"For where the treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt 6:21 NKJV
I recently opened a Dayspring Christmas card I received. The words on the front say:
'Wise men came with the treasures of earth in their hands.... and left with the Treasure of Heaven in their hearts.' Inside it says, 'Celebrating this Christmas because Jesus still gives us the greatest treasure of all--Himself! Blessings to You.'
What a beautiful sentiment! Tears filled my eyes because it is so simple. They came with earthly treasures for the Child, treasures of the most valuable things on earth-- gold, frankincense, and myrrh, they but left with the greatest treasure of all, having seen and worshipped the Savior of the world, the Messiah!
We also come to Jesus giving what to us is the most valuable thing we have -- ourselves. In this world of 'me, me!' that is what we consider to be the most treasured of our possessions, our own lives. In reality, our lives are a filthy and totally inadequate gift for the King of kings. But it is the best we can do; and a celebration of God and heavenly hosts occurs when we offer our lives to Jesus! God our Father rejoices for every single person who gives their life to Christ. He actually sings! God sings over you!!
"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
And the angels throw a party!
"Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God." Luke 15:10 Message
This Christmas, when the world seems to be going down the drain in a whirlpool of hatred and sin, why not rededicate yourself to Jesus of Nazareth, to Emmanuel, God with us. Let Him take your dirty heart and cleanse it in the blood He shed for you. Let His life be your example. Stop rushing, instead allow someone else to go first. Lend an ear to someone who needs it. If you see someone who looks lost in a store ask if you can help them. It's so easy to be kind, and it makes you feel better. Pray for those that hate you, as strange as it sounds, you will feel so much better! You will release all sorts of stresses that may be ruining your life and health!
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven;" Matt 44-45 NKJV
Dear Reader, if you have not given your life to Jesus but you want to, or if you have gone away and wish to rededicate yourself, let today be the day that you do. It is Christmas Eve 2011. You will receive a treasure worth more than anything and everything here on earth--your promise of life everlasting in Heaven with the King of Kings! So be renewed, be born again, for "Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3 NKJV
Please pray this prayer with all your heart:
Heavenly Father, I come to You admitting that I am a sinner. Right now, I choose to turn away from sin, and I ask You to cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I believe that Your Son, Jesus, died on the cross to take away my sins. I also believe that He rose again from the dead so that I may be justified and made righteous through faith in Him. I call upon the name of Jesus Christ to be the Savior and Lord of my life. Jesus, I choose to follow You, and I ask that You fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit. I declare right now that I am a born-again child of God. I am free from sin, and full of the righteousness of God. I am saved in Jesus' name. Amen
Welcome (back) to the Kingdom of God and eternal life! You may want to find a church tonight or tomorrow morning to worship and fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ. You have a very large family now! Merry Christmas and God bless you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU
