Dear friend, I wish you a Merry Christmas. Today's promise verse is from John 3:16, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” God so loved you, little one. More than imagining that the Lord loves the whole world, He loves you individually. That’s why He has given His Son, Jesus Christ, for us. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift, Jesus Christ! During the Christmas season, we all go shopping to buy new clothes. There, we often see boards that say, “If you buy three shirts, you will get one shirt free.” After getting the free shirt, we are thrilled to receive it. How much more should we be thankful to God for the free gift He has given us, the greatest gift of all, His Son Jesus? Out of His love for you, the Lord has given you Jesus. This is the proof of His strong love toward you.

Once, a ship was sailing on the coast of the South American continent. It signalled another ship passing by, saying, “We are dying for water!” The other ship shouted back, “Dip it up then! You are in the mouth of the Amazon River.” There was fresh water all around them, and they had nothing to do but dip it up. Yet they were dying of thirst, thinking they were surrounded by salt water. How often are we like that, ignorant of the Lord being around us all the time, especially during times of trouble? We cry out to God, saying, “Where are You, Lord? I am perishing.” But we need not perish for lack of knowledge of Him, dear friend, for Jesus is so near to us.

We need only to go down, drink, and live. God so loved the world that He did not want anyone to perish in this world. He sent His Son to save us. God did this so that we would seek Him, reach out to Him, and find Him. Jesus is not far away from us. He is so close to you. Will you dip it up? Will you look to Jesus? He will make you live, dear friend. You need not die of want. The Lord does not want anyone to perish in this world. He will not allow you to die. You will live! You will live because of Jesus.

PRAYER: 
Loving Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your only Son, Jesus Christ, into this world so that I can have eternal life. Thank You for loving me personally, not just as part of the world, but as Your own precious child. Lord, please help me to truly understand the depth of Your love and to live in gratitude for the indescribable gift of Jesus. Remind me that You are much closer to me, more than I could imagine, and teach me to reach out to You, to drink deeply from Your living water, and to find life in Your presence. Let my heart always trust that in You, that I have all that I need in life when I have Jesus. Thank You, Lord, for the assurance that I will live because of Jesus.  In Jesus’ mighty name,  Amen.