Your Eternal Home

On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus told his followers what was going to happen the following day. He would be abandoned by his friends and killed by his enemies. Yet before they could voice their fears, Jesus calmed them. “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” he said. “You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1-3).

Jesus lifted their eyes. In essence he said, “Think less about your fears. Think much about your eternal home.” What would Jesus say to this troubled generation?

Devotion by Max Lucado | The Almighty Jehovah | https://thealmightyJehovah.com

Out of the Mess

In the mystery of Christmas, we find its majesty. The mystery of how God became flesh, why he chose to come, and how much he must love his people. Christmas is best pondered, not with logic, but with imagination.

The first Christmas was messy. Messy with crowded inns, traveling families, and barnyard animals sniffing at baby Jesus. Messy with questions: How did Mary become pregnant? What is Joseph supposed to tell his friends? Why is Herod hell-bent on killing babies? The first Christmas was messy. No midwife for Mary, no bed for Jesus, no explanation to give the scruffy shepherds.

Is this one messy for you? Christmas can be messy. But just as with Bethlehem, good came out of the mess. May good come out of yours.

Look for God

With the passing of years, Henry’s life had changed. His children were grown. The neighborhood was different. He was unhappy. He asked his minister if he was unhappy for some sin he’d committed. “Yes,” the wise pastor replied. “The sin of ignorance. One of your neighbors is the Messiah in disguise, and you have not seen him.”

With time, Henry saw things in people he’d never seen. When others spoke he listened. After all, he might be listening to the Messiah. The bounce returned to his step. His eyes took on a friendly sparkle. He said, “All I know is that things changed when I started looking for God.”

Now, that’s curious. The old man saw Jesus because he didn’t know what he looked like. The people in Jesus’ day missed him because they thought they did. How are things looking in your neighborhood?

Your Eternal Home