God's Exchange Policy

For a few days the "return" lines at the major retail stores will be extremely long with folks returning Christmas gifts that won't fit or they just didn't like.  Some retailers have great return policies while others will help you to like what you don't like, and to wear what didn't fit well, to keep from having to exchange an item.

Most policies simply ask you to have the receipt and that the merchandise (if clothing) is not worn more than 5 times (JK).  Also some retailers limit the number of exchanges you can make without a receipt in a single year, and by Christmas time you have exceeded your limit of exchanges.

This morning I begin to thank about God's Exchange Policy.  God has been exchanging things for folks since "In the beginning..."  God exchanged darkness for light and one of Adam's ribs for a woman.  But God wasn't the only one making exchanges.  Adam exchanged life in the Garden of Eden for a life full of trouble, in which we all reaped from this exchange.

In the New Testament Jesus exchanged heaven for a crib, a crib for a cross, and a cross for a crown.  The Apostle Paul also tells us that one day we too can exchange things that are temporal for things that are eternal.

The key is to make sure we make the right exchange.  We can exchange hate for love, doubt for faith, and despair for hope.  With Christ we can exchange loneliness for comfort, turmoil for peace, and sadness for joy.

Tony Dungy in his devotional writes, "Never exchange what is eternal for what is temporary."  In a world of exchanges, make sure to exchange things that are temporal for things that are eternal.  

Jesus said, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
(Mark 8:36,37)

CHRISTMAS SHOULD BE A TIME OF GREAT JOY

"Christmas should be a time of great joy!"  However Christmas often is the most depressing time for many.  This really was not God's plan for Christmas.  It was not His plan to bring sadness but to bring great joy to all people.

John's gospel reminds us, "Until now you have asked nothing in My name.  Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24).

I use a quote this morning from "Uncommon Life Daily Challenge" by Tony Dungee:
"Whether or not we are "happy" on any given day is often dictated by the circumstances around us.  But joy is always there on any given day for those who serve a risen Savior."

I challenge you during this Christmas Season, not to allow circumstances to cause you to miss out on the joy that God brings to all of us.  Satan would love to rob you of your joy by distracting you with the cares of this world.  Focus on the blessings of God today that brings great joy to your life.  Most of all focus on Jesus, the Savior of the world that gives us great joy!

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of GREAT JOY, which shall be to all people" (Luke 2:10 KJV).