8 Degrees

It's 8 degrees outside this morning.

Cold Arctic air has wended its way southward and the Mid West and East Coast of the United States are experiencing a deep freeze.

Unless you are among the hardiest of souls, you will busy yourself indoors today.

Yet, apart from the drastically low temperatures across the nation, the warmth of the ONE whose birth we have celebrated stands in contrast to the reading on the thermometer.

When the icy cold fingers of disappointment or despair or discouragement or depression endeavor to wrap themselves around you, allow yourself to reach out to the warm hand of the Savior who comes to set you free from not only sin but also the debilitating consequences of sin.

When the frosty chill of anger or hatred engulf your emotions because of wrongs that have been done to you, allow the warmth of the love and forgiveness that flow from God's own heart to yours to rise up within you and melt the hardness of your own heart and overflow it with the freeing emotion that Jesus expressed on the cross, "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do."

You need JESUS in all seasons of your life, but HIS warmth makes the most difference for your good and for the glory of GOD when HE comes at the times when you are cold.

Let HIS love warm you. Let HIS love melt your cold heart Let HIS love transform you into a warm reflection of HIMSELF.

Today, whether surrounded by family or curled up with hot cocoa, battling the ferocity of loneliness, Jesus wants to fill you with His love.