Better Than We Deserve

One of the greatest expressions of Christmas is to realize God sent His Son to give us better than we deserve. We should never be arrogant with God but we should also not be fearful and timid to accept God’s best in our lives.

Christmas is the time when many people feel trapped in their past. They regret about what life could have been. While it’s not bad to do some soul-searching and not repeat our mistakes, it’s never right to feel condemned about our past. The Bible says that the devil is the accuser of the brethren. If you’ve done wrong and repented for it, you have nothing to regret about. There’s nothing you’ve done that is beyond God’s reach to forgive. Don’t beat yourself up for what happened in the past. Accept God’s love, forgiveness and mercy.

One of the things Jesus came to deliver on earth is God’s mercy. Unlike many people think, God is not waiting for us to make a mistake so He can punish us. Sin cannot be punished twice. He has already dealt with our sins on the cross. The gifts that are under your tree is nothing compared to the Gift that hung on the tree. He doesn’t give us what we deserve; He gives us what we can never earn for ourselves. God’s mercy is so great for us that He gave heaven’s most prized possession. While we were yet sinners, Christ loved and died for us. That is God’s mercy! We don’t have to perform, we don’t have to keep the rules and the laws; we just have to accept His mercy. When we humble ourselves at His mercy seat, we inherit the royal robe, the signet ring and the welcome home banquet. God has forgiven you. Now it’s time for you to forgive yourself.

A great many people today are sick in their bodies. I have a friend who hasn’t had a good night’s sleep for weeks. Others are fighting terminal illness. No matter what your sickness or physical illness are God sent His Son to restore your health. We should respect medical science but never underestimate God’s power to heal. The Bible says that He’s the greatest Physician; He’s more than a doctor – He’s our Healer. No sickness is too hard for Him to heal. He can even bring the dead back to life and you’re not dead yet! Friend, I want you to muster up a new hope today. Visualize a mental picture of you – healthy, happy able to live the dream you once envisioned. I encourage you to put up your pictures on the mirror and walls when you’re strong. Every time you see yourself, say this prayer, “Thank you Lord for divine health springing forth in my life. My best days are ahead of me. I will live full and healthy life that you have for me through Jesus. By His stripes, I’m healed.” 

 

Many people cannot accept better than they deserve because they’re prisoners of drugs, alcohol, depression, addiction and emotional pain. If this is you, I have good news for you. Jesus came not only to give us eternal life (in heaven) but also abundant life here on earth. Friend, the Good News of Christmas is that captives will be released and the oppressed will be set free. God is not mad with you; He is madly in love with you. There’s never going to be a better time than this to let go of your hang ups and receive God’s free flowing mercy. God’s not like Santa checking His list twice to see if you’ve done good enough to bless you. He has already decided to bless you. Christmas is the evidence! He will give us better than we deserve.

A great way to show our gratitude to God’s grace and mercy is to forgive those who have hurt us. Too many Christians today are guilty of holding a grudge against one another. Don’t let that be you. The Scripture teaches that when we harbor unforgiveness and resentment, it becomes a root of bitterness. When the root is bad our fruits will be rotten also. When you forgive, you let a prisoner free – that prisoner is you. Don’t seek to pay people back. Don’t take revenge. When you let go and begin to trust God and trust people again, you’ll see the glory of God’s power in your life. God has better things in store than we deserve. What do you have for God?

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10 ESV).

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Don’t Answer to Your Critics

One of the greatest tests of maturity is how we handle criticism. If you’re doing anything worthwhile with your life, people will talk. How we learn to handle criticism will determine how far we will go.

I used to be a very insecure person. I didn’t take criticism well. I had to defend myself in the most insignificant things. I created scenes and embarrassed people. Often I was winning arguments but I was a small person inside. As I began to develop God-fidence, I started to handle criticism in a much healthier way.

Have you noticed that the only people who get criticized are those who are doing something? Usually they’re criticized by people who are not doing anything. Let me sound the alarm. If you want to do anything significant with your life, you’ll be criticized. Don’t sink down to the level where people are talking down on you. You protest, “Sandy, that’s not fair. Why can’t I tell them off and put the record straight?” Here’s why. They’re not going where you are going!

In my language, there’s a saying, “Let the elephant walk and the dogs bark.” The bigger you are the less you need to defend yourself. Let your walk do all the talking. When God begins to promote you, all sorts haters will come out of the woodworks. Don’t defend yourself. Let God be your judge. He will pay you back.

Once, Prophet Elisha was passing through a small city. A bunch of young people began to make fun of him calling him bald. Elisha was annoyed but he didn’t respond to the negative talk. He simply prayed. When he turned around, two female bear had come out from the woods and mauled forty-two young men! There are two lessons to be learned here. Number one; never make fun of a bald person! Number two; don’t criticize a Man of God. Friend, don’t worry about your critics. Instead of defending yourself, use all that energy to advance yourself. God will vindicate you. Let the elephant walk…

This is what a young British lad did when he failed in sixth grade. He tried a hand at politics but there was no room for him there. He was defeated in every single election for public office. Multitude criticized him. Winston Churchill continued to serve and inspire his countrymen on the radio. At the age of sixty two, he became the British Prime Minister and saved his country from the Nazi invasion. Last month I had the privilege of standing under his monument in the middle of the busy streets of London. Once people criticized Churchill but today people from all over the world come to pay tribute and celebrate his life. When you learn to ignore criticism, you too will inspire many others. Ignore the criticism and keep moving forward. You’re going places where no one else has gone before!

One of the worst critics you’ll ever face in life is yourself. When we belittle ourselves, it is far more destructive than any other criticism against us. Too many people today look down on themselves. Don’t let that be you. You’re created in the very image of God. He breathed His life into you. You are God’s perfect ten! Your failure is an event; it doesn’t define who you are. The Scripture says that the devil is the accuser of the brethren. Don’t assist the devil by thinking one iota less than what God made you to be. You’re God’s most valued possession. Our performance has nothing to do with God’s acceptance of us. He loved us while we were yet sinners. Accept His grace and forgiveness. There’s nothing wrong with you!

Friend, let’s grow up. You don’t have to answer to every critic. Use the criticisms to fuel you to your next level. Don’t seek revenge. Let God be your vindicator. Don’t judge others and you won’t be judged. God will pay you back for the backtalk. You’re going places where no one else is going. Greatness awaits you at the top. I believe in you! Let the elephant walk…

“God will vindicate the righteous” (Psalm 37:6).

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