God so loved the world that He gave…. (John 3.16)

God is a gift giver!

‘Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows’ (James 1:17)

God so loved the world that He gave…. (John 3.16)

‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:6

Foothills Text Line:

Text PRAYER to 619-375-0805
Text DECISION to 619-375-0805

Four Gifts we can give that make a lasting difference:

1. The gift of Time

Whether rich, or poor, time is the one precious commodity that we all have exactly the same exact amount

‘Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.’ (Ephesians 5:15-16)

The gift of Time

When you spend time with people it gives a message that you both value them and believe in them.

“Most men lead lives of quiet desperation, and their songs remain unsung” - Henry David Thoreau

Four Gifts we can give that make a lasting difference:

2. The gift of Hospitality

The Old and New covenants are covenants of hospitality!

Abraham & Sarah preparing an extravagant meal for the Lord (Genesis 18)

Moses taking the 70 elders up the mountain and they ate and dined in God’s presence (Exodus 24:9-10)

The gift of Hospitality

The Old and new covenants are covenants of hospitality!

Jesus and the last supper- ‘And He took bread, and when he had given thanks, He broke it, and gave to them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me. And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood, even that which is poured out for you.’ (Luke 22:19-20)

Our physical bodies ‘host’ the presence of the Holy Spirit

Luke 11:5-10
‘And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.’

The gift of Hospitality

The Old and new covenants are covenants of hospitality!

To give the gift of hospitality is to extend value and significance!

Four Gifts we can give that make a lasting difference:

3. The gift of Forgiveness

‘God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten son, that who so ever believed in Him would not perish but have eternal life’ … would be forgiven

God is a forgiver!

Matthew 6:14-15: ‘For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’

The gift of Forgiveness

When offenses come we have a choice- to take offense, or give the gift of forgiveness!

Matthew 18:21-22: ‘Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”’

The gift of Forgiveness

‘Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison, and then waiting for the rat to die’! Ann Lamott


Hebrews 12:14-15: ‘Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled’

The gift of Forgiveness

Setting yourself free from torture


Matt. 18:32-35 NIV: “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.”

Four Gifts we can give that make a lasting difference:

4. The gift of Charity

Charity: "Christian love in its highest manifestation”
Etymology Online Dictionary

The gift of Charity

James 1:27: ‘Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.’

-Those suffering poverty
-Victims of sex trafficking
-Victims of broken families

The gift of Charity

The highest level of giving is giving to those who can not pay you back

Luke 14:13-14: “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

The measure of true Christian maturity is living like your heavenly Father- Giving & Forgiving!

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’, Jesus, Acts 20.35

Matthew 5:48” ‘Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’