THE GIFT LOOKING FOR THE GIFT IN YOUR

THE GIFT LOOKING FOR “THE GIFT” IN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES

BENEFITS OF LOOKING FOR THE GIFT - POSITIVITY THE GOAL CHASER • Reduces stress due to less worrying. • Helps with your emotional and physical health. • You develop better coping skills.

• You are happier. • You become more confident. • You surround yourself with positivity and positive people (because it’s contagious and likeable!)

A POVERTY STRICKEN WIDOW

1 KINGS 17: 12 • As surely as the LORD your God lives, ” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die. ”

1 KINGS 17: 15 -16 • She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. • For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.

THE WIDOW’S GIFT A stranger asking for her last bit of food.

WHAT THE WIDOW DID 1. She chose to give a stranger food. 2. She chose obedience.

A SUCCESSFUL SOLDIER ABOUT TO LOSE IT ALL

2 KINGS 5: 1 • Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.

NAAMAN’S GIFT A servant girl who knew of a prophet. A wife who passed on the information. A prophet who made him mad. Servants who spoke up.

WHAT NAAMAN DID 1. Naaman listened to wise counsel. 2. He chose to humble himself. 3. He was obedient.

A MAN RAISED IN A PALACE AT THE VERY TOP OF SOCIETY WHO LOSES EVERYTHING.

EXODUS 2: 10 • When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water. ”

EXODUS 3: 10 -11 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. ” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? ”

MOSES’ GIFT • Pharoah’s daughter who raised him. • Two men who were fighting. • Jethro who took him in and became his fatherin-law. • Aaron who went with him to Pharoah.

WHAT MOSES DID 1. He removed himself from a harmful situation. 2. He was willing to do work that was menial. 3. He put himself in a position to hear from God. 4. He had many reasons why he could not do what God wanted but obeyed anyway.

REMEMBER: No matter what your situation is, God can change it.

REMEMBER No matter what your past has been like, God can make your future bright.

REMEMBER You don’t have the stay the way you are.

FIVE THINGS THAT HELP YOU SEE THE GIFT IN YOUR SITUATION • Bombard your mind with God’s word. • Practice Gratitude • Replace ‘I have to’ with ‘I get to’ • Look for the gift in your situation. • Make these things part of your morning routine.