Wednesday, August 16, 2023
As strange as this may seem to many, receiving gifts is definitely not on my list of favorite things.
Now, giving, that’s a different matter! Seeing someone's smile or their eyes light up when they receive my gift—that’s the true gift. I can see the moment when they realize someone cared enough to take the time to find the perfect thing, picked especially for them. Whether the gift is part of an inside joke, something they wanted for a long time, or something they just mentioned in passing once, for a moment, they have a tangible representation of how special they are to me. Through my gift, I am trying to show them they are worthy of my time and effort.
On the flip side, I don't always feel like I am worthy or deserving of a gift, so I'm sure my face doesn't quite show how thankful I am when I receive gifts from others. I am grateful—I really am—I just don't show it well.
Luckily for me, and you if you're like me, there is one gift that the Giver will never judge your reaction to receiving it—God’s love. Although we don't deserve it, he still gives it. And it’s unconditional.
Matthew 6:21
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Our hearts are a gift from God, and like Pastor Ben said last weekend, when we love God with all of our heart, we show it by giving back. If we treasure God above all else then our hearts will desire what he desires. We work from that love not for it, to share his love with others. Because loving him and others—the way he loves us—is how we honor him.
Is there a better gift than love? It will never wither and fall apart like all the material possessions we accumulate.
Matthew 6:19
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.”
Loving God with our whole heart doesn't have to be a painstaking task. Giving him some of our time each day by praying, talking, or singing to him is music to his ears. Giving our time is one of our greatest gifts. So why not give one of the greatest gifts we can to our creator?
Make a point to show God your love and devotion, and love others along the way.
Questions:
Our lives are a divine gift from God. Do you make a point of giving God some of your time each day? What are some other ways you could be showing love by giving?
Next Steps:
Download the new CedarCreek app—spend some time with God and us every day in The Daily.
Prayer:
21 Days of Prayer
Day 3 Prayer Focus - For Our Nation (Acts 1:8)
Dear heavenly Father, I come to you with a grateful heart for your love and grace. I pray for the life-giving message of Jesus to spread throughout our nation, and for the power of your Holy Spirit to convict and transform hearts. I pray in each community, people would turn to you for direction and answers, and seek your will and wisdom in every situation. May they know you as their Lord, Savior, healer, and provider, and experience your love, peace and joy in their lives. I ask this in the name of Jesus, who died for our sins and rose again to give us hope. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
1 John 4:10-11
10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.