STEPPING OUT IN FAITH

shalom elecheim ben moshe,

first, our computer is up and running again so i can now post and comment.
second, i remember a sermon i once heard where the preacher used part of a praise song"...i seek the Giver not the gift...". when he first stated those words i thought how true they were, but then the preacher went on to say that while that was a nice sentiment, we as believers should move on and seek God's gifts. i must confess after that statement i tuned out the rest of the "sermon" as at that point the church he was speaking at was very much into the "manifestations of the Holy Spirit", i.e. "laughing in the spirit, being slain in the spirit", etc. etc. needless to say i do not attend that church anymore. the point being it is human nature to focus upon the gift and not the giver, just watch children at their birthdays and at Christmas. Christians should always pray for ourselves and others and ask God to help all of us keep our focus on Him.