The Greatest Story Ever Told

Christmas means something a little different to everybody. To me, it is more traditional. Putting out milk and cookies for Santa(and dorritos and coke because there was a chance he might be a little more like me). Waking up as early as possible to rip off wrapping paper like a savage. I will always remember those times and the excitement that I felt. Now that I am older and Christmas mornings have a different meaning, so does the word Christmas altogether.

Several factors make the Christmas story all the more amazing now. Beginning with the fact that Mary was a virgin, but all of the sudden became pregnant. It is hard for me not to acknowledge Joseph's pain. The woman that he loves(and who he has not yet slept with) becomes pregnant. We soon find out that she was impregnated by the Holy Ghost.

What a miracle.

Matthew 2:10-11 says "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh."

These two verses are speaking of the wise men, who rejoiced with exceeding joy when they saw His star. And then they fell down and worshipped in His presence, offering their treasures.

That is what Christmas means to me now. I have seen His light, I have seen His illumination, and I will fall down and worship Him. I will bring Him my treasures and gifts, and lay them at His feet.

I wish everyone could feel what I feel right now. Perfect peace can wash you. Presents? No. Presence? Yes.

Enjoy your family during this special time, and worship Him. Bring your gifts and treasures and adore Him.

Merry Christmas to all, thank you for joining this group and I hope you have read something this year that has blessed and encouraged you in some way.

Behind Closed Doors

Hope you all have had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends, and don't look now but Christmas is only 24 days away! I have enjoyed my break, and am slowly but surely sliding into the Christmas spirit. With that, the devotionals are back on. Here goes...

It is almost natural for my mind to think that what happens behind a closed door is something negative. Something that should not be seen. Almost like there is a dark reason why the door is closed in the first place. But I want to bring out a passage that teaches us to seek God in a secret place. To close out everything else. The point of closing the door is not to confine you there, but is simply there to close you off from any distractions.

Matthew 6:6-13 reads:

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil."

Gives the Lord's Prayer a new meaning to me. It used to be something I routinely recited before football games. But here we can find absolute direction on how to pray and what to pray for. Sometimes we have great intentions about prayer, but never truly pray because we don't know where to start.

Start with "closing the door" on everything else in your life. Turn your phone on silent, turn off the tv for a while, get away from the computer. Be sincere. You do not have to use a lot of words, because God already knows your needs. But talk to Him. Start by telling Him how awesome He is. The ask His forgiveness(if you are anything like me, you need some of that), and then ask for His protection.

This passage tells us to pray in secret, and then the God who sees in secret, will hear you. So this week, I encourage you to go to Him when nobody else is around. Find a secret and special place just to talk with Him. He is waiting on you there...