Christmas Giving 2013 Jesus Christmas Poem

By Pastor Stephen Piersall
God's Preservation Ministry, http://sfprs.org/

Jesus is REAL!

They say, “Tiz the season to be jolly… Ho! Ho! Ho!” At least until we get the credit card statements in January. Our Pastor preached a few weeks ago about giving and encouraging us to give in different ways this Christmas season. Here are some ideas and I would love to hear from you about what ways you were giving this Christmas season, Post them on our ministry Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/GodsPreservationMinistry

Look for someone in the grocery store that may have children with them and pay for all or some of their tab.

Text someone new every day and tell them what three things you appreciate about them.

Pay for the car or cars behind you at the drive through while getting your coffee and/or breakfast.

Give to a charity that you do not normally contribute to.

Etc.

You will be surprised at how satisfying you will feel. Even if you cannot  afford it, try to give by helping or doing something for someone; remove snow from car(s), help carry in groceries or packages, shovel snow up and down the block, etc. If you pray about it, God will show you someone to show your generosity.

Trust in God, not of the world

Christmas Poem (author unknown)

"twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house; not a creature was praying, not one in the house.

Their Bibles were laying on the shelf without care; in hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed; not once ever kneeling or bowing their head.

And Mom in her rocker with baby upon her lap; She was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter; I sprang on my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash; I tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear; however, Angels proclaiming that Jesus was near.

With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray; I knew for a moment this must be the day.

The light of His face made me cover my head; it was Jesus returning just like He said.

And although I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth; I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand; It was written the name of every saved person.

He spoke not a word as He searched for my name; when he said, ” it’s not here” my head hung in shame.

The people whose name was written with love; He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready. He rose without sound; while all the rest were left behind standing around.

I fell upon my knees, but it was too late; I had waited too long to seal my fate.

I stood, and I cried as they rose out of sight; Oh, if I had only been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem, the meaning is clear; the coming of Christ is near.

There’s only one life and when comes the last call; We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!

 

Christmas Giving

By Stephen Piersall 
Deliverance Ministry Central NY

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7)

The countdown of Christmas shopping is dwindling down and the gift-swapping event will commence. The old saying “It’s better to give then receive” comes to mind especially during the holidays from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. However, are we giving enough and to where it can make a difference?

The world celebrates the birth of Jesus, on December 25^th and we call it Christmas. If you research this you will see that Christmas was originally a Pagan holiday, and looking at the calendar of today compared to the calendar back in the day, you will find out evidence that Jesus was born more so in our spring season, but the exact date cannot be identified. Now as they say, “You can’t fight City Hall”, and to try to change the world of beliefs and traditions of Christmas is a battle no one can win but should.

Therefore, the world will continue to go shopping and spending our money excessively this time of the year. So I ask and challenge you, if giving is better than receiving what are your commitments toward giving to the needy?

Have you stopped Tithing at your local church to be able to buy more gifts?

Are you just digging into your pockets for loose change instead of peeling off a few dollars to put in the red bucket outside of major retail stores?

Have you considered as you make your large family Christmas meal of donating to the local food banks?

Are you aware you can give your old cell phones to an organization that will ship them overseas to the military to use for the holiday season?

Storing old eyeglasses in a drawer or simply throwing them away is a waste in many ways. Give the gift of improved vision, and help a stranger see the world much more clearly, so they can read their Bible too.

Let me give you a partial list of charities that may appeal to you:

Animal Rescue

ASPCA
Local Churches

Make a Wish Foundation

Red Cross

Salvation Army

Soup Kitchen

St. Jude Children’s Hospital

Toys for Tots
Wounded Warrior Project

etc.

How are we to give?

God wants us to give according to our ability. Jesus told His followers, "give alms of such things as you have" (Luke 11:41). God never asks us to give more than we can. “Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. In addition, many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites. So He called His disciples to Him and said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood" (Mark 12:41-44). Planned giving should cover all options of family, friends, and charities. Is it really giving to the needy if we just offer what exists after spending on so many gifts for others?

Make this Christmas a special one; follow the path that Jesus laid out for us to follow.