Guiding Light!
Joy!
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Psalm 19:8
I have just returned from a small town in Southern Mexico where poverty was the norm. One would think that this kind of poverty would cause people to be bitter and disheartened with their circumstances in life. But then this is how we may think, ones with abundance, living in a free country full of opportunities and luxuries abounding.
We have become so accustomed to our life of ease and abundance we forget that all the blessings we receive are from our Lord above. We take for granted all that we have, rarely thanking God for His great mercies and love for us. Okay, I hear some of you saying, "but I don't have much, I struggle weekly to make ends meet, life isn't that easy for me."
We sometimes struggle because we aren't good stewards of God's blessings. Very few of us really know what it is like to be poor and to struggle "daily." These people in Southern Mexico and I am sure other parts of the country are struggling daily just to meet their minimum essentials. Food is a #1 priority to them. They live in shacks without screens on the window opening (no glass either), if they are fortunate they might have electricity. No televisions, no radios, no playstatioins, no VCR's, no DVD's, nor any other luxury as we are so accustomed to.
The average person here makes about $200.00 a month. He is likely married with several children, which don't go to school because they can't afford the books or the school uniforms. So mom sends them out with a arm full of bracelets or some other cheap gadget to sell to help the family meet their bare essentials. When the children aren't out trying to make a few Peso's they are home playing with one another with imaginary toys.
Now you would think with this kind of poverty these people would be depressed and full of sorrow. On the contrary! They are full of joy and love! Their family is most important in their life, they play together, they eat together, they enjoy one anothers company. God has given them a joy in their heart that stuff and things can't take the place of. They look to Him for their substance and joy and He provides for them.
This weeks devotion hopefully is to help you to step back for a moment and thank God for the many, many blessings He has given to each and every one of us. For the abundance of all that we have, for the overflowing dinner tables we enjoy, for the cars we drive, for the good jobs we have, for the many clothes we have and everything else He provides for us.
But more than all of this, to be thankful and full of joy for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is all just dust in the wind when the rubber meets the road, what is really most important is Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection. This is our saving salvation for all who believe in Him that one day we will spend eternity in Heaven with our Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
This special time of year as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus, remember the blessings we have received and reach out to those in need. Be like the Samaritan, stop and help, lend a hand, bandage an broken heart, put a coat on one that is cold, feed the hungry and share God's abundant blessings. Be generous to your mission giving this holiday season and throughout the coming year. Involve your children with your giving to others, let then share in the joy of the Lord's blessings.
Heavenly Father, we thank you so very much for the abundance you provide for us, we thank you that we keep warm when it is cold outside, we thank you for the warm clothes you provide to keep us warm, we thank you for the abundant food supply you set before us, we thank you for the light at the flip of a switch, we thank you for all the "stuff" in our life, but most of all we thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us Father to share your blessings with others. Help us to keep our eyes and heart focused on You daily as we serve you. We honor and praise your Holy name......in Jesus name we pray........amen
In Christ's Service,
Kenny Millhouse
kenny@guidinglightministry.com
Guiding Light Ministry - an evangelistic outreach!
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