Devotional Time with God

It’s the season to be jolly.  It’s the time to be happy.  It’s the moment I’ve been waiting for all year.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

He brought the salvation that I need.  He gave me His life so I can live.  His perfection is what I strive for.

Jesus is the good stuff.

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Luke 1:30-33

It’s indeed the most wonderful time of the year.  Not just for gift giving.  Not just for good food.  Not just for family gatherings.  Not just for the music.

It’s for Jesus Christ!

He had been prophesied to come (Isaiah 9:2-7, Isaiah 7:14) to this earth and save us all.  He’s the one that we’ll bow down to – the perfect person, God incarnate.  The one I can look up to when I’m lost in this world.  The one who’ll fill me up when I’m depraved of love and attention.

He’s coming back.

Since this blog is devoted to God, the answer is pretty simple:

I must please God!

But more often, I struggle with that simple objective.  I struggle because I also live with thousands of other people in this world!   The truth of the matter is, those people have some influence over my life.  They can (and sometimes will) dictate what I do and say.

It doesn’t this way.  People matter, yes, but they must not be above God.  God’s approval must be above people’s opinions.  God is the ruler of my life.   He’s the provider and protector of me.

It doesn’t matter what people say.  It matters what God says.

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He’s given
Jesus Christ His Son.

And now let the weak say “I am strong.”
Let the poor say “I am rich.”
Because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks.

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

Hebrews 12:28

It’s amazing how much things I have to deal with on this temporary place called earth.  The people, the conflicts, the heartaches, the disappointments, the hardship, etc.  I don’t think I can ever do this without God’s help – every day, every hour, every minute.

What benefits the attitude of gratitude bring for me?

1. Keeps me in God’s will.
2. Makes me better, not bitter.
3. Defeats the devil!
4. Causes miracles.

Having faith in God, it means I have to thank Him in advance.  I have to thank Him all the time, even when it seems like it’s hopeless.  Even when I don’t feel like it.  Faith keeps me going.  Faith gives me hope.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7

In this gift giving season, people use material things as a token of appreciation to each other.  Most are genuine, but some are just plain fake.  No wonder the line in the store for returns is always long after December 25.

Today’s devotional from Pastor Rick is about encouragement.  If given from the heart and with sincerity, this is an easy gift.  It’s also a useful gift that will build character and relationship.  Best of all, it’s a gift that I can keep giving, just like the way God has given to me on a daily basis.  God doesn’t hold back His love.  I have to do the same.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15