Day 3 - My True Love Gave to Me...

I've been humming "The 12 Days of Christmas".

"... four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves,...",
and I am pleasantly distracted by the phrase "...my True Love gave to me". 

The Lord wants to give us a gift during these 12 days,... 
Himself.
His Presence.
 
God refers to Himself as a husband, a lover.  He jealously desires to be our First Love. In the book of Hosea we see His steadfast, faithful love, to an adulterous people with wandering hearts, and we see His justice and wrath as he sends His wicked and rebellious people into captivity.  He will not tollerate sin, but it is always His desire to restore the harlot, sweep her off her feet, bring her to a quiet place in the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.

The One True Lover of your soul longs to spend time with you in the secret place of prayer. He wants to hold you, comfort you, and encourage you. Do not be like Hosea's wife, or Israel, who turned to others rather than resting in the embrace of unconditional love.


"This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.'" - Isaiah 30:15
 
(Jesus said,) "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" - Luke 13:34
 
 
Does your relationship with God seem stale?  When we are too proud, busy, or preoccupied to seek Him, passion turns to "religion" and prayer turns to "obligation".  The Lord is pursuing you and wants to romance you with a relationship so intimate that it meets your deepest needs.

Before you pray, choose a few of these verses to write in your journal.
If you have extra time read the verses surrounding these passages to get a feel for the context.
  • Hosea 2:14 and verse 19
  • Isaiah 54:5 and 62:5
  • Revelation 2:4
  • 2 Corinthians 11:2
PRAYER CHALLENGE:

This challenge has two parts. You can pick one or both!

  • write a "Thank you, Lord" statement for each item on your TOP 12 list
(Remember the command from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "in everything give thanks" and ask the Lord to show you specifically how to give thanks in each situation.)

For example:
"Lord, I give thanks for _________ and for how you are using this to build patience and optimism into my life."
or
"Thank you for ________; without _______ I would not appreciate forgiveness or grace."
 
  • make your own list of 12 Things 'My True Love Gave to Me'
Rather than writing generic list of blessings, each item should be something personal:  an answered prayer, or an unanswered prayer, a sentimental gift, a need met, a specific scripture, a song you heard at "just the right time", a special person the Lord used in your life, a painful situation the Lord worked for good, etc.

 
If you are having trouble coming up with 12 items, ask the Lord, "Would You tuck special 'just-for-me' blessings into this day to remind me that You see me and know me?" Go ahead and list the numbers 1 through 12 and be ready to record how the Lord woos you.

Thankfulness is the wrapping on God's gifts of contentment and joy.
Don't miss out by leaving them unwrapped.

EVENING MEDITATION:

This is a season of "JOY".

"Joy to the world, the Lord is come!"
"Good Christian men, rejoice with heart and soul and voice!"

Ponder this...

My True Love,


the promised Messiah, the Savior which is Christ the Lord,

gave to me...
Himself,


His life, His righteousness, His unconditional love,
forgiveness for my sins, peace with God, eternal life,
 hope, peace, and abiding joy
 
This is the "good tidings of great joy". (Luke 2:10)


"Son of God" - Micheal W. Smith



"All is Well"  - Micheal W. Smith