James 1:17a, "Every good and perfect gift is from above...."
What is the greatest gift you have ever received? Think back
through all of the past Christmases, birthdays, and anniversaries. Was
it a bicycle? A pony? A doll? Your own cell phone or ipad or
computer? Parents, was it your first born child?
Think back to your spiritual birthday. Could your greatest gift be
the salvation given by your Heavenly Father and purchased by Jesus
Christ?
What made you desire the gift of salvation? Did you grow up in a
home or a church where you realized how much Jesus loves you and your
heart responded to that love by saying "yes" to Jesus? Did you realize
that you, as we all are, were a helpless sinner with a hopeless future
without Christ? Did you meet Christians who so glowed with the joy of
their salvation that you wanted what they had? Were you searching for
peace and purpose in life and discovered that you could only find them
in Jesus? Were you in a crisis situation and cried out for help?
However you came to know Christ, what difference does it make now
that you have Him in your life? Are you daily aware of this gift? Is
it changing your life bit by bit? Have you ever had a gift you laid on a
shelf or tucked away in a drawer and never used? Unfortunately, some
people treat their salvation that way. Have you ever received a gift
that was so unfamiliar you couldn't use it unless you read the
instructions? Fortunately, there is an instruction manual in how to use
the gift of salvation, and it is, of course, the Bible. Have you ever
had a gift--perhaps a teddy bear when when you were little--that you so
cherished you took it wherever you went and slept with it at night?
On television ads the ad men often say, "Wait. There's more." In
the Christian life there is more. Along with the gift of salvation is
the gift of God's Holy Spirit. With this gift comes power, insight,
wisdom, comfort, peace, joy, love, etc.--so much more. It is all ours
to use and enjoy.
When you have received a wonderful gift, it is natural to want
others to have that gift as well, especially those people you love the
most. Pray that God will use you to point others to Christ and to
salvation.
Father, I do pray that You will use each one who reads this devotional to point others to You. Amen.
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