When you Love someone, even their name is spoken differently, and your thoughts of them are Cherished with Great Reverence.   In "awe" of them, their name is above all others.  The next time we hear, "O My Gaud" we might ask ourselves, "Do others see our Reverence, Respect and Awe of GOD in how we use HIS name"?  1 Peter 3:15, "but in your hearts honor CHRIST the LORD as HOLY..."  IT'S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

We are sooooo Blessed.

When we are "offended" by someone's tongue or actions, have we "mustarded" up enough "self-restraint" not to respond harshly?  And in those "few times" we "bit our tongues", were we so "proud" of ourselves because we did what GOD tells us to do?   OR DID WE?    Is our giving Mercy to someone, Forgiving someone, or our Benevolent giving enough for the LORD?  The Scriptures say, NOT!  Just to do "no harm" to someone (in thought or deed) is not enough; we are to do what "Good" we can to ALL.  Colossians 3:14, "...above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."  Mercy, Forgiving and Benevolence by themselves are INCOMPLETE.  Only LOVE "bonds" our GRACES and brings them into HARMONY with each other, and completes us.  LOVE IS, MORE THAN "BITING" OUR TONGUES. 

THE BOND OF PERFECTION IS - LOVE.

How many times do we look for a quote or an inspirational thought to describe our mood or feelings?  How often do we switch from Devotional to Devotional to hear "GOD'S WORD"?  No matter how gifted a writer or Preacher may be, they do not know our relationship with JESUS.  When we have a thought, question or need, do we look it up in the Bible for our answer?  Don't know how?  Then start reading the book of John, then the book of James, followed by the Romans, Luke and Acts.  There is no way, I SAY NO WAY, that we will not hear the TRUTH and begin using it in our lives!  Psalm 119:114, "YOU are my place of quiet retreat, I look to YOUR WORD to renew me."  If we will read the Bible from need and for encouragement, GOD will write our own Devotionals in our hearts.  But if we depend on others (INSTEAD OF THE BIBLE) to describe and tell us how to have a Relationship with GOD; WE'RE PLAYING "DEVOTIONAL ROULETTE"!

Are you being called to A HIGHER PLACE?  Are you experiencing life changing events that appear to be devastating? You've been here before, but now it is no longer enough for GOD to deliver you, because you need something much more?  Your prayers change, your awareness of GOD changes!  Your Passion and complete Devotion to GOD leaves you totally unsatisfied with your level of relationship with HIM.  "...you are being separated..." (2 Corinthians6:17)  You know what it is to really "...hunger and thirst for HIM..." (Matthew 5:6)  Your whole Heart, Soul and Being has a strong desire and a burning determination to OBEY HIM, NO MATTER THE COST!  This takes you to a place where you say, "I cannot come down..." (Nehemiah 6:3).  You are now beyond the Mountain Tops where the GIANTS below disappear!  You are now living in HIGH PLACES!

Selfishness is the central "vice" whereby we place concern in our own interests above the well-being or interests of others.  I was asked recently by a  "well educated" man, "If selfishness is a vice, aren't you being selfish when you remove yourself from others to read the Bible, Pray and Just be Alone?"  "Wanting your time alone is selfish because that's what you want to do for yourself."  1 Corinthians 13:5, "...Love ...seeks not her own and does not insist on its own way..."  As long as our Spirit and Behavior exalt, honor, or are generous for others, our "Selfishness" becomes the GLORIOUS FULLNESS OF OUR DIVINE NATURE.  Love is the  Benevolent Harmonious relationship with GOD; YES, SELF LOVE IS OUR DIVINE NATURE.

No matter how much we have or don't have, mothers have a beautiful presence and glow at CHRISTMAS.  Cleaning the house for days, cooking favorite foods, and  doing her best to give something special for each member of her family.  Mother's remember everything; they don't ask for compliments or presents; they savor EVERY MOMENT, EVERY SMILE and when nothing else seems to be enough THEY HOLD ON TO THE MEMORY OF YOUR HUG.  Luke 2:19, "But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart".  MOTHERS REMEMBER EVERYTHING, AND EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL IN THEIR MEMORIES.  Yes, on the birth of JESUS, Mary must have pondered everything; she must have thought about what the Angel said to her, what had happened to Elizabeth, the events of the days before and the night of HIS birth.  The Treasures of her memories are then relived over and over with the same GODLY Delicacy.  A Mother's Love, HER HEART TO YOURS.

A MOST BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO EACH OF YOU.  FROM OUR HEARTS TO YOURS.

We give Thanks for each step when we can no longer run.  We give Thanks when we are no longer who we were.  We give Thanks when we are no longer who we pretended to be and are at PEACE with who HE made us to be.  IT IS OUR GIFT TO OTHERS, AND HIS GIFT TO US. Colossians 4:15, "And let the peace of CHRIST rule in your hearts".

When I try a little harder to be more kind and complain (especially silently) alot less;  when I think more about the "Goodness" in others and less about their "faults"; when being "understood" means less than being understanding;  when I can face my conscience and still be forgiven.  (John 16:33, "...in ME you may have peace, in the world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world."  When I don't need a special occasion to remind me to LOVE, THEN EVERYDAY IS CHRISTMAS.

Let us pray for PEACE WITHIN AND WITH ALL.. 

Does Contentment appear to be a "little lazy", and to have "no initiative"?  Are we not to "work" so we and our families can have more?  "Now there is great gain in GODLINESS with Contentment...but those who desire to be rich fall into temptation..." (1 Timothy 6:6-9).  From this, GODLINESS and CONTENTMENT are inseparable.  It is the emotional and Spiritual satisfaction which gives us Peace in our circumstances.  Maybe we know we are content, when we see someone else rewarded and revered for something we wanted very badly and we are not envious.  In fact we are JOYFUL for them!  GREAT GAIN in GODLINESS with Contentment;  we don't have to constantly "busy ourselves"  TO HAVE GREAT GAIN!

Our prayer for ourselves and each other, is to have GREAT GAIN IN GODLINESS AND CONTENTMENT.

I met a man whose job is delivering pizza.  As we were talking, he began to tell me how thankful he was.  "I now make enough money to take care of my parents", he said in humbleness and gratitude.  Sometimes my boss gives me a pizza to take home and we are all so  grateful.  Ephesians 5:20, "giving thanks always and for everything..."  Being Thankful, "where the weak say, 'I am strong', and the poor say, 'I am rich', because what the LORD has done for us".  Give Thanks WITH A GRATEFUL HEART.

To listen to a Grateful Heart, click here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1WmzRxBGFY

Yes, GIVE THANKS....