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by Fred C. Wilson III
December 16, 2012
“The Kingdom of Heaven is a condition of the heart-not something that comes ‘upon the earth’ or after death.”
-Friedrich Nietzsche-
Nietzsche was spot on the Kingdom of God is within you; your job is to bring it out and share it with the rest of us. You give gifts to family and friends on Christmas-right? Ever thought of giving God, the ultimate gift giver, gifts in gratitude for His blessings? What do you give to the One, Who has everything, for Christmas? You give Our Lord yourself. You start by humbly surrendering your heart, mind, and body to Him.
Humility is self knowledge the first step to holiness. Reader, if you want to know your true place in the grand scheme of things, take in a sky show at Adler Planetarium. You’ll experience how small you are within the cosmological order. Recognize and accept your limitations and abilities. Offer these up to the Lord and He will open your heart. Once your heart is empty of false pride God will fill you with desire, will, and skills needed to serve Him and others in loving and loyal service.
The Bible says, “If your right eye causes you to sin pluck it out! For it is better to…” you know the rest of the Scriptural passage; does God actually want you to gouge out your eyeballs if pornography is your problem? Does the Good God want you to cut off one of your hands if you have kleptomania down to a fine science? No! Of course not but be warned that sin and weaknesses can and will lead to spiritual atrophy and eventual spiritual (sometimes physical) death. Think I’m exaggerating? Read the paper or watch the News. If you’re humble, you can accept who you are; a sinner in need of forgiveness and repentance. Give God the gift of repentance this Christmas. Not only will you make God smile you’ll ‘beat the heat’ (Purgatory/Hell) when your ‘parole comes through’ (death). Walks on the wild side are lots of fun but the sure path to earthly and eternal happiness is to traverse the ‘straight and narrow’ path.
Loving service to family, friends, neighbors are sure signs that your faith life is strong. Inspired writer James the Apostle is very clear when he wrote, “What good is it, my people, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save that person? If someone is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you say, ‘go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving the things needed for the body, what good is that? Faith by itself if it does not have works is dead.’” Give God the gift of loving service this Christmas.
You are a child of God. Like all good parents, God wants to hear from you. Talk to your Lord in prayer. If you’re not in the habit of praying, forgot how or never learned, don’t panic. Ask God to help you. Use your own words. Can’t make it to Mass; Bible Service? Use your computer and type in: www.catholictv.com/dailymass if Catholic. The daily Liturgies are current, under 30 minutes, and available online 24/7. Pray the Rosary. Non-Catholics type in: www.media.calvaryftl.org/live. There is a large number of televised evangelical programming to assist your prayer life. All Christians should make Bible prayer/study a daily staple. Peruse the Internet for additional prayer helps. Technology has rendered reasons not to pray or attend church services obsolete. In 2012 there is no excuse for having a poor prayer life.
Be goal-oriented. I’ve heard it said that if you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans.’ God is not in the habit of showing off His power by messing with your life. He’s on your side. God wants you to plan for your future, to be goal oriented, to achieve your dreams within His plan since only God not your spouse or significant other knows what’s best for you. The Lord wants you to glorify Him/Her in your daily work. You please God when you perform to the best of your ability the work you were put here on this earth to do. Like the Book says, “By their fruits you shall know them.”
Once wildly popular religious television program, ‘The Hour of Power’s’ founding pastor Dr. Robert H. Schuller was fond of saying, “Tough times never last-tough people do.” Schuller was right. God enjoys a good fight! Like a tag team partner the Lord will always struggle with and for you when the trials of life beat you down. You may not want to ‘play on God’s team or may be the worse player but you gotta’ show up. God doesn’t tolerate sideline coaches or armchair generals. Life is a participatory battle not a spectator sport. Put on the armor of God and keep on ‘steppin’ (moving)!
Another good gift you can offer God this Christmas is the gift of your continuing education. Many Christians think the apostles were poor and illiterate. Nothing could be further from the truth. In 1968 when archeologists unearthed the Apostle Peter’s house they discovered it had over 14 large rooms and faced the sea; prime real estate! A large church stands directly over the Apostle’s house. (Go to: Peter’s House-Capernaum) Many on Our Lord’s ‘Apostolic Team’ were cultured, highly educated, and wealthy. During antiquity the fishing industry controlled the Imperial Roman economy. Want to serve God in a greater capacity, continue your educational growth. Give God the gift of a smarter you. Become a life time learner.
Assuming you’re doing the ordinary things well (loving spouse, family, friends, career, etc.), if you have the time and talent start/work a ministry (lay missionary, parish volunteer, soup kitchen, food pantry, etc.). Too many Christians assume tithing applies to a giving God a mere 10% of all we bring in-wrong-what about 10% of your time and talent? Many say Christians don’t have to tithe. Many disagree; your beloved writer among the latter. Log into: ‘God’s tithing Law’ on your search engine. Tithing is a wonderful way to regulate gift giving. Christian stewardship is mandatory. Give God back the gift of His resources this Christmas through charitable acts.
The most important gift we can give God is gratitude. God made us, loves us, died and rose from the dead for us; our response, “Thank You Jesus!” For more on spiritual gift giving search: Rachel Bruner bout.com and spiritualgifts@wordpress.com. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! (vamaxwell@yahoo.com)