He Lives Within You
by Max Lucado
The virgin birth is more, much more, than a Christmas story; it is a picture of how close Christ will come to you. The first stop on his itinerary was a womb. Where will God go to touch the world? Look deep within Mary for an answer.
Better still, look deep within yourself. What he did with Mary, he offers to us! He issues a Mary-level invitation to all his children. "If you'll let me, I'll move in!"
Proliferating throughout the scriptures is a preposition that leaves no doubt- the preposition in. Jesus lives in his children.
John was clear, "Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them" 1 John 3:24 (NIV, emphasis mine).
Christ grew in Mary until he had to come out. Christ will grow in you until the same occurs. He will come out in your speech, in your actions, in your decisions. Every place you live will be a Bethlehem, and every day you live will be a Christmas. You, like Mary, will deliver Christ into the world.
God in us! Have we sounded the depth of this promise?
God was with Adam and Eve. God was with Abraham. God was with Moses and the children of Israel. God was with the apostles.
But he is in you. You are a modern-day Mary. Even more so. He was a fetus in her, but he is a force in you. He will do what you cannot.
Can't stop drinking? Christ can. And he lives within you.
Can't stop worrying? Christ can. And he lives within you.
Can't forgive the jerk, forget the past, or forsake your bad habits? Christ can! And he lives within you.
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/12/19/ml_he-lives/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Max Lucado
From: Next Door Savior
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2003)
To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/info/view/about_max_lucado/
Tags: depend, God's love, grace, Holy Spirit, hope, Jesus
December 19th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Thank you for reminding us about Mary, the mother of Jesus, who surrendered her will to the will of God, and brought our Savior into the world. So often she is barely mentioned. And thank you for reminding us that Jesus comes into us and provides help and wisdom when we most need it in our lives. God bless in this Blessed Season of Love, Joan
December 19th, 2009 at 8:45 am
it makes me so happy to know that God is wi th me all the time, through the good days and bad days. I know that he is with me as I ma dealing with My Aunts illness Alzheimers, he know s how hard it is for us to see her like this. And yes even though she does not know what is going on I do believe in my heart that her love for God is still there.
December 19th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Very good devotional, really inspiring.
Jesus is the Alfa and the Omega. We can do everything we want with Jesus.
Thank you.
December 19th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
This is PROFOUND!!!.....Indeed, I contemplated along this line some time ago in my quiet time and soul-searching! Glory to God!
December 19th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I Know that God lives within me and it is such a beautiful way of life. Things that I usedto worry about, I know longer worry about because I know that God is in control. When peoplecome against me I know that I can turn the other way and look towards him because he is in control.
Praise the Lord for all that he does is good and all good things come from him.
December 21st, 2009 at 10:47 am
Thanks for this amazingly inspiring devotional.
May God bless you richly in this Christmas season.