I’m trying to imagine my folks buying Christmas presents for all of us kids. Everything came from Spiegel catalogue. We got a couple presents, perhaps $2.98 apiece, but our excitement equaled that of expensive gifts when we opened them. A doll , coloring books and crayons, cardboard punch-out dolls and clothes delighted us. It was the only time we received presents.
 
Gale and I Christmas shop on the internet. Our children often send a link in an email, giving us ideas. That makes it easy. When they were small and money was tight, we bought cheap dime store toys and they didn’t know the difference. Times have changed, but not the magic.

Do we make the most of our walk with God? Do we realize how important that is? It’s not normal for those who have made a profession of faith in Christ not to walk with him. Look around us. What is influencing us? Is it godly or ungodly? There is no grey area. Our walk with God should progress the gospel of Jesus Christ, sharing it with others.
 
The Apostle Paul shared the gospel, putting his life in danger and winding up in jail. While there he wrote letters to the churches speaking of his joy for them. He may not have been happy in jail, but he had joy. That’s what salvation gives that the world doesn’t.
 
John Bunyan’s preaching was so brave that he was imprisoned. But he had the joy of his salvation. He preached to prisoners. They say people came to the edge of the prison to listen to him preach. The church unsuccessfully tried to silence him. He wrote the famous Pilgrims Progress.
 
Are you making the most of your walk with God?

When Gabriel, the angel, addressed Mary as highly favored – the Lord is with thee – blessed art thou among women; Mary wondered what kind of salutation is this?
 
She would have a son and call him Jesus. He would be great and be called the Son of the Highest. God would give him the throne of his father David, He would reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there would be no end.
 
“How?” Mary said, “I know no man.”
 
Gabriel continued. The Holy Ghost shall come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore also the holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.
 
Did Mary freak out and wonder what people would say? No. She said, “Be it unto me according to thy word.”
 
Knowing God’s Son was growing inside her, I don’t think she was surprised when He:
Walk on water
Set sinners free
Gave sight to the blind
Calmed a storm with his hand
Caused the deaf to hear
Caused the dead to live again
Caused the lame to leap
Caused the dumb to speak

How’s your heart? God’s heart for the world is expressed clearly through our Savior Jesus Christ: …for God so loved.
 
Man is the only creation where God breathed life into his heart. God made man to reflect his glory. But the heart changed. Adam sinned and that heart that was once perfect became tainted and reflected the glory of man.
 
Evil is ugly. Sometimes I am amazed at how mean some school kids can be. How can something sweet and precious as a child speak venom. Where does that come from? It comes from the heart.
 
When man’s heart no longer glorifies God, we have a picture of God's heart breaking with grief. When we allow sin in our life it grieves God’s heart. Have you grieved God this week?
 
How’s your heart?
 
Search me Oh God and know my heart today. If you have a question about your heart, ask God for guidance. He will show you.