To everyone in association with House of Hope Prison Ministry: Greetings and Happy Holidays in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11)
Here Luke reminds us that the true Joy of this season is not so much the birth of Jesus the child, but that of Christ the Saviour. He, Whose death paid our sin-debt in full, rose again that we might have eternal life in Him. To Him be honour, praise, and glory both now and for ever more. Amen.
I do not want to say that I am too proud to accept a gift. However, this very statement proves that I am. My family raised me to not take advantage of others; to not accept those things that I did not earn; to not take anything that would deprive others of some good and wonderful gift. These are fine principles, but they make it difficult to accept a free gift.
The Bible tells us that it is blessed to give in Acts 20:35, “…to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” In fact, “giving,” the desire and means to give, is also one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:8). But a gift must be received, and humility is required for that. (Which brings me back to the issue of pride.) In order for the giver to be blessed, the receiver must accept the blessing. Herein both parties are blessed.
House of Hope Prison Ministry has taught me about receiving. Through HOHPM, I was able to receive a Holiday Package when my family was unable to send one. It is amazing how a little act of compassion brings a small ray of sunlight to a dark place. More importantly, HOHPM has provided me with resources to aid in my study of God’s Word. That is the full beam of sunlight, the Son-Light.
What may seem like small acts of love to some, are actually the answered prayers of others. So whether our prayer is to receive a blessing, or to give a blessing, we all have the ability to be a blessing to others. I want to thank HOHPM for being the answer to my prayer. May God continue to bless you as He uses you to answer the prayers of others. In Christ Jesus, because He lives…
