WHAT CAN I GIVE HIM? Our Daily Bread | Friday, December 23, 2016 By Marion Stroud
Read: Psalm 103:1–18 | Bible in a Year: Nahum 1–3; Revelation 14
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2
One year, those responsible for decorating their church for Christmas decided to use the theme of “Christmas lists.” Instead of decorating with the usual shiny gold and silver ornaments, they gave each person a red or green tag. On one side they were to write down the gift they would like from Jesus, and on the other they were to list the gift they would give to the One whose birth they were celebrating.
If you were to do this, what gift would you ask for and what would you offer? The Bible gives us lots of ideas. God promises to supply all our needs, so we might ask for a new job, help with financial problems, physical healing for ourselves or others, or a restored relationship. We might be wondering what our spiritual gift is that equips us for God’s service. Many of these are listed in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. Or we might long to show more of the fruit of the Holy Spirit: to be more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind and good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled (Gal. 5:22–23).
The most important gift we can ever receive is God’s gift of His Son, our Savior, and with Him forgiveness, restoration, and the promise of spiritual life that begins now and lasts forever. And the most important gift we can ever give is to give Jesus our heart.
You overwhelm me with Your gifts, Lord. In return, I want to give You the very best present that I can. Please show me what You want most from me.
If I were a wise man, I would do my part. Yet what can I give Him—give Him my heart. (Christina G. Rossetti)
INSIGHT:
In Psalm 103, David praises God for His tender mercies and steadfast love (vv. 4, 8, 11, 17). David did not want to forget the many blessings God had given him (v. 2)—forgiveness and healing (v. 3), deliverance (v. 4), provision and renewal (v. 5), and protection (v. 6). This psalm reminds us of who God is (vv. 7–9, 13, 19), what He has done with our sins (vv. 10–12), and who we are (vv. 14–16). In response, we “praise the Lord” (vv. 20–22).
Turning Weak Places into Strong Places Proverbs 31 Ministries | Thursday, December 22, 2016 By LYSA TERKEURST
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Romans 8:26 (NIV)
We all have them. Weak places. Places inside that make us wonder if we’ll ever get it together like those “together people.” Places that make us feel less than. Less than victorious. Less than a conqueror. Less than strong.
My weak places frustrate me. And yet I refuse to resign that I can’t ever change.
With the power of Christ, all things can be made new. All broken things are subject to restoration. But sometimes I get so tired of trying and I just feel weak. Can you relate?
Let this verse breathe a little life into your weakness today. Whatever it is, however large it may loom:
“… the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26b).
We don’t have to have all the answers. We don’t have to make suggestions to God. It’s okay to be so tired of our weak places that we run out of words to pray.
Look at the beautiful verses written to us Jesus girls tucked around Romans 8:26 about weak places …
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1, NIV).
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit …” (Romans 8:9a, NIV).
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31b, NIV).
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37, NIV).
Maybe we need to sit still for just a moment or two today. Quietly sit without the weight of condemnation or the swirl of trying to figure things out. Quiet, with nothing but the absolute assurance the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
He understands our weak places. He knows what to pray. There is a purpose to this weakness. Though it doesn’t feel good, things will be worked out in a way that good will come from it (which Romans 8:28 reminds us).
In that quiet stillness while the Spirit prays for us and we just simply soak in truth, there will be a flicker of light. A slight trickle of hope. A grace so unimaginable, we’ll feel His power overshadowing our weakness.
Even the smallest drop of God’s strength is more than enough to cover our frailties, our shortcomings, the places where we deem ourselves weak. So we’ll reject that title.
We aren’t weak. We are dependent.
Dependent on the only One powerful enough to help us. The only One sufficient enough to cover us in grace throughout the process.
Our relationships are not sufficient. Our circumstances are not sufficient. Our finances are not sufficient. Our willpower is not sufficient. Our confidence is not sufficient. But He is and has been and forever will be.
Dear Lord, I know I am nothing without You. I want Your strength to be present in every area of my life. Thank You for hearing the pleas of my heart even when I don’t have the words to express how I feel. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (NIV)
Say Goodbye to Fear Pastor Rick's Daily Hope | Wednesday, December 21, 2016 By Rick Warren
“Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life — they don’t know God” (1 Timothy 6:21 TLB).
Some people are afraid of Christmas. They fight nativity scenes and people saying “Merry Christmas.” They even threaten lawsuits. They fight Christmas because they fear it.
That happened on the very first Christmas, too. Just look at Herod. He was paranoid. He was afraid of Christmas because he was afraid of anyone who might threaten his kingdom. When the wise men show up and ask where they can find baby Jesus, Herod goes ballistic. He has to find Jesus because he doesn’t want anyone taking his place. In an attempt to wipe out all of the competition, Herod makes a rule that says every baby boy born in Bethlehem within two years must be murdered. He was very afraid of Christmas coming.
You may not have that fear, but I know many people who are afraid of getting to know God. They have three fundamental fears in their heart. Many people fear that if they let Jesus into their lives, he’ll take away all their fun, he’ll take away all their freedom, and he’ll turn them into a fanatic.
But when you invite Jesus into your life, he doesn’t make you more religious. He makes you more human. Saint Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.” You’re not really living until you’re connected to the Creator who made you.
The bottom line is this: You were made by God and for God. Until you understand that, your life will never make sense. You can try to find life in making money, having fun, or gaining power, but you’ll have a God-shaped hole in your heart. Only God can fill your heart. Until you understand that, your life will not make sense.
Herod’s deepest fear was that he didn’t want anyone in control but him. He let that fear keep him from meeting Jesus. Our fear of being out of control dominates us too. We don’t want anyone in control of our lives but us.
Say goodbye to that fear this Christmas. Remember what the angel said to the shepherds: “Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people’” (Luke 2:10 NLT, second edition).
Talk It Over
•What fears have you seen keep people from knowing God?
•How does your desire for control influence your relationship with God?
•What are some of your fears that have kept you from getting to know God better?
HE WILL NEVER BE SHAKEN (kayannan@gmail.com/024 642 5541) | Tuesday, December 20, 2016 By Pastor K. Essibrey-Annan
"Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? ..who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken" (Psalms 15:1-5).
The writer knows that everything about God is sacred and as such, he posits, thus "who may dwell in your sacred tent?" He then answers, it is the blameless and righteous who speaks the truth from the heart (Ps 15:1-2). We have to speak the truth from the heart as Christians but not be pretentious.
As Christians, we have not only received the gift of righteousness, but we have to live it, knowing that we are dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Rom 5:17; 6:11). We know that we are born of God, hence we can not continue to sin (1John 5:18). Therefore we live in God's sacred tent and we cannot fail.
We are guided by the Holy Spirit, that is, God's presence with us(1Co 3:16; John 16:13). If we are led by the Spirit, we will never be at fault in what they say, hence we will be able to keep our whole body in check (James 3:2). You and I must do no wrong to a neighbor or do nothing to destroy others (Ps 15:3) and we shall never be shaken.
As those dwelling in the sacred tent of God, we have to disapprove what the wicked does but honor those who fear the Lord; who keep an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind (Ps 15:4). We should charge no interest to the poor when we lend them money, neither should we accept bribe. Since we please God by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, we will not be shaken. It means we will not fail in ministry and all human endeavors (Ps 15:5).
Prayer
I thank you my God, for the Holy Spirit's presence with me-hence I am able to please God and be successful in ministry and all human endeavors. Holy Spirit, help me to do the will of God all the time. Thank you God, for an answered prayer. In Jesus' name I have prayed.
Further Studies
"But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do" (James 1:25).
You are chosen and changed! www.worthydevotions.com | Monday, December 19, 2016 By Worthy Christian Devotions
1 Samuel 22:1-2 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Early in his life David was forced to flee from his king and father-in-law, Saul -- to flee for his life. During this long season of exile and hiding David began to find himself surrounded by loyal friends who joined themselves to him. But these were friends of an unusual kind: they were men who had all been unhappy, distressed, helpless, or in debt -- by and large, the outcasts of the world. But an amazing thing happened to these formerly hapless human beings when they joined with David; they were empowered and became his "mighty men." When David finally became King of Israel, these men were ennobled and raised to be princes and officers in his Kingdom.
As it was with David, so it is with Yeshua (Jesus). Yeshua came to save sinners, the wretched outcasts of this world, discontented, indebted, distressed and helpless ... whom He clothes with His righteousness and fills with His Spirit, ennobles and transforms into "mighty men", who will rule and reign with Him in His kingdom!
We have gathered ourselves to Yeshua, the Messiah, the son of David, and He has chosen us as His friends and fellow laborers in His Kingdom, never again to be outcasts, but rather embraced in His love, part of His enormous family, and delegated and empowered to serve with Him in His Kingdom. Let's be encouraged remembering where we came from AND where we are going!
