Many of us are still full from today’s meal, however, I would encourage you to really ponder the question, “Which is more important, being thankful or giving? Or, are both equally as important.” Before you dash out tomorrow and start charging all the latest gadgets on your credit cards, perhaps you should settle that question in your heart.

God blesses His children because He dearly loves us and because He desires us to be a blessing to others. We are reminded in 2 Corinthians 9:10-11:

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

Whether you have been blessed abundantly with material possessions and financial wealth or you have very little and not enough income to survive from month to month, use what God has provided and sow into the lives of others. This may may mean taking your spiritual wealth and encouraging someone who is weaker in the faith. You may be blessed with good health and strength, use it to assist someone less fortunate. Thanks and giving go hand in hand. When are so thankful for God’s blessings it should compel us to give, and give and give.

Why was it a challenge for ROW to hire two new staff members? Like many non-profit Christian organizations, we survive off of the generosity of Christians around the world. Accepting his new position with ROW was a leap of faith for Keith, who left behind a very solid career to follow the leading of the Lord.

I humbly ask our supporters to add one more pound to the ton and consider supporting the work of ROW, whether that means contributing to Keith or David’s efforts, the completion of the orphanage in the Dominican Republic or one of our many projects around the world. There are so many who count on ROW and we in turn count on you.

God fully expects His children to love and care for one another. Sometimes this entails giving financially to support a fellow believer who is unemployed, contributing resources to missionaries abroad or pooling our time and talents to help a new church plant get off the ground. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Acts 2:44-45 (NKJV):

“Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.”

These verses do not instruct us to merely help those in our particular church body. We are to go beyond the four walls of our church and help believers in need, whether this means crossing denominational barriers or crossing oceans to minister to fellow followers of Christ. Remember, everything we possess is really only on loan from God’s vast storehouse.

Many of us were overflowing with joy the day we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. In order to keep that spirit of gratefulness, we must daily draw close to Jesus. Read Colossians 2:6-7:

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

The more we discover God’s love for us, the greater our desire will be to know more about His Son, Jesus. A natural result of an intimate relationship with Christ is overflowing thankfulness in our hearts. Show forth your love today for Jesus in your words and actions.

Meetings have been held with women and community leaders in three communities. The ROW board of directors has agreed to target single mothers in communities as the first group to receive assistance. So far, the village of San Benito Poite has received three sewing machines from the Toledo Maya Women’s Council (TMWC) and materials assistance from ROW. Materials included sewing fabric, chairs, thread and the training for these women to learn to sew. Two other villages, San Vicente and Jalacte, were on target to receive sewing machines, fabric and training by the end of February. The TMWC is also providing transportation, mentoring and technical support. We are now in the process of moving into two other communities.

Are you looking for a way to make a difference in someone’s life this year? Are you desiring to fulfill a purpose for Christ that will have a lasting influence upon people’s lives? If this is your heart’s passion this year, then prayerfully consider joining ROW by praying for this project in Belize, by sending a financial gift to purchase sewing machines or consider traveling to Belize to help further implement this life-changing outreach to the Maya women.

Whether someone lives in Vietnam, Belize, Haiti, Canada or Germany, each person is made in the image of God, created lovingly with specific gifts, plans and purposes in this life. Read Psalm 139:13-14:

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

The Maya women were beautifully made to reflect the goodness of their Father. He equipped them with skills and talents unique for their culture and the environment they live in, deep in the jungles. Our part as Christians is to provide the necessary tools for them to be able to earn a living. By supplying sewing machines, some fabric and someone to teach these women, we are giving them an opportunity to not only sew clothes and other items, but to experience the love of Christ and to knit that into the fabric of their lives as well.

Needs ROW will be focusing on this year include food for orphans in Vietnam and the DRC, solar powered light bulbs in Peru and Venezuela and sewing machines in Belize. A small amount of change from numerous people can add up quickly. Together, we can make a huge difference in the world in 2011.

More often than not, our love for others is conditional and based upon our immediate emotions and feelings. We should possess the same self-sacrificing love that Christ had when he laid down His life on the cross at Calvary.

Is it your heart’s desire to please God? If so, follow the instructions in Ephesians 5:1-2:

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Instead of going through the motions this year and living your life from day to day as you always have, make a commitment to live each day intentionally. With purpose and passion, work as unto the Lord at your job, give sacrificially to alleviate the suffering of those in need and love others in a way that imitates the One who resides in your heart.

It is quite a celebration to see when this offering is received. People dance, sing and rejoice in the Lord! To present their offering to God, the people dance down the aisle of the church and then place their offering upon a tree stump that serves as the communion table and the pulpit. The congregation fell quiet when the oldest woman in the village worked her way slowly down the center of the aisle. She placed her offering for the entire year on the stump. It was one ear of corn.

After the offering was made, the silence in that church ceased and all the people celebrated and rejoiced. I believe the heavens also rejoiced at the generosity of that dear soul. Christmas may be over according to the calendar, but tomorrow begins a new year and a new opportunity for us as Christians to live generous lives.

We should be generous with the resources Christ has blessed us with, generous with the time that the Lord has given us, generous with the talents Jesus has bestowed upon us and certainly generous with the money that God has so graciously given us.

There is a simple, yet profound principle found in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 that we should ponder and heed as we live our lives:

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Do you desire for your life to be filled with abundant blessings? Then seek first to please the Lord in all that you do, especially in your giving, and you will find that your life will overflow with bountiful blessings.

Christmas may be winding down for 2010, however, it is not too late to help a child in need. It takes so little to make a difference in the lives of children, but, it does take a small measure of time, effort and finances. Would you consider helping this Christmas season by supporting ROW in its efforts to provide for the needs of over 1,000 children located around the world?

As Christians in the United States, we can identify with Psalm 65:9:

“You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.”

No matter how little you may think you have, you are richly blessed with abundant food, clean water, shelter, clothes and much more when compared to those living in parts of Africa, Central America and many parts of the world. As ROW provides for the basic needs of people around the world, we never forget to also provide that water which will quench a thirsty soul.

Once the celebration is over Christmas morning, once you have arrived home from church, once you have let that big Christmas dinner digest, or whatever it is that you do to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus, I want you to consider leaving your home for a short drive. Consider traveling to some part of town where you know there will be a store open on Christmas Day, an area of town where you know there will be law enforcement on duty, or to a hospital where there will be medical personnel working on that holy day.

I want you to find somebody who is working on Christmas Day and take a brief moment to wish them a very Merry Christmas. Thank them for being vigilant, for their service and don’t forget to share the Gospel with them, after all, that is the reason for the season. Remind them that Christmas Day is more than just a holiday on our calendars, it is that joyous time of the year that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

You may not be in a position this year to provide all the gifts you would like to family and friends. What you can do is give the best gift possible to Jesus in celebration of His birthday. Consider these gifts found in Galatians 5:22-23 (Amplified):

“But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].”

Try a new tradition this Christmas by giving a variety of fruits of the Holy Spirit to family, friends and all with whom you come in contact with this season. These are gifts that are priceless and that will last for all eternity.

Here is a bit of a history lesson. King Leonidas and the Spartans were facing the Persians at Thermopylae and they didn’t have a chance in the world at a victory. King Xerxes of Persia commanded, “Lay down your arms.” Courageously, the Spartans replied, “Molon labe.” As I am sure you know, this meant, “Come and get them!” In our modern language it would mean, “Bring it on!”

I want you to practice saying molon labe, molon labe, molon labe during this Christmas season when the traffic, crowds, mall and family start to get the better of you. Hold fast and say, “Bring it on!” It is a great time of the year so go out there and have a ball! As you are interacting with the crowds, your co-workers, family and strangers, don’t forget to love them all in the name of Jesus and remember this is the season to share and give.

As Christians, we should understand that the enemies we fight against are not human, but instead, the evil forces of this dark world. Our weapon of choice should be the Word of God. During this hectic Christmas season, let us heed the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14:

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.”

Emotions often run high this time of the year leading to hurt feelings, damaged relationships, and sometimes, violent acts. Before you react in an ungodly manner during this season, stop and ask yourself if the situation really matters in light of eternity. If it doesn’t go against the Word, then hold your tongue and compromise. But, if the matter at hand compromises scripture, then hold fast to your faith.

When they met, a bond began that has stood the test of time. It has grown into a loving relationship similar to the love shared between a mother and a daughter. Freddie’s sponsorship of this girl has paved the way for her to finish a secondary education, and has provided a way for her to graduate from a university. This beautiful young woman has a new moped provided by Freddie that enables her to commute to a real job.

You can decide to support a child in need overseas until they are 18 and you will have likely provided a solid education for that child. However, in most underdeveloped countries, a college education leading to a job is what is needed to break the cycle of poverty. Their life and the lives of their children for generations will forever be changed.

Sending a monthly check to sponsor a child will certainly ensure that child has food, clothing, shelter and an education. If that child is not taught about God and the sacrifice of Jesus for their salvation, then all you have done is met the basic physical needs for survival. Instilling within that child Christian values and morals will equip him with a solid and sure foundation for a lifetime.

Parents have a wonderful promise from God found in Proverbs 22:6:

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

You have an awesome responsibility as a parent to lead your child in the way of righteousness. Pray and ask the Lord if He would have you expand your sphere of influence beyond your home into the life of a child in poverty overseas.

This time, though, it meant participating in a huge auction Sept. 25 at the Atlanta Country Club in Atlanta, GA. ROW joined forces with Widow’s Mite Experience, based in North Carolina, an organization that digs fresh water wells all over the world. Since ROW serves on rivers of the world, it was only natural for us to call the auction, It’s All About Water.

Proceeds from the auction will be used to dig fresh water wells and to meet numerous physical and spiritual needs of people around the world. Do you realize that every eight seconds a child dies from waterborne disease? Many people don’t realize that around 80 percent of diseases in the world come from unclean water.

I may not be comfortable dressing up for a semi-formal event, but the bottom line to me is having people come together to do good things for the Lord around the world. Praise from the lips of a Christian should be spoken unto God even more than prayers offered each day. David understood the importance of praising the Lord, in times of prosperity and in times of utter despair. Take a moment to read Psalm 34:3:

“Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.”

Would you like your burdens to be lifted? Are you drowning in a sea of cares? The answer lies in shifting your focus from yourself to praising the One who holds your very life in the palm of His hands. The most powerful and effective way for us to stay strong in our faith and to encourage one another is to stand united in praise unto God. If for no other reason today, praise the Lord that you have fresh, clean and always available drinking water.

Despite my inability to work with tools, I decided on a recent trip to Honduras that I was going to overcome my fears. I thought, “I can do this. I am not going to die. I’m going to charge right ahead.” I am so proud of myself! I was part of the team that installed a water purification system in our new clinic near Taulabe, Honduras. I was there when we flipped on the switch and saw the lights come on and I was there to witness clean water pouring out of the spigots.

Just think about the difference this clinic is going to make in the lives of thousands of Hondurans living in remote mountain villages who will now have better access to medical care. I decided after that wonderful experience that it was well worth the effort using a gift that certainly was not really mine.

How often do you not assist with a project, meet a need in somebody’s life or step out on faith because you think you will fail since you are lacking the skills necessary? We are assured in Luke 6:38:

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

The measure by which we love others and help those in need is directly proportionate to what we will receive in return. We must not give with the motivation of receiving, but instead, we must give our time, talents, money and everything we possess out of a grateful heart to God. The Lord can even use our inabilities to bless others when we serve with an obedient heart. Empty yourself today and lift somebody’s burden.