A GIVING HEART

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:16
King James Version

It is not enough to just give our money, we must also give from our heart just as God gave from His heart when He gave Jesus to die for our sins and as Jesus gave from His heart when He allowed them to crucify Him on the cross. Jesus endured pain and agony that you and I will never know.

Marvin P. Dalton wrote the most beautiful and heart touching hymn about Jesus that I think has ever been written "O What a Savior" Every time I hear this hymn I get tears in my eyes to think Jesus loves us so much that He willingly walked that long lonely road to Calvary and allowed them to crucify Him for our sins.

When I hear these beautiful words in this hymn, I stand up and raise my arms up to Jesus as high as I can raise them. " O what a Savior, O hallelujah! His heart was broken on Calvary, His hands were nail scarred, His side was riven, He gave His life-blood for even me." God gave from His heart and Jesus gave from His heart. What about us? Are we giving from our heart?

It's not enough to give our money, we must also give 

from our heart. My sister is a perfect example of giving from the heart. She took my Mother and Dad into her home when they were old and needed help. She also took me into her home because I needed help. I not only needed a place to live; I also needed to know someone 

cared.

I think we sometimes think that just because someone lives in a nice home, drives a big car and belongs to clubs that they are happy and don't need anything or anyone. That is not true. All of us need someone. When we see someone who can't walk, we put them in a wheelchair and take them to the doctor. We must also put people who are hurting emotionally in a wheelchair and take them to Jesus, the great Physician.

God has used my sister to teach me many things about unconditional love. I remember a time when we had an argument about something and several days later I was still upset but my sister acted like we had never disagreed. That is just what God does. When we hurt Him and tell Him that we're sorry, He forgives us and never reminds us of it again.

I have been thanking God for my blessings and all that He has done for me. I especially thank Him for my sister who I love very much. She is not perfect but she gives her time, her money and also gives from her heart. God knew that I was going to hurt emotionally so He gave my sister to me.

Heavenly Father, I love You so much and I appreciate all You have done for me. Thank You for the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus. If there is someone who is reading this devotion that is hurting emotionally and is discouraged, please pick them up and comfort them as You have comforted me so many times. in Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 18, 2020