True Christmas Magic

TRUE CHRISTMAS MAGIC  

1^st of 7 devotions in Jesus Appreciation series

Philippians 3:8-9:  “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

“I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is by faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

             “What is more,” St. Paul continued in the opening Scripture.  Our friend, twelve-year-old Jeremy, wondered why the Father considers him righteous just because he believes in Jesus.  ???
 

            Christians receive so many gifts after we believe in Jesus! 

            So, Jesus already covered me in His righteousness…Jeremy thought after he finished his daily devotion.  He has already forgiven my sins … Jeremy considered, following the thought train.  And, the Father loves me so much that He adopted me into His family! … I am protected, fed, have clothes, and a place to live. … I am blessed!  Jeremy deducted after these facts streamed to the only logical conclusion.

            Applause.  Jeremy figured out true Christmas magic! 

            Christmas has nothing to do with what I give to others, or even what I get from others, Jeremy decided.  True Christmas magic is what Christ has already given me!  WOW!  Jeremy felt tears spilling from his eyes and running down his cheeks.  He sat on the bed without moving.  He didn’t want to break the spell of God’s peace that washed over him.  His mind wandered—meditating on the awesomeness of Jesus’ love.

            Jeremy looked up when Michael—Jeremy’s older brother—entered their bedroom.  Jeremy sighed and wiped tear tracks from his cheeks.  God’s peace lingered. 

            “Why is that goofy smile on your face, Jerm?” Michael asked.  “Are you ready?”

            Jeremy closed the Bible that was open on his lap.  He smiled at Michael.  God’s peace remained.  Jeremy wanted that peace to stay and envisioned the moment clinging with nails clutching into space. 
 

            Then, Jeremy remembered the movie they planned to see.  His eyes snapped alert.

            “Yeah, give me a minute to get my jacket.” Jeremy answered.

            Check out the lesson linked below for more wisdom from Apostle Paul. 

Take Home Nugget

            Being still—meditating, or thinking about Jesus’ love—often invites God’s peace to wash over us.  Those moments are precious.  Let’s track forward from Jeremy’s logical concluding thoughts. 

            If we’re forgiven, then we are immortal!  Let’s meditate now on eternal life with Him!

Holy Father, thank You for advent traditions that Christians share.  As
I meditate on the 4^th candle of hope, wash over me with Your love and peace today,
I ask this in Jesus’ precious name.  Amen. 

       

Adapted from “The Magic of Christmas” by Pastor Mark Jeske.  www.TimeOfGrace.org. December 22, 2017.

J.D. Griffith

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Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

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This eBook relives Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  Jeremy is transformed by our Father through this graceful lady. 

Click here to purchase "Your Salvation is Jesus' Passion"  Only $2.99

   

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A Christmas Tree

Soooo, what do you KNOW for sure?

THE

CHRISTMAS TREE

I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child. (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend. (John 15:15)

I am united with the Lord. (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)


I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & lamp; light of the earth. (Matt. 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:27)


I am free forever from condemnation. (Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant. (Phil. 3:20)

I am free from any charge against me. (Rom. 8:31-34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God. (2 Cor. 5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 2:18)


I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. (Eph. 2:6)


I cannot be separated from the love of God. (Rom. 8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God. (2 Cor. 1:21- 22)

I am assured all things work together for good. (Rom. 8: 28)


I have been chosen & appointed to bear fruit. (John 15:16)


I belong to God


And that is who He says I am. How about you?

“The LORD bless you and keep you;


the LORD make His face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn His face toward you


and give you peace…”

Numbers 6:24-26

Merry Christmas!

I Know So!

I KNOW SO!

Ephesians 6:17:  “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” 

            Expect good things.  The helmet of salvation protects against bad stuff from entering our minds.  Bad thoughts are poison to a happy heart.   Wearing the helmet of salvation fills happy hearts with the hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

            When we expect good things, troubles that sneak up with bad can be turned around.  Trouble is temporary to people who KNOW whose they are (part of God’s family) and where they’re going (heaven).  They say, “Bring it on!” while flashing the sword of God’s Spirit in trouble’s face.

            That same Spirit who lives inside Christian hearts reminds us of Scripture passages.  Saying bold passages aloud chases away what scares us.  For example, when bullies threaten to harm us, we say, “God is my refuge and my fortress … I trust in Him!” (Psalm 91:2).

            Bad stuff pops up constantly.  Ten-year-old Benjy was scared.  He refused to eat the ice cream cone that he got.  His twelve-year-old cousin found him.  “Hey Benjy,” Jeremy greeted him, all smiles.  “That ice cream cone looks yummy!”

            Benjy held the ice cream cone out to him.  “You take this, Jeremy!  The flu is going around and I don’t want to get sick now.  It’ll be Christmas soon!”

            “Naw, Benjy.” Jeremy said.  “We who hang with God, trust that no harm will come to us!” (Paraphrased from Psalm 91:9-10). 

            Christians believe that troubles will end…and end with our salvation!  Check out the lesson linked below for more handy phrases that God’s Spirit can remind you when trouble sneaks inside your thoughts. 

            “Now,” Jeremy tested Benjy, “can you thank God for the ice cream and trust that you won’t get sick?”

            “I hope so,” Benjy said weakly, cautiously licking the ice cream cone.  “I have my fingers crossed.”

            Jeremy contradicted Benjy, “We are not kids of the world.  We are kids who belong to the living God!  Jesus is watching over us right now.  There are more angels protecting us than there are demons trying to hurt us!”

            “Yeah!” Benjy said confidently.  “Besides, He who is inside me is greater than he who is in the world!” (1 John 4:4).

            “YES!” Jeremy shouted.  “God’s Spirit reminded you to say that!”

            “I don’t have my fingers crossed anymore,” Benjy said.  “I don’t hope that I won’t get sick, I KNOW so!”

Take Home Nugget

            Believers-in-Christ can live confidently.  We expect good things because we know that we are not kids of the world.  Jesus purchased our forgiveness of sins and the very salvation that we’re sure to claim one day. 

Thank You, Papa, for giving me confidence in Jesus’ name when I’m scared.  Amen.

Adapted from “Expect Good Things to Happen to You” by Joseph Prince.  www.JosephPrince.org    November 7, 2017.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for I Know So!

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Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

Click here to purchase "Star Watchers"   A book showing Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:   

         

  Click here to order "Your Salvation is Jesus' Passion"

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

Specific, Individual Sanctification

SPECIFIC, INDIVIDUAL SANCTIFICATION

Genesis 37:3:  “Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age, and he made a richly ornamented robe for him.”

            Jesus showed people how to live perfectly and sinlessly.  He faced troubles more severe than any of us.  Therefore, Jesus is the standard for our sanctification [sank-tif-i-KA-shon].  Sanctification is a spiritual growth process that means set aside and dedicated to God.   

            Older kids often chuckle when watching little kids figure out what works in life—and what doesn’t.  Joseph acted like a little kid, probably spoiled by his dad.  After all, the opening Scripture admits that Israel loved Joseph best.  (Israel was originally named Jacob.  He is the third of Christian patriarchs that began with Abraham and Isaac). 

            Joseph figured out that bragging about his dreams doesn’t work in order to be loved by his brothers.  Joseph’s brothers reached the limit of what they could handle when dad had a richly ornamented, or decorated, robe made for Joseph.  Only for Joseph.  The brothers didn’t receive special coats.

 

            Now his brothers’ dislike for him was multiplied by their jealousy!

            The Hebrew word for this coat is passim.  Passim is an acronym.  An acronym is a word whose letters spell out other words that define the acronym’s meaning.  In Joseph’s life, passim stands for troubles.  Potiphar, Sale, Ishmaelites, and Midianites spell out Joseph’s troubles.  See the lesson linked below that define the meaning of Joseph’s troubles.

            For sure, God the Father allowed these troubles in Joseph’s life.  These troubles were individually specific for Joseph’s sanctification.  These troubles shaped Joseph’s spiritual growth into Christlikeness.

            Our passim is different.  Our individual acronym is spelled differently because our troubles are specific to our sanctification.  For sure, God the Father only allows the troubles that shape our spiritual growth into Christlikeness.  Our Father is patient with our growing in Christlikeness because “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6).  

            The sanctification process is another gift of love.  Just like sending Jesus to earth to demonstrate the Father’s love when He suffered and died for forgiveness of sins, troubles sent our way are also gifts of love. 

            We couldn’t be sanctified into Christlikeness without troubles.

Take Home Nugget

            No one wears a coat forever.  We put on a coat when we’re cold and take it off when we’re warm.  Passim troubles aren’t forever, either.  There is a definite beginning of troubles and we can be assured that there WILL be an end to them!

Father, Remind me that troubles come from a love for me and will end when I figure out how to live better.  Amen.

Adapted from “Tailor-Made Trouble” by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.  www.HolyLandMoments.com  December 4, 2017. 

J.D. Griffith

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Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

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 Brand new Christmas book by J.D. Griffith:  To order “Star Watchers” click here

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Treasured Relationship

TREASURED RELATIONSHIP

Matthew 13:44: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.  When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

            “What’s your most treasured possession?” twelve-year-old Cassie asked her little cousin, ten-year-old Shakira.  This gorgeous last school day before Christmas break found K-6 grade kids playing happily on the playground.  Their carefree laughter sang out heartily and nonstop.

            “Oh no, another riddle!” Shakira said, “Hang on, Cassie.”  Shakira thought and considered her response while skipping through the hopscotch that was painted on the ground.  When done, Shakira straightened up and declared, “Okay, my most treasured possession is knowing Jesus!”

            “Good answer, Shak!” Cassie nodded her head and clapped her hands together.

            Jesus’ parable in the opening Scripture may puzzle many who don’t claim Him as Savior and LORD.  But those who do affirm that--the privilege of coming boldly to God’s throne and requesting whatever we want—is priceless.

            Check out the lesson linked below to learn how this unique privilege is guaranteed.

            After people accept Christ as Savior, we’re welcomed to pile onto the Father’s lap.  

Papa isn’t Santa.  He’s not a genie, either.  God our Father is our creator!  Whoever He leads to Jesus is already chosen to be adopted as His child.  Jesus as redeemer is the ONLY one whose excellent virtues our heavenly Father accepts. 

            Jesus’ obedience of suffering and death on a cross purchased for people forgiveness of sins.

 

            The Father applies Jesus’ qualities of righteousness and holiness to His kids because of love (Romans 6:19, 2 Corinthians 5:21). 

            Papa loved us first so that we can love Him back—AND love others (1 John 4:19).

            To what Jesus referred in the opening parable that’s so valuable: is a living relationship with our Father.  Only this relationship carries forgiveness of sins, clean consciences, clear guidance to happy lives, and the promise of eternal lives in heaven with Him.  What would you sacrifice in order to nourish this relationship?

            I dare you to compare possessing this relationship with God to any other.

Take Home Nugget

            However, this treasure isn’t meant to be a secret.  Believers-in-Christ are never to hide our possession!  No digging a hole and burying our relationship in the ground!  Supernatural grace provided through Jesus Christ blasts declarations of whose we are as we live our lives. 

            This “Good News” Gospel is meant to be shared.

Thank You Father, for this awesome privilege to come boldly and sit on Your lap.  Thank You Jesus, for making our relationship with Papa possible and for the privilege of praying whatever we want in Your name!  Amen.

Adapted from “Hidden Treasure” by Pastor Mark Jeske.   www.TimeOfGrace.org.   December 4, 2017.

J.D. Griffith

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Brand new Christmas Book:

To order Star Watchers, click here 

.

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Savior AND Lord

SAVIOR AND LORD

Romans 1:1-4: “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding His Son, who is to His human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.”

            The opening Scripture is a run-on sentence.  Apostle Paul sounds breathless, like anyone who reads the opening Scripture aloud.  Paul was originally named Saul.

 

            Saul was a trained Pharisee (the same position that the Jewish holy men held in Jesus’ time).  Saul mocked Jesus’ teachings and wanted Him gone—messing with Jewish minds like that!  After Jesus was crucified and raised back to life, Saul persecuted people who believed in Him.  He even witnessed and approved of Stephen’s being stoned to death for his faith in Christ (Acts 7:52-8:1).  

  

            Then, Jesus Himself took the reins of Saul’s life.  Suddenly a light shone from heaven and flashed all around.  Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice say to Him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

            “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked.

            “‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’”  (Acts 9:3-9).

            Jesus had stricken Saul blind.  Now, Saul was a proud, educated man.  Blindness was the first lesson that taught Saul who is REALLY in charge.  Immediately, Saul allowed Jesus to reign as LORD in his life—BEFORE he embraced Him as Savior.  Check out the lesson linked below to see who helped Saul in Damascus.

            Later, Saul’s name was changed to Paul, who wrote many books in the Bible’s New Testament.  

            People have many masters.  Like (S) Paul, we figure that we have life all figured out.  What’s it going to shake us up and name Jesus as LORD?  He is not willing to compete with other masters.  He doesn’t want to be in a fan club.  Let’s not delay in naming Jesus #1!  Jesus is Master, LORD, and Boss of me. 

            He reigns supreme in my life.  

        

Take Home Nugget

            When Christians believe in Jesus as Savior, they’ve only gone halfway to claim the full prize.  I refuse letting you off the hook.  WHEN will you make that same Jesus, your Savior, also #1 in your life?  To be sure, you can depend that Jesus won’t let you off the hook.  He wants you to name Him LORD of your heart. 

Thank You Jesus for continued knocking in the door of my heart until I also claim You as LORD of my life!  Amen.

Adapted from “Me, Slave of Christ” by Dr. Tony Evans.  www.urbanAlternative@LightSource.com.   December 5, 2017.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Savior AND Lord

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Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

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Latest Christmas book by J.D. Griffith:   To order “Meet Guardian Archangels” click here

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith: 

  

 

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