Bible Scripturegraphic: Christmas Grace

During the “most wonderful time of the year” the phrases joy to the world and peace on earth are ever on our lips. Joy and peace fill our hearts as we reflect upon Emmanuel God with us. But what about amazing grace? Usually this phrase is reserved for Easter and the grace of the cross. However, there would be no grace of the cross without the grace of the cradle. Jesus humbled Himself and took on flesh to tabernacle among us. From the cradle to the cross, it’s all about grace, Christmas Grace!

To do the Scripturegraphic Bible Study, Christmas Grace, please click on the link below.

Bible Scripturegraphic: Christmas Grace

Need a little more Christmas? Click on one of the links below!

Day 1: Believe Him

Day 2: Make Room

Christmas Presence: The Collection

Follow Him this Christmas.

All rights reserved

copyright 2015

Nourishment and refreshment for the soul.

I am the LORD your God,
Who brought you out of the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Psalm 81:10

God spoke these words to His people, to remind them of all He had done for them. Egypt was a land of slavery, bondage and suffering. Jehovah had delivered His people from Egypt so He could bless them and fill them with His goodness … if they would only open wide. Even though this verse was written to the Hebrew people many years ago, we can apply it to our lives today.

We too can be in bondage, not to Pharaoh, but to our own sinful desires. It’s not God’s will for us to live in bondage to any sin. He came so we can have life and have it abundantly. When we empty ourselves of sin,  we make room to be filled by God. How are we to be filled? Open wide. Open wide our hearts, and our lives to be filled by God.

The Hebrew word for fill is male’ which means, to fulfill, to satisfy, to complete, to accomplish. Male’ is an imperfect tense verb which signifies a continuous action. A continual filling.  Always more, always wider, always more God. When we are filled with God, we will be able to complete and accomplish many good works for His kingdom.

Open wide! For a little bite,  for a little sip? No, for a feast! Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Open wide.

1. How much God do you want?
2. How can you open wide to make more room for God?
3. What is God longing to give you?

Life is sweet!

Refreshment and nourishment for your soul!

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

If you are tired and weary, Jesus is calling you to come. In the Greek, come is an interjection, which means we must take immediate action. It is not God’s will for us to live in chaos and turmoil. He is the God of Peace. Our health and our relationship with God will suffer if we are torn apart by stress.

Weary refers to those who are exhausted from physical labor or grief. Heavy burdens, (in Greek: phortizo) means a load, a load with a consciousness of sin.

Carrying our sin is a heavy load … one which we cannot carry. Knowing our weakness, Jesus calls us to come to Him, permanently lay down our sin at the foot of the cross, and rest in Him.

Our daily responsibilities can become a burden if we do not take time each day in God’s Presence to regain strength and courage to carry on. I notice my responsibilities become burdens when I start living in the future; trying to figure out how I will manage this present situation for the next 2 weeks, 6 months, or 10 years. The questions roll through my mind; How can I do this another day? Where will the money come from for tomorrow? Living in the future drains my energy and causes me to squander God’s provision for the present day.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, take time to rest in God’s presence. Open His word and find healing for your soul. Ask Him to provide for you. Thank Him for how He is helping you. Rest in Him.

 Action Step:

1. Get a note card and list the situation that is causing you stress.
2. Look up a scripture that applies to your situation and write it down on the card.
3. Pray the scripture out loud into your situation throughout the day.
4. Thank God for how He is already working (even if you can’t see it yet).