What is the Gift you Seek?

I bring Grace and Peace to each one of you in the name of Jesus the Savior of the world! 

It has been a while and I want each one of you to know you have been in my thoughts and prayers.  I bring to you this Christmas day a gift that was freely given so many years ago.  No matter what your situation I hope you leave this inspired and knowing a little bit more on what this gift of a Savior really has done for each one of us who believe.

God loves you!  He created each one of us in his image a reflection of who He is.  Do you really understand what this truly means?  We are godlike reflecting God’s nature.  In Genesis it is stated this way reading from the Message translation.

Genesis 1:26-28

The Message (MSG)

26-28 God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
        reflecting our nature
    So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
        the birds in the air, the cattle,
    And, yes, Earth itself,
        and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
    God created human beings;
        he created them godlike,
    Reflecting God’s nature.
        He created them male and female.
    God blessed them:
        “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
    Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
        for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”

What are the characteristics of being godlike that were stated in this passage?  Responsible, Prosperous, to Reproduce, Dominate, and Take Charge!  These are all qualities that each one of us possess, each one is part of God’s nature that we were created to reflect.

I know what a lot of you are thinking well that was before the fall of man.  Here is the question I have in return; did that really make a difference when it comes to the breath of life that was breathed into each one of us?  Others of you might be saying what about after the law was given?  That answer can be found throughout the scriptures and that brings me to one of my favorite verses in the bible, it is found in Joshua…

Joshua 1:9

The Message (MSG

Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”

In this passage we learn even more about God’s nature adding to be strong, courageous, and dependable.  So God is still revealing his nature in mankind after the fall and after the law was given. 

Then God after seeing a system that was not working and through redemption God became a man a human being.  God loves you so much that to make things right actually did much much more than that!  I bring to you now from the story of the season to Luke…

Luke 2:11

King James Version (KJV)

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

God’s Grace poured out on us and walked in human form.  What did this mean?  What would become of this miracle child?  To go further with this I will reflect on the same story that was told centuries before in Isaiah…

Isaiah 9:2-7

The Message (MSG)

2-7 The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
    light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
    you expanded its joy.
Oh, they’re so glad in your presence!
    Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
    sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
    all their whips and cudgels and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
    as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
    along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
    a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
    the gift of a son—for us!
He’ll take over
    the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
    Strong God,
Eternal Father,
    Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
    and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He’ll rule from the historic David throne
    over that promised kingdom.
He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing
    and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
    beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
    will do all this.

This means so much more where before man wanted to be like God while not realizing that he already was, now because of Jesus there is no need to be like God because God is in us.  In the beginning man was given the breath of life and now the bread of life has been given to make us sons and daughters in the family of God!

In Hebrews 12:2

King James Version (KJV)

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus came to the world and became manlike so that we by adoption can inherit the quality of life that God had planned for each one of us from the beginning. What do you need today?  What does the Father have that He will not give His children?  Jesus came so that you might have life and have it more abundantly.  He then ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of the throne of God so we can enjoy the quality of life knowing that each one of us have been equipped with all that we could ever ask for.  

So on this Christmas day did you get what you wanted?  Did you get more than you wanted?  Did you get nothing at all?  Today I charge you to be mindful of the things that God has given and placed within you.  Grab hold of the innocence that was freely given to you.  Embrace the fact that you have been adopted by God, that you are a son, a daughter, that your inheritance is yours and always know that God is with you everywhere you go.  Enjoy the Gift!

Merry Christmas!  God Loves You!