John 3:16-18
“This is how much God loved the
world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that
no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole
and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son
merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He
came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is
acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under
the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s
failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to
him.
Scripture quotations
from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by
Eugeterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All
rights reserved.
Friends, this is shaping up to be some
kind of week…and it’s only Wednesday! Monday, my husband’s brother and
sister-in-law were seriously injured in a car crash that resulted in
the death of the other driver. For the third day in a row, Greg’s
brother will undergo more surgery to repair internal injuries.
Hopefully today’s procedure will resolve everything. My mother, who is
battling ovarian cancer, was diagnosed with pneumonia yesterday. She is
receiving antibiotic treatment, and we anticipate that she will recover
quickly. Through all of this, we are praising God for His love and
care…and marveling at how He is watching over us.
It would be
easy to throw up our hands and ask, “Where have you gone, Lord? What
could possibly happen next?” But instead, we find ourselves humbly
thanking God for His unconditional love and protection. We know that He
has not sent these maladies to punish us. But we believe that He is
using them to say, “Draw closer to Me and let Me handle everything.”
And He IS doing this!
As Greg’s brother left our local hospital
in an ambulance on Monday, headed for a trauma center at a Little Rock
medical facility, the family gathered in the Emergency Department
waiting room, held hands, and prayed. We covered him in the blood of
Jesus and called on God to protect all who would travel to be with
him…the medical staff who would be responsible for his care…and those
who would be anxiously awaiting information. And God is delivering all
of this and more, minute-by-minute.
I would dare say that a
thousand people or more are praying for my mother…bringing her before
God daily - and asking for His perfect healing. I know that people are
praying for each of us as family members and friends who support her in
this journey. I feel God’s love and care each and every day – and it is
powerful and profound.
As we draw near to Christmas Eve and the
celebration of God’s amazing gift of Jesus, let’s remind ourselves how
much He loves us. As we wrap gifts to put under the tree, think of the
significance of God’s gift to us…His Only Son, who He knew we would
disrespect and mistreat and ultimately try to destroy. The Good News is
that we have been totally ineffective! Jesus is ALIVE! He continues to
heal us and protect us from harm. He defeated death, so that even when
our physical bodies are taken, we can continue to live with Him!
This
is what fuels my family these days…the confidence that we belong to the
Most High God – and nothing that is hurled our way can ultimately
defeat us. It is with this assurance that we prayed for healing for my
brother-in-law and his wife. It is with this determination that we
believe that my mother and others who are battling cancer and other
illnesses and injuries will be restored. It is with complete trust that
we let God determine what forms these healings and restorations will
take - knowing that He loves us enough to give us perfect outcomes.
God
loves you more than you can ever imagine or understand. He wants you
to love Him back with everything you have, regardless of how smoothly
things are going in your life. In fact, when “the chips are down,” your
demonstration of steadfast love means even more to Him! What are you
showing Him this week? How are you displaying your love and commitment
to God – in every situation and circumstance?
A whole and lasting
life is at our fingertips. With God in control, we need not fear a
single thing! Are you operating in the confidence of a mutual, loving
relationship with God? Isn’t this the perfect week to stop and recommit
your heart to Him and start walking in His daily assurances? What does
God’s “Christmas Gift” mean for you? Won’t you spend some time finding
out today?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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