The Gift and the Glow...
It's that time of year again. You know the one I mean.
Christmas.
Did you catch that?
Christmas.
There it was again. Love. Anticipation. Hope.
It's that time of year when joy and jingles are intertwined and happy and merry are in every ear. Christmas morning was always my favorite. More often than not I was awake at three and watching the clock until five. (My poor parents.)
There is something about a Christmas tree... wrapped up in lights... sparkling with ornaments... lit by a star...
Shining over those things that had been taunting me for weeks. Just a thin layer of paper between me and the things that my family had chosen just for me.
The gifts.
The gifts are my favorite part.
There's something about a person when they're given the perfect gift. Something resonates within... and shines its way out. There's something about knowing that someone loved you well enough to know what you wanted... what you needed... and picked it out just. for. you.
Sound familiar?
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Every good and perfect gift. Chosen by a Father. Just. For. You.
Gifts of wisdom. Knowledge. Faith. Healing. Miraculous powers. Prophecy. Distinguishing between spirits. Speaking in tongues. Interpretation of tongues. Teaching. Preaching. Helping. Administrating. Intercession. Music. Writing. Encouragement. Discernment. Hospitality.
Good and perfect gifts.
I can't help but think about the purpose behind those gifts. Not so that the world would know how special we are... but so that the world would know how special He is. Not so that we can gain fame or glory through them... but so that we can bring fame and glory to the One who created them.
When we operate in our giftings, God is glorified.
When we encourage the giftings in others, we build up the Body... the Bride.
Like a child on Christmas morning with a brand new toy, sometimes we need someone to come alongside us, turn the toy over in our hands, gently pull back the cover, pop the battery in place, and step back to watch us play.
Receiving a gift is wonderful. But when we really use it... that's when lives are changed. It's more than being obedient to use your gift. It's being obedient in allowing others to use their gifts as well.
There's going to be a wedding. One day church and Christ will reunite. Our task is to present a pure, spotless bride... Radiant.
What could glow more than the Bride... adorned in the jewelry she was given for her wedding day... white gown flowing... every single part of her shining in affirmation... walking on sure feet to meet her bridegroom? Can you see her??
There's going to be a wedding. How the bride appears before the bridegroom is up to me... and you.
Christmas.
Did you catch that?
It was a promise.
Christmas.
Did you catch that?
Christmas.
There it was again. Love. Anticipation. Hope.
It's that time of year when joy and jingles are intertwined and happy and merry are in every ear. Christmas morning was always my favorite. More often than not I was awake at three and watching the clock until five. (My poor parents.)
There is something about a Christmas tree... wrapped up in lights... sparkling with ornaments... lit by a star...
Shining over those things that had been taunting me for weeks. Just a thin layer of paper between me and the things that my family had chosen just for me.
The gifts.
The gifts are my favorite part.
There's something about a person when they're given the perfect gift. Something resonates within... and shines its way out. There's something about knowing that someone loved you well enough to know what you wanted... what you needed... and picked it out just. for. you.
Sound familiar?
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Every good and perfect gift. Chosen by a Father. Just. For. You.
Gifts of wisdom. Knowledge. Faith. Healing. Miraculous powers. Prophecy. Distinguishing between spirits. Speaking in tongues. Interpretation of tongues. Teaching. Preaching. Helping. Administrating. Intercession. Music. Writing. Encouragement. Discernment. Hospitality.
Good and perfect gifts.
I can't help but think about the purpose behind those gifts. Not so that the world would know how special we are... but so that the world would know how special He is. Not so that we can gain fame or glory through them... but so that we can bring fame and glory to the One who created them.
When we operate in our giftings, God is glorified.
When we encourage the giftings in others, we build up the Body... the Bride.
Like a child on Christmas morning with a brand new toy, sometimes we need someone to come alongside us, turn the toy over in our hands, gently pull back the cover, pop the battery in place, and step back to watch us play.
Receiving a gift is wonderful. But when we really use it... that's when lives are changed. It's more than being obedient to use your gift. It's being obedient in allowing others to use their gifts as well.
There's going to be a wedding. One day church and Christ will reunite. Our task is to present a pure, spotless bride... Radiant.
What could glow more than the Bride... adorned in the jewelry she was given for her wedding day... white gown flowing... every single part of her shining in affirmation... walking on sure feet to meet her bridegroom? Can you see her??
There's going to be a wedding. How the bride appears before the bridegroom is up to me... and you.
Christmas.
Did you catch that?
It was a promise.
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