Sermons - God’s Word ….. Pastor’s Pen
“…Yes, whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him.” 1 Cor. 9:22 (LB)
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02-28-10 Loving With Your Words
02-21-10 Loving Like Jesus Loves Me
02-07-10 A Relationship of Love
01-10-10 Completing Your Goals
11-22-09 A Heart of Thanksgiving
10-25-09 Who We Are - Part III
Pastor’s Pen – God’s Gifts
As I tear off yet another page of the calendar, the reality of life suddenly grips my heart. It seems like it has been but a moment, literally the twinkling of an eye, since the start of the year. The truth of time has again come to pass; the Holiday season is now upon us. A time of the year that brings excitement to many and heartache to others.
As a father I have already seen the jubilation beginning to stir in my youngest son as Christmas approaches. Lists are formulated and the excitement of receiving gifts has sparked an expectancy that grows daily. I have come to understand that although the advertising and commercialism will be pouncing upon me any day now as an unwelcome guest, there is a truth amidst this hustle and bustle of the season. God is a father; literally, THE FATHER who the word tells us loves to give gifts to His children. “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9-11) God gives Good Gifts, but we have to ask Him!
My question to you is how much has our “practical atheism” worked into our mindset? God will give to others but I get the lump of coal? My son never hesitates to tell me what he wants. And I only keep from him those things that I know will hurt him. As fathers we enjoy giving good gifts to our kids.
God giving gifts to people is a major theme of the Bible. The Scriptures are full of gifts that God wants to give us. He gives the gift of justification where God declares us “not guilty” based on faith in the cross. He also gives the gift of a new birth where God makes us a new person! He gives us faith, hope and love! He also gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live powerful, fulfilling lives of purpose in the will of God. James 1:7 tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation nor shadow of turning.”
God does not want us to think of Him as a religious system or a theological idea. He does not want us to work on our “prayer life” or use all the right church words when we pray. He just wants us to talk to him like a dad - to tell Him what we are thinking, to ask for what we want, and to say thanks for what He gives us. Now, what do you want God to give you this year?
My prayer is that God Blesses you beyond ALL that you can ask or think!