WHAT kind of GIFTS are YOU giving this year?

 

What are your gift plans for Christmas? 

With a family as large as we have now, gift giving has changed. We have 3 daughters, 2 son-in-laws, and 22 grandkids or great-grandkids. We would have to take out a major bank loan to buy presents for all of them. But, we will have some smaller gifts especially for the littles! It bothers me that we can't give a gift to all of them, but it just isn't practical or wise. The reason it bothers me is because giving a gift is a small way to put our LOVE INTO ACTION and GOD was the FIRST TO GIVE A CHRISTMAS GIFT. I just want to follow his lead.  

God put his love into action. John told us that:

"We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother and sister in need but shows no compassion -- how can God's love be in that person? Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God." (1 John 3:16-19, NLT)

When we give gifts, when we sacrifice of our selves for others, that is what it means to PUT LOVE INTO ACTION. I love my family so much, I would do anything for them. I can't always provide wonderful gifts like I want to but what I do give comes attached to that special love.

God's love is sacrificial and meaningful. He gave us his one and only Son, he provided a way for us to spend eternity with him in paradise. That love is not passive it is ACTIVE and it has the power to change us. That love calls us to believe and to live in a way that reflects that wonderful gift. 

Heavenly Father, I pray that my love can shine during this Christmas season in a way more powerful than any gift I could provide to my family. I pray that they will all come to KNOW YOU, LORD, and live a life focused on serving you. My greatest gift, more precious than gold, more valuable than silver, would be to share YOUR LOVE in a way they would join us in paradise. Thank you Lord for showing us REAL LOVE and help me to do the same with everyone during this CHRISTMAS SEASON. Amen!

What gift are you giving your family this year that demonstrates God's love?

_______________________________________________

If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!