cross of Mt. Calvary. God’s only son, Jesus died for all of us. Jesus died so we could be free from “sin” and spend our life in eternity.

So this weekend during your festivities, remember those that gave their lives for our country, but also remember Jesus who gave His life so you can be free from sin.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.