Small but Big!

I read three devotionals this morning. One talked about being a light- a flicker or one that lights up a room. It talked about how even a small flame is strong enough to brighten a room. The second was about using our God-given gifts no matter how small and being responsible for making the best use of them. The third talked about when “little is much.” It gave the example of the widow who gave two mites. 

     Each of these three devotionals seemed to blend into one thought for me. I first thought of the song taught young children. “This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel? No!” 

     It only takes a simple, gifted smile to light up a room. Even if it is just a tiny flicker, let it shine! It could be just the thing needed to light up a heart. It may be “little but big” to someone else. It might only take a pie taken to a lonely person to light up their life. It might be a kind word to a disgruntled person which changes his heart. It could be laughter instead of anger that makes the difference. 

     My gifts may be small, but they can become Big!

Shape

My shape has changed over the years. I can truthfully say, that currently, I am not happy with my shape. What was once tall and thin has become quite thicker in all the wrong places. It gives me pause when I strive to understand the changes to and the capabilities of my new shape as I continue cultivating the work set before me.  

     I like what Daily Hope said about “SHAPE” in today’s devotional. To quote Daily Hope, I must understand my shape. The author spelled it out as follows: 

        S piritual gift

        H eart

        A bilities

        P ersonality

        E xperiences

 

So, as I think about my current “shape”, I need to be concentrating upon the things God has given me.  

Oil and Water or Day and Night

I love family from my nieces, nephews, cousins, down to my brothers and sisters, with the closest one being my own daughter. I was raised with family events where we all got together for great feasts. We played, laughed, and prayed together, yet we were all different.

     My daughter often tells me she had to have been switched at birth because she and I are as different as night and day or as some might say water and oil. Yet, that does not make us love each other less. It just makes us laugh at our many differences. 

     I love to get “dirt under my nails” in the garden, whereas she prefers a nail salon. I get up “on the go” when the sun rises. She, on the other hand, prefers to sleep in. I am an “outside person”. She prefers the inside. I enjoy cooking -most times. I not sure she knows the purpose of her stove. On second thought, maybe she is adopted. (Ha! Ha!) 

     But to put joking aside, my daughter is the one who keeps me young! She is the jewel I brag about with pride. She is the one I talk with daily. She holds my heart! She is smart, tender-hearted, compassionate, intuitive, and a fierce lion when it comes to protecting her mama. And, isn't that what family, although different, is all about! 

     Actually, I do not think we are oil and water. Oil and water does not blend as the day blends into night. We blend! We are willing to accept each other's views, each other's ideas, and learn from them. God created all people different. He gave each person their own special gifts. That is how the world turns, and if we were all willing to consider each other's opinions and differences maybe there would be less anger.  

     I smile when I remember what scripture says. “We have different gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.”  

     It makes me extremely happy that my daughter and I both know the God who created us so unique and in such contrast to each other. I am joyful in the knowledge that we both know the Spirit who distributed our various gifts. We have fun laughing at our opposite ways of doing things and can even love each other through our irritating differences.

Genesis 1:27 "So God created mankind.."  

 

Romans 12:6 “We have different gifts…” 

 

1 Corinthians 12:4 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.”

 

 

 

 

Gifts Year Round

I may have put away my Christmas tree for the next 11 months, but I still am enjoying a constant flow of gifts. God sends them daily. It is so exciting to wake up with enthusiasm, waiting to see which gift I will unwrap; gifts wrapped up for me when Jesus died on the cross. 

         Some of my gifts, to name a few, are:

Acceptance by the Father 

Blessings 

Cheerfulness within

Desire for God’s Word

Endurance to run the race

Forgiveness

Grace

Hope

Immunity from death

Joy heartfelt

Knowledge of belonging

Love everlasting 

Mansion waiting for me 

Never-failing Lord by my side 

Open-hand of guidance 

Peace

Quieting of my soul 

Refreshing; a washing away 

Salvation

Thankfulness

Understanding  

Victory in Jesus  

Washing away of sin

X-ray cleansing from within 

Yielding to God

Zest for life with Zillions of blessings because God is in it   

 

 

 

         

 

Gift of Christmas

I am excited? It is Christmas Eve, the night we open gifts. I know that any gift I get from family and friends or give to family and friends will be appreciated and used, but they will not last forever. 

     However, Jesus’s gift of His spirit coming into my heart is the gift that will last forever.  It is the gift to be excited about year round. 

     “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. Galatians 4:4-6 

The Gift of Christmas

There are many presents under my tree, but I am sure some will not really be wanted or bring joy to the recipient. In my defense, I had to get something!  Some of the gifts were purchased in haste and will end up really be a waste of my cash or an increase of my charges on credit. But, as most would say, it is the thought that counts.  When I think about it, it is really the Good News that I should give. This is one that will be treasured and kept forever. 

The Gift of Christmas 

 

This Christmas, I expect a gift

Paid for with credit or cash;

Simply bought in hurry and dash

And soon to be tossed in the trash.

Whatever!

It may be worn a time or two

When it is new,

Or it may get broken in a bit;

It may be an original or counterfeit;

Certainly not really made to last.

The gift will be tossed as in the past.

So?

What I want is the gift of Good News;

That’s what I choose.

I want One of value and worth;

The Good News brought to earth.

I want One that will not fade;

One not man-made.

I want One not paid for with silver or gold;

One I can forever hold.

I want the spotless Lamb

Who saved my soul.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  12/21/2023

 

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors , but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1: 18-19

 

 

 

Bearing Gifts

My devotional this morning was titled, “Every Sunday is a Little Easter,” which shared that “Each time we die to self and live for Christ, we experience anew the gift of the resurrection.” 

     This got me to thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas, especially when I read John 12:23-24.“And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” 

     What better gift could I give at Christmas than the gift of bearing fruit. 

My gifts to celebrate and thank Jesus should be: 

The gift of forgiveness

The gift of prayer for others

The gift of sharing 

The gift of releasing pride

The gift of letting go of my selfish ways

The gift of love

The gift of embracing God and His Word

I pray that every day will find me bearing gifts in celebration of what Jesus did on the cross for me. 

 

Comparison

      We all do it from time to time. But we shouldn't.  Why do we fall to that level?  It has to do with fleshy desires. Comparing this, comparing that! What we have, what we don't have, how we look, how we wish to look, desiring to be like someone else-what size we are, what color our hair is, and on and on. Yet God created each person to His own liking.  He, the only true Artist and Creator, molded each one of us into the image He wanted us to be and He gave each one their own uniqueness.  
     The following is my little reminder to self that I don't have to be a beauty queen, thin or trim, a voice in the crowd, or perform an action just to please.  I only need to be just me.

No Need to Compare

 

I have no need to compare.

I have what I have.

I am who I am;

Being God’s own created lamb.

There’s no purpose looking at other’s worth-

Just my own,

Which God placed upon this earth;

No reason for envy or jealously,

Being given my own molded melody.

Comparing would be foolish and silly

Can size, color, wealth be changed, willy-nilly?

Not really!

My own creative skills

Were knit within to fill God’s bill

With no beautiful frills;

Just a purpose to fill His will.

Comparing would leave me in despair,

Complaining, “Life’s not fair!”

 I’d be missing blessings;

My own special dressing;

Delaying gifts 

Meant to carry through seasons shifts. 

God counted every hair;

Where I am, He is there.

I have no need to compare,

I am who I am, 

And God stays near,

Always here to care.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 2/17/2022

 

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”  Galatians 6:4 NIV 

 

 

  

The How and the Way

      Goliath was a mighty giant, but he was a cruel bully that even a small boy defeated.  Samson had the strength of many men, but his pride and lack of wisdom led to his early death.  These men could have accomplished so much more had they fully taken  advantage of the spiritual gifts which were distributed to them by God. They did not know how to come together with others. 

     We, as Christians, also have the ability to accomplish small and large tasks for God.  It may require forming a “network of shoulders”, supporting others to accomplish God’s purpose.  We just need to remember that God directs the “How” and the “Way”.     

Gifts of Christmas

     As Christmas approaches, most everyone has already bought all their gifts, and they are wrapped and tucked neatly under the tree.  These are our annual gifts, yet Christmas is about more than giving annual presents.  Christmas is about Jesus who was a gift given to be with us throughout the years and the seasons of life.  This is the One True Gift that does not need to be returned or hidden away in a closet.  Here we have a free gift and does not put us in debt, but rather, frees us from our sin debt.  He is The Gift that keeps on giving.
     James 1:17 reminds me further of what good gifts are all about.  "Every good gift and every perfect gift is sent down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

The Journey

     When I read, I like to highlight meaningful thoughts.  In Billy Graham's book, The Journey, he provides a list of seven gifts God gives us when we commit to Christ.  I have changed the "us" and "we" to "I" and "me" in order to make it personal.

     Rev. Graham's list is broken down as follows:
1.  God gave me a new relationship.  I am now His friend and He is mine.
2.  God gave me a new citizenship.  I am a citizen of the kingdom of God.
3.  God gave me a new family. I am now a member of God's household.
4.  God gave me a new purpose.  Now I live for Christ and not just for myself.
5.  God gave me a new power.  God, Himself, came to live within me by His Holy Spirit.  I am never alone. He is my helpmate.
6.  God gave me a new destiny.  Once I was headed to hell, now I am headed for heaven.
7.  God gave me a whole new path to follow until He comes to take me home.

     Rev. Graham goes on to say, "When we make a decision for Christ, it isn't an end but a beginning."                                                       When we commit to God, the best is yet to come!