Bring Your Gifts To The Stable -- part 2
Last week we started our discussion of the gifts we could bring to the Stable of Jesus this Christmas Season. If you did not read that entry, I would suggest you do that first before moving on to this conclusion of the topic.
In approaching this coming Christmas we are taking time to consider what Christmas is truly about to us as Jesus followers. One tradition of this season is gift giving to others, but have we considered what gifts we could bring to Jesus, the true Reason for this Season?
What gifts could we offer to the One who came to save us and bring us eternal life? Last week we talked about the Gift of Gratitude and the Gift of Laughter / Joy. Today we will discuss three more gifts of value.
The Gift of Serving
Ephesians 2: 10 (NLT) -- For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
Mothers of Nations, I am sure many of you serve the Body of Christ and others already. But are there other ways to serve Him that we have yet to do – or need to do again?
For example, within a ministry or church congregation, what are some of the ways we could serve?
- Children’s and youth ministry
- Worship ministry
- Prayer ministry
- Evangelism ministry
- Hospitality ministry
- Visitation ministry
In all the areas where we serve, it is important to focus on the blessing we can bring to others through the process of serving. We are blessed to be a blessing!
The Gift of Giving
I have discovered that as believers, we have many opportunities to give throughout our lifetime. Some examples include the following:
- Giving finances, time, service, prayer for others, compassion, etc.
- Giving that is done from the heart – whole-heartedly.
1 Chronicles 29: 9 (NLT) -- The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, and King David was filled with joy.
- Giving generously which provides abundance.
Deuteronomy 15: 1-8 (NLT) -- “At the end of every seventh year you must cancel the debts of everyone who owes you money. 2 This is how it must be done. Everyone must cancel the loans they have made to their fellow Israelites. They must not demand payment from their neighbors or relatives, for the Lord’s time of release has arrived. 3 This release from debt, however, applies only to your fellow Israelites—not to the foreigners living among you. 4 “There should be no poor among you, for the Lord your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession. 5 You will receive this blessing if you are careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. 6 The Lord your God will bless you as he has promised. You will lend money to many nations but will never need to borrow. You will rule many nations, but they will not rule over you. 7 “But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. 8 Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need.
- Giving that glorifies God.
Matthew 6: 1-4 (NLT) -- “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
The Gift of Giving – what a powerful expression of God’s love particularly at this Christmas Season. Yet, it is an action that we should take part in all year round. Don’t you agree?
The Gift of Worship
Mothers of Nations, could I encourage each of us this Christmas to spend time with Him in the secret place of worship? What an incredible gift we can bring to His stable.
When we worship our King, we surrender everything as we lay our hearts and lives before Him. The content of our worship has many facets and expressions.
- We express our love for His house: Psalm 26: 8 (NKJV) – Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells.
- We give Him glory: Psalm 29: 1-2 (NKJV) – Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, Give unto the Lord glory and strength. 2 Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
- We thirst for His Presence: Psalm 42: 1-2 (NKJV) -- As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
- We exalt Him above all things: Psalm 57: 5 (NKJV) -- Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.
- We recognize His greatness and thus stand in awe of Him! Psalm 145: 1-7 (NLT) I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. 2 I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. 3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. 4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. 5 I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. 6 Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. 7 Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.
As we conclude our discussion, may each of us focus on these precious gifts that we can bring to His Stable this Christmas season. May we live every moment, laugh every day, and love one another wholeheartedly. Yes, Jesus is the Reason for this Season!
Dr. Sharon Predovich
