Wednesday Morning Devotional

Building the Sanctuary

They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. – Exodus 36:3

When it was time to build a sanctuary for God, the Israelites were super excited. They were so excited that they gave and they gave. In fact, they gave so much Moses had to tell them to stop. Check out verses 6 and 7:

Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.

The reason I am writing this WMD is to ask you for help. As many of you know, I have been pastoring a church in addition to being a full-time schoolteacher for the past 14 months. It has been rough at times, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The Lord has grown me so much in a year and His Presence has become more real than ever.

It is time for my church to build its sanctuary. I realize that most people who will read this do not attend my church. After much prayer and consideration, I would like to offer you a chance to help us out.

Now, I have been writing WMD’s for around six years now and have never asked for a single cent. I am not and pray that I will never be all about the money. I will continue to write WMD’s for as long as He gives me the wisdom to write them and I will post them publicly on the Internet.

Having said all that, will you prayerfully consider making a donation to our building fund? In one year, we have raised approximately one-third of what we need to renovate our property. That came from simply having a tight, simple budget and members of Lifeline Community Church freely giving to our weekly offering.

If nothing in you feels led to give, by all means, do not give and please continue to read WMD. Lord willing, they will resume normally next week absolutely free of charge. I just thought you might like to take a part in helping us set up our own Tabernacle of God in Fair Play, SC. In addition, please be praying that it will be a place where the Presence of God is made manifest. This has been my prayer from the beginning.

Please consider giving a one-time gift or even a monthly gift over these next 10 months as we hope to begin renovation at the start of 2016. Every little bit will help tremendously. If you would like to see our financial sheet, e-mail me or message me and I’ll be glad to share it with you. We have no secrets and you can see where every dollar goes.

You can give online here: http://www.lifelinecc.com/give.html. Just select the dropdown box “building fund.”

Or

You can make a check payable to Lifeline Community Church. Just put “Building Fund” in the “for” line and it will be designated specifically for that account.

Mail them to:

Lifeline Community Church

321 W Pine Grove Rd

Fair Play, SC 29643

Thanks for giving this some consideration, and thanks for faithfully reading WMD.

Later

Adam

When God Speaks

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” – Exodus 20: 18-19

I wish I could describe what it is like to hear from God. I hear no audible voice, but it is like my mind is flooded in an instant with 10 pages worth of stuff I could write down if I were to take the time. Sometimes it is simpler and I just know what He wants me to do or say. It is awesome and it is amazing. There is no better feeling in the world.

There was a time when I was like the children of Israel in the verse above. I wanted God to speak through my favorite preachers. I wanted to be entertained and hear them speak a word from The Lord. However, looking back, I didn’t want Him to speak directly to me.

Why?

As long as it came from another person, obedience was optional. I remember strong Christian men telling me that the music I listened to dishonored the God I claimed had saved me. Do you know what I would say? “Who are you to judge me? There’s nothing wrong with it! It doesn’t affect me.”

It was a great plan. As long as The Word came through other people, that was God’s plan for them, not necessarily me. I hadn’t heard the words directly from God.

I remember hearing a preacher telling his congregation that we should avoid the sexually charged movies that so frequently take the Lord’s name in vain and use words that ought not be used. I didn’t obey. God didn’t tell me that!   That was that preacher’s opinion. Who really cares if he was speaking right from God’ s Word? That book was written thousands of years ago before they even had movies. This is a new day and age. I liked those movies. They didn’t affect me. Who was he to tell me what I can and can’t watch?

For the YEARS that I held this attitude, not ONE time did I ever feel the full on Presence of the Holy Spirit. He never engulfed me in what I know now as the greatest feeling in the world. Why? I had the stench and filth of sin all over me. How can one sit there and pour in music that glorifies the very things that God hates? How can one laugh at the sexual jokes, the taking of God’s Name in vain, and watch people repeatedly commit the immorality that He died on the cross to save them from?

I could do it because I was lost. It did not matter that I called myself a “Christian.” It did not matter that I had said a prayer of salvation. I was lost.

Eventually, sin took me further than I was willing to go. It kept me longer than I ever thought I’d stay. It made me pay way more than I ever thought I’d have to pay. When I didn’t like the place it brought me, I went straight to God. I finally wanted to hear directly from Him. “God, what would you have me do? ”His answer: “Stop pumping your head full of the world. Fill it with Me, My Word, and music that honors me.” Hmmm . . . The same thing those judgmental holy-rollers told me.   But, this time it came from the mouth of God. Should I shout out and say, “Who are YOU to judge ME?” I would say that is a bad idea. However, I do now have a choice to make.

I remember the day I turned the station from 93.3 the Planet to 89.3 His Radio. The first Christian song I ever heard was “The Best Thing” by The Big Tent Revival. I loved it. It was like light filling my dark soul.

It was a little longer, well; it was a lot longer before I gave up the movies. The Wedding Crashers was the last movie of its kind that I watched. For the first time I couldn’t laugh at the sexual immorality. I couldn’t laugh when the joke was laced with an F-bomb or a G.D. God made it clear to me: “Stop paying for this trash. Stop filling your heart and mind with it.” What do I do? This is not the preacher who told me the EXACT SAME THING years ago . . . This is the voice of God!

I obeyed.

The payoff has been unbelievable. I can honestly say that I do not believe for a second that I have missed out on anything by refusing Hollywood’s latest R-Rated blockbusters.

I say all that to say this: My heart broke when I saw that the line to watch 50 Shades of Grey looked like a ride at Six Flags on a Saturday. The theater had roped off a line and at least a hundred people were in line 45 minutes early. If you were in that line, I am not judging you one bit. Ten years ago, as a saved Christian, I would have been in line with you. Ten years ago, the year I saw Wedding Crashers, my last trashy R-rated flick, if you had told me it was wrong to go see it, I would have said, “who are you to judge me?”   Then, I would have talked about you behind your back for even suggesting you were holier than I was.

I am not telling you what you can and can’t watch. If I did, you’ d do what I did years ago. You would call me a judgmental, religious fanatic. However, I am asking you to make one big decision. Decide right now if you want God to speak to you directly. Or, would you rather listen to the “opinions” of other men and women?

If it is through people, then continue doing whatever you want to do. You are free to accept or reject based on your convenience and your preference. Who am I to judge you? Who is any other person to judge you?

If it is God . . .

Ask Him. One on one, just you and Him, ask Him. He has an unbelievable way of highlighting two very different paths.

One leads to destruction and has a whole bunch of people in line.

The other is very narrow and you may not even find someone else standing in that line. To be honest, even as I type this, I feel like I’m in a line all by myself. But, that’s okay.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find It.” – Matthew 7:13-14

Later

Adam

The Seeds of Salvation

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. – Matthew 13:5-6

Six students received Christ yesterday on a Tuesday morning! I was preaching from Luke 16:19 about the rich man and Lazarus. The Holy Spirit just took over my words and I knew He was speaking to hearts. Therefore, the invitation was given to receive Christ.

Seed was scattered yesterday morning. Some fell by the wayside, some on rocky places, some among weeds and thorns, but only time will tell if some landed on good soil. I can’t help but wonder what will be produced in the lives of these kids. I wonder what kind of soil the seed landed on.

Looking back, I had a pretty rocky place in my heart as a sixteen year old. I got saved many times. Many times I would “live for God” for about a week or two, then my shallow soil would allow no further growth. Eventually, I would graduate to growing among thorns and thistles. I was growing, I just never produced any fruit for others to see and enjoy. Hence, I was useless.

How cluttered up are the hearts of teenagers today? How hard is the ground? Can the seed even penetrate the surface? I’m so glad I’m not a teenager today. I only had a few things seeking to be the idol that took God’s rightful place in my heart. Today’s teens have many, many things vying for their attention and affection.

The bottom line is that something incredible was planted inside of six teenagers yesterday. The world will probably see no immediate results. The Holy Spirit has planted a seed in the ground of their hearts. In just a few weeks, if they protect it (hold fast to their salvation), water it (pray, read The Word and seek God), and cultivate the soil around it (remove all unnecessary weeds and distractions), new life will spring forth. It may be just a little small green sprout. But that, my friend, is new life! It looks something like this:

“I used to not mind cussing at all, now I get this sinking feeling in my stomach when I use those words.”

“I have never felt convicted about sleeping with my girlfriend, but I’m thinking God wants me to stop.”

“I used to not mind partying and underage drinking with my friends, but now I just feel like God has something so much more for me.”

“I used to ignore the preacher and draw on the bulletins or play on my phone in church, but he said something the other day that has just stuck with me.”

“I used to not mind blowing off my education, but I’m thinking God has placed me here for a reason. I’m going to work at this like I’m working for Him. He knows where He’ll lead me and what He wants me to do. I’ll start by honoring Him right where I am.”

“I’ve been listening to this group for years, now their music just doesn’t do for me what it once did. I want to fill my mind with things that honor The Living God.”

If you experience anything similar to this within the first few weeks of your salvation, welcome to the new life! Obey God’s voice and hold on tight. You have just begun the ride of your life.

If you haven’t experienced anything like this and absolutely nothing has changed. Get on your knees immediately and ask Him out loud to give you an experience like this. Ask Him to give you some sign that He has entered in to your heart, soul, and mind. Plead with the living God for signs of new life!

Chase Him. Pursue Him. Obey Him. Go after Him with all of your heart, soul, and mind. There is no one like Jesus!   There will never be anyone like Him. There is nothing like knowing Him, really knowing Him.

Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop–a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. – Matthew 13:8

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Later

Adam

Knowing the Holy Scriptures

And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. — 2 Timothy 3:15

In the Christian life, there is no substitute for one-on-one, personal time with God. Reading, learning, and knowing the Holy Scriptures found in the Bible is absolutely essential if you are going to live for Him. If we simply made reading our Bibles regularly essential to our daily lives, we would become much more likely to be “wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

I believe this generation is the laziest generation that has ever existed. There is nobody that has done less with more. This generation can access apps that will read the Bible to them for free, and people still won’t listen to it. We have an abundance of Bibles, just not an abundance of readers. God is constantly speaking; most just don’t have ears to hear. It takes time to get alone with God, yet we have convinced ourselves that we don’t have any time. It takes effort to study His Word, yet we are convinced that we are too busy. It takes energy to do His will, yet we have convinced ourselves that we are too tired. It seems like everybody wants maximum reward for minimum effort.

We are the “quick-fix” generation. I remember early on in my Christian walk that I would listen to a sermon on tape, but not read the Word. I didn’t mind warming my soul by the fires of other men. They had the fire of God. They spent time with Him. It was obvious that God was speaking to them and through them. Why wasn’t He speaking to and through me? The truth is that I wasn’t willing to do the work. I was more like Eve. Remember the temptation?

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. – Genesis 3:6

Did you see it? She wanted to be wise. She thought she could achieve it by a single, temporary act. Isn’t this still the temptation? The overwhelming majority of people who say they are Christians want the rewards of an intimate walk with Christ, but do not want to lift a finger to actually walk with Him. Let me go to church for an hour a week. Let me listen to a podcast. Let me turn on Christian radio. But, don’t ask me to get alone with God. A close, intimate walk with Him will change you. We aren’t really interested in that kind of change. We would rather listen to men preach entertaining messages and then argue about who is preaching right and who is preaching wrong. It is much easier to enter a “my church is better than your church” or “my pastor is better than your pastor” argument on Facebook than it is to dig into the Word and pray.

I want to be wise for salvation. This kind of wisdom is only found in the Holy Bible. I wish I had started studying the World of God immediately after I got saved. I had no excuse. I had a Bible. I had time. I was just lazy. That laziness led to some dumb decisions and a terrible theology. Instead of being wise and fleeing sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18), I engaged in it repeatedly and asked for forgiveness repeatedly. I opted for sin cycles over spending time with Him and allowing Him to change my heart. I knew 1 John 1:9 and figured that all I had to do was confess my sins and I was “good to go.” It seemed like a pretty good plan at the time, I could remain in my sin and be free from the consequences.

How foolish I was.

How foolish many are today.

Wisdom is grown over time. It is only found in the Holy Scriptures, for they tell us about Jesus Christ, who is the only one who can pick us up, turn us around, and place our feet on a firm foundation.

Evaluate your plan for spending time in the Word of God.

There are no substitutes.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105

Later

Adam

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. – James 5:15

I am constantly asked to pray for people. Most of the time, I choose to pray for the need out loud, right then and there. Too often, I have said I would pray, and then completely forgot to actually do it. I hate when I do that.  Sometimes there are people who need prayer that I absolutely can’t ever get off of my mind. I remember one time there was a lady who had to go get a biopsy of a lump out of her breast at the same time my wife did. After much pleading with the Lord, my wife’s came back fine. Hers didn’t. Very easily, the results could have been reversed.

Though I was relieved that my wife’s came back fine, I could not get this other lady off of my mind. I made it my goal to pray for her as if she had been my wife. I didn’t want to just say some quick prayer like “help her Lord,” I wanted to keep her on the forefront of my mind as much as possible and lift her up constantly to the Lord. Almost every time I saw my wife, I saw her and prayed for her.

Today, she is cancer free.

I say all that to say this: I really want you guys to pray for a situation that came up this week. Logan Miller, a little 4-year-old boy has been diagnosed with cancer. Ever since I heard it, I have been connected with him almost like the woman with cancer. Every time I look at my little boy, I just think, “It could have very easily been him.” The very sight of my little boy reminds me to offer up a prayer for Logan.

Please pray for this little guy as well as his family. They have quite a journey ahead of them.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10

Later

Adam

The Blessed Man

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. – Psalm 1:1

How does one go from being a struggling Christian to a blessed, thriving Christian? I have had many conversations with struggling Christians. I believe the majority of their struggle comes from simply being unwilling to actually do the things God has called them to do. When I think of my own struggles as a young Christian, I was no different. Nearly all of my dissatisfaction was a direct result of not surrendering all my life to Him. There was always an element of control that I refused to give up.

If you want to be blessed, this verse says the first step you must take is away from the ungodly. One of the reasons I never won anybody to the Lord early on was because I walked in the counsel of the ungodly. My ways were exactly like the world’s ways. The only difference was I called myself a Christian. Why would anyone want what you or I have if we use the same curse words they do, fornicate just like they do, look at pornography just like they do, and whine and complain about work just like they do? The truth is that many are not blessed because they still walk in the counsel of the ungodly.

If you want to be blessed, don’t stand in the way of sinners. If you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, there are places that you don’t go. I used to love to go to concerts back in the day. My friend and I burned a trail to what used to be the Greenville Memorial Auditorium. There, as a person who said I was a Christian, I would raise my fist and rock and roll with musicians who cared nothing about the God I claimed to know and love. In fact, I saw many bands that were flat out directly opposed to Him. There I was, standing in the way of sinners, not a bit blessed because I wasn’t a bit different.

If you want to be blessed, don’t sit in the seat of the scornful. If you have walked just like the ungodly, and you are standing in the same places they are, do not take a seat. We call these people “set in their ways” and it isn’t always a good thing. People who sit in the seat of the scornful hold contempt in their heart for those who choose to live Godly. I remember a man sitting me down and having a conversation about the sinful stuff I was allowing into my ears and heart. Today, I am thankful for the conversation. But back then; I held contempt in my heart for him. I was scornful towards him. In my mind, I had formulated my own god of tolerance who would allow me to have Him and my favorite pet sins. I took a seat with the scornful. I dismissed this guy’s words quickly, though I could not get them out of my mind.

I had a difficult decision to make. Am I going to stay in my seat here? Am I going to live my life the way I want to? Or, am I going to remain a foul mouth, immoral “Christian” who does what he wants instead of what God wants? Am I to remain scornful to those who are simply trying to get me to walk on the correct path?

One of the loneliest walks a person will ever make is the walk from the wide road of destruction to the narrow path that leads to life. You will have to pass by a lot of people you once walked and stood with. Leaving the ways of your old, sinful life is mandatory if you want to truly experience the genuine presence of God.

When Moses left Egypt, he experienced the burning bush. When Jacob fled his old, deceitful life, he experienced the presence of God. When Peter obeyed Jesus and threw out the nets, he experienced the pure presence of God for the first time.

It took a while because I still wavered back and forth between what I thought was the good life and what I know now as the God life. However, the day I left far enough to experience His Presence, I knew He was the greatest thing this world offered.

If you want to be blessed, get up and go after Him like you are escaping for your life and refuse to look back!

“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto to life, and few there be that find it.” – Matthew 7:14

Later

Adam

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not in your own understanding. — Proverbs 3:5

So my family and I go to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee just before Christmas. I love going to look at all those Christmas lights, watching the Christmas shows, and basically just enjoying the atmosphere in the Smoky Mountains. Of course we had built it up with our kids and they were super excited.

Usually, as soon as we get to the park, my little girl and I turn left and go ride the coasters in Timber Canyon. But this time, my little boy was quick to make sure he got dibs on Daddy’s attention, “Will you ride The Sky Rider with me first, Daddy?” I told him I would and this of course started a sibling war. At any rate, I was going to keep my word and as soon as we got to Dollywood, my little man and I turned right and headed toward “The Country Fair.”

As we were walking, my little man immediately started doubting me.

Him: This is the wrong way, Daddy!”

Me: “No it isn’t, I can go straight there, trust me.”

Him: “Are you sure this is the right way?”

Me: “Yes!”

Him: “I think this is the wrong way.”

Now, I know my way around Dollywood. I have been there enough times now where I can navigate the place quite well. A few minutes later, we were in line for the “Sky Rider.” My little guy was the happiest dude in the park.

Why do I tell you all of this?

My little boy had trouble trusting his dad. When he got to his intended destination, he was happy, content, and thankful that he trusted his daddy.

How many times have I questioned my Heavenly Father? How many times have I flat out refused Him? I am embarrassed to count. So many times God was trying to lead me to one place or another and I just flat out refused because I didn’t trust Him. Every single time I didn’t listen to Him, I ended up far from where I wanted to be.

As I sit here and ponder 2015, I think about how far He has brought me in the 23 years I have been a Christian. Yes, I used to be a very young Christian questioning God’s direction and motives all along the way. Thank God I never let go of His hand. He has always brought me to a place that I could not get to by myself.

Today, I am a young adult Christian. This year, I want to put my hand in His and trust Him. Whatever He asks me to do, I don’t want to evaluate it, I don’t want to question it, I just want to do it. Wherever He asks me to go, I don’t want to doubt or ask Him if He is sure (as if God second guesses Himself) . . . I just want to go.

Up until this point in my life, He has not one time ever let me down.

He is not going to start now.

This year, read the Word. The Word teaches us how to live. The way God asks us to live is in stark contrast to the way the world tells us to live. When you know that God has told you where to go, then go. When you know that God has told you to start working for Him, then go to work for Him. When you know that God has told you to drop that sinful relationship, drop it. When you know that God has told you to regularly spend time with Him, then carve out some quiet time and do it.

My little boy got to his intended destination by holding on to my hand and trusting that I knew what I was doing and knew where I was going.

Let’s you and I do the same with our Heavenly Father in 2015.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight.” – Proverbs 3:6

Later

Adam

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. – Revelation 3:20

I sometimes wonder if I would have struggled as much as I did as a young Christian if I had simply read this verse over and over. I mean, for at least a decade I would have sworn to you that the invitation Jesus offered had nothing to do with dining. In my mind, Jesus stood at the door and knocked, but if you didn’t answer, well the flames of Hell were waiting to swallow you up at any moment. Thus, my prayers were ALWAYS repetitive and always for forgiveness.

I enjoy dinnertime at our house. We do have one rule: NO electronics at the table! Tonya and I know that we would be constantly fighting for our kids’ attention if we allowed them. Once we thank God for the food, we simply talk about the day we had. For a while, I prompted them. I would ask, “What was the worst part of your day?” Then, I would follow that with “What was the best part of your day?” Just yesterday, my little girl went ahead and answered both of these questions without being asked. Dinnertime has become a time to really get to know what is going on in the lives of our children.

When I think about my family’s physical eating arrangements, I believe it almost perfectly reflects the invitation Jesus offers in Revelation 3:20. He stands at the door and knocks simply because He wants to come into my life. He wants me, as His kid, to turn off all distractions. He wants to sit at my spiritual dinner table and listen to the best and worst part of my day. He wants to whisper to me as I read His Word.

This is a very intimate request, especially when I think about my relationship with the one I dine with the most. There is no conversation like that of my wife and I when just the two of us go out to eat together.   It is vastly different than those occasions when I eat with other friends or coworkers. There is a level of intimacy with my wife that no other has. I let her in on things that nobody else will ever know.

Jesus knocks at the door of my heart seeking an even greater level.

Over the years, I have learned to bring everything to my Heavenly Father. I love the early morning hours. No noises. No distractions. I can talk to Him about every facet of my life. Sometimes, I don’t even have to talk. I just sit and read His Word and wait for Him to speak. Sometimes I just sit and type WMD’s or work on sermons keeping in mind He is right here speaking to me and through me. Lately, I’ve been reading the words of songs from an old Baptist Hymnal. He really does come and dine with me.

When is the last time you dined with Him? Get to the quietest place you can, focus on Him, talk to Him. The more you get to know Him, the more you will fall in love with Him.

You can dine with Him!

You’re invited.

Later

Adam

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. – Luke 2:12

Isn’t it so cool that the greatest gift this world has ever known came wrapped? Into this dark, sinful world the Son of God came to seek and save that which was lost. He came to save you. He came to save me.

I love to give my children gifts. I have a little girl whose love language is definitely “gift giving.” If my kids know a present is for them, the first thing they will do is tear into it by ripping that paper to shreds. They can’t wait to find out what is inside. Sometimes there are instructions. Sometimes they need Daddy’s help. Regardless, they do whatever is necessary to play with and enjoy what is inside.

It is interesting that the vast majority of Christians do not do the same thing with the Lord Jesus Christ. Christians will tell you He is the greatest gift to mankind. I think I knew this after I got saved, at least I was told. Unfortunately, I received this gift, and then proceeded to do absolutely nothing with that gift for years. I had the gift of salvation, but not once did I open it for myself and find out what salvation was really all about.

All the time in spiritual conversations people tell me they need to “do better.” People honestly believe that God is simply after their behavior. They say they need to be more patient, more forgiving, need to control their tempers, and this list goes on and on. Christians feel like they know what they “need” to do. Most of these men and women are very frustrated. They can’t figure out why they can’t seem to do what it is they know they need to do. Worst of all, they feel God is unhappy and disappointed with them.

Meanwhile, the gift that they received from God remains unwrapped. It sits there in the box waiting to be opened.

I have come to realize that there is only one thing that I can truly “do” for God. There is only one gift I can give back to Him. Thank God it is not simply to behave. The only thing I can do is carve out some time each day and simply spend it with Him. Sometimes, I open the gift right up, His presence fills my soul and it is joyous. Sometimes, I have to spend a few weeks or months reading the Instructions and figuring out the next piece I need to put together in my life. Sometimes, I simply have to pray and ask for Daddy’s help because I realize I can’t put it all together without Him. No matter what the next step is and no matter how long the next step takes, it brings me closer and closer to putting my life together and always brings me to a point where I enjoy His Presence even more.

This Christmas season, don’t just see Jesus as another ornament on display. See Him as the one who was wounded for our transgressions and pierced for our iniquities. Remember that God allowed him to be opened up and poured out so that we might be healed and filled.

Tear off the paper.

Open the box.

Fall in love with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It may be for the first time. It may be for the thousandth time. Either way . . .

Merry Christmas

Adam