This is Love; He Did This Just for You |
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Oh, the things we do to give gifts to those we love. But we don't mind, do we? We would do it all again. Fact is, we do it all again. Every Christmas, every birthday, every so often we find ourselves in foreign territory. Grownups are in toy stores. Dads are in teen stores. Wives are in the hunting department, and husbands are in the purse department. Not only do we enter unusual places, we do unusual things. We assemble bicycles at midnight. We hide the new tires with mag wheels under the stairs. One fellow I heard about rented a movie theater so he and his wife could see their wedding pictures on their anniversary. And we'd do it all again. Having pressed the grapes of service, we drink life's sweetest wine — the wine of giving. We are at our best when we are giving. In fact, we are most like God when we are giving. Have you ever wondered why God gives so much? We could exist on far less. He could have left the world flat and gray; we wouldn't have known the difference. But He didn't. He splashed orange in the sunrise and cast the sky in blue. And if you love to see geese as they gather, chances are you'll see that too. Did He have to make the squirrel's tail furry? Was He obliged to make the birds sing? And the funny way that chickens scurry or the majesty of thunder when it rings? Why give a flower fragrance? Why give food its taste? Could it be He loves to see that look upon your face? If we give gifts to show our love, how much more would He? If we — speckled with foibles and greed — love to give gifts, how much more does God, pure and perfect God, enjoy giving gifts to us? Jesus asked, If you hardhearted, sinful men know how to give good gifts to your children, won't your Father in heaven even more certainly give good gifts to those who ask him for them? — Matthew 7:11 TLB God's gifts shed light on God's heart, God's good and generous heart. Jesus' brother James tells us: Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of Heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. — James 1:17 MSG Every gift reveals God's love… but no gift reveals His love more than the gifts of the Cross. They came, not wrapped in paper, but in passion. Not placed around a tree, but a Cross. And not covered with ribbons, but sprinkled with blood. |
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Every gift reveals God's love… but no gift reveals His love more than the gifts of the Cross. |
Every gift reveals God's love… but no gift reveals His love more than the gifts of the Cross. |
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The gifts of the Cross. Much has been said about the gift of the Cross itself, but what of the other gifts? What of the nails, the crown of thorns? The garments taken by the soldiers? The garments given for the burial? Have you taken time to open these gifts? He didn't have to give them, you know. The only act, the only required act for our salvation was the shedding of blood, yet He did much more. So much more. Search the scene of the cross, and what do you find? A wine-soaked sponge. A sign. Two crosses beside Christ. Divine gifts intended to stir that moment, that split second when your face will brighten, your eyes will widen, and God will hear you whisper, "You did this for me?" The diadem of pain which sliced your gentle face, three spikes piercing flesh and wood to hold you in your place. The need for blood I understand. Your sacrifice I embrace. But the bitter sponge, the cutting spear, the spit upon your face? Did it have to be a Cross? Did not a kinder death exist than six hours hanging between life and death, all spurred by a betrayer's kiss? "Oh, Father," you pose, heart-stilled at what could be, "I'm sorry to ask, but I long to know, did You do this for me?" Dare we pray such a prayer? Dare we think such thoughts? Could it be that the hill of the Cross is rich with God's gifts? Let's examine them, shall we? Let's unwrap these gifts of grace as if — or perhaps, indeed — for the first time. And as you touch them — as you feel the timber of the Cross and trace the braid of the crown and finger the point of the spike — pause and listen. Perchance you will hear Him whisper: "I did it just for you." |
Excerpted with permission from He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado, copyright Max Lucado. * * * |
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Let's allow the love of the Lord wash over us today. Let's focus our hearts on the gifts of the Cross and return that avalanche of love with faith, love, and devotion to Jesus. Come share your thoughts with us. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily |
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All the proof you need that God loves you |
He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart |
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Is your heart unsettled by the chaos of the world? Are you heavy-laden with bad moments, mad moments, or anxious moments? Today, rest in God's self-giving love and leave all your troubles at the foot of the cross. There were no accidents on the days surrounding Jesus' death. Jesus' last moments were not left up to chance. God chose the path; he selected the nails. Our Lord planted the trio of crosses and painted the sign. God was never more sovereign than in the details of the death of his Son. God didn't have to do all these things, you know. The only required act for our salvation was the shedding of blood, yet he did much more. So much more. |
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In He Chose the Nails, New York Times bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado will help you: - Learn just how much God loves and cares for you.
- Take comfort that Jesus understands everything you face in this life.
- Remember that there's nothing you can do to earn God's gift.
- Stand firm in the promise that you are forgiven, and you are welcome in God's presence.
Search the scene of the cross and listen for God's gentle whisper, "I did it just for you." |
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"Wonderful book. I love the way it is sectioned into small chapters.." — Anna S. |
"What a wonderful experience!! Made me see and understand in a different perspective. It deepened my love for Christ which I thought would have been impossible." — Jean R. |
"I'm using this for a small group Bible study, and we all are enjoying it." — Connie B. |
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More from Max Lucado - Studies at 50% off! |
He Chose the Nails Bible Study Guide |
Is your heart unsettled by the chaos of the world? Are you heavy-laden with bad moments, mad moments, or anxious moments? Today, rest in God's self-giving love and leave all your troubles at the foot of the cross. In this Easter season study, Max will help you: - Experience Lent as a time not to just give up something, but to prepare to receive good gifts from God.
- Take comfort that Jesus understands everything you face in this life.
- Receive the grace of Christ's work for us, and cooperate with God's work in us to make us more like him.
- Stand firm in the promise that you are forgiven, and you are welcome in God's presence, no matter what you've done.
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Because of Bethlehem/He Chose the Nails Study Guides |
Christmas begins what Easter celebrates. The child in the cradle becomes the King on the cross. The promise of Christmas brings a lifetime of hope. The gifts of Easter reveal God's self-giving love. Because of Bethlehem/He Chose the Nails is a collection of two video-based Bible studies for Christmas and Easter by Max Lucado. Because of Bethlehem Because of Bethlehem, God knows what it's like to be human. Because of Bethlehem, when we talk to him about tough times, he understands. He's been there. He Chose the Nails The last moments leading up to Jesus' death were not left up to chance. |
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In the Footsteps of the Savior Online Bible Study |
In the Footsteps of the Savior Online Bible Study |
"This is the wonder of the land where Jesus walked. Each square mile seems to have a message. I pray that the pages of this book bring those messages to life in your life." - Max Lucado You're invited to walk where Jesus walked! Come join the free In the Footsteps of the Savior Online Bible Study with Max Lucado in the weeks leading up to Easter - his first study filmed on location in the Holy Land. |
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this devotion with someone who needs it today |
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