Marked by God

Thoughts to ponder....

I recently read a statement that is very simple but VERY powerful.

"If I have no love for others, no desire to SERVE others, I should question whether Christ is really in my life"

Matthew 20:28 says  "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”   God commands we are to do as His Son did and to become like Him.  Rick Warren paraphrased the above verse a great way...."Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life."

Serving does not just involve giving of money.  Serving is giving of your times, talents, love, resources and self for others.  Any unselfish thing you do is serving in the Kingdom of God.

Where is your heart and what is your desire?  Is Christ REALLY in your life?

Christmas giving

I am so completely excited today!  I felt such intense pleasure and joy when as I walked into my church today with a small Christmas bag with a HUGE token of LOVE in it.  You see, our community group decided to sponsor a child in need for this Holiday Season.  This entire year of study has been completely devoted to God's purpose for our lives.  We have really focused on what God focuses on most... and that is Loving People.  Truly loving people...those you know and those you don't.  Since loving others requires you to give of yourself, we have also focused on Serving.  Serving each other, serving the church, serving the community.  As a leader of our community group I decided that the Angel Tree would be a great way to demonstrate loving and serving our community.

Knowing that the hurting economy is affecting members of group...I set a reasonable goal of $200.00 to collect and gift this child.  We came to find out that this child and mother were in desperate need of heating and food needs. 

I was blown away to find out that out of completely unselfish love and giving....our group collected $500.00!  I mean, can I get an AMEN! 

Our Pastor is always saying to believe God for BIG, HUGE things.  It is always in the times when "everything is impossible" that God shows up in BIG ways. 

If one community group can do something BIG by such small means....then think what you and an entire church or community can do?  Go out and love someone and give as God gives to you!