Get to Give #289

Luke 6:38 “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." (NLT)

Acts 20:35 “…remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.

When was the last time you received a gift? Was it on Christmas, birthday, anniversary, or maybe Valentine’s Day? How did you feel? Did you appreciate and enjoy the love and thoughtfulness of the person who gave it to you? How about the reverse? When did you last give a gift to someone? Maybe it wasn’t a present wrapped in a nice package, but maybe your time, your service, your kindness, or an expression of love. How did you feel then?

According to the words of Jesus you should have received a greater blessing by giving than you did from receiving. There is an interesting thing about giving that defies logic. That truth is: as you give you in turn receive. Not only do your receive, but you receive what you gave in fullness. You may say, “People are so unfriendly.”

The Bible says if you want friends you must be friendly. When you walk into a store, or church or just down the street do you think. “Why doesn’t anyone speak to me?”

Maybe it is because you didn’t speak first.

The words of Jesus in Luke 6:38 are quite clear. “The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Jesus makes it clear that the gift you give, no matter what it is, will return to you. It will be measured by the amount you gave. It will be pressed down, like putting something into a container to make room for more. It will be shaken, to take up empty space, and it will be running over.

What are you giving right now that God will bless you with in return?

What do you do with what you have received back as a result of giving? The answer is clear also. Give some more. Keep God’s plan of economy working.

You will never out give God, and you will bring about God’s circle of giving in order to receive in order to give some more. Blessings to you as you give however God has blessed you. 

_______________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

It was so good to attend church on Sunday and see our friends. I will not be preaching at First Baptist Church for a few weeks until I can regain some more strength. However I committed some months ago to preach at Northpointe Church in Chandler, AZ on March 16th. If the Lord gives me the grace I will be preaching that Sunday. Planning on being with Grace Community Church's annual campout on March 20-21-22 at Roosevelt Lake. I will be preaching at the Sunday morning outdoor worship service. Please pray that I can regain my strength and continuer to serve the Lord. Then maybe I will be back at First Baptist Church in the Intersect Service in the Loft on the 30th. PRAY PRAY PRAY. 

Sandy and I have enjoyed attending Collin's band concerts. He is currently playing in five different bands. He was chosen to play in the Tempe Youth Band. They had their final concert last week. He also plays in the District Honor's Band. Recently he has been selected to play in the Tempe Youth Wind Symphony. They will conclude with a concert in the Tempe Center for the Arts. He also plays in two bands at school, the Symphonic Band, the top band. In all of these he plays the trumpet. His band teacher asked him this year to play in the beginning 7th and 8th grade band as a percussionist. He had never done that before and is enjoying beating on everything. 

Bennett has a leading role in the his high school's musical, "The Sound of Music." He is a wonderful soloist. He also plays percussion in his high school band. Burke is also in the high school performance although he is in 7th grade. Bennett was also selected to be in the Regional Choir. He will be going to Europe for Spring Break with members of his high school. Johnny has some growing to do to catch up with Bennett, BUT Bennett has caught up with his Uncle John. 

Burke will be going to Boston for his Spring Break with a group from his school.Burke has stopped playing the trombone in the band and has now become a TUBA player. Go Burke!!

Johnny will be 3 years old on March 8th. Watching him go from a preemie to a three year old who is doing wonderful has been a blessing from God. I know many of you prayed for him when he was born. He is an answer to prayer. 

Someone saw Justin the other day and said to Mandy, "He looks just like your Dad."

You know by that he is one handsome little guy. The pic of Johnny and Justin was taken to show that even kids in Arizona go barefooted and can keep up with the relatives back in Missouri and Arkansas. 

There is no way to thank you enough for the cards, emails. phone calls and visits during the past three weeks. Especially I am grateful for your prayers. They were a great encouragement to me and Sandy. Sandy and both appreciate three men from church who came to our house to clean the pool, cut tree limbs, do some painting, weed the lawn, move flower pots and help with things neither of us could do right now. Thanks to Mark, Burton and Jimmy. I am feeling better. Still have issues with my digestive system. The liver seems to be working well after the new stent. The doctors have me undergoing more testing for the possibility of a blockage in the small intestine. I will also undergo more testing for the hyperthyroidism and the two nodules on the thyroid gland. I still am loosing weight and still weak, BUT I am moving on and so very grateful that God has again given me time with my family and friends and an opportunity to continue serving Him. God is good. 

So appreciate your prayers and concern over the past three weeks. May God bless you and your family and your church. I am reminded of His love and mercy and grace all the time. 

 ~ DGW