◄ Acts 20:35 ►
New International Version
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
HOLI-DAYS = HOLY days
Holidays are all about remembering God.
Holidays should be an evangelistic tool. I think they are designed to be reminders for the believers to reach out to others. We tend to just gather among ourselves on those days, but it should be about others.
Believers don’t need reminders of God’s love, it should be the first thing they think of when they wake up, and the last thing they are aware of as they doze off to sleep. Every day for a true believe should be a holiday.
The best way to celebrate God’s love is by blessing others. As believers we should feel better about helping others than ourselves. A sign of accepting the Lord is an acute awareness of the suffering of others. In America, holidays are a time where families are united, which is good. God, and our purpose for being here, however, is often forgotten. With the exception of the few extremely functional families out there, most people dread holidays. That is bad. A time meant to remember God in many cases actually make people feel worse about themselves than they already do. During holidays, many end up feeling rejected and further from God, not closer.
I try to remember these words of the Lord Jesus Himself, as expressed by Dr. Luke. It helps me to keep perspective. Work hard. LOVE GIVING to the weak, sick, sad and lonely. Holidays are a great time to find these kind of people. When I am traveling alone on Christmas day, I love to go to Chinese restaurants. Chinese restaurants are usually open, and they are filled with lonely people. Sharing a meal with someone on a holiday and actually spending time with them is the best ministry opportunity available.
Every day for a True Christian is a holiday. Here is an easy way to celebrate your 365 holidays a year. Whenever you are alone next time in a McDonalds, or a bus terminal, look for the bum sitting all alone. Sit down respectfully, and enjoy their company. Share your food with them. Let them talk. Don’t post it on Facebook afterwards, nor brag about it at your next church service. Just bless them, love them, and watch the blessing fill your heart. Watch as God erases or diminishes the problems in your own life, as you randomly give of yourself to others.
Giving is a very private thing. The more random, and secretive it is, the more of a blessing you get. That probably sounds weird coming from me, I publicize our non-profit so much. Personally, I don’t like letting people know what we do. I hate begging, but I do it so we can give to more children than my personal income allows. I guess that is why the Lord has me doing it, it humbles me and keeps me in check. I have found that if I don’t share, people do not help. The more I share, the more help we get to help even more children. I wish I didn’t have to though. The blessings would be much greater than they already are.
Jesus stressed that it is important to share yourself with others, not out of your bounty, but out of your needs. Share your treasure. Our treasure often times, is not our money. It is our time. It always amazes me when a counselor or a pastor throws a book at their ‘customers’ to read, instead of just talking to them.
The only book that has ever changed lives is the Bible, and even that needs to be illustrated in the flesh. Christ Himself illustrated the Love of God by the giving of Himself on the cross of Calvary. God left His spirit to guide us to all truths. I am convinced that is the reason that very little original text of the Bible has ever been discovered. God knew that in our wickedness and idolatry, we would worship the original text of the Bible more than Him and His Spirit. God is Spirit and Truth, and looks for those who worship HIM in that way
◄ John 4:24 ►
New International Version
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
It is better to give than to receive. It is better to give to others not only physical things, but spiritual things as well. We worship God by Sharing Him with others, in Spirit and in Truth. We can only do that one on one, sharing our time, and resources with those who need love. This Holiday Season I hope you Give of Yourself, sacrificially, to others.
Hoping you had a great ThanksGiving!!!
Dean Peters
Preschool Dress Rehearsal