Scripture:  Luke 6:38 (NLT) 38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

Observation:  Many have used this scripture as referring to money, but as you read the scripture in context as mentioned in the versus before this one it is talking about love, mercy, forgiveness, etc.  It about extending even love to our enemies, praying for them...having mercy and compassion towards others as God has to us....it talks about not judging others or condeming others....forgiving others then we will be forgiven. It is really talking about giving  in this manner.

Application:  There is no doubt in my mind that God's word encourages us to be generous with what he have, physically (money, wealth,etc).  But the scripture is more about  "spiritual" things that really causes change in and around us.  When you think of it, how would this world look like if we gave generously in the areas of love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, not judging or condemning?  And to think the same measure we give out will come back "pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap."  I don't know about you but I could sure use a lot of those things in my life.  The lesson learned here is that we need to purposely and with intent "practice" these things in our lives.  Sometimes it doesn't come easy....but with God's help we can begin today.

Prayer:  Lord I am so thankful that you gave first...you gave your son Jesus Christ in order that our eyes may be open to see your immeasurable love for us.  Thank you for the reminder of extending love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness to others.  Help us who have a hard time doing this for whatever reason because of how we were treated in the past....or even being treated today.  And yes Lord we sure do need this in our world today as the love grows cold....we ask of these things in Jesus name...Amen and Amen