Life is hard. Kindness, courage, and love will help you prosper.
Jesus – I AM
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Those who are unaware of God’s existence deny His existence. All who know Christ should have a desire to know Him better.
The statement “Before Abraham was, I am” establishes that Abraham was a creature and Jesus is the Creator. Thus, He not only existed before Abraham but also before the world began. He was declaring His deity, in that He was Jehovah.
He is everything we need!
Happy Monday! Only 12 more days til Christmas! This week’s devo is “A Gift, A Present, A Package” written by Krissanna Noakes! Please take time to read this devo that she has written for us! It will put the best perspective on wrapping Christmas presents this year! I hope that you have an amazing week!
One of my favorite parts of Christmas is wrapping the gifts. I like to pick a theme each year. One year I used rolls of white craft paper, markers, and embellishments to turn the presents into snowmen. Another year the packages were all wrapped in Disney themed papers. Other years have been color combos like blue and silver or purple and gold.
This year as I was thinking about what theme I want to use and searching Pinterest for ideas there was something that jumped out at me. There are basically three words we use interchangeably to describe what we are giving someone: gift, present, and package.
While I know these words are synonyms, I also wondered as to the definition of each and if there was much variation in definitions. That is where this devotional formed.
As Christian ladies, we know “Jesus is the reason for the season”, if you will. However, I wanted to delve deeper into the gift, the present, the package of Jesus.
The definition of gift is “something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation”. Romans 6:23 tells us “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. Just as we don’t expect the recipient of our gift to pay us for the price we already paid, neither does God expect payment from us.
Can you imagine giving your child or grandchild a gift, holding out your hand, then saying., “Okay, honey. That’ll be $19.99!”. That seems ridiculous because they most likely couldn’t pay, but also because we give it to them out of love. Just as God gives us eternal life through His Son. He’s not holding out his hand for payment. Jesus already paid it on the cross. Ephesians 2:8 & 9″… it is the gift of God: not of works…”. Think John 3:16!
Next, is the definition of present: “a thing presented as a gift”. God’s present was wrapped in the form of a baby (Luke 2:7 & 12). His only begotten Son was immaculately conceived to live a sinless life. A life that would offer a present for everyone.
For the most part, we can’t get each person on our Christmas list the exact same present. My grandson loves monster trucks. That’s all he wants right now!
However, my daughters would be less than thrilled if I bought them monster trucks. God in his infinite wisdom gave mankind one present that is a fit for all. He didn’t have to send multiple presents that night in Bethlehem in order for everyone to have something to receive. Luke 2:10-11
Finally, we have the definition of package: “something conceived of as a compact unit having particular charcteristics”. The package of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, is the ultimate package. It is perfection.
I’m sure you ladies are like me always looking for that perfect gift for each person on your list. Yet, as my children have grown into adults and as my husband and I add years to our marriage, I find it harder and harder to buy gifts for them. They definitely don’t receive that perfect gift from me!
However, the perfect package of our Saviour is holy(Lu. 1:35), righteous(Is. 53:11), just(Zec. 8:9), guileless(1 Pet. 2:22), sinless(2 Cor. 5:21), spotless(1 Pet. 1:19), innocent(Matt. 27:4),. The list could go on and on in describing this perfect package for there is nothing lacking. This is the package I want for my loved ones!
So, this year as I’m wrapping gifts, presents, and packages I’m keeping the theme focused on Jesus. I’m keeping my heart and mind focused on Jesus for I’ve already received the perfect gift. I need nothing more.
https://www.sappsolutely.com/devotions/a-gift-a-present-a-package-krissanna-noakes
Jesus – Faithful Witness
Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
When a witness is summoned to testify, he must give the truth about what he knows. He can’t be caught lying since that would undermine his testimony.
Jesus is our faithful and true witness (Revelation 19:11). His testimony has been scrutinized more than any other in history, and no inconsistencies have ever been discovered. He always tells the truth.
Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Jesus sent His angels to testify in the churches so that they could spread the word to the world. Hence, we should be joyfully sharing the Good News to the world around us.
Jesus gave himself the names “the root of David” and “the bright and morning star”. How can these being opposite of each other be compared to Christ?
A root is deep in the ground where it’s not seen while a star shines brightly in the heavens. The root signifies His humanity while the star signifies His deity. The root connects Him to the lineage of David; the star declares that He is the brightest of His Father’s glory and will be the One who puts a final end to the darkened world.
Looking forward to His glorious appearing!
JESUS – The name above every name
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Philippians 2:9
Something that has been lost in today’s society is the proper reverence for the name of Jesus. His name is often used flippantly in conversation as a euphemism. We have forgotten the commandments of Exodus 20 and have allowed other things to rule our lives.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Exodus 20:7
The Strong’s definition of “Vain” originates from the same as H7722 in the sense of desolating. Its definition given is evil (as {destructive }) literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as {false} subjectively): uselessness (as {deceptive} objectively; also adverbially in vain).
We need to get back to giving God the proper respect He deserves. One way we can show Him respect is to only use His name when we are talking to Him or about Him. We do not need to use His name as if it’s just another word.
Not only do we disrespect God in our language, but also in our actions. We call ourselves Christians, but we do not always act like one. We can’t just say that we believe. We must live it. It’s misleading when you say that you are a Christian when God has no part in your life.
Jesus’ name is the Name above all other names. Jesus is to be highly exalted. As we declare His name, we are confessing that He alone is Lord.
Different names of Jesus
It has been exciting to search out the names of Jesus. I would like to encourage you to search the Scriptures for yourself and dive into the Word. Print the monthly Scripture Journal Calendar below. It will help you get started. The following list is only a handful of the names of Jesus…
What is Scripture Journaling?
It is simply reading a daily selected passage of Scripture, handwriting the passage, allowing Christ to speak to you, and then writing down the insights or spiritual lessons you learned from the passage. It also helps you more readily hide God’s Word in your heart.
Below is a printable list of the Names of Jesus with accompanying passages of Scripture. I trust you will enjoy journaling the names of Jesus as much as I have enjoyed this.
Deuteronomy 7:9 – Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Are you wary about meeting new people or making new friends? I know that I am.
Due to past experiences, I am very cautious about making new friends. I tend to be very guarded at times because of the unknown and not wanting to get hurt.
Thankfully, there is One who always has our best interest at heart. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Hebrews 13:5 – Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Sadly, we tend to keep Him at arm’s length only calling on Him when we think we need His help. Or we call on Him when we have an urgent need.
It’s hard to love someone you don’t know. In order to Fall in Love with Jesus, we must truly get to know Him.
Getting to know someone takes time and perseverance. Keep a positive outlook and enjoy getting to know Him by spending time studying His Word.
