Laura got me one of the greatest gifts someone could ever give to me. She gave me a MacBook Pro! It’s awesome! I love it already and I’ve barely used it!

However, it’s not one of the greatest gifts ever because it’s a MAC, or because it’s a lap top, or because it was expensive. It’s the greatest gift because of what she communicated to me when she gave it to me.

When Laura gave me the MacBook,  she said, “D (what she calls me), I love you so much. I believe in you. I want you to have the best of the best to do your work with. I believe in you. I believe in your hopes and dreams.”

That is a priceless gift my friends. To have someone believe in you and your dream and be willing to stand behind you, support you, and invest in you.

The greatest gift Laura’s ever given me wasn’t a lap top, but her belief in me.

What are you doing to invest in the dreams of others?

How often do you stand behind and support the dreams of others?

Those are two of the greatest gifts you can ever give someone. There is no price tag you can put on them.

Who in your life can you give these priceless gifts to?

Thoughts?

“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” -Acts 3:6

This Christmas as I handed out Christmas cards, I’d often say, “Silver and gold, I have none, but what I do have is a Christmas card!” At this point in my life, I don’t have all the money I’d like to just go out and bless everyone that has been a blessing to me.

At first I felt guilty and then I got down on myself. Then I thought…I don’t need to be able to give a gift or a gift card to bless someone, I’ll just give what I do have to give: Encouragement, time, my service, a meaningful card, etc.

You might not be able to buy everyone you know gifts this Christmas, but you do have something that you can give. The question you should ask yourself is:

What can I offer people that would be better than just getting them a gift?

Maybe you could:

• Take someone out to coffee and encourage them
• Write letters to the people that have impacted you the most
• Volunteer to help them with a project they need to get done at home
• Offer your expertise to someone who could use it
  
• Call someone and let them know they’ve made a difference in your life
• Send out text messages thanking people for the impact they’ve had
• Introduce people to people that can help them!
  
• Give someone an opportunity they don’t deserve!
• Give up your morning, afternoon, or evening just to spend time with someone.
  

Don’t think that the only way to bless someone this Christmas is through money and gifts. You have more to offer than you realize.

What do you have to give this Christmas?

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.

-Matthew 12:18-21

Depending on your life, you either love the holidays or hate them. It’s easy to forget that the holidays aren’t awesome for everybody. There are still people who are absolutely hopeless. Presents won’t cut it, time with family doesn’t satisfy, you can’t see light at the end of the tunnel, and you wonder if you’ll ever come out of this state of hopelessness.

You can waste a lifetime looking for hope in all the wrong places.

The truth is that you can waste a lifetime trying to find hope in all the wrong places. Trying to find it in material possessions, unhealthy relationships, drugs or alcohol, sex, and anything else you attempt to find a sliver of hope in will never give you what you’re looking for.

There is one place that you will find the hope you’re looking for. That is in a relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible clearly states that Jesus is the hope of the entire world.

To be honest with you, my life didn’t really begin until I made Jesus the Lord of my life. I used to be purposeless, hopeless, and living in fear constantly. Since I’ve pursued a relationship with God, I have a peace that can’t be put into words, I have hope in every circumstance, and I’m fully satisfied with my life.

If you’re feeling hopeless in life, Jesus wants to give you hope. This can be a Christmas that you never forget. One that changes your life forever. If you’ve never made Jesus the Lord of your life, please send me a message on facebook and I’d love to talk to you about that decision.

Don’t let another day pass feeling hopeless in your life – it’s time to give your life to the one who was born to give his life for you.