The Perfect Gift

Christmas has come and gone, the Christmas gifts have been opened and the wrapping is thrown away. Remember the shopping that went into getting all those gifts? Perhaps you received or gave, gifts that were nice but not really perfect. Perhaps settling for a gift or something generic but not knowing what would really please the receiver. Does the same thing happen when we give gifts to God? Do we give to Him not knowing exactly what would please Him. Sometimes we give Him what we think would please Him, like perfect church attendance, giving to others, more faithfulness, or money. When we bring gifts to the King, we need to be sure it is what He wants. Before we take on that extra duty, activity, or commitment, let's ask Him what He wants of us. When He tells us what He wants and we give it, it will be the perfect gift. The perfect gift might not look like what you would expect. The kings brought Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Appropriate gifts for a baby born in a manager? Hardly. Appropriate gifts for kings to give another king? Entirely! Ask Him what would please Him and then give it freely.

What about the gifts you received, did you open them? Have you enjoyed them? Used them? I heard yesterday of one store that makes $8,000,000 each year in unredeemed gift cards! Let's make sure we open the gifts He has given us and receive all that He has for us. It is already given but we have to unwrap what He has for us. God in His grace and "divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him." (2 Peter 1:3) "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (2 Cor 9:15) Let's receive and open everything our Father has given us!

Empty Manger

On this Christmas morning I see the empty manger and my mind begins to wonder. What was heaven like without Jesus?  Was it like a child away at college? You know they'll be home for the holidays, or this year perhaps they won't. Or was it like a death in the family?  A gapping hole in everyday where He had been. 

He was God unlimited! He was everything,  had everything,  could do everything,  and He emptied Himself of all that was superhuman and became confined to a small body in the hands of simple humans who didn't really know what they were holding, wrapped in swaddling cloths. His birth opened the heavens and made the angels sing,  the star's align and kings angry, but that what His presence does,  it disrupts, it changes everything.

An empty manger, an empty cross, an empty tomb. He emptied Himself of all that was his so He could fill the earth with love, peace, joy!  He made a way for every fallen human be saved through Him. He made a way where there had been no way for me. He made a way by giving up His own place in Heaven and coming to live and die here on earth.  Then He rose and one day He will come get us so that we can be together. What a Christmas that will be!

Finding Success in Total Dependence

 This post is adapted from Kathy Howard’s new devotional “Deep-Rooted: Growing through the Gospel of Mark.” Get your copy here “Deep Rooted!” Join me on Facebook Live with Kathy at 11AM CT, Wednesday, December 9th!

I’ve experienced plenty of failure in my lifetime. You probably have too. We are imperfect people living in a broken world. Much of my failure has resulted from refusing to admit when I needed help, pridefully overestimating my own ability. And have you noticed? Simple defeat isn’t bad enough; failure always seems to draw a crowd. Why is that? Seriously, where are all those looky-loos when we succeed?

The ninth chapter of Mark’s Gospel records a big fail for some of Jesus’ disciples. When Jesus and His three closest disciples descended from the mount of transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13) the fallout of failure welcomed them. An eager crowd and a desperate father with a sick, demon-possessed son, looked on as the other nine frustrated disciples argued with some opportunistic scribes. The scene quickly dampened the spiritual high of the mountain-top experience.

Maybe this scene feels familiar. You returned home after a peaceful time of rest or some special time with the Lord and walked into a storm at home. Chaos chewed up calm. Discord displaced peace. This is what Jesus encountered.

The nine disciples had tried to heal the boy and failed. But, why? With the authority of Jesus, they had exorcised demons during their recent mission trip (Mark 6:13). So why did they fail now? The passage indicates not only insufficient faith, but also misplaced faith. When they were alone, Jesus blamed a lack of prayer (Mark 9:29). Prayer fosters dependence on God and His power. Lack of prayer reveals an attitude of self-sufficiency. Perhaps their past “success” had fostered pride, which caused them to battle the demon under their own power. And they lost the fight.

In contrast, the father was helpless and he knew it. Although he confessed weak faith, he humbly asked Jesus to strengthen it, to ease his doubts. The father brought everything to Jesus. He brought his sick son. He brought his hopelessness. He bought his fledgling faith. He even brought his doubts.

But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:22b-24, ESV

Jesus encouraged the father to embrace faith. “All things are possible for one who believes” (vs 23). “Possible” does not mean that we can dictate God’s work through our “faith.” Just because God can do something doesn’t mean He will. It does means that God is able. Our desire for an outcome, no matter how much we believe, will not override God’s plans and purposes. But, we can rest in the truth that God’s work does not depend on the size of our faith, but on His power and grace.

Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). We can either weaken it by independence and self-reliance or we can strengthen it through use. Let’s ask God for opportunities to build our faith. And when they come, may we exercise dependence on the One who is always able. 

Have you been trying to undertake some ministry or work for God under your own strength? If so, confess your independence to God and submit to total dependence on Him.

Lord God, I confess feelings of independence and self-sufficiency. All things are possible only because You hold all power and authority. Help me depend fully on You at all times. Strengthen my faith where it is weak. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Kathy’s bio:  A former “cultural Christian,” Kathy Howard now has a passion for God’s Word that’s contagious. With more than 30 years of experience, Kathy has taught the Bible in dozens of states, internationally, and in a wide range of venues including multi-church conferences and large online events. Kathy, who has a Masters of Religious Education from the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, is a devotional and Bible study author. She also writes for multiple online magazines and devotional sites. Kathy and her husband live near family in the Dallas/Ft Worth. They have three married children, six grandchildren, and two accidental dogs. Kathy provides free discipleship resources and blogs regularly at www.KathyHoward.org. Kathy’s new 40-day devotional book, Deep Rooted: Growing through the Gospel of Mark, is available now!

In Deep Rooted: Growing through the Gospel of Mark, Kathy Howard’s seminary education, passion for God’s Word, and vast Bible teaching experience come together in a unique devotional experience. Finally, a daily devotional with some meat on its bones! Get your copy of “Deep Rooted!”