Open your Heart

Open your heart

Thank you Jesus for yet another year, a year of blessings, another year of providing in every area of our lives. Yes, we had challenges, even your Word says that we will have trouble (John 16:33), but we know that because we live with your Spirit in us, you have overcome every obstacle we had and if we currently still dealing with challenges, that it has already been taken care of (Heb 11:1). Thank you Jesus!

When it comes to this time of the year, most people are tired, frustrated and irritated, but for many this is nearly over as we approach the holidays. The good news is that we don’t need to wait until the holidays before we can find some rest and recharge. God says in Isaiah 40:30-32: Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Let us all get some of this FREE energy to help us through the last few days or weeks of this year. The well-known energy drink make use of a great slogan: “Red Bull gives your wings”, but it does come at a price and it only lasts a few hours. The renewed strength God offers us in Isaiah is for FREE and you can ask for it whenever you want and as much as you want. Not only can we get a free energy boost, but according to Matthew 11:28, we can even find rest: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Wow, what an awesome God we serve!

Not all people though will be going on holiday, in fact, many people working in retail and those working for emergency services such as police and hospitals, will be working most of the time. If you will be working over this time, claim your strength and rest from God, it is free and all you need to do is ask and then have faith (Matt 7:7).

If you will be going on holiday, please don’t forget those who won’t, those who will be working and protecting you, those who cannot afford to go away, those who don’t have a home, who don’t even have the money for a nice Christmas lunch and those who will be alone. We need to remember what Christmas is all about, a time to get loved and spoiled, but more importantly a time to give love and spoil others. Christmas is about the birth of Christ, the greatest give ever given to mankind and it came without you paying or even asking for it. Why not share this good news with others this Christmas!

I want to close with a special Word from Matthew 25:35-40: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Let us have a joyful Christmas, take the break we deserve, rest, recharge and spoil ourselves, but let us not forget those who are in need! Let us reach out to them, spoil them, help them, pray with and for them and give them some love and attention. Every year on Christmas Day, me and my wife goes out on the streets, reach out to the poor and offer to pray for them. Why not give it a try this year?  Most of us have a big Christmas lunch, so why not take some of the food to your local police station, visit an Old Age Home in your area, hand out food or small gifts to the homeless and while doing so, share some love and pray with them. Remember, when we do this to those in need, we do this to Jesus!

May God bless you, protect you and spoil you over the holidays. Merry CHRISTmas!

Jaco van As
Managing Director
Jesus to my Rescue Ministries & Outreach