Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! (2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT)

There are gifts that you may receive this year that soon will be out of date or out of fashion. Some gifts, however, only grow in value over time. Maybe it’s a family heirloom that you received a long time ago, and it has become even more precious to you now.

God has given us a gift, and it never goes out of style. It’s the gift of all gifts: salvation. If you are a Christian, then you already carry this gift in your heart. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (NLT).

While this gift brings with it the hope of Heaven and the hope of eternal life, there are aspects of it that we can enjoy now. One of them is justification. The Bible says, “Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1 NLT).

The word justify has a twofold meaning. First, it carries the idea of the forgiveness of all our sin. Maybe you’ve been mulling over your sin and you’re troubled by it. If you have asked God to forgive you of that sin and have repented of it, then He has forgiven you.

God has forgiven you of every sin that you have confessed and turned from. Accept that. Often we dig up those sins, go over them again and again, and beat ourselves up over them. Yet God says, “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins” (Hebrews 8:12 NLT).

Here’s what we need to know: We should not choose to remember what God has chosen to forget. God has forgiven our sins. That is part of the gift that God has given to each of us. But there is also the positive side of justification.

When God justifies us, He places the righteousness of Christ in our account. That balances the moral and spiritual budget for us. We are declared righteous. This is not a gradual process; it’s something that happens immediately when we put our faith in Jesus Christ.

And there is even more. Not only has God justified us, not only has He forgiven our sins and placed the righteousness of Christ into our account, but He also has adopted us into His family.

By adopting us, God is saying, “Don’t merely stand in awe of Me. Come close to Me. I want you to be My child. You have access to Me anytime.” What a great joy to know that we have been adopted into God’s family.

If all there was as a Christian was this life we have now with Jesus, it still would be worth it to be a Christian. But that isn’t all there is. It will get even better. The afterlife will be better than the “before life.” The best is yet to come.

That is God’s gift to you. Open it. Enjoy it. Love it.

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! (2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT)
There are gifts that you may receive this year that soon will be out of date or out of fashion. Some gifts, however, only grow in value over time. Maybe it’s a family heirloom that you received a long time ago, and it has become even more precious to you now.
God has given us a gift, and it never goes out of style. It’s the gift of all gifts: salvation. If you are a Christian, then you already carry this gift in your heart. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (NLT).
While this gift brings with it the hope of Heaven and the hope of eternal life, there are aspects of it that we can enjoy now. One of them is justification. The Bible says, “Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1 NLT).
The word justify has a twofold meaning. First, it carries the idea of the forgiveness of all our sin. Maybe you’ve been mulling over your sin and you’re troubled by it. If you have asked God to forgive you of that sin and have repented of it, then He has forgiven you.
God has forgiven you of every sin that you have confessed and turned from. Accept that. Often we dig up those sins, go over them again and again, and beat ourselves up over them. Yet God says, “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins” (Hebrews 8:12 NLT).
Here’s what we need to know: We should not choose to remember what God has chosen to forget. God has forgiven our sins. That is part of the gift that God has given to each of us. But there is also the positive side of justification.
When God justifies us, He places the righteousness of Christ in our account. That balances the moral and spiritual budget for us. We are declared righteous. This is not a gradual process; it’s something that happens immediately when we put our faith in Jesus Christ.
And there is even more. Not only has God justified us, not only has He forgiven our sins and placed the righteousness of Christ into our account, but He also has adopted us into His family.
By adopting us, God is saying, “Don’t merely stand in awe of Me. Come close to Me. I want you to be My child. You have access to Me anytime.” What a great joy to know that we have been adopted into God’s family.
If all there was as a Christian was this life we have now with Jesus, it still would be worth it to be a Christian. But that isn’t all there is. It will get even better. The afterlife will be better than the “before life.” The best is yet to come.
That is God’s gift to you. Open it. Enjoy it. Love it.
—
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/A1PWfZ8W">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from <a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Daily Devotions From Greg Laurie

God’s Gift to You | 2 Corinthians 9:15

‘And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel!’ (Acts 13:23 NLT)

The shadow of the cross lay over the beauty of the first Christmas night. It was there from the very beginning. That is why red is the color of Christmas. It isn’t because Santa wears red or that we sometimes wrap our gifts in red. Red is the color of Christmas, because red is the color of the blood that Jesus shed for us on the cross.

That is what Jesus came to do. He went voluntarily to the cross. Of course, He could have gotten out of it if He had chosen to, but Jesus laid down His life for us.

Jesus did not come so that we could go to endless Christmas events. He did not come to teach everyone how to be good or to love their neighbors, although these are good things to do. To the point, Jesus came to die an agonizing death and to ransom us from an eternal death sentence.

The story of Christmas doesn’t begin with the words “once upon a time,” though it has all the majesty and the magic of the greatest fairy tale you’ve ever heard. It has shepherds, angels, wise men from the East, and a bright, shining star. But it’s a real story pinpointed specifically in time.

Luke begins the Christmas story by telling us who is in power and what was going on at that particular moment in history. Luke was a physician by trade, and he was a stickler for detail. Everything in the world was in place for the arrival of the Messiah.

The Bible says, “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children” (Galatians 4:4–5 NLT).

When Christmas arrives and the gifts are opened, some of us will be very excited, and some of us will be a little disappointed. That’s because Christmas can’t deliver on its promises. Only Christ can.

What is Christmas at its best? At its best it is gathering with family and friends and perhaps enjoying a meal together. (And of course, worshipping together is one of the greatest things we could do on Christmas.) But these are glimpses of things to come.

In many ways, Christmas is a promise. It’s a glimpse of something greater. It’s a promise that has not been fully kept because it’s really not about Christmas; it’s about Christ.

That is what we’re really longing for—not Christmas but Christ; not merriment, but the Messiah; not goodwill, but God himself.

Put God first, not last. Don’t work Him into your busy schedule. Rather, put Him first in all things. Jesus won’t force His way into your life, but He would love to come and be a part of it. If you will seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in everything you do, it will change everything about your life.

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

‘And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel!’ (Acts 13:23 NLT)
The shadow of the cross lay over the beauty of the first Christmas night. It was there from the very beginning. That is why red is the color of Christmas. It isn’t because Santa wears red or that we sometimes wrap our gifts in red. Red is the color of Christmas, because red is the color of the blood that Jesus shed for us on the cross.
That is what Jesus came to do. He went voluntarily to the cross. Of course, He could have gotten out of it if He had chosen to, but Jesus laid down His life for us.
Jesus did not come so that we could go to endless Christmas events. He did not come to teach everyone how to be good or to love their neighbors, although these are good things to do. To the point, Jesus came to die an agonizing death and to ransom us from an eternal death sentence.
The story of Christmas doesn’t begin with the words “once upon a time,” though it has all the majesty and the magic of the greatest fairy tale you’ve ever heard. It has shepherds, angels, wise men from the East, and a bright, shining star. But it’s a real story pinpointed specifically in time.
Luke begins the Christmas story by telling us who is in power and what was going on at that particular moment in history. Luke was a physician by trade, and he was a stickler for detail. Everything in the world was in place for the arrival of the Messiah.
The Bible says, “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children” (Galatians 4:4–5 NLT).
When Christmas arrives and the gifts are opened, some of us will be very excited, and some of us will be a little disappointed. That’s because Christmas can’t deliver on its promises. Only Christ can.
What is Christmas at its best? At its best it is gathering with family and friends and perhaps enjoying a meal together. (And of course, worshipping together is one of the greatest things we could do on Christmas.) But these are glimpses of things to come.
In many ways, Christmas is a promise. It’s a glimpse of something greater. It’s a promise that has not been fully kept because it’s really not about Christmas; it’s about Christ.
That is what we’re really longing for—not Christmas but Christ; not merriment, but the Messiah; not goodwill, but God himself.
Put God first, not last. Don’t work Him into your busy schedule. Rather, put Him first in all things. Jesus won’t force His way into your life, but He would love to come and be a part of it. If you will seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in everything you do, it will change everything about your life.
—
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/A1PWfZ8W">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

Christmas is a glimpse of something greater.

Christmas Is a Promise | Acts 13:23

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. (Micah 5:2 NLT)

God could have directed Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in many ways, but He chose to do it through a Roman emperor’s decree. Because Mary and Joseph both traced their ancestry back to King David, they went to the boyhood town of David, which was Bethlehem.

Joseph and Mary were in Nazareth, but God needed them in Bethlehem. Micah had prophesied, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf” (Micah 5:2 NLT).

Thus, God had a plan. We read in Luke’s Gospel, “At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. . . . And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home… He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child” (2:1, 4–5 NLT).

This reminds us that ultimately, God is in control. World figures come and go. Dictators come and go. Kings, queens, prime ministers, and presidents come and go. But God moves people the way He wants to move them.

Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases” (NLT). Billy Graham once quoted, “Jesus is the hinge on which the door of history swings, the point at which eternity intersects with time, the Savior who redeems time by drawing all things to himself.”

Mary and Joseph made their way to Bethlehem. It was a difficult and dangerous journey, and when they finally arrived, they looked for a place to stay. But there was no room for them, which was indicative of the treatment Jesus received when He walked this earth.

Essentially Jesus was homeless. Yes, He would stay in the homes of people, but He also slept out under the stars on the Mount of Olives. We find this interesting verse in Luke: “Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives” (21:37 NLT).

The One who created Heaven and Earth, the One who said, “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home” (John 14:2 NLT), left His home in Heaven so that we, too, could have a home there.

It was all part of God’s plan for our Savior to be born in the humblest of settings. At the same time, the innkeeper missed out on an opportunity. The same thing can happen to us. We can be so busy shopping for Christmas and talking about Christmas that we can’t seem to find time to go to church or even take a moment to pray.

Jesus was born so that we could be born again. He left his home in Heaven to make a home in our hearts. We need to make room for Jesus, not only during this Christmas season but all year long.

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. (Micah 5:2 NLT)
God could have directed Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in many ways, but He chose to do it through a Roman emperor’s decree. Because Mary and Joseph both traced their ancestry back to King David, they went to the boyhood town of David, which was Bethlehem.
Joseph and Mary were in Nazareth, but God needed them in Bethlehem. Micah had prophesied, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf” (Micah 5:2 NLT).
Thus, God had a plan. We read in Luke’s Gospel, “At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. . . . And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home… He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child” (2:1, 4–5 NLT).
This reminds us that ultimately, God is in control. World figures come and go. Dictators come and go. Kings, queens, prime ministers, and presidents come and go. But God moves people the way He wants to move them.
Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases” (NLT). Billy Graham once quoted, “Jesus is the hinge on which the door of history swings, the point at which eternity intersects with time, the Savior who redeems time by drawing all things to himself.”
Mary and Joseph made their way to Bethlehem. It was a difficult and dangerous journey, and when they finally arrived, they looked for a place to stay. But there was no room for them, which was indicative of the treatment Jesus received when He walked this earth.
Essentially Jesus was homeless. Yes, He would stay in the homes of people, but He also slept out under the stars on the Mount of Olives. We find this interesting verse in Luke: “Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives” (21:37 NLT).
The One who created Heaven and Earth, the One who said, “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home” (John 14:2 NLT), left His home in Heaven so that we, too, could have a home there.
It was all part of God’s plan for our Savior to be born in the humblest of settings. At the same time, the innkeeper missed out on an opportunity. The same thing can happen to us. We can be so busy shopping for Christmas and talking about Christmas that we can’t seem to find time to go to church or even take a moment to pray.
Jesus was born so that we could be born again. He left his home in Heaven to make a home in our hearts. We need to make room for Jesus, not only during this Christmas season but all year long.
—
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/A1PWfZ8W">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

Jesus was born so we could be born again.

Room for a King | Micah 5:2

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. (Philippians 2:10 NLT)

Juliet asked Romeo, “What’s in a name?” And then she answered her own question: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

That might be nice if you’re a flower. But if you’re a person, you know that a name can indeed make a difference. Names are so significant that people even will go to court to have them changed.

So, what’s in a name? That all depends on whose name it is. If it’s the name of Jesus Christ, there’s a lot in that name. The Bible says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13 NLT) and “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10-11 NLT).

Some may claim they never will bow before Jesus. But they will. Atheists will bow and agnostics will bow. Everyone will bow, no matter who they are, at the Great White Throne Judgment of Christ. But sadly, for those at this judgment, it will be too late. There will be no other chances of forgiveness.

That is why we want to bow now so that we’ll be ready to meet the Lord. Jesus wasn’t born in a stable in Bethlehem so that we could have an excuse to go shopping for a month. The message of the angels to the shepherds was not, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Therefore, go to the nearest mall and spend lots of money.”

Rather, they said He is the Savior of the world. This is good news for us. He was born to die that we might live—and not only live eternally, but live life to its fullest and discover the plan that God has for us.

Have you discovered that plan? Maybe you’re living under the power of a particular sin right now. Maybe some vice, lifestyle, or addiction has its stranglehold on you, and you’re trying to break free. God can deliver you from it.

Maybe you’ve felt all alone. There is an everlasting Father who wants to reveal Himself to you. Maybe you have walked blindly through life, not knowing where to go or what to do. There is a God who wants to give His personal counsel to you. Most importantly, He wants to forgive you of your sin.

Every one of us has broken God’s commandments. Every one of us has fallen short of His standards. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then rose from the dead three days later. He is saying, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (Revelation 3:20 NLT).

When we look at all that God is and all that He offers to us, it should cause us to be amazed, surprised, astonished, and in awe. And it should cause us to worship Him.

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. (Philippians 2:10 NLT)
Juliet asked Romeo, “What’s in a name?” And then she answered her own question: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
That might be nice if you’re a flower. But if you’re a person, you know that a name can indeed make a difference. Names are so significant that people even will go to court to have them changed.
So, what’s in a name? That all depends on whose name it is. If it’s the name of Jesus Christ, there’s a lot in that name. The Bible says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13 NLT) and “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10-11 NLT).
Some may claim they never will bow before Jesus. But they will. Atheists will bow and agnostics will bow. Everyone will bow, no matter who they are, at the Great White Throne Judgment of Christ. But sadly, for those at this judgment, it will be too late. There will be no other chances of forgiveness.
That is why we want to bow now so that we’ll be ready to meet the Lord. Jesus wasn’t born in a stable in Bethlehem so that we could have an excuse to go shopping for a month. The message of the angels to the shepherds was not, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Therefore, go to the nearest mall and spend lots of money.”
Rather, they said He is the Savior of the world. This is good news for us. He was born to die that we might live—and not only live eternally, but live life to its fullest and discover the plan that God has for us.
Have you discovered that plan? Maybe you’re living under the power of a particular sin right now. Maybe some vice, lifestyle, or addiction has its stranglehold on you, and you’re trying to break free. God can deliver you from it.
Maybe you’ve felt all alone. There is an everlasting Father who wants to reveal Himself to you. Maybe you have walked blindly through life, not knowing where to go or what to do. There is a God who wants to give His personal counsel to you. Most importantly, He wants to forgive you of your sin.
Every one of us has broken God’s commandments. Every one of us has fallen short of His standards. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then rose from the dead three days later. He is saying, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (Revelation 3:20 NLT).
When we look at all that God is and all that He offers to us, it should cause us to be amazed, surprised, astonished, and in awe. And it should cause us to worship Him.
—
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/A1PWfZ8W">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

God’s Gift to You | 2 Corinthians 9:15

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