The Gift List That Mattersনমুনা

The Gift of Extravagant Love

"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.

One way he showers you with love is by paying attention to every detail of your life. Love is attention. When you pay attention to what's important to somebody else, you are showering them with love.

God has seen every tear that’s ever fallen from your eyes. He's heard every laugh you've ever laughed. He’s counted every hair on your head and knows 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).

You may feel forgotten, but God has never stopped paying attention to you.

God showers you with love by paying attention to you but also by taking 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 was born at Christmas so he could eventually die for you on the cross. That is the greatest shower of love you’ll ever experience. The Bible says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1 NIV).

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!

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 sins 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 your name I pray. Amen."

Questions to Consider

·How do your Christmas traditions and celebrations focus on God's love? What is one way you can 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?