Verse of the Day 12/24

 

2 Corinthians 9:15  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Tonight and tomorrow morning all kinds of gifts will be given and exchanged.  Some people will be blown away by a gift, something precious and totally unexpected will be given and received.  Can you look back on some of the gifts that you have received that stand out in your mind?  They may or may not match up to the Red Ryder BB gun that Ralphie received in "A Christmas Story" but you get the idea.  But what most of us will be going to celebrate at Christmas Eve services today and tonight will be the most indescribable, inexpressible gift ever given.  Yet, astonishingly, there will be many that will reject and refuse this gift.

 

The gift or gifts actually described in this passage are actually gifts for ministry, service, and seed planting in the Christian faith.  Still, they stem from the gift of Jesus and faith in Him that we celebrate here and now.  The heading on the passage is "The Cheerful Giver".  May that be the attitude in our hearts this season.  May we truly experience the fact that it is "better to give than to receive".  May we give gifts of joy and hope in the grace that "abounds" to us through Jesus Christ.  May seeds planted in that joy be fruitful and bring thanks and glory to God for the inexpressible gift of Christmas.

 

I'm reminded of the chorus Chris Tomlin song, "Indescribable":

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

 

After all the kids and grandkids have been tucked away this evening, after the services, after family time around the table, after an evening of celebrating, in the quiet, in the stillness of Christmas season.  May we again thank God for all of the indescribable, uncontainable, inexpressible gift his gift that we have received. "No language can praise it enough"  (The Message)

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

2 Corinthians 9:6-15The Message (MSG)

^6-7 Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.

^8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,
    giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
    never run out, never wear out.

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

^12-15 Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they'll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!