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Word to the Wise
Read today's verses.
Look at any nativity scene, and you’ll likely see one set of characters that doesn’t seem to fit in the barn: the Wise Men. We’ve become used to them, but if you look at the scene closely, they appear out of place with their fancy clothes and special gifts.
But to me, they’re the most fascinating people in the Christmas story. We don’t know much about them. We don’t know who they are or where they are from. The Bible calls them “magi.” Magi were a combination of philosophers, scientists, and astronomers. They were quite wealthy and well educated. But that’s really all we know about them.
But we know they were wise. In fact, we can learn a lot from the wisdom they display in the Christmas story.
Among other lessons from the Wise Men, we learn to be seekers of the truth. Wise people aren’t happy with guesses or speculation. They want to know the truth about God, their past, and their future. The Wise Men asked, “Where is the baby who was born to be the king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2a NCV)
The Wise Men were seeking Jesus. Wise men and women still seek him today.
There are two kinds of people in life when it comes to truth: speculators and seekers. Speculators make guesses about the truth. Speculators think they know what God is like.
Speculators love to argue and discuss God, but they’re just guessing — because they don’t really want to know the truth. They only want to talk about him.
On the other hand, God loves those who take the time to find the truth. Seekers do four things:
• They ask questions.
• They study.
• They watch what is happening around them.
• They do whatever it takes to find answers.
They seek after Jesus with all they have. God loves seekers. The Bible tells us, “But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV).
If you are genuinely serious about discovering the truth, you can’t miss it.
God won’t let you.
Read today's verses.
Look at any nativity scene, and you’ll likely see one set of characters that doesn’t seem to fit in the barn: the Wise Men. We’ve become used to them, but if you look at the scene closely, they appear out of place with their fancy clothes and special gifts.
But to me, they’re the most fascinating people in the Christmas story. We don’t know much about them. We don’t know who they are or where they are from. The Bible calls them “magi.” Magi were a combination of philosophers, scientists, and astronomers. They were quite wealthy and well educated. But that’s really all we know about them.
But we know they were wise. In fact, we can learn a lot from the wisdom they display in the Christmas story.
Among other lessons from the Wise Men, we learn to be seekers of the truth. Wise people aren’t happy with guesses or speculation. They want to know the truth about God, their past, and their future. The Wise Men asked, “Where is the baby who was born to be the king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2a NCV)
The Wise Men were seeking Jesus. Wise men and women still seek him today.
There are two kinds of people in life when it comes to truth: speculators and seekers. Speculators make guesses about the truth. Speculators think they know what God is like.
Speculators love to argue and discuss God, but they’re just guessing — because they don’t really want to know the truth. They only want to talk about him.
On the other hand, God loves those who take the time to find the truth. Seekers do four things:
• They ask questions.
• They study.
• They watch what is happening around them.
• They do whatever it takes to find answers.
They seek after Jesus with all they have. God loves seekers. The Bible tells us, “But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV).
If you are genuinely serious about discovering the truth, you can’t miss it.
God won’t let you.
Scripture
About this Plan
For too many people, Christmas has become a long to-do list that leaves them weary and wishing for Dec. 26. In this series of messages, Pastor Rick wants to help you remember the reason you celebrate Christmas and why it should change not just the way you celebrate the holidays but the rest of your life as well.
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This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
