This past week I heard a story about a romantic husband (I know what you’re thinking but it wasn’t me) who gave his wife a special Christmas gift…. a pair of gloves. The wife was a little disappointed at the getting a cheap pair of gloves but at her husband’s insistence she tried them own only to discover that in each finger hole there was a one hundred dollar bill. She soon discovered the gift within the gift.
This is the season where the Christian world remembers the gift of Jesus given to us by the Father. Yet in all the hustle and bustle of Christmas we too can forget to see the gifts found within the gift of Jesus. Those gifts include:
GRACE: Grace is when God gives me what I need not what I deserve. There are only two ways I can be saved. Either be perfect or be a recipient of God’s grace. I have already blown the first option so I need the gift of God’s grace.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11
INHERITANCE: As members of the family of God we get to share in the God’s inheritance. As those in the Old testament looked forward to the Promised Land we too as God’s children look forward to the ultimate inheritance of the glories of heaven (I Peter 1:4)
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:16-17
FORGIVENESS: By sending us His Son, God revealed his plan for Him to remove our guilt and sin. Jesus took on our punishment for our sin and through faith and obedience to the gospel we are cleansed by His blood. Through Jesus we can live a guilt free life and celebrate the gift of forgiveness found in the gift of the Christ.
“This is what real love is: It is not our love for God; it is God's love for us. He sent his Son to die in our place to take away our sins.” I John 4:10 (NCV)
TRUE LIFE: God’s gift of Jesus not only benefits us in the next life but in this life as well. Accepting the gift of Jesus gives our life a whole new purpose and a deeper meaning. In this gift of Jesus we discover other gifts such as peace, joy and a relationship with Him.
(Jesus) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
As we celebrate Christmas with family and friends please take time to remember the Savior and gifts found within the gift God gave us. Have a Merry Christmas
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
AS WHITE AS SNOW
This past week I was in upstate New York – it is a beautiful place and I had been up there several times before but never in the winter time. Needless to say I was a little nervous when I found the snowmobile crossing signs along the highway and became even more anxious when I heard the weather report.
The next morning as I was headed back home my fears were realized. From Jamestown to Erie PA I crept along the highway as white-out conditions enveloped me and the few other brave travelers out on the road. The snow deepened quickly and much to the chagrin of those drivers behind me I slowed to a crawl. You see, although I have lived in Ohio for 23 years this Tennessee boy still gets little fearful when he has to drive in a blizzard.
Finally I stopped for a break in order to re-gather my nerves and get some caffeine. It was while sitting in a restaurant that I saw the beauty of the snow and was reminded of a great promise from God. Snow can be messy, and shoveling it does my back no good. I don’t sled anymore, haven’t been in a snowball fight for a while and hadn’t made a snowman in several years. But in the midst of that blizzard and as the sun began to peek out from behind a cloud I saw it – the purity of the glistening snow and I was reminded of what God told his people. In Isaiah God said, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…” (1:18). Soon the snow took on a different meaning. I still don’t like to drive in it and shoveling it is no fun but it is a reminder of God’s love and grace and I praise Him not only for its physical beauty but because it helps me see his mercy that is in Christ. In Christ God I am as pure as snow because of his unfailing love. Thank you God for the snow.
The next morning as I was headed back home my fears were realized. From Jamestown to Erie PA I crept along the highway as white-out conditions enveloped me and the few other brave travelers out on the road. The snow deepened quickly and much to the chagrin of those drivers behind me I slowed to a crawl. You see, although I have lived in Ohio for 23 years this Tennessee boy still gets little fearful when he has to drive in a blizzard.
Finally I stopped for a break in order to re-gather my nerves and get some caffeine. It was while sitting in a restaurant that I saw the beauty of the snow and was reminded of a great promise from God. Snow can be messy, and shoveling it does my back no good. I don’t sled anymore, haven’t been in a snowball fight for a while and hadn’t made a snowman in several years. But in the midst of that blizzard and as the sun began to peek out from behind a cloud I saw it – the purity of the glistening snow and I was reminded of what God told his people. In Isaiah God said, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…” (1:18). Soon the snow took on a different meaning. I still don’t like to drive in it and shoveling it is no fun but it is a reminder of God’s love and grace and I praise Him not only for its physical beauty but because it helps me see his mercy that is in Christ. In Christ God I am as pure as snow because of his unfailing love. Thank you God for the snow.
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