December 23, 2008
As I awoke this morning and saw the time was 5:38 a.m. my first thought was to go back to bed; but, then my mind went back to when I was a kid; finding it hard to sleep on Christmas Eve--because of the excitement of what Christmas morning held.
I couldn't go back to sleep because of the excitement of seeing the unwrapped gifts under the tree, and the prospect of unwrapping the one's that were yet wrapped concealing the gift's in particular that had my name on them which seemed to have been calling out to me for days.
I can remember the overwhelming joy of receiving those things of which I had hoped for, and I recall the memory of those things of which (at that time) did not strike me as being of great value; or, the disappointment of not receiving that which was expected.
My, how some things change over the years; and, how our appreciation of the things we valued at one time lose their allurement and the things we saw little value in become prized possessions.
How we learn the lesson that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive, and are still learning, by the way, and will continue to learn as long as there lies within us any speck of selfish pride hidden from our view at the present.
Thank you Jesus, that all our expectation is in You as You continue to conform us into your image through the washing of the water of the Word. We thank You for another day and for the desire You have placed within us for You. Help us that we would, with all of our being, be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we might prove that which is good and acceptable and perfect in Your sight.
We ask for the grace to remove the logs from our eyes which have blurred our vision; that we might see clearly to remove the splinters lodged in the eyes of our brothers and sisters in Christ; That we might be used of you, for the advancement of Your kingdom and for the cause of Christ. We thank You for the cross whereby You have not only made possible the probability of these things; but, have in fact secured the reality of these things as we wait upon You, knowing that You shall fulfill all Your Word unto Your glory in Jesus name. AMEN
Michael E. Wood 12/23/2008
As I awoke this morning and saw the time was 5:38 a.m. my first thought was to go back to bed; but, then my mind went back to when I was a kid; finding it hard to sleep on Christmas Eve--because of the excitement of what Christmas morning held.
I couldn't go back to sleep because of the excitement of seeing the unwrapped gifts under the tree, and the prospect of unwrapping the one's that were yet wrapped concealing the gift's in particular that had my name on them which seemed to have been calling out to me for days.
I can remember the overwhelming joy of receiving those things of which I had hoped for, and I recall the memory of those things of which (at that time) did not strike me as being of great value; or, the disappointment of not receiving that which was expected.
My, how some things change over the years; and, how our appreciation of the things we valued at one time lose their allurement and the things we saw little value in become prized possessions.
How we learn the lesson that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive, and are still learning, by the way, and will continue to learn as long as there lies within us any speck of selfish pride hidden from our view at the present.
Thank you Jesus, that all our expectation is in You as You continue to conform us into your image through the washing of the water of the Word. We thank You for another day and for the desire You have placed within us for You. Help us that we would, with all of our being, be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we might prove that which is good and acceptable and perfect in Your sight.
We ask for the grace to remove the logs from our eyes which have blurred our vision; that we might see clearly to remove the splinters lodged in the eyes of our brothers and sisters in Christ; That we might be used of you, for the advancement of Your kingdom and for the cause of Christ. We thank You for the cross whereby You have not only made possible the probability of these things; but, have in fact secured the reality of these things as we wait upon You, knowing that You shall fulfill all Your Word unto Your glory in Jesus name. AMEN
Michael E. Wood 12/23/2008
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