Better Together

The Generosity of Christmas - Episode 1015

December 17, 2024 | S6:E1015 | 50:59

Experience the joy of giving this Christmas! When we are generous, we reflect the greatest gift of Jesus and align our hearts with the true spirit of the season. Let this Christmas remind us that in giving, we mirror God's love and grace. | TBN Prayer Line: 714-731-1000

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Better Together | The Generosity of Christmas - Episode 1015 | December 17, 2024

Christmas is the season of giving and when we
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Have received the greatest gift of all, we
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Learn the true meaning of generosity.
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Let's talk about the blessing of serving
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Others this christmas.
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Come on, join us.
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♪♪
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I love generosity.
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I love to be a giver so much, and i love the
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Posture of generosity because it doesn't say i
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Have so much to give, i have to give it.
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It says, no matter what i have, i'm going to be
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Postured to give and open to giving whatever the
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Lord tells me to.
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And i definitely know where i get it from.
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It's from my daddy.
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He is super generous, almost too much.
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I can remember when we were younger, we lived in
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Texas, but we went to louisiana a lot to visit
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Our family and we would go drive that little
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Three and a half hour drive and every single
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Time somebody on the side of the road, somebody
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Walking with their kids, my dad is pulling over
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And my mom would be like, lord jesus.
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It was beautiful because i watched what it looked
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Like to just show up for people, that if you saw,
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Felt, had an impression from the lord that those
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People need us,
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My dad was on it.
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I'm telling you, we're just pulling the
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Side of the road.
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He's underneath somebody's car fixing it,
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Whatever.
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He's a mechanic.
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It's a beautiful thing.
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And my dad tells a story almost every christmas
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Season of the moment that i think the lord had
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Broke his heart for generosity and my mom was
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Actually pregnant with me.
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So i love this so very much that while the lord
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Was cultivating in my dad generosity, i was just
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Like in my mom's stomach getting ready to be a
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Little generous girly
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Myself, and my parents
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Were riding back from louisiana and
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There is a road or highway that you take
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From louisiana to texas and in between the two is
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A place called viter, texas.
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And it is a sundown town to this day, so it's a
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Dangerous place for african-american people
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To drive through, to stop.
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I mean, you just kind of keep it going.
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As soon as you see the sign, you're like, okay,
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Let's just keep it moving through here.
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And my parents were driving back.
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It was my mom who was pregnant with me, my dad
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And my two brothers in the backseat.
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And lo and behold, they started having car
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Trouble in viter, texas.
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My dad was super nervous, obviously my mom was too.
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It was late at night.
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My mom's nervous about my brothers
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And all the things.
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And so they pull into this gas station and as
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Soon as they pull in, they shut all the lights
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Off and pretend that they didn't see them.
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And so my whole entire family's stranded
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In this town.
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It's very, very scary.
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They're sitting there for about 30 minutes and i'll
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Never forget because my dad tells this story
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Every single year, a guy named woody, i feel like
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I know this guy, uncle woody out here, okay,
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White man pulled up next to their car and he walks
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Up to the car and he knocks on the door or in
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The window and my dad rolls it down.
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He said, yes, sir.
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And this guy named woody was like, i will probably
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Be in a lot of trouble for this.
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I could lose my life for this, but it looks like
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You and your family need some help.
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It was like, well, if you can trust me, i would
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Love to take you to my house.
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I have some old parts and things like that.
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And so i literally to this day, cannot imagine
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What my mom was feeling pregnant for two kids in
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The back, what is going to happen to my dad?
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And mr. woody ends up coming back, he gets
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Under the hood, helps him fix his car, all the
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Things, and they drive off and they make it home.
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And a couple months later, he gets a call
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From uncle woody out here who i've never met.
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He was like, hey, i'm in your town and i need some
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Help with some mechanics.
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Are you available?
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My dad's like, yeah, brother, i got you.
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And my dad said, and he always says that story,
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That moment absolutely showed him that really it
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Doesn't matter where you come from and what you
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Look like and who you are and what your
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Preconceived notions are, that when you have a
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Heart of generosity,
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Yeah, it exes out everything because the focus is not
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What's in it for me.
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What harm could be in it for me?
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What lack am i going to have if i give this?
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It's no, no, no.
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I serve a god of abundance and i will give
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And give with no fear.
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And i heard that story so many times that i feel
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Like it cultivated just this beautiful heart of
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Generosity that i have.
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The way we could cultivate a heart of
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Generosity is just simply by practicing generosity.
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You could think about it all you want and you
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Could try to convince yourself through as many
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Bible studies, but unless you actually practice it,
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Then you will not be able to experience the holy
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Spirit using you as you become a conduit of his
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Heart, his compassion and his love.
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And so i would say if you are struggling with
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Cultivating a heart of generosity, i would say
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Just practice it.
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Just do it even if you do not feel like it.
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And as you go from there, you'll start to know his
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Compassion and his heart for giving.
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And i've got to tell you, over this past year,
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That's been one of the things that have made me
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The most sad is because i feel like i can't be as
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Generous as i would like to be because i am a
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Single mom and i have a whole little family to
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Take care of, which is nerve wracking in and of
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Itself, but i'm a lot more mindful over what i
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Spend and what we do and what's in the savings and
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All the things because it's just me.
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But i think that the lord has been so kind in
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Reminding me that it truly is not about what i
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Have, no that it is not-- and what i don't have
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That he has created in me a heart of generosity for
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Whatever that looks like.
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And over this past year, generosity for me has
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Looked so different.
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I like to do the things where someone says, oh
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Man, i really wish i had this or i wish i had that.
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And i'm like, i'm going to amazon that to you
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Right now.
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That's what i really love to do, the surprise
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And delight.
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And now in this season it's looked like i'm just
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Going to invite you over.
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That's beautiful though.
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Don't have much to give.
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But we can have cards night at the crib
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If you want.
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Okay, stop.
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Don't even say that because that's a lot for
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Some. just think some of the people who
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Don't have family or can't go anywhere, don't
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Have anywhere to go.
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No one is inviting them over and for you to open
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Up your home and your heart to them to say,
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Come on over and just be a part, that will just,
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Ooh, go forever, go much further than something
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From amazon.
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No, that's beautiful.
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And i think that's the beauty of this season
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Right here.
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And if everyone, even those that are viewing
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Could just take that part to say, okay, whatever i
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Do have, i'll give of
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That opposed to thinking about what i don't have.
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Because when you realize that every moment is
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Designed to protect another moment, so if i
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Don't give here, i can't expect to reap over here.
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And i believe god wants all of us to have a heart
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Of generosity and prosperity is not what's
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Always in our hand, but what's in our heart.
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So if i can give you what's in my heart today,
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It'll protect me the next day because i'm going to
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Need somebody else's heart another day.
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But we withhold it because we don't think
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It's enough.
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We talk down our seed and you can't talk down your
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Seed because you don't know the harvest that is
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Going to come as a result of that, bring it in.
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Let me give you a hug.
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I am a gift giver.
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No, hear me when i tell you i am an expert giver
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If that is such a thing.
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I love giving gifts, but there are times that
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People may need something bigger and better than
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Something material.
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The best gift that you can give anyone is to
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Give them the gift of jesus, to offer them
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Salvation, to get them snatched out of the
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Kingdom of darkness and placed in the marvelous
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Light of god's word.
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So if you don't have anything in your hand to
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Give, how about giving what's inside of your
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Heart to give?
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And that's the gift of jesus this year.
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You know what i love is you said that your daddy
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Said that if you're got a generous heart,
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Nothing matters.
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Right?
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I love that because i've never really thought
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About it that way.
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And when jesus says, do unto others as you'd have
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Them do to you, god, i need someone to come help
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Me with my car right now.
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I don't know where i am.
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I don't like how i feel here, but if you would
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Just send somebody, be that person, be that
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Person, be there, be that person for somebody else.
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We're all god's children in need of something,
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Help in something along the way.
00:09:15.444 --> 00:09:16.479
To something.
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It's been so sweet.
00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:19.281
I love that.
00:09:19.281 --> 00:09:20.416
I love it too because i can see the effects of it
00:09:20.416 --> 00:09:22.284
In my kids now.
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My son's a little stingy, but he too, because he
00:09:24.186 --> 00:09:26.689
Don't really know how to share yet.
00:09:26.689 --> 00:09:27.723
He'll get it.
00:09:27.723 --> 00:09:28.691
He's getting it though.
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He's like, sammy's turn?
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And i'm like, yes.
00:09:30.760 --> 00:09:32.428
And then mommy's turn, he is like, no. but my
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Daughter, oh my goodness.
00:09:35.498 --> 00:09:36.966
I go to a gym and we love our gym community.
00:09:36.966 --> 00:09:39.869
It's been a really beautiful place to be
00:09:39.869 --> 00:09:41.737
Generous because it's not really necessarily
00:09:41.737 --> 00:09:44.874
Faith-based people just kind of all over the
00:09:44.874 --> 00:09:46.809
Place, but i've just got people in my house that
00:09:46.809 --> 00:09:48.944
Probably don't go to church, cursing up a storm
00:09:48.944 --> 00:09:51.247
A little bit, but it's just been this beautiful
00:09:51.247 --> 00:09:52.648
Representation of where god wants us to dwell for
00:09:52.648 --> 00:09:55.718
Real and be light.
00:09:55.718 --> 00:09:57.853
And we invited some friends over.
00:09:57.853 --> 00:09:59.822
We had a mommy- daughter movie night.
00:09:59.822 --> 00:10:02.024
We just invite people over to her house all the
00:10:02.024 --> 00:10:03.159
Time at this point, and my daughter was in her
00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:05.695
Room for hours and i'm like, hey, are you okay sis?
00:10:05.695 --> 00:10:08.964
I'd be trying to give her a space.
00:10:08.964 --> 00:10:10.733
I went in and she was like, you can come in.
00:10:10.733 --> 00:10:12.868
And she had made all these bracelets, these
00:10:12.868 --> 00:10:14.303
Little beaded bracelets.
00:10:14.303 --> 00:10:16.372
It was her thing for all the girls that were
00:10:16.372 --> 00:10:17.006
Coming over.
00:10:17.006 --> 00:10:18.441
And i'm like, there it is so sweet.
00:10:18.441 --> 00:10:21.677
There it is there.
00:10:21.677 --> 00:10:23.446
It's right in there.
00:10:23.446 --> 00:10:25.114
It's in there where the good stuff is.
00:10:25.114 --> 00:10:26.716
And i love christmas time because i feel like it is
00:10:26.716 --> 00:10:28.951
A prime time for us to start gearing up for
00:10:28.951 --> 00:10:31.220
Generosity, but really it should be the start or
00:10:31.220 --> 00:10:34.724
The overflow of who we already are just in a
00:10:34.724 --> 00:10:36.792
Different season.
00:10:36.792 --> 00:10:38.294
I feel like that's the sign and almost the mark
00:10:38.294 --> 00:10:41.163
That you've been touched by the gospel because in
00:10:41.163 --> 00:10:43.733
Matthew 6:33, it says...
00:10:43.733 --> 00:10:48.771
And then it talks about don't worry. and don't
00:10:48.771 --> 00:10:53.676
Be anxious.
00:10:53.676 --> 00:10:55.311
When jesus is saying, don't worry about what
00:10:55.311 --> 00:10:56.712
You will drink and what you'll eat and what
00:10:56.712 --> 00:10:58.114
You'll wear because it's actually gentiles that
00:10:58.114 --> 00:11:01.050
Eagerly seeks those things and other
00:11:01.050 --> 00:11:03.486
Translations, it even says pagans, basically
00:11:03.486 --> 00:11:06.088
People that don't believe in god.
00:11:06.088 --> 00:11:08.758
It is interesting because matthew six, it's part of
00:11:08.758 --> 00:11:12.528
This presentation of the gospel.
00:11:12.528 --> 00:11:14.296
Jesus wasn't just saying that just to make us feel
00:11:14.296 --> 00:11:19.201
Better about our anxieties and our worries.
00:11:19.201 --> 00:11:21.470
He wasn't just trying to make us feel better, but
00:11:21.470 --> 00:11:23.906
He's presenting the gospel and he's saying,
00:11:23.906 --> 00:11:27.476
If you are a believer of god and if you are a
00:11:27.476 --> 00:11:30.079
Follower of jesus and if you are saved, then you
00:11:30.079 --> 00:11:33.182
Have a father that is now in charge of your life.
00:11:33.182 --> 00:11:35.851
And the proof of that, the after effect of that
00:11:35.851 --> 00:11:38.921
Is knowing that now it is my father that is now
00:11:38.921 --> 00:11:42.491
Charged for my survival.
00:11:42.491 --> 00:11:46.262
I am now free to live, to serve.
00:11:46.262 --> 00:11:48.731
I am now free--
00:11:48.731 --> 00:11:50.766
Because covering it.
00:11:50.766 --> 00:11:53.135
To pursue the righteousness and the kingdom of god, i
00:11:53.135 --> 00:11:56.839
Am now free from the curse of this world that
00:11:56.839 --> 00:11:59.008
Says i need to live by the sweat of my brow.
00:11:59.008 --> 00:12:01.577
Yeah, the golden
00:12:01.577 --> 00:12:02.711
Rule works because god said, he said, do unto
00:12:02.711 --> 00:12:05.714
Others as you want them to do to you.
00:12:05.714 --> 00:12:09.385
I want people to be nice to me.
00:12:09.385 --> 00:12:12.121
I want people to help me when i need help.
00:12:12.121 --> 00:12:13.689
I need people.
00:12:13.689 --> 00:12:14.723
We need each other.
00:12:14.723 --> 00:12:17.493
And so that's why we do it.
00:12:17.493 --> 00:12:19.295
That's why we reach out with a helping hand.
00:12:19.295 --> 00:12:21.897
That's why we serve.
00:12:21.897 --> 00:12:24.934
That's what we do as christians.
00:12:24.934 --> 00:12:27.069
We love one another because we want the same
00:12:27.069 --> 00:12:29.905
The way we're treated.
00:12:29.905 --> 00:12:32.541
Jesus loves us.
00:12:32.541 --> 00:12:33.909
We have to show that love to one another.
00:12:33.909 --> 00:12:40.883
I don't know about you, but i love the scripture
00:12:41.917 --> 00:12:44.820
That says that when you give to the poor or you
00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:47.423
Give to those that are in need, you lend
00:12:47.423 --> 00:12:50.726
To the lord.
00:12:50.726 --> 00:12:52.428
How amazing is that?
00:12:52.428 --> 00:12:54.563
I get the opportunity to partner with god, i use
00:12:54.563 --> 00:12:59.368
My resources to take care of others and then god
00:12:59.368 --> 00:13:03.706
Pays me back.
00:13:03.706 --> 00:13:05.808
I don't know about you, but i would rather loan
00:13:05.808 --> 00:13:09.144
God money any day of the week.
00:13:09.144 --> 00:13:12.081
But it's such a great opportunity to be able to
00:13:12.081 --> 00:13:15.251
See the smiles and to express the love of god
00:13:15.251 --> 00:13:19.622
Towards others, so partner with god today.
00:13:19.622 --> 00:13:23.359
It's the season for sharing.
00:13:23.359 --> 00:13:25.261
We want you to join the conversation and connect
00:13:25.261 --> 00:13:28.063
With us on social media.
00:13:28.063 --> 00:13:30.432
You can ask a question.
00:13:30.432 --> 00:13:31.600
You can share our prayer requests and make friends
00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:33.869
With women all over the world getting
00:13:33.869 --> 00:13:35.471
Better together.
00:13:35.471 --> 00:13:37.806
Let's keep the conversation going.
00:13:37.806 --> 00:13:39.942
You can find the better together podcast on your
00:13:39.942 --> 00:13:41.877
Favorite listening platform. subscribe today.
00:13:41.877 --> 00:13:45.547
♪♪
00:13:45.547 --> 00:13:46.007
♪♪
00:13:46.007 --> 00:13:51.720
One of the things that we really love to do is when
00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:53.923
We go out or whatever, we like to pay for whoever
00:13:53.923 --> 00:13:57.159
We invited, whatever their meal. in this
00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:59.061
Season, again, i've been trying to be a better
00:13:59.061 --> 00:14:00.496
Steward over finances and we took, this company
00:14:00.496 --> 00:14:04.767
Reached out that had this little museum thing and
00:14:04.767 --> 00:14:07.736
They were like, if you post on social media,
00:14:07.736 --> 00:14:09.204
We'll give you free tickets.
00:14:09.204 --> 00:14:10.205
So i was like, great.
00:14:10.205 --> 00:14:11.373
So i took my daughter and then i took all her
00:14:11.373 --> 00:14:13.409
Little friends.
00:14:13.409 --> 00:14:14.510
It was about three of her other little friends and
00:14:14.510 --> 00:14:16.345
We went to california pizza kitchen and we sat
00:14:16.345 --> 00:14:18.380
Down and their parents had already given me
00:14:18.380 --> 00:14:21.083
Money for their lunch and all the things, and my
00:14:21.083 --> 00:14:24.420
Daughter at the very beginning of the lunch
00:14:24.420 --> 00:14:26.956
Was like, okay, girls, what do y'all want?
00:14:26.956 --> 00:14:29.792
My mom's going to pay for everything.
00:14:29.792 --> 00:14:31.226
And i was like ah! oh no, but it's because she's so
00:14:31.226 --> 00:14:35.164
Used to us doing it right.
00:14:35.164 --> 00:14:36.498
She's so used to it.
00:14:36.498 --> 00:14:37.733
You understood.
00:14:37.733 --> 00:14:38.767
And i'm telling you in the moment, this is, oh,
00:14:38.767 --> 00:14:41.203
This makes me want to cry. in the moment,
00:14:41.203 --> 00:14:42.671
I was like, no, maybe not this time.
00:14:42.671 --> 00:14:48.243
And i was like, lord, what do we think here?
00:14:48.243 --> 00:14:50.946
What are we doing?
00:14:50.946 --> 00:14:52.081
I just didn't feel any kind of struggle with
00:14:52.081 --> 00:14:55.150
Paying for it.
00:14:55.150 --> 00:14:55.951
I just pay for it.
00:14:55.951 --> 00:14:57.186
So one of her friends is vegan, gluten and dairy free.
00:14:57.186 --> 00:15:00.622
She's got some stuff going on and i asked the waitress,
00:15:00.622 --> 00:15:04.193
I said, hey, do you guys have a gluten-free option?
00:15:04.193 --> 00:15:07.730
She's like, oh yeah, absolutely.
00:15:07.730 --> 00:15:08.964
I'm like, awesome.
00:15:08.964 --> 00:15:10.132
Boom, little cauliflower pizza, whatever.
00:15:10.132 --> 00:15:11.166
We're doing our thing,
00:15:11.166 --> 00:15:12.801
And they bring all the pizzas for the girls and
00:15:12.801 --> 00:15:15.804
They set down the pizza in front of her friend
00:15:15.804 --> 00:15:18.841
That's gluten free.
00:15:18.841 --> 00:15:20.109
And i was like, wait, wait, wait.
00:15:20.109 --> 00:15:20.943
That's cheese.
00:15:20.943 --> 00:15:21.610
She can't have the dairy.
00:15:21.610 --> 00:15:22.911
And they're like, oh, we can't make the pizza.
00:15:22.911 --> 00:15:24.613
The cauliflower doesn't stick together without
00:15:24.613 --> 00:15:26.648
The dairy.
00:15:26.648 --> 00:15:28.083
And i felt so bad.
00:15:28.083 --> 00:15:29.485
I was like, oh my goodness, all these and
00:15:29.485 --> 00:15:30.719
The other girls are devouring their
00:15:30.719 --> 00:15:32.888
Cheese pizza.
00:15:32.888 --> 00:15:33.655
They're just going for it.
00:15:33.655 --> 00:15:35.324
And the waitress is like, i'm so sorry.
00:15:35.324 --> 00:15:36.759
I didn't realize it.
00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.593
I was like, it's all good.
00:15:37.593 --> 00:15:38.994
The manager comes over-- he gave you all the food
00:15:38.994 --> 00:15:41.997
For free.
00:15:41.997 --> 00:15:43.999
Oh wow.
00:15:43.999 --> 00:15:45.401
The manager comes over and says, hey, we're so
00:15:45.401 --> 00:15:47.036
Sorry this wasn't explained.
00:15:47.036 --> 00:15:48.270
Your waitresses new.
00:15:48.270 --> 00:15:49.705
She didn't realize that the dairy, she just
00:15:49.705 --> 00:15:51.240
Thought the gluten just don't worry about any of this.
00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:54.810
Do you guys need anything?
00:15:54.810 --> 00:15:55.744
Y'all want boxes, $0.
00:15:55.744 --> 00:15:59.348
And i just feel like it was just this subtle
00:15:59.348 --> 00:16:04.153
Little reminder that god is-- he doesn't want us
00:16:04.153 --> 00:16:08.390
To be stingy.
00:16:08.390 --> 00:16:09.491
He doesn't want us to be selfish.
00:16:09.491 --> 00:16:11.160
The heart of god is, i mean gold plated
00:16:11.160 --> 00:16:14.730
With generosity.
00:16:14.730 --> 00:16:16.131
He came to give us his life.
00:16:16.131 --> 00:16:19.068
It is the act of the father.
00:16:19.068 --> 00:16:21.470
And i just feel like no matter what we have, no
00:16:21.470 --> 00:16:22.838
Matter what we're going through, he's like, i'm
00:16:22.838 --> 00:16:24.473
Creating ways for you to be generous even when you
00:16:24.473 --> 00:16:27.609
Don't have it, because it's not about what you
00:16:27.609 --> 00:16:29.778
Have, it's about your heart posture towards--
00:16:29.778 --> 00:16:31.914
That's the difference.
00:16:31.914 --> 00:16:33.816
You had a heart posture to give to
00:16:33.816 --> 00:16:36.518
Be generous.
00:16:36.518 --> 00:16:37.986
And i think that's where we take on the
00:16:37.986 --> 00:16:40.656
Responsibility of god a lot because we think just
00:16:40.656 --> 00:16:42.958
Because i want to give or god tells us to give or
00:16:42.958 --> 00:16:47.062
Tells us to do certain things that we have to
00:16:47.062 --> 00:16:49.331
Provide what we give to the others, and all god
00:16:49.331 --> 00:16:52.334
Did is tell us is to purpose in our heart.
00:16:52.334 --> 00:16:55.804
If you got a heart that's purposeful, that wants to
00:16:55.804 --> 00:16:58.941
Provide, that wants to give, that's all he needs.
00:16:58.941 --> 00:17:02.411
He needs somebody who's willing.
00:17:02.411 --> 00:17:03.879
We live in a society where everybody feels
00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:07.015
Entitled to something that someone else has, right?
00:17:07.015 --> 00:17:10.919
Well, i want you to shift how you think about
00:17:10.919 --> 00:17:16.658
Everybody is supposed to give to you and allow
00:17:16.658 --> 00:17:21.063
Yourself to develop and grow a posture of giving
00:17:21.063 --> 00:17:24.700
To someone else.
00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:26.401
If you want to receive, you have to know you have
00:17:26.401 --> 00:17:29.404
To sow.
00:17:29.404 --> 00:17:31.640
And god created us to be a blessing.
00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:34.243
He says that he has blessed us to be
00:17:34.243 --> 00:17:36.979
A blessing.
00:17:36.979 --> 00:17:38.080
So if you want to cultivate that posture
00:17:38.080 --> 00:17:40.449
And that position, start wherever you are.
00:17:40.449 --> 00:17:43.552
If it's just a hug or a smile or a hello or a
00:17:43.552 --> 00:17:48.490
Text, you develop that.
00:17:48.490 --> 00:17:50.893
The more you do that, the more grateful people will
00:17:50.893 --> 00:17:54.897
Be when you do that, and it will put a demand on
00:17:54.897 --> 00:17:58.734
Your heart to do more.
00:17:58.734 --> 00:18:01.203
So start today with whatever you have and
00:18:01.203 --> 00:18:03.839
Wherever you are in life to be a giver of
00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:07.442
God's goodness.
00:18:07.442 --> 00:18:10.312
Okay, so luke 6:38 i feel like is such a
00:18:10.312 --> 00:18:12.514
Clear scripture.
00:18:12.514 --> 00:18:14.082
I love it when there are clear scriptures
00:18:14.082 --> 00:18:16.485
In the bible.
00:18:16.485 --> 00:18:17.419
I'm like, tell me what to do.
00:18:17.419 --> 00:18:18.287
I'm down for the cause.
00:18:18.287 --> 00:18:19.321
I mean jesus said literally give and it
00:18:19.321 --> 00:18:23.692
Will be. not maybe, might. give and it will be
00:18:23.692 --> 00:18:26.094
Given to you,
00:18:26.094 --> 00:18:27.262
A good measure pressed down, shaken together and
00:18:27.262 --> 00:18:29.097
Running over will be poured into your lap for
00:18:29.097 --> 00:18:31.733
With the measure you use, it'll be measured to you.
00:18:31.733 --> 00:18:34.636
It's such a clear indication of
00:18:34.636 --> 00:18:36.238
Direction for us.
00:18:36.238 --> 00:18:38.340
Yes, yes.
00:18:38.340 --> 00:18:39.341
It's just give.
00:18:39.341 --> 00:18:40.342
It's coming back.
00:18:40.342 --> 00:18:42.010
My dad used to say all the time, if you got it
00:18:42.010 --> 00:18:43.345
To give, give it. i'd be like, okay, thank you.
00:18:43.345 --> 00:18:45.547
I was a little stingy as a little girl and i just
00:18:45.547 --> 00:18:47.516
Feel like that's just jesus and his directive
00:18:47.516 --> 00:18:50.085
And it's so clear and easy to see.
00:18:50.085 --> 00:18:51.453
That's beautiful.
00:18:51.453 --> 00:18:53.055
This just a promise. give and it will be.
00:18:53.055 --> 00:18:55.991
You will not lack with a heart
00:18:55.991 --> 00:18:58.427
Of generosity.
00:18:58.427 --> 00:18:59.761
That actually reminds me of when my family and i,
00:18:59.761 --> 00:19:02.297
When we started to church plant during 2020, and i
00:19:02.297 --> 00:19:07.102
Mean long story short, we went into the church
00:19:07.102 --> 00:19:09.638
Plant with everything just kind of set.
00:19:09.638 --> 00:19:11.406
We had a building, we had a team, we had funding.
00:19:11.406 --> 00:19:14.509
It was all good, but global trauma happened.,
00:19:14.509 --> 00:19:18.780
Little pandemic, and basically it was this
00:19:18.780 --> 00:19:22.050
Divine interruption, holy interruption.
00:19:22.050 --> 00:19:23.952
But within a week we lost everything.
00:19:23.952 --> 00:19:26.054
And then it came down to this choice.
00:19:26.054 --> 00:19:29.358
Do we keep doing this or do we do the practical
00:19:29.358 --> 00:19:32.661
Thing and find a job?
00:19:32.661 --> 00:19:36.898
We had to really discern and pray because
00:19:36.898 --> 00:19:38.934
Basically we didn't have income since december, 2019.
00:19:38.934 --> 00:19:44.006
We went into this church planting journey thinking
00:19:44.006 --> 00:19:46.808
We had a plan and the plan was pulled out
00:19:46.808 --> 00:19:49.711
From underneath us.
00:19:49.711 --> 00:19:51.213
Dave and i, we just really felt like the lord
00:19:51.213 --> 00:19:54.116
Was calling us to continue with this vision
00:19:54.116 --> 00:19:58.053
And to really sow into our region and love a
00:19:58.053 --> 00:20:01.456
Community to life.
00:20:01.456 --> 00:20:02.858
And we really felt that impetus from the lord.
00:20:02.858 --> 00:20:05.394
But then it just came down to funding.
00:20:05.394 --> 00:20:07.796
But we don't
00:20:07.796 --> 00:20:09.231
Have it.
00:20:09.231 --> 00:20:10.499
But what we did have coming into this whole
00:20:10.499 --> 00:20:12.367
Situation was we actually had our life savings.
00:20:12.367 --> 00:20:16.071
We were hoping at a certain point to be
00:20:16.071 --> 00:20:18.774
Buying a house which we were saving in hopes to.
00:20:18.774 --> 00:20:23.211
This is it.
00:20:23.211 --> 00:20:24.813
We were really stewarding our finances and we're
00:20:24.813 --> 00:20:26.348
Doing what we can to really set us up to make
00:20:26.348 --> 00:20:29.751
This down payment one day.
00:20:29.751 --> 00:20:31.987
And we had that and we spent years saving up
00:20:31.987 --> 00:20:34.823
For that.
00:20:34.823 --> 00:20:35.957
But we just felt like the lord was saying, what you
00:20:35.957 --> 00:20:38.727
Have i gave, that's on me too.
00:20:38.727 --> 00:20:42.064
It belongs to me.
00:20:42.064 --> 00:20:43.165
It belongs to-- and still belongs to me. for the
00:20:43.165 --> 00:20:47.436
Next year if that was actually our on-ramp
00:20:47.436 --> 00:20:51.840
Towards the church plant.
00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:53.909
Everything we had was to go into this church.
00:20:53.909 --> 00:20:58.714
And now let me tell you just on just an emotional
00:20:58.714 --> 00:21:05.854
Level, when you have four children, it was not
00:21:05.854 --> 00:21:08.623
Always easy, especially because when you are
00:21:08.623 --> 00:21:11.526
Building a spiritual community, it's not like
00:21:11.526 --> 00:21:15.731
People are like, wow, thank you.
00:21:15.731 --> 00:21:18.433
Not that that's what i wanted from them.
00:21:18.433 --> 00:21:20.502
But it's difficult when you're like, wow, this
00:21:20.502 --> 00:21:23.472
Could have gone to basketball camp.
00:21:23.472 --> 00:21:25.874
This could have gone to another outfit for my kids.
00:21:25.874 --> 00:21:30.145
But there was this promise, seek first the
00:21:30.145 --> 00:21:34.549
Kingdom and his righteousness and all
00:21:34.549 --> 00:21:36.518
These things will be given on to you.
00:21:36.518 --> 00:21:38.086
There was that
00:21:38.086 --> 00:21:39.421
Promise that to give and with that measure will be
00:21:39.421 --> 00:21:41.957
Measured, right?
00:21:41.957 --> 00:21:43.291
Let me tell you, once we committed to giving and
00:21:43.291 --> 00:21:45.227
Sewing into this community and just giving
00:21:45.227 --> 00:21:47.229
Everything that we had, not only did we have
00:21:47.229 --> 00:21:50.632
Everything that we need, never missed rent, never
00:21:50.632 --> 00:21:55.003
Missed a payment, but we had more than enough.
00:21:55.003 --> 00:21:59.608
And i'll never forget how there was this one day
00:21:59.608 --> 00:22:02.811
When we felt this unction to star worship services
00:22:02.811 --> 00:22:06.715
Before we launched.
00:22:06.715 --> 00:22:08.283
And i remember laughing and telling my husband, i
00:22:08.283 --> 00:22:11.186
Don't know if we heard god, right?
00:22:11.186 --> 00:22:12.721
Because number one, who would we do this worship
00:22:12.721 --> 00:22:17.125
Service with and with what?
00:22:17.125 --> 00:22:20.262
Because we had a microphone stand in our
00:22:20.262 --> 00:22:21.830
Garage with no microphone.
00:22:21.830 --> 00:22:23.865
That's all we have. legit.
00:22:23.865 --> 00:22:26.067
Literally, we had nothing for worship service.
00:22:26.067 --> 00:22:29.104
The praises aren't going up.
00:22:29.104 --> 00:22:31.006
We're staying right here, right here
00:22:31.006 --> 00:22:32.707
In the vicinity.
00:22:32.707 --> 00:22:34.543
But then we just felt like, you know what?
00:22:34.543 --> 00:22:39.514
We have nothing to lose at this point.
00:22:39.514 --> 00:22:40.816
Literally, we were at that point where we're
00:22:40.816 --> 00:22:42.284
Like, yeah, we have
00:22:42.284 --> 00:22:44.119
Nothing to lose.
00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:45.253
And so we just made the announcement that we're
00:22:45.253 --> 00:22:46.588
Holding this worship service.
00:22:46.588 --> 00:22:47.989
One week before the service, we get a call
00:22:47.989 --> 00:22:50.492
From a church in new york city and this pastor was
00:22:50.492 --> 00:22:54.563
Like, so do you guys need stuff?
00:22:54.563 --> 00:22:58.467
And we're like, we need all of it,
00:22:58.467 --> 00:23:00.635
Everything.
00:23:00.635 --> 00:23:02.003
And the next day, my husband came in with a
00:23:02.003 --> 00:23:06.074
Couple people and we had two u-haul filled
00:23:06.074 --> 00:23:09.945
With equipment.
00:23:09.945 --> 00:23:11.480
I'm telling you about a 100k worth of equipment.
00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:16.818
We didn't even have just enough for a service.
00:23:16.818 --> 00:23:18.920
We had enough to run a whole church.
00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:21.356
I love it.
00:23:21.356 --> 00:23:22.357
We're still using that equipment.
00:23:22.357 --> 00:23:23.859
We had children's equipment, we had
00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:25.894
Laptops, we had everything that we needed
00:23:25.894 --> 00:23:30.232
To be running a church.
00:23:30.232 --> 00:23:32.734
And so see how much he needed you? if i
00:23:32.734 --> 00:23:36.404
Truly believe that god is my father, then that
00:23:36.404 --> 00:23:38.807
Would free me to live this life of generosity.
00:23:38.807 --> 00:23:42.911
And that's what christmas is.
00:23:42.911 --> 00:23:44.412
Love it.
00:23:44.412 --> 00:23:45.814
That god came down so that we could have access
00:23:45.814 --> 00:23:48.416
To a father.
00:23:48.416 --> 00:23:49.651
So the responsibility of us surviving, that's on
00:23:49.651 --> 00:23:53.755
Our father.
00:23:53.755 --> 00:23:56.157
God will show you how to sow your seed if you pray
00:23:56.157 --> 00:23:59.794
About it.
00:23:59.794 --> 00:24:01.229
I am a giver.
00:24:01.229 --> 00:24:02.931
That's probably my number one gift.
00:24:02.931 --> 00:24:06.434
And so i had to bring it in balance because i
00:24:06.434 --> 00:24:10.071
Wanted to give the farm away.
00:24:10.071 --> 00:24:11.907
So i had to ask the holy spirit, you tell me when
00:24:11.907 --> 00:24:15.911
Somebody is in need.
00:24:15.911 --> 00:24:18.780
Not long ago, it was been about six or eight months
00:24:18.780 --> 00:24:21.783
Ago, i was coming out of lowe's parking lot and i
00:24:21.783 --> 00:24:27.088
Saw an older lady, the holy spirit said, go back
00:24:27.088 --> 00:24:31.026
To her and give her this money in your pocket.
00:24:31.026 --> 00:24:33.161
I said, okay.
00:24:33.161 --> 00:24:34.396
So i drove over.
00:24:34.396 --> 00:24:36.197
I said, lord, don't let her leave.
00:24:36.197 --> 00:24:37.332
Don't let her leave the parking--
00:24:37.332 --> 00:24:38.466
She was walking and i went back and gave her
00:24:38.466 --> 00:24:41.903
This money and she said, oh my goodness.
00:24:41.903 --> 00:24:45.740
Here she had been a pastor's wife from some far away
00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:49.578
Place and she really needed a hundred dollars.
00:24:49.578 --> 00:24:55.417
And i had given her.
00:24:55.417 --> 00:24:57.118
She said, i just called the only person i knew
00:24:57.118 --> 00:24:59.788
Could help me, and they didn't have the money, and
00:24:59.788 --> 00:25:04.459
God has given me the money.
00:25:04.459 --> 00:25:07.295
It's no big deal.
00:25:07.295 --> 00:25:10.131
Anybody can do that.
00:25:10.131 --> 00:25:12.801
You just have to be open to it.
00:25:12.801 --> 00:25:14.569
And it doesn't happen to me every day that i give
00:25:14.569 --> 00:25:17.939
Somebody a hundred dollars, but i'm just
00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:19.708
Saying that was no hard thing for god.
00:25:19.708 --> 00:25:25.747
God knew that lady's heart and knew what she needed,
00:25:25.747 --> 00:25:29.851
And i didn't know until he told me.
00:25:29.851 --> 00:25:32.320
So there. i just did it.
00:25:32.320 --> 00:25:34.489
You can do it too.
00:25:34.489 --> 00:25:37.058
I'm sitting here thinking about generosity and
00:25:37.058 --> 00:25:39.394
I'm like, man, i'm a great giver.
00:25:39.394 --> 00:25:40.762
But you know what's real hard? receiving.
00:25:40.762 --> 00:25:44.633
Really?
00:25:44.633 --> 00:25:46.134
Talk about it, talk about it.
00:25:46.134 --> 00:25:48.169
This past year, it's interesting because while
00:25:48.169 --> 00:25:51.806
I have felt in moments, why can't i be generous?
00:25:51.806 --> 00:25:54.776
Why can't i do this?
00:25:54.776 --> 00:25:56.344
I have also-- well, not me, but the lord has also
00:25:56.344 --> 00:26:00.215
Cultivated in me a willingness to receive.
00:26:00.215 --> 00:26:03.618
And i remember when i had to make a very difficult
00:26:03.618 --> 00:26:05.687
Decision and moved me and my kids and our nanny
00:26:05.687 --> 00:26:08.923
Into a new house.
00:26:08.923 --> 00:26:10.525
I was so sad.
00:26:10.525 --> 00:26:11.726
I mean, i had built kind of like my dream house.
00:26:11.726 --> 00:26:15.296
I thought we would grow old in this house.
00:26:15.296 --> 00:26:16.965
We even painted walls. that's how you know we are in.
00:26:16.965 --> 00:26:20.435
I changed out the chandelier to cool little--
00:26:20.435 --> 00:26:23.538
All the things, and i was so sad
00:26:23.538 --> 00:26:25.940
To leave this house. and i remember
00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:28.009
I flew my mom out a week before,
00:26:28.009 --> 00:26:29.544
And i'm packing up the house and getting the
00:26:29.544 --> 00:26:31.046
Kids' stuff ready, and there was a lot that
00:26:31.046 --> 00:26:32.781
We just left. we just couldn't. it was a lot.
00:26:32.781 --> 00:26:35.784
And i remember i was like, man,
00:26:35.784 --> 00:26:38.953
How am i going to get, i need to get a new couch.
00:26:38.953 --> 00:26:40.622
I need to get all these things and we just can't
00:26:40.622 --> 00:26:42.724
Afford it. and my counselor was like,
00:26:42.724 --> 00:26:45.727
Why don't you maybe let your friends help you?
00:26:45.727 --> 00:26:47.662
I'm like, i mean, no. she was like, why?
00:26:47.662 --> 00:26:51.466
Let's dig a little deeper.
00:26:51.466 --> 00:26:52.734
I said, well, i mean it may not match.
00:26:52.734 --> 00:26:56.204
They may give me some furniture that's a little...
00:26:56.204 --> 00:26:58.273
She's like, wow, okay.
00:26:58.273 --> 00:27:01.609
She was like, that's so interesting that you
00:27:01.609 --> 00:27:03.144
Would say that because you are in a real crisis
00:27:03.144 --> 00:27:06.081
Situation. you're being really picky.
00:27:06.081 --> 00:27:08.450
And she was like, and that just doesn't even
00:27:08.450 --> 00:27:11.920
Sound like you.
00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:13.254
What do you think is underneath that?
00:27:13.254 --> 00:27:14.889
And i was like, i think honestly, i'm ashamed.
00:27:14.889 --> 00:27:17.926
It's difficult to be a grown woman with children,
00:27:17.926 --> 00:27:23.465
And i'm to the point where i have to ask for
00:27:23.465 --> 00:27:27.268
Help to furnish my house.
00:27:27.268 --> 00:27:29.237
And it's crazy because i have this beautiful group
00:27:29.237 --> 00:27:32.841
Therapy group called a confessional community,
00:27:32.841 --> 00:27:34.676
And we have been doing life together for three
00:27:34.676 --> 00:27:36.144
Years. and one of my friends in the group
00:27:36.144 --> 00:27:38.413
Created an amazon wishlist.
00:27:38.413 --> 00:27:41.649
She just texted me on the side and she was like,
00:27:41.649 --> 00:27:43.184
What do you guys need for the house?
00:27:43.184 --> 00:27:44.486
And i'm like, all, everything from the top to the bottom.
00:27:44.486 --> 00:27:47.155
And i remember my counselor saying on that
00:27:47.155 --> 00:27:49.758
Session, would you want a home that's aesthetically
00:27:49.758 --> 00:27:53.461
Pleasing or one that you get to walk around and
00:27:53.461 --> 00:27:57.165
See parts of your community come for you
00:27:57.165 --> 00:28:00.702
And your kids who love you.
00:28:00.702 --> 00:28:02.370
That's so good.
00:28:02.370 --> 00:28:03.471
And you walk into my front door now into my
00:28:03.471 --> 00:28:05.406
Little living room, and the couch set is from my
00:28:05.406 --> 00:28:08.943
Best friend, ashley; and the rug is from my friend
00:28:08.943 --> 00:28:12.247
Lindsay. and you keep going upstairs.
00:28:12.247 --> 00:28:15.850
And my daughter's room was furnished by our
00:28:15.850 --> 00:28:17.685
Friend jackie hill perry. and you go into my room,
00:28:17.685 --> 00:28:21.055
That's actually really cute.
00:28:21.055 --> 00:28:23.024
And my bed and my little mirror was given to me by
00:28:23.024 --> 00:28:26.060
Lisa whittle and ordered my big old rug that i
00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:29.998
Have beautiful little black rug was given by
00:28:29.998 --> 00:28:31.900
My confessional community.
00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:33.601
And just all of these little beautiful
00:28:33.601 --> 00:28:36.104
Reminders that it's incredible to be able to
00:28:36.104 --> 00:28:39.541
Give and to be generous.
00:28:39.541 --> 00:28:41.576
And also i think the gift of being able to receive
00:28:41.576 --> 00:28:46.514
Is really about us having a posture of
00:28:46.514 --> 00:28:48.850
Complete surrender.
00:28:48.850 --> 00:28:50.752
That sometimes things are pressed down and shaken
00:28:50.752 --> 00:28:53.621
Together and running over and given to you unto
00:28:53.621 --> 00:28:56.825
God's people, through god's people.
00:28:56.825 --> 00:28:59.594
And if i trust in a god that says he'll provide
00:28:59.594 --> 00:29:02.063
For me, why won't i trust his people to be like
00:29:02.063 --> 00:29:05.433
Him, to reflect him, to give like him?
00:29:05.433 --> 00:29:08.803
And so maybe for some of us in this season,
00:29:08.803 --> 00:29:10.471
It isn't just about giving and being
00:29:10.471 --> 00:29:12.540
Generous, and i think that's a great part of
00:29:12.540 --> 00:29:14.242
It, but it's maybe about learning how to receive.
00:29:14.242 --> 00:29:19.147
I think that it is so important for us to
00:29:19.147 --> 00:29:22.150
Figure out all of the different barriers that
00:29:22.150 --> 00:29:24.919
Keep us from receiving when we really actually
00:29:24.919 --> 00:29:27.288
Need the help.
00:29:27.288 --> 00:29:28.690
Sometimes it's a scarcity mindset.
00:29:28.690 --> 00:29:30.959
It is, i'm not worthy enough.
00:29:30.959 --> 00:29:33.461
I've not proven myself enough to be able
00:29:33.461 --> 00:29:36.497
To receive help.
00:29:36.497 --> 00:29:37.932
Sometimes our worth is caught up in the control
00:29:37.932 --> 00:29:40.435
And that i can do it all by myself.
00:29:40.435 --> 00:29:42.303
I want to be super mom.
00:29:42.303 --> 00:29:43.571
I want to be a superhero.
00:29:43.571 --> 00:29:45.607
I want to be seen as having it all together.
00:29:45.607 --> 00:29:48.476
Sometimes that's the barrier that we just want
00:29:48.476 --> 00:29:52.647
For people to see us as more than what
00:29:52.647 --> 00:29:54.983
We actually are.
00:29:54.983 --> 00:29:56.885
But i think if we just completely surrender to
00:29:56.885 --> 00:29:59.153
The lord, if we're honest about our inadequacies,
00:29:59.153 --> 00:30:02.490
If we are honest about the barriers that's
00:30:02.490 --> 00:30:04.359
Keeping us from receiving,
00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:05.860
Even saying things like, it's really difficult for
00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:08.363
Me to receive this, but i'm going to do it anyway.
00:30:08.363 --> 00:30:10.832
I think will condition us over time to
00:30:10.832 --> 00:30:12.901
Understand that we are worthy of help.
00:30:12.901 --> 00:30:16.638
We are worthy to receive, and we do not want to
00:30:16.638 --> 00:30:20.441
Block someone else's blessing who's trying to
00:30:20.441 --> 00:30:23.278
Bless us by being generous or by helping us.
00:30:23.278 --> 00:30:26.180
So open those hands up, get ready to receive,
00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:29.217
Be open.
00:30:29.217 --> 00:30:32.553
If you really, really, really think about the
00:30:32.553 --> 00:30:35.023
Meaning of christmas--
00:30:35.023 --> 00:30:37.525
So the fact that god sent his son,
00:30:37.525 --> 00:30:43.364
And this is speaking of generosity.
00:30:43.364 --> 00:30:46.668
I mean, jesus could have come as a king.
00:30:46.668 --> 00:30:49.704
He could have come as a rich man,
00:30:49.704 --> 00:30:51.806
But to come fully just in humility.
00:30:51.806 --> 00:30:55.877
Lowly. vulnerably.
00:30:55.877 --> 00:30:58.746
Jesus' neck was probably weak like ours is as a baby.
00:30:58.746 --> 00:31:03.952
Literally. and we speak of generosity.
00:31:03.952 --> 00:31:07.221
And i don't think anyone will fully be able to
00:31:07.221 --> 00:31:11.025
Appreciate that.
00:31:11.025 --> 00:31:12.260
I know i will have difficulty appreciating
00:31:12.260 --> 00:31:15.396
That unless i know how much i need it.
00:31:15.396 --> 00:31:19.434
And i wonder sometimes, is it hard to be generous
00:31:19.434 --> 00:31:26.407
Because we have not tasted fully of god's generosity?
00:31:26.407 --> 00:31:32.080
That's good.
00:31:32.080 --> 00:31:33.581
Are we just like, oh, thank you for the ticket
00:31:33.581 --> 00:31:35.316
To heaven, or thank you for coming in to be the
00:31:35.316 --> 00:31:39.487
Savior of the mess that i've created for myself.
00:31:39.487 --> 00:31:43.624
Can we admit that we need grace?
00:31:43.624 --> 00:31:47.762
Can we admit that we mismanaged power
00:31:47.762 --> 00:31:51.966
While jesus came in and used power in such a
00:31:51.966 --> 00:31:56.137
Radically different way.
00:31:56.137 --> 00:31:59.574
He fought with love, he led with humility.
00:31:59.574 --> 00:32:04.145
He served, he washed feet,
00:32:04.145 --> 00:32:06.381
He touched the lepers.
00:32:06.381 --> 00:32:10.618
He could have come in with a sword.
00:32:10.618 --> 00:32:12.854
He could have come in with a program.
00:32:12.854 --> 00:32:14.655
He could have come in with an army of angels.
00:32:14.655 --> 00:32:18.726
He could have forced us to get down on our knees,
00:32:18.726 --> 00:32:22.663
But yet in his generosity,
00:32:22.663 --> 00:32:26.834
He came down so humble, meek to save us.
00:32:26.834 --> 00:32:32.774
And unless we know how to receive that and
00:32:32.774 --> 00:32:35.843
Appreciate that for what it is,
00:32:35.843 --> 00:32:38.946
We will be in that rut too, where we're like,
00:32:38.946 --> 00:32:41.182
I dunno.
00:32:41.182 --> 00:32:42.784
I think i care more about what my christmas looks
00:32:42.784 --> 00:32:45.553
Like than what it actually is.
00:32:45.553 --> 00:32:48.256
I mean, the scripture's clear again.
00:32:48.256 --> 00:32:49.924
It's like we are many members, but we're one body.
00:32:49.924 --> 00:32:52.160
And the bible talks about how we all have a
00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:54.695
Supply for one another.
00:32:54.695 --> 00:32:56.364
I need you.
00:32:56.364 --> 00:32:58.266
I cannot do life without you.
00:32:58.266 --> 00:33:00.635
We are the salt of the earth.
00:33:00.635 --> 00:33:04.138
We are the light of the world.
00:33:04.138 --> 00:33:06.874
We shine brighter together,
00:33:06.874 --> 00:33:08.976
We preserve more together.
00:33:08.976 --> 00:33:12.413
And so we have to be vulnerable enough not
00:33:12.413 --> 00:33:14.849
Just to give but to receive because we all need.
00:33:14.849 --> 00:33:18.953
That's right.
00:33:18.953 --> 00:33:19.921
We're all in need of something,
00:33:19.921 --> 00:33:21.856
Whether it's a hug, a smile, a rug,
00:33:21.856 --> 00:33:24.292
A bed or whatever.
00:33:24.292 --> 00:33:26.761
It's like we have to stay in a position of being,
00:33:26.761 --> 00:33:29.497
Because god can only use man, he's not
00:33:29.497 --> 00:33:32.533
Using anything else to-- we're plan a.
00:33:32.533 --> 00:33:34.969
Yeah, we are plan a.
00:33:34.969 --> 00:33:36.737
There's no plan b. there's no plan b.
00:33:36.737 --> 00:33:39.440
It's us. this is it.
00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:40.875
And we are praying, asking god for all of
00:33:40.875 --> 00:33:43.945
This to happen, but yet we won't receive
00:33:43.945 --> 00:33:47.248
When he sends it to us.
00:33:47.248 --> 00:33:50.118
Jesus can be the biggest gift that we give during
00:33:50.118 --> 00:33:52.520
This time of the year.
00:33:52.520 --> 00:33:53.855
And that's just because it's kind of an easy
00:33:53.855 --> 00:33:55.990
Entryway. we're talking about his birthday,
00:33:55.990 --> 00:33:58.793
We're singing his songs, and a lot of these
00:33:58.793 --> 00:34:00.862
Traditions are really around the story of him
00:34:00.862 --> 00:34:03.965
Coming onto this earth.
00:34:03.965 --> 00:34:05.533
And so i would say just taking advantage of those
00:34:05.533 --> 00:34:07.702
Moments when you're singing the songs and
00:34:07.702 --> 00:34:10.404
Singing those carols, just really sharing the
00:34:10.404 --> 00:34:13.307
Good news, sharing your story about that.
00:34:13.307 --> 00:34:15.710
When you give gifts, talk about the gift
00:34:15.710 --> 00:34:18.012
That was given to you.
00:34:18.012 --> 00:34:19.647
So i would say just really taking advantage
00:34:19.647 --> 00:34:21.549
Of the moment and using that as an open doorway
00:34:21.549 --> 00:34:25.286
For people to know the true meaning of what
00:34:25.286 --> 00:34:27.021
They're actually participating in.
00:34:27.021 --> 00:34:29.557
Join the conversation on our better together
00:34:30.625 --> 00:34:32.460
Youtube channel.
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Subscribe today and never miss a new upload.
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00:34:38.999 --> 00:34:43.038
My favorite thing about christmas,
00:34:43.805 --> 00:34:46.542
It's actually giving gifts.
00:34:46.542 --> 00:34:49.077
Now i'm not just talking about stuff,
00:34:49.077 --> 00:34:50.979
I just go and run to the mall and pick it up.
00:34:50.979 --> 00:34:53.682
I don't mean that.
00:34:53.682 --> 00:34:54.950
I mean what makes christmas so fun for me is i have
00:34:54.950 --> 00:35:00.088
Discovered as i think about the other person,
00:35:00.088 --> 00:35:03.592
As i ponder their likes, their dislikes,
00:35:03.592 --> 00:35:07.396
Where they are in their life,
00:35:07.396 --> 00:35:09.431
And how i can be a blessing through some
00:35:09.431 --> 00:35:11.867
Kind of an act of love, of a gift, that makes
00:35:11.867 --> 00:35:16.772
Christmas fabulous.
00:35:16.772 --> 00:35:18.740
All i can say is that giving is very much from god.
00:35:18.740 --> 00:35:24.079
He is the great giver.
00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:26.014
And when we imitate him, whoa,
00:35:26.014 --> 00:35:29.218
That brings energy to everything.
00:35:29.218 --> 00:35:32.120
And i got to tell you, that's why i love christmas.
00:35:32.120 --> 00:35:40.295
One sunday morning when we were pastoring,
00:35:41.263 --> 00:35:45.100
I can still remember the house we were in where
00:35:45.100 --> 00:35:47.636
I was sitting, and as loud in my spirit
00:35:47.636 --> 00:35:50.839
Came this word: give!
00:35:50.839 --> 00:35:55.244
I mean it was just like give! oh, it was like lightning
00:35:55.244 --> 00:35:59.448
In my body, generous investments valued eternally.
00:35:59.448 --> 00:36:06.321
And it was like i looked up at god and i said,
00:36:06.321 --> 00:36:08.624
Am i doing the offering today?
00:36:08.624 --> 00:36:11.560
Sure enough, i did.
00:36:11.560 --> 00:36:13.128
Wow.
00:36:13.128 --> 00:36:14.329
Because that was from the throne of heaven,
00:36:14.329 --> 00:36:17.666
Generous investments.
00:36:17.666 --> 00:36:21.637
Now it's going to tell you what it does.
00:36:21.637 --> 00:36:24.840
Valued eternally.
00:36:24.840 --> 00:36:27.709
In other words, that investment is not limited.
00:36:27.709 --> 00:36:31.346
It doesn't have a little cap on it.
00:36:31.346 --> 00:36:35.951
It's forever. what you invest in the kingdom of
00:36:35.951 --> 00:36:40.389
God and in his economy is forever.
00:36:40.389 --> 00:36:48.363
And i love that scripture that god says, it says,
00:36:48.363 --> 00:36:51.300
God gives seed to the sower.
00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:53.368
Come on.
00:36:53.368 --> 00:36:54.403
Oh, that's great.
00:36:54.403 --> 00:36:55.804
My dad used to just say, every seed produces
00:36:55.804 --> 00:37:01.443
Something. every seed produces.
00:37:01.443 --> 00:37:06.181
And so it was like, laurie michelle,
00:37:06.181 --> 00:37:08.917
Just give anything you have.
00:37:08.917 --> 00:37:11.286
God will give you something to give because
00:37:11.286 --> 00:37:14.389
He said that will produce something when you need it.
00:37:14.389 --> 00:37:18.093
Because i've never seen the righteous forsaken.
00:37:18.093 --> 00:37:20.962
And if he says, i take care of the little birds,
00:37:20.962 --> 00:37:24.733
How much more--
00:37:24.733 --> 00:37:26.868
That one little wildflower that's growing
00:37:26.868 --> 00:37:28.437
Out there by itself, there's one out there and
00:37:28.437 --> 00:37:31.740
God's taken care of that. god is pouring rain on that.
00:37:31.740 --> 00:37:36.244
God is-- so no matter where you're at,
00:37:36.244 --> 00:37:40.816
No matter in the world where you're at,
00:37:40.816 --> 00:37:42.718
No matter what little birdie you feel like
00:37:42.718 --> 00:37:44.619
You're all by yourself somewhere,
00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:46.688
God will take care of you.
00:37:46.688 --> 00:37:49.224
If we'll let go. there you are.
00:37:49.224 --> 00:37:53.862
Let go of the struggle and the strife of
00:37:53.862 --> 00:37:58.567
Providing and provision.
00:37:58.567 --> 00:38:00.102
I'm not saying stop working.
00:38:00.102 --> 00:38:01.737
That is not what i'm saying.
00:38:01.737 --> 00:38:03.638
God will take care of us.
00:38:03.638 --> 00:38:04.840
God will give us seed to sow so that we can reap.
00:38:04.840 --> 00:38:08.677
Giving generosity.
00:38:08.677 --> 00:38:10.112
It'll be given back to you.
00:38:10.112 --> 00:38:11.713
You don't have to worry about maybe i gave too
00:38:11.713 --> 00:38:14.049
Much. you can never give too much.
00:38:14.049 --> 00:38:16.318
You can't ever out give god.
00:38:16.318 --> 00:38:18.920
God will pour into your life stuff that you
00:38:18.920 --> 00:38:21.022
Can't pay for, that you can't buy.
00:38:21.022 --> 00:38:23.925
I think it goes back to that scripture, like,
00:38:23.925 --> 00:38:25.494
God loves a cheerful giver.
00:38:25.494 --> 00:38:28.463
Someone who is just like, i cannot wait.
00:38:28.463 --> 00:38:31.533
I get so giddy when i actually ruin surprises
00:38:31.533 --> 00:38:34.970
All the time because i get so overwhelmed.
00:38:34.970 --> 00:38:37.105
I'll be like, she gonna open-- i got you something!
00:38:37.105 --> 00:38:39.508
What? don't say it.
00:38:39.508 --> 00:38:42.844
I cannot make eye contact with the person because
00:38:42.844 --> 00:38:45.747
There is just something about people just
00:38:45.747 --> 00:38:49.251
Receiving that is just so beautiful to me.
00:38:49.251 --> 00:38:51.586
It is.
00:38:51.586 --> 00:38:52.687
And i think over the years,
00:38:52.687 --> 00:38:53.989
One of the things that i've been thinking about
00:38:53.989 --> 00:38:55.557
As i do offerings sometimes is we're giving
00:38:55.557 --> 00:38:59.060
From something, not for something.
00:38:59.060 --> 00:39:02.164
I give because i've got this reserve,
00:39:02.164 --> 00:39:06.735
Not of finances, but of joy.
00:39:06.735 --> 00:39:10.305
I'm cheerful because i have the lord and that
00:39:10.305 --> 00:39:14.776
Joy, it just overflows into the giving.
00:39:14.776 --> 00:39:18.313
But i'm giving from being forgiven.
00:39:18.313 --> 00:39:20.715
I'm giving from being filled with grace and
00:39:20.715 --> 00:39:23.051
Mercy and love because of my father,
00:39:23.051 --> 00:39:25.220
Not for anything.
00:39:25.220 --> 00:39:27.622
And i think when we have that posture,
00:39:27.622 --> 00:39:30.792
I just think giving becomes a little bit different.
00:39:30.792 --> 00:39:33.528
Totally.
00:39:33.528 --> 00:39:34.596
It almost doesn't even seem like it's giving,
00:39:34.596 --> 00:39:36.097
It's like sharing.
00:39:36.097 --> 00:39:37.833
I am sharing in what the lord has already blessed
00:39:37.833 --> 00:39:40.168
Me with. i have an abundance of things.
00:39:40.168 --> 00:39:42.504
This is more sharing than it is anything.
00:39:42.504 --> 00:39:44.473
Look at what god has done.
00:39:44.473 --> 00:39:46.174
Let me show you.
00:39:46.174 --> 00:39:48.376
And i think that just makes it more fun.
00:39:48.376 --> 00:39:50.345
Yeah, it does.
00:39:50.345 --> 00:39:51.313
That's where the cheerful part comes in.
00:39:51.313 --> 00:39:52.747
But then we have to be delivered from this
00:39:52.747 --> 00:39:54.115
Poverty mentality.
00:39:54.115 --> 00:39:56.485
Like if i give, i'll never get again.
00:39:56.485 --> 00:39:59.621
This is the last of what i'm going to have.
00:39:59.621 --> 00:40:02.324
And we cannot do like that.
00:40:02.324 --> 00:40:04.192
It's like we know where the river is.
00:40:04.192 --> 00:40:06.995
You bought me a glass and i pour some out.
00:40:06.995 --> 00:40:10.232
It's not-- empty.
00:40:10.232 --> 00:40:12.000
We know where the river is.
00:40:12.000 --> 00:40:13.869
We go back and get some more of this.
00:40:13.869 --> 00:40:17.939
God says that he loves a cheerful giver.
00:40:17.939 --> 00:40:21.376
And in that same passage of scripture in
00:40:21.376 --> 00:40:23.445
2nd corinthians 9 it says,
00:40:23.445 --> 00:40:26.348
God gives seed to the sower.
00:40:26.348 --> 00:40:29.317
And i think when we are a cheerful giver,
00:40:29.317 --> 00:40:32.153
God will give you seed to plant because
00:40:32.153 --> 00:40:35.156
It reaps a harvest.
00:40:35.156 --> 00:40:37.325
And so that's just the giving of god.
00:40:37.325 --> 00:40:41.396
Yet again in our lives, he'll give us bread for
00:40:41.396 --> 00:40:44.099
Food, but he'll give us seed for sowing.
00:40:44.099 --> 00:40:46.902
And so there have been times in my life that
00:40:46.902 --> 00:40:49.437
Someone has given something to me,
00:40:49.437 --> 00:40:51.673
And i knew what it was for.
00:40:51.673 --> 00:40:53.575
This is seed. this is seed.
00:40:53.575 --> 00:40:57.012
God just gave me seed to sow.
00:40:57.012 --> 00:40:59.681
I remember my daddy would sometimes teach me about
00:40:59.681 --> 00:41:06.655
Giving a lot, and sometimes he would say,
00:41:06.655 --> 00:41:11.660
Give, he would hand me money and he'd say,
00:41:11.660 --> 00:41:14.996
Give this to that person right there
00:41:14.996 --> 00:41:17.332
For the offering.
00:41:17.332 --> 00:41:18.934
So i'd go give them and say, sow this seed.
00:41:18.934 --> 00:41:22.771
That's a seed sown.
00:41:22.771 --> 00:41:24.172
I've sown it. my daddy sowed it, i sowed it.
00:41:24.172 --> 00:41:27.108
That person just sowed it. guess what?
00:41:27.108 --> 00:41:28.944
We all get blessed.
00:41:28.944 --> 00:41:30.712
He gives seed for the sower for a blessing.
00:41:30.712 --> 00:41:34.182
And it's not material things.
00:41:34.182 --> 00:41:38.687
It's for whatever we may need.
00:41:38.687 --> 00:41:40.522
If it's peace, love, joy, whatever he's got for us,
00:41:40.522 --> 00:41:43.391
It will prosper and it will grow.
00:41:43.391 --> 00:41:47.629
When i first became a youth pastor, i mean,
00:41:47.629 --> 00:41:49.598
I wasn't quite like, i was just bright eyed and
00:41:49.598 --> 00:41:53.335
Bushy tailed.
00:41:53.335 --> 00:41:54.703
I had no experience, no sense of wherewithal.
00:41:54.703 --> 00:41:58.039
Just throw you to the wolves. i know.
00:41:58.039 --> 00:41:59.474
Yeah. i was like, i don't mind being broke.
00:41:59.474 --> 00:42:01.876
I don't mind.
00:42:01.876 --> 00:42:03.144
But i remember i moved across country and to
00:42:03.144 --> 00:42:07.949
Take this role as a youth minister for a small
00:42:07.949 --> 00:42:11.119
Youth group, but i did not do the math on how i
00:42:11.119 --> 00:42:14.289
Was going to survive.
00:42:14.289 --> 00:42:16.091
Actually, when i took into account the fact
00:42:16.091 --> 00:42:19.861
That wait, you're paying me this much and rent is
00:42:19.861 --> 00:42:22.797
This much, wait, utility.
00:42:22.797 --> 00:42:24.699
Yes. oh my goodness.
00:42:24.699 --> 00:42:27.135
I mean honestly, are you telling my story right now?
00:42:27.135 --> 00:42:29.070
That's good.
00:42:29.070 --> 00:42:30.538
But i do remember, let me tell you.
00:42:30.538 --> 00:42:33.141
Now, this is god's word for me.
00:42:33.141 --> 00:42:34.909
I'm not saying this is god's word for everybody,
00:42:34.909 --> 00:42:36.945
But i do remember when i started to look at the
00:42:36.945 --> 00:42:39.180
Numbers and started to really panic about that,
00:42:39.180 --> 00:42:42.350
I felt the lord was giving me this exact
00:42:42.350 --> 00:42:44.919
Lesson, this exact message.
00:42:44.919 --> 00:42:46.888
Don't worry about survival.
00:42:46.888 --> 00:42:48.923
Work hard, but i want you to be generous.
00:42:48.923 --> 00:42:53.561
And every person that needs something,
00:42:53.561 --> 00:42:58.299
I want you to give.
00:42:58.299 --> 00:42:59.934
Now in my area, i didn't live in a lucrative town
00:42:59.934 --> 00:43:04.239
Or anything like that.
00:43:04.239 --> 00:43:05.740
So you will find that at the grocery store,
00:43:05.740 --> 00:43:09.210
Outside the grocery store,
00:43:09.210 --> 00:43:10.779
Standing in corners on streets.
00:43:10.779 --> 00:43:12.480
You'll find that everywhere.
00:43:12.480 --> 00:43:14.082
But that was the word that i felt the lord was
00:43:14.082 --> 00:43:15.884
Calling me to follow, which was every person
00:43:15.884 --> 00:43:18.987
That you meet that is in need,
00:43:18.987 --> 00:43:21.690
I want you to give something.
00:43:21.690 --> 00:43:23.391
So lemme tell you, i had to keep cash in my pocket
00:43:23.391 --> 00:43:26.094
Because i'm like, that's almost all the time.
00:43:26.094 --> 00:43:28.730
And i'm not going to give you my card.
00:43:28.730 --> 00:43:31.099
And let me say one again, i never lacked a thing.
00:43:31.099 --> 00:43:35.437
I never lacked a thing.
00:43:35.437 --> 00:43:37.238
And the math is not mathing.
00:43:37.238 --> 00:43:39.040
I'm not quite sure how it worked out.
00:43:39.040 --> 00:43:40.775
But the sum total is god.
00:43:40.775 --> 00:43:43.712
Right! right.
00:43:43.712 --> 00:43:45.914
And there was actually even a season where a
00:43:45.914 --> 00:43:48.249
Couple came up to me not long after i moved to
00:43:48.249 --> 00:43:51.686
That area and said, the lord told us to give you
00:43:51.686 --> 00:43:54.489
A certain amount every month.
00:43:54.489 --> 00:43:56.191
Oh wow.
00:43:56.191 --> 00:43:57.759
And so for the entirety of my time there,
00:43:57.759 --> 00:44:00.528
I would get help from this family.
00:44:00.528 --> 00:44:04.532
So it was like, god knows what,
00:44:04.532 --> 00:44:05.867
God knows what he's doing.
00:44:05.867 --> 00:44:07.802
You think? you think?
00:44:07.802 --> 00:44:10.371
The math may not have been math,
00:44:10.371 --> 00:44:11.573
But god was god was god.
00:44:11.573 --> 00:44:14.876
You try to punch in the numbers and make it work,
00:44:14.876 --> 00:44:17.245
It won't work. never.
00:44:17.245 --> 00:44:18.980
It's so funny that the youth pastor days are
00:44:18.980 --> 00:44:22.383
Real. i just need you to know i was barely saved.
00:44:22.383 --> 00:44:26.020
Okay, barely fresh off the salvation bus.
00:44:26.020 --> 00:44:28.423
I didn't know what i was doing.
00:44:28.423 --> 00:44:30.125
And my life was so full.
00:44:30.125 --> 00:44:32.594
It was so full.
00:44:32.594 --> 00:44:33.695
I had a little seventh grade girls small group
00:44:33.695 --> 00:44:35.563
That i led, and they were all crammed up in my
00:44:35.563 --> 00:44:38.066
Little toyota yaris that was, i don't even know.
00:44:38.066 --> 00:44:40.602
I mean, gosh, it was so tiny.
00:44:40.602 --> 00:44:42.170
It was like half a car.
00:44:42.170 --> 00:44:43.371
It wasn't even a full car crammed in there.
00:44:43.371 --> 00:44:45.507
We would stop at mcdonald's.
00:44:45.507 --> 00:44:46.875
I would get everybody a little dollar ice cream cone.
00:44:46.875 --> 00:44:49.878
And those girls, to this day, i have
00:44:49.878 --> 00:44:51.246
One of those girls as my backup nanny
00:44:51.246 --> 00:44:53.348
When i'm traveling.
00:44:53.348 --> 00:44:54.582
And it's interesting now to see some of these girls.
00:44:54.582 --> 00:44:57.252
That's beautiful.
00:44:57.252 --> 00:44:58.453
They're old. i'm like,
00:44:58.453 --> 00:44:59.687
Oh my goodness.
00:44:59.687 --> 00:45:00.789
And i had nothing.
00:45:00.789 --> 00:45:02.824
My couch was from the goodwill i'll remember,
00:45:02.824 --> 00:45:05.627
And it was just all floral.
00:45:05.627 --> 00:45:06.961
It was every floral color that you can imagine.
00:45:06.961 --> 00:45:09.430
But i love those seasons and i really,
00:45:09.430 --> 00:45:12.300
There's parts of me that wants to go back to that.
00:45:12.300 --> 00:45:14.602
That simple, naive, like god's got it. i don't know.
00:45:14.602 --> 00:45:18.807
I don't really know what's about to go down.
00:45:18.807 --> 00:45:20.308
But have you noticed that when you don't have,
00:45:20.308 --> 00:45:23.311
You are more free to give.
00:45:23.311 --> 00:45:25.213
But then when you get, it's like now you feel
00:45:25.213 --> 00:45:28.049
Like, oh, i got to protect this.
00:45:28.049 --> 00:45:30.051
I got to wait a minute.
00:45:30.051 --> 00:45:31.619
So it's in those times when we don't have,
00:45:31.619 --> 00:45:35.456
It's like you trust god with everything,
00:45:35.456 --> 00:45:37.892
But now it's like, i'm afraid i'm going
00:45:37.892 --> 00:45:39.494
To lose it all.
00:45:39.494 --> 00:45:41.062
Or maybe you think you don't have enough to give.
00:45:41.062 --> 00:45:43.798
And i've got a little story that my aunt mary
00:45:43.798 --> 00:45:49.337
One christmas, she gave cj and i this little kind
00:45:49.337 --> 00:45:55.410
Of, not crocheted, but kind of a straw bag and
00:45:55.410 --> 00:46:00.114
Stuffed it with tablets and pencils and
00:46:00.114 --> 00:46:02.784
All this amazing stuff.
00:46:02.784 --> 00:46:06.020
And i still have that to this day.
00:46:06.020 --> 00:46:09.123
And i was little when she gave that to us.
00:46:09.123 --> 00:46:11.526
And a few years back, i said, auntie, i said,
00:46:11.526 --> 00:46:14.028
You remember when you gave cj and i
00:46:14.028 --> 00:46:16.064
Those little satchels full of that school stuff?
00:46:16.064 --> 00:46:19.267
And it was just all packed in there?
00:46:19.267 --> 00:46:20.835
And i said, you know i still have that bag.
00:46:20.835 --> 00:46:23.338
And she just burst it into tears.
00:46:23.338 --> 00:46:27.008
And she said, i cannot believe you said that.
00:46:27.008 --> 00:46:29.410
She said, i had nothing.
00:46:29.410 --> 00:46:31.646
And she said, i went down to the little school,
00:46:31.646 --> 00:46:34.916
The college bookstore and everything that i had,
00:46:34.916 --> 00:46:38.620
She said, i just got paper and stuff.
00:46:38.620 --> 00:46:40.555
And i was so embarrassed to give that to you kids,
00:46:40.555 --> 00:46:44.292
But it was the most significant thing she's
00:46:44.292 --> 00:46:46.828
Ever really given me because it meant so much.
00:46:46.828 --> 00:46:50.398
So don't ever despise the small beginnings.
00:46:50.398 --> 00:46:54.135
If you've never given nothing's too small.
00:46:54.135 --> 00:46:56.471
Look at your life right now.
00:46:56.471 --> 00:46:58.940
Look what she sowed into.
00:46:58.940 --> 00:47:01.042
Come on, look what she sowed into.
00:47:01.042 --> 00:47:04.379
And like you said, we despise those things.
00:47:04.379 --> 00:47:06.414
But you don't know the impact
00:47:06.414 --> 00:47:08.516
Of that one seed that you sow is going to
00:47:08.516 --> 00:47:11.653
Have on the world.
00:47:11.653 --> 00:47:13.688
Laurie, you have impact on the world.
00:47:13.688 --> 00:47:16.891
I love you, deedee.
00:47:16.891 --> 00:47:19.227
The person that has nothing to sow,
00:47:19.227 --> 00:47:21.095
That does not exist because all of us have
00:47:21.095 --> 00:47:25.333
Something. you don't need money to sow something.
00:47:25.333 --> 00:47:30.538
Food. you may have food in your house, extra.
00:47:30.538 --> 00:47:34.609
You may have just love just time.
00:47:34.609 --> 00:47:37.178
I have more time now.
00:47:37.178 --> 00:47:38.646
And i've enjoyed just sharing with people,
00:47:38.646 --> 00:47:42.083
Just helping them find something in a store,
00:47:42.083 --> 00:47:45.620
Making up that money they didn't have enough.
00:47:45.620 --> 00:47:50.058
Those few pennies, whatever,
00:47:50.058 --> 00:47:52.627
Doesn't matter what it is.
00:47:52.627 --> 00:47:54.896
Just be willing to do it.
00:47:54.896 --> 00:47:56.798
And you know what?
00:47:56.798 --> 00:47:57.999
You'll have it in your pocketbook.
00:47:57.999 --> 00:47:59.834
You'll have something to get.
00:47:59.834 --> 00:48:02.503
One of the things i thought about was the
00:48:02.503 --> 00:48:04.772
Person that's just watching in saying, no,
00:48:04.772 --> 00:48:06.407
Truly, i don't have anything to give.
00:48:06.407 --> 00:48:08.509
Truly, i'm doing the best that i can.
00:48:08.509 --> 00:48:11.212
I have a heart to give and i truly don't.
00:48:11.212 --> 00:48:13.381
And i've been in those seasons.
00:48:13.381 --> 00:48:14.749
And one of the things i think that we can give
00:48:14.749 --> 00:48:17.719
So freely that is, i don't know,
00:48:17.719 --> 00:48:20.021
Looked at as just something,
00:48:20.021 --> 00:48:21.689
But is actually one of the biggest things that
00:48:21.689 --> 00:48:23.558
Think we can give.
00:48:23.558 --> 00:48:24.826
And it's our ability to pray and petition.
00:48:24.826 --> 00:48:27.495
That's good. that's really good.
00:48:27.495 --> 00:48:29.230
It's priceless.
00:48:29.230 --> 00:48:30.631
It's priceless, and it's so powerful.
00:48:30.631 --> 00:48:33.601
Prayer has gotten me through a many days.
00:48:33.601 --> 00:48:37.205
I've seen prayers heal people.
00:48:37.205 --> 00:48:39.007
Absolutely.
00:48:39.007 --> 00:48:40.408
I've seen prayers heal marriages and bring them
00:48:40.408 --> 00:48:42.143
Back together again.
00:48:42.143 --> 00:48:43.745
I've seen prayers provide for a church trying to
00:48:43.745 --> 00:48:46.614
Plan the pandemic days before. our powerful
00:48:46.614 --> 00:48:51.853
Ability to ask the lord for what we need.
00:48:51.853 --> 00:48:54.856
And i'm just hoping that as we pray in this office,
00:48:54.856 --> 00:48:57.191
There's someone on the other side thinking,
00:48:57.191 --> 00:48:59.527
Man, i don't have anything to give.
00:48:59.527 --> 00:49:01.129
It's like if you can open your mouth,
00:49:01.129 --> 00:49:04.399
Pray and you can bring down a miracle from heaven.
00:49:04.399 --> 00:49:06.601
Yes. pray for us.
00:49:06.601 --> 00:49:09.470
And it's impacting all of our little crazy lives.
00:49:09.470 --> 00:49:12.874
Yes. then let's do it.
00:49:12.874 --> 00:49:14.709
But i'm going to pray for that.
00:49:14.709 --> 00:49:16.277
I'm going to pray for that.
00:49:16.277 --> 00:49:17.945
Lord, we're just, we're so grateful
00:49:17.945 --> 00:49:20.681
For so many things.
00:49:20.681 --> 00:49:23.684
The breath in our lungs, our ability to worship
00:49:23.684 --> 00:49:26.854
You freely in this country,
00:49:26.854 --> 00:49:29.791
The gift that is your son, jesus,
00:49:29.791 --> 00:49:33.361
The servant leader, our prince of peace and
00:49:33.361 --> 00:49:36.831
Comforter, our provider, our very own immanuel,
00:49:36.831 --> 00:49:42.537
What a gift.
00:49:42.537 --> 00:49:44.639
We're so grateful for that.
00:49:44.639 --> 00:49:46.908
And lord, i just pray right now for anyone
00:49:46.908 --> 00:49:49.444
That is sitting in the in-between,
00:49:49.444 --> 00:49:51.846
In the valleys wondering, what's next for me?
00:49:51.846 --> 00:49:56.451
How will i move on?
00:49:56.451 --> 00:49:57.652
How will i go on?
00:49:57.652 --> 00:49:58.753
How will i provide?
00:49:58.753 --> 00:50:00.521
And i just pray for them right now that the
00:50:00.521 --> 00:50:02.490
Sound of my voice, your presence,
00:50:02.490 --> 00:50:04.826
Would just fully overcome them.
00:50:04.826 --> 00:50:07.028
Gosh, that they would feel a warmth
00:50:07.028 --> 00:50:10.498
And a presence that they've never experienced
00:50:10.498 --> 00:50:13.601
Before, father, because even still to this day,
00:50:13.601 --> 00:50:17.305
You are immanuel with us.
00:50:17.305 --> 00:50:19.440
You are never against us, and you're never far.
00:50:19.440 --> 00:50:23.144
So come and have your way, and we love you,
00:50:23.144 --> 00:50:26.614
And we're grateful for you.
00:50:26.614 --> 00:50:28.449
In jesus name, amen.
00:50:28.449 --> 00:50:31.152
Connect with us on social media and let us know
00:50:31.152 --> 00:50:33.588
How our team can pray for you.
00:50:33.588 --> 00:50:35.556
Join our conversations anytime, anywhere.
00:50:36.557 --> 00:50:39.127
Download tbn plus to stream your
00:50:39.127 --> 00:50:41.162
Favorite episodes.
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The Generosity of Christmas - Episode 1015

December 17, 2024 | S6:E1015 | 50:59

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