A Plea To See
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Acts 4: 32-35
The year is drawing to a close and the world is fascinated by Christmas - the promise of a holiday break, festive celebrations, sumptious meals and gift exchanges. Yet there are people in less privileged parts of the world who will not be experiencing much of what we are doing to celebrate the holiday. How holy are our holi-days? Have we forgotten Who made it holy in the first place? Is Xmas just Christ-mas in abbreviated modern-day lingo?
When God gave His Son, Jesus Christ to die for us, He was to be the greatest gift the world can ever receive. Even before we acknowledged Him as Abba Father or gave Him our hearts of love, He gave what was dear and precious to Him. It is the gift of salvation, of life, of love and of infinite abundance. What is beautiful about this gift is that it never runs out, it never dulls in worth and it has the power to last forever.
You may be asking what am I getting at? World Vision Singapore runs a yearly campaign when they approach people like us, anyone and everyone, with an offer to donate or buy gifts for children in poorer parts of the world. Their needs are simple and they do not ask for much. Whether it is a blanket or sweater to keep them warm in cold weather, reading books, a community toilet or school uniforms amongst others. We have been given so much in life - stable jobs, supportive families, education and healthy bodies.
God declares several times in the Bible that He will never leave us, neither will He forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 13:5). I pray that we will slowly understand and appreciate the true worth of a gift this season and through our giving, show these children that there is a God who remembers, who loves and who has not forsaken them. Many of us have heard of the quote which goes along the lines of - We can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving. Let our hearts be enlarged this season, to think and see beyond the limits of our circumstances. Let us give a gift of Love. Let us show them that God and people whom they may never meet who believe in them.
http://www.worldvision.org.sg/st_Christmas_Gift_Catalogue.php
Check this out for more information!
By no means am I insisting that you do this through World Vision. I am sure there are other organisations which are running similar campaigns. [neither do you have to feel condemned if you decide not to] I am intending to donate to World Vision. So if you will like to do likewise you can contact me and we will submit in our orders together in the same form. To all my friends, it will be really cool if we can all chip in! ^^
As for why I began with a passage from Acts... well read it again! May it stir something within your heart. It is not about how much we give to people around us in terms of financial worth, quantity or material quality. But it is about the heart which is filled with so much love, kindness and caring that transforms a simple gift into a awesome blessing.
Acts 4: 32-35
The year is drawing to a close and the world is fascinated by Christmas - the promise of a holiday break, festive celebrations, sumptious meals and gift exchanges. Yet there are people in less privileged parts of the world who will not be experiencing much of what we are doing to celebrate the holiday. How holy are our holi-days? Have we forgotten Who made it holy in the first place? Is Xmas just Christ-mas in abbreviated modern-day lingo?
When God gave His Son, Jesus Christ to die for us, He was to be the greatest gift the world can ever receive. Even before we acknowledged Him as Abba Father or gave Him our hearts of love, He gave what was dear and precious to Him. It is the gift of salvation, of life, of love and of infinite abundance. What is beautiful about this gift is that it never runs out, it never dulls in worth and it has the power to last forever.
You may be asking what am I getting at? World Vision Singapore runs a yearly campaign when they approach people like us, anyone and everyone, with an offer to donate or buy gifts for children in poorer parts of the world. Their needs are simple and they do not ask for much. Whether it is a blanket or sweater to keep them warm in cold weather, reading books, a community toilet or school uniforms amongst others. We have been given so much in life - stable jobs, supportive families, education and healthy bodies.
God declares several times in the Bible that He will never leave us, neither will He forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 13:5). I pray that we will slowly understand and appreciate the true worth of a gift this season and through our giving, show these children that there is a God who remembers, who loves and who has not forsaken them. Many of us have heard of the quote which goes along the lines of - We can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving. Let our hearts be enlarged this season, to think and see beyond the limits of our circumstances. Let us give a gift of Love. Let us show them that God and people whom they may never meet who believe in them.
http://www.worldvision.org.sg/st_Christmas_Gift_Catalogue.php
Check this out for more information!
By no means am I insisting that you do this through World Vision. I am sure there are other organisations which are running similar campaigns. [neither do you have to feel condemned if you decide not to] I am intending to donate to World Vision. So if you will like to do likewise you can contact me and we will submit in our orders together in the same form. To all my friends, it will be really cool if we can all chip in! ^^
As for why I began with a passage from Acts... well read it again! May it stir something within your heart. It is not about how much we give to people around us in terms of financial worth, quantity or material quality. But it is about the heart which is filled with so much love, kindness and caring that transforms a simple gift into a awesome blessing.
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