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Merry Christmas! in the Upper Room #XI
15 years ago
General
The Right Gift
Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-7{link)
Do not neglect the gift that is in you.
-1 Timothy 4:14 (NRSV)
MY father loves roses. Once after he moved into a new house, he planted 12 rose bushes. To celebrate, my sister and I each sent him a gift. I sent a green plastic bucket to hold kitchen scraps until he could put them on his compost heap. She sent a crystal bud vase.
Our gifts tell something about each of us. My sister is elegant; I am practical. But Dad assured us, "Both of your gifts are equally needed and equally welcome."
Our heavenly parent is like my dad. God does not expect the same from all of us. Because God made us and made us different, God delights in us just as we are. God wants each of us to offer the gifts that best express who we are and what we have to give.
Patricia H. Sprinkle (Georgia, USA)
Prayer
Dear God, lead us to discover the gifts you have planted within us so that we can give our best to you. As Jesus taught us, we pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."*
Thought for the Day
God made us and loves us as we are.
Prayer Focus
To see and appreciate my talents
*Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV).
Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-7{link)
Do not neglect the gift that is in you.
-1 Timothy 4:14 (NRSV)
MY father loves roses. Once after he moved into a new house, he planted 12 rose bushes. To celebrate, my sister and I each sent him a gift. I sent a green plastic bucket to hold kitchen scraps until he could put them on his compost heap. She sent a crystal bud vase.
Our gifts tell something about each of us. My sister is elegant; I am practical. But Dad assured us, "Both of your gifts are equally needed and equally welcome."
Our heavenly parent is like my dad. God does not expect the same from all of us. Because God made us and made us different, God delights in us just as we are. God wants each of us to offer the gifts that best express who we are and what we have to give.
Patricia H. Sprinkle (Georgia, USA)
Prayer
Dear God, lead us to discover the gifts you have planted within us so that we can give our best to you. As Jesus taught us, we pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."*
Thought for the Day
God made us and loves us as we are.
Prayer Focus
To see and appreciate my talents
*Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV).
Dominus tecum