In Need of a Reminder
In Need of a Reminder…
I sat this morning with my coffee in my hand and tears sneaking their way out of my eyes.As hard as I tried to prevent it – they were determined to fall.Why?Oh, nothing major - I am just having a pity party.Want to come?It is not a pretty sight.Ever been there?You know we blow party horns and declare that life is not fair!We wallow in all the things that have hurt us – ever.We totally lose sight of all that is right and we dwell on what is wrong.Yuck!Pity parties are overrated and I am ready to ditch this one.Who has time for this?Tears wreak havoc on my sinuses anyway.Today, I am in need of a reminder of whom and what life is all about.How about you?It is Christmas and we have a grand reason to celebrate.
I am in need of a reminder that Satan wants nothing less than to steal, kill and destroy my Christmas joy.He is on a mission and his tactics are sneaky.But instead of going on and on about him and giving him space on this page – let’s talk about Jesus.In John 10:10 Jesus tells us, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Because of this, the pity parties can be cancelled.We know that what we focus on – we give power to in our lives. So, we should focus on who Jesus is and what He has done for us.So, come with me as we zoom our focus in on the One who came for us, lived for us and died for us.Let’s focus on what Christmas is really all about.
I am in need of a reminder that Christmas is all about love.We are loved beyond measure and loved unconditionally.Can you imagine?In John 3:16-17 we read, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”That is the true definition of love.We are loved.God, our Father, loves us so much that He sacrificed His Son so that we could have eternal life. (Think about that.What would you sacrifice for those you love?) Jesus loves us so much that He left His throne to come live, suffer, and die for us.(What would you give up for those you love – but do not love you?Remember, Jesus died for the lost – including the men who spit on Him, beat Him and were hammering the nails into His hands.)A place has been prepared for us.We are wanted.Christmas is a time to celebrate and receive this great, great gift of love.
I am in need of a reminder that Christmas is not about the hustle, bustle or To Do list that is miles long.It is not about the gifts I buy and have wrapped under the tree (nor the ones I have not bought or wrapped yet).Christmas is all about the gift of love that came down from Heaven on that Holy Night.In Luke 2 an angel appeared to the shepherds and declared, “I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”Then the angel was joined by a “multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”WOW!You see, God loves us so much that He sent us the greatest gift ever given. (http://wp.me/p3GHip-dY )Jesus left His place in Heaven and came to earth as a baby in a manger.He lived a life that is to be our example.He was totally innocent – yet, He bore our shame and died a horrendous death on that cross – so that we could have the hope of salvation. Jesus explained to the disciples in John 16:7 that He was not leaving us alone.He promised that as believers, we would have the provision of the Holy Spirit – another gift we have been given.On the third day, He arose and ascended into Heaven. He will fulfill His promise to return for us so that we can spend eternity with Him.No matter how many Christmas gifts we buy or how many we receive – under our tree of salvation are many, many gifts for us – far too many to count.
Today, I started out in need of a reminder.But now, I filled with hope!I am returning to a place of joy – great joy.You see, no matter our circumstances, no matter how great our stress may be – we can have joy. We can have abundant joy that can only come from having a real relationship with Jesus.(http://wp.me/p3GHip-e6)We can rejoice!We can rejoice because of what was, what is and what is to come.You see, we need to be reminded that our life is not about the here and now.Our life is about so much more.This place is not our home.So, it does not even matter if you bake or buy the dishes you serve.It does not even matter if your house is spotless or how pretty the bows are on your packages.It does not matter if every single thing you place on your To Do list gets crossed off.What matters – what truly matters is that love came down from Heaven when baby Jesus was born of a virgin.He is a gift that God has sent just for us.If we accept Him as our Savior – then we can receive the gift of salvation.Our lives should be a reflection of that gift so that He can be shared with others.We can then live a life that is full of joy!Joy because our hope is no longer in us or in the people around us.Joy because we adore Him.Joy because our life is all about Him.Joy because eternity is secure in Him.
Just in case you are in need of a reminder…
Christmas is all about love – God’s love so great that He sent His Son for us!
Christmas is all about love – the love of our Savior.From the cradle to the cross - His life was a living sacrifice!
Christmas is all about love – God is love – and He is worthy of our worship and our praise.