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Tis The Season... 12/10/23
Ephesians 4:8 (KJV)
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God is a God of GIVING!!!!
Jesus did not come to GET but to GIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And thus, this is how God made US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Genesis 1:27 (KJV)
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
WE were created in the IMAGE of God and if that is true, (and it is!), than God created us to be GIVERS!!!!
As many of you well know, Christmas is NOT my favorite season-I have several reason for this....................
Today's rendition of “Christmas” has been severely prostituted and commercialized-just watch a few Hallmark movies as I have with little Amanda!!!
By this world's standards Christmas is all about the “giving” of countless gifts to those who NEED no more gifts!!!
This is Jesus' example of GIVING:
Luke 14:12-14 (KJV)
12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Mark 12:41-44 (KJV)
41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
GIVING is NOT about the amount of the gift BUT the amount you keep!!!!
Mark 12:44 (KJV)
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
And CHARITY always begins at HOME!!!!
1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV)
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
1 Corinthians 13:3 (KJV)
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Many years ago-MANY YEAR!!!-a teaching in the Church became popular that claimed that the Christian would be more blessed the more they tithed.
While, of course, that is true:
2 Corinthians 9:6 (KJV)
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Care and caution must be exercised as to the INTENT of the GIVING.
James 4:2-3 (KJV)
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
One last thing and this is for the ladies who love to give Hallmark cards!!!
SMILE-I made be hated for disclosing this truth??????
MEN do NOT read the printed words written professionally by some Hallmark employee, BUT we do read and DO cherish the words hastily penned by the giver!!!!
A heart-felt, and/or handcrafted card or gift often means much more than a financial expenditure!
As Elton John sang:
“MY GIFT IS MY SONG AND THIS GIFTS FOR YOU!!!
My GIFT to you today is my LOVE and my writings!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS YOU THIS SEASON!!!
Pastor Doug
Please feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected], or by phone:
404-295-5644 or
CHURCH ADDRESS:
70 Stone Rd.
McDonough, GA. 30253
Your tithes and offerings are greatly appreciated and much needed and can be sent to the above CHURCH ADDRESS or by accessing our website:
WWW.GOSPELOUTREACHCHURCH.COM
and/or via pay pal or cash app.
Thank You and God Bless You!!!
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