Posted on

I Wonder What Jesus Would Want For Christmas

 

Dr. I. David Byrd, December 15, 2019

 

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child,
and shall bring forth a son,
and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Matthew 1;23

 

Gift giving is an expression of truly seeing the other person and knowing what they want. Sometimes we look to the past for hints of what a person is interested in and the things that define who they are. So, what we give to He who God sent forth, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, requires reflective thought and consideration. Emmanuel, “God with us”. I searched the scriptures to find hints of the perfect gift and here’s what the Word says:

 

  • Jesus wants you to make Him first, ahead of your finances, personal interests, relationships and schedule – even your troubles. This starts by giving Him your heart. The Bible tells us, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:34).
  • Jesus wants our belief in Him to be more than an intellectual agreement. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen.” (Hebrew 11:1)
  • Jesus wants us to know God’s love, “I have made you known to them and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” (John 17:26)
  • Jesus wants us to behold His glory as proof of His eternal oneness with God. “Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me, may be with me where I am.” (John 17:24)
  • Jesus wants everyone to know it’s not about a gavel in his hand, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17)
These hints tell me what Jesus wants most is for you to have a personal relationship with Him, forgiveness for your sins and a place in heaven forever. Jesus wants us to be saved so much that he stepped down from the heights of divinity to a cradle in humanity and then ultimately to a cross on Calvary. A relationship with Jesus changes everything! He has set before us an open door. Boldly walk through it, He will be with us – Emmanuel.

 

Father,
In this Christmas season we thank you for the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. We pause to celebrate your gift to the world. Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her king.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

 

Thank you for allowing me to speak into your life. Hey, spend a few moments of quiet time discovering your personal application of what you just read by clicking this link  myTime with God
Posted on

Can We Just Talk?

 

Dr. I. David Byrd, December 1, 2019
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how to answer everyone.”                 Col 4:6
Civility dies when you give up the right to have dialogue without trying to destroy the other person. The starting point for repairing our fractured country is how we interact with others.

 

First, our conversation should be an instrument of grace even to those who we don’t think deserve it. Paul uses the word “grace”, which most often refers to unmerited favor for those who are ill-deserving. Paul anticipating our sinful nature qualified this phrase with “always”.

 

Second, our conversations should be seasoned with “salt ”. Salt makes meat acceptable to the discerning palate and is a preservative that draws out bad organisms that can cause meat to decay. Once salt loses its chemical properties it is of no value. If the “flavor” of our conversation is saltless we are useless to God, of no value in bringing out people’s best tendencies and preventing their worse.

 

  • Deliberately seek to influence the people in your life by showing them the unconditional love of Christ through good deeds (Matthew 5:13)
  • Demonstrate the counterculture to language that demeans, degrades, divides and leads to societal moral decay. (Mark 9:50)
  • Witness to unbelievers being well prepared and focused on building others up according to their individual needs with purity of motive. (Col 4:6)

 

What a privilege God has given us to be in dialogue with others. Use it for God’s glory. It’s the evidence of the call upon our lives.

 

Father,
Your Word tells us we are to be a people set upon a hill; bringing light to the darkness of this world. Help us to live out the grace you provided to us. To not withhold conversation from anyone You put in our path.

 

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

Thank you for allowing me to speak into your life. Hey, spend a few moments of quiet time discovering your personal application of what you just read by clicking this link  myTime with God