Choose the Better Life

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Dec 24, 2014 Choose the Better Life by Rick Warren “Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together.” (Revelation 3:20 CEV)   When I was a kid, my mom fed me SpaghettiOs. I thought it was the best food ever! Then I discovered In-N-Out burgers. I then went from the good life to the better life. SpaghettiOs were good, but a juicy In-N-Out burger is much better. You might think you have a good life right now, but if you could have an even better life, wouldn’t you want to know about it? Unfortunately, what keeps us from grabbing hold of that better life is an irrational sense of self-sufficiency. We think we’re doing fine on our own. Psalm 10:4 says it like this: “The wicked people are too proud. They do not look for God; there is no room for God in their thoughts” (NCV). Just like the innkeeper in the first Christmas story (Luke 2), we don’t believe we need more guests. We think we have everything we need. There’s only one problem with that arrogance: You miss the very reason God created you. God made you so that you might have a relationship with him. You’ll never fulfill his purpose for your life, which is far grander and more significant than you ever imagined, unless you are plugged in to God, your true power source. But the good news is that it’s not too late. You can have a relationship with him no matter what has happened in your past, no matter how many times you’ve rejected him before. God made it so simple that anyone can understand. It’s only three words: Invite him in. Jesus said, “Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together” (Revelation 3:20 CEV). Jesus is knocking at your door. Take hold of the better life by letting him into your life. Make him the boss of your life. It’ll change everything.   Talk It Over In what ways has pride kept you from experiencing God’s better life for you? What are some good activities in your life that have crowded out your relationship with Jesus? What does it mean to have a boss in a particular area of your life? What does it mean to make Jesus the “boss” of your life?

With the Angels
Today's Scripture:
"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ "
Luke 2:13-14, NIV

Today's Word:
On the night Jesus was born, there were some shepherds out in the field. An angel appeared to them to tell them about Christ’s birth. Then suddenly, a host of angels appeared who were praising God.

Scripture tells us that there are angels in heaven singing God’s praises day and night. Think about this: When you praise God, you are joining with the angels in heaven! What an awesome thought that we can be one with the heavenly hosts when we worship.

As you celebrate Christmas Eve, take time to rejoice with the angels. Turn your thoughts toward Him because He is good and worthy of all our praise!

Prayer for Today:
Father, what an awesome privilege it is to come before Your throne of grace and worship You. Thank You for sending Your son, Jesus, so that I can live forever and join the heavenly hosts in Jesus’ name! Amen.

​PS... ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-OtVyJjL8k

 

Merry Christmas! J