10-29-2019

Good Morning All, 

    Ephesians 2:8; “God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God”

    Everyone loves to receive gifts.  We look forward to receiving items from our loved ones.  It can be things as simple as a card or a flower.  When our sons were little, we used to wrap up socks and t-shirts at Christmas time so they would have a few more presents under the tree.  They were excited about them.  We all love to receive presents and some are especially meaningful.

     Many years ago, my in-laws gave me a hand-crafted chess board.  It was made by an older member of our church out of the wood from the trees that grew around his farm.  This older member died a couple of years later.  This gift is special because of who gave it and who made it.  Another special gift I have received is from my father.  He gave me the pocket watch my grandfather received when he was confirmed.  I keep this in a special place and hope to give it to my grandson when he is confirmed.  Yet the most precious gift that I have ever received is the love and companionship of my wife of over 35 years.  It is the best gift I have.  I need it and rely on it each day.  Even at those times when I don’t treasure it as I should, it is irreplaceable.  

    Some gifts we receive and we treasure them.  Some we toss away and some we hide in the closet.  So how do you view your salvation?  Being saved is a gift from God but do you truly appreciate it?

    Do you take that gift and use it every day, relish it, cherish it and rely on it all the time?  Do you take it and place it on the shelf of your closet, out of sight and out of mind?  This is a choice we have.  God’s salvation is a tremendous gift; it gives to us each day.  God’s salvation brings us into God’s family, reconciling us back to him.  We receive his love, his comfort; he listens to us and gives us hope even at those times when we don’t treasure it as we should.  God gives us this faith to trust his salvation to allow us to cope with each day. 

    The devil and our own sinful nature loves to drag us down and to see our life as empty and without meaning or hope but God uses our faith to encourage us, to help us see and understand that we are his children, loved by a gracious God.  This is a gift that keeps giving but only helps us today if we use it today.  Too often we think of God’s grace and salvation as being good when we die; the truth is God’s grace is there for you right now; there is no need to wait.  It provides for us this very minute.

    It is also a gift which, when you possess it, you should share it with those whom you love.  Share with them the certainty of salvation, the comfort for today and the promise of tomorrow.

Gracious Father, you give to us the greatest gift through your Son Jesus.  You give us life and hope.  Give us the wisdom to use this gift every day.  Give us the presence to trust this wonderful gift and to keep it precious in our life.  Lead us to share this gift with those around us, especially those most in need of your care.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret