Day Twenty-Five: Give the Message of Hope

Give … The Message of Hope

The good news of Jesus Christ—The Message!-begins here… Mark 1:1

With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity. Mark 4:33

God didn't send me out to collect a following for myself, but to preach the Message of what he has done, collecting a following for him. And he didn't send me to do it with a lot of fancy rhetoric of my own, lest the powerful action at the center--Christ on the Cross--be trivialized into mere words. 1Co 1:17

Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father. 1Jo 2:24

Why do we do what we do? Why have we spent the last twenty-four days thinking and praying about giving? There is only one answer: it is because we believe that there is a message of hope that can save to the utmost all who call on the name of the Lord.

This good message brings life to those who are just existing; it brings hope to those who feel they are going down for the third time, and they are just too exhausted to try anymore; it brings peace to those tangled up in chaos and fear; it brings grace to those who think they have to earn God’s love and favor; it brings truth to those who have lived their lives believing a lie; and it brings forgiveness to those who are bound by their hurt and their sin.

Deliver, impart, provide, supply, and commit – give all you are, give all you have - give until you disappear and all that remains is Jesus.

Day Twenty-Four: Give Love

Give … Love

Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. Eph 5:2

This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples--when they see the love you have for each other. John 13:35

I Corinthians 13 is considered the love chapter. Paul goes into great detail describing the intrinsic characteristics of love: unselfishness, kindness, patience, humility – the list goes on. We are even told that it is greater than faith and hope. Love is written about, sung about, and cried about. We all want love, but what is love?

We say things like, “I love that color,” or “I loved that book.” We use it on a daily basis to express our most basic feelings; but is love - true, deep, holy love - merely a one-dimensional, emotional response? I believe that love is a motivator, a catalyst, and a state of being.

Love motivated Christ to lay down his life. Love propelled him forward under the heavy burden of the cross. Love was born in human form and had a name: it was and still is Jesus.

Love must inspire us to give of ourselves; it must drive us forward, carrying the burdens of others; and it must distinguish us as we are born from above and grow in his likeness.

Father-God, deepen our understanding of Love. Let it never be just a word or an emotion. Let it be the identifiable mark of our relationship with You.

Day Twenty-Three: Give Truth

Give … Truth

God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love--like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. Eph 4:15

But anyone who examines this evidence will come to stake his life on this: that God himself is the truth. John 3:33

Make them holy--consecrated-with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. John 17:17
Jesus said, "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. John 14:6

In the gospel of John, Jesus stands before Pilate and tells him that the reason he was born was “to testify to the truth.” Pilate then asks the question heard around the world: what is truth? (John 18:38) People have been searching to answer this question for thousands of years.

Today, truth has become an abstract, grayed into oblivion, left to wander through time and culture. Jesus answered Pilate’s question even before it was asked. After he had washed the disciples’ feet and predicted their betrayal, Jesus comforted them. He said not only was he Life and the only way to the Father, but that he was literally the Truth. Not a way to know the truth or a path to the truth – Jesus made the bold statement that he was the embodiment of Truth – period.

Giving truth is giving Jesus through your actions. Speaking truth is speaking love through your words. Living truth is living out the mission of His Life.

Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and it is that truth that will set you free. (John 8:32)

Father-God, You are the Truth that opens blind hearts and closed minds. You have given substance to abstraction and color to a graying world.

Day Twenty-Two: Give Wisdom

Give … Wisdom

Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. Jas 3:13,17

Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within. Pr 20:5

We all desire to be wise – make wise decisions, think wise thoughts, speak wise words. We sometimes think that if we can just gain enough knowledge, we’ll eventually become wiser. But knowledge is merely the circumference of wisdom, only coating the surface. Wisdom comes from a deeper place – a place of continuous spirituality, a place of deep, contemplative thought, and a place of prudent, ethical choices.

Wisdom is skillful intelligence that not only contains essential natural qualities, but contains the unnatural breath of the Eternal Creator. Wisdom is the place where heaven touches earth and the very essence of God is shared.

Father-God, fill me to overflowing with Your Spirit, create in me a clean, wise heart so that I may share with deep understanding and conviction.

Day Twenty-One: Give Guidance

Give … Guidance

You're my cave to hide in, my cliff to climb. Be my safe leader, be my true mountain guide. Ps 31:3

But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them-- sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute." Isa 42:16

Have you ever been in a strange place and had to rely on a guide book? I have. It contains maps of highways to help you get around, reviews on hotels and restaurants, and critiques of places of interest– everything you need to know to have a good time.

As a Christian, our guide book is the Bible – it has everything we need to know to have a good time: life-maps that help us get around, reviews on rest and provision, and commentaries of the interesting places God will take us in our walk with Him.

If we follow God as our personal guide, we will never get lost. As others see us following Christ, we, in turn, become a guide for them and so on. Commit yourself to closely following Jesus – the direction and sureness of someone else’s path may depend on it.

Father-God, guide me in the way I should go. Minister your instruction to me as I travel on the path of life. May I guide as I am lead.

Day Twenty: Give Blessings

Give … Blessings

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. 2Co 9:8
God's best to you! Christ's blessings on you! Phm 1:3

Give freely and spontaneously. Don't have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers GOD, your God's, blessings in everything you do, all your work and ventures. De 15:10

And God bless Mommy and Daddy, and my brother, Jack, and my dog, Sam. From an early age, parents teach their children to pray before going off to bed. What do we begin with? We teach them to ask for God to bless others. Deep down we know that to be blessed is a good thing – it means peace, prosperity, and benefits.

In the Old Testament if you had good health, many children, and a plentiful harvest you were considered blessed by God. Ill health, however, barrenness and failed crops meant that you had somehow disobeyed God and were cursed. This direct “it is or it isn’t” was easy to identify. But today, it’s not always so cut and dried. Many devout Christians battle illnesses, are not able to have children and have dealt with financial difficulties.

Are these people excluded from God’s blessings? Certainly not! The blessings that come from God are not restricted to material possessions and outward signs. It is true that if we have committed our all to God that He will provide all of our needs. But the true nature of blessing encompasses the peace that passes all understanding, the prosperity of well-being and inner health, the benefit of Christ’s sacrifice, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. The call is to look beneath the surface and go deeper.

Father-God, I bless your name. You are the God of enough. Show me how to be a blessing to someone in need.

Day Nineteen: Give Faith

Give … Faith

So, my friends, this is something like what has taken place with you. When Christ died he took that entire rule-dominated way of life down with him and left it in the tomb, leaving you free to "marry" a resurrection life and bear "offspring" of faith for God. Ro 7:4

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Ro 15:1

For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love. Ga 5:6

We express faith on a daily basis: faith that the mechanic who fixed our brakes did a good job; faith that the meal we are eating in our favorite restaurant was prepared with the freshest ingredients; faith that the chair we are about to sit in was built correctly. Faith is often perceived as an intangible abstract – hard to understand – easily misunderstood.

Faith as small as a mustard seed able to toss a mountain into the sea? Faith able to open blind eyes and unstop deaf ears? Such a powerful aspect of belief, but such a difficult thing for our finite minds to grasp.

One meaning of faith in scripture is fidelity. In the natural, fidelity has to do with the degree an electronic system is able to accurately reproduce the sound or signal that it is receiving. Could faith simply be the outward reproduction of our relationship with God?

When we are “plugged in” to God and receiving his “signal,” allowing the current of the Holy Spirit to flow through us, what is expressed is faith –large enough to move mountains, powerful enough to express love.

Father-God, I believe in You. I trust your holy character. I open my heart to receive your love. Release your mountain-moving power within me.

Day Eighteen: Give Kindness

Give … Kindness

She said, "Oh sir, such grace, such kindness--I don't deserve it. You've touched my heart, treated me like one of your own. And I don't even belong here!" Ru 2:13

Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God's pure kindness. Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God. 1Pe 2:2

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Col 3:12

Romans 2:4 tells us that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. His mercy and unchanging love urge us toward him and compel us to lay all before him. As Christ’s sacrifice opens to door to heaven, we are greeted by a heavenly Abba-father.

But sometimes our human understanding gets in the way because our belief about what is kindness does not comes from God’s word, but merely from our personal experience. Have you ever tried to show kindness by telling the truth in love only to be met with judgment and attitude?

A great many in the world feel that Christian kindness does all things for all people all the time. But God’s kindness is not a Santa-Clause, genie-in-a-bottle-grant your-every-wish type of kindness, but a kindness rooted in holy righteousness, divine love, and eternal purpose. “Drinking deep of God’s pure kindness” will fill us with holy kindness and will clothe and equip us to do good works.

Father-God, your kindness draws me close and wraps around me. I lean into your compassion embrace, stretch out my arms, and invite the world in.

Day Seventeen: Give Support

Give … Support

Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.

Job 4:4
When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. Ps 94:18

There are many different aspects to support. There is monetary support, emotional support, physical support and spiritual support. We give money, lend an ear, provide a help, and say a prayer. Whether we are supported by kindly actions, loving words or heartfelt gestures, human nature responds positively to genuine support. But do we really understand how utterly necessary it is to lend an all-inclusive support? The kind that draws its strength and purpose from God?

Think about living in a house, under a roof that was not properly supported. Would you feel safe? Would you sleep peacefully knowing that at any moment the roof could literally cave in on you? It is a matter of degree. Lending just a little, superficial support when what is needed is full-commitment support is like making the beams in a house out of balsa wood. There is an appearance of support but not enough to make those within the house feel safe and valued.

Support that is given with the right motive and drawn from the right source has the ability to transform those who receive it. If you give monetary support, give with all your heart; if you give emotional; support give with all your soul; if you give physical support, give until it hurts; and if you give spiritual support, give until you touch the very throne of God.

Father-God, your love lifts me above the storm. Your strong arms support and cradle me. May Your arms be my arms as I give support to others.

Day Sixteen: Give Friendship

Give … Friendship

Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul. Pr 27:9

The full meaning of "believe" in the Scripture sentence, "Abraham believed God and was set right with God," includes his action. It's that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named "God's friend." Jas 2:23

"When the friend I plan to send you from the Father comes--the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father--he will confirm everything about me.” John 15:26

There are many different types of friendships written about in the Bible: human friendship, friendship with God, and an intimate, inner friendship with the Holy Spirit. Human friendship is essential. God designed us to need each other and to develop healthy relationships. But what is friendship really?

To grasp the full meaning we can refer to the trilogy by Tolkien, Lord of the Rings. The first book, Fellowship of the Ring, follows unlikely souls who all have one common goal: to see that the ring is destroyed. Through intense adversity, this group of disconnected individuals develops into a devoted, faithful family. The goal gave vision and the struggle offered opportunity; as personal fears and hopes were exposed and selfless acts were performed, friendships were forged. Struggle + vulnerability +selflessness + shared Vision = friendship.

Father-God, you have called us friends. Teach us to be there for others the way you are there for us.

Day Fifteen: Give Grace

Give … Grace

Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. Eph 4:29(New Revised Standard Version)

I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. Ro 12:3

Anyone who has ever had a bill knows what a grace period is. It is the time between when the bill is due and the time when you will be charged a late fee. Grace is extended – you are given time to get your resources together so you can pay what is owed. The kind of grace we often extend to others can sometimes feel more like the grace period of a credit card company than the unmerited grace of God. Grace with the condition of repayment. I will give you a break, but remember, there is a catch. The grace we receive from God is a gift – we haven’t earned his favor, we didn’t deserve to be saved.

The goal is to extend this kind of supernatural grace to others, through our actions, attitudes, and words. But there is catch to this kind of grace, too: It is only by God’s grace that we can extend God’s grace. Without an understanding of what God has done for us, it is impossible to bring life-changing grace to the world.

Father-God, thank you for the graciousness of your gifts. Help me to grasp how deep, how wide, how, long and how great is your loving grace toward me.

Day Fourteen: Give Direction

Give … Direction

You've been a good apprentice to me, a part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction , faith, steadiness, love, [and] patience 2Ti 3:10

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. Eph 4:4

Do you have a good sense of direction? If you get lost, are you able to quickly get back on track? Some people joke about a man’s apparent dislike for asking for directions when lost, but, in reality, the tendency to want to find our own way back and resist direction transcends gender.

It is a garden-sin, infused deep within the human heart and mind. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and distanced themselves from His intended direction for mankind, a rift was created – man was now on his own track, going in the opposite direction – away from intimacy, away from connection, and away from the Father’s embrace.

Fortunately for the human race, God created a way to find us, turn us around, and direct us back to the garden where relationship and intimacy could be restored. Direction requires a compass. Where is your true north? Where are you headed?

Father-God, lead me by your gracious hand into the depths of your rest. Direct my path and lead me in the way I should go. Show me how to take others along.

Day Thirteen: Give Encouragement

Give … Encouragement

Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope. Ac 20:2

My sad life's dilapidated, a falling-down barn; build me up again by your Word. Ps 119:28

Encouragement is a concrete action, not an abstract notion. Encouraging words can lift the heart and bring release from distress. But words are only half the story. When David was at his lowest, he encouraged himself in the Lord (1 Sa 30:6). What did he do? He got up, washed and clothed himself – there was a very natural application to the very spiritual reason he had to be encouraged: he was loved by an almighty, all-loving, eternal God.

When we give encouragement, we should remember there must be a words-in-action counterpart to just the words. New Testament encouragement not only refers to urging, entreating, and inviting, but to calling to one’s side. This infers action – come with me, work with me – I will walk by your side and help strengthen your steps – I will feed you the truth of God and be by your side – I will encourage your heart, your soul and your mind.

Father-God, I receive the encouragement of your Spirit in my life. Increase my understanding, strengthen my heart, and show me how to live and breathe your life-giving encouragement.

Day Twelve: Give Confidence

Give … Confidence

Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence. 1Co 10:12

I have, in fact, the greatest confidence in you. If only you knew how proud I am of you! 2Co 7:4

Giving or instilling confidence in someone can be a daunting task. On the natural level, our confidence comes from a positive sense of self-worth. If we feel we can do something well, we have confidence. But if we have had limited success in life, our confidence level can be quite low. Have you ever had someone tell you that you did a great job and found you just couldn’t believe them? It always seems to be easier to believe the negative over the positive every time. But why is this?

Quite often it is because the basis for our confidence is our perception and experience. Because what makes up human confidence can be so unstable and inconsistent, Paul tells us not to focus on it at all. Our confidence and assurance about ourselves and others is to be rooted in God – we are to be confident because we trust in a trustworthy God. He is the foundation of our confidence – we can do all things –why? Because it is Christ who strengthens us (Php 4:13). So what is the practical application when trying to give someone a sense of confidence?

Remember where your own confidence comes from: you are able because Christ in you makes you able; you are valuable because God loved you so much that he died for you to provide a way to be with you forever; you are strong because God in you gives you strength; you have purpose because no one can do the work that God has prepared for you to do.

Father-God, you are the sure foundation of my confidence. Help me not to build up a personal Tower of Babel in myself and others; instead, help me to yield up a humble heart that finds its worth in you.

Day Eleven: Give Comfort

Give … Comfort
We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort--we get a full measure of that, too. 2Co 1:5
Jesus was quick to comfort them: "Courage! It's me. Don't be afraid." Mark 6:50

When Jesus spoke these words to his disciples they were in a boat in the middle of a lake, straining against the power of the wind. They were on their own, and the miracle of the multiplied loaves and fishes had not yet registered. When Jesus strolled by them, walking on the water, they were terrified. Who wouldn’t be? The last thing they expected was to see was Jesus-walking on the water-getting into their boat-and calming the raging seas.

Mark tells us that Jesus immediately sensed their fears and comforted them. How did he do it? By identifying himself, “It’s me” and by acknowledging their fears, “Don’t be afraid.”
When we give comfort to someone, we need to consider whether we bring the calming power of Christ into the situation and identify His concern for their heart or merely grant a momentary and transitory respite to someone’s grief. The call to comfort is clear; comfort is a person – Jesus – and He is calling, “It’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

Father-God, Help me to show you to others and to bring your comforting words and your ever-lasting compassion into their lives.

Day Ten: Give Peace

Give … Peace


Shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death, then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace. Lu 1:79

Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you." John 20:21

I come from the generation who waved the peace sign like a flag. The peace sign was given instead of a handshake and the byword of the day was, “Give peace a chance.” Long before The Beatles immortalized those words in a song, Jesus sang peace over all he met: he spoke peace to those in distress (Luke 7:50), peace to the disciples as they were hiding behind locked doors (John 20:19), and peace to the tumultuous, raging seas (Mark 4:39).

True peace is not a hand gesture or a phrase in a song. It is a gift. In John 14:27, Jesus said, “I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you.- peace.” As with any gift of God, peace is meant to be shared. But how do we give peace? We give it through our words, our actions, and our attitudes. To bring order to chaos, to bring assurance to doubt, to bring stillness to the inner rage – these are just some of the ways to give the gift of peace.

Father-God, I embrace your gift of peace and I rest secure in your promise. You have overcome the world, and it is well with my soul.

Day Nine: Give Patience

Give … Patience

There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us. Ro 5:3
… and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. Ro 5:4

Oh, that patience could be sprinkled on us from above like fairy dust. How many of us have prayed for patience just to have the very circumstance we prayed about get worse. Our frustration comes from a misunderstanding of how patience comes and grows.

Galatians 5:22 identifies patience as a fruit of the Spirit. In the natural, fruit is an outgrowth of a tree; the fruit is not placed on the tree like a Christmas decoration– it is the direct result of the nature of the tree. An apple tree grows apples, an orange tree-oranges and so on. And if the tree is has a disease or needs to be pruned, the quality of the fruit will be affected, perhaps completely limiting the tress’ ability to produce anything.

As we develop our relationship with God, our old natures are “pruned” away, allowing for the Spirit within us room to produce not only patience, but all the other gifts of the Spirit. So what does it mean to “give” patience? It is the giving of second chances. It is the timelessness of gracious waiting. It is the calm of Christ within someone’s storm.

Father-God, your never-ending patience inspires and propels me to extend a patient hand to an impatient world. May this fruit in me be pleasing to the eye and nourishing to the heart.

Day Eight: Give Money

Give … Money

Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, "The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today.” Lu 21:2-3

The first thing that usually comes to mind when the subject of giving is brought up is money. It is the easiest and the hardest thing to give. Easy because writing a check or opening our wallet takes a limited amount of time and effort. Difficult because for some of us it is our security, the thing that allows us to have our needs met.

The widow in the gospels gave all she had and was singled out by Jesus for her generous heart. The amount she gave was relative to her trust in God. She could give beyond her means because she understood that the God who cared for the sparrows and clothed the lilies in the field was the same God who cared and provided for her.

Money is merely one vehicle through which we can mirror the sacrificial generosity of Jesus.

Father-God, you are the giver of all good things. You have provided the job through which I am able to give. May the openness of my heart be reflected in the openness of my wallet.

Day Seven: Give Safety

Give … Safety


I sing to GOD the Praise-Lofty, and find myself safe and saved. 2Sa 22:4
GOD's a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. Ps 9:9
You're my cave to hide in, my cliff to climb. Be my safe leader, be my true mountain guide. Ps 31:3

Back in 1943, Abraham Maslow wrote about the human condition. In his hierarchy of needs, Maslow puts the need for safety right after the most basic needs for air, food, and water. Those needs involve our work, our possessions, our family, our health, and our property. When we feel afraid in any one of those areas, we react in a fight or flight mentality – striking out or running away. Living in fear stunts our ability to grow not only in our humanity, but in our spirituality.

Fear creates walls which prevent freedom of movement and growth. When God is our sanctuary, a sure security takes hold and becomes the foundation for our peace amidst turmoil. This inner sense of safety exudes a calmness to a shattered world in distress.

Father-God, you are my sure tower, my place of safety and peace. I give you my fears, and I lay down in secure peace.

Day Six: Give Foregiveness

Give … Forgiveness

So if you forgive him, I forgive him. Don't think I'm carrying around a list of personal grudges. The fact is that I'm joining in with your forgiveness, as Christ is with us, guiding us. 2Co 2:10

One of the greatest gifts we have been given by God has been forgiveness. By Christ’s sacrifice, we have been cleansed from all unrighteousness – we have been forgiven. What wonderful freedom there is when forgiveness has been set free to restore and release those held captive. But if it’s so great, why do we have such trouble with it?

The human heart has struggled with this concept since the garden: does forgiving someone mean that I have to forget what they did? If I forgive, does that mean I am saying that the offense what no big deal? We want our pain validated. We want those who offended and hurt us to feel the weight of the pain they caused. Not letting go and forgiving does not give us what we say we want. It only makes us more of a prisoner, whose chains are now heavier than before.

Why does this happen? Because there is a spiritual principle in place – simply stated, unforgiveness leads to death. Whether it is spiritual death because of sin or emotional and relational death, there is no moving forward without forgiveness.

Father-God, help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. I lay my wounded heart before you to heal and restore. I forgive.

Day Five: Give Rest

Give … Rest
I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God's great mystery. Col 2:2

Rest seems to be the often elusive aspect of our Christian experience. Matthew 11:28 has always been one of my favorite scriptures: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” I believe the difficulty comes because we don’t really know what “rest” means.

So the bigger questions comes - how do we give what we do not have or do not understand? The reality is that we can’t. One of the unusual ways God began to show me what it meant to rest was when He had me meditate on all of the meanings of the word. As a noun, rest means breathing space, tranquility, peace as well as surplus, footing and support.

When we live our life grounded and immersed in Christ, it is He who provides a sure foundation where regardless of our circumstances we can live in peace and tranquility. As a verb, rest means a dreamy, drowsy nap as we rely and reside. It is the picture of a dependent, trusting child resting in the loving embrace of the Father. Rest is merely a state of being – the state of being in Christ.

Father-God, help me understand the nature of rest so that your very presence in me may touch another.

Day Four: Give Hope

Give … hope

He puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, Restoring dignity and respect to their lives-- a place in the sun!

1Sa 2:8

In order to give hope, we need to understand hope. In the Bible, it can mean not only a refuge or a confidence, but an attached cord of expectancy. This meaning, above all the others, shows the inner necessity of holy hope.

Before sin entered the world, the hope of the human race was “attached” to the Creator – hope for sustenance, hope for completion, hope for eternity. After sin, the cord of our hope shifted. No longer in a state of innocent communion with God, we began to place our hope in ourselves, in relationships, in “fate.”

What kind of hope will you pass on? A worldly hope that the universe will somehow smile on you? Or will it be a hope attached to the very One who has the power, mercy, and grace to work all things for good? It is only this kind of hope that is life-changing and limitless.

Father-God, I place my hope in You, in your Word, and in the purity and truth of your character. Help me to birth holy hope in others.

Day Three: Give Time

Give … Time
I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. 2Co 9:7

“I don’t have time” seems to be the mantra of our lives. We have too much to do and too little time in which to do it. Whenever we think of giving, money is the first thing that comes to our minds. But what about giving the gift of time? I’m not talking clocks or watches here. I mean setting aside time like a gift – an hour helping an overwhelmed young mother with her laundry, or an afternoon tea with a new neighbor.

I know what you’re thinking: “I’m too busy-I don’t even have enough time for myself!” Start with the time God gives you.- Use the time God has already placed in your hands. He is, after all, the eternal, author of time.

Father-God, open my eyes to those lost moments that could lead someone towards eternity.

Day Two: Give a Smile

Give … a smile

And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God. Eph 6:7

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God-- soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God. Ps 42:11

Gelotologists study the effects of laughter and humor on our physical frame. Whether it is increasing our ability to endure pain to boosting our immune system, it has been found that a happy disposition translates into health. So how do we “give” a smile to someone? And is a smile really a gift?

Spend some time in a grocery store around dinner time. Look at the faces of hungry, tired people wandering aimlessly down the aisles or standing in the checkout line. Make eye contact. Smile. Not a wide-eyed, creepy I-know-where-you- parked-your-car kind of smile. Just a hello-how-are-you smile. It can make someone’s day, and let them know that they matter.

Father-God, so many times I have felt your heavenly smile and at once, my heart was lifted. Help me to bring your light to someone today through the grace of a simple smile.

Day One: Give of Yourself

Give … of yourself

Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can't. The heart regulates the hands.
2Co 8:12

Before we are able to truly give to others, we must be willing to give ourselves, our very lives to God. It is only in His power that radical transformation and forgiveness can take the dust of failure and inadequacy and create restorative, beautiful redemption.

It is through this inner beauty, shaped and nurtured by the Spirit’s gentle movement, that we begin to understand the very intimate nature of giving the way God intended.

Father-God, I give myself to you now. Forgive me and make me whole. I accept your son, Jesus, as a sacrifice and make him Lord of my life and Savior of my soul. In giving myself to you, I am able to give of myself to others.

A Season of Giving: Introduction

Advent is observed all over the world. This special time of year is a season of anticipation, waiting and preparation, culminating with the birth of Jesus.

Whether the celebration begins on the fourth Sunday before December 25th or on the first of December, this is a time that has traditionally marked a season of giving.

Working through the following devotional readings is one way to embrace this often hectic time with thoughtful, deliberate insight into the theme of giving. Twenty-five days of devotions, scriptures, and journaling focus your attention and your heart, expanding and deepening your faith. Most practice some type of giving throughout the year, reflecting God’s love and becoming more Christ-like. However, during this time when it can be easy to focus on presents and parties, it is an opportunity to be deliberate in your giving, be prayerful about your giving and most importantly, be Christ-like in your giving.

Sometime during the day, lay the particular type of giving before the Lord and ask for strength, guidance, and grace. Read the scriptures and brief devotional and commit your ways unto the Lord. Then at the end of your day, prayerfully review and if you are so inclined, record your thoughts in a journal. What opportunities sprung up before you? How did it feel to be deliberate in your giving? Was it awkward? How did you feel when you gave? This is not a time of condemnation, but of growth. It is not in our own strength that we give, but in the strength of God. It is He who gives us the grace to leave our comfort zones and reach out to a lonely, hurting world.

Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (New American Standard) 2Co 9:7

A simple scan of the dictionary shows the many sides to the word “give”: to make a present of; to entrust to or place in the hands of; to grant; to produce; to provide; to relinquish; to surrender; to make room for. It is this dimensional aspect that yields a treasure of insight into spiritual giving.

Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won't lose out on a thing. Mt 10:42

As children, one of the first lessons we had to learn was how to share with others. Mine! Anyone who’s ever been around a two-year-old knows that giving does not come naturally. The thought of giving away something that was rightfully ours seemed somehow to go against everything we felt. Share? Give? And it’s not just toddlers who struggle with this concept. You see, when you give someone something, it means that you no longer have it. This can create a sense of vulnerability that is at best uncomfortable.

What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. Lu 12:29

I started wondering where this universal inner resistance came from. Think about it. What is the first recorded act of giving between humans in the Bible? It occurs in the garden right after Eve is deceived by the serpent. After Eve eats of the forbidden fruit, she gives it to Adam. Well, we all know what happened next. Didn’t work out too well, did it? Sin entered the world and everything was tainted. Now I’m sure that Adam and Eve gave things to each other before this. But in this fallen environment, the very act of giving that was once surrounded with sinless perfection, along with every other aspect of human interaction, carried the weight and consequence into humanity.

Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah! The Death-Dealing Sin, the Life-Giving Gift. Ro 5:11

Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back--given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Lu 6:38

But through the sacrifice of Jesus, we have been set free and delivered from the chains of the past – not only our past, but from the bondage set in motion in the garden. We are no longer compelled to live under the limitations of what comes “naturally.”

This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. 2Co 8:5

The same Jesus that gave himself for all mankind is the same Jesus who transforms our hearts and minds, who grows us and deepens us.
So even though giving in the natural can, at times, be difficult and seem to “go against the grain” of our personalities, we can reach out in freedom, drawing strength and purpose from God’s almighty strength and God’s eternal purpose.

If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely. 2Th 1:12

Giving is the spontaneous response to the Spirit of the living God dwelling in our hearts, pouring out His grace, mercy, and love through our hands, our words, and our actions.

All scriptures are from The Message unless otherwise noted.

The Best Christmas Ever

Last year at our church, we were inspired to rethink Christmas and the way we spent money during the holidays. Instead of buying, we gave - instead of that sweater, a smile (Smile Train); instead of that candle, a safe haven (Love 146) and so on. What a wonderful transformation in the way we all celebrated the best gift of all - Jesus.

This small story was written for the children in our church. I hope you enjoy it as we enter this season of giving.

I.
“What’s the matter?”
Jackson’s dad lovingly put his hand on his son’s head and leaned down. “Jackson, you’ve been quiet ever since you came out of church. Not your usual style, my son.”
“Yeah, you’re always jabbering about something” said James, Jackson’s sometimes sarcastic older brother. ‘Dad, Pastor Steve called on me, and I knew the answer’ or ‘Mom, guess what, guess what? I found a frog on the way home from school’ or ‘Guess what, guess what …”
“That’s enough” interrupted Jackson’s mother, Mary. “You can see that he’s not in the mood for your teasing today.” Mary took her young son by the hand and walked ahead of the others.
“So, not much to say today?” Jackson walked slowly, shuffling his feet. “Well, sometimes it’s good to be quiet.” They walked toward the church’s parking lot in silence.
Jackson stopped and looked up at his mom. “I’ve been thinking about stuff.”
“Well, that’s a really good thing to do” said Mary as she held back a loving smile.

“Pastor Steve talked about this orphanage in Brazil that the church supports today an’ we saw pictures of some of the kids.” Jackson fumbled with the picture he had drawn in Sunday school. “There was a picture of a little boy, and Pastor Steve said he was 10. Mom, that’s how old I am. He had on an old, ripped tee shirt and didn’t even have any shoes on. He was really skinny and looked really sad. Then Pastor showed us another picture of a boy who was wearing a clean shirt and had on a new pair of sneakers. He was even holding a book and smiling. Can you believe it was the same kid? He looked so, well, so different.”
“I’m glad that you care about that little boy” said Mary. “But you know the church helps out the orphanage.”
“I know, but sometimes I just wish I was older so I could go there and help.”
“Well, who knows? Maybe you’ll grow up and become a teacher and go to Brazil and teach in that very orphanage.”
“Do you really think so, Mom” said Jackson as his face brightened.
“Yes, I really think so.”
He turned around and saw his brother and sisters standing by his grandparents. “Hey, guys, guess what, guess what? I’m gonna be a teacher and go to Brazil when I grow up.” Jackson ran up to his sisters and started to run around them, grabbing their hands and laughing as all three of them swung around and landed on the grass.
Mary walked over to her husband. “What happened?” asked John.
“Our young son is growing up” smiled Mary.
Jackson’s sisters piled up on their brother, tickling him into hysterics. James stood by, shaking his head. “He’s baaack.”

II.

Mary stood in yet another long line at the checkout. Tired shoppers crowded around her, pushing her in waves of frustration and fatigue.
Mary fumbled with her purchases, rearranging them in her aching arms. Where’s that list? What did James want again? I must be tired. He’s done nothing but pester me for two months now. Mary finally found the crumpled list under the half-eaten candy bar she grabbed for lunch.
“I hate this” sighed Mary. “And it’s only just beginning.”
Memories of Thanksgiving dinner were already fading. Family gathered around the table, laughing and enjoying each other’s company, all giving God thanks for all He had done. Now all Mary could think about was that Jackson wanted that remote control monster truck – the one that all the stores were out of.

III.
John stared out the side window of his car. Stuck in traffic – again. A little boy started back at him from the car in the lane next to him. Their eyes met. John started to smile at the young angelic-looking boy, remembering what Jackson was like at that age. Just as his faith in the goodness of mankind was beginning to be restored, the young boy stuck out his tongue, made a nasty face and mouthed, “You’re stupid.”
“That’s just great” sighed John. “Just great.”
John turned his attention to the colorful Christmas decorations that hung from the street lights. Red and green baskets filled with evergreen branches all connected with bright white lights. A slight calm began to come over him. He closed his eyes and prayed. “Lord, I can’t believe it’s only three weeks before Christmas. I’ve been so caught up in end of the year meetings and shopping for the family that I can’t remember the last time I thought about what Christmas really means. What happened to …” HONK! HONK! The impatient horn shook John from his peace and jolted him back to “reality.” “Merry Christmas to you, too” John said sarcastically. “I hope you get coal in your stocking.”

IV.
Jackson was still bothered. He couldn’t shake the picture of that little boy from his mind. Surrounded by the latest toys and games, books and clothes, he sat cross-legged on his bed. “It’s not fair, you know.” Jackson flopped back and covered himself with his favorite blanket. “How come I have so much and that little boy has so little?” Jackson looked at his ceiling, covered in glow-in-the-dark stars. “Jesus, things down here must make you pretty sad sometimes. Those little kids at the orphanage must be sad, too.” Jackson turned on his side and hugged his pillow. Could someone like me really do something to help?

V.
Grandma Millie stirred a pot of her famous vegetable soup. “Mmmn, smells just about right. Joseph, could you pass me the pepper? Joseph?” Millie looked up from the stove and scanned the kitchen. “Where is that man. He was just here a minute ago.”
Joseph sat in the study with his Bible in his lap. His eyes were closed and his head was bowed.
“Joseph?” Millie walked into the den and found her husband of forty-three years deep in thought. “Joseph, what’s the matter?”
“I’m not sure” he sighed. “I was just sitting in the kitchen watching you cook, you know, the way I like to, and I started thinking about what Jackson said today.”
“What Jackson said? Honey, Jackson says an awful lot.” They looked at each other and smiled.
“Yes, yes he does. I’m talking about his concern over the children at the orphanage. He cares so much for such a little guy.” Joseph’s eyes started to tear.
Millie sat down next to him and put her arm around his shoulder.
“I know, I know. It’s such a shame that there is so much need in the world. But we do what we can.”
“I was just sitting here praying and started thinking about Christmas and all of the gifts we’ll be buying and receiving. Just doesn’t seem right to keep getting more. I mean, I’m not saying we shouldn’t buy gifts for the family, but maybe we could …”
“Maybe we could also do something for someone else” interrupted Millie “someone we don’t even know.” Millie stood up and started to pace. Joseph laughed to himself. He could always tell when his dear wife was feeling inspired.
“Why can’t we give a Christmas gift to the orphanage, from the whole family, and get everyone involved.”
“Do you think they’ll want to take some of the money they were going to spend on each other and really want to give it away?” asked Joseph. “I don’t think anyone should do it unless they do it for God and the children.”
“Well, all we can do is ask” said Millie.” And even if the others don’t feel as inspired as we do…” Joseph smiled warmly at his wife. “… we’ll still do it. I bet if you mentioned it to Jackson, he’d want to do something, too.”

VI.
Next Sunday after church, the family gathered in Grandma Millie’s kitchen. The whole family was there, including Millie’s brother, Howard, and his granddaughter, Gracie.
“That was some fine dinner, Millie” said Howard as he pushed his chair back from the table.
“Yeah, Grandma,” echoed Jackson, “you’re the best cook ever.” Words of agreement mingled with the still savory smell of pot roast and pie.
“Why thank you. Anyone want more coffee?”
“I’ll get it, honey” said Joseph, “why don’t you sit down and relax. Say, why don’t you share your thoughts about Christmas with the family?” Millie gave her dear husband a look and said, “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
“What’s up, Mom?” asked Mary. “Is everything OK?”
“Oh, everything’s fine. Your father and I have been talking about Christmas

and …”
“Christmas,” interrupted James, “boy, I can’t wait to get that camera I’ve wanted.”
“James, don’t interrupt your grandmother,” scolded his father.
“Sorry Grandma.”
“Now what were you saying, Mom?”
“Jackson’s concern over the children at the orphanage has caused us to begin to question how we think about Christmas.”
“My concern?” said Jackson as he looked up from his dessert.
“Yes, honey, your concern. We’ve decided to cut back on our spending for each other as well as the family and ask God to show us how to bless those in need.”
The room grew silent. James fidgeted in his chair, knowing that this was not the time to ask whether his gifts were part of the cut backs. Howard looked at his teenaged granddaughter looking down at her plate and wondered what might be going through her mind.

All of a sudden, Jackson blurted out, “That’s a great idea! I want to do it, too! I was just talking to God about this last night. I told him I’ve been saving part of my allowance for three months now to buy Christmas presents and how great it would be if I could buy something for that boy in the orphanage. Let’s do it!”
Jackson got up out of his chair and went over to his brother. “James, I know you really like it when you have a lot of presents to open on Christmas morning, but wouldn’t it be great if someone who didn’t have any presents could have one from you?”
James looked at his excited brother’s face and the loving faces of his family. Even his little sisters seemed enthusiastic. “I guess it would be kind of cool. Anyway, it might make me feel like Santa Claus.”
Jackson clapped his hands and went over to his cousin, Gracie, “How about you?” He sat down next to her and put his young arm on her shoulder. “I know it’s been kind of lonely since your dad left, and I know it feels real good to get presents, but it would feel good, too, to help someone out, wouldn’t it?”
Gracie looked into her innocent cousin’s eyes and smiled for the first time that day. “I think it would feel really good. I’m in.”
The rest of the afternoon was spent talking about who they wanted to help, what they would do, and how they would do it. Millie caught Joseph’s attention from across the room. Their eyes met, and they both knew God was in their midst, and they couldn’t be prouder of their little family.

VII.
Christmas morning was finally here! The family had eaten their traditional pancake and sausage breakfast and were waiting for their relatives to arrive to open presents.
The doorbell rang and Jackson shouted, “I’ll get it!” He ran down the stairs and swung open the door. “Grandma, Grandpa, Merry Christmas!” He hugged and kissed them and pulled them in the door. “Hurry, hurry, we have to open the present!”
“We’re coming. Remember, we don’t move as fast as we used to” joked Joseph.
Right behind them were Howard and Gracie.
“Merry Christmas, we’re so glad you could join us” said John as he ushered them into the living room. “Let me take your coats.”
Presents were placed beneath the tree and the celebration began. “Let’s start with that one over there” said Jackson as he pointed to the mantle. A brightly wrapped box sat on the floor beneath the watchful eye of a simple manger.
“Jackson, why don’t you do the honors” said Grandma Millie. “After all, this really was your idea.”
Jackson rushed over to the box and set it down in the middle of the room. He carefully undid the bow and began to tear the paper.
“Jackson, wait,” said his dad. “I really feel we should stop and thank God for showing us how to give, just like he gave to us.”
Everyone quickly agreed. “Dad, why don’t you lead us in prayer,” said Mary as she kneeled down on the floor next to Jackson.
Joseph stood up by his chair, bowed his head and closed his eyes. “Lord, thank you so much for showing us how to show your love to others. You have given us the most incredible gift, your son, Jesus. Help us to continue asking you how to give all throughout the year. Amen.”
“Amen!” shouted Jackson. He ripped the rest of the paper off, and opened the box. Even though they all knew what was in it, they raised their voices in approval as each picture was lifted out: pictures of books, clothes, and food had all been cut out of magazines or drawn by each member of the family and placed in the box the day before –all representing the gifts their donation to the orphanage made possible. Each picture had a string attached to it, and as Jackson held it up, Gracie went over and hung it on the tree.
As each one took a picture out of the box, the joyous mood in the room increased.

“That’s all the pictures. Don’t they look great?” said Jackson proudly.
Mary stood up and went over to her son. “I think there’s one more.” Mary handed her son an envelope. “This is from Pastor Steve. When I told him what we were doing, he wanted you to have this.”
Jackson slowly opened the card and a picture fell out.
“Mom! This is the picture of that little boy from the orphanage! The one where he’s got a new shirt and books and shoes!” Jackson held the picture up from the small string attached to the corner.
“I think this one should go in a special place of honor near the star at the top of the tree” said John as he lifted his son up so he could reach the top.
“This has got to be the best Christmas ever,” said Jackson as he began handing out presents. Even James had to agree.

The Devotion of My Youth

I think that my relationship with God is like a marriage. Here are some questions to consider that helps make a spiritual relationship more concrete:

If God was my husband and my relationship with him was based on not only the quantity of time I spent with him, but the quality of time I spent, what would it be like?

What if the only time I spoke to my husband was in the presence of others?

What if I never spent personal, intimate quiet time with him?

What if I only spoke to him two times a week? Wednesday night and Sunday morning?

What if I only talked to him on holidays?

What if the only time I visited with my husband, all I did was talk and never listen?

What would the relationship be like if I not only allowed another to be a part of the relationship, but actually invited someone else in?


Lover of my soul, I know that I am Your delight. You desire a spiritually intimate relationship with each and every son and daughter in Your Kingdom.

Jer. 2:2 says, “I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert through a land not sown.”

The Invitation

When I was a little girl, one of the most exciting things was to receive an invitation in the mail. It meant that someone thought I was special enough to be included. Even now as an adult, I smile when I see that small, white envelope.

Birthdays, weddings, reunions, births, baptisms - all celebrate some aspect of life. To be invited is to be made to feel special, that your presence is important and somehow needed to enrich the celebration and complete the whole.
What would happen if when you received an invitation, you just threw it away? Or if you opened it and argued that you were too busy to attend? What if you decided to attend, but just stood there, not participating? How would that affect you? How would that affect the group? How would that make the one who invited you feel?

When all who are invited do not respond, something is somehow lost to the group dynamic. Your part, your place is empty. It is easy to see how, in a natural sense, our actions and decisions would play out. But how about in the spiritual sense? What does it mean when it is God who is doing the inviting? When it is the Lord Almighty, your heavenly Father who desires your fellowship?

Feasting with God involves ingesting all that He has to offer on an on-going daily basis; it is a give and take meeting, continuous and vital, which is alive with exchange and possibility.
This story, presented in a fairy tale format, tells the story of our sometimes complex humanity in a simple, straight-forward way. The characters universalize the struggle and help us see ourselves in light of the majesty of God’s invitation to dine with Him.

The King of Kings has invited all to His table. Come, feast and be filled.


The Invitation


There once was a land where common folk lived. They did the usual things that most common folk did and lived the usual life that their parents and grandparents before them had lived. They planted their gardens, built their houses, raised their children and baked their bread.
Every day, messengers of the King would travel throughout the land and hand out invitations to anyone they would meet. The invitation was in a beautiful, yet simple gold-lined envelope and was tied with a narrow, red ribbon. It read:

Hear ye. Hear ye.
All are invited to the Great Feast. Come and be filled.

With love,
The King of Kings

Some who received the invitations didn’t even bother to open them:
“I haven’t got time to read this. I have to rebuild my south wall today and tend to my fields” said a farmer.
“You’re busy? My whole roof needs to be repaired” said another. “Doesn’t the King know how bad the storms have been this year?”
“What about me? I have a large family to take care of” added a tired-looking woman. “I have wash to do, cleaning to finish, and children to tend to.”
So many went about their daily business and simply discarded the sealed invitations.
Others took the time to open the invitation and read it:
“Gee, a feast” said a tall, thin tailor. “But I just ate, and I don’t feel very hungry right now. Why bother to go all that way if I don’t feel hungry?”
“I agree,” said his friend. “And why go all that way if you don’t need to? I just spent the last three hours baking so we would have something to eat. We don’t need the King to feed us; we can feed ourselves.”

So seeing no need to go, the tailor and his friend threw the opened invitations away. Still others, after reading the letters, had different complaints:
“I don’t think I want to go to a feast that the King puts on” said the town recorder.
“Why not?” asked her sister.
“Well, I heard that he forces his subjects to eat strange foods and won’t let them leave if they want to.”
“I’ve even heard that there isn’t really a feast at all” insisted the tax collector. It’s just a way for the King to get people into the castle so he can make slaves of them forever.”
“Well, that settles it. I’m not going either” chimed in another who overheard their mumblings. “I already have to slave all day in the fields for my master. I don’t need to trade one demanding boss for another.”
So after spending an hour complaining about the King and his subjects, they ripped up their invitations, threw them on the ground, and grumbled their way through the rest of the day.

Still there were those who, after opening and reading the notes, decided to see for themselves just what the King and the feast were all about. So later that day, a strange assortment of lawyers, farmers, housewives, doctors, merchants, and servants all began their journey to the Great Feast.

As they came upon the palace, they noticed many different types of people going in and coming out of the castle’s large scarlet-colored doors. They also noticed a group of nicely dressed people standing around outside talking among themselves.

As they approached, they stopped to listen:
“I can’t believe he wanted us to eat that stuff. I’ve never seen anything like that before” huffed a stuffy-looking governor.
“Me neither” grumbled the chancellor. “And did you see the kind of people he wanted us to sit with? They were common, dirty, and poor.”
“And can you believe who he was sitting next to?”
“Well, if he expects us to lower ourselves, he’s mistaken. Let’s go.”
As they all started to leave, one high-looking official turned to the group who had just arrived and said, “And if you had any class, you would turn right around now and leave with us, too.”
In the end, a few of the doctors, merchants, housewives and servants were persuaded to follow the well dressed, seemingly important group of lawmakers back the way they came.
The others who were left were determined to make up their own minds. As they slowly walked up to the castle’s doors, two of the women decided to sneak up and look in the windows before they actually agreed to enter.

“I just want to take a peek before I go in” said the older woman.
“Me, too” agreed her sister.
So the two tip-toed up to one of the large windows and looked in. They saw a beautiful wooden table filled with all kinds of unusual foods. Some of the people seemed to be really enjoying themselves, eating and laughing with the King. Others seemed less enthusiastic, nibbling and smelling everything before they tasted it. Still others just sat there, watching and whispering about the other guests at the table.

The two sisters could see and smell the food through the open window. They could hear the laughter and parts of the conversations. They could even describe what the palace looked like, what the King was wearing, and how he interacted with his guests. But they also noticed that every so often a guest would get up and switch places with one of the servers and wait on the tables. Being servants their whole lives, the women were not so sure they liked this arrangement.
When they rejoined the group, who by the way were still deciding who would knock on the door first, they said:
“We decided that we’ve seen enough. We’re not ready to actually go in and eat with the King. Maybe another time.”

Somewhat relieved, they went away, never personally experiencing the feast for themselves. Once back home, many of the townspeople gathered around the women and wanted to know about the King and the palace. All this attention made the servants feel important, so they talked about how the food looked and smelled, how the guests talked and acted, even what the inside of the castle had looked like. Unfortunately, when they ran out of stories and noticed the people around them losing interest, they started to make things up.

“And when one of the old servers dropped a pure gold tray on the floor, the King jumped up from his throne and shouted for his guards!” the older woman exclaimed.
“And then he had the servant thrown into the dungeon” added her sister. “Then he threw away the key!” This brought a renewed round of “Oohs” and “Ahhs” from the crowd. The two sisters became not only instant celebrities, but they became instant authorities on the affairs of the King.
But because they never told anyone that they had not actually been inside the feast and eaten the food and personally met the King, no one ever knew that what the servants were telling them was only an exaggerated tale.

Back at the castle, the small group who were left finally decided to knock on the door together. When the large doors opened, they were greeted by two servers whose enthusiasm and friendliness made them feel at ease.
“Welcome! We are so glad you decided to dine with us” said one of the servers as the small group was ushered in. “Come and join the feast.”

One of the first things they noticed as they entered the hall was the wide variety of people who had been invited. There were young children, old people, wealthy people, poor people, important people and common people - all sitting and eating together. As they sat down at the long, beautiful table, they noticed at once that the food was very unusual. Even though it slightly resembled the food that grew in the valley where they lived, it was larger and more colorful than what they had ever seen.

A farmer, one of the more hesitant members of the newly-arrived group, spent a few minutes looking at the unfamiliar food. I’ve never seen anything like this before, he thought. What if I don’t like it? What if I start to eat it and the King sees I don’t like it? What if he gets insulted and has me put in the dungeon? What if I don’t like the other guests? What if I get stuck serving? What if I have to work in the King’s garden besides my own? What if . . . .

The fearful farmer had “what if’d” himself right out of his seat and out of the door. He snuck away quietly, thinking he had avoided being noticed by anyone, especially by the King. But the King did notice, and for a time, a gentle sadness came over his face.
The store clerk, who had witnessed his friend’s departure, started looking around at the faces of some of the other guests. He thought to himself: Those people over there seem to be enjoying themselves. They don’t seem to be afraid, although I don’t think I’ve seen them eat anything yet. They seem like nice people, though. I think I’ll stay and visit with them for a while. I’m not very hungry right now, so I don’t think I’ll actually eat today. That way, I won’t owe the King anything.

So the clerk stayed for the afternoon, talking and laughing with a small group who had also decided to just stay for the company and the conversation. When they finally left to go home, they patted each other on the backs, parted ways and agreed they must do this again next week.
However, there was one young girl, an apprentice to a dressmaker, who had watched how the others from her town had behaved. She had listened to their worries and fears on the way to the castle and had seen some of them refuse to enter in. She had even watched the farmer leave and the clerk visit.

The girl also looked at the strange food and the faces of those around her. But as she looked around the room, her gaze met the King’s. The great and mighty King had been watching everything and was now watching her.
At first, she was afraid because of what she had heard about the King from the townspeople.
“Why are you not eating?” said a gentle voice from behind. The young girl turned around to see the King’s Son standing next to her.
“I’m a little afraid to eat” she shyly admitted. “I’ve heard so many things about the King and his feasts. I don’t know what to believe.”
“Well, what do you want to know? I am his Son and can not only tell you about him, but I can show you his heart as well.” The Son’s voice was calm and gentle as he spoke of the King, the invitation, and the feast.

After a while he asked, “Do you think you’d like to eat with us now?”
The girl hesitated and looked around at those seated at the table. The Son immediately noticed her fears and said, “Do you see that thin, tired-looking man over there? He has been coming to this feast for years now but is afraid to swallow the food. He puts it in his mouth and chews it, but he never allows it to become part of him. He just spits it into his napkin when he thinks no one is looking.”
“But why?”
“Because he is already full when he comes. There isn’t room inside him for the King’s food.”
“Then why is he so thin?”
“Because the food he eats does not nourish him. It cannot give him what he needs to grow strong and healthy.
“Do you see that old woman over there?”
The young girl noticed a saggy-looking woman whose face was drawn into a tense scowl.
“She comes to the feast just a few times a year and will only eat from one of the dessert trays. She says it is enough, but as you can see, she has no strength and has grown anxious, tired, and somewhat judgmental. You see in order to really benefit from and enjoy the feast, you must be willing to be nourished daily by all the food that the King offers. Now look over there by the door. Do you see that woman? She has been a server here for a very long time. When she first came, she was a lot like you - a little scared, but truly hungry. And now, as she eats and sits in the King’s presence, she becomes strong enough to serve others.”
“She seems really happy.”
“She has found true contentment. And how about you? Will you eat, too?”

The King’s Son kneeled down next to her and held out his open hand. She looked down and saw a small, tear-shaped fruit appear.
“This is for you. It comes from the garden of my deepest love. It cost all I had to grow it for you, and I give it freely.”

The simple young girl slowly took the fruit and hesitated. She looked up into the Son’s eyes and then at the face of the King who was now looking intently at her. The words that the Son spoke pierced her heart, removing every doubt and fear. Peace surrounded her like a sweet embrace as she said, “I’m truly not afraid anymore. I have seen for myself what you and your Father are like, and I accept this gift from your hand.”

She closed her eyes and put the small crimson fruit into her mouth. As she chewed and swallowed it, a sweet warmness flowed within her. She also, for the first time, noticed that a gentle breeze was blowing throughout the hall. The apprentice breathed in the soothing air like a breath and was immediately filled with a calm assurance. Opening her eyes, she was at once embraced by the Son and the King.

There was great rejoicing in the hall that day as the others stopped dining and cheered and clapped and welcomed her officially to the Feast of the King.
The young apprentice went back to her town, telling everyone the truth about the King, his invitation, and his feast.

She returned daily to be fed and nourished and soon took her place among the other joyful servers. And because of her testimony, many others joined her at the table of the King.

Level Paths

Seek balance:

Everyone has memories from their school days that, to this day, make them either laugh or shutter. For me, gym class was one of those classes that brought laughter and fear together. Whenever the teacher said we were beginning gymnastics, most students cheered, happy to leave behind volleyball nets and exercise mats. Not so for me.

I remember the first time I saw a balance beam up close. I panicked. Was my teacher kidding? Walk across an unbelievably narrow board raised to what I was certain was a ridiculous height, go to the end, turn around, and walk back – all without falling to my death.

It took three tries before I could even get on that thing. I think I was hoping that the teacher would get frustrated and just send me to the back of the line and forget about me. Finally, after the teacher and another student finally hoisted me up there, I froze. The beam seemed to disappear as fear and anxiety began to creep up my legs and into my throat. Jolted back to reality by the teacher’s angry voice, I tried to lift my foot. It didn’t get more than two inches off the beam before I fell off. Humiliated and somewhat relieved, I stumbled to the back of the line praying for the bell to ring.

After class, the teacher took me aside. I told her that I thought that my body just could not balance – I was too tall-too awkward. She said that the problem was not my body, but my mind. She said that whenever I lost focus, looked down at the ground or around at the other students, I stopped trusting what my feet were feeling beneath me. I could certainly balance when I tried to walk a straight line directly on the ground. But once I saw that the board was high and that there was the possibility of falling off, I became fearful and that was what caused me to lose my balance. She said fear always affects our ability to balance.

Although those balance beam memories are far behind me, I never forgot her words: fear affects balance. They came back strong one day when I was praying about restoring balance to my life. I had allowed fear and distraction to create an imbalance in my thinking and in my decisions.

But what exactly is balance to the believer? In Scripture, the word does not appear as such. But when you consider that the idea of balance means a leveling, the verses abound. You see, when we want to correct something in our lives, we have this tendency to swing from one extreme to the other.

What corrects this pendulum sway? We need to center ourselves in Christ and allow Him to lead us on level ground - to make our paths straight and smooth, and to guide and bring us into a level and balanced place. Because sin entered the world and created an imbalance not only in the natural world but within us as well, it takes the saving and restoring power of God to take away the fear and tendency to shift and sway.

Balance and communication? Just consider how hard it is to concentrate and carry on a meaningful conversation when standing on the deck of a boat that is tossing and turning, pitching back and forth. Physically, your balance is thrown off – it is not long before a sense of distraction and fear take hold.

Father of all that is straight and level, help me to fix my eyes on You and not allow fear and distraction to shift me off my course.

Check out: Isa. 40:4; Psalm 143:10; Proverbs 4:26

Know Where You're Going

Know where you’re going:

In the post before this last one, I wrote about knowing what you believe. Because belief affects direction, knowing where you’re going is essential. Sounds too basic, right? But how does knowing where you’re headed affect communication?

Have you ever been in a car with your husband when he doesn’t know where he’s going? He wants you to believe he’s not lost, but it’s clear by the many turns and the tense feeling in the car that he really is. How do you communicate with him? And he with you? Not the best picture of marital bliss.

When you don’t have a sense of the destination, you don’t have confidence in your current location. And when you daily confidence is shaken, you find yourself living a life of haphazard circumstance. This often leads to the “it-was-meant-to-be” or the “I-can’t-fight-fate” mentality that believes not that a life yielded to God has purpose, but that life “is what it is” so why fight it. Once the victim stance takes hold, it is very difficult for someone to find their way back.

I had a friend who used to say, “I know that I know that I know.” When I first heard her say it, I thought that it was just one of those things that you say but don’t really know what it means. But after spending time with her and seeing how she allowed God to daily direct and lead her, I finally understood that statement: her level of knowing began in her mind, passed through her heart, her feelings and emotions, and rested in agreement with the Spirit of God within her.

Knowing – acknowledging, feeling, understanding, and perceiving – where you are headed is essential for daily peace and health. How deep does your understanding go of where, as a Christian, you are headed – in this life and the next? Do you acknowledge God’s providential hand in your life and perceive how His will works in your life? Do you care enough to find out?

Father-God, I desire to know that I know that I know not only where I’m headed after I die, but where I’m headed in the here and now.

Check out: Isaiah 48:17