Rudy Day, Bible gift idea

It is Rudy Day again, the 25th of each month and a good time to think of Christmas gifts.
Here is an idea I love.

This is the "ESV Daily Reading Bible: Through the Bible in a Year". I treated myself to a copy last Christmas and I find it very easy to read about 15 minutes a day in this Bible. At the end of one year you will have read the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice. Today I looked at Christianbooks.com and it is only $6.99.
No, I have no connection with that online store, but love that low price!
A wonderful Scottish pastor, Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813-1843) created this reading plan. I was stunned to see he lived to be only 30 and yet left this lasting treasure.
I think this Bible would be a great Christmas gift to yourself or anyone on your gift list, and then they could start in reading on January first.
What gifts are you planning to buy or make?
This was posted by Terra Hangen.

Got a Choice? Get Wisdom!

by Brenda Nixon, speaker and co-author of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

The book of James, in the Bible, is one of my favorites. I can relate to James, the writer. He was forthright, honest, candid, sincere, and I think his mouth may have occasionally offended readers. Did I say I can relate? Yep, I'm those descriptions and my honesty sometimes puts off people. I've been referred to as pushy, but I'd prefer the word assertive because, if I must, I can set limitations and boundaries. I can say "No," without guilt, although there are times I suffer
consequences from others who do not understand or agree with my answer.

In chapter 2, James writes about the sin of showing favoritism. He gives this example, "Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here's a good seat for you,' but say to the poor man, 'You stand there or Sit on the floor by my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?" Ouch! Pretty blunt, right?

The most comforting, inspirational verse I heavily rely on is chapter 1, verse 5. Here he encourages readers to ask for wisdom and promises God will provide liberally and without fault. With daily decisions to make - and some life altering ones - I frequently ask for divine wisdom.

As a parent, I often wonder do I generously give to my children when they ask for help, and do so without a lecture or a I told you so attitude?

Here are three James facts:

1. It's believed he was the half-brother of Jesus, having different fathers, but sharing the same mother;
2. His readers were followers of Jesus; and
3. His book was written around A.D. 49.

With a new year upon us, I hope you'll remember that God will always give you wisdom to make any decision. Maybe you won't recognize the wisdom (it never comes to me like a lightening bolt), but looking back you'll see you received it.

The Gift of Prayer

Want to help someone grow in their faith this Christmas? Covenant to pray for them. And to make the gift even better, encourage them to grow in their prayer life by giving the gift of a prayer journal, a Bible, and a prayer afghan or throw.

Find a blank notebook and cover the outside with a handmade/stitched book cover or find a pretty journal in a card or gift shop. Crochet, knit, quilt, or find a ready-made lap blanket that coordinates in color with the journal. Put these into a basket and add a color-coordinated Bible (or cover one) and a nice pen for journaling. If the recipient is a new Christian, you may want to add a book on prayer to inspire them.

Encourage your recipient to curl up in a comfortable chair with their Bible, journal, and lap throw as if they were a little child coming to the lap of their Father to receive his love, encouragement, and strength. Remind them that you will be praying for them as well.

Do you have a favorite verse on prayer? Mine is Philippians 4:6,7