US Researchers have backed this up with several studies finding that the saying “its better to give than receive” is true.  ”Most people would think that if you make more money you are going to be a lot happier,” said Michael Norton, a professor at Harvard Business School. “Our results, and a lot of other people’s results, show that making more money makes you a little bit happier, but doesn’t really have a huge impact on you. Our studies suggest maybe that little changes in how you spend it make a difference.” The conclusion of the study showed that regardless of income level, those people who spent money on others reported greater happiness, while those who spent more on themselves did not. Isn’t that how our Lord works. His ways are not our ways. Our own wisdom is upside down to how He works. He exalts the humble (Matt 23:12), He chose the poor on this earth  to be rich in faith (James 2:5), His power is shown in our own weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9), and on and on…

Think about a time when you gave someone something they didn’t even know they needed, but  they fell in love with the item as soon as they saw it in the box. I imagine that this is the feeling that comes over God, whenever we accept His gift of salvation and respond in love and then obedience to it.

Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15: 1-7. In this parable he likens salvation to a lost sheep being found by its shepherd. “And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

Ultimately, this is the heart of the idea that it is better to give than receive. God gave us the ultimate gift of salvation through the birth and death of Jesus Christ. For many of us, it is a gift we went along without, not realizing we needed it until we finally received it. God desires our gifts of praise and service to Him, but actually rejoices when we accept His gift to us. Whenever we give to those we love this year, let it serve as a reminder that we have already received the greatest gift and let it motivate us to share that gift with others.

Some things just need a woman’s touch.  This corner of our website is dedicated to women – helping us learn, serve, fellowship and grow deeper together.  Are you a first time mom or an empty-nester? Are you still seeking God’s choice in a mate, are you single again or are you celebrating many years of marriage?  Are you the volunteer extraordinaire or in a fast-paced career? We want to serve and support you – wherever you are in your walk with God!

Come back often to explore new articles, thoughts, devotionals and studies into God’s Word, especially for you!

The Loss of Shame in Women: Culture Invading the Church

A five part study on the subject of modesty. A sensitive subject, but one that must be addressed…In the mean time, take a second look at what you are wearing. Will it bring glory to God? Are you distinct from the world? How is your attitude? (More...)

Two Uniquely Feminine Challenges

I sometimes become tired of self-help books that suggest marriages would be harmonious if we understood that there are innate differences in men and women. It’s not that I don’t believe we have differences, it’s just that often these books address stereotypes rather than useful differences. (more…)

Prayer

Let us follow David’s example of overflowing praise to our Lord and King most High. May we learn to express our great joy and recognition that our Father is worthy of PRAISE!! (more…)

Motherhood is a Calling (And Where Your Children Rank)

Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for. (more…)

Meditation

What is meditation and how will it help us to confront the daily challenges of our faith? (more…)

Shine

“…therefore you all shine like stars in the universe to this crooked generation…’ Philippians 2:15 I read the verse last week and to be honest, I just wasn’t feeling it.  (more…)

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.” (NLT) Proverbs 31:30

“On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” ” Luke 17:11-19 ESV

Listen to the series: Living in Gratitude

It’s back to school time and our children have their supply lists: pencils, pens, folders, paper and on and on. But there are things that we need help our children carry to school that aren’t found in Walmart or Target, we find them in God’s Word…

Listen Here: Back to School

“Understanding God’s purpose for marriage is of the utmost importance, because to marry and miss it is to enter into a life full of frustration and disappointment — setting the stage for great marital unrest.” (Reb Bradley)

It is important to understand that Facebook is neither inherently good nor inherently evil. It simply enables people to express themselves through posts, profiles, pictures, etc. In other words, Facebook is not evil or good. People are evil or good. The reason so many are alarmed by this website is because it exposes who people really are, and that can be both disappointing in others and frightening in ourselves. When we see people we thought had good and pure hearts posting sinful words or pictures (or ‘liking’ sinful things), the tendency is to think that somehow Facebook has corrupted them when, in fact, it is the other way around – they are having a corrupting influence on Facebook! Don’t misunderstand me. Evil companions corrupt good morals (1 Cor 15:33), and that includes internet ‘friends.’ Since Facebook is a venue for companionship, it certainly can be a medium for bad influence – but only if you are ‘friending’ evil companions. Again, it comes back to what is in your heart to start with!

But where the danger of corruption exists, so also exists a powerful opportunity to let your light shine before others (Mt 5:16). This is why I’ve been disturbed by what seems to be an implication by some that we’d all be better off if we just signed off the internet altogether. Are we being asked to “hide it under a bushel”? Any five year old bible class student knows how to respond to such a suggestion. Allow me to share just a few of the ways that Facebook in particular can be a powerful tool for a Christian.

Edification, Encouragement, and Confession

When you post something on Facebook, hundreds of people can see it. On my account, there are people from all over the world, and most are Christians. Should I not be using this as a means to build up my brothers and sisters (1 Thess 5:11)? And what of encouraging one another? Are we only able to do that face to face? When a teenage brother in Birmingham, known to many young people in Alabama and beyond, died in a car accident last week, there were hundreds of posts offering words of encouragement to those who knew him and to his family. What a powerful blessing that must have been to young Christians spread out over the country! And what about our need to acknowledge Jesus before men (Mt 10:32-33)? How many lost souls have heard the truth when a Christian has posted a passage, song lyric, sermon outline, or invitation to a study on their Facebook page? Even the ‘mundane’ day to day posts can show the lost that true joy and meaning come from serving the Christ even in the daily grind. If you are on Facebook, are you using it for all its worth? Will people reading your posts see your good works and praise God?

Groups and Events

Facebook has two features that are of added use to a Christian. One is the ability to create ‘groups’ that people can join. The creator and administrators of the group can then send messages to all those who have joined. Many congregations have found this to be an excellent way to rapidly spread information among members (e.g., prayer requests, changes to assembly times, meeting announcements, etc.). A creative person might also find these groups useful as a means to reach out to the lost (e.g., a bible study group among friends, etc.). Another feature is the ability to create an “Event” and invite people to attend. Since Facebook makes it so easy to invite everyone on your friends list at once (and for them to invite everyone on their friends list), this can be a ‘viral’ way of inviting people to a meeting or special study. In less than 15 minutes, you can “knock on the door” of hundreds if not thousands of friends and friends of friends.

Facebook Ads

Few seem to be aware of the Facebook Ad system. Every person who uses or visits Facebook has advertisements on their screen, and anyone can create an ad and purchase that ad space. Moreover, when you create the ‘ad campaign,’ you are given the option to specify who sees the ad. For instance, I can limit the ad to people living in a specific area who also have indicated an interest in ‘bible’ ‘christianity’ ‘truth’ etc. What makes this tool especially useful is the fact that the ad manager can choose only to pay when the ad is actually clicked rather than for each time it is shown. That’s like a billboard that you only have to pay for if people actually read the board! This alone makes it a far more effective way to advertise a congregation, gospel meeting, correspondence course, etc. than traditional newspaper or mailing campaigns.

Is Facebook dangerous? Absolutely. The world is dangerous, and Facebook is a part of our world. We must guard ourselves against evil companions and other corrupting influences (and on Facebook, that means frequent use of the ‘hide’ and ‘remove’ options). However, Facebook is also an incredibly powerful tool for Christians of all ages. The next time you log in, consider the fact that Facebook is a magnifying glass into your heart. What do people see? What does Jesus (who has internet access!) see? Are you letting your light shine before men? Are you using Facebook for the Kingdom?

-Article by Robert Ogden, reprinted with permission, Rants & Reflections

As a nation, we celebrate our independence from oppression and tyranny; but as Christians, we have a greater freedom to celebrate in Christ – the freedom from sin.  Join us this Sunday as we celebrate our freedom from sin…

Listen here: Celebrating Our Freedom

Are we spiritually hungry for God? Do we desire Him? There is a longing that only God can fill.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6

Listen to the sermon: Engulfed by God

Listen to the lessons

Listen to the series:

Part one: The Modest Mind

Part Two: What Are You Advertising?