“If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” (John 4:10 NLT)
Right now there are TV and radio waves all around you. If you had a tuner, you could see what’s on those waves. But just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t real. You’re just not tuned in.
That’s what it was like in Bethlehem on the night of the first Christmas. Despite the fact that Bethlehem had an inn with the sole purpose of taking care of travelers, there was no room in that inn for undoubtedly the most significant family of travelers in Bethlehem that night.
This Christmas, don’t miss an important parallel of this story to our own hearts. Your heart was made to hold God. You were made
by God and
for God. Until you understand that, life will never make sense. Unfortunately, we fill our lives with other things. We invite other guests into our homes. Our heart is filled with other ideas, interests, values, loves, and commitments.
Our lives are so full that we’re not even aware when Jesus shows up around us. God shows up in our lives all the time, providing opportunities we never thought we’d get, in the midst of problems we didn’t know we were going to have. But often, we just don’t see him.
This happened in the Bible all the time. Jesus would show up and talk to people who never realized who he was. In the book of John, Jesus was sitting by a well when a woman came up to him, looking for water. She didn’t recognize Jesus. In fact she got in a religious debate with the Son of God! Then Jesus said,
“If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water” (John
4:10NLT). But the woman didn’t recognize Jesus.
God is at work all around you — not just during Christmas but also throughout the whole year. Is it possible that you or the people you love are missing him?
Talk It Over
- Why do you think we miss God even during the Christmas season, when people seem more open to him than any other time?
- What are some ways you’ve seen God at work this week?
- What change can you make in your Christmas routine that will help you see Jesus throughout the season?
God with Us
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:
Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel—which, when translated, means, God with us.
Matthew 1:23, AMP
TODAY'S WORD:
In scripture, Jesus was called by many names according to His attributes. In today’s verse, He is called Emmanuel, which means God with us. He’s not far away; He’s looking down on us; He is closer than the air we breathe. That means you never have to be alone or feel afraid. You never have to wonder where God is! But, we have to do our part. In the natural, you can have someone sitting right next to you and never really know them. It’s the same way with God. We have to take time to acknowledge Him as Lord and talk to Him throughout the day. When you draw near to God, He will draw near to you!
Today, take some time to meditate on this verse. Be aware of His presence around you. Praise Him and thank Him for being Emmanuel—God with us!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father, thank You for being close to me today and giving me Your comfort and peace. I acknowledge You and yield my heart to You so that I can bring You glory in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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