History notes that Emperor Shah Jahan so loved his wife that he undertook to build a monument in her memory. He began the project in 1631. It took 22 years to construct the breathtaking structure with 22,000 smart people working behind the scenes. Precious building materials were brought from all over India and Central Asia. It took a fleet of 1000 elephants to transport these materials to the construction site! And that’s the story behind the famous Taj Mahal!

Taj Mahal is considered as one of the seven wonders in today’s world including a 2007 opinion poll with 100 million votes! And it’s all about a love gift given by a loving husband to his lovely wife! Today Shah Jahan is famous in history books and in many people’s hearts because of something that he gave.

In the Scriptures, Jesus taught on various kinds of giving such as loving your enemies, blessing your accusers, praying for the abusers, showing mercy to the offenders and helping the poor – all with a non-judgmental, non-condemning and forgiving attitude (Luke 6:20-37). This is sacrificial giving. This brings in marvelous rewards to the giver.

That’s why Jesus tied up these ‘giving’ teachings with this famous statement, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).

Your giving can be in the form of money, time, property or resources. It can also be in the form of love, mercy, service or forgiveness. It can be demonstrated through words, behavior, looks or deeds.

You may not fully understand what your gift means to the receiver. It may have come as a much needed help at the 11th hour. It may have saved an about-to-be-broken marriage. It may have rescued someone from committing suicide. It may have lifted someone up from failure to success.

Only God knows the huge results of your giving. So He rewards you accordingly. Therefore Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

The Scripture says, “let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). As you make ‘giving’ a daily habit, at the appropriate time, God will begin giving you back its fabulous rewards!

- – - By Joe Abraham & Ancy Joe

There are many phrases associated with the word “blank”, such a drawing a blank, fill in the blank, or giving someone a blank stare. The other day I even managed to e-mail a blank!!

I had cut out an article to send to a friend. I addressed the mail, filled in the topic space and proceeded to press the send button. In my scurry to get it sent in a hurry, I completely forgot to paste my article in the blank space provided, therefore sending “a blank”.

I wondered if sometimes I live a blank- sending empty messages to loved ones and friends.  Does my life reflect my love for God, and my certainty of His love for me? Do I allow the Holy Spirit to use me where I am needed in the body of Christ, and do I always remember to give the glory to Him? Do I share my praises with others, or just keep them to myself?

When you draw a blank – nothing happens. Could the same can be true with a spiritual blank? You can just be…  “blah!” … with nothing happening .

When we receive from God, we are called to share – whether it is serving others, praying for them, singing in the choir, helping the poor and homeless or just even sharing our joy and thanks for the gifts of love, good health, friendships, and experiences with our living Lord.

Lord, I want my life to reflect your love in a special manner. I pray I will not exhibit a spiritual “blank”, but will truly allow myself to be an open vessel for you – ready to be poured out and spilled to overflowing with the love you have planted in my heart.

How about you? What is your life in Christ exhibiting?

- – - written by Marion Smith

At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.” - (Mark 1:9-11)

I hope you can look back on your baptism and remember it as a precious and powerful moment. What great joy to know that we can share in an event similar to one Jesus shared, and to know that God’s Spirit comes to us in that event to cleanse us and live in us, and to know that the Father says a similar thing about us that he said about Jesus. What sweet grace!

Prayer : O God, my righteous Father in heaven, you are holy — nothing compares to you. I pray that your rule over my life will increase and the Holy Spirit will increasingly influence my heart and my thinking. May my life be a holy praise to you! In Jesus’ name I ask this. Amen.