God's Greatest Gift

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, let's take a moment to reflect on God's greatest gift to us - His Son, Jesus Christ.  Though He came in the form of a baby, this prayer of St. Patrick reminds us that He is our all in all.  Merry Christmas!

Jesus - Our All in All

Christ for sickness, Christ for health,

Christ for poverty, Christ for wealth,

Christ for joy, Christ for sorrow,

Christ today, and Christ tomorrow;

Christ my life, and Christ my light,

Christ for morning, noon, and night;

Christ when all around gives way,

Christ my everlasting stay; 

Christ my rest, Christ my food,

Christ above my highest good;

Christ my well beloved, my Friend,

Christ my pleasure without end;

Christ my Savior, Christ my Lord,

Christ my Portion, Christ my God,

Christ my Shepherd, I His sheep,

Christ Himself my soul does keep.

Christ my Leader, Christ my Peace,

Christ has brought my soul's release;

Christ my Righteousness divine,

Christ for me, for He is mine;

Christ my Wisdom, Christ my meat,

Christ restores my wandering feet,

Christ my Advocate and my Priest,

Christ who never forgets the least;

Christ my Teacher, Christ my Guide,

Christ my Rock, in Christ I hide;

Christ the everlasting Bread,

Christ His precious blood has shed;

Christ has brought us near to God,

Christ the everlasting Word,

Christ my Master, Christ my Head,

Christ who for my sins has bled;

Christ my Glory, Christ my Crown,

Christ the Plant of great Renown,

Christ my Comforter on high,

Christ my Hope draws ever nigh.

Posted by Redeeming Love

God, Our Father

When an earthly father does not provide the love, nurturing, care and support that a daughter needs, it can leave her with a marred image of who her heavenly Father is. However, those traits that may have been missing in an earthly father are all present and abundant in Father God. Be blessed as you read the below scriptures and allow them to renew your mind as to who He truly is.  

Portrait of Your Heavenly Father

Your Father is perfectly faithful.

Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Your Father is a generous provider.

Matthew 7:11 “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!”

Your Father is loving and compassionate.

John 17:23 (Jesus speaking to His Father) "You have loved them even as you have loved me."

Psalm 103:13 “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.”

Your Father is forgiving and accepting.

Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Your Father is a patient teacher.

Isaiah 30:20-21 “Your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left.”

Your Father is an understanding counselor. 

Isaiah 9:6 “He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Your Father is a wise communicator.

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James 3:17 “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

Your Father gives good gifts.

James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Your Father is attentive to your needs.

Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Your Father is strong yet personal.

Isaiah 40:26 “He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”

Matthew 10:30 “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

And so much more. He is more wonderful than our mind can comprehend. He is there, even if we feel that He has left or that He ought to leave, and even when we turn our backs on Him. Our Father is love, pure love, and He does not change.

Reprinted with permission from From Seek Him Meet Him weekly online devotional, © by Sylvia Gunter, The Father's Business, P. O. Box 380333, Birmingham, AL 35238, www.thefathersbusiness.com.  Email: info@thefathersbusiness.com