Were You There?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Were you there when God raised Him from the tomb?
Were you there when God raised Him from the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when God raised Him from the tomb?
(African American Slave Hymn)
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-9
Present: “give someone (something) in such a way” “a thing given to someone as a gift” New Oxford American Dictionary
Something happened when I started today's message. When I typed 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 I accidentally held the shift key down while I pressed the 9 and the colon key and I inadvertently made a smiley face (:, it's besides the point I know, but it made me smile. I wanted to talk about God's ultimate gift to us, not because of what He did for us, but the example it sets for us. And I don't want to talk about what our charity can do for others either; what I want to talk about is what giving can give to the giver. I don't think it's a coincidence that in the English language the word “present” can be used in so many ways. When we present a gift to someone in need, it has the power to become a present in return. Never have I missed any amount of money I've given away, and never have I given without receiving a priceless return. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, I'm not talking about monetary returns, or physical gifts, but the feeling of helping, the feeling of being a difference, the feeling of happiness and satisfaction that is received by giving. Great characters in history are much less known for what they received than what they contributed. Today, let's make charity a priority in our lives, not only for those in need of aid, but for those in need of purpose and fulfillment; I'm talking about you and me.
Daily Journaling Questions:
How did I help someone in kindness today?
What did I learn today?
What am I thankful for?
Who did I love today?
What about today do I want to remember forever?
What are my goals for tomorrow?
Thanks for reading.
Jake