HAPPY WEDNESDAY!
Today’s scriptures are the suffering and deliverance. This is a very fitting subject for this time of year, because although this is “the season to be jolly”, it’s also the season of depression, and record numbers of suicides. This is just one example of how the flesh rules mankind. The people of the world have convinced us, and our children, that we have to go into debt to give extravagant gifts, because it’s Christmas. The enemy doesn’t just manipulate us at Christmas time, but we live as slaves to our flesh all throughout the year.
I had a discussion with a few of my close friends today about the “Christmas Spirit” [or lack thereof] this season. We had realized that even we aren’t in the spirit, but we’re trying hard to experience the holiday cheer. When I mentioned the idea of writing my “blessings” list, they shared with me that they had been keeping a “thankful journal” for years. I’m going to follow their lead, so that I never forget how much Jesus Christ has blessed me, and become consumed with the pleasing the flesh.
I grew up in a “low income” neighborhood, so programs like Angel Tree helped us through some tough Christmases—God always gave my mom a way to make sure that our tree overflowed with gifts. However, there were friends and other family members who weren’t as fortunate, and I’ve seen and felt much despair over the years. There was a time that I lived life without Jesus, and I never want to imagine living like that again. It was a life full of strife and unrest. I felt as if there was a huge hole in my heart. I was full of love deep down inside, but didn’t know how to let it out. Finding Jesus was the best thing that has ever happened to me, and because of Him, my light shines bright for the world to see. I love without fail, because He first filled me with His love.
We need to encourage and pray for the people who are less fortunate than us, because Jesus will make a way for all those who believe, and our prayers will work miracles. I want you to always remember that Jesus is real, and this holiday is all about that. Don’t worry so much about how much you can give or receive, just give your love abundantly, and help where you can. After all, that’s what Jesus spent His life teaching. There’s no shame in not having the latest toys, games, phones or IPods, though the world will make you feel like there is.
God gave us the ultimate gift, the gift of a baby boy, born to the Virgin Mary, who was Named Jesus. Jesus lived His human life with poise and grace, but He too suffered. He grew from birth, in the flesh, experiencing life as the average person. He had to learn how to walk and talk, and how to hone His crafts just like us. He loved His family, but when the time came, He had to venture out on His own to follow God’s will for His life. We know that He suffered ridicule, beatings, imprisonment, hatred, and many other things that we haven’t had a chance to read about. Throughout all of His trials, He praised and glorified His Father in Heaven. He wasn’t above the temptations and strife of the world, but He handled it with the strength that God instilled in Him.
God allowed Jesus to experience this type of life for a reason, and He does the same for us. However, we’ve been freed from the bondage of the flesh, by the Blood of Christ. Jesus suffered unnecessarily for the sins of all mankind, but we suffer for our own sins. We go through a refinement process, to make us stronger and more faithful Christians. When we become followers of Christ, our “Righteous Spirit” is born, and we begin to grow and evolve into who we were created to be.
We will face many trials, as we learn from the life of Christ. Peter, one of Jesus’ Disciples wrote: And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:13) This is true wisdom! We all will suffer, some sufferings allowed by God to promote growth, and others self-inflicted. As we grow, we’ll become better at discerning between the two. The times that we don’t understand why we suffer, will be revealed to us, and work together for our good, so embrace everything life brings you.
Take a few moments to think about where you are in life, right now. Would you say that you’re suffering, or have suffered a lot? Well you are not alone, and even Jesus can raise His hand to that question. The key to living a peaceful and joyous life is to be able to rely on God for strength when you feel like you can’t go on, and to praise Him upon deliverance. There’s nothing more gratifying then to see the rainbow after the storm, and as child of God, there’s a guaranteed rainbow through Christ—God promised never to leave nor forsake you. If you don’t know Jesus as Lord, then you don’t have a rainbow. If you want to find out how to always see a rainbow, take the God Quiz today! My favorite verse today is: These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb… (Revelations 7:14)
ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455552&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio
http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional
I love you
