Saints Among Us... Completing the Circle of Love

Tis the season of giving. Many of us strain our backs and pocketbooks to fill the WANTS and needs of family, friends and neighbors. However some, have looked outside their "circle of friends and family" and filled the NEEDS of others. WHY??? because they care, and because they feel it is what God calls us to do. It was not a "have to do it" or "a do-it-to-feel-good" kind of act. It was a more heart tugging, God placed this overwhelming desire to bless someone, with small acts of kindness and rather minimal efforts. It is one of my strange obsessions, hearing how people "think" about these acts, "find" a need and fill it.

One friend could have easily bailed on the fulfilling since she was experiencing a loss that was unexpected and "it would have been understandable" if she just did not do something this year. But, no that motivated her more, to bless someone through her pain, because God was filling her need with His love, she wanted to share love with someone else.

The other friend, identified a need that arose from a health crisis, something her family had experienced and she sprung into action. Selflessly giving to others with no expectation or obligation, just to share love and support and let them know they were not forgotten and that they were loved.

This is the Spirit of Christmas in my heart... and perfect execution of scripture Be ye not hears only but also doers of the Word. If someone is hungry feed them, If someone needs clothes, clothe them. If someone needs love and encouragement, love and encourage them.

Selfless Anticipator, Intercessor, Need-fullfiller, Team-mate

I feel blessed knowing these "Saints, who loved and encouraged" and am very appreciative of being able to share in the experience by hearing their plans and stories of the delivery. I am very proud to call you Friends, for you truly showed your Love this season.

Frequently Relieving, Interceding, Encouraging, Need-fullfilling, Dedicated person!

All the glory goes to God, for that is where all good comes from and he lead these two to step out in love.

Merry Christmas!!!

God's Word is Personal and Good For Your Life

God's Word is so personalized when you digg into it, and sometimes the sermons hit you right between the eyes. This mornings sermon was very impressive on me.

The pastor titled it "The Gift We Can Give To God" it is in the Ephesians series.
(the notes and download will be available later, at http://faithnc.org/sermon_downloads , Check it out in about a week)

The scripture reference is Ephesians 4:25-32

And he discussed Lying Vs Truth,(Ephesians 4:25) Anger Vs Resting (trusting and knowing God) {OUCH!!!!) (Ephesians 4:26-27; 2 Timothy 2:24-26, Galatians 6:1; James 1:20; Romans 12:19-21, Proverbs 24:17. Stealing Vs Hard Work (Ephesians 4:28) and Hurtful speech Vs Forgiveness {Double OUCH!!!!!) (Ephesians 4:29-32)

The biggest part that really got me was about Forgiveness. He told the parable about the disciples asking God how many times they were to forgive someone who asked for forgiveness.

{The pastor possed the question, "How sincere is someone who repeatedly requests forgiveness", Not much; but that does not matter. because that is what Christ was trying to teach the disciples with His answer}

Christ told them, "to forgive 7 times 70".

Forgiveness does not depend on the person that needs the forgiveness, their sincerity, even them requesting the forgiveness is not important. Forgiveness is like a gift, that we give, because it was given to us. We forgive because Christ freely forgives us.

The alternative of not forgiving is very destructive, it involves keeping the anger, bitterness, stress, destroyed relationships, and possibility of sinning is high. If you are being Truthful and Christ is your all in all, and you are complete dependent on Him for your needs, wants, dreams, expectations then the persons short comings or flaws should not be more important than trusting and relying on God.

WOW!!!!! that kind of changes the thinking on things...

Forgiveness is all about God's Love. Tis' the season all about God's love, and the New Year is coming. What a perfect time to "give" the gift of forgiveness. And the "humanly cool" thing is the person that benefits the most from the giving of forgiveness is YOU!!!