Get to Know Your Creator

Dec 23, 2014 Get to Know Your Creator by Rick Warren “The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way …. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!” (2 Corinthians 6:12-13 MSG) This time of year, we all have many important tasks to get done. We’ve got year-end reports to write. We have holiday meals to plan. And, of course, we have gifts to buy. But you have something much more important to focus on this Christmas: developing a personal and growing relationship with Jesus. Why should you get to know Jesus better? There are at least two very important reasons. First of all, Jesus made you. The Bible says, “Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God. He created everything there is — nothing exists that he didn’t make. Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all mankind” (John 1:1-4 TLB). You have the opportunity to not just meet the Creator of the universe but also to meetyour Creator. You’ve heard people say, “When in doubt, consult the manual.” Knowing Jesus is even better. If you want to know how to get the most out of life, why not get to know the One who created you? Secondly, Jesus opens up your heart to enjoy a life of purpose, peace, and power. A relationship with Jesus secures your place in Heaven, but it does more than that. God promises a life of purpose, peace, and power to all who know him. Knowing Jesus in a personal way changes everything about how you live. Purpose, power, and peace are just the beginning of what God wants to give you in this life. Unfortunately, most people are living in such a tiny, insignificant way because they’ve filled their lives with meaningless activity. As Christmas approaches this year, think of the innkeeper who didn’t make room for Jesus on the first Christmas. His actions didn’t keep Jesus from being born. His actions didn’t stop God’s purpose in history. It just hurt the innkeeper. He missed the privilege of housing the Son of God at his birth. The same is true for you. If you don’t take the time to get to know Jesus, you miss the opportunity to know your Creator. You miss the opportunity to have the purpose, peace, and power that only comes through God’s Son. You miss his purpose for your life if you never make room for him. Talk It Over How can knowing the One who made you impact how you live your life? In what specific areas of your life do you want God’s power, peace, and purpose? What are the meaningless activities you fill your time with that keep you from getting to know your Creator better? The Lord is with You TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “...O favored one [endued with grace]! The Lord is with you! ...” (Luke 1:28, AMP) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria You are favored today, and the Lord is with you! What does it mean to be favored by God? It means you have an advantage for success. You have God’s supernatural power to do what He’s called you to do. You have God’s power at work; you have God’s power at home; you have God’s power in your relationships — you are empowered to accomplish everything you need to today! Receive His grace and favor today by thanking and praising Him. Declare that you are empowered by His grace. Declare that you have favor because God is with you. See yourself accomplishing what He’s called you to do and move forward in the blessing and victory He has in store! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, thank You for Your grace and favor in my life. Thank You for staying close to me. Help me to know Your ways and understand Your love so that I can accomplish all You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen. PS...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iRzz3YrukY