Good Morning All,
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 one of my grandsons. Yet the
most precious gift that I have ever received is the love and companionship of
my wife of over 45 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 love 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
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