WHAT CAN WE GIVE YOU, JESUS? You’ve given us so much! Since you never slumber nor sleep – do You stay awake just thinking of more delightful surprises and gifts so amazing that we’ll totally ooh and aah when we receive them? We feel as if we have nothing to offer You in comparison to what You shower upon us. And You do it day after day after day, unceasingly. Faithfully. What you give is not little or chintzy or cheap. The things You bring to us are priceless and meaningful and lasting. Sometimes they are life-changing. We stand in awe of the Giver of gifts. Yes, we stand in awe of You, Lord. Sure, we love the gifts You give us – they make life much more enjoyable, even outstanding and unforgettable. But we’ve learned the secret of loving the Giver far more than the gifts He gives. For without the Giver, the gifts are worth nothing. They are meaningless. In the first place, no one can give gifts like You can. No one else has that capability. Consider the gift of life. The air that we breathe. The gift of living forever with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! Our journey on this earth. All of its opportunities, adventures, and joys! The hope of Heaven. The gift of precious family and life-long friends to share this journey with! Healing and health. Grace, mercy, and peace. The gift of forgiveness! Sight to behold the wonders of God’s creation – and hearing to experience it with. The ability to create experiences, and a memory with which to capture them and hold them in our hearts and minds. Birthing new generations to come. Leaving legacies behind to impact those who follow. And living life to the fullest in the years between. Discovering our talents and unleashing our dreams. Following hard after God and making Him part of our everyday lives. All of these good and perfect gifts come from the Father above (James 1:17) and receiving them makes us want to give our very best back to Him! Suddenly we realize that loving You comes as naturally as breathing! There comes a time when spending time with You becomes more important than doing our own thing – whatever that might be at the time. We find ourselves listening for Your voice – and hearing it above the noises of this world. There’s no voice sweeter. And You accept our longing for Your presence as a gift from us that You highly treasure. Does that really mean so much to You, God? Yes, it seems to touch You deeply. You know us so well, and You totally know our imperfections … yet You long to have us gift You with our undivided attention. Is that really such a huge sacrifice for us to make? It should be the greatest joy and privilege of our lives just to sit at Your feet! In these weeks just preceding Resurrection Sunday, our hearts turn evermore towards Your suffering as the Cross loomed largely in front of You. And we find ourselves forever grateful for what You did, Jesus. Our hearts thrill at the knowledge that You came forth from the Tomb, leaving it EMPTY. With those steps from the dark tomb into the light, You brought to us all that we will ever need to live the most glorious lives ever – here on earth, as well as in Heaven! So while we’re here, we want to bring You our lives as “living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to You”! (Romans 12:1) That’s what we can give!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES to Nancy, who will be celebrating on March 15th! God bless you, Nancy!
A SPECIAL WELCOME to Butch & Renee, and Katy - who worshipped with us for the first time this past Sunday!
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME begins – turn your clocks back on Saturday night for Sunday morning, the 11th!
SUN, MAR 11: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP / Message: “The Names of Jesus”
“PROJECT JEFF” – this is your last opportunity to bring in non-perishable food items to help meet the need!
WED, MAR 14: 6:30 P.M. – Pre-Easter Bible Study on “Christ’s Final Words on the Cross” – join us!
SUN, MAR 18: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP / Message: “Great Expectations of Jesus”
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Chuck, Tina, Gerard, Justin, Johnny & Cherry, Lundstroms, Seykoras, unspoken
REMEMBER . . . “God gives us new life – not just for today, but for tomorrow and every day after that.” ~ Unknown
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
