Devotions by Chris Hendrix

I love to travel all over the world. There are times when I choose to get a guide and times when I don’t. On my last trip to London, I got a guide to watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. She took us down the street and through the park past all the other groups. She gave us history of the palace and some little known facts along the way. Then she passed Buckingham and kept going. We came to a blocked off area just passed it and she said, “Most people fill the area around Buckingham, but here you will see more.” We watched the guards line up, practice their music and even play a fun tune before they marched to the palace. Once they passed us, she took us quickly across the park to where King Charles lived. We were able to see the guards up close as they marched by. Our guide showed us more than we would have ever seen on our own and put us in position for incredible photos and memories that we would have missed without her.

In John 16:13 Jesus was preparing the disciples for His departure. He said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future” (NLT). The word the original language used for guide here is “hodegos.” It refers to someone like a tour guide who knows the path and way to take. Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit, who knows God’s path for you, to guide you along it. He is knowledgeable about everything you need to know and is there to teach it to you and instruct you on the path God has for you. It’s up to each one of us to listen to Him, to follow Him and to learn from Him. He will guide us into all truth if we will listen.

Romans 8:14 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Have you been trying to go through this life without being led by the Guide God has given you? Have you been trying to do it on your own? Romans 7 and 8 paint a clear contrast of those who try to live life on their own and those who are guided by the Holy Spirit. When you try it without Him, it can result in dead ends and feelings of being miserable as Paul wrote. To be led by the Spirit as described in chapter 8 is life giving. The Guide He sent us knows the ins and outs of life and will position us for the great things God has for us. He won’t lead us to where we think we need to be. Instead, He will guide you into green pastures and beside the still waters. Don’t rely on your own understanding or learning. Rely on and be led by the Guide God sent you. Trust in the Holy Spirit and follow His leading.

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One Christmas I was invited to a party. On the invitation, i saw the words “white elephant”. I got so excited, and my mind began to race about what piece of junk I own would be the funniest gift. I looked in my closet, in my room and in the garage. I finally found a piece of junk that I could get rid of and would be the talk of the party. I couldn’t wait to get there and play the game.

On the night of the party, I kept laughing to myself at the poor person who would open my gift. After we sat down and drew numbers, the game began. When the first person opened their gift, it was nice. I was confused. The next person went, and their gift was nice as well. Did these people not know what a white elephant was? I opened the email while I waited for my turn. I read the whole thing that said, “White elephant style with a $20 minimum gift.”

When the person opened my gift, the looked confused. There wasn’t laughter at all. They said, “Really?” Another person chimed in, “That’s all?” The host said, “Maybe there’s a gift card in there.” Instead of bringing the best gift, I had brought the worst. I stayed silent as they asked who brought it. I was embarrassed and didn’t want to own up to it. I had to apologize later and offer them more. It got me thinking about the wisemen and how they didn’t just bring their leftovers. They brought their best gift that fit for a king.

Matthew 2:11 says, “They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (NLT). You and I may not have gold, frankincense or myrrh laying around, but we have giftings and talents we can offer the King. What are we offering Him? Is it our junk? Or is it our best gift? We will each present Him with something on judgement day. Let’s make sure we are giving God our best.

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I’m taking a much needed day of rest today. I hope you enjoy this devotional I wrote previously.

When Adam sinned, the consequences of his actions affected all of creation including mankind. Even as God pronounced the judgement for their sin, He also spoke of the coming redemption of man. With the birth of His Son, God showed His goodness for His children. He provided a way of forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus described God as a good father who gives His children what they need. Through Jesus, He took care of our greatest need in providing an atonement for sin. Beyond that, He cares for us as a shepherd cares for their sheep. He is actively involved in our lives and chasing after us with that goodness. If an earthly father knows how to give good gifts, How much more so does your Heavenly Father? This Christmas season, take time to notice the gift of God’s goodness in your life and reflect on the ways He has and is caring for you and your needs.

Here are some Bible verses on the goodness of God:

1. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalms 23:6 NLT

2. I know that I will live to see the Lord’s goodness in this present life.

Psalm 27:13 GNT

3. Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!

Psalm 31:19 ESV

4. So celebrate the goodness of God! He shows this kindness to everyone who is his. Go ahead—shout for joy, all you upright ones who want to please him!

Psalms 32:11 TPT

5. But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared [in human form as the Man, Jesus Christ], He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we would be justified [made free of the guilt of sin] by His [compassionate, undeserved] grace, and that we would be [acknowledged as acceptable to Him and] made heirs of eternal life [actually experiencing it] according to our hope (His guarantee).

Titus 3:4-7 AMP

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A.W. Tozer wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” I can tell you that usually it is an adjective or an attribute. So many think of God as a disciplinarian in the sky waiting for us to mess up so He can send us to hell. I don’t believe that description is true. Who would spend everything they have on something, then wait around and hope it fails? God paid for our sins with the death of His Son. That description doesn’t make sense.

One that does, and we rarely discuss, is His kindness. It’s not usually how we choose to describe God, but it’s one of the most accurate descriptions of Him. He is kind to you and me because of how much He loves us. He is constantly doing things for our good, and we hardly give Him credit for it. Today, let’s reflect on God’s kindness and look for the areas where He’s been kind to us. You’ll find that He’s shown you a lot more kindness than He has wrath.

Ephesians 1:6-8 says, “So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding” (NLT). As you think about the birth of our Savior this Christmas, remember it was God’s gift of kindness to humanity. Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world. He came to save it. It’s that kindness that draws us to repentance and salvation.

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Every Christmas people all over the world make lists of things they want in hopes of receiving the items as gifts. However, there are things we all need or want that rarely make the list. One of them is love. Each person, including you, has the need for love. It’s included in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs after physiological needs like air, food, water and shelter, as well as safety needs. That’s pretty high on the list for something we need. Granted, different people need different levels of love and for it to be shown in different ways, but it is something we need and crave. When we don’t feel loved it stunts our creativity, our growth as an individual and can cause mental health issues. Love is more than intimacy too. It is being accepted, having a sense of belonging and being part of a group.

The greatest two commandments, according to Jesus, are to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourself. God knew He placed this need in us so He commanded us to fulfill it for them. To help us do that, He gave us the Holy Spirit to produce fruit in our lives. The first fruit that the Spirit produces is love. How well is that fruit growing in your life? God has given us these fruits in order to meet the needs and wants that we all have. You can probably name reasons why you think someone doesn’t deserve love or why you shouldn’t give it to them, Romans 5:8 tells us that God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, He sent His son to die for us. It’s not a matter of whether we think they deserve love or not. God thinks they do and puts us in their path to share His love with them.

In John 13:24-35 Jesus said, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (NLT). God’s gift of love to the world is to be carried in our lives and given to others freely. Not only is it a fruit that should be produced in our lives, it’s the way people will be able to tell and prove that we are His disciples. I’m sure you can think of people who need God’s love right now. Ask God to give you ways to demonstrate it to them and to give you opportunities to show it. Whether they have their need to be loved on their Christmas list or not, they want it, and when we give them God’s love, we’ll be giving them the greatest gift of all.

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