Pastor's Corner: Pastor's Corner: True gifts

As we are nearing the Christmas holiday, I am reminded that this a time that a lot of people become so busy that things are forgotten that help us stay grounded. As the crazy busyness of the season starts for us here at The Salvation Army, it is a good time to really focus on my relationship with Christ. The first verse that comes to mind is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. As we frantically line up bell ringers, collect Giving Tree toys, getting people that want to adopt a family set up with the families, count the kettle income, deal with every day emergencies from the community, work with the people enrolled with the Case Management and RISP programs I have to often stop and seek out God’s words that help me stay focused. Verses like:

• “Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV

• “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV

• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV

• “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 ESV

• “Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” Jude 1:21 ESV

• “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 ESV

• “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 ESV

• “In that day, you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” John 14:20

Then it just seems to calm down and God provides the way for the work to get done. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5-6

So, take a step back and remember before we get caught up in the craziness that we just need to lean on God “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalms 121:1-2 ESV The steps to keep this under control might look something like, spend time meditating through prayer, God’s word (the Bible), worshiping through song or action, and the two greatest commandments “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Mathew 22:37b-38. My desire for myself and you; that we keep Christ first in all that we do all year long and remember that the true gifts are not what we get here on this earth but the eternal gifts we receive in heaven.

Trina Crawford

Director, The Salvation Army-Havre Service Center