Ephesians 2

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works so that no one may boast."

This verse is a tremendous summary of God's work for us. Grace is God's gift. I don't earn grace. I don't deserve grace. Grace is what God gives to me. Grace is God's way of salvation for us.

Grace is what distinguishes Christianity from the other religions of the world. Virtually every other religion requires the person to do something to earn or deserve relationship with God. Christianity is the only religion in which relationship with God comes as a gift.

Ephesians 1

"And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him him to be head over everything for the church"

The church is the community for Christians. The bible knows nothing of Christians who are not part of the church. As people of faith we are to live in community together. As a community we are to do the work of God. Yet, we not in charge of the church. Jesus is. Jesus is our leader and we are to follow his direction.

Acts 28: 7-10

Publius welcomed the stranger Paul into his home.

Hospitality is a special gift. In practicing hospitality we are expressing our Christian faith for we are acting on the basis of the needs of another person. We are loving our neighbor as ourself. Some seem to practice hospitality naturally. For the rest of us it becomes an intentional act in which we consider the needs of the other person. We open our lives to help the other feel welcome and at home.

Luke 2: 8-20

Shepherds, angels, a manger, in a strange town, the birth of her child....a lot is going on in Mary's life. In the midst of all this the passage says, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." She reflects on her life.

Reflecting on our lives is not in fashion at the moment. Reflecting takes times, there is not instant gratification but it helps us sort through what has meaning and value. It is well worth the time to spend a few moments pondering your life.

Psalm 100

"On your feet now -- applaud your God!" This is the way the "Message" translates verse one. Several images came to mind as I read this passage. One was being at a football game and the crowd raising to their feet in excitement to cheer the team. The other was being at a concert and the crowd raising to their feet to show appreciation for the performance. I doubt that the Psalmist had either of those images in mind but there is no doubt that he is calling us to express our thanksgiving to God for all that God has done for us.

2 Kings 4: 8-17

Elisha responds to the generosity of the women by giving her the gift of a child. Women in the ancient world we defined by their children. For this woman, it was the perfect gift. A gift she never expected. She was just being kind to the prophet, she wasn't acting in hopes of receiving in return.

How do you receive gifts? Some struggle with gifts, thinking that somehow they haven't deserved the gift. But a gift is not about what we deserve. A gift is given in love, not because of effort. The gift of grace that God gives to us is never about our effort. Grace is always about God's love.

2 Samuel 9: 1-13

Mephibosheth had everything going against him. He was Saul's grandson. (Saul was the terrible King that had attempted to kill David on numerous occasions. David had ultimately conquered Saul.) He was lame in both feet. He thought he was a dead dog. The one thing he had going for him was he was Jonathan's son. (David and Jonathan had been great friends.)

In honor of his friendship with Jonathan, David restores all that Saul had to Mephibosheth. What an amazing gift in honor of his friend. Yet maybe more than an amazing gift it shows the recognition of the importance of a very good friend. What about your friendships? How valuable are they to you? How have they blessed your life?