Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

TUESDAY DECEMBER 8


THE PERFECT GIFT

READ:
Psalm 96:8
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Ascribe to the LORD
the glory due his
name; bring an
offering and come
into his courts.
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Every year our local botanical garden hosts a celebration of Christmas around the world. My favorite display is a French nativity. Instead of the traditional scene showing shepherds and wise men with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh gathered around the manger, it shows french villagers bringing their gifts to baby Jesus. They bring bread, wine, cheese, flowers, and other items that God has given them the ability to produce. This reminds me of the Old Testament command to bring the firstfruits of our labor to the house of the Lord (EX. 23:16-19). This depiction of the nativity illustrates that everything we have comes from God, so the only thing we have to give is something that God has given us.

When Paul instructed the Romans to present themselves as a living sacrifice, he was telling them to give back to God what God had given them__their own selves (ROM. 12:1). This includes the gifts He gave them, even their ability to earn a living. We know that God gives people special abilities. Some, like David, were skilled in music (1 SAM 16:18). Some, like Bezalel and Oholiab, were skilled in artistic works (EX. 35:30-35). Others have skill in writing, teaching, gardening, and many other things.

When we give back to God what He has first given to us, we give him the perfect gift__ourselves.
___Jullie ackerman Link

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Give your all to Christ who gave His all for you.

****************************Today's bible Reading __ Romans 12:1-8****************************
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of
God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God__this is your true and proper
worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you
will be able to test and approve what God's will is+his good,
pleasing and perfect will.

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not
think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think
of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith
God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has
one body with many members, and these members do not all
have the same function, 5 So in Christ we, though many, form
one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We
have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with
your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then
teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is
giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if
it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
There are five listings of spiritual gifts in the
New testament: Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; 12:28
30; Ephesians 4:11; and 1 Peter 4:11. In each of these lists the
emphasis is not on the different types of gifts but on their diversity
and how they are to be used in a way that promotes love and unity
in the church (1 COR. 12:12-13:13). Gifts are to be used to build up the
spiritual maturity of the believers (EPH. 4:12-16) and to bring glory to
the Lord (1 Peter 4:9-11). In Romans 12 Paul encourages believers to
use their gifts in humility (v.3), in unity (vv.4-5), and with sincere love
and respect (vv.9-10). __Sim Kay Tee