16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV
What's been on your Christmas shopping list this year, Dear Reader? A toaster for one, an art book for another, princess Legos? If you could give any gift to a loved one, what would it be? A cruise, college tuition, a new car?
1 John (4:19) tells us that we love because God loved us first. Perhaps we are blessed in giving to the ones we love because...
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NIV
“This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!"
John 16:23-24 MSG
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, ..." Deuteronomy 10:12 RSV
