Ever Get An Unwanted Christmas Present?

Ever Get An Unwanted Christmas Present?

Have you ever got one of those Christmas presents where you were like, "Oh great, thanks, you really shouldn't have." Some people say that you gotta be careful what you wish for, and that is true. I can recall as I got older there were a couple of times where I was asked what I wanted for Christmas and I would give an off hand answer which lead to a surprise under the Christmas tree. They were things that I had wanted and actually needed but not as fun as something covered in buttons and lights. God being the greatest gift giver of all time often gives us what we need instead of what we want (which is what we think we NEED). He has the ability to see inside us and challenge us with obstacles we think we can not handle. Many times this is true, we can't handle it, that's why we are supposed to call on him. He wants to be there for us. He wants to help us, so that we can see that we can become what he know we can become. I have an old hose and all my children find certain corners quite creepy. Once when taking things up the attic ladder I enlisted the help of my stepson. It was an awkward haul and he was scared. I could have let him quit and do it for him, but instead I stood by his side and guided him through the challenge. Now how has no problem whatsoever taking thins in and out of the attic. God is like that, he is always with us ready to help. All we have to do is ask and he will help us. He sent his son to teach and he sends the Holy Spirit out everyday to help us on our daily paths. Question is though do we accept and use these gifts or do we leave them in the corner unused while we curse each difficulty that we try to negotiate OUR WAY?

Luke 1:26-38
26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!"29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" 35And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37For with God nothing will be impossible." 38And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Are You Lonely or Broken Hearted?

To have a broken heart is a terrible thing. I have been through a lot and I would have to say that after being hungry (I mean really hungry with no food), penniless or sick having a broken heart is the worst feeling ever. Being broken hearted, feeling not worthy, not loved and so alone is the worst feeling ever. If you are hungry and you feel like you are loved then you have people you can go to for help. Being poor you can consult loved ones for ideas on how to pull yourself up, or in a pinch get some assistance. Even the many times I have been sick, I have been lucky when I felt loved because I felt I had some place to go for not only healing of the body but also of the heart and mind. Know this, God loves EVERYBODY.  I know that some may think, “Oh well I met this person that said that they were a christian and they turned me away.” For that I am truly sorry. Just because someone is a christian doesn’t mean that they don’t make mistakes, that they don’t sin or fall short of God’s call to love all, but that is person. I am talking about God. God loves all and he wants us all in our fellowship. Are there things that we all do that God doesn’t like? Yes, but God still loves. There are reasons he wants us to behave the way he desires. He wants us safe, happy and in balance. He wants us to love one another. He wants us to love and take care of ourselves. The biggest sinners out there, he still loves them and is waiting for them to come home to him. He sent his son Jesus to teach us that we all should love each other, that we should all forgive each other for God himself loves and forgives all. Jesus himself even died on the cross and took the blame for all the sins of everyone because God loves us. God comes to us as the Holy Spirt to try and help us through our days. God wants no one left behind. Are some of us harder to love than others? Maybe for us but not for God, he sees beauty ,strength and ability in all of us. God calls all of us to take Jesus as our personal savior, to become baptized in the Holy Spirt and become born again. God wants us to love him above everything else because he made everything. He wants us to love ourselves and take care of ourselves and he wants us to love everyone around us and help those in need. God wish is that no one in this world walks with a broken heart. All you have to do is accept him because he already has accepted you. God already loves you and he is waiting for you right now. 

Luke 15:1-10

1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." 3So he told them this parable: 4"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."