‘Tis the Season! The Christmas season is here with all of its pageantry, beauty, charm and warmth. We think of faith and families, we think of decorations and dinners, we think of gifts to loved one, and we think of God’s greatest gift of love. It is also a great time to reflect on God’s gift of you—that’s right you are an incredible gift from God. God created you uniquely, beautifully…wonderfully. You have gifts and talents from God. Unwrap the gift of you –learn to appreciate your unique God-given gifts and talents. Of course gifts often need put together –we all know the words all too well “some assembly required!” But in the end we get the help of others, learn to laugh at our mistakes, and enjoy the gift all the more once it is assembled. The gifts in our lives also require some work and assembly--that is part of life. But those gifts are worth all the more as we strive to use all our gifts and talents to be all that we can be and to use our lives to touch others for good. The Apostle Paul challenges us to discover and develop our gifts and use them in harmony with one another:
(Verse of the week)
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a person’s gift is prophesying, let them use it in proportion to their faith. If it is serving, let them serve; if it is teaching, let them teach; if it is encouraging, let them encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let them give generously; if it is leadership, let them govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let them do it cheerfully….
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in genuine love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12.4-18)
Your life is a gift from God—what you do with your life is your gift back to God!
(prayer of the week)
Lord, thank you for the gift of my life. Help me to develop and use the gifts and talents you have given me to joyfully serve you and others, amen.
Open your heart to God’s amazing love!—Pastor TJ
(quote of the week)
If man can take moldy bread and make penicillin out of it, think of what a loving God can do with you ---Muhammad Ali
(Verse of the week)
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a person’s gift is prophesying, let them use it in proportion to their faith. If it is serving, let them serve; if it is teaching, let them teach; if it is encouraging, let them encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let them give generously; if it is leadership, let them govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let them do it cheerfully….
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in genuine love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12.4-18)
Your life is a gift from God—what you do with your life is your gift back to God!
(prayer of the week)
Lord, thank you for the gift of my life. Help me to develop and use the gifts and talents you have given me to joyfully serve you and others, amen.
Open your heart to God’s amazing love!—Pastor TJ
(quote of the week)
If man can take moldy bread and make penicillin out of it, think of what a loving God can do with you ---Muhammad Ali
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