November 28th, 2022 – 8:52pm – Haifa Hostel, Haifa, Israel:

True love gives and gives and gives of itself to others freely no matter the cost.

God IS love. He is giving. He is the source of all life and love. He gives and gives and gives.

For God so loved… that He gave… His one and only Son… not to condemn… but to save.

God gives and gives and gives… and so we that bear His name should do the same. Receive from Him and turn and give and give and give to those around us.

Is it time you need to give? Is it kindness? Is it a phone call or a text message? Is it a prayer or a word of encouragement? Is it something that you have in abundance that someone else lacks?

Freely you have received from God… so freely give. This is what my life and my journey speak of… giving. Of my life and of my time and of my dreams… giving everything away and every moment and then turning back to my source to receive again and then give out again… over and over and over….

And by this they will know that you are my disciples that you love one another. Love your enemies and do good to those who persecute you. Bless and curse not. Listen.

You are given time each day. Give some of that away. Call someone you know who may need a kind ear to listen to. Give a gift just because. Find some way to love those who God has entrusted into your life.

When I was in Redding, CA… I had a best friend. And one day God told me to buy her a Barbie doll. And so I did. And I gave it to her and told her that it was from God. I don’t think I still know the significance of that to my friend but God does.

What about you? What have you given to Gods by giving to others lately? What about time? Have you given some time away? Have you thought about those in your life? Have you gone out of your way to bless those who God has put into your life?

I think about it as I walk the streets. I think about how far I still have to go. I think about all God has given me… and all I have to give to others.

Even when I’ve given all my money away… and all my possessions… I still have my smile and my kindness to give.

And I have my time. I can take someone to see Haifa. I can show them the streets I love. And I can take them on the buses and the cable cars and show them the places I love.

I can sit and make others laugh. God has given me this sharp, quick wit that makes people laugh. And in that it opens doors for me to share about the deep things in my life. It’s the kindness that I carry… that light of God that shines brightly from me.

So I think about all I’ve left behind… and I know that it is all worth it. And when I get home to heaven Jesus will ask, “How have you loved during your life?” And I’ll have so much to show Him… so much to lay at His feet as an offering.

“When you give a cup of cold water to the least of these (fellow believers) you do it to me.” – Jesus

So love today… love any way you can. Take a moment to forget about yourself and give… give, give! Love and love and love!