MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

TREASURES OF THE KINGDOM

 For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him.”  Mark 4:25

             After all my Christmas boxes were deposited in my house, I began the task of opening each one to see what was in there. For me there were no surprises because I have had most of them for a long time. But for my grandson, it was all new since he was too small last year to remember it. He kept saying “Wow” as I would pull out various decorations. Sometimes he would say, “Can I have this?” or “Can I touch it?” As much as I love Christmas, I was excited that he was excited to see it all and handled them well. He wanted to see more and more.

            God has so many treasures for us in the treasure chests of His kingdom. He wants us to seek them out and be excited at all the wealth and riches He wants to share with us. The more of His Word and the more of His Spirit we ask Him about, the more He will reveal to us. He has wisdom, power, strength, discernment, joy, peace, and so much more. And the answer is, “Yes, you can have it, Yes you can touch it!”

 CHALLENGE TO CHANGE:

Do I have a teachable heart? Am I actively pursuing the Lord and all He has for me?

 We never reach the end of God’s resources. He delights in us when we are delighting in Him.

 

THE WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

 “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor.” Isaiah 9:6

 All the people who were instrumental in the advent of Jesus were given clear instructions by angels and spiritual dreams. Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, and others were plainly told what to do, where to go, what to expect and what to look for.

God wants us to know what steps we need to take along our path of life. Jesus, as our Counselor, will guide us and instruct us in the right way to go. We might know the right thing to do, but it takes a plan to carry it out. God’s Spirit will lead us with His instructions step by step. As His children, all we have to do is ask. Have you ever been given instructions, but had to ask for clarification so you could carry them out? You heard what was said, but didn’t understand it clearly. Well, we can ask the Lord and He will make it clear. When we need advice, we should immediately think of Jesus. When we get off track, need to make a decision or face impossible odds, Jesus is the answer. Nothing is too small for Him or too big.

 CHALLENGE TO CHANGE:

Am I receiving counsel from the Wonderful Counselor, or am I trying to figure it out myself?

 We can receive counsel in most of life's circumstances by going directly to the Bible. Other times, the Lord will show us the way by the leading of His Spirit in our hearts.  But, we have to have a heart willing to listen and obey.

 

THE PRINCE OF PEACE

 “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called…Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

 Everyone wants peace - nations, churches, businesses, homes, individuals. But the problem is that most nations, churches, businesses, homes and individuals want peace on their own terms. Nations may make peace with one another and sign a treaty, but they are broken before long. We try to find peace for our minds by filling them with happy thoughts, but the world throws in many unhappy thoughts. Businesses may cooperate with one another on one level, but they are still competitors looking out for themselves. Even many churches are not guided by godly principles, but try to compromise the Word of God so they will not offend anyone. All of these are trying to settle for a temporary peace rather than everlasting peace.

Our minds often stray to other means of gaining peace, but the Lord is our only source of true peace.  His kingdom is one of peace - at one with God and therefore at one with each other. 

 CHALLENGE TO CHANGE:

Have I found true peace in Jesus, the Prince of Peace? Or am I still looking in the wrong places?

 Isaiah 26:3-4 tells us how to accomplish perfect peace. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength." 

 

THE LORD REMEMBERS HIS COVENANT OF GRACE

 “But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.” Luke 1:13

 In Bible days, names were chosen carefully. Babies were often given names that had a meaning the parents wanted the baby to live up to when they grew up. Jesus was named by the angel Gabriel. His name means “the Lord is Salvation”. His name at birth was significant because it spoke of Who He was and what He came to do. John the Baptist was also named by Gabriel. His name means “Grace”. His parents’ names were Zacharias (the Lord Remembers) and Elizabeth (God’s Covenant). It is amazing how relevant these names were when we consider the work John was called to as the forerunner of the Messiah. Put them together and you have “The Lord remembers God’s covenant - Grace.”

God’s works are so meticulous that sometimes we miss the wonder of it all. Every detail is perfectly planned and executed. We may not see what He is doing in our lives because we are so caught up with the hustle and bustle of life. But God is always ahead of us to prepare our way and work out every detail before we even get there. 

CHALLENGE TO CHANGE:

“Have I ever stopped to notice how God is working in my life? Do I see His hand in the smallest details?”

 We can trust the God Who notices when the smallest sparrow falls. Surely He cares for us.