gifts

Gifts of Mercy

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high Luke 1:78

Mercy may seem like a small thing, to someone who is an outside observer, but to the one who is receiving it, Mercy is the most necessary thing on the planet!

While we are busy shopping, celebrating and giving gifts it is important to remind ourselves that the most important gifts are unlikely to be found in stores. The gifts of greatest value can only be given after our own hearts have been touched by God’s mercy. In Bethlehem’s manger God chose to come and visit us and for 33 years He stayed until the day when His blood was given as His sacrifice of mercy. Remembering that amazing gift, then what gifts of mercy can we give to others today?

A Gift of Mercy Can be

A pint of blood for someone we don’t know

A handful of tissues when tears start to flow

A silent embrace when someone’s world falls apart

A light at the door when we come home after dark

A kiss of acceptance from someone we’ve hurt

A check in the mail when we’ve been out of work

Angel songs in the night when we’re out in the field

And the Babe in the manger before whom we kneel!

1514032666931_image

Gift Wrapped

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.   Philippians 2:7-8

Did you ever stop to wonder who came up with the idea of gift wrapping? Why do we bother with ribbons and bows if it is just the gift itself that people really want? Maybe it all comes down to a presentation; like on the opening night of a play. When we wrap gifts we do it to keep in the surprise. KIMG0138

In a strange sort of way Jesus came as God- gift wrapped! No one could see who Jesus was in his swaddling cloths in the manger. It took angels telling the shepherds to get anyone to begin unwrap that first Christmas present!

P1010380

Another reason for gift wrapping is so we can say:  “This just for you!” In that same way Jesus was sent, not only for the whole world, but He also gives Himself to us one by one.

Now some of us open presents on Christmas Eve and others on Christmas morning. But no matter what our selected time, it is the gift wrapping that makes us wait till the right time to open our presents. Then on that special silent night in Bethlehem; at exactly right moment, Jesus came  gift-wrapped and we have been unwrapping the love of God in Jesus Christ ever since!

1514032666931_image

 

Giving

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  Acts 20:35

Jesus received the gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to celebrate His birth. For 33 years he gave honor to His earthly parents, sight to the blind, healing to the sick, bread for the hungry and living water to the thirsty.

The week before He was betrayed Jesus received one more gift when Mary anointed His head and feet with perfumed oil to prepare for His death. When she was criticized, Jesus defended her and told us to always remember her act of giving. Then last of all He gave His life for ours. Now that’s a life of blessing! That’s a life of giving!

1524502856909_image.jpg