One of my favorite scenes from the classic Christmas movie It’s A Wonderful Life in which George Baily, played by the late great Jimmy Stewart, begins to pray.

He starts: “Dear Father in heaven, I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there and you can hear me….

At that moment, Stewart begins crying and then says:

“Show me the way. . .show me the way.”

Truthfully, that’s what God wants to do for each of us . . . show us the way.

The movie contains so many life lessons that we need to be reminded of that watching it yearly is a great idea. 

The purpose of tonight’s teaching is not to create a review of It’s A Wonderful Life but we encourage you to watch it yourself with your family or friends.

It’s A Wonderful Life has a message that’s timeless which brings me to tonight’s teaching.

Many years ago now the Lord gave me an amazing Christmas sermon. My fine wife Bev, my parents and I had taken a long weekend get-away to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

We started looking for a hotel room and were unable to find one.  We traveled for over 60 miles along Interstate 40 but nothing was available. 

This is the time of year for Christmas lists…from the youngest family member to the oldest.

As our family members grew in age. . .so do the price of their toys.

Roy L. Smith, a renowned Methodist writer of Sunday School literature, once said:

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”

During this season. . .we know the “first four gifts” rule comes to play- something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read

Over the years there are tons of gadgets, gizmos and electronic toys … and so many things that start with the letter i --

iPhone have been out for years. . . iToys came along… we all know why.  Cause people love that letter “I”.

Here’s our list of the seven things better than any gadget, gizmo, electronic toy or goofy gift with a new twist on the letter “I.”

1.      iThink.

A few days ago, I was rejoicing about how God reaches out to us. . .in so many ways.

God reaches out to us when we’re distressed.

2 Samuel 22:7

“But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I cried to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears.”

Jesus reaches out to heal sickness and disease.

Matthew 8:3

“Jesus reached out, touched him, and said, “I’m willing. So be clean!” Immediately, his skin disease went away, and he was clean.”

Reached out to strengthen our faith.

When God stirred me for us to teach. . .seven keys to being a receiver. . .I thought it was for a Rich Thoughts for Breakfast call. . .BUT GOD always has a better idea.

Out of curiosity. . .I Googled “I’m a Receiver” and was surprised to find the lead post was a song by the same name performed by a group called Apologetix. . . whom I’d never heard off.

Imagine my surprise as I discovered the song was sung to the music of “I’m A Believer” by the Monkees.

The lyrics go like this. . .

“I thought God was only Jewish fairy tales

Meant for someone else with lots more faith

All my doubts depressed me…that’s the way it stayed

Till a voice said, ‘Honey, call my name’

Then I got His grace. . .now I’m a receiver

God replaced. . .the doubt in my mind. . .I’ve been loved”

And so the song goes. . .

When you wake up in the morning. . .what are you thinking about?

Be mindful of Proverbs 23:7 in the New King James Version:

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he ….”

We decide how and what we want to think about and our thinking habits make up who we are.

Do you ever wonder what winners think about?

Here are seven things that you should think about today and everyday FOREVER, if you are seeking to have a winner’s mentality.  It’s also a great way to have the best day possible.

1.     Wisdom