Encouraging One Another

The discussion leader for our women’s group gave us the assignment of sending an encouraging word to a member of the group whom we picked randomly.

Somehow, it seemed difficult to find just the right words of encouragement for a member who was much younger.

I was afraid to send a message that sounded “preachy” or stiff. I really didn’t want to sound like an old fogey.

I wanted the message to be real and from my heart and, most of all, I wanted the message to be real for the young lady to whom I was sending it.

Finally, my message was:

“There will always be people

and forces out there to try

and bring doubt and darkness

 into your life.

Remember, always, that

The Light is there for you

 if only you ask!”

and my supporting scripture was:

       John 1:5 New English

               Translation (NET Bible)

                ⁵ And the light shines on in the

             darkness, but the darkness

             has not mastered it.

I was encouraged by the fact that this young woman was attending a bible study at all and hopeful that she would find the tools needed to be a light in the darkness.



I pray that she will develop a strong relationship with The Holy Spirit, our Light in the Darkness; a relationship that will sustain her through all the trials of life.

I pray that we will be open to learn the lessons that she brings to the group and that we will be sources of support and encouragement and never forces of doubt.

I pray that we will all continue to grow, becoming “workers who need not be ashamed”.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Planting and Watering for Christ

Matthew 28:18-20 ¹⁸And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen

I am much more comfortable attempting to reach out behind the safety of my keyboard than in person. It seems that every time I get up the courage to invite someone to church or to bible study I run into the most negative person in the bunch and I quickly withdraw behind the security of my computer.

I am a person who truly believes that I can ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in every aspect of my life; so, when I felt like giving up on trying to reach out in person to be a light for Christ, I felt I needed to seek support from the Helper before I retreated into myself. 

And just like that…

1 Corinthians 3:6-9 kjv  ⁶I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. ⁷So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. ⁸Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. ⁹For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.



Thank You, Holy Spirit for reminding me that bringing the increase was never my job. My job is to reach out. My job is to live a life that shines in the darkness of this world and is a beacon to Christ. My job is to study the Word so that I am prepared to speak about our Savior in ways that do not bring shame to the Body of Christ. Perhaps my job is to water rather than plant. And it has never been my job to bring the increase!

Thank You, Father God, for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for the gift of Your Son. Thank You for this medium to reach out in hopes of being a blessing and inspiration to someone. I ask You, please, allow me the privilege of bringing at least one soul closer to You.

Thank You.

Perhaps you are that someone!





May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Running the Race with Fortitude

Hebrews 12:1-3 (KJV)

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

³ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

I picture a great marathon and all the runners as Christians who are a part of the “great cloud of witnesses”. At the beginning of the race everyone is ready, full of energy, seeing themselves as  potential winners of the race!

The beginning is exciting with all of the spectators cheering on.

But, between the exciting beginning and the glorious finish there is life! The cheering crowd is much thinner in the middle of the course. The Witnesses are still there but they are busy cheering new racers, trying to stay the course themselves and just enduring the race.

We find ourselves confronted with our own personal “weights”; the things in life which distract us and take our eyes off “the author and finisher of our faith”.

Scripture tells us to “ ,,,,  lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us”. This allows us to acknowledge first that there will be weights, issues, and trials which we must overcome, then Scripture  gives us the course to follow “² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith….”

There are refreshing stations along the course. We have the Word of God. We have the examples of the saints. We have the comfort of the Holy Spirit. We have the promise of the finish line if we just hold the course!

Father God, I thank You for encouragement and strength. I thank You for renewal of Your promise to “never leave us or forsake us”. I thank You for the privilege of being Your child and pray for Your continued patience with all of us who are attempting to run this race with fortitude.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Yes, I Believe in God!

It is very trendy these days to poke fun at people who believe in God. Remarks range from mildly disparaging to downright cruel. Someone I love once told me that I was “too intelligent to actually believe in God” as if my faith were a warm and fuzzy blanket I could put on and off when it was convenient or fashionable.

Truthfully, as a statement of faith,  I do believe in an Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient, God!

John 1:1-5 King James Version (KJV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  ² The same was in the beginning with God.

³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  ⁴ In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

⁵ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

We have been given a guide book, a book of encouragement, a book of strength and wisdom, a book of comfort. It’s when we try to use the Book to box God, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient, God into our very finite, limited comprehension that we get into deep trouble.

The authors of The Attributes of God (AlohaBible Net) describe our futile attempts to bring God to our level as: “people tend to dream up a mythological god who is either...

• An emotionless Power [such as *The Force* in the Star Wars movies]
• OR a mean bully who sits around in heaven, anxiously waiting for you to make a mistake so he can send you to burn in hell
• OR a grandfatherly old fuddy-duddy [sort of like *Santa Claus*] who doesn't give a rip what you do, just so long as you have a good time doing it.”  (http://www.biblestudy101.org/theo/g-d1.html#navigation)

These are such pitifully narrow restrictions to try to hold the wonder of our living, Immortal,  Infinite and Eternal God!

When our need to define God within the constraints of our comprehension is stronger than our love and reverence of God, we can totally miss the absolute joy of His love.

How much energy will we spend arguing about the time frame of “the beginning”?

He was here In the Beginning, whenever the beginning was. How do we even take a breath or open our eyes and doubt that there is a Creator?

If your prayer is to gain a deeper relationship with God you might begin with trust as the foundation on which you will build.

Pray to understand the difference between knowledge and wisdom and pray for wisdom.

May God Forever Be A Blessing in Your Life!!!

Preparing for the Storm

Preparing for the Storm

There is a hurricane brewing in the tropics.

To those of us who live in Florida this should be an expected occurrence since we actually have a time designated as “hurricane season”.

I was filled with a bit of wonder when I heard several of my friends talk about preparing for the hurricane as if this was a surprise!

There are lists of things recommended for this time of the year; ways to secure our homes, recommended emergency supplies including water and non-perishables, etc. Agencies give free seminars and pass out free booklets. Homeowner associations list local shelters and encourage preparedness, and yet there are always those who will be unprepared.

Matthew 25:1-13 King James Version (KJV)

25 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

² And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

³ They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

⁴ But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

⁵ While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶ And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

⁸ And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

⁹ But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

¹¹ Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

¹² But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

¹³ Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Some of us will be as poorly prepared for the return of Our Lord and Savior as we are for the storms of the world despite the fact that the gospels give us all of the information, we need to be ready.

We have been told how to secure our hearts. We already have the Greatest Commandments and the Great Commission. You have given us parables and words of wisdom to light our paths through life.

We have been given the shelter and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We have been given the words of the Prophets. Yet we wait in a state of unpreparedness for the knock at the door of our lives when there will be no time to fill our lamps!

Father God, I pray that You open our eyes and our hearts to Your gift of salvation. Please give us listening ears to hear and obey Your Word. Thank You for all that You are in our lives.

My friends…

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

“Stand Still and Trust the Lord!”

“Stand Still and Trust the Lord!”    

It takes effort to stand still when the pressures of the world are on us. It takes true faith to stand still when prayers, especially urgent prayers, are not answered in our time.

We must truly believe in the wisdom of God to enable us to “Stand Still and Trust the Lord!” when the answer to our prayer is “no”.

I read a wonderful poster which stated…

God is always faithful to answer

Sometimes His answer is a much desired “yes”.

Sometimes His answer is a merciful “no”.

Sometimes His answer is a faith-building “not yet”.

                                                          And                                                          sometimes...sometimes                                                                            When an answer cannot be  found                                                                 His answer is simply

Trust Me

This poster served as a gentle reminder that I must be faithful in my knowledge that it is always in my best interest to Stand Still and Trust in the Wisdom of God!

God has given us comforting messages in His Word which we can call upon when we need strength to face life’s trials. He has given us examples of His faithfulness to those who truly place their trust in Him.

I pray that these scriptures bring hope, strengthen your resolve in trying times and encourage you to truly “Stand Still and Trust the Lord!”

Exodus 14:13-31

Job 37:14

Psalm 4:4

Psalm 37:7

Psalm 107:28-29

Isaiah 40:31 

and many more….

Psalm 46:1-7 God is our refuge and strength, a great help in times of distress. Therefore we will not be frightened when the earth roars, when the mountains shake in the depths of the seas, when its waters roar and rage, when the mountains tremble despite their pride. Look! There is a river whose streams make the city of God rejoice, even the Holy Place of the Most High. Since God is in her midst, she will not be shaken. God will help her at the break of dawn. The nations roared; the kingdoms were shaken. His voice boomed; the earth melts. The Lord of the heavenly armies is with us; our refuge is the God of Jacob.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

A Call to Faith

Hebrews 11:1-3  (KJV)

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

² For by it the elders obtained a good report.

³ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Faith is often seen as just something to sustain you when you are waiting for something or in the midst of enduring something unpleasant; but glorious faith is so much more.

1 Peter 1:7-8  (KJV)

⁷ That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

⁸ Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

….Rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory….

Can you imagine a joy so sweet it brings tears to your eyes? Can you contemplate joy that fills your whole being with a wonderful warmth of fulfillment?  Can you experience the joy of certainty of the Hebrew men, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego). Who said with confidence “¹⁷ If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

¹⁸ But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Daniel 3: 18-19 (emphasis added)

This is the joy available through faith in God.

Depending on the Holy Spirit, leaning on the promises of God, staying in Fellowship with Our Savior are all aspects of true faith that take us way beyond just hoping.

We are protected by our faith. We are identified as Children of the One True God by our faith.

Zechariah 13:9 (KJV)

⁹ And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

We utilize the Word to build and sustain our faith. We listen and hear the Word through our ministers and teachers. We study the Word to open our hearts to understanding.

Romans 10:17   (KJV)

¹⁷ So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Oh, how I pray that we all are touched by healing, comforting faith. Oh, how I pray that we will be prayerfully grateful for whatever measure of faith we now hold as we work diligently to increase our relationship with Our Savior in every way. I thank Our God who says “I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

For: 

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30 ESV

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Prayers of thanksgiving

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I have a friend who says she writes all her prayer requests down to make sure that, when they are fulfilled, she will remember them and be thankful. Sounded funny to me at first then I thought about the daily small blessings that were forgotten prayers.

I once traveled cross country to care for a sick friend. While there I was gifted with an opportunity to encourage a new minister as he began his new walk. When I returned home and shared this experience with my friend, she reminded me that I had prayed for an expansion in my work for the Lord.  She also reminded me that the other side of the country was quite an expansion.

More recently I prayed that the Lord bless my latter years with the gift of being an encouragement and help to others. Within a week a young woman whom I had known most of her life called and told me that she had been stuck in attempts to journal and perhaps start a blog and had received encouragement from my efforts.

I find the safest and most rewarding thing for me is a continuous state of gratitude for all of my blessings, great and small, seen and hidden.

I appreciate sunsets and rainbows. I am grateful for steadfast friends. I sing praises for the love and guidance of the Holy Spirit. I rejoice always!

I pray that your heart will be filled with the wonderous joy of a personal relationship with Our Father. I pray that you are able to ¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!

Faith While Facing the Fire!

We admire the courage of martyrs in scripture and in history, men and women who stood up for their faith even in the face of death. If you are like me, you thank God that we don’t live in such times. I have heard several people say that we are blessed to live in a time and place where we are free to worship as we please; but I feel this is a time to remind ourselves of the need to be ever prayerfully thankful for current blessings and prayerfully petitioning for a continuation of these blessings in our lives.

On October 1, 2015, there was yet another tragic shooting in a school. What was different about this incident was a report that the shooter asked, ‘Are you a Christian?’, and if you’re a Christian, stand up. And they would stand up and he said, ‘Good, because you’re a Christian, you are going to see God in just about one second.’ And then he shot and killed them,”.

Reportedly, if they said “no” or didn’t answer, he shot them in the leg.

I remembered this incident when I was reading the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. These men stood up in the face of what should have been certain death.

Daniel 3:13-18 King James Version (KJV)

¹³ Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

¹⁴ Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

¹⁵ Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

¹⁷ If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

¹⁸ But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.  (emphasis added)

Yahweh-Rohi, I prayerfully ask Your protection as we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death”. I also prayerfully ask Your strength as we face dangers seen and unseen.

I thank You for all that You do.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!

Growing Older

For the past few weeks I have had a lots of thoughts about this aging thing, these “golden years”.

I realize how fortunate I am to have lived a fairly healthy life up to this point. I feel guilty when I complain about the aches and pains of aging and admit, even to myself, that I really don’t have it so bad.

Yet, despite my gratitude for all my blessings, I do get impatient when I have to depend on others to do simple things that I have always done for myself. It often seems that they “will get to it” or it’s “just a minute, Grammie” and I find waiting patiently is just difficult.

Today I had to smile at the memory of my youngest grandchild’s frustration when he had to wait (not so patiently) for someone to read some directions for him. I still hear him say “I’ll be glad when I can read and don’t have to depend on you people”.

I smile at the circle of life.

Psalm 92:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

I smile when I remember childhood days of laughter and very little responsibility outside of homework and a few chores and being impatient to grow up.

I smile at the memory of a large and noisy family.

I smile when I remember being devastated by unrequited infatuation.

I smile when I remember the unbelievable joy of holding the child that I had been told could never be.

I smile at the picture of me surrounded by grandchildren.

Life has been good and fulfilling in so many ways. My life has had the resiliency of the palm to weather storms in bad times and the strength of the cedar when needed to comfort the ones I love; and I know that these gifts come from God.

I smile when I remember that I am just as much a child of God today as I was when I was indeed a child and that my Heavenly Father knows my heart just as much now as ever.

I smile because I know that He knows that in my heart I appreciate all that He is and has been and that His child, though far from perfect, is still a child who loves the Lord.

I know that these “golden years” will require lots of patience so I pray for ways to be of service because I know that giving of myself is the best way to get out of my own way and enjoy the wonderful life I have been given.

Psalm 92:13-15                                                                            ¹³ Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.  

¹⁴ They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

¹⁵ To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

I thank God for the gift of long life. I pray for opportunities to be a light to someone and to help others find joy in a relationship with Our Father. I thank the Holy Spirit for the gentle reprimand and reminder of all of my blessings and His continued love.

I pray that you find joy in all of the steps on the cycle of life.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!

Shall We Study Together?

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.                                                                                                                                           

Studying the Bible with friends requires some clarity of purpose and very good ground rules about purpose, roles, and acceptable behavior.                                                                                                            This is especially true when members of the group come from different backgrounds and levels of familiarity with the Word.

How do you keep everyone safe in the group? This is a BIG question, especially when members admit to being too intimidated to ask questions in more traditional groups or to having been made to feel foolish for not knowing answers to what some thought were simple questions.                           How to keep the focus on learning, not on “being right” or proving a point or argument for argument’s sake.

2 Timothy 2:23-25 (KJV)

²³ But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.                                   ²⁴ And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,           ²⁵ In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Our purpose in evangelism is to lead people to Christ, to be the light that will shine in the darkness and glorify Our Father. This is a wonderful, yet frightening charge.

Matthew 28:19-20   (KJV)

¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:                                                                                                                                             ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

I thank God for the presence of the Holy Spirit, The Comforter, I thank God for good and patient teachers and mentors who encourage and support. I thank God for the comfort of prayer. I thank God that there are people who want to develop a closer relationship with Him and actually seek opportunities to learn His Word.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!

The Gift of Giving -3

There is a poem from an unknown author on my desk entitled “Attitudes”. It is a frequent reminder to me that I can decide how much and how I want to react to teaching,  slights and offenses, corrections and reprimands, and other dealings with my fellow man.

A lot goes into the formulation of our reactions:  who is speaking and how we feel about them, where the interaction occurs and who else is present, whether or not the subject falls within our comfort zone.

We must admit that is easier to accept a correction or suggestion in private than in front of another person or group and from a person we love and respect than from someone we are less fond of.

Now, what in the world does this have to do with the “Gift of Giving”?

2 Corinthians 9:7   (KJV)

⁷ Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Picture a family who routinely give without complaint or fanfare.

Compare this with a family who makes much ado about everything they do for anyone, including the church, or who complain bitterly about any request for giving whether or not they intend to participate in the giving.

Which of these families do you see encouraging “cheerful giving” to those whose lives they touch?

The Apostle, Paul, encourages us to avoid being a stumbling block to others. Our attitude and the expression of those attitudes can go a long way toward helping or hindering others in the joy of the “Gift of Giving.”

We can decide on our attitude. It might take a bit of work if we are burdened with a long held sense of right in some of our negative attitudes, but change can come.

Take joy in the fact that our own happiness is increased when we are a part of a cheerful experience.

Take a chance. Encourage yourself to be a cheerful giver and enjoy the “Gift of Giving”.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!

Prayer and thr Song of Ascents

Song of Ascents          

If you have a desire to strengthen your prayer life consider reading the 15 Psalms written by David, Solomon, and unknown writers that are known as the Song of Ascents

There are various theories about the origin and reason for these particular Psalms (Psalms 120-Psalms 134); but, regardless of the origin, they exemplify many of the reasons we come to God in prayer.

These Psalms acknowledge God as our Protector, our Comforter, our Source of Peace.

These Psalms let us know that it is not only “all right” to come to God with our petitions, it is encouraged by God Himself.

The Song of Ascents have the advantage of brevity, some are as short as three verses, and show that our hearts can be revealed without long oratory or complicated phrases.

If you have a desire to strengthen your prayer life consider reading, and perhaps studying, the Song of Ascents.  It is my prayer that you will develop a richer prayer life and closer relationship with Our Father.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!

The Gift of Giving - 2

Exodus 35:4-10  (KJV)

⁴ And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying,

⁵ Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass,

⁶ And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,

⁷ And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,

⁸ And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,

⁹ And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.

¹⁰ And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the Lord hath commanded;

It is a wonderful experience being a part of cheerful giving on a large scale. There is something magical about working on a project when everyone involved is committed and excited about the work being done. 

These are the times when no one is concerned about 10 percent, or how much the person next to them is giving or doing. These are the times when the ability to contribute to the work is what brings the joy.
The ability to give is evidence of blessings already received. The ability to give shows that the giver has been provided for beyond his needs.
These people had been slaves and in the natural should have had nothing. Instead, they had been provided for in such a way that they had the opportunity to say "thank You" with open hearts and open hands.

Exodus 36:3-7 (KJV)

³ And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.

⁴ And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;

⁵ And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.

⁶ And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.

⁷ For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

What a blessing to the man of God to have such a response from the people. What a blessing to the people of God to be among those with a united purpose. I can only imagine the shouts of praise in this evidence of joyful giving.

2 Corinthians 9:7  (KJV)

⁷ Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

May you be blessed with opportunities to witness and be part of the Gift of cheerful Giving.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!