My Favorite Christmas Gift

My favorite gift this Christmas? It is a gift that my Father gave me. That gift is faith. This gift causes me to believe in the grace of God that causes me to walk in a wonderful life.

The Father offers this free gift to everyone. Some don't ever open it... in fact they snub their nose at the Giver. Some open it and toss it aside because there think there are better things out there. Some open it and enjoy it for awhile and are grateful but then listen to others when they say there are so much more better gifts out there. Then there are those who open that gift.... not totally understanding it... but they continue to explore it. It never ceases to amaze them as they explore... it becomes more vast. They realize that this gift is a mystery that can't be explained... it has to be experienced.

I have been in every stage of this gift receiving. But as I have walked down the paths that these decisions have led me, and began to experience the consequences of my decisions... I saw the destruction that was coming my way. I quickly ran back and looked for that gift of faith and began to explore it again only to realize that what it offers is what I truly want and need.

Today, as I have some time alone to spend in the Father's presence. I realize this...

You will show me the path of life: In Your presence is fullness of joy and at Your right hand pleasures for evermore. Ps 16:11

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Bringing Pleasure to God

How many of us operate out of a guilty conscious? We frequently feel as if we are not doing enough. We can't relax when we have free time.

Read? Watch a movie? Oh my!!! Who has time for that?

Yes, I know that God loves me. But shouldn't I be on my face seeking Him in this free time that I have. Shouldn't I be reading my Bible? Perhaps, but not necessarily.

When things get out of whack in my life and I start looking to see what went awry I like to go back to the beginning with the question, "Why was I created?"

Revelation 4:11 tells us why we were created: .... for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

That is it.. simply put!!! God created us and all things on this earth for His pleasure. He created us to enjoy us! What is the purpose of a flower but to look beautiful and be smelled? What is the purpose of a bird but to be observed? What is the purpose of the Rocky Mountains or the millions of twinkling stars at night. Pleasure!

  So are we to God! We were created to bring pleasure to God. As He observes us... He enjoys us! He delights in us! He takes pleasure in our being created! It has nothing to do with our output! Just being.... brings Him pleasure. Rest in this! Get this in your heart!

God Is Close To the Wounded and Brokenhearted

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Ps 34:18 This does not mean that God likes when we are in these conditions. It saddens Him when we hurt. We think right! I am brokenhearted and crushed.... but I don't sense God anywhere around me. In fact, I feel like He is a million miles away!!! In fact... I am pretty mad at God right now!!! But... I believe when we are in these conditions...... He stays oh so close... waiting ..... knowing that this condition could be the very thing that makes us cry out to Him and seek Him. Call on Him. Wait. Seek Him. Whether you see Him yet or not... He is there and closer than you think.