For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 1John 5:4 (ESV)
And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." Mark 9: 23 (ESV)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11: 6 (NLT)
Our faith is what overcomes the world! How great a promise
is that? No matter what we face, no matter how great the trial God is greater
and our faith in Him overcomes the adversity we face. In the popular song "How Great is Our God", we sing the
refrain, "Name above all names." This is what that chorus means! His name is
above whatever we are facing. Marital problems God's name is above them. Bad
doctor's report God's name is above the diagnosis. No matter the storm, its
intensity, or its duration God's name is above it! But only by faith. It is
our faith that allows what seems impossible for the finite mind of man. The
impenetrable walls of
What gift can we give God this Christmas? It starts with giving up to Him what you hold most valuable. What is the gold in your life that you keep in your treasure chest? Put God ahead of it. It continues with the gifts of praise and prayer. Your devotion pleases God and your sacrifice of praise is what He is seeking. Lastly, without your faith none of it matters. It is your faith that seals the deal, like the adhesive myrrh resin. The Magi had brought their gifts so long ago to the newborn King. It cost them something what they treasured. And after, they were changed:
When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. Matthew 2: 12 (NLT)
The final lesson here is that when we exercise the giving of these gifts we will find ourselves on another path a different route. We cannot return to a faithless life, hoarding our gold in our treasure chest, refusing to sacrifice praise and live a life of prayer. As much as the gifts are for God He turns them around and makes them about us. He strengthens us through them. He matures us through them. He completes us through them. Give the gifts today. Celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior by lavishing everything upon Him and discover why it is truly better to give than receive.
Reverend Anthony Wade December 14, 2010
