Episode 104

With Christmas Eve arriving the day after tomorrow, my guess (and hope) is that you’ve finished your Christmas shopping. If you over spent your budget, be encouraged by this week’s declaration drawn from Isaiah 55:3, which says, “Pay attention and come closer to me, and hear, that your total being may flourish.” (TPT) The greatest gift we could ever receive is peace with God through his Son, Jesus Christ. So, if you’re feeling strapped for cash, repeat this week’s declaration with me now: I don’t need money for my total being to flourish. Last week, I read Isaiah 9:6-7, which contains a prophetic announcement about the birth of Jesus that begins like this: “For unto us a child is born.” Isaiah then promises the child will “reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” The verses I read today were written by the same prophet. And, just as Isaiah spoke on God’s behalf about the birth of our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, Isaiah also spoke for God when he wrote the verses that I read this week. God invites us to “Come to the refreshing waters and drink. Even if you have no money, come… Yes, come and buy all the wine and milk you desire—it won’t cost a thing.” I stopped short of reading Isaiah 55:6, which says, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (NIV) Jesus is near! He is in the beauty of the music and serenity of the manger scenes. He is in the love we share as we exchange gifts and the hope we receive through faith in God. Nothing compares to the indescribable gift of God’s grace, which he gave freely so that we could have abundant life now and forever. So, come all ye faithful! Come and worship. Come to the refreshing waters and drink—it won’t cost a thing. This week's scripture: Isaiah 55:1-3 Discover the healing power of Psalm 139 in my book, Longing to Belong: Discovering the Joy of Acceptance. Available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart.com, Booksamillion.com and Christianbook.com. Also available as an audiobook from Audible, and as a digital download to your Kindle or from the Apple store for your iBooks app. Take the 10-day journey with me and let Scripture heal your heart. Look for the Longing to Belong Reading Plan on your mobile device via the YouVersion Bible app.