The Glory Of Christmas

It's Christmas time again! A time for family and friends to gather together, to show our love, one for another, by the exchanging of cards and gifts. Giving, yes, that is what it's all about. John 3:16 tells us; "For God so LOVED the world, He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Love gives. God loves us so much that He gave Jesus Christ for us, as our substitute, to take our place in judgment for sin, so that we could become sons and daughters of Almighty God.

The love of God is so deep, so far reaching that it's hard for us to comprehend. You see, God does not HAVE love, God IS love! (1 John 4:8). It's WHO He is. God is compelled to give, it is His very nature, and He has given us a great abundance through His wonderful plan of redemption. One of the greatest aspects of love is commitment. You cannot have true love without commitment, so when the Bible tells us that God is love, then we need to understand that He is also commitment - He doesn't have commitment He is Commitment. Committed to His Word, and to those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior. Now that ought to make you want to shout!

When Jesus was born, a great host of angels appeared praising God, and they proclaimed: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." (Luke 2:14 literal translation). Notice, it does not say, as we have been led to believe, peace to ALL men. It says peace to those on whom His favor rests. Who are those who have the favor of God? None other than those who would receive God's gift to mankind, those who would become born again. Praise God that's us!!! Peace and favor belong to the redeemed.

Regardless of the circumstances (serpent-stances) you may be facing right now, it's your God given right to have a life full of peace and favor. That's right, a life that's just overflowing with the stuff! It's your birthright. And don't you settle for anything less! Having overflowing peace doesn't mean that everything around you is going perfectly well all of the time. Instead it's one of quiet solitude, that is not moved by fear or uncertainty, with a serene knowing of who your God is.

One of the tactics satan uses against many of us during this time of year, especially those of us who are single, is depression and loneliness. He tries to convince us that we are lacking, that we are not really whole, that we cannot have peace because of our present position in life. All the while stealing from us the true glory of Christmas.

John 10:10 states: "The thief comes not , but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." Let me ask you a question, are you being stolen from? Have you lost the joy of your salvation? If you're not experiencing peace in your life right now, I can assure you THERE IS a thief at work in your life, and he is feeding you lies!

Right about now, you may be asking yourself, "what can I do?" Change your stinking thinking! You see, a bad attitude is like a flat tire. You can't go anywhere until you change it.

So, take your eyes off of your lack, and place the focus onto your provision - Jesus! Hebrews 12:2 reads: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." Jesus is the Glory of Christmas, He is our provision for all that we need now, and all that we will ever need. When you begin to really take to heart all that He has already done for you and all that He wants to do for you, it won't be long before joy will begin rule your thoughts which will put you in the right frame of mind to receive your blessing. Remember, the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Because of God's great redemption plan in the New Covenant, through the Blood of Jesus, WE HAVE BECOME "heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus." WE ARE "risen with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places, far above ALL principality, power, might, and dominion and over EVERY name that can be named." WE ARE "more than conquerors through Jesus." WE ARE "the head and not the tail." WE CAN "do all things through Christ who strengthens us." As far as God is concerned VICTORY is the battle cry of the Christian and it is what we should expect at every turn.

Take the authority that Jesus has provided for you in Luke 10:19, and put that low level devil back under your feet where he belongs! That's right, he doesn't belong on your back, he belongs under your feet. Now, take hold of the victory that belongs to you, and get back to walking in the inheritance that's been given to you through the grace of God and enjoy the Glory of Christmas!

Dan Downey
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Dan Downey 2000