Jesus: The Greatest Gift of All

Rhema TeamDecember 2019 WOFLeave a Comment

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The Christmas season is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. It should be a happy time of year. But for some people, it’s the opposite. It’s one of the saddest because many Christians and non-Christians are battling depression. When I thought about why that is happening, a scripture in the Book of John came to mind.

JOHN 10:10 (NKJV)

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

One way the devil can steal from us is when we take our minds off Jesus. Many people don’t focus their thoughts on Jesus, His life, and the abundance He came to provide. Instead, they dwell on what the thief—Satan—put in their lives to destroy them.

The devil knows if Jesus is our focal point, we will realize he is a defeated foe. So he does anything and everything he can to us. He wants us to keep our eyes on the problem instead of on our solution—Jesus Christ.

Jesus—The Waymaker

Trouble fills the world. Every day someone is challenged with economic difficulties or physical problems. Mankind battles an endless list of diseases. And many people struggle with emotional issues like fear, worry, hurt, and depression.

But nowhere in the Bible does it say that we have to fight the devil by ourselves. It’s not up to us to come up with solutions to the problems he brings our way. Jesus came into the world to overcome and defeat the devil. His victory on the cross makes it possible for us to live above the attacks of Satan.

When Jesus began His earthly ministry, He made God’s call on His life clear.

LUKE 4:18–19 (NKJV)

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

Notice that Jesus declared He was sent to heal the brokenhearted. If you are struggling with a broken heart, Jesus came to heal you.

Some people become depressed when they don’t see anything change in their lives. Maybe they have dealt with the same situation year after year. But no matter what they might face, Jesus is their way out.

Jesus—The Name Above All Names

It doesn’t matter what the name of your circumstance or problem is. Jesus’ Name is higher than it!

PHILIPPIANS 2:9–11

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

After Jesus’ death on the cross, He received a Name above every name. Nothing is higher than the Name of Jesus. We must keep our focus on Jesus’ Name and everything it provides. If we don’t, the circumstances in our lives will grow. They will become so huge in our minds that we doubt Jesus’ ability to help us.

The opposite happens the more we focus on Jesus. When our eyes are on Him, things like fear, depression, sickness, poverty, and financial problems will fade away. As we maintain our focus on the Word, the hardships we face become smaller. Eventually, they will disappear.

Our Heavenly Father is a turnaround God. He can reverse, dismantle, or undo any adversity we face.Craig W. Hagin

Nothing Is Too Hard for Our God

The Name of Jesus is above depression. It is above cancer, lack, and any other negative circumstance we might face. Too many times, however, we focus on troubles, trials, and sicknesses more than we do on Jesus.

When we keep our eyes and thoughts on Jesus, the joy of the Lord becomes the strength that carries us to victory (Neh. 8:10). It’s not that we are joyful because of what we are going through. No. We’re joyful because we know in Whom we believe. And we are confident that He will carry us through!

Our Heavenly Father is a turnaround God. He can reverse, dismantle, or undo any adversity we face. Mark 10:27 says, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” To us, a situation may look impossible. But not to God. Nothing is impossible with Him!

Jesus Is Greater!

One time I was diagnosed with an incurable disease. The word “incurable,” however, is below the Name of Jesus. What looked like an impossible situation and what medical science could not cure, the blood of Jesus and the Name of Jesus were able to heal!

First John 4:4 (NKJV) says, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” The Greater One dwells in us! Too many people fix their attention on the devil and believe that he is powerful. But Satan is small compared to Jesus. He doesn’t have any power or authority. He can only lie and trick you into thinking he can destroy your life.

Because of the Greater One in us, we have everything we need to be overcomers. As we steadfastly gaze on Jesus instead of problems, we will see a dramatic turnaround in our lives. So instead of allowing the cares of life to weigh us down during the holiday season, let’s rejoice in God’s precious gift to mankind. Jesus was born so we might have life and have it abundantly. Now that is a gift worth receiving!

Faith in Action

Overcoming Depression

One way to focus your thoughts on Jesus is by focusing on His Word. If you’re struggling and can’t seem to find peace, get to a quiet place and saturate yourself in God’s promises. Below is a list of scriptures for you to read over and over. Let them penetrate your heart, and confess them daily. Cling to them, regardless of how you feel. Your Heavenly Father is always with you. Look to Him! He will lead you out of depression and heartaches!

Deuteronomy 31:8 Isaiah 41:10

Psalm 40:1–3 Psalm 3:3

Psalm 34:18–19 Isaiah 40:31

Isaiah 42:3 Matthew 11:28–30

Romans 8:38–39 Psalm 34:17

Psalm 42:11 2 Corinthians 1:3–4



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Craig W. Hagin

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