Devotionals by Dr. Jeff Schreve
TOO STRESSED TO BE BLESSED THIS CHRISTMAS?
Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one… Luke 10:41-42
Do you feel a big rush at Christmas time? Do you have so much to do, and so little time to get it all done? Many have shopping to do … and parties to attend … and pageants to participate in … and trips to take to visit relatives … and food to prepare … and work to finish up … and more and more to get done before the Big Day. Sometimes the Christmas rush can steal your joy and peace. Sometimes you can secretly long for it to be over.
WHAT’S ON YOUR “TO DO” LIST?
Martha of Bethany was a dear lady who loved Jesus, yet she got all worried and bothered in her service for the Lord. She was cooking a meatloaf dinner for Jesus, and she wanted it to be just perfect. “I’m fixing meatloaf for the Master,” she said. At first, the emphasis was on her guest, the Lord Jesus, but slowly her emphasis shifted to the meal.
She lost her joy and peace because she got all focused on her meatloaf rather than her Master.
She was mad as a hornet that her sister, Mary, had left the kitchen to sit at the Lord’s feet and listen to His word… and she told Jesus to reprimand Mary and get her back to work. Surprisingly, Jesus gently reprimanded Martha. He told her that Mary was in the right, and she was in the wrong.
What was Martha’s problem? Her priorities were not His priorities. Her “to do” list had lots of things on it that Jesus did not think were very important. She was worried and bothered because her plate was so full of stuff … stuff that God never authorized. Could that be true of you?
CHRISTMAS INVENTORY
The key to a joyous Christmas is to make sure you stop and look at your “to do” list. Is your list crammed full of what you think is important, or what He thinks is important? Are you worried and bothered about things that really don’t matter that much? Are you focused on the meatloaf, or the Master? Is the main thing still the main thing for you?
Despite what the world says, Jesus really is the reason for the season. Take time every day to get alone with Him. Sit at His feet in quietness and adoration. Read His Word and talk to Him from your heart. Play some praise music and sing those words of worship back to Him. He inhabits the praises of His people.
You will be amazed at how your stress level will melt away to perfect peace as you keep Christ first and foremost in your Christmas. Remember, He is the Prince of Peace. If you are not experiencing peace right now, it is because the Prince is not reigning in your heart. Follow Mary’s lead and yield to Him today. You will be so glad that you did.
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.
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About From His Heart
From His Heart Ministries is the TV, Radio and Internet broadcast outreach of Dr. Jeff Schreve who believes that no matter how badly you have messed up in life, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. We’re on mission to help a new generation discover their creator through the preaching of the compassionate, relevant, yet uncompromised truth of the Gospel. Pastor Jeff speaks the truth in love with clear biblical content combined with engaging, personal stories. His messages are filled with life-giving principles for everyday living and eternal assurance.
On Television: From His Heart is seen each week on Lightsource and also around the world on The Hillsong Channel, NRBTV, The Walk TV, and hundreds of TV stations across America and around the world. Go to Click Here to find the station near you.
On Radio:Click Here to listen to the daily radio broadcast available on OnePlace.com as well as 720+ outlets across America.
About Dr. Jeff Schreve
Growing up in a church-going home, Jeff learned a lot about God, but he did not know God. He believed in Jesus in the same way he believed in George Washington: he knew Jesus was real, but had not personally met Him. All this changed one night after a Young Life meeting when he was alone in his bedroom. There Jeff saw his need for Christ and His forgiveness and surrendered his life to Jesus.
As a student at the University of Texas, Jeff grew in his Christian life. He graduated with a degree in business and moved back home to Houston, Texas to start a career in business. There he met his future wife, Debbie, at a single's group meeting at Champion Forest Baptist Church. They were married in 1986 and have been blessed with a wonderful relationship and three awesome daughters and two beautiful grandchildren.
A New Direction
After spending 13 years as a chemical salesman, God called Dr. Schreve to preach. He left his secure position and moved his family to North Carolina to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. It was a scary and difficult move to make ... but it was one of the best decisions they have ever made. One year later, God called them to serve on staff at Champion Forest Baptist Church. In 2000, he completed his Master of Divinity degree graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated with a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2014 from Southeastern Seminary.
Jeff Schreve has been the senior Pastor of First Baptist Texarkana in 2003, a growing and exciting church with 4500+ members.
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