December 23rd

The fact that Jesus our Savior is a gift that keeps on giving truly does put us in a unique position. Yes, we keep on receiving more and more from Him. But also it puts us in the unique position to keep giving to others. We have an unlimited resource! Have we even begun to tap into that resource?? We continue to receive from Him daily, are we giving to others daily?

We are truly walking around in possession of a gold mine and we totally don’t act like it do we? First, we don’t always remember or recognize the gold mine do we?

It may be our busy lives that distract us, or it may be the “stuff” of the world that distracts us and so quickly makes us feel our wants instead of seeing the blessings we have already. It may be that we don’t take time to literally count our blessings, or it may be that we don’t recognize them as blessings. Sometimes in the midst of tough times we don’t realize the freedom, the healing, the blessings or other benefits until way later.

But think about it for a few minutes. We literally have an all-powerful, all-knowing and always present God in our corner. Or better said, we are in His corner. The point is not that He is at our disposal for whatever we want, but that He is here for whatever we need. AND He wants the very, very best for us and will do anything to make it happen. Even when we make mistakes or wrong choices that we repent for and yes, still suffer the consequences of, He still uses them for our good. And even when Satan plans schemes meant for evil, He still uses them for good.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

He uses them for good, but not just our good. He uses them to give us a resource for bringing His healing to others too.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

We are walking around with a gold mine of healing for others. When we meet people, no matter what their needs are, we have the answers. Not necessarily what they think they need, but what they truly need. Start looking beyond the physical needs or the obvious emotional needs. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and discernment and to help you see through His eyes. Remember the bleeding woman? She didn’t just need physical healing, she needed emotional healing. When the people around you have problems arise in their lives, start to see behind the physical situation, to the spiritual situation and see how you can tap into the resources of Jesus to bring His healing into the situation. Someone’s family falling apart? Someone struggling at work? Financial struggles? Illness? Depression or other mental health issues? What are the spiritual and emotional needs that Jesus can touch in them? These days many people need to know that there is hope. A message of hope is NOT being broadcast on the news. People need to know there is hope and you and I know there is only one source of hope. We need to be like those shepherds we read about yesterday, we need to be proclaiming the message of hope to everyone we meet.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Colossians 4:2-6 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Ephesians 5:15-16 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Jesus, help me not to miss opportunities to share you with others. Help me to hear every word others say through your ears and to see them through your eyes so that I can see the needs that they have that you want to touch. Help me to bring the message of hope in You to those around me.