E-votional
– Receiving
and Giving
February 6,
2001
Verse:
“Every
generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down
from the Father of lights, with whom
there is no variation or shadow due to change."
-- James 1:17
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?James+1:17
Thought:
Gifts
are those things in life we both give and receive with excitement and joy.
They come from us and to us, usually with a since of surprise. We do
not often know the real motivation (even though it may be Christmas, a
birthday, or an anniversary), yet they come.
Hear the Good News, God loves
us so much, he blesses us with moments of awe, that we might come closer to
knowing who He is and what He is about. The perfect gifts in my life,
right now would have to be Casey, my wife, and being a part of the current
ministry here in Tatum. I do not mean to say Casey is perfect, though
she is close, that Amy is perfect, or that what we do here at TUMC is perfect.
What I mean is that the relationship that each has to another is pure, and
from God. Casey looks at me and the fact she is mine and I am hers,
that is perfectly given. Amy being in my life, I could have asked for
nothing better. Being here in Tatum, what we do and are able to do is
truly from God, working within the community as a whole. As
delusional as I may be, from time to time, I will always recognize God's
presence in the good.
Prayer:
Lord, whether
it is her cheeks rising to a smile, the friendly hello of a stranger or a
look which transcends words, the blessings in my life are truly from
You. Help me to not only recognize these, but help me to learn to
respond likewise. Empower me to offer gifts to others,
remembering that everything I have comes from you, therefore, it is
nothing to give it to another. Thank
You for all You have done in my
life, and all You will continue to do, through Christ our Lord I pray.
Amen.