Connecting the Dots For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Remember the game we used to play when we were kids called connect the dots? Typically you would have a piece of paper with many rows of dots that you would pass back and forth with a friend seeing who could connect the most dots. I have so enjoyed this Christmas season as we have been unwrapping the gifts Jesus came to bring: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. As I have been reading the gospels for my devotions I want to connect the dots on a couple of things I have seen. As Pastor Tammy pointed out this past weekend, we see in the gospels that Jesus connects the dots between gratitude and joy. “Let us then sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy” (Psalm 107:22). We might first think that joy brings about gratitude. …show more content…
Actually, the opposite is true; thankfulness is the doorway to joy. When we are thankful and practice gratitude we see our joy rise. The second connecting of the dots is the connection between contentment, prayer and His peace. 6“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Not sure how things are with you today, but maybe God’s Peace eludes you. I invite you to pray and give all things over to Him. He can handle every worry, every anxiety, and every situation. You pray and receive His peace. A third set of dots are the connection between hope and