Heaven's Cake

Christmas is almost here...again. The years continue to fly by faster and faster. It's such a busy time and can easily become stressful as the focus can end up being too much on gifts and decorating rather than on Jesus. We need to remember that Christmas is Jesus' birthday and our focus should be on Him and celebrating all that He has done for us. Following is an article called "Heaven's Cake" by Vic Black of the Navigators which tells about the greatest gift any of us could ever receive--Jesus.

"If Jesus were the only gift God ever gave, would you be thankful? Mother Teresa said once, "Jesus is not all you need until He is all you have." She also said, "Perhaps God's judgment on America today is the plague of muchness." If we have so much, we tend not to be thankful for Jesus. And if we are not thankful for Jesus we tend not to be thankful for everything else. Because if we are truly thankful for Jesus, if we are genuinely gripped by all that He accomplished for us, then everything else is just icing on the cake. The cake is Jesus!"

Now go back and read that again. Is Jesus enough in your life? Are you truly thankful for Him? Is He your focus? As I've shared before, Jesus sure wasn't my focus for many years. I spent much more time shopping and trying to get what the world says will bring happiness instead of reading God's precious love letter to me--the Bible and getting to know Him better. It's so easy to become consumed by the "stuff" instead of the Savior. I have lived both ways and can promise you that when Jesus is your focus and growing closer to Him is your top priority then you will appreciate everything and everyone more. You will be content with so much less. More of Jesus brings contentment not more things! I challenge you this month to make Jesus your all-consuming passion and follow His example that He left for us in Philippians 2:5-11.

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

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.

And being found in appearance as a man,

He humbled Himself

and became obedient to death--

even death of a cross!

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place

and gave Him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father."

The life application commentary says: "Jesus Christ was humble, willing to give up His rights in order to obey God and serve people. Like Christ, we should have a servant's attitude, serving out of love for God and for others not out of guilt or fear. Remember, you can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served, or you can look for opportunities to serve others."

In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season focus on being a humble servant like Jesus. Remember to celebrate His birth and to be thankful for His amazing love and willingness to die for You. Don't get so busy that you don't appreciate all the little blessings He gives you each day--enjoy all those special moments with family and friends. Share a yummy cup of coffee or hot chocolate with whipped cream (I call it happy cream) with a special friend. Find joy in the simplest of things. Appreciate what you already have instead of always wanting more. Give lots of hugs, compliment often and smile alot! This paragraph from the devotional, "Jesus Calling" sums this up so well. Listen to Jesus' words to you:

"As you go through this day, look for tiny treasures strategically placed
along the way. I lovingly go before you and plant little pleasures to brighten
your day. Look carefully for them, and pluck them one by one. When you reach the
end of the day, you will have gathered a lovely bouquet. Offer it up to Me with
a grateful heart. Receive My Peace as you lie down to sleep, with thankful
thoughts playing a lullaby in your mind."

I'm praying that His peace and joy will overwhelm you this Christmas season as you focus on heaven's cake and God's best gift to you--JESUS!

The following song: To Know You by Casting Crowns speaks so well of what I have shared with you--that more of Jesus is the answer not more things. As the song says, "I live my life to know you more and to know you is to want to know you more." Truly, nothing compares to knowing Jesus. Reach out to Him. Read His Word. He promises that if you seek Him you will find Him and therefore find peace, joy and contentment--the best gifts ever!!!