Possessing a Heart that Shares

The celebration of Christmas reminds us of giving and sharing. I enjoy the opportunity to share a gift with someone and watch the effect that the gift has on them. I can remember seeing tears of joy and excitement fill the eyes of our children and now we are able to witness the same expressions on the faces of our grandchildren. Being willing to give and share with someone is a great attribute to possess in our lives. We need to develop that attitude even more as we see the pain and suffering in our world. I know that we are unable to meet the needs of everyone but we can be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit when the Lord presents us an opportunity to bring a smile to the face of someone who is need of encouragement. The Bible expresses a wonderful challenge in 2 Corinthians 9:7, "You must decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully" (NLT). It is such a blessing to give out of a heart that recognizes the opportunity to invest in the life of an individual rather than feeling that we are forced into some action that fails to produce any response from either the recipient of the gift or a response from our Heavenly Father. I desire to give cheerfully and not out of obligation. We will explore this further over the next few days as we move through this season of gifts and giving. Let us take a moment and ask God to examine our motives in giving. I desire for God to be pleased with not only my actions but the motives behind those actions.

Prayer for Today

Dear God, as I am preparing to celebrate Christmas help me to remember the true meaning of this celebration. Let me remember that Christ came to offer reconciliation to God, He came to give His life a ransom for my life, He came to give His life as a sacrifice for my sins. Forgive us of placing the emphasis of Christmas on us and not on You! Forgive us of being selfish and absorbed with satisfying our wants and not seeing the needs of others. Speak to our hearts and lead us to offer gifts of kindness, thoughtfulness, and cheer to those who are in need around us. Finally, let us remember that the gift of Salvation was for everyone in the world and not just for a select group of people. AMEN!

Weekend Review

Due to my travel schedule I have been unable to place any updates on the blog. I was able to enjoy a trip to Decatur, Alabama on Friday and spend some time with my parents and many of my extended family members. Our family is scattered around the nation but we do our best to assemble before Christmas and spend time with each other. The more mature (sounds better than becoming older) I become the more important family becomes. In these times of crisis and uncertainty we need the strength and encouragement of our family and friends. Our family is blessed in that we have have parents who are intercessors/prayer warriors who understand the importance of praying for their family. As we approach the conclusion of 08 and the beginning of 09 each of us need to commit to be intercessors for our family members. As I traveled to Alabama on Friday, I received a phone call from Rick Phillips (Ann's brother) who felt led of the Lord to call and pray a prayer of blessing over me and my family. Before Ann's mother passed away she was a great intercessor/prayer warrior and her family is carrying on that same rich tradition. It is such a blessing to know that God uses the power of prayer and intercession to encourage the people in His Kingdom. Don't wait another day become a person of prayer today; do not overlook this important ministry in the Kingdom of God. We were privileged to be with Pastor Terry and Sue Burkhead and the Bethesda church in Shelbyville, KY for Sunday services. The presence of the Lord was very evident as we gathered to worship the Lord and exalt His name. The Lord reminded us that He is "mindful of us" and that He has promised to be with us as we journey down the road of life. Many responded to the invitation in both of the services; God is speaking to our hearts, will we listen and pay close attention to the Voice of God? I have a renewed desire to hear clearly what God is saying to me both personally as well as ministerially. This is not the time to lose our spiritual hearing; O God give us ears to hear and a heart to respond to your guidance.

Thankful

Last night was the concluding service at the revival in Gallatin,TN. It can be truly said that the presence of the Lord was with us. The worship was encouraging and uplifting; the fellowship was rewarding; the anointing of the Spirit was powerful; and the freedom to seek God in the altar was very evident. We just give God all the Glory for what was accomplished in all of our lives. We need to recognize that God through Jesus Christ desires to draw near to us. He has provided the opportunity of relationship and fellowship. I desire to recognize His ongoing presence in my life and I desire to share that knowledge with people that I contact. We need to know that God cares and that God is ready to come to our aid in time of trouble. Pastor Windell Moore and his wife, Myrna are to be commended for the leadership that they are providing for the local church in Gallatin. We were blessed last night with the Youth Pastors from the Lebanon, TN and the Portland, TN churches. Each of them brought a group of youth from their church and many of them were in the altar seeking more of God in their lives. We must remember that God desires to reach all generations and we are challenged to make sure that we are sharing the Good News of the Gospel with everyone. The Youth Praise and Worship team of Gallatin led the service last night; they were certainly a blessing to the service. Several of the Gallatin youth were in the altar seeking for the direction of God in their lives. God is calling, will we answer that call or will we continue to ignore God?

Prayer & Fasting

I truly believe in the power of Prayer & Fasting. It has been a common practice of ours for several years to begin the New Year with a time of intercession and fasting. As we approach 2009, I would like join distinguished colleagues such as Randall Howard, General Overseer of the Church of God Prophecy; William Wilson, Director of the Center of Spiritual Renewal; and Don Brock of Synergy Ministries in calling for 21 days of Fasting and Prayer beginning January 1- January 21 of 2009. This would be an unique opportunity for Christian believers to unite together in a time of seeking the face of God. All of us can certainly recognize the fact that we are in need of seeking for the direction of God in America. Would you give consideration to this great challenge from these spiritual leaders of the church? I believe that God still responds to the prayers of the people of God.

Challenges

Each one of us are facing our own unique set of challenges and circumstances. Our response to those circumstances with either produce hope or discouragement. We must turn to the Word of God as we walk through the valley of decision regarding our response to the challenges of life. As individuals as well as collectively as a nation we are facing some challenging times but we must remember that God will not forsake our abandon us; we can trust in His promises. I read a wonderful passage in James 1:2-4 today and I would like to share it with you. "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." (NLT) All of us have faced times of trouble and until Christ comes for our soul we will continue to face those times of trouble. But we do have a choice to make; will I look for the opportunity of joy? I will not find joy in my trouble but I believe that I will find joy in knowing that God is at work in me completing what He began at my conversion. It is not always easy when we are going through the process of spiritual development but remember the reward of the process is worth the price that you had to pay. God is good even in the midst of our troubles; just stay focused on the promise of His presence.

God Draws Near

The celebration of Advent reminds us that God desires to draw near to us and to the challenges that we face in our lives. "Emmanuel, God with us" reminds us of the awesome love that God has revealed to this world and it is through this love that we are brought to a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Oh, we have so much to celebrate! We can rejoice in the fact that God does not avoid us at the times of our difficulty but rather He chooses to respond to the cry of our heart. All of us can be grateful that through Christ we can have access to the Heavenly Father and our Heavenly Father loves us more than we can realize. Do not allow the "holidays" to lose its spiritual significance; recognize and remember the door of opportunity that God has opened to us through the birth of Jesus Christ. The service yesterday at Gallatin, TN was wonderful. The worship time was anointed and inspiring. It is such a blessing when we feel the "heart connection" with God as we gather to celebrate His Greatness. We do not gather to celebrate our great accomplishments; we gather to celebrate the GREATNESS OF OUR GOD and recognize Him as the One who is worthy of our praise. We must remember who deserves the praise and the glory; take a moment today and let God know that you recognize His Greatness!