Open Your Gifts

 

By Andrea Merrell

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain 

to life and godliness.

2 Peter 1:3 NKJV

 

Imagine, if you will, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree surrounded by gifts of all sizes and shapes, yet no one bothers to open them. People admire them, talk about them, maybe even have a hint as to what’s inside. But no one takes the time to unwrap them.

Why would anyone ignore or refuse to accept such extravagant gifts?

Maybe our heavenly Father asks the same question: Why do you refuse to accept my gifts?

The Bible tells us that God has “given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness." That means everything we could possibly need—and then some—to live a godly life pleasing to Him has been made available to us through His divine power.

James tells us that “every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights (1:17 NKJV). What gifts? Salvation. Peace. Joy. Love. Strength. And wisdom … just to name a few. Jesus paid the price for each of these and so much more, yet we sometimes neglect to open these precious gifts and put them to use.

This Christmas, leave no gift unopened. Rejoice in the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus, but don’t forget His death, resurrection, and all He gave us through that ultimate sacrifice.

Go ahead. Open your gifts. They’re always available, not just at Christmas, but all year long.

Photo by Mike Cox on Unsplash

Every Knee Will Bow

 By Andrea Merrell

 

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him

the name which is above every name, 

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

of those in heaven, and of those on earth,

and of those under the earth,  

and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV

“Oh, Jesus Christ!” the man shouted as he banged his fist on the counter.

Before I could even think, my response was, “Funny … I have a Savior by that name.” (The man didn’t think it funny at all.) 

Jesus Christ, the name above every other name. The Bible tells us one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. He is called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Rose of Sharon, The Bright Morning Star, and the Prince of Peace. Songs have been written about Him throughout the ages. Jesus, the sweetest name in both heaven and earth.

But there is also power in that beautiful name. He is not only our friend and Savior, He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. His name not only brings peace and healing, it dispels the darkness and delivers us from evil.

In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young writes:

My name, properly used, has unlimited power to bless and protect. At the end of time, every knee will bow (in heaven, on earth, and under the earth) when My name is proclaimed. People who have used “Jesus” as a shoddy swear word will fall down in terror on that awesome day. But those who have drawn near Me through trustingly uttering My name will be filled with inexpressible and glorious joy. ~Jesus

Can you picture that day? Those who have cursed, despised, slandered, and rejected Him will no longer be able to ignore or distance themselves from Him. They will come face to face with pure love and pure truth and kneel before Him.

Those who love Jesus and have honored Him in this life, will joyfully bow a knee in worship and humble adoration.

But why wait? Bow your knee and worship Jesus during this blessed Christmas season ... and every other day of the year. He alone is worthy.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and tiverylucky.)

 

To read in browser or leave a comment, click here.

And Ye Shall Find Him ...

 By Andrea Merrell

And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes

lying in a manger. Luke 2:12

“Ye shall find the babe …”

We’re all familiar with those words, especially during the Christmas season. An angel appeared to unsuspecting shepherds and told them of the miracle. They left their flocks, followed the star, and found the baby Jesus, just as the angel said.

A popular song tells us that “wise men still seek Him.” From the beginning of time, men and women have looked for the promised Messiah. But He is no longer “wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.” He is now seated at the Father’s right hand, ever making intercession for his beloved children.

Most people are never more aware of the Lord of Lords than at Christmastime. But we must still continue to pursue Him. Luke 11:8-10 says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened (NIV)."

During this wonderful season, seek Him with all your heart, your soul, and your mind …

… and ye shall find Him.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

TWEETABLE

Seek the Lord with all your heart, your soul, and your mind ... and ye shall find Him. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

It's Over

By Andrea Merrell

It’s the last week of January and I’m finally doing it. Don’t laugh … I’m taking down and putting away my Christmas decorations. Okay, go ahead and laugh. I’m a diehard. Call me crazy.

 Actually, that would be a good word because I’m crazy for Christmas and all that it means. I decorate around the middle of November so my family can enjoy the beauty for as long as possible. Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve been known to leave my tree up until Valentine’s Day. Well, only once. I’m sure after the first week of January, my neighbors shake their heads and say, “Someone needs to tell those folks Christmas is over.”

Each year, the holiday season begins just a little earlier than the year before. Retailers stock their shelves and build elaborate displays in October, sometimes even in September. We see a barrage of commercials telling us to get a jump start on our shopping, and joyful music fills the airwaves. We enjoy parties, eggnog, baked goodies, and time with friends and family. Everywhere you look there are wonderful displays of twinkling lights in a vast array of colors. It’s a beautiful, wonderful, magical time and then—boom, it’s over.

I think that’s why I try to hold on for so long. It’s anticlimactic … and it’s sad.

December 26^th seems like a funeral—the death of Christmas. The commercials stop. The music stops. The lights go out. The trees come down. (I’m getting depressed just thinking about it.) Everything goes back to “normal” and the magic—the spirit of Christmas—is neatly tucked away until the next year.

The birth of Jesus, the true reason for the season, was also a beautiful, wonderful, magical time. An angel appeared to lowly shepherds and a brilliant star led a trio of wise men to a stable where the savior of the world awaited them. But I wonder what happened after that holy night. Did the shepherds and wise men go back to business as usual with fond memories of the awe they experienced, or did the events change their hearts and lives forever?

We face the same dilemma each year. When Christmas is over, do we carry Jesus away in our hearts, allowing Him to fill our lives with His love, compassion, and power, or do we walk away and leave Him packed up in the manger?

The song says, “We need a little Christmas all year long.” The Bible says we need a lot of Christ every moment of every day.

So, let’s prepare a special place in our hearts for the Christ of Christmas. He is no longer the babe in the manger. He is our risen savior—King of kings and Lord of lords—and we can celebrate Him every single day throughout the year.

(Photos courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/Supertrooper/Feelart/tiverylucky.)

TWEETABLE

Is Christmas really over? via @AndreaMerrell (Click to Tweet.)

To view in browser, click here.

It's Over

It’s January 25^th and I’m finally doing it. Don’t laugh. I’m taking down and putting away my Christmas decorations. Okay, go ahead and laugh. I’m a diehard. Call me crazy.

Actually, that would be a good word because I’m crazy for Christmas and all that it means. I decorate around the middle of November so my family can enjoy the beauty for as long as possible. Don’t tell anyone, but I have been known to leave my tree up until Valentine’s Day. Well, actually I only did that once. I’m sure after the first week of January, my neighbors shake their heads and say, “Someone needs to tell those folks Christmas is over.”

Each year, the holiday season begins just a little earlier than the year before. Retailers stock their shelves and build elaborate displays in October and sometimes even in September. We see a barrage of commercials telling us to get a jump start on our shopping, and joyful music fills the airwaves. We enjoy parties, eggnog, baked goodies, time with friends and family, and wonderful displays of twinkling lights in a vast array of colors. It’s a beautiful … wonderful … magical time and then—boom—it’s over.

I think that’s why I try to hold on for so long. It’s anticlimactic … and it’s sad.

December 26^th seems like a funeral—the death of Christmas. The commercials stop. The music stops. The lights go out. The trees come down. (I’m getting depressed just thinking about it.) Everything goes back to “normal” and the magic—the spirit of Christmas—is neatly tucked away until the next year.

The birth of Jesus, the true reason for the season, was also a beautiful, wonderful, magical time. An angel appeared to lowly shepherds and a brilliant star led a trio of wise men to a stable where the Savior of the world awaited them. But I wonder what happened after that holy night. Did the shepherds and wise men go back to business as usual with fond memories of the awe they experienced, or did the events change their hearts and lives forever?

We face the same dilemma each year. When Christmas is over, do we carry Jesus away in our hearts, allowing Him to fill our lives with His love, compassion, and power, or do we walk away and leave Him packed up in the manger?

The song says, “We need a little Christmas all year long.” The Bible says we need a lot of Christ every moment of every day.

We need to prepare a special place in our hearts for the Christ of Christmas. He is no longer the babe in the manger. He is our risen Savior—King of kings and Lord of lords—and we can celebrate Him every single day throughout the year.

(Photo courtesy of stikphoto.com.)