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Luke 6:38 - The Secret to Giving.

Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give, and it will be given 
to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken 
together and running over, will be poured into your 
lap. For with the measure you use, it will be 
measured to you. 

Luke 6:38 (NLT) Give, and you will receive. 
Your gift will return to you in full - pressed 
down, shaken together to make room for more, 
running over, and poured into your lap. The amount 
you give will determine the amount you get 
back.  

COMMENTARY PEARL

   I looked at the gifts Id unwrapped, 
and smiled. My loved ones had given me an 
exquisite piece of jewelry reflecting my faith, a 
book, a cat puzzle, and a cozy blanket. More than 
the joy the presents would bring me in the 
future, I relished how well my family and friends 
knew me. Every item reflected my passions, from 
Jesus to my pets to snuggling up with a good book 
or puzzle. It was obvious they'd spent time 
considering ways to delight me. 
   It says in James 1:17a that every good 
and perfect gift is from above. I believe those 
people I hold dearest are gifts from the Lord. He 
knows me inside and out. He provides me with what 
and who I need, and also delights me, feeding my 
heart's desires (Psalm 37:4). My life is filled with 
blessings, each moment and every friend precious and 
irreplaceable. Jesus has chosen them well. And when I add 
His gift of salvation to all the other 
blessings, I am overcome with gratitude. 
   But what to give Someone who has 
everything? I can offer Him all of me, my thoughts and 
my service for others, my prayers, my joys and 
tears, my hopes and dreams, my life. Will I delight 
Him? I believe so. Because I am a gift from God 
to His Son, my Lord (John 17:24a), I will bless 
my savior Jesus and give thanks, forever. Heidi 
Gaul 
   Faith Step: Today, find new ways to 
delight Jesus. You 're a gift! [Mornings With Jesus 
2023 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

COMMENTARY

   It is better to forgive than to hold a 
grudge, 
      better to build up than to tear down, 
      better to include than to exclude,
      better to seek to understand than to 
disregard,  
      better to love than to hate.
   God's solution for the ills of society is 
a quorum of unselfish, life-giving, God-loving 
folks who flow through neighborhoods and 
businesses like cleansing agents, bringing in the good, 
flushing out the bad. They hail from all corners of 
the globe, reflect all hues of skin. Liberal, 
conservative, rural, metropolitan, young, old. Yet they 
are bound together by this amazing discovery: 
happiness is found by giving it away. 
   If anyone is happier than the gift 
receiver, it is the gift giver. [You Can Count On God 
by Max Lucado] 

ILLUSTRATION

Life Is An Echo
   A son and his father were walking in the 
mountains. 
   Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself 
and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" 
   To his surprise, he hears the voice 
repeating, somewhere in the mountain: 
"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" 
   Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"
   He receives the answer: "Who are you?"
   Angered at the response, he screams: 
"Coward!" 
   He receives the answer: "Coward!"
   He looks to his father and asks: "What's 
going on?" 
   The father smiles and says: "My son, pay 
attention." 
   And then he screams to the mountain: "I 
admire you!" 
   The voice answers: "I admire you!"
   Again the man screams: "You are a 
champion!" 
   The voice answers: "You are a champion!"
   The boy is surprised, but does not 
understand. Then the father explains: "People call this 
echo, but really this is life. It gives you back 
everything you say or do. Our life is simply a 
reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the 
world, create more love in your heart. If you want 
more competence in your team, improve your 
competence. 
   This relationship applies to everything, 
in all aspect of life; life will give you back 
everything you have given to it. [source unknown] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

Jesus did not come to men with commands and 
threatenings, but with love that is without a parallel. 
Love begets love; and thus the love of Christ 
displayed upon the cross woos and wins the sinner, and 
binds him, repenting, to the cross, believing and 
adoring the matchless depths of a Saviour's love. 
Christ came to the world to perfect a righteous 
character for many, and to elevate the fallen race. 
But only a few of the millions in our world will 
accept the righteousness and excellency of his 
character, and fulfill the requirements given to secure 
their happiness. RH03-04-75 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY

Acts 20:35 - It Is More Blessed To Give Than 
To Receive. 

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230107-0909.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/