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Inspirational article from Joanne Lowe

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MORE PRECIOUS THAN SILVER OR GOLD

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

Acts 3: 6 King James Version

We celebrated the birth of Jesus a few weeks ago, and it seems that more and more every year the focus is taken off the real meaning of Christmas, the birth of the Christ Child, and put on money and material things. There are ads on television, on the radio and in the newspapers enticing us to spend money that we don’t have and can’t afford to spend even if we did have it. How happy we would make our precious Saviour if we would put ads and programs on television, on the radio and in the newspapers that would focus on unconditional love!

I have received several emails from people since Christmas who have told me that they spent so much money on Christmas presents and decorations that they don’t have enough money to pay their bills. One husband and wife told me that they have gone so far in debt on their credit cards that they will probably be paying on them for the rest of their lives.

One family had their electricity shut off because they had bought so many expensive gifts that they couldn’t pay their light bill on time. Another family was unable to pay their rent and the landlord evicted them from their home three days after Christmas. They didn’t have any money to rent another place so they ended up in a shelter. How sad and how it must hurt our dear Saviour to see people focusing on material things at Christmas rather than on the Love that was born on that miraculous day!

Every day should be Christmas in our hearts. We should be rejoicing with joy unspeakable because we have been adopted into God’s family through the atoning cleansing blood of Jesus. Christmas is not about money nor is it about decorations and big meals or how many presents we give to people. It is about unconditional love and we should be giving this love every day of our lives to our loved ones and to a world that is lost and lonely and in tremendous pain.

I don’t have money, at least not by the world’s standards. There have been times when I didn’t have enough money to buy groceries at the end of the month just like many people that have emailed me have told me they didn’t have enough money to buy groceries but God always provided because He is faithful and He always will provide for us. However, I have something far more precious than silver or gold. I can give the love and compassion that I have in my heart to my loved ones and to the world. I can give them the reassurance that Jesus Loves them and will never leave them. I can tell them of a Saviour who Loves them so much that He died for them.

If you don’t feel the joy and happiness of Christmas every day in your heart, I urge you to go to Jesus and ask Him to put the joy, love and excitement of Christmas in your heart permanently. I honestly can’t imagine being any happier than I am right this minute. I know that Jesus said that He is preparing a mansion for us but right now I do live in a mansion because Jesus lives in me and has graciously given me His peace and unconditional Love. My prayer is that everyone in the world will feel this peace, joy and excitement of Christmas in their hearts every day of their lives.

Joanne Lowe
January 25, 2007

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