Topic: Christmas Shows God’s Extravagant Love [RICK WARREN Devotional 19 December 2022]
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Christmas Shows God’s Extravagant Love
BY RICK WARREN — DECEMBER 19, 2022
FROM BEHOLD! THE BEST NEWS EVER
“Each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me.”
Psalm 42:8 (NLT)
Even though I know conserving water is important, it doesn’t make me dislike water-saving showerheads any less. They’re so stingy! You cannot call the meager amount of water they disperse a shower. It’s more like a dribble.
Unlike my water-saving showerhead, God is not stingy with his love. He doesn’t dribble it out. He showers it extravagantly on all people!
The Bible says it like this: “Each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me” (Psalm 42:8 NLT).
God has never created anybody he doesn’t love.
He pays attention to every detail of your life. Love is attention. When you pay attention to what’s important to somebody else, you are showing them love.
God sees every tear that falls from your eyes. He’s heard every laugh you’ve laughed. He knows every hair on your head and which ones fell out in the sink or turned gray today.
The Bible says, “God knows every step I take” (Job 23:10 GNT). He is concerned about your steps, and he pays attention to them.
God is never too busy for you; he could never forget you. The Bible says, “Can a mother forget her nursing child? . . . But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15-16 NLT). The nail marks that Jesus has from dying on the cross for you are God’s tattoo of you.
You may feel forgotten, but God has never stopped paying attention to you.
You can know that he loves you not only because he’s paying attention but also because he took the initiative to save you.
Love is not just merely words; it is acting on behalf of others. It is making someone else’s problem your own—and that’s exactly what God did at Christmas.
Jesus coming at Christmas to die for you on the cross is the greatest example of love. Luke 2:11 says, “Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord” (NCV).
When Jesus came to Earth, God was showing his love in the most amazing way. It’s as if he was saying, “I see you, and I’m going to take on your problems as my own. I’m sending my beloved Son to live a perfect life and die in your place. This is how much I love you.”
God didn’t hold anything back at Christmas. Through Jesus, he showered his love on all people!
Talk It Over
- How do your Christmas traditions and celebrations focus on God’s love? What is one way you want to focus more on God’s love this Christmas?
- What can you do to remember God’s love when you feel forgotten by him?
- Does it comfort you to know that God is paying attention to every detail of your life? Why or why not?
Will you accept God’s gift of salvation?
The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).
If you’re ready to accept God’s love and commit your life to him, then pray this prayer:
“Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I believe that he died for my sin and that you raised him to life. Jesus, I want to trust you as my Savior and follow you as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
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