1 Peter 2:9 NIV — But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Christmas Day is only 15 days away. We are in the throes of searching high and low for the perfect gift for each person on our list. As busy as we are with our preparations, let’s take time to pause this week and prepare our hearts for Christmas. I will go as far as to say, let’s give Christmas away.

Last Christmas season, in the middle of the busy preparations, I heard the song Give This Christmas Away by Matthew West and Amy Grant. I am sure I had heard this song over the years, but when I heard it that day it stopped me in my tracks. Perhaps it was just the jolt I needed to remind me what Christmas is truly about. So this week, let’s focus on ways we can give Christmas away to those who need it most. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the greatest gift of all, Your Son, Jesus Christ. Open my eyes to opportunities to share Christmas with others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway

@youversion

Spend some time reading and meditating on this week’s featured scriptures.

1 Peter 2:9 NIV — But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Matthew 25:35 NIV — For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.

Luke 2:10-11 NIV — But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Matthew 28:16-20 — Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Take some time to prepare your hearts for the week ahead by listening to Give This Christmas Away by Matthew West. Allow God to guide your thoughts as you listen to the words. May the Holy Spirit prompt each of us to respond as God would have us.

1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — 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.

Join us over on our YouTube Channel for See You Saturday as we wrap up our week on gifts!

Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Evey day the tide rises and falls. The time may vary each day since the ocean tide follows the moon. The waves crash the shore more times than we can count. Depending on the tide and the wind, those waves may look differently. Even with those slight variances, the ocean remains the same. Just like the ocean, our creator, Jesus Christ never changes. In today’s key verse, Paul writes that God is the same God.

Are you grounded in God’s word? Is God the gravity in your daily walk? He is a powerful God, just like the pull of the moon and the rotation of the Earth. He is the same God today who created the awesome wonder of the moon and stars. Think about these things as you watch What Causes Tides? By NOAA Scijinks. God created that! 

God also gifted us with laughter. Let’s close out the week with some good Christian humor:

What did the beach say as the tide came in? Long time, no sea.

There will always be a high tide and a low tide!

And that is a shore thing.

@youversion @biblegateway

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭21‬:‭45‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

I encourage you to listen to the song, Know You Will by Hillsong. Some of the lyrics sing, “You’ve been good on every promise, from Eden to Zion, through every dead end, and out of that grave. I don’t know how you make a way, but I know you will.” This song reminds me of our key verse from Joshua and how all of God’s promises are fulfilled.

The way made between Eden to Zion is the same today. The sun is a great reminder of God’s promises and His gift to us. Be wowed each day as the sun rises and sets. God created that! On this thankful Thursday, let’s worship with unswerving hope. Unswervingly, meaning to stay steady. My 2022 mantra was: “Live for today.” We also must hope for today. May our hope shine bright for those who just don’t see it. We read in Hebrews 10:23 NIV: Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the hope from today and Your promises. I desire to worship You with unswerving hope. Help me to shine Your glory for the world to see. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@youversion @biblegateway

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

On this Water Walking Wednesday, do you have any barricades or hesitations that are hindering you from walking through an open door. In today’s key verse, Paul instructs us on how God can open and close doors. What is your mindset? Are you ready to walk through? Or are you stuck standing still in your expectations? God is bigger! God gives us unexpected gifts! He can open and close doors in unexpected ways. We read in Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV: 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.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for open and closed doors. I desire to have a “be ready” mindset for Walking on Water. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@youversion @biblegateway