The Gift List That Mattersಮಾದರಿ

The Gift of Yourself

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20 (NASB)

What are you giving Jesus for Christmas?

It's his birthday, after all. You buy gifts for all the other important people in your life. Can you imagine going to a birthday party and buying gifts for everybody except the birthday boy?

Well, you ask, what could you possibly give God, who has everything? There is only one thing he wants this Christmas: you.

God doesn't have your life unless you give it to him. He doesn’t have your heart unless you give it to him. He doesn't have your trust unless you give it to him. He doesn't have your love, submission, honor, and obedience unless you give them to him. But he gives you the choice—because he wants you to choose him.

It’s worth asking—are we really celebrating Christmas if we don’t give Jesus the one gift He desires most from us? He wants you to trust him and love him.

Did you know that there has never been a time when God did not love you? Even before you were born, God loved you. Imagine him saying to you now: "I love you. You matter to me. I've cared about every moment of your life. I made you, and I want a relationship with you. And that's why I came to earth—to one day redeem everything, including you, so you could be part of my family."

The Bible says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20 NASB).

You have a choice to open that door. You can begin a friendship with God today. I'm not talking about religion; I'm talking about a relationship with God.

You were not made for religion; Jesus didn't die for a religion. Jesus died because he loves you. He wants you in heaven with him. He came to be your Savior.

In Matthew 1:21, the angel told Joseph in a dream that, “[Mary] will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus [He Saves], because he will save his people from their sins" (GW). If you could have saved yourself, God would not have gone to the trouble of sending a Savior. And if you didn't need a Savior, Christmas wouldn't have happened!

This Christmas, you can either accept Jesus or reject him. You can trust him, or you can turn away from him. You can open the door to eternal life, or you can leave it closed.

Let me encourage you. Give your life to Jesus this Christmas! It's the only gift he wants!

God is knocking, and you can answer the door right now.

If you've never opened your life to Jesus, you can take that step today by praying this simple prayer:

"Dear Jesus, thank you that you came to earth as a human being so I could know what you're like and see your full grace and truth. Thank you for living a perfect life so that your death could pay for all my sin. I believe you rose from the dead to defeat death and give me the promise that I can live forever with you.

"I know your plan is not finished yet and you're coming back one day. Today, I believe that you're standing at the door of my life, and you're knocking. I want to respond in obedience and submit my life to you. I want to make you Lord of my life and get to know you as my Lord and Savior. I confess my sin and ask you to forgive me and fill me with your love, presence, and peace. Please work out your purpose in me as I follow you and become more like you. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen."

Questions to Consider

·How do you think people hear the voice of God when he is "standing at the door and knocking"?

·If you're a follower of Jesus, what has the relationship you've experienced with God meant to you?

·In what ways do you need to re-center your Christmas celebrations so that you are focusing on the true reason Christ came to earth?

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I'd like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.

Need more hope in your day? Pastor Rick offers daily encouragement through Daily Hope—his trusted Bible teaching ministry. You can read, watch, or listen anytime at PastorRick.com .