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With 50 seasonally themed selections in Jesus Calling® for Christmas, you’ll find devotions that include:
Whether a self-purchase to enhance your observation of Advent and the birth of the Christ child or a gift for friends and loved ones in the biggest shopping season of the year, Jesus Calling® for Christmas will be a holiday favorite for years to come.
| ISBN-13: | 9781400309184 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Nelson, Thomas, Inc. |
| Publication date: | 09/25/2018 |
| Series: | Jesus Calling® |
| Pages: | 160 |
| Sales rank: | 12,816 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.70(w) x 2.80(h) x 0.90(d) |
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CHAPTER 1
When I entered your world as the God- Man, I came to that which was My own. Everything belongs to Me! Most people think their possessions are their own, but the truth is, you — and everything you possess — belong to Me. Though you may feel isolated and alone at times, this is only an illusion. I bought you at an astronomical price, so you are Mine — My treasure. The colossal price I paid shows how precious you are to Me! Ponder this powerful truth whenever you start to doubt your worth. You are My cherished one, saved by grace through faith in Me, your Savior.
Because you are precious to Me, I want you to take good care of yourself: spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Make time for pondering Scripture in your mind and heart. Protect yourself, both emotionally and physically, from those who would take advantage of you. Remember that your body is the Holy Spirit's temple. I also want you to help others discover the glorious good news — the free gift of eternal Life for all who believe in Me..
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
John 1:11
* * *
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8–9
* * *
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
When an angel announced My birth to shepherds living out in the fields near Bethlehem, he told them: Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great Joy. The instruction to not be afraid is repeated in the Bible more than any other command. It is a tender, merciful directive — and it is for you! I know how prone to fear you are, and I do not condemn you for it. However, I do want to help you break free from this tendency.
Joy is a powerful antidote to fear! And the greater the Joy, the more effective an antidote it is. The angel's announcement to the shepherds was one of great Joy. Don't ever lose sight of what amazingly good news the gospel is! You repent of your sins and trust Me as Savior. I forgive all your sins, changing your ultimate destination from hell to heaven. Moreover, I give you Myself — lavishing My Love upon you, promising you My Presence forever. Take time to ponder the angel's glorious proclamation to the shepherds. Rejoice in Me, beloved.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."
Luke 2:8–10
* * *
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1
* * *
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NKJV
I am the greatest Gift imaginable! When you have Me, you have everything you need — for this life and the next. I have promised to meet all your needs according to My glorious riches. Yet My loved ones sometimes fail to enjoy the riches I provide because of an ungrateful attitude. Instead of rejoicing in all that they have, they long for what they do not have. As a result, they become discontented.
I'm training you to practice the sacrifice of thanksgiving — thanking Me in all circumstances. First, give thanks for the blessings you can see in your life. Then stop and ponder the awesome gift of knowing Me. I am your living God, your loving Savior, your constant Companion. No matter how much or how little you have in this world, your relationship with Me makes you immeasurably rich. So whenever you are counting your blessings, be sure to include the infinite wealth you have in Me. Add Me into the equation, and your gratitude will grow exponentially. Whatever you have + Me = an incalculable fortune!
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
* * *
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.
Psalm 116:17 NKJV
* * *
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
I am the Prince of Peace. As I said to My disciples, I say also to you: Peace be with you. Since I am your constant Companion, My Peace is steadfastly with you. When you keep your focus on Me, you experience both My Presence and My Peace. Worship Me as King of kings, Lord of lords, and Prince of Peace.
You need My Peace each moment to accomplish My purposes in your life. Sometimes you are tempted to take shortcuts in order to reach your goal as quickly as possible. But if the shortcut requires turning your back on My peaceful Presence, you must choose the longer route. Walk with Me along paths of Peace; enjoy the journey in My Presence.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
* * *
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
John 20:19–21
* * *
Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.
Psalm 25:4 NKJV
As you wait attentively in My Presence, the Light of the knowledge of My Glory shines upon you. This radiant knowledge transcends all understanding. It transforms every fiber of your being: renewing your mind, cleansing your heart, invigorating your body. Open yourself fully to My Presence; be awed by My glorious Being.
Try to imagine what I gave up when I came into your world as a baby. I set aside My Glory so that I could identify with mankind. I accepted the limitations of infancy under the most appalling conditions — a filthy stable. There was nothing glorious about that setting, though angels lit up the sky proclaiming, "Glory!" to awestruck shepherds.
When you sit quietly with Me, the process I went through is reversed in your experience. As you identify with Me, heaven's vistas open up before you — granting you glimpses of My Glory. I became poor so that you might become rich. Sing hallelujahs to My holy Name!
2 Corinthians 4:6
* * *
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Philippians 2:6–7
* * *
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest."
Luke 2:13–14
For you know the grace of our Lord Jes us Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8 :9
Never take for granted My intimate nearness. Marvel at the wonder of My continual Presence with you. Even the most ardent human lover cannot be with you always. Nor can another person know the intimacies of your heart, mind, and spirit. I know everything about you — even the number of hairs on your head. You don't need to work at revealing yourself to Me.
Many people spend a lifetime or a small fortune searching for someone who understands them. Yet I am freely available to all who call upon My Name, who open their hearts to receive Me as Savior. This simple act of faith is the beginning of a lifelong love story. I, the Lover of your soul, understand you perfectly and love you eternally.
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.
Psalm 145:18 NKJV
* * *
"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
Luke 12:7
* * *
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1:12
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Romans 10:13
Rest in Me, My child, forgetting about the worries of the world. Focus on Me — Immanuel — and let My living Presence envelop you in Peace. Tune in to My eternal security, for I am the same yesterday, today, and forever. If you live on the surface of life by focusing on ever- changing phenomena, you will find yourself echoing the words of Solomon: "Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!"
Living in collaboration with Me is the way to instill meaning into your days. Begin each day alone with Me so that you can experience the reality of My Presence. As you spend time with Me, the way before you opens up step by step. Arise from the stillness of our communion, and gradually begin your journey through the day. Hold My hand in deliberate dependence on Me, and I will smooth out the path before you.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"— which means, "God with us."
Matthew 1:22–23
* * *
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
* * *
"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."
Ecclesiastes 1:2
* * *
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6
Do not be weighed down by the clutter in your life: lots of little chores to do sometime, in no particular order. If you focus too much on these petty tasks, trying to get them all out of the way, you will discover that they are endless. They can eat up as much time as you devote to them.
Instead of trying to do all your chores at once, choose the ones that need to be done today. Let the rest slip into the background of your mind so I can be in the forefront of your awareness. Remember that your ultimate goal is living close to Me, being responsive to My initiatives. I can communicate with you most readily when your mind is uncluttered and turned toward Me. Seek My Face continually throughout this day. Let My Presence bring order to your thoughts, infusing Peace into your entire being.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3
* * *
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33
* * *
When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."
Psalm 27:8 NKJV
* * *
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
I am with you in all that you do, even in the most menial task. I am always aware of you, concerned with every detail of your life. Nothing escapes My notice — not even the number of hairs on your head. However, your awareness of My Presence falters and flickers; as a result, your life experience feels fragmented. When your focus is broad enough to include Me in your thoughts, you feel safe and complete. When your perception narrows so that problems or details fill your consciousness, you feel empty and incomplete.
Learn to look steadily at Me in all your moments and all your circumstances. Though the world is unstable and in flux, you can experience continuity through your uninterrupted awareness of My Presence. Fix your gaze on what is unseen, even as the visible world parades before your eyes.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
Matthew 10:29–31
* * *
By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:27
* * *
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
When I joined the ranks of humanity, born into the humblest conditions, My Glory was hidden from all but a few people. Occasionally, streaks of Glory shone out of Me, especially when I began to do miracles. Toward the end of My life, I was taunted and tempted to display more of My awesome Power than My Father's plan permitted. I could have called down legions of angels to rescue Me at any point. Imagine the self-control required of a martyr who could free Himself at will! All of this was necessary to provide the relationship with Me that you now enjoy. Let your life become a praise song to Me by proclaiming My glorious Presence in the world.
This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
John 2:11
* * *
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar.
Luke 23:35–36
* * *
It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten- stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts!
Psalm 92:1–5
I am the Rock that is higher than you and your circumstances. I am your Rock in whom you can take refuge — any time, any place. Come to Me, beloved; rest in the Peace of My Presence. Take a break from trying to figure everything out. Admit that many, many things are beyond your understanding — and your control. My ways and thoughts are higher than yours, as the heavens are higher than the earth.
When the world around you looks confusing and evil appears to be winning, remember this: I am the Light that keeps on shining in all situations. And light always overcomes darkness whenever these two opposites meet face to face.
Since you are My follower, I want you to shine brightly in this troubled world. Whisper My Name; sing songs of praise. Tell others good tidings of great Joy — that I am the Savior, who is Christ the Lord! I am also the One who is with you continually. Keep looking to Me, and My Presence will illuminate your path.
From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:2
* * *
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2
* * *
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:9
Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2 :10–11 NKJV
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Jesus Calling For Christmas"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Sarah Young.
Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
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