This week, my fellow pastors and I had the privilege of giving away $55,000 from a trust fund established years ago by a judge who never had children of his own. It’s the largest amount we’ve ever been asked to distribute, and at first, we wondered if we would have enough need to match the generosity. But when all the applications came in, the requests totaled more than $85,000.

Sorting through needs, weighing circumstances, and deciding how to share the funds is always stressful because there is no perfect way to divide limited resources. Still, we prayerfully do our best to discern what will truly help each family.

But here’s something I’ve noticed: I never stress about the money itself. It isn’t mine. The Ministerial Alliance receives these funds with one clear assignment: give it all away between December 1st and 24th. We’re not owners. We’re stewards. We hold it for a moment, then release it where it’s needed most.

And isn’t that the truth about everything God has placed in our hands? Our money, time, abilities, and opportunities ultimately are not ours to keep. Sooner or later, every possession we cling to will pass to someone else. What we call “mine” is only borrowed for a season.

When we see ourselves as stewards rather than owners, generosity stops feeling like a loss and becomes a sense of purpose. We begin to give freely, joyfully, instinctively because we know we’re simply passing along what was never meant to end with us.

So, during this holiday season and every season, take the opportunity to give away some of what God has blessed you with for now. Let His blessings flow through you, not just to you. That’s where joy is found.

I was about to start a project, and as I sat pondering the work, a straightforward question came to mind. “What do I hope to accomplish by doing this?”

Was I wanting to do it merely for the joy it produced?

Was I wanting to do it for the physical rewards it might bring?

Was I wanting to do it for the connection to other people it might include?

Was I wanting to do it because I felt guilty about something I should be doing?

Was I wanting to do it because I thought it would be productive for the kingdom of God?

What is the end goal? It is a question everyone must ask before starting any project. It is okay if you are doing it for a few minutes of joy, but be clear about that purpose. If you are doing it for profit, be clear about that too.

When you know the aim of your activity, it creates clarity in your actions and the logical response when you are finished. Pointless activity makes us busy and leaves us feeling empty or frustrated when the task is complete.

I sat there thinking about the work ahead, and I could not come up with any clear goal other than filling my time with something I felt I should be doing. Once I understood that, I got up and did something more productive with my time.

Our lives are the result of the choices we make. Good and bad decisions shape us, both in the near future and in the distant years.

We are also impacted by the decisions we didn’t make. The bad ideas we avoided and the opportunities that we let slip through our fingers.

One reason Christians should spend time in prayer is to ask God to help us make wise choices today and for our future. Ask God for wisdom and insight into things we have not imagined yet. Seek his will and respond to the ways we see him leading. 

If we want to change our lives and our futures, then we need to make better choices now. And prayer before we decide our next steps gets us on the path toward the life God desires for us

I laugh to myself every time I hear people clapping to a song. This could be at a concert or worship venue; location doesn’t really matter. Whenever people start clapping, I think to myself, “How long will they keep it going?”  Very rarely does the clapping ever last the whole song. Usually, it starts with a loud flurry as people are caught up in the moment, then the moment fades, and so does the enthusiasm until only a couple of people are still doing it. Eventually, everyone stops even as the song continues.

Good things are hard to keep going, even when they start with great excitement.

Recently, I posted a message on social media to our Church family asking them to please sit at the front during worship. A couple of families in the first program resisted, but most understood the impact this could have on guests and gladly did it. In fact, during the second program, I was sent a picture showing that the entire back row was empty to start. 

It was a great moment for me, and an exciting step for the people I lead. But the question that plagues me is, “How long will it last?” and “Is there anything I can do to keep it going?”

Over the last few months, I have listened to numerous podcasts and webinars by so-called “Church experts.” They talk about building better systems, praying more, and repeating the Church’s vision and mission. There is a long list of possible ways to keep the excitement going, but despite my best efforts, I know it will fade over time.

Perhaps that’s the point. Our goal shouldn’t be to manufacture endless enthusiasm or to try to stretch every moment of excitement as far as it will go. What truly sustains a Church isn’t hype but habits. It’s the quiet, steady devotion of people who show up, serve faithfully, love one another in little ways, and seek Jesus even when the moment doesn’t feel electric anymore.

Clapping may fade, but commitment doesn’t have to. When we choose to keep doing the simple things like sitting in the front, engaging in worship, and welcoming guests, we create an atmosphere where God can work in ways that outlast any surge of emotion.

When obedience becomes our rhythm, not just excitement, our connection to God doesn’t depend on our hands; it rests on our hearts.

The countdown to Christmas has begun. With Thanksgiving officially behind us, we have started counting the days till Christmas. In addition to being present for worship each week, would you consider these simple ideas to make this season meaningful for your faith?

1. Begin praying now for who you would like to join you and your family for a Christmas Program at your Church. During this season, people are much more likely to accept invitations. It is a great time to reach others with the message of Jesus.

2. Pick an individual or a family to pray for the entire month of December. At least you could pray from today till December 25. You could pray for their health, their marriage, their children, or any number of things. One of the greatest gifts you can give is your prayers on their behalf.

3. Find someone with legitimate needs and bless their life. This could be as simple as a gift of a meal or as costly as paying a bill. Look around, see a need, and then be the person to fill that need. If you cannot find an individual, focus on a particular organization and bless them.

One way to make this Christmas more fulfilling is to take your focus off yourself and even your family and put it onto the physical and spiritual needs of others. Loving the Lord our God and loving our neighbor are the hallmarks of faith, especially during the Christmas season.