CHRISTmas By Christopher Winters

Father God, thank You for knowing what is best for me and shutting the door on things that are not.   Amen

Luke 4:1-13

 
God knows the way.  The hardest thing to do is to let go of our way. Do you ever look back over your life at things you desperately desired or wanted, didn't get and today you are thankful?  I can think of many things, people and places that I so wanted but God shut the door.  Why, because He knows better than us, what is good for us. 

At the time you are wishfully thinking about it, no one could convince you that what you want is not the best thing for you.  Your flesh and mind says yes, you are determined, come hell or high water, to go get it.  As I get older and look back over my life, I am ever grateful to serve a God who knows me, knows what I need, and best and most of all, knows what I  DO NOT need. 

There is enough heartache and grief in this life without adding to it. What I should pray daily is Lord do not allow me to be influenced by people who will lead me off the path you have set for me.  You know people can influence us, right?  If we are not fully focused in and on Christ, we can allow people to come into our lives and with flowery words or influence to mislead us. 

Remember how the devil tried to mislead Jesus while he was in the wilderness for 40 days fasting?  Jesus' focus was doing the will of his Father.  Because of that and his knowing the Word, he was able to rebuke every word the devil threw his way.  We have that same power in us.  There were times when I did not think that I could control the desires that rose up in my flesh but over the years, I have discovered that it is in me because the Spirit of God that guides me, is in me.  

  
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only on, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16