Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
As I’ve been thinking about why we celebrate Christmas, and why we give gifts to others, I was recharged to go out and shop with a smile on my face and a spring in my step! ;-0
Receiving the gift of Jesus and sharing Him with others is what it’s all about!! Knowing Him is the ultimate gift. I don’t know about you, but every Christmas I have ample opportunity to share Jesus with friends and family members who don’t know Him yet. This morning the Lord really encouraged my heart to keep sharing with people and loving on them and praying and believing! I hope that what He gave me today is encouraging to you as well:
Why Doesn’t Everyone Do It?
A friend asked me, “If walking closely with Jesus brings so much joy, peace, love and wisdom…then why doesn’t everyone do it?” Great question! The first thing that came to mind was a parallel: we all know that if we would eat healthy foods, and would exercise, we would enjoy more energy, strength, fitness, and increased health…yet our country suffers with obesity and sickness. Why doesn’t everyone just do it?! The Lord started pouring words into my mind that all start with the letter D! Here are some reasons we choose not to walk closely with Jesus: Distraction, Deception, Defiance, Discouragement, Detours, Defeat, and Distrust. Then He gave me words that make a big Difference: Decisions, Determination, Discipline, Dedication, Direction, Diligence and Dependence.
I saw something in Acts 4 today that pretty much sums it up: walking in step with the Holy Spirit results in our life being used powerfully to help others and to glorify God. But the opposition will be fierce! It will be a decision to either succumb to the pressure from the enemy or to be determined to trust God and keep walking with Him. To put it simply, the results will be so worth it, but following through takes Determination, Discipline, Dedication, Direction, Diligence and Dependence!
I have noticed in my own life, making that decision to trust and obey God can be so difficult, but then as soon as I go ahead and just do it…take that step of obedience…He takes over and empowers me and there is NO DOUBT it is him doing the real work!
It’s Hard-Easy. Hard at first but then easy in the long run…
I choose Easy-Hard a lot of times. I do what is easy now but then in the long run it is so very hard! I have heard it said this way, “Wisdom is doing today what you will be very happy about tomorrow.”
A great passage to think about is from James 4:6-8, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.” See, just like the Father of the prodigal son, He is waiting for us to come running to Him. He’s waiting with open arms! Being submitted to Him is actually a relief! I can’t believe how long I was deceived into thinking I would be miserable if I gave my whole life to Him! Walking with Him is truly a delight! Just spending time with Him in His word and in prayer daily (another D word, Ha), will bring incredible joy, peace, love and wisdom! He will strengthen us through the difficult decisions to obey Him and never fail us!
I don’t want you or me or anyone to miss what He Desires to Do for us!
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21