What does works have to do with gifts you might ask, well works and gifts go hand in hand as what we do for others is a gift from the heart as we allow the light of Christ to shine through us. Some families at Christmas time instead of giving store bought gifts to each other will use that money to help others that are less fortunate then themselves and this is giving the best gift of all which is the gift of love.
The works of the Lord are not just teaching his word behind a pulpit, Matthew 25:35-40, the works of the Lord also include feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and not turning our backs on those that are in prison. The works of the Lord is the witness of God shared with people that do not know him.
The basics of what we are to do as a child of God is to know that the calling from God is to take his word out into the world according to Matthew 28:18-20, and to take His word out with love and compassion in our hearts, Matthew 22:36-40, and the works of the Lord are helping those who need our help, Matthew 25:35-40. Grace is what saves us and the works we do are done unto the glory of the kingdom of God.
The best gifts we ourselves could ever receive are those treasures that are stored up in heaven that are not temporal like the ones we receive here on earth, but are eternal that has brought much glory and honor to the Lord, Matthew 6:19-21. Never boast about what you do as this will be your reward on earth instead of heaven when others give you praise of what you do and this takes away from the gifts you give to the Lord as you take the praise away from his glory.
Mat 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them other wise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Titus 3:5-11 it is not our works that get us to heaven for there is nothing we can do of ourselves lest any of us should boast of the works we do, Ephesians 2:8, 9, 10. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.
There are material and Spiritual gifts we give to others like those gifts of the Magi that were used for finances, health and anointing. The material gifts we give to others help’s sustain nourishment of body, fiancés of maintaining household priorities such as rent and utilities and the anointing comes from the word of God we share with those we help for Spiritual growth.
To me one of the most precious things to see is the face of the children when you bring a box of food mixed with toys that they knew they would not receive on Christmas day and the gratitude on the parents face as tears of joy stream down their cheeks, but not only on Christmas, we need to be helping others all year around. Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Gifts that are fit for a king are those that come from the heart as we share our love and compassion for all our neighbors and the best place to start distributing those gifts are in your own backyard.
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
There may never be peace on earth until the coming of the Lord, but until then we can bring peace of mind to those who are in need as we become like the Magi bringing gifts fit for a king.
God bless all of you and have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
The works of the Lord are not just teaching his word behind a pulpit, Matthew 25:35-40, the works of the Lord also include feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and not turning our backs on those that are in prison. The works of the Lord is the witness of God shared with people that do not know him.
The basics of what we are to do as a child of God is to know that the calling from God is to take his word out into the world according to Matthew 28:18-20, and to take His word out with love and compassion in our hearts, Matthew 22:36-40, and the works of the Lord are helping those who need our help, Matthew 25:35-40. Grace is what saves us and the works we do are done unto the glory of the kingdom of God.
The best gifts we ourselves could ever receive are those treasures that are stored up in heaven that are not temporal like the ones we receive here on earth, but are eternal that has brought much glory and honor to the Lord, Matthew 6:19-21. Never boast about what you do as this will be your reward on earth instead of heaven when others give you praise of what you do and this takes away from the gifts you give to the Lord as you take the praise away from his glory.
Mat 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them other wise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Titus 3:5-11 it is not our works that get us to heaven for there is nothing we can do of ourselves lest any of us should boast of the works we do, Ephesians 2:8, 9, 10. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.
There are material and Spiritual gifts we give to others like those gifts of the Magi that were used for finances, health and anointing. The material gifts we give to others help’s sustain nourishment of body, fiancés of maintaining household priorities such as rent and utilities and the anointing comes from the word of God we share with those we help for Spiritual growth.
To me one of the most precious things to see is the face of the children when you bring a box of food mixed with toys that they knew they would not receive on Christmas day and the gratitude on the parents face as tears of joy stream down their cheeks, but not only on Christmas, we need to be helping others all year around. Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Gifts that are fit for a king are those that come from the heart as we share our love and compassion for all our neighbors and the best place to start distributing those gifts are in your own backyard.
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
There may never be peace on earth until the coming of the Lord, but until then we can bring peace of mind to those who are in need as we become like the Magi bringing gifts fit for a king.
God bless all of you and have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
