eDevotion
Encouragement for your daily walk with God
If there ever was a single word synonymous with Christmas, it’s JOY. In fact, joy isn’t enough. It’s GREAT JOY! That’s what the angel announced to the shepherds on that first Christmas night, “good news of great joy.” You have a Savior. He’s here. He is Christ, the Lord.
After seeing the Christ Child, they couldn’t contain their joy. They shared it with everyone. No doubt they were filled with wonder and praise, which they just couldn’t keep to themselves.
Since that time, there has been a “Grinch” stealing Christmas joy. No, he’s not a green, lizardy looking guy, but he has been around for a long time. His name is Satan. He’s a thief. Let me call him a “Christmas joy thief.” His mission is to “kill, and steal, and destroy” [John 10.10]. And, he is highly accomplished at what he does.
He has sapped Christmas joy from many by causing them to forget why we need the Savior born to us in Bethlehem, and what He could accomplish by saving us.
A Savior for the PAST - Satan is really good at beating people down with intense guilt and grief over their past. The good news is that all the horrible things you have done in your life are no match for the precious blood Jesus shed on the cross. There is forgiveness because there is a Savior. The moment you forsake your sins, you are forgiven, cleansed, holy. Remember what He said to Peter, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy” [Acts 10.15].
A Savior for the PRESENT - Rather than merely surviving, we are now alive in Christ. Jesus came to give us life [John 10.10]. Life with meaning and purpose. Life with joy and contentment. He called it “abundant life.” The Savior who came makes life worth living.
A Savior for the FUTURE - “No hope.” That’s another lie of Satan. But we have a Savior, who not only is with us today, but also “to the end of the ages” [Matthew 28.20]. We have a hopeful future beyond our wildest dreams. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him” [1 Corinthians 2.9]. Wow on top of WOW!
The Savior has come. And joy of joys, He came for you. That is good news of great joy! Don’t let the “Grinch” steal yours.
Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2.10-11
No comments:
Post a Comment