Encouragement in the One who loves us most
One of the reasons we don’t ask God for help is because we are afraid He won’t help. There is a dead part of our faith that whispers every day, ”Don’t ask Jesus for that! He may not answer you because you’re not really holy.”
BALONEY! Jesus is alive, strong, & extremely capable! He DELIGHTS to help His kids! (Remember walking on water was just 1 of His miracles. 😊) Focus your heart on Him & step out of the boat named Doubt. He’s waiting to give you help!
Ever wonder what Jesus has to do with Christmas? I did. I knew we honored his birth and well, His name was part of the holiday. I asked myself the question many do. “Does Jesus just add more to my holiday cheer?”
Nobody denies the fact that people seem kinder, more jolly, and more giving this season. It’s good to help others this season! It’s good to repeat the motivational mantra “It’s the Season of Giving everybody!” I liked sparkly lights, new stuff, and my light veneer of spirituality. It was good.
Then one day, I asked “Why do angels hark er, sing? Why is the birth of Jesus a big deal? With growing interest, I began to look closely at Nativity scenes. My heart asked, “Why is the manger in the middle?” Suddenly, I realized a perfect baby had been BORN for me. His All-Good could replace my Not-Good. Christmas math changed my life.
This Jesus baby came saying “I love her. I will leave perfect glory for her. I will endure poverty for her. I will exchange my life for her life. My Good is her gift.”
Do you see it too? Can you hear Him saying this to you? He is.
TAKE ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE MANGER.
Our family is reading God Came Near by Max Lucado every night this month. We are leaning in for a better look. The God-Man born in a feeding trough. How beautiful that the Bread of Life was born in a manger. Divine nourishment born for you and for me.
This year, receive before you give. His gift for you is in the middle.
HEAR THAT? Is that an Amazon delivery?? Can I actually get my gift here on time? Holy cow-we need to decorate! The stress level is mounting for you and me! My prayer for our family is (I’m guessing) the same as yours. We will focus on knowing each other better and less on spending more. What is it about relationships that color this season?
Perhaps because there are only 2 things that that stand the test of time….the Word of God and the souls of people. Both live forever. To a large degree, the state of our relationships can reflect the state of our relationship with GOD. Am I living in love toward others or anger? Am I living in a state of generosity or selfishness? (Note to self: Check calendar for answer.)
We were made for so much more. We were made to love because we were made by the Inventor of Love. We were made to Give because we know the Giver of Life. But…we have to bend low to look in the manger FIRST. I cannot offer to others if I do not possess. God gave us to each other to help point us to the One True Gift…Jesus.
If I know Christ, I am “Redeemed”. (Literally, “bought back”). This means that when God looks at my spiritual mortgage , He sees “paid in full” across my debt. It just so happens the ink is RED… blood red, as a matter of fact. AMAZING. Because my debt is paid, I am free to spend myself loving and giving to others! Does this change my holiday wish-list? Definitely.
God loved me so much that He didn’t leave me alone…HE CAME LOOKING FOR ME FIRST. He came in the form of Jesus Christ who loved well, lived perfectly, and died completely. All I have to do is BELIEVE .
He promises to never leave me. He promises me Heaven. He gives me Himself. In my spiritual economy, this is my Identity.
When I sit down to prepare my holiday shopping lists, I will look for sales and deals.
God will remind me that His presence didn’t just START a holiday tradition, it started my freedom. He and I operate in the divine “return” aisle…I exchange my broken stuff for His Brand New Stuff. (See Heb. 13:5, Jn. 3:16, Rom. 8, and Eze. 36:26).
Is this your “faith tradition” as well? Are your holiday celebrations a reflection that you know you are loved and forgiven?
God says you are redeemable and your relationships are, as well. All came be made new! May we live in the fact– not just feeling– that we have been bought by the blood of Christ and that His love can overflow into the lives of others.