GIFTS, GIFTS, AND MORE GIFTS

 

As we get nearer and nearer to Christmas are you thinking about GIFTS?  You are if you are like most people.  Perhaps you are thinking about what GIFT to buy for your parents or what GIFT to buy for your brothers and sisters or what GIFT to buy for your best friend.  Maybe you are even thinking about the GIFTS you hope to receive this year.  Will you get the new bike you've always dreamed of?  Will you get the roller blades you've had your eye on?  How about the Hokey Pokey Elmo?  Or the Playstation 2?  It's so easy to get caught up in thinking about GIFTS at Christmas time. 

 

God also talks about a GIFT in the Bible.  God says in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."  That verse means that God saves you from the punishment of your sin when you have faith and trust in His Son, the Lord Jesus.  You can't take credit for saving yourself.  Being saved from sin is not a reward for the good things we have done, so we can't brag or boast about it.  It is a GIFT from God. 

 

God's GIFT of salvation and forgiveness for the wrong things we've done is free to us, but it cost God dearly.  It cost God His Son.  Jesus, the perfect Son of God, had to die by being nailed to a wooden cross.  He shed His blood to pay for your sins and mine.  The Bible says in 1 John 1:7 that, "The blood of Jesus Christ God's Son makes us clean from all sin."  After Jesus died, He was buried in a tomb.  The good news is He came back to life and is still living today up in Heaven.

 

Have you received God's free GIFT of salvation and forgiveness of sin?  Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus as your Savior?  If you're ready to do that today, perhaps you'd like to sincerely pray this simple prayer: "Dear God.  I know I've done wrong things.  Please forgive me for my sins.  I believe Jesus died on the cross for me and rose again.  I receive Jesus as my Savior today." 

 

There's nothing wrong with bikes and games and other toys at Christmas, but don't forget to thank God for Jesus -- the best GIFT of all.

 

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If you have any questions about this Mousetales story or if you want to talk further about receiving Jesus as your Savior, please e-mail Miss Missy at cef-cm@bwkip.com

 

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