“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone!  The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord, has been born tonight in Bethlehem” Luke 2: 10 -11

We are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th and I have been wondering what I should give Him for His birthday this year. What would He like?

The Wise Men brought tangible gifts — gold, frankincense and myrrh. But we can’t give material gifts to Him, so I have to think of something else, something He would value.

What can I give Him?

LOVE? I know He would appreciate more love from me.

OBEDIENCE? The Bible tells us that we show our love to Him by our obedience.

THANKFULNESS? To many times I take His blessings for granted.  Family, health, nature, home, lots of food, forgiveness of sins. Yes, I need to thank Him (and others) more often.

PRAISE? He really appreciates our praise. Not just on Sunday morning, or during quiet times, but many times–all the day long.

TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM? Yes, because after all, He promised us His power to be His witnesses.

GIVE TO THE POOR? He wants us to remember and help those less fortunate than we are.  OK, Lord, direct me to the poor that you want me to help.

Thanks for the Bible, Lord! It tells us what You appreciate. Now which one of these gifts will I make my focus this year?

What are YOU going to give Jesus for His birthday?

Lord Jesus, we really want to please you on your birthday celebration this year.  What can we give you? Would you please let us know what would please you the most?  Thank you.  We love you. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
used by permission

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 “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” John 4:23

Suppose you could give a gift to Christ, what would it be? How could you possibly select a gift for the One who not only has everything, but who made everything?

The Wise Men did. They can be an example to us. In addition to the gold, frankincense, and myrrh, they gave the Savior some gifts we can give him today: their hope, their time, and their worship.

The wandering wise men gave Jesus their hope. When everyone else saw a night sky, this small band of men saw the light. The sight of the star sparked a desire in their hearts that send them packing. They went, seeking Jesus.

When night comes to your world, what do you see? The darkness or the stars? Hopelessness or hopefulness? Sometimes, just as he did so long ago, God uses the darkness to reveal his stars—“The light shines in the darkness” (John 1:5). Give God your hope for Christmas.

While you’re giving, give God your time. The wise men did. Before they gave God their presents, they gave their presence. It’s likely that these men traveled as long as two years before locating the prince of heaven.

Before that one incredible moment when they knelt before Jesus, the wise men spent many moments, months, perhaps years searching, in anticipation of that meeting. Just as the wise men devoted themselves to seeking the Savior, so can you: “You will seek him and find him when you seek him with all your heart” (Deuteronomy 4:29).

And when they did find him, the wise men gave Jesus another gift: their worship. Men of wealth, influence, and intellect: what did they do when they saw Jesus? “…they fell down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11)

Worship. It’s a gift that extends to the giver as well. Through worship, we come to see God more clearly. God invites us, through worship, to see his face so he can change ours. In worship, we simply stand before God with a prepared and willing heart and let God do his work. And he does. He wipes away the tears. He mops away the perspiration. He softens our furrowed brows. He touches our cheeks. He changes our faces as we worship. The wise men sought the child of God, just as God seeks his children. “The Father is actively seeking such people to worship him” (John 4:23).

The gifts of hope, time, and worship. Three gifts the wise still give.

Question: How do you worship God? Although we may sing in church and read the Bible (both of which are good things) what ways beyond these can we worship God?

By Max Lucado
From: One Incredible Moment: Celebrating the Majesty of the Manger
Used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:    
https://maxlucado.com/about/

The post Following the Star appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Found in the Holy Bible, in the book of Luke.

The story of the Birth of Christ Jesus:

“About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was the governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s hometown, for the census. As a descendant of David he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the hostel.

There were shepherds camping in the neighbourhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: “Glory to God in the heavenly heights; Peace to all men and women on earth who please Him.”

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!”  (Luke 2:1-20).

It was a simple scene that first Christmas – a rough room, a young couple and nothing but a feeding trough to put the child in. It was probably quite cold and with family far away there was little help. Not exactly the Hallmark moment we like to show in Christmas pageants. And yet this rustic scene marked the greatest event in the history of mankind.

God’s Son became human and came to earth to save us. God had promised to send a Messiah, one who would save His people. He could have easily burst on the scene as a full grown man, a seven foot warrior with fiery eyes and arms of steel. This was what many people were looking for, but it wasn’t how God did it. He arrived in the arms of a young girl. He was, as another of our authors put it, “a very small package, wrapped in rags, given from the heart of God. The perfect gift.”

God gave His only Son to die in our place so that we, in all our brokenness, could know forgiveness. He came so that we could know what love feels like, real love – love that never leaves, love that never disappoints, love that is never betrayed. He sent His Son into a corrupted world to bring us hope.

How are you doing this Christmas?
Are you having a hard time finding hope in the world? Are you having a hard time finding peace? It doesn’t have to be that way. You can have peace and find hope and know forgiveness through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Are you at a place in your life where you want to know Jesus and have him in your life?  You can start a life surrendered to Christ today. This is a sample prayer, but the words are powerful and full of meaning.  If  you truly believe them Christ will enter your life and start you on a wonderful journey. (not always easy, but never alone)

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

It starts now!

Further Reading

•  Marvelous Love – A Story of a Mother’s Love

•  The Christmas Story: Does It Still Matter?

•  Salvation Explained

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In our homes with lights aglow, stockings hung with care and cookies baking in the oven, our lives can look like a Christmas card. But sometimes it looks like something else. It can look harsher, colder, and even very lonely. Sometimes, Christmas can be hard. It doesn’t look like a Christmas card, or a happily ending Christmas movie.

What do we do when life is hard and we don’t know what to do?

Hold tight to our faith and keep our trust in God.

Sometimes, there are those things we can never fix and things that we can never change. Sometimes, there are circumstances and trials we’ll never understand, those things we’ll never know the reason why. Sometimes, we face situations that will test our faith and test our trust in God.

Faith is trusting that God is there
And knowing He is always in control.
Faith is staying close to Him
No matter what comes your way,
And believing He will meet your every need.

Faith is knowing that He loves you
And will never leave you or forsake you.
Faith is believing that in all things
He has a purpose and a plan.

Faith is knowing
You don’t have to understand it all
To keep your trust in Him.

Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

By Kathy Cheek
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Lonely Holiday
• Lonely? Discouraged?
• The Landlady’s Christmas Gift

The post When Life is Not a Christmas Card appeared first on Thoughts About God.

In this final week of Advent, as we lead up to Christmas Day, how is your heart doing? Are you feeling at peace … or is pressure mounting in your home?

Take a moment to ponder the peace that the angels announced that first Christmas. “Peace on Earth, good will toward men”.

This morning I read a verse in Ephesians 2:14 that says “He Himself is our peace”.

That first Christmas God sent His Son, Jesus, in human baby form, to reach out in love to connect humans to Himself … and we celebrate His birth. The journey comes full circle when we come to Easter and observe the death of Jesus as He took the punishment upon Himself for mankind’s willful independence apart from God. We celebrate His resurrection as He rose again from that death and took His place with the Father … leaving those who believe in His birth and death and resurrection with the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit as the Divine comfort and power within to live as a testimony to His love and power.

“He Himself is our peace”. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh today with the Peace that is His presence in our lives, filling us with purpose, peace, and a passion for life!

Is His peace the piece you are missing this Christmas?

by Gail Rodgers
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• Loving Through Conflict – a Christmas Devotional by Gail Rodgers
• Christmas Section – More articles and devotionals
• Prince of Peace – by Max Lucado

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For those of us who grew up celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Christmas story can become too familiar. It easily slips from a story of awe to simple facts of history. We rattle off these events, such as Mary gave birth to Jesus and then the shepherds and wise men came to see Him, with the same ease that we describe what we did last weekend. When you stop to really consider it, the story of Christmas is anything but normal. It is absurd. It is full of biological impossibility, strained family dynamics, emotional turmoil, supernatural encounters, a failed assassination attempt, and people asked to do the craziest things.

This is an invitation to deeply experience the Christmas story.

How would you feel if God told you that you are bearing His Son? Feel the fear of telling your fiance and parents that you are pregnant, and Joseph is not the father. Sense the shame as the village whispers about you. Imagine the weight of knowing you are carrying God’s son, hoping that you don’t mess the whole thing up.

Put yourself in Joseph’s shoes. How would you feel if your beloved comes to you and says she is pregnant and you know that the baby is not yours? Feel the betrayal, rejection, and heartbreak of Joseph, based on the wrong conclusions about Mary, until God sends the angel who straightens things out.

How would you feel on a ordinary night at work taking care of your sheep if an angel of the Lord showed up to say, “Drop what you are doing and go“? Feel the fear of such a supernatural event, followed by the doubt that creeps in to say, “Did I make that up?” What about leaving the sheep which are your sole source of income? Sense the wonder, fear, uncertainty, and hope of the shepherds as they come to meet their Savior.

What if you were one of the servants in the entourage of the magi? You are following your master who is basing his journey on a star. It is not a short journey either. It was weeks, months, maybe even years before you arrive at your final destination. How long would you keep walking to a place you don’t know to meet a person no one else seems to know about with only a star as a guide?

Then as the story continues, when is the last time you had a dream that you woke up from and knew that you, your wife, and child were to leave immediately to live in a foreign country? What was that discussion like? Would you leave friends and family behind, based solely on a dream your spouse had to go to Egypt?

The story is full of one crazy event after another. Beyond recording the details of Jesus’ birth, the Christmas story reveals to us the otherness of God and how He longs to partner with big-spirited people to do the impossible. His reality is so much greater than ours. While we are thinking about getting married and settling down with a family in our hometown, He is planning to partner with us to fulfill His plan for the world.

The joy of this season is that with each twist and turn in the story God finds people who choose to live from their spirit and follow when they are challenged to believe what they have not seen and do what they have never done before. That is the adventure He is calling each of us to live.

This Christmas marvel at the outrageous and awesome lengths to which God the Father will go to give you the perfect gift.

Give Him the gift of the same reckless abandon of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi to pursue and follow your King Jesus.

May your spirit be so large and in tune with the Holy Spirit that when God shows up in the middle of your ordinary day with an extraordinary plan, you are ready to follow Him regardless of how absurd it might sound.

As 2015 approaches, open your heart to God-size dreams. Wait expectantly for God-sized visions, and don’t be surprised as He does exceedingly abundantly more than you can ask or imagine.
(Read Luke 1-2)

By Sylvia Gunter
Used by Permission

The post Christmas: An Invitation to Reckless Abandon appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14 (NKJV)

“The Word became flesh,” John said.  In other words…he was touchable, approachable, reachable.  And, what’s more, he was ordinary.  If he were here today you probably wouldn’t notice him as he walked through a shopping mall.  He wouldn’t turn heads by the clothes he wore or the jewelry he flashed.

“Just call me Jesus,” you can almost hear him say.

He was the kind of fellow you’d invite to watch the Rams-Giants game at your house.  He’d wrestle on the floor with your kids, doze on your couch, and cook steaks on your grill.  He’d laugh at your jokes and tell a few of his own.  And when you spoke, he’d listen to you as if he had all the time in eternity.

And one thing’s for sure, you’d invite him back.

by  Max Lucado
From: God Came Near

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://www.maxlucado.com/info/view/about_max_lucado/

FURTHER READING

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Jesus and Prayer

Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus

The post He Was Reachable appeared first on Thoughts About God.

What is the best Christmas present you’ve ever received?

When I was younger, it was anything Strawberry Shortcake. For a while, I was all about gift cards. This year, the Lord keeps reminding me of something He already gave.

“Unto us a child is born. Unto us a son is given.“ (Isaiah 9:6)

Unto us.

These two words are repeated over and over in Handel’s song, “For unto us a Child is Born.” Two nights ago, I enjoyed listening to the St. Louis Symphony and choir perform his masterful piece, Messiah.  I had never noticed how much Handel emphasized those two little words in that song.

Unto us.

When God the Father sent His son, He sent a gift to us. Jesus wasn’t placed in a manger because He was itching to know what it was like to be a baby. He didn’t beg His Father to let Him come to earth to go fishing or to build things in a carpenter shop.

God gave His Son to us.

He was born. He was given. Isaiah said.

Unto us.

The best gifts are the ones that say, “I noticed you could use one of these.” Or, “I’ve taken the time to get to know you, and I knew you would love this.”

When God gave His Son, He was saying these very same things.

He knew we needed His Son to rescue us from ourselves and from our sin; to bridge the gap between a holy God and our unworthiness. God knew we needed a mediator, a man whose blood would be the only sacrifice sufficient to cover our sin and give us access to our God in heaven.

He knew we needed Jesus, so “Unto us a child is born.”

God loved His Son. He loved the world. And He so loved the world, He gave His Son (John 3:16). He knew that once we believed on Him, we would love Him, too.

God knows us so well, He wanted to give us the best gift He could think of, so “Unto us a son is given.”

While the world tells Santa what they want for Christmas, we can thank the Lord for what He already gave.

God gave His Son.

Unto us.

“There is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior.“ (Luke 2:11)

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

MORE CHRISTMAS CONTENT

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

The post What God Already Gave: His Son appeared first on Thoughts About God.

This is such a perfect time of year to express God’s love to others.

Here are a few ideas.

• Write to someone in military service.  Consider sending a care package.

• Make a date to celebrate Christmas with a lonely nursing home resident.
  Maybe even make it a monthly commitment!

• If you have a bad shopping experience, replace your complaint letter with a note saying that you’ll be praying for them this year.

• Take time to tell your neighbors about Christ’s story by sharing a link to an online video about Jesus. It could be a life-changing!

• Smile when you meet a stranger.

• That salesperson may only be allowed to say Happy Holidays.
  But give them a warm smile and kind word.  Then wish them a Merry Christmas!

Friend, make a point of doing something to share God’s love this holy holiday.

By Vonette Bright
used by permission

MORE CHRISTMAS content

The post Holy Holiday appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, at this time of year we so often get caught up in the mad frenzy of buying presents, writing cards and catching up with friends and family that we forget the true meaning of this Advent Season.  Help us to stop and reflect on the gift of your birth to all of us.  Teach us how to slow down and see the wonder and the glory of this time.  Amen

Bible Readings:

Week 1 –     Matthew 4:18-22
Week 2 –    Revelations 21:1-7
Week 3 –    Luke 1:5-25
Week 4 –   Isaiah 49:13-26

Prayer Points:

–  Reflect and rejoice in the miracle of Christ’s birth
–  For those whom Christmas is a sad reminder of days past
–  Volunteers who help share their Christmas meal with others
–  For all who are lonely
–  Your own personal prayer points

Closing Prayer:

Dear One, during this Christmas month when my life seems to be permanently set on the spin cycle, please show me the miracles that surround me every day, so that I may become filled with joy and reflect on how enormous was the gift of your life on that first Christmas morning. Amen.

by Terry Stead
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• Come Worship the King – One way to celebrate Christ’s birth as a family
• A Mysterious Christmas Gift – a Man’s Reflection
• Christmas Prayers

The post Miracle of Christmas appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter. 3:15

The holiday-red card arrived in a square, shiny envelope. Attached to the card were credit-card sized “certificates” for merchandise available in a nearby department store. It wasn’t the bargain opportunities but the message on the card that caught my attention: “Let this be the holiday you find new reasons to believe.”

Even in the midst of the bustle of this season, most of us who call ourselves Christ followers could quickly come up with “a reason for the season.” We know that tinsel and trees, cookies and candles, family and friends are only side effects of the miraculous birth of the Savior. But how many new reasons for the season could we offer? What new work of God is happening in our lives? What new facets of God’s character are we discovering? What new and powerful truths from the Bible are becoming reality?

I wonder who in the advertising department thought up the potentially life-altering slogan? My skeptical nature doubts that a commercial establishment is interested in my relationship with God. But eleven short words arriving in the mail have focused my attention in new ways. Each day during this beautiful month I want to discover yet another “reason for the season.”

by Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Christmas Articles
New Year Articles

The post Reason(s) for the Season appeared first on Thoughts About God.

If I say,

‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Ps. 139:11-12

Christmas is often a time of joy filled with lights, decorations, and the warmth of family. But for some, this season also brings a sense of darkness from grief, uncertainty, or a feeling of being lost. When life gets dark, my first instinct is to find a way to turn the light back on. But there’s a purpose in the darkness. It’s not a pleasant journey, but it’s one that God has designed for my growth and deeper understanding of Him.

Have you ever been in a remote location with city lights nearby? At night, the deep darkness allows you to see so many stars shining so brightly. I have only experienced it once, and ever since, I’ve found myself longing to return to dark places just to see it again. You can’t truly appreciate the light until you’ve been in the darkness. In the same way, life often involves walking through darkness to better see the light of God.

May you find deep comfort in knowing that even in the darkest seasons, you are never alone, for God is with you in every shadow. Though darkness may surround you, remember that it is not dark to God; to Him, the night shines as bright as the day. When the weight of darkness feels heavy, may the light of Christ illuminate your path, for the darkness cannot overcome His light (John 1:5). Be blessed to trust that His light will come, and when it does, it will be all the more beautiful because of the darkness that preceded it.

Be blessed with unwavering trust in God’s presence, even when life feels overwhelming and unclear. May your heart be anchored in the truth that He is the light that shines in the darkness, guiding you with His love. As you walk through this season, may you embrace the lessons found in the shadows and wait with hope for the dawn. May this Christmas season renew your trust in God’s promises and remind you that the darkness will not last forever. The light of Christ is ever near, bringing hope, peace, and the assurance of His eternal love.

by Sylvia Gunter
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• When the Light Goes Out
• Be the Light
• God’s Word Gives Joy and Light

The post Light in the Darkness appeared first on Thoughts About God.