I am sure you have heard the phrase, “The gift that keeps on giving.”  The phrase first appeared as a marketing slogan for the phonograph in 1924.  It was later trademarked in 1927.  The meaning of the phrase is that the benefits of a particular gift will keep on increasing with time.

I have received many gifts over the years.  I remember receiving a BB gun one year for Christmas.  I was about ten-years-old and delighted in taking my new gift into the woods near our house on serious hunting expeditions.  All went well until my friend, David Betzer, accidentally pulled the barrel off the gun.  At that moment, the gift of the BB gun stopped giving.

Some gifts are broken.  Others are lost.  Some wear out.  Others lose their usefulness.

But there are gifts that last.  They not only last, these gifts just keep on giving over the years.  I think of my parents who gave me the gift of a loving childhood in a Christian home.  You cannot put a price tag on that!  I am also thankful for the gift of grandparents who instilled the things of God in my young life.  My maternal grandfather made a special impact in me in that regard.

On July 21, 1984, God gave me one of the greatest gifts of all - the gift of my wife, Sheri.  With our marriage God also brought into my life the gift of Sheri’s parents, Ken and Bonita.  As time went by God gave to Sheri and I the gift of three wonderful children, Nicholas, Paul David, and Tori.  We now have the gift of two lovely daughters-in-law, Jamie and Emily.  We are so thankful for the gift of two fine grandsons, Mason and Levi.  And as I write this article, we are anxiously awaiting the birth of our first granddaughter, Lyric.

For nearly thirty-three years God has given me the gift of serving in full-time ministry.  Almost one-third of that time has been spent serving at River of Life.  What a gift it has been to pastor some of the most amazing people I’ve ever had the privilege to know!

When you stop and think about it, our lives are full of gifts that keep on giving.  The greatest of these, of course, is the gift of Jesus Himself.  Christmas is the celebration of the ultimate Gift that keeps on giving.  For all eternity God’s Gift will continue to give as we experience everlasting life and the endless blessings of heaven that are ours because of Jesus.

So while you are thanking everyone for the many gifts you will receive this Christmas, be sure to say thanks to your Heavenly Father for the most amazing gift of all — Jesus, the Gift that keeps on giving.

Pastor Todd Weston

One of our family Christmas traditions while our children were still at home was going to the Crowne Center in downtown Kansas City each year, and giving the kids money to buy an ornament for the tree.  This was a favorite holiday ritual we practiced for several years.  

Now, as we decorate our tree, each ornament holds a special memory that takes us back like the ghost of Christmas past.  The difference between us and Ebenezer Scrooge is that our Christmas memories are happy.

We all have Christmas memories, some spread out well over half-a-century.  Maybe you can identify with the words of the beautiful Christmas song --

Solomon was a leader who knew how to get things done.  The Bible catalogues some of his major construction projects, of which the greatest was the Temple in Jerusalem.  The labor force required for that project alone was staggering — 180,000 laborers worked for seven years under the supervision of 3,300 superintendents.  

I think Solomon understood the concept of teamwork!  In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Solomon taught that two are better than one, and three are better than two.  In other words, working as a team is more productive than working alone.  

Teamwork pays off in many ways.  It creates synergy - where the sum is greater than the parts.  We accomplish more together than separate. Teamwork supports a more empowered way of working.  It is amazing to watch a mobilized team of gifted people run with a project.  Teamwork also promotes a sense of achievement, equity, and togetherness.  Unity is strengthened in a church when we bring our diverse gifts and work together for a common purpose.

Of course, teamwork has to be managed.  Remember Solomon’s 3,300 superintendents?  When managed properly, teamwork is the better way to work.

The Estero Christmas Celebration was the result of teamwork.  Approximately 140 people worked together under the supervision of 10 leaders to produce a first-class presentation.  Add to that number the many who supported the production financially and with prayer.  Each and every year ECC is the product of the entire RLA family.  Twenty-one people turned in response cards this year indicating that they received Christ as personal Lord and Savior.  Countless others were “deeply touched,” “moved beyond words,” “greatly blessed” (their words, not mine).

So thank you to Paul David and the entire cast & crew of ECC.  And thank you to all who gave and prayed.  Working together is what we do at RLA.  And we do so holding on to the promise of 1 Corinthians 15:58, “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

Pastor Todd Weston

The boy had a serious condition.  The father brought his son to Jesus saying, “If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” The boy’s father said to Jesus, “If you can do anything…”  Jesus turned the statement around and said, ”If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).

The response of the father is touching.  Mark records that he immediately cried out and said with great emotion, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”  Before dealing with the boy’s physical condition, Jesus talked to the father about his faith.  The man openly declared his faith in Jesus, and at the same time acknowledged his need for greater faith.

I think we can all relate to the father’s plea, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”  As sincere Christians we want to grow in faith.  We pray with the disciples, “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5).  We ask the Lord to increase our faith in the sense of capacity and our understanding.

I believe most Christians understand the difference between mental assent and true faith.  The passage from James comes to mind, “You believe that there is one God.  You do well.  Even the demons believe - and tremble!” (2:19)  James tells us that it is possible to fully acknowledge the integrity of God’s Word and still miss the point.

So when does a person go from mental assent to biblical faith?  When they put faith into action!  Faith is not a passive thing; it’s active.  Biblical belief requires action because, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). 

Case in point.  In Mark 11:22 Jesus said, “Have faith in God.”  He then coupled faith with action, “I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says” (Mark 11:23).  Jesus taught us to believe, and then act on that belief.

There are numerous examples in the Bible of people putting belief into action and seeing results.  God wants us to do the same.  So be strong in faith.  Be confident in the Lord.  Take God at His Word and act upon it.  Believe and speak to the mountain.  That is when faith becomes real.

Pastor Todd Weston