Friday, November 16, 2012

Devotional 97 Christmas Thankfulness


"...to thank is to remember God."   One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

Luke 22:19 And (Jesus) took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."

In my files I found an old note that a child had written several years ago and left on a table after being in our home with her family . It said, "Remember to get angry at my brother for taking the chair." This child had to leave a note to remember to stay angry, and in spite of that, she forgot to take the note with her.

I chuckled, how I wish I had to leave myself notes to stay angry. Instead, you and I must do the opposite. We must leave ourselves notes not to be angry, or fearful, or doubting.

Gratitude waters down the fire of anger. Remembering and gazing on Christ  muffles the shouts and cries of fear, worry, and doubt.

The message of Christmas reminds us everywhere that we are loved. We remember He came in the flesh to live among us. His birth means I am understood; His resurrection means I am never alone. His birth means He prepares a way to God for you; His resurrection means He is the way to God for you. 

Let us everyday thank God for the season filled with so many reminders of our reason for joy. Let us leave the angry notes behind. Let us throw away the notes of fear. Let us forget to pick up the note of doubt and worry.

"Every time fear freezes and worry writhes, every time I surrender to stress, aren't I advertising the unreliability of God?"  One Thousand Gifts  by Ann Voskamp

"Give thanks to the LORD of lords. His faithful love endures forever." Psalm 136:3  

I pray your Christmas holidays are filled with gratitude as you remember Him.