A Gift to God

As I sit in seeking mode for the Father, I am left with nothing to give Him except praise for His choosing me to be His. If you have nothing to give this Christmas season, you still have love - give it away. Hug someone. Smile at someone. Pray for someone. Give your heart to a needy person today and watch the life of Jesus come back into them. Watch them go from lifeless to life, from joylessness to peace! You have the gift of God in you to offer somebody else.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. - Pro 3:27 NIV

The reason we don't hold back from giving good things is because God did not hold back from giving us the greatest gift He had to offer - Himself. Freely He gave, so freely we give. He presented with love and no other motivation than an opportunity to save everyone who would call on the name of Jesus Christ.

A humble birth in a manger is how God offered this gift of eternity. He came and went in only thirty-three years, but in those years, He literally wrecked the world system and the religious systems with His love, truth, power, and authority. Before He left to be with His Father, He promised to give this same power and authority to those who would believe in Him. He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within mankind, to empower and equip them with faith, love, and hope. These are the things that will remain at the end of the Day.

He also gave more - His giving never runs dry.

17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." - Mar 16:17-18 NKJV

This morning as you gather with your friends and family for a Christmas celebration, take the time to remember why you are celebrating. Gifts are wonderful and fun, but if they are offered without love, they are not worth the wrapping paper they come in.

Jesus was wrapped in swaddling rags, yet He was protected by angels that kept Him from being harmed in any way. God does the same for us. When we take the time to look over our lives, we will see His hand of protection all over us, even our bad choices.

This morning, as I looked over all the years that God protected me with angels and supernatural covering, I could not help but feel praise come up from deep within me. I cannot explain things today; they only make sense to me when I look at them through the lens of a Father's love. Not any father, the Father of all those who will choose to be His child. This Father gave it all for us, coming as flesh to be ridiculed and abused. He laid His life down for ours.

Praise with me! Oh Lord, my God, how majestic is Your name! You have pulled me from the fiery pits of hell, from despair and agony here on earth and in the afterlife! You have set my feet upon a firm foundation, a Rock of all ages and One to come, Jesus, Your Son.

You have not imputed my sins against me, and I am now blessed! No! You poured out Your love, mercy, and grace as if pure and holy water washed over my soiled soul. My heart cannot contain the joy of Your salvation! You, Oh God, have breathed life into this dead woman's heart, pulled out the stone, and gave me flesh!

What can I possibly offer You, My Lord and King, except a heart-filled yes! Thank You, Jesus, for agreeing with the Father that there was and is a way to redemption - that way is You. May all the world know today that the greatest gift ever given has a Name above every name, the great I AM! Amen