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What is on your Christmas “Wish List”? Does the content changed each year? What do you think determines the depth or sincerity of a good list? I believe it is the ‘heart’ of the hopeful recipient! As the Body of Christ, we should all have a “Wish List” that reflects our Savior! A heart that is determined to make a difference and one that stands out in a crowd this Holiday season. Our “List” must be seen and felt through our actions.
Even if you don’t write out your requests, there is ONE who daily reads your heart and He is very familiar with it’s desires. The Lord knows everyone’s level of compassion and if you’re on empty or full. God is also aware of the heart that chases after Him with boldness, diligence, faithful obedience and passion. He blesses those who earnestly seek Him and gives them the desires of their hearts. Just as Psalm 37:4-6 says,
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD ; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your
righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. ”
WOO HOO, that should make every believer stand up and jump around…….. this is so much better than Santa Claus!
God says that He will give us the desires of our hearts. But remember, God has to be true to HIS nature, Word and who He is. He can only grant the desires of those who belong to Him and are obedient to His Word. Just as Psalm 37, verse five said, we must commit our ways to HIM!
As followers of the one true God, what should our desires be and how should it be represented throughout the Holidays? What fills our hearts, as we spill into this festive season? Can we be singled out as those who have a relationship with the Savior? Do we look like HIM as we shop, go to Christmas Parties, drive or wait in long lines? Does our attitude match those around us, or are we set apart? What do we look like when others cut us off, take our parking spot or yell at us? Remember that the most difficult-rude and trying family members, friends, coworkers and employers need JESUS too! This is the perfect time of year to go the extra mile, take the opportunities God gives us and love them!
Matt 5:46-47
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
“And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
When we grow closer to God through obedience, surrender and humbleness, our reflection begins to resemble Christ. Our desires or “List” then would manifest from a pure heart, no longer driven by selfish gain. We start to see motives that are no longer rooted in selfishness. Prompting from the Holy Spirit, begin to spring from our hearts! By daily renewing our minds in Christ through the Word, prayer and time with HIM, we let go of our flesh and sinful desires! When we live by the Spirit of GOD, we see our desires take root and grow from Life and the repercussion from this is so exciting! We will see the needs of others, the out cry of a lost and dying world. Just as Christ did on that first Christmas, His eyes were fixed on us — not HIS flesh! He didn’t long to be beaten, tortured and brutally murdered……. His flesh didn’t want that! He was all God and all man, living in a human body with wants and needs but denying the flesh and focusing on the will of HIS Father in heaven!
This Christmas has more of an impact for me, after seeing the PASSION OF THE CHRIST! My wants and needs pale in comparison to His! What a visual picture this Movie painted! Our Savior…… no longer black and white on the pages of our Bibles, but alive–and vivid — Love in motion! Matthew 16:24, takes on much more meaning, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, �If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Jesus Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice! He saw the physical needs of others and came to their aid. But His main concern was for the Spiritual needs of all mankind. He quenched the thirst of a lost and dying world, by us Living Water! Whether it be the world’s physical pains or emotional pangs, they can only be satisfied for a time. Relief won’t last unless we give to the needy (anyone without Christ…rich or poor) what they are truly missing, connection to the Wellspring of Life!
This Christmas, if you know the Savior and His joy fills your heart……then ask Christ to write your “Wish List”!
Pray for the Spirit to prepare your heart for Godly desires. Seek to “see” not just the physical needs of individuals but their spiritual needs as well! Don’t limit your giving to just a financial blessing. Most of us are stretched to the limit of our budgets during the holidays. I have been guilty of not seeing or looking for the need, once my financial “giving” budget was depleted. Once God burdened me for an individual and I turned away from a Holy Spirit prompting. I thought, I have nothing to give this person…….then the LORD spoke to me….and said, “Yes you do!” I began to pray and intercede for the needs of this person and joy filled my heart! We can be tools for the LORD to work through this Christmas! Ask the Spirit to burden your heart for those in need. You would be surprised who the Spirit will lead you to pray for!
Matt 7:11
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Prepare your heart by praying for the various outreaches in your church and community! Pray that the message of Christ will be seen in the hearts and actions of those faithful servants! Pray also for the mighty warriors behind these ministries, for their spiritual protection, strength and God’s favor and blessings! The opportunities and needs are abundant this time of year! Pray when you are standing in line at the Post Office, store or mall. When your family drives around to look at Christmas lights. Make it a special time of praying for your neighborhood, for God’s hand to rest on, bless and protect it! When you drive into different neighborhoods, don’t just admire the array of meticulous illumination — pray specifically for salvation as you enter and exit different areas. The LORD will lead you directly to the neighborhoods that need HIM, if you are faithful in asking! And lastly, ‘smile,’ to be gracious and spill out Jesus wherever you go! Don’t forget to say,”God bless you!” Reveal the motivation of your heart, “Christ in you!”
Matt. 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Take a bold step this Christmas and ask the Holy Spirit to write your “Wish List.” You will be amazed where HE takes you! Our communities need salvation from spiritual poverty! Let God work through you, to bring HIS Presence into someone’s Christmas! As our eyes begin to focus on the heart of God we will transform to reflect HIM – our needs and desire too will all be taken care of by the ONE who knows what you need…..even before you ask!
Matthew 6:8,
“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him”
What a precious Gift we have in Jesus Christ! Lets all be faithful in sharing the blessing of knowing HIM! May God send you out in His power and might! Merry Christmas!
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