Getting Ready for God’s Great Gift
Hebrews 2:14-18 

One of the many things I enjoy about Advent is seeing the curiosity and excitement on children’s faces. When Andy and Becky were little, they would spend the days leading up to Christmas examining the wrapped presents under the tree and trying to figure out what was in each one. There was a thrill in their hearts that lit up their eyes.

On Christmas morning, they’d wake up early and rush to the tree to find out what gifts they had received. They didn’t care what we were having for breakfast or what was on television. Neither of them could wait to open those packages and start enjoying their new toys.

Most children are the same way—they wouldn’t dream of simply admiring the colorful packages and leaving them unopened. Yet that is exactly what many people do with the greatest gift ever given.

This is why some folks find these next several weeks to be a very difficult time of year. Loneliness, financial pressures, unfulfilled dreams, and unmet expectations understandably can dampen a person’s spirit during a season when we all should be rejoicing. But by keeping our eyes on the One who has given us all things, we can focus on what cannot be taken from us rather than on what we don’t have.

The Enemy wants to steal your happiness this and every Christmas by making the season about everything except Jesus’ birth and His reason for coming (Heb. 2:14–18). I encourage you to unwrap God’s awesome gift of salvation and consider how its blessings “keep on giving” through all eternity

Enjoying Life
Ecclesiastes 2:1-23 

Not only was King Solomon the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 3:12); he was also blessed with wealth beyond imagination and the privilege of building God’s temple. So we might expect him to know deep contentment.

In searching for that deep fulfillment, Solomon devoted himself to exploring all kinds of things. Ecclesiastes tells us that he indulged in the pleasures of the world, even dabbling in pursuits he recognized as folly to see if there was anything worthwhile in them. But the satisfaction Solomon sought evaded him, and he concluded that self-indulgence was without value.

To feel content, the king tried another avenue: personal achievement. He undertook great projects, such as building houses for himself, improving the environment with gardens and parks, and carrying out an extensive irrigation project (Eccl. 2:6). The king had everything he could ever need to enjoy life, but in the end, he concluded it was all without meaning.

The story has a familiar ring, doesn’t it? Our world has many highly educated and successful people, but there is also much dissatisfaction with life. Our culture pursues pleasure and does not accept limits on its passions. Sadly, such lack of restraint has ruined countless lives.

Solomon had the wisdom and resources to accomplish whatever he chose to do. Yet the goals he pursued brought no lasting satisfaction. He concluded that the best course was to obey God (12:13). True enjoyment comes when we align ourselves with His will. Any other way is meaningless

Giving Thanks in All Things
Colossians 3:15-17 

Have you ever noticed that some Bible verses seem easier to memorize than to put into practice? One that immediately comes to mind—especially during the Thanksgiving season—is “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18). That word “everything” is challenging because there are situations when we do not feel particularly grateful. There are troubles we face that negatively affect every aspect of life, stealing joy and taking our focus off the Savior.

Over the years there have even been times when I’ve walked out onto the platform as the church service began and my heart was somewhere else. I was as prepared mentally and spiritually as I could be to preach the message—but emotionally, I was struggling with some devastating issue.

It was through those moments that I experienced something extraordinary. As the orchestra played and the congregation began to sing, my heart would respond to the words of those hymns. Psalm 22:3 tells us that the Lord is enthroned in our praises, so we are wise to give Him thanks “in everything”—even the toughest circumstances. Doing so changed my focus from the adversity I was facing to God’s awesome character, provision, and love. Suddenly my troubles did not seem so overwhelming.

Scripture encourages us always to voice our gratitude to the Lord, no matter what we’re facing. Why? Because when we focus on God instead of the problem, we realize, He’s already given us victory. You may have to remind yourself repeatedly, but you will benefit greatly from the peace that awaits

Abundance in God   –   But there the Lord in majesty will be for us a place of broad rivers and streams.

Isaiah 33:21

Broad rivers and streams” produce fertility and abundance in the land. Places near broad rivers are remarkable for the variety of their plants and their plentiful harvests. God is all this to His Church. Having God she has abundance. What can she ask for that He will not give her? What need can she mention that He will not supply?

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food.”1

Do you want the bread of life? It drops like manna from the sky. Do you want refreshing streams? The rock follows you, and that Rock is Christ.

If you still have any need, it is your own fault; if you are deprived, you are not deprived in Him, but in yourself. “Broad rivers and streams” also point to business.

Our glorious Lord is to us a place of heavenly merchandise. Through our Redeemer we have business with the past; the wealth of Calvary, the treasures of the covenant, the riches of the ancient days of election, the stores of eternity-all come to us down the broad stream of our gracious Lord.

We have business, too, with the future. What ships, laden to the water’s edge, come to us from heaven! What visions we have of a new heaven and a new earth!

Through our glorious Lord we have business with angels-communion with the bright spirits washed in blood, who sing before the throne. Better still, we have fellowship with the Infinite One. “Broad rivers and streams” are specially intended to set forth the idea of security.

Rivers were often a defense. Beloved, what a defense God is to His Church! The devil cannot cross this broad river of God. How he wishes he could turn the current, but do not fear, for God abides unchangeably the same.

Satan may annoy, but he cannot destroy us; no galley with oars shall invade our river, neither will a majestic ship pass through.

1 Isaiah 25:6

The family reading plan for November 24, 2011

1 Chronicles 19 , 20 | 1 Peter 1

Remembering God’s Blessings
Psalm 9:1-2 

We are given amazing privileges when we trust in Jesus. Recalling these promises is a good way to maintain a thankful heart, even when facing challenges in other areas. Consider four such blessings:

1. Christ’s gift of salvation. No matter what trial we’re facing, it is microscopic next to the enormity of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. The cross was a steep price to pay, but the Savior willingly took our place in order to offer us forgiveness and eternal life.
2. Assurance of God’s love. The Lord cares for us unconditionally—that is His very character (1 John 4:16). Unfortunately, the storms of life can cause us to question this, but Romans 8:31–39 unequivocally tells us that nothing can separate us from God’s love.
3. Answered prayer. We have the awesome privilege of talking to the Father about anything burdening us—and He never grows tired of listening to His children. Our omnipotent, omniscient God is not only able to help us in any situation; He also knows the best possible way to do so.
4. A personalized plan. The Lord has a will, plan, and purpose for our lives that He will accomplish if we obey Him. No one is exempt from adversity, but we can trust God to bring good from everything He permits to come our way.

Hardships, temptations, and tests will touch us all, but the Lord allows difficulty for a reason—even when we don’t understand why (Rom. 8:28). Therefore, submit yourself to the Father, thank Him for His wisdom, and be confident that He will accomplish His purposes for you

Complete Fellowship   –  Fellowship with him.

1 John 1:6

When we were united by faith to Christ, we were brought into such complete fellowship with Him that we were made one with Him, and His interests and ours became mutual and identical.

We have fellowship with Christ in His love. What He loves we love. He loves the saints-so do we. He loves sinners-so do we. He loves the poor perishing race of man and longs to see earth’s deserts transformed into the garden of the Lord-so do we.

We have fellowship with Him in His desires. He desires the glory of God-we also work for the same. He desires that the believers may be with Him where He is-we desire to be with Him there too. He desires to drive out sin-behold, we fight under His banner. He desires that His Father’s name may be loved and adored by all His creatures-we pray daily, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

We have fellowship with Christ in His sufferings. We are not nailed to the cross, nor do we die a cruel death, but when He is reproached, we are reproached; and it is a very sweet thing to be blamed for His sake, to be despised for following the Master, to have the world against us.

The disciple should not be above His Lord. In our measure we fellowship with Him in His labors, ministering to men by the word of truth and by deeds of love.

Our meat and our drink, like His, is to do the will of Him who has sent us and to finish His work.

We also have fellowship with Christ in His joys. We are happy in His happiness; we rejoice in His exaltation. Have you ever tasted that joy, believer? There is no purer or more thrilling delight to be known this side of heaven than that of having Christ’s joy fulfilled in us, that our joy may be full. His glory awaits us to complete our fellowship, for His Church will sit with Him upon His throne as His well-beloved bride and queen.

The family reading plan for November 23, 2011

1 Chronicles 18 | James 5