I came that they may have life.

From yesterday's Solid Joys - Daily Devotional with John Piper:

"O, don’t let all the sweet things of this season become substitutes of the final great, all-satisfying Sweetness. Let every loss and every delight send your hearts a-homing after heaven. Christmas. What is it but this: I came that they might have life."

This morn, I was overcome with frustration and anger. My heart was yearning for some things that I cannot control; my mind was swirling with false memories - attacking my worth and trust in God's best plan for me. Tears stained my pillows, and I just wanted to be in the dark to wallow in selfishness... oh, but no power of Hell can overcome me. I prayed for His spirit to intervene in my mind and heart, to set me free from the bondage of guilt, self-control, and selfishness. I prayed for God's forgiveness to overwhelm me - and by His forgiveness, forgive others - even those who hurt me most. In the spirit of Christmas, reconciliation rings over and over again. God sent His own very Son, Jesus Christ, to bring peace on this Earth.  By His blood, once and for all, we are no longer separated from our Father in Heaven. Instead, we have full access to Him and the power of the Spirit in us through Jesus Christ. What an amazing grace. This is Christmas - new life and new hope.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)