Christmas is here again!

Three Simple Words

What does God want from you this year at Christmas time? Justice … Mercy … Humility. Rightly understood, those three words form the sum total of your Christian duty. If you have those things, God will be pleased. If you don’t, nothing else makes much difference.

That brings us back to Micah. Why didn’t God accept all their sacrifices? Why did he turn them down? Because they offered him everything except the one thing he really wanted—their hearts.

The religion God approves is the religion of the heart! Outward religion is useless unless the heart belongs to God. He wants the real you—the person on the inside. You can fake a lot of religious activity. But the heart doesn’t lie.

Why Jesus Came

What does God want from me at Christmastime (and every other day as well)? Justice … Mercy … Humility. These are matters of the heart.

This is why Jesus Came. Matthew 12:18 says, “He will proclaim justice to the nations.” When Mary sang of Jesus birth she said, “His mercy extends to those who fear him” and “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble” (Luke 1:50, 52).

This is the heart of the gospel. What God requires, he first gives to us.

He came to establish justice!

He came to show mercy!

He came to lift up the humble!

Do You Have Room?

This week a friend sent me an Advent Calendar with the title “Do You Have Room?” It’s built around Luke 2:7, “And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for him in the inn.” As you open the calendar there are tear-off strips of paper containing various contemporary excuses the innkeeper might give today:

"Sorry. It’s dinner time. Don’t interrupt me.”

"Totally frazzled. I can’t handle more company.”

"Sorry! Christmas pageant tonight. God bless you. Bye.”

"Not now! I’m listening for tonight’s Lotto numbers.”

""We’re all ‘gived out.’ Can’t afford to put up company. Sorry.”

"Can’t. At this point I don’t know which end is up.”

After 2000 years Jesus still knocks at the door of your heart. Will you make room for him this year?

Christian, he wants your heart

Perhaps you’ve heard these words by Christina Rosetti. What will you give Jesus this year?

What shall I give him, Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I’d give him a lamb.

If I were a wise man, I’d do my part.

What shall I give him, I’ll give him my heart.

Have you ever done that? Have you ever given him your heart?

No decision is more important. No one else can make it for you. If you aren’t ready, then nothing I say or do can compel you to come to Christ. But if you are ready, then it’s time for you to do business with the Lord.

The Bible says that “To all who received him, to those who believed in him, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Have you ever received Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? Would you like to do that right now?

If you answer yes to that question, here’s a simple prayer that may help express the desire of your heart: “Dear God, I know that I am sinner. I confess that I have sinned many times in word and deed. I humbly confess that I have broken your law and that my sins have separated me from God. Here and now, I confess my sins and ask Jesus Christ to be my Savior. I believe that Jesus is Your only begotten Son who died on the cross for me and rose from the dead on the third day. With all my heart and all my soul, I am trusting Jesus alone for my salvation. Please forgive my sins and save me. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and make me a brand-new person. These things I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

May your Christmas sparkle with moments of love, laughter and goodwill, 
And may the year ahead be full of contentment and joy. 
Have a Merry Christmas.

SuperV cares