Christmas shopping is really fun for a while. But after a few stressful trips to the mall, after spending more time looking for a parking place than you do in the store, after battling the crowds and trying to find a store that still has what you're looking for, well Christmas shopping starts to lose some of its glitter. But then there's that golden moment when you walk in the house with your last installment of shopping bags, you collapse in the recliner, and you declare in a loud, triumphant voice, "I'm done with my shopping!" What a feeling!
Some of us spend our whole life shopping. Not for presents, but for peace. For something that will fill that hole in our heart. And sooner or later, most of us realize that we're looking for something spiritual. Many writers have observed that America today is actually a nation of spiritual seekers, and maybe you're one of them. If so, you're shopping in the right store. The only real meaning and the only real peace is going to be found in something spiritual.
But maybe you're like a lot of people who have been better at seeking than finding. You've shopped for spiritual reality in a variety of places: different churches, maybe different religions, maybe some New Age spirituality, or some self-improvement programs, or a variety of spiritual experiences. You tired of shopping? Would you like to be able to say, "My shopping is over!" Then there's a pathway to fulfillment in our word for today from the Word of God right in the Christmas story.
The Magi, usually known as the "three wise men," represent all of us spiritual seekers in the story of that first Christmas. Matthew 2:1,
These guys had been searching for a long time. So have you maybe.[color=blue] Their searching finally ended at the feet of Jesus. So will yours.
"All things were created by Him and for Him."
That includes you and me. You can never find inner peace and your restlessness can never end until you belong to the One you were made for.
Because we've taken over the life that was supposed to be His, well, we're separated from that anchor relationship.
But Jesus came to Bethlehem ultimately to die on Skull Hill. He died on that cross to carry all the guilt and all the hell of all your sin so you could finally come home to the love you've been looking for your whole life.
And this Christmas season would be a great time for you to finally say, "My shopping is done!" If you want the search to end, why don't you tell Jesus that you're giving yourself to Him with all the faith you've got. You could literally do that right where you are. You don't have to be in church; no stained glass. Just you and Jesus.
Your Christmas's and your life will never be the same again! You do not have to be alone. You can have JESUS in your heart all the time to talk to, to bring your cares and burdens to HIM because HE wants you to!
This wonderful devotional pertains to the LIVING. Those who are walking upon this earth in this world. When your Spirit leaves your body it is what we as humans call death. The Body, which is only a temporary dwelling place for the Spirit inside you is like a house. As Houses get older things start to deteriorate. Sometimes accidents happen to the house as well as the body we occupy. This OUTER SHELL we occupy called the Body is what other people See. THIS is why the Bible says "mankind looks upon the outer appearance, but GOD looks upon the Heart". The HEART is the INNER appearance and is part of your Spirit. GOD knows YOUR HEART and YOUR THOUGHTS.
He sees all that we do, say, and think.. We do not ever fool HIM.
HE KNOWS HIS OWN who LOVE HIM and those who do not. The ones that do not currently are NOT PART of HIS FAMILY. WHEN that person comes to GOD and asks HIM with bowed and contrite heart to forgive them and to save them for Christ's sake, That person is miraculously transformed from a child of the devil to a CHILD of The KING! You are made an HEIR and JOINT HEIR with Jesus Christ, and will dwell in Heaven with HIM and rule and reign with HIM on the earth for a thousand years.
WHY not make THIS YEAR the BEST CHRISTMAS of your earthly life and change your eternal home to Heaven for all eternity. Ask Jesus to forgive you and to save you this very day and enjoy the feeling of being PART of GOD's Family forever starting right now!
BLessings to you in Christ,
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