Experience God this Christmas

I've been reading through Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby the last few weeks and one of the things that you learn is the seven realities of experiencing God.  Number 3 on that list is, "God invites you to become involved with Him in His work."  Looking back over the Christmas story, we find that God was at work in a small manager in Bethlehem 2000 years ago to give us the greatest Christmas gift of all.  We see that the wise men were invited by God to become involved in that work.  The shephards were invited to become involved in His work.  In fact, Mary and Joseph were invited to become involved in His work.  This Christmas season, as I search for places in my own life that God is working, I realize that God has invited us all to become involved in His work started 2000 years ago under that star.  The work he started 2000 years ago continues on to this day and we all can take part in this work.  This Christmas season we have the opportunity to take part in perhaps God's greatest work since creation, the salvation that he provides us through Jesus Christ.  The angels spread the news 2000 years ago that a savior was born.  Today I can share that news with anyone who reads this and can continue working with God in the great work he invited everyone one of us to join in on.  God bless you all this fine Christmas day!

Motives

What are your motives when you give of your time, talents or money?  Do you feel God needs to be bribed?  Is it because you need to feel good about yourself?  Is it because everyone else does and you feel obligated?

By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.  By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings.  And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.   Hebrews 11:4

Abel gave from the firstborn of his flock and gave out of his faith and obedience of God.  And so his sacrifice was seen as better.  He heard God's Word and obeyed.  On the other hand, Cain gave his sacrifice out of obligation, as a mere formality, not acting in faith towards God.  

We should give back to God out of faith, a faith that is effectual, manifesting itself by its works.  We show our faith by what we do and what we give back to God.  Our actions work to make our faith complete.  Give back God's portion of what he has given to us.  But do so out of faith and we will be righteous in his eyes.