Carol Purves

What can I give Him poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd I would give a lamb;

If I were a wise men I do my part;

Yet, what I can I give him, give my heart.

We probably never praise and thank the Lord enough. We have so much to thank Him for. I keep a Thank You book and write down each at least three things each day to be thankful for. If a friend has been particularly good to me, I am say to them, ‘I will write this in my Thank You book. That encourages them as well.

‘Praise the Lord, my soul and forget not all His benefits.’ Psalm 103:4

When people say ‘promises, promises, promises,’ in a sneering voice, they are saying that the promises are just hot air. But when we say ‘promises, promises, promises,’ about God’s word, we are saying ‘how wonderful, God has given us so many promises and they are all promises that are kept.’

‘Here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come,’ Hebrews 13:14

and

In my Father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you.’ John 14:2

I got to wondering why psalm 1 was placed at number one. It contains some pretty good things –

‘Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly.’

‘He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields it’s fruit in season.’

‘For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous.’

The secret is in the name. Why are we hesitant to share the Good News?Jesus came to earth to save souls. Christmas is the beginning of the earthly story. Let us be bold. Let us shout it from the rooftops. God will provide the rooftops.

‘God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of hope and of a sound mind.’ 2 timothy 1:7

‘Pleased as man with man to dwell

Jesus our Emmanuel.’

‘Mild he lays His glory by

Born that man no lore may die.’

Everything in this life seems to be so transient, especially in our throw-away society. Many toys given this Christmas will be broken or discarded before the New Year. What we need is something which will not fade, tarnish or mislead.

‘And when the chief shepherd appear, you will receive a crown of glory which will never fade away.’ 1 Peter 5:4

It is amazing to read something in the Bible which you never remember reading before. God’s comfort appears in many of the psalms. I stumble a great deal, not physically but spiritually.

‘Though I may stumble, he will not fail, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.’ Psalm 37:4

This is the time of year when we will be inviting other people into our homes and visiting others in return. Can we do it with a good heart and not moan about those difficult visitors? And at this time we mustn’t forgot those without a home. So, so cold, so lonely.

‘Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you shall use whatever gifts you have to serve others.’ 1 Peter 4:9-10

Ittai, the Gittite was loyal to David when he was fleeing from Absalom. We all know the words of Ruth to Naomi, but Ital’s words are not so well known.

‘As surely as the Lord lives and as my lord and king lives, wherever my lord may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be. ‘

2 Samuel 15:21

What devotion.