Entitlement at Christmas... YUK! Guest Blogger: Alison

My favorite thing about Christmas is the spirit of giving that is in
the air. People's generosity never ceases to amaze me every year, and
especially this year when I know most people have a tighter budget
than usual yet they still donate their time and money to those less
fortunate. It truly is a beautiful thing.

I love to help people in need, so I'm a sucker for pretty much every
charity fundraiser that a coworker or friend asks me to donate to.
Giving is so much more rewarding than receiving, and nothing makes me
happier than to see the look of gratitude on someone's face when
you're able to help them out in their time of need.

My least favorite thing about Christmas is when those less fortunate
EXPECT to be taken care of. It's definitely a struggle for me because
I really want to help everyone, and I can clearly see that this person
could use some help. But when someone approaches me asking when I'm
going to get around to helping them, I start to resent being
generous. Yes, this person might be in a tough situation, but their
expectation of receiving a generous donation is not right.

This event reminded me of the passage in Daniel where Nebuchadnezzar
was going to throw three men into a blazing furnace for refusing to
worship his gods.

Daniel 3:17-18
"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able
to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But
even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not
serve your gods."

God is capable of rescuing us from any tough situation we are in, but
He doesn't have to and we shouldn't expect Him to. When we start
having expectations of what we think we deserve and what God should be
providing for us, it's like we are undermining God's work. God is a
generous father and He wants to give us everything our hearts desire.
But the moment we start expecting his generosity is the moment He
turns his back to our plight.

God, I am so thankful for all of the blessings you have provided to
me. There are times when I feel like I'm not being recognized for my
achievements, that I'm not getting what I deserve, and I thank you for
helping me discern when my expectations of you begin to undermine your
plan for me.

Passing Tests: Guest Blogger: Sarah

Dave and I are having a few issues with our finances, and we
had to have the brakes replaced on our car (that's not something you
can just ignore!). So he took the van to the shop ,and it was very
expensive. I was thinking, How are we going to afford this?

Then, I was going to take a shower, and I couldn't turn off the cold water.
The handle broke and wouldn't turn off at all!! The drain was clogging
and filling up! I freaked and called Dave. He told me to turn off the
water from outside, but I couldn't see the handle, so he told me to
dig for it. I think "dig, you use a shovel," right?! Wrong! I hit the
handle and it cracked. When Dave got home, he tried to shut off the
water from the meter, but it was too stuck. Reluctantly he called a
plumber, who charged $110 to turn it off! I was thinking, "Great, more
money issues!" Thankfully Dave was able to replace the pvc piping that
night.
I finally got to a place where I could ask God what He wanted
to tell me in this situation. He told me to go to Isaiah. I read
chapter 60 verse 1 in the Amplified. It said, "Arise( from your
depression and prostration in which CIRCUMSTANCES have kept you- rise
to a new life!), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord
has risen upon you!" I was convicted right there! I was having a
moment of depression and negativity. I wasn't allowing God to really
speak to me I should have, but I didn't. All I could see was what was
in front of my face. It wasn't until I asked Him to show me what He
saw til I "woke" up.
When Pastor Mark spoke I had a lightbulb moment! I have been
asking God for a while what His will is for my life. When he read
1Thes. 5:16-18 I was so excited! That's it, that's what His will is!!
For me to have a thankful attitude in every CIRCUMSTANCE, be JOYFUL
ALWAYS and pray continually! This is so simple, yet so profound for
me. This is what His perfect will is. If I can and will do this,
actually take this into practice; everything else, all the blessings
and abundant life He has for me, WILL COME TO PASS!!! I will never
have to worry about anything, think negatively, or have jealous
feelings towards anyone! All those former thoughts are in the past and
that's where they will stay. I want to grow and do His will.
Also, after church Dave's parent's bought us lunch. After I
thanked God for my parent's, my dad called and wanted to give me money
from our trip to Illinois. That was a huge blessing. It really works
to be thankful for everyone and everything.