Christmas Is About Love

David and I were reading our Daily Devotions this morning and I was touched about their explanation of the true meaning of Christmas.  I want to share that with you today.

Christmas is not about what we find under the tree.  It’s about giving.  God came down the stair of heaven with a baby in His arms.  It’s His gift of love given to us out of His heart of love.

I intend to focus on that during this season.  God gave of Himself because He loves us.  I think it would be good for us to think of what we have to give to others this holiday season.  If we have peace, we can give it.  If we have joy, we can give it.  If we have a listening ear, we can offer it to someone who needs to talk.  If we have wisdom or encouragement, we can share it.  If we have a smile (and who doesn’t??), we can show it.

Let’s spend this next two weeks sharing what we have—from a heart that loves!

God bless you,

Karol

My thoughts today are taken from the Daily Devotional entitled, “Love Talk—A Devotional For Couples by Les and Leslie Parrott.

Day 178  I AM Right Now

John 11:25  The Message (MSG)

“I am, right now, Resurrection and Life…. Do you believe this?"

Perhaps you have an area of your life where things seem stagnant----where there seems to be no way out or no hope of change?

Mary and Martha were experiencing that.  Lazarus had been dead for four days.  Pretty “hopeless,” wouldn’t you say?

When Lazarus became sick, Mary and Martha called for Jesus to come quickly.  Jesus was very strategic in the timing of his journey to go to them. 

John 11:6   (NIV1984)

Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.

AAAAAHHHHH!!  “Jesus, what are You thinking??  Where are You when I need You??”  Have you ever felt like that??  “God, what is the delay?”

Jesus did not hurry because He already knew how this was going to play out.  He had consulted with God and He had the confidence of what to do in the timing He was to do it.

Let’s go back and look again:

John 11:4 (NIV1984)

When he heard this,(that Lazarus was sick) Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

No need to rush!  In fact the timing of this miracle was going to confirm that this was God’s doing.  In the meantime, Lazarus died.  What could get more “hopeless” than that?

Upon arriving in Bethany, Jesus said to Martha, “Your brother will rise again.”  (Verse 23)

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”  (Verse 24)

Jesus replied, “I AM the resurrection….” And I am right here now!  The Message Bible says:   “You don’t have to wait for the End.  I AM right now, Resurrection and Life.”

When you call to God, He sends LIFE into your situation.  He wants you to trust that what He is saying is true.

Will you look to Jesus today and invite Him into your stagnant, dead circumstance??  Will you believe that when you pray, the great “I AM” is on the way to help you??  See Him walk in the door of your home and say, “I AM right now.”

GPS  (Directions for our journey)

Take a piece of card stock (even a recipe card will do) and write on it:

            John 11: 25 MSG

          I AM right now!!

Put it in your Bible so you can see it as you begin your daily “meeting with God.”  The life of God is in your midst, answering your call.

Prayer Focus:

Father, thank You for hearing my prayer and coming to me.  Thank You that You are here right now, bringing new life into my situation, and Father, I will be quick to give You all the glory for it!  Amen!