For the LORD takes pleasure in his people

[shortlady]

For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
(Psalm 149.4 NRSV)

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Brennan Manning tells a beautiful story that is recounted every Christmas in the forests of Provence in southern France. It's about the four shepherds who came to Bethlehem to see the child.

According to this story one of the shepherds brought eggs, another brought bread and cheese, the third brought wine. And the fourth brought nothing at all. People called him L'Enchant. The first three shepherds chatted with Mary and Joseph, commenting on how well Mary looked, how cozy was the cave and how handsomely Joseph had appointed it, what a beautiful starlit night it was.

They congratulated the proud parents, presented them with their gifts and assured them that if they needed anything else, they had only to ask. Finally someone asked, "Where is L'Enchant?" They searched high and low, up and down, inside and out. Finally, someone peeked through the blanket hung against the draft, into the creche. There, kneeling at the crib, was L'Enchantthe Enchanted One. Through the entire night, he stayed in adoration, whispering, "Jesu, Jesu, JesuJesus, Jesus, Jesus."

That is where you and I would be, would we not? Kneeling beside the crib whispering, "Jesu, Jesu, Jesu." After all, what else can we offer him? He already reigns over all creation. What can we bring? Only our love and adoration.


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Loving God, I give my love to your Son. Thank you for showing me the way to love. Amen.
Ron Newhouse

 

[The Robster]

I'd be doing that and bringing the Lord a big wad of benjamins. I wouldn't come empty handed that's for sure. Even if I was real poor, I'd bring something that was precious to me to give to the Lord.

 

[jiggyfly]

I'd be doing that and bringing the Lord a big wad of benjamins. I wouldn't come empty handed that's for sure. Even if I was real poor, I'd bring something that was precious to me to give to the Lord.

No doubt you would. But money is not precious to everyone and I think the best gift would be the thing that is precious to the Lord.

 

[The Robster]

No doubt you would. But money is not precious to everyone and I think the best gift would be the thing that is precious to the Lord.

You know fully well money is precious to the Lord. You can't buy tv time to preach the gospel or do missionary work overseas without money on this planet. You can't do a lot of things or be a blessing to others in the kingdom of God without money. Money doesn't grow on trees. Even the 3 wise men brought the Lord some of the most expensive gift that were around in Jesus' day when He was born. When God delivered the Israelites from pharoah's hand, after the first Passover, He made sure they all left with SILVER and GOLD and all left supernaturally healed. Don't tell me that the Creator of the universe, who put diamonds, rubies, silver, gold, etc. on this planet, doesn't think money is precious. You can't build churches, Bible schools and purchase Bibles without money. See the recurring theme here? And when you can't regularly part with some of your money to give it to the Lord, then it shows exactly how precious it is to you. Millions of Christians are in this same category. They say money is not important, but ask them to put some money into preaching the gospel and they're ready to take your head off. Yep bring your heart and love to the Lord and bring Him a gift from all the things that HE'S GIVEN YOU. If money isn't that precious to you and so many, then you have no excuse not to give the Lord some of it. :shock:

 

[jiggyfly]

You know fully well money is precious to the Lord. You can't buy tv time to preach the gospel or do missionary work overseas without money on this planet. You can't do a lot of things or be a blessing to others in the kingdom of God without money. Money doesn't grow on trees. Even the 3 wise men brought the Lord some of the most expensive gift that were around in Jesus' day when He was born. When God delivered the Israelites from pharoah's hand, after the first Passover, He made sure they all left with SILVER and GOLD and all left supernaturally healed. Don't tell me that the Creator of the universe, who put diamonds, rubies, silver, gold, etc. on this planet, doesn't think money is precious. You can't build churches, Bible schools and purchase Bibles without money. See the recurring theme here? And when you can't regularly part with some of your money to give it to the Lord, then it shows exactly how precious it is to you. Millions of Christians are in this same category. They say money is not important, but ask them to put some money into preaching the gospel and they're ready to take your head off. Yep bring your heart and love to the Lord and bring Him a gift from all the things that HE'S GIVEN YOU. If money isn't that precious to you and so many, then you have no excuse not to give the Lord some of it. :shock:

We know that money is important to you, but I see no scripture references in your post to support that money is precious to the Lord.
Money is obviously very important to you but it isn't to God.

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matt.6:24

Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. [fn] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! "Don't take any money with you. Matt. 10:7-9

Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, "Look at us!" The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting a gift. But Peter said, "I don't have any money for you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!" Acts 3:4-6

When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given when the apostles placed their hands upon people's heads, he offered money to buy this power. "Let me have this power, too," he exclaimed, "so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!" But Peter replied, "May your money perish with you for thinking God's gift can be bought! Acts 8:18-20

For an elder must be a man whose life cannot be spoken against. He must be faithful to his wife. [fn] He must exhibit self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home and must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, peace loving, and not one who loves money. He must manage his own family well, with children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church? 1Tim. 3:2-5

In the same way, deacons must be people who are respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers and must not be greedy for money. 1Tim. 3:8

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Tim 6:6

Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? James 2:5

Robster you need a change in your thinking. God does not need money to accomplish His will.