With Christmas right around the corner, it’s easy to let the busyness of the
season take our focus off of what’s really important. For me, one of my favorite parts of celebrating God’s gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the opportunity to give generously to the people I love. And I make it my goal to keep my focus on that spirit of giving throughout the season. It helps me keep the parties and preparations in perspective, so I can truly experience the joy of giving. The gifts themselves don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. The heart of the giver is much more important than the contents of the gift box. When I give from the heart, I receive much in joy. I believe it truly is “more blessed to give than to receive.” Here are some of my favorite quotes on giving. I hope they help you focus on giving with love to the people in your life. “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” ~ Winston Churchill "There are two kinds of gratitude: the sudden kind we feel for what we receive, and the larger kind we feel for what we give." ~ Edward Arlington Robinson “You cannot all abandon your possessions, but at least you can change your attitude about them. All getting separates you from others; all giving unites to others.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”~ Proverbs 11:24-25 “The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious.” ~ Martin Luther “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson “That's what I consider true generosity. You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing.” ~ Simone De Beauvoir “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”~ Albert Pike “It's easier to take than to give. It's nobler to give than to take. The thrill of taking lasts a day. The thrill of giving lasts a lifetime.” ~ Joan Marques “There is a very real relationship, both quantitatively and qualitatively, between what you contribute and what you get out of this world.” ~ Oscar Hammerstein II “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” ~ Maya Angelou “Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” ~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr. “There's a great joy in my giving. It's thrilling. It's exhilarating. It's important to be a part of sharing. It is my love. It is my joy.”~ W. Clement Stone Part 1
Instead of celebrating David's victory over Goliath with those who sang 'David [has slain] his ten thousands', Saul became jealous. As a result, he opened himself to 'an evil spirit' (1 Samuel 18:10 NIV). There are three lessons here: 1) Those who help you today, may hurt you tomorrow. So what should you do? When Saul threw spears, David refused to throw them back. Instead he forgave, prayed for Saul, and positioned himself to be promoted. It's not easy, but it's a winning strategy. 'You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbour and hate your enemy." But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven...' (Matthew 5:43-45 NIV). 2) Those who love you today, may loathe you tomorrow. God says, '...I have loved you with an everlasting love...' (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV). All other sources of love are subject to change. You can marry someone who resents you for being what you are, and you end up thinking, 'You chose me because I'm outspoken; now you don't like me because I speak out.' You feel betrayed when people invite you, and then fight you. But God will be faithful to you! 3) While others speak well of you, some will resent you. Notice, David didn't sing, 'Saul killed a thousand, but I killed ten thousand.' You can understand why that would irritate others. But David didn't boast about his success. Sometimes those who congratulate you can create enemies for you. That's because some folk can't celebrate anyone other than themselves. Soul food: Ecc 1-4; John 16:1-11; Ps 130; Pr. 28:21-24 Part 2 A certain level of competitiveness is good. When children enter a spelling contest they study harder and learn more because they're going to compete. They know their academic prowess is about to be challenged and they get ready for it because we like to win. But when your competitiveness makes you feel 'less than', or 'better than' another person, it's gone too far. Paul writes: '...When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God...has assigned to us' 12-13 NIV). To evaluate your success accurately you must first understand your God-given purpose. When you play on a team your position determines your purpose. Attackers and defenders have different skills, but to win, the team needs both. The defender who keeps the opposing team from scoring is just as valuable as the attacker who scores. One may get more applause than the other, but victory belongs to all. When you keep comparing yourself with others you're denied a sense of accomplishment, because you've made the benchmark to be like somebody else. No, they are playing a different position. They have a different purpose and skill set designed to fulfil the role God has given them. God gives you everything you need for the position you play and the purpose you have. What a liberating truth! And God, who gave others the ability to excel at what they do, will do the same for you when you learn to focus on Him, not them. Soul food: Ecc 5-8; John 16:12-18; Ps 2; Pr. 28:25-28 Part 3 Unhealthy comparison is a sign of spiritual immaturity. Here's what Paul wrote to the Corinthians: 'Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly - mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour' (vv. 1-8 NIV). Understanding your gifts and your God-given purpose frees you from the need to measure yourself by the runner in the next lane, or someone playing a different position on the team. When you understand this, your sense of inadequacy will be healed and you'll be able to enjoy and complement others. You'll also be able to help liberate your children from sibling rivalry and show them that success is not about being like somebody else, but about being the best you can be, and all God made you to be. Soul food: Ecc 9-12; John 16:19-33; Ps 147:1-11; Part (4) No matter how good you are, you'll never be good at being somebody else. Don't fall into the trap of trying to live up to the reputation of another person. The new husband says to his wife, 'My mother makes better fried chicken than this.' The wife retorts, 'Then tell your mother to come over here and cook you some.' Compliment your wife. Don't compare her with somebody else. Unhealthy comparisons hurt relationships! The Psalmist writes about the successful person who 'is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season...' (Psalm 1:3 NIV). A wise fruit grower understands three things about his trees: 1) Apple trees are only capable of producing apples. 2) Apple trees only produce apples in certain seasons. 3) It is a mistake to pick your apples too early. When the daughter of a well-known preacher was introduced on a Christian television network, she received invitations from several churches to come and speak. But her father said, 'No, leave her alone. I won't allow the system to eat her up and begin to compare her unfavourably with her father or mother or somebody else she can never be. I want her to be herself.' What great counsel and insight! Paul writes, '...That we...might be for the praise of his glory' (Ephesians 1:12 NIV). When you understand who you are and what God created you to be - being yourself brings glory to God! You can say, 'Lord, I'm thankful for who You made me; I've finished complaining or wishing I could be somebody else.' Soul food: Gen 1-3; John 17:1-12; Ps 147:12-20; Pr. 29:6-10 Part (5) Paul writes, 'Godliness with contentment is great gain.' This word 'gain' doesn't mean increase, but profit. There's a difference. Profit is what you have left when the transaction is over. Paul meant that when everything is said and done, you must feel good about being yourself. You must be able to say, 'I would rather be a great sergeant than a poor general.' Only when you've followed well, can you lead well. If you're praying for a certain position or promotion, check your motives. Sometimes what we call faith is really just ambition, because we haven't come to the place where we're comfortable with the role God has given us. King Saul's undoing was his ego. Many of us have a wrong concept of what being 'blessed' looks like. We have seen God's blessing in someone else's life, so we think that to be like them is to be blessed. And no matter what God gives us, we are never happy because we're not like them. We are asking God for something but we don't know what it is, what it looks like, or when we have it. And if you don't know you have it, you won't know when you lose it. When you keep comparing yourself to somebody else you make that person an idol in your life. Tear that idol down! Ask God for a dream of your own. Stand on your own two feet. Be who God created you to be. Even though God has more in store for you, praise Him for what He's given you right now. Soul food: Gen 4-6; John 17:13-26; Ps 148:1-6; Pr. 29:11-15 Part (6) Paul didn't measure his progress by the pace of the runner in the lane next to him. He said, in essence, 'I'm running according to the drumbeat I hear on the inside. I will encourage you, but I will never compete with you. My goal is to recognise and maximise what God has put within me. I'm not chasing you, I'm chasing me.' When the crowd started singing, 'Saul has killed his thousands but David has killed his tens of thousands', Saul couldn't handle it and he lashed out at David. There will always be somebody who has more education than you, preaches better than you, or makes more money than you. So shake it off and be yourself! The Bible says, 'He who walks with wise men will be wise...' (Proverbs 13:20 NKJV). Your future success is predicated on your ability and willingness to walk in the company of greatness and be inspired by it rather than frustrated by it. Saul's competitiveness ultimately destroyed him, and it will destroy you too. Faced with his successor, David, Saul tried to kill him. Faced with his successor, Timothy, Paul did all he could to build him up. Listen to Paul, 'Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands' (2 Timothy 1:6 NKJV). Does Paul sound jealous? No. Do you know why? He tells us, 'I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course...' (2 Timothy 4:7 KJV). The only course you can run and win is the course God has given you! Soul food: Gen 7-9; John 18:1-11; Ps 148:7-14; Pr. 29:16-21 Part (7) Paul writes, 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard...no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him' (v.9 NIV). You say, 'But that's all in the future!' No; read on: 'But God has revealed [it] to us by his Spirit.' Others may inspire and instruct you, but you must go to God in order to find out what He's called you to be and then align yourself with it. God told the prophet Habakkuk, '...Write the vision and make it plain...that he may run who reads it' (Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV). It's okay to be inspired by somebody else's vision, but you must receive your own vision from God. Only when you do that, can you live to the fullest. God wants you to run according to what He has shown you. Stop taking your cues from people. Some of us are forty, or fifty, or sixty years old and we're still not happy with what we are. We're frustrated and frantic because we've never found that feeling of contentment. The problem is we've made it our goal to become something God never meant us to be. You must go to God, like a house to a builder, and say, 'Lord, what building materials have You put within me? How much weight can I bear? What is my purpose? Who should I be? Show me Your plan at every age and every stage.' You are the question, God is the answer. And as long as you know who is who, you'll always make progress in the journey of life. Soul food: Matt 14:22-33; 1 Kings 3:4-28 1) We add value to others when we truly value others. Leaders who add value to others believe in their people before their people believe in them. They serve others instead of expecting to be served. Jesus’ disciples began following him before they believed he was the Messiah. Why? Because he saw their potential and believed they could be influencers. 2) We add value to others when we make ourselves more valuable to others. The historical texts documenting the life of Jesus do not give much information about him as a teenager or twentysomething. They do offer this tidbit, though. “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” The whole idea of adding value to other people depends on the idea that you have something of value to add. You can’t give what you don’t possess. Personal growth precedes influence with people. 3) We add value when we know and relate to what others need. As a leader, it’s dangerous to cater to what people want. You’ll wear yourself out trying to please them. However, it’s important to be aware of their genuine needs—the need be accepted, the need to do meaningful work, the need to feel significant—and to help them meet those needs. “Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. Then he said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.’” In the above passage, notice how Jesus discerned the true need underlying the disciples’ silly boasts: the need to have influence and to make an impact. He then instructs them on how to meet the need. Accept those who are overlooked and neglected and be a humble servant. This verse inspired Martin Luther King, Jr. who later summarized its essence: “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” Thought to Ponder Giving is the highest level of living. When we spend ourselves on behalf of others we gain the sort of fulfillment that can never be bought with money or satisfied with stuff. As a leader, what are you doing to add value to others? How does serving others enrich your life? Psalm 103:12
'As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us!' - God is always ready to extend forgiveness to us. - When He forgives, our transgressions are removed from us. - As we come to Him and ask Him, He promises to forgive us. - So don't hesitate, ask Him, and receive this release. PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for the things that I have done that have displeased You. I receive Your forgiveness and release right now. Amen. “And because iniquity will abound, the love of many will become cold.” Mat 24:12
Jesus foretold of a coming day of great darkness; a time when evil would be so prevalent that it would cause many to harden their hearts and grow cold and distant in their affection for others. We certainly are living in Times that try men’s souls. There is an undeniable increase of wickedness in all quarters — political, industrial, religious, educational, and so on. There is scarce a place to be found that is not in some measure polluted with the infectious presence of selfishness and sin. So what are we to do? We should let our light so shine before men that they see our good works and glorify our Father, who is in heaven. When evil increases — we must DO GOOD. Listen to Paul’s advice, “Rejoice in the Lord always,” he says; and then to make sure we got it, he adds, “and again I say, Rejoice.” Joy is a powerful antibiotic to the creeping spread of hopelessness caused by sin. Paul goes on to say, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” In other words, conduct yourself in a balanced manner, being un-extreme in the things you are about. “Be careful for nothing,” Paul then writes, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” A man or woman who is filled with peace and marked by joy, can single-handedly do much within the sphere of their influence. How then can you and I become such a person? Paul answers that question with his concluding words – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Php 4:4-8). As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. When evil increases — DO GOOD! Lord Transform us into a mountain moving faith, increase our faith. Teach us how to “walk by faith” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Give us strength to stand strong on your promises and believe Your every word. We don’t want to be like the people who did not profit from hearing the Word because it wasn’t mixed with faith (Hebrews 4:2). I know that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” ( Romans10:17). Make our faith increase every time we hear or read Your Word. Help us to believe for Your promises to be fulfilled in us. We pray that the genuineness of our faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even when it is tested by fire, will be glorifying to You, Lord 1 Peter 1:7).
We know “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). And know we have been “saved through faith,” and it is a gift from You (Ephesians 2:8). Increase our faith so that we can pray in power. Give us faith to believe for healing every time we pray for the sick. We don’t want to see a need and then not have faith strong enough to pray and believe for the situation to change Help us to take the “shield of faith” to “quench all the fiery of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16). Help us “to ask in faith, with no doubting.” For we know that “he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” we know that a doubter is double minded and unstable, and will not receive anything from You (James 1:6-8). we know that “whatever that is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). We confess any doubt we have as sin before You, and we ask You to forgive us. we don’t want to hinder what You want to do in and through us because of doubt. Increase our faith daily so that we can move mountains in Your name. Amen Ek het vanoggend so 'n mooi beeld in 'n boek raakgelees:
Die outeur skryf dat wanneer 'n mens in die bosveld langs 'n groot knetterende kampvuur sit, hoor 'n mens feitlik geen dieregeluide in die bos nie. Jy is regtig nie eens bewus van enige gevaar van leeus of olifante of wat ook al nie. Maar as daardie vuurtjie begin doodgaan, begin die gevaar al hoe groter raak en raak 'n mens ook al hoe meer bewus van die dieregeluide. Net iemand wat regtig al gesit het langs 'n kampvuur in die bos wanneer dit besig is om dood te gaan, sal hierdie beeld presies verstaan. Die vuurtjie word al hoe kleiner, en dit word al hoe kouer, en die nag word al hoe swarter… en jy wonder al hoe meer oor die gevare wat in die bos skuil. Toe skryf die persoon dat dit presies ook so gaan met ons geestelike lewe: Hoe sterker die vuur van die Heilige Gees in ons brand, hoe minder vrees ons gevare van buite. Maar hoe flouer God se Gees in ons lewe brand, hoe groter word die gevaar van buite. Sometimes when things are going great I forget to Pray Then in darkness I stumble and lose my way.
I open a closet where I have tucked Jesus in I have to ask for Guidance to find my way Again Once More a light begins to shine I find Peace and Contentment in this troubled Life of Mine He says My Child did you forget I am always here for you To help with the bad times you go through I am The Alpha and Omega The Begining and The End Child,I will not Forsake You,I am Your Best Friend. Remember when you feel forsaken and you lose your way. Just Bow Your Head and Open Up Your Heart Don't Forget To Pray! When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
When 24 hours in a day is not enough; remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and start to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded With an unanimous 'yes.' The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. 'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends, and favourite passions Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else -- The small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, You will never have room for the things that are important to you. So... Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical check-ups. Take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the dripping tap. 'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.' One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.' Please share this with other "Golf Balls" |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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