Notes of Faith December 20, 2022
God’s Great Gifts
Thanks be to God for His gift that is too wonderful for words.
— 2 Corinthians 9:15
Why did He do it? A shack would have sufficed, but He gave us a mansion. Did He have to give the birds a song and the mountains a peak? Was He required to put stripes on the zebra and the hump on the camel?
Why wrap creation in such splendor? Why go to such trouble to give such gifts?
Why do you? You do the same. I’ve seen you searching for a gift. I’ve seen you stalking the malls and walking the aisles. I’m not talking about the obligatory gifts. I’m talking about that extra-special person and that extra-special gift. Why do you do it? You do it so the heart will stop. You do it so the jaw will drop. You do it to hear those words of disbelief “You did this for me?”
That’s why you do it. And that is why God did it. Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, “Do you like it? I did it just for you.”
~ The Great House of God
Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious One in a human womb.
The Promise Remains
Joseph was the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus. Jesus is called the Christ. — Matthew 1:16
Seems like the only common bond between [Jesus’ ancestors] was a promise. A promise from Heaven that God would use them to send His Son.
Why did God use these people? Didn’t have to. Could have just laid the Savior on a doorstep. Would have been simpler that way. And why does God tell us their stories?
Simple. He wants us to know that when the world goes wild, He stays calm.
Want proof? Read the last name on the list [of Jesus’ lineage]. In spite of all the crooked halos and tasteless gambols of His people, the last name on the list is the first one promised — Jesus.
No more names are listed. No more are needed. As if God is announcing to a doubting world, “See, I did it. Just like I said I would.”
~ When God Whispers Your Name
God Became a Man
He gave up His place with God and made Himself nothing. He was born as a man and became like a servant. — Philippians 2:7
It all happened in a most remarkable moment… a moment like no other.
God became a man. Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious One in a human womb.
The Omnipotent, in one instant, became flesh and blood. The One who was larger than the universe became a microscopic embryo. And He who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.
God had come near.
~ God Came Near
Excerpted from Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado, copyright Max Lucado.
These are short excerpts from great books by Max Lucado. I have nearly all of his books and love the easy reading and spiritual thoughts that he brings in every story. The Great House of God, When God Whispers Your Name, and God Came Near are spectacular gifts of God through the writings of Max Lucado. If you are interested, borrow mine or purchase your own or take a look at the many others he has written. I recommend them all for a spiritual uplift and challenge.
Pastor Dale