Saturday, December 8, 2012

What Gifts Will You Bring Him?



During the Christmas season and always, have you considered what gifts you will give your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? What can we possibly give Him that could even come close to showing our appreciation for the greatest Gift ever given – God’s Son given that all who trust Him may have eternal life? (John 3:16)

His story proves that you can’t judge a gift from its wrappings. God the Father’s greatest gift to the world, His only begotten Son, destined to become the perfect sacrifice for all sins, and to return again to rule the universe in glory, was presented in a very humble way. He came as a helpless baby, born into a humble family, delivered in a lowly stable (Luke 2:7).

Just as the Wise Men of Christ’s day sought Him out and aimed to give Him their very best gifts (Matthew 2: 1-12), so do wise men and women of today seek Him and consecrate to Him their lives and the very best gifts they can offer.

You don't have to shop for these gifts, because He is the source of all good things (James 1:17). You won't have to go into debt over them, because you can't outgive God, and the more you give Him, the more blessings will flow back to you (Luke 6:38). They're always exactly what He would want and a perfect fit, as long as you're following His perfect will for your life. And you don't have to worry that they'll be returned -- you can be sure they will, as He gives back to you many times over all that you entrust to Him (1 Kings 17:10-16; John 6:5-13).

God judges our gifts to Him not on their greatness, because there is nothing that He needs from us. Anything we have is pitiful compared with His infinite wealth (Psalm 50: 7-12), and all that we have came from Him in the first place (James 1:17). Instead, He judges our motives, our willingness to trust all to Him, and the sacrificial nature of our gift (Luke 12:48; Luke 21:1-4).

 If He has blessed us with talents, material wealth, or other resources, He requires us to be a channel through whom blessings flow, because to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48. But even if others do not consider us blessed in worldly terms, we can please God with our giving. When Jesus saw the poor widow throwing two mites into the treasury (Luke 21:1-4), He praised her more than all the others because she gave all that she had.

The absolute amount or greatness of the gift we give Him is not important, but what matters is how much of what we have we give back to Him. He is pleased with sacrificial giving because it shows our trust in Him, our faith that He will give back to us in abundance.

A sinful woman broke open a costly alabaster box containing precious ointment – possibly her inheritance or dowry -- that she used to anoint His Head. Jesus promised that this lavish gift would always be remembered in Scripture (Mark 14:3-9)

Elijah, prophet of God, followed God’s direction and asked a widow to give him her last morsel of food. When she did so in faith, God provided for her daily (1 Kings 17). God always honors His promises to those who trust Him in faith.

A similar story of God taking a seemingly small gift, multiplying and magnifying it to do great good, then giving back in abundance, is the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes (John 6:5), in which Jesus feeds a crowd of thousands with only a little boy’s lunch that he willingly gave. The disciples use the reasoning of men, not trusting in God’s supernatural ability to provide.

But God wants us to demonstrate our faith – it is never a question of whether He is able, but of whether we have faith.  No one goes away hungry, and there are 12 baskets full of bread left over, which must have gone to the little boy to feed his family and no doubt his whole village.

In this season of gifts, may we always remember and thank the greatest Giver and Gift of all time. The best gift you could possibly give to anyone on your gift list is to share the Gospel with them! You can give it freely to everyone without taxing your budget; one size fits all; and they’ll never need to return or exchange it. Christ – the perfect Gift -- is truly All that anyone needs!

May we give Him what He has given us – our body, mind and spirit -- as a living sacrifice to His glory! 

© 2012 Laurie Collett



 

56 comments:

Denise said...

I freely, and gladly, give Him, all of me.

joy said...

Amen sister! The greatest gift of all is Jesus and the graetest gift we can give to him is to share him and the gift of salvation to others!
Have a nice week end!

Frank E. Blasi said...

Another great post!
Today I did the Christmas shopping, and I bought my wife a present which was nearly four times more expensive than I was anticipating to spend. But I went ahead and bought it anyway (a video camera, but shhh! Don't say anything, LOL!)
However, I have not a single regret in the purchase, because the love I have for my wife is far greater than any sum of money spent.
God likens the husband and wife relationship to that of Jesus Christ and his church, the Bride of Christ. Jesus has no reserve in blessing us with the best. All we can do is return with a thankful, loving heart.
God bless,
Frank.

Brenda said...

Amen to what you have said Laurie,
We could never give God what He has given us, but we can help to let others know that they can have this wonderful gift too.
God bless you and your family, and have a lovely Christmas.

mail4rosey said...

I was thinking what Brenda just said, that no matter what we give, we can never come closing to matching what God has given to us. That is the reason we should give with all of our hearts.

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Denise! May we be totally His.
Love to you,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Well said, Joy! Thanks be to Him for His unspeakable gift!
May you have a blessed week in Him!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Frank,
My lips are sealed! :-)
I'm sure your wife will be thrilled, and she is blessed to have you!

Amen -- the marital relationship should be like that of Christ and His church, with the wife submitting to the husband and the husband loving the wife sacrificially, just as Christ so loved the church that He died for it.

I gave a party for the ladies in my Bible study class, and the theme was The Gifts of the Magi. In addition to a Bible devotion, I read them the story of that name by O.Henry -- about a monetarily poor but spiritually rich young couple. She sold her long beautiful hair to surprise her husband with the perfect Christmas gift -- an expensive chain for his prized pocket watch. Meanwhile, he had sold the watch to buy her the perfect present -- an expensive set of tortoise-shell combs to adorn her long hair! So they both received gifts they couldn't use, but they also received the far greater gift of knowing their spouse loved them self-sacrificingly.

Praise God for His infinite love and perfect sacrifice, and may we follow after His example in our relationships.

Thanks as always for your Bible-based comment, & God bless!
Laurie

Nadwrażliwiec said...

Gift for Jesus from me? My dirty heart, full of sins. My all fails. That's my mirra, incense and gold. Greetings to You, dear Laurie! :)

Dolly @Soulstops said...

You summed it up so well here: "The best gift you could possibly give to anyone on your gift list is to share the Gospel with them! You can give it freely to everyone without taxing your budget; one size fits all; and they’ll never need to return or exchange it. Christ – the perfect Gift -- is truly All that anyone needs!" Thanks, Laurie :)

The Life Of Faith said...

What a great reminder! Often we forget to give a gift to the one who we love the most! I found you on the Better Mom Monday and would love for you to stop by my blog and link this post up to the Mommy Moments Linky Party I am hosting! Happy Monday!

http://the-life-of-faith.blogspot.com/

Donald Fishgrab said...

Psalm 51:17 sums it up very nicely. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." It is what he wants most of all, adn it is what we often find hardest to give.

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Brenda -- He is the perfect Gift, and as we share Him with others, we become more blessed ourselves. May God bless you and yours also with His love, joy and peace at Christmas and always.
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, mail4rosey! We can't outgive God!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Zim! When we realize that we are sinners and give ourselves completely to Him, He makes us a new creation that can shine brightly for Him!
Greetings & blessings to you,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Dolly, for your encouraging comment! He is all we need -- our All in All.
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Faith, for your sweet comment, visit, & invite! I just linked up at your blog hop!
May you have a blessed week in Him!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Excellent point, Donald. Unless we humble ourselves, turn from our sins, and realize that without Him, we can do nothing, He will regard our "righteousness" as filthy rags.
Thanks as always for sharing your insights, & God bless,
Laurie

Unknown said...

Wonderful post Laurie! We must never forget that Jesus is the reason for the season. God Bless and all the very best to you.

Hanna said...

Hi there!!! I am Hanna and I found you through the blog hop!! I love making new friends and your blog is lovely. I am your newest follower:) Happy Holidays! You can find me over at www.bouffeebambini.blogspot.com
xooxxo Hanna

BARBIE said...

This post makes me cry, "More of You, Lord, and less of me"! I want to give Him all of me!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks for the kind words & wishes, Judy! Amen -- He is Christ and Lord! God bless you too!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Welcome, Hanna! Thanks so much for your sweet comment & for following! I'm following you back!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Barbie! We must decrease so He may increase in our hearts.
Love to you,
Laurie

Valerie said...

Beautiful post! My little ones were asked to bring a small (ring box, checks box, etc.) wrapped, gift box to school with a gift tag labeled "To: Jesus" As parents we are to talk with our child about what gift they want to give Jesus. My first born wants to give HIM world peace...my middle child...the ability to share with his brother and sister! So sweet!

Laurie Collett said...

What a lovely idea, Valerie! How wonderful to draw the attention of our little ones to Jesus and how we can honor Him. Your children's ideas are an inspiration to all of us! Thanks so much for your visit and sweet comment, and God bless,
Laurie

WhatJeanLikes said...

Well said and so true. We are so fortunate to have the gift of Salvation paid by the death of Jesus on the cross of calvary!! I tithe as much as I can and donate my time to our church to help out where and when I can. It's such a blessing to help others isn't it? Thank you for posting this. The Lord speaks to us through different means and I really felt the Holy Spirit when I read your post :)

Thank you so much for participating in our Aloha Friday Blog Hop!! I am following you, of course!! Wishing you and yours a lovely week!!

Aloha,

Jean {What Jean Likes}

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Jean,
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, for hosting, & for following! It means so much to me to hear that you felt the Holy Spirit when reading this post, as I try to follow His lead in all I do.

You're right, it truly is more blessed to give than to receive!
Love in Him,
Laurie

Leslie Monroe said...

Thank you so much for linking up with Simply Better! Laurie you are just the best, love reading your insight.

Laurie Collett said...

Thank you, Leslie, for your sweet words of encouragement, & for hosting! You are a blessing!
Love in Him,
Laurie

Beloved said...

Laurie,
Truly giving ourselves is the most difficult gift of all. What a beautiful lesson. I'm so glad you were my neighbor at Grace Alone. I needed this refreshment.
Peace, good, and blessings of the season to you.

Laura said...

It ever ceases to still my heart when I contemplate how our God came to us as a helpless babe. Astounding.

Anonymous said...

With His guidance and strength, I continue to strive to give Him more of me. Great reminder and charge. Have a joyous Christmas.

Esther Asbury said...

I've pondered the question: "What does Jesus want for Christmas?" for several years now, and it seems I hear Him whisper to me.....do for those who are hurting and needy in your community/circle of friends...."Inasmuch as you've done it unto the least of these.....you've done it unto me."
So each year we try to make a few of those hurting/needy people experience just a bit of JOY on Christmas Day!

suzannah | the smitten word said...

that living sacrifice is a challenge we never outgrow, do we? good reminder.

Laurie Collett said...

So true, Beloved, it is impossible to give Him all of us without the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit Who makes all things possible. I'm so glad you were refreshed by this post, and I hope you'll return again soon.
May you have a blessed Christmas season in Him,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Laura! That is the unspeakable mystery of His love -- why God would wrap Himself in human flesh to save us.
Love & joy to you,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

May you also have joy and peace this Christmas, Julie! May we yield more and more to the Holy Spirit to give ourselves completely to Him.
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

May God bless you, Shoregirl, as you share His love with others this Christmas! Thanks so much for your visit & comment.
Love in Him,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Suzannah! May we daily present our bodies to Him as a holy, acceptable, living sacrifice. Thanks so much for your visit & comment, & God bless,
Laurie

Katherines Corner said...

Thank you for sharing at the hop xo

Michelle said...

Laurie, thank you for sharing this perspective. God will multiply the gifts we give Him if they are given in humility and sacrificially. Thank you for sharing your amazing teaching on the Prairies this week.

Unknown said...

It's really what the season is all about right?! Thanks for sharing at Mom's Library. I am a new follower.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks for hosting & for your comment, Katherine, & God bless!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Michelle, for your sweet words of encouragement! You are so right that God will not only use but multiply what we give Him with the right motives -- little is much when God is in it!
Blessings to you,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Tulip, for commenting, following, and hosting!
Love, joy and peace to you!
Laurie

Rachel Anne said...

Thank you, Laurie! You packed a lot into this devotional and it really hit me how much time we spend focusing on the "stuff" and not the Savior. Great reminder that the best gift we can give another person is the true message of Christmas - the gospel.

Janis Cox said...

Another gift is the gift of love - to God and to our neighbours. That way we spread the Good News of Christ Jesus. Forget the worldly stuff - we don't need it. We need each other.
Great post and good meeting you.

Blessings and Merry Christmas,
Janis www.janiscox.com

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Rachel Anne! May we share the gift of the Gospel freely with others this Christmas season and until He comes again!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Janis, for your visit & comment! Great to meet you too! They'll know we are Christians by our love -- may our actions speak louder than our words.

Merry Christmas & God bless you too!
Laurie

Adorned From Above said...

Hi Laurie,
This is so beautiful. Perfect for me today. I am featuring this post at this weeks Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop. Head over and get your featured button from the sidebar. Today's party is live. Here is the link.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/12/6-crafts-and-recipes-and-wednesdays.html
Have a great week.
Debi

Laurie Collett said...

Wow, Debi, I am blessed and honored! I've added the feature button & linked up this week's post! Thanks so much for hosting & for the feature, & God bless!
Laurie

Judith said...

Thank you so much for sharing this post over at WholeHearted Home last month. I got pulled away from blogging to enjoy my family over Christmas. Now I am back and my latest linkup is live today. Hope to see you there?

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Judith! Hope you had a blessed family time over Christmas -- we did too! Thanks as always for your comment & for hosting -- I'll be sure to join you!
Happy New Year,
Laurie

Judith said...

Thank you so much Laurie for linking up with me over at WholeHearted Home.

Laurie Collett said...

Thank you, Judith, for hosting & for being such a blessing!
Laurie