FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
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2020 Advent Devotional

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Give Until It Feels Good

Read I Samuel 1:19-28
Devotional by Barbara Yarbrough

One of the things foremost on our mind during the Advent season is giving and how Christmas brought us the greatest gift of all, the birth of Jesus Christ. This passage from Samuel reminds us that when we give, we are able to do so only because everything we have is a blessing and gift from God.

Matthew 21:22 says, “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” But how often is that prayer request submitted on a conditional basis?” Have you ever prayed, “God, if you will please just give me this, I will do that”? How many of us actually make good on those promises made during prayer as Hannah did?

Hannah’s despair was understandable. She was barren and her husband’s other wife, who had given him children, was abusive towards Hannah. Hannah desperately wanted a son. And so, it was at the temple during the annual time of sacrifice that she prayed silently and fervently that God would grant her this one wish. And she then promised to give her son to the Lord if she were so blessed. She named her son Samuel which means, God has heard, or God listens. After Samuel was weaned, Hannah made good on her promise, taking Samuel to the priest Eli on the day of sacrifice, giving him to the service of the Lord.

This Advent season, we find ourselves living in unprecedented times when prayers so often come from places of despair. Let us remember that we can still be called to pray for our own relief, but we also have the opportunity to pray for others and to  give back from the many blessings and gifts God has bestowed on us — so this year — give big, or give small. Perhaps your gift is simply a phone call or a card offering encouragement, or aid to the needy. And praying for family, friends, our country and the world is a gift rich in value. How can you share your gifts this year? You have probably heard the saying, “give until it hurts.” There is one I like much better – “give until it feels good.” Find a way to share God’s love and his blessings this Advent season.


Prayer Dear Lord, thank you for supplying our needs during difficult times. Help us remember the story of Hannah and how she gave her most precious gift to you.  Help us find meaningful ways to respond when you challenge us to give back.  Let us all glorify you by sharing our blessings with cheerful giving. AMEN.

Read Daily Devotionals by clicking on the links below.
November 29, 2020: Great Expectations by Beth Silver
November 30, 2020: A New Beginning by Roger Rizk
​December 1, 2020: Walk in his Paths by Helen Rogers
​December 2, 2020: Exhortation to Watch by Davidson Hobson
​December 3, 2020: He will Revive Us by Sarah Sumner
December 4, 2020: Still Small Voice by Coleman Efird
December 5, 2020: The Authority of Jesus Challenged by Grady Kennington
December 6, 2020: John the Baptist Prepares the Way by Bobby Sumner
December 7, 2020: Earnestly Seeking You by Mallory and William Trogdon
December 8, 2020: The Branch of the Lord by Craig Whitley
December 9, 2020: Oh! The Difference a Child Makes by Lee DuBois
​December 10, 2020: God Does Great Things by Jim Brown
December 11, 2020: A Personal Relationship with God by Kelly and Rick Hovis
​December 12, 2020: Abide with Us by Stuart Euliss
​December 13, 2020: Sharing the Good News by Sally and Gwin Hilton
​December 14, 2020: What is Joy? by Tyler Bullock
December 15, 2020: Repent and Turn to God by Betty Davenport
December 16, 2020: Preparing for Change by Mary Ann Aycock
December 17, 2020: God Allows U-Turns by Donna Atkins
December 18, 2020: God is Faithful Still by Barbara Voorhees
December 19, 2020: Trust and Believe by Matt Miller
December 20, 2020: A House of Cedar by Charles Grissom
December 21, 2020: Mary's Song of Praise by Baity 
Ferguson
December 22, 2020: Give Until It Feels Good by Barbara Yarbrough

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Download a PDF copy of The Audacity of Advent
​by clicking here.

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First Presbyterian Church

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Address
​1621 E. Garrison Blvd.
​Gastonia, N.C. 28054
Phone
(704) 864-2651
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Affiliated with: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Presbytery of Western North Carolina
Copyright © 2020 First Presbyterian Church, Gastonia, N.C.
  • Home
  • About
    • Visitors
    • What We Believe
    • Our Staff
    • Pastoral Search
  • Worship
    • Services
    • Livestream
    • Music
  • Faith Formation
    • Adults
    • Presbyterian Women
    • Youth
    • Children
  • Outreach
    • Local Missions
    • Global Missions
    • Pastoral Care
    • Parish Nurse Ministry
  • Giving
    • Giving
    • Planned Giving
    • Stewardship
  • Connect
    • Calendar
    • Videos
    • Weekly Announcements
    • Resources
  • More
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Presbyterian Weekday School
    • Mother's Morning Out