“It’s time to open gifts!” announced mom. The children gathered around Jacquelyn eager to see what birthday gifts hid inside each package. “RIP! RIP! RIP!” Jacquelyn excitedly torn off the wrapping paper from Andrea’s gift box.
“EEEE!” Her delighted squeal turned into giggles as she pulled out the bike helmet and placed it on her head. “Wait,” said Andrea, “there’s more in the box.” Jacquelyn’s face lit up. Grabbing the box she rapidly dug in sending tissue paper flying through the air. Triumphantly she held up her other gift. “BEEP! BEEP!” A purple bike horn for her new bike. “BEEP! BEEP!”
THE GIFT
Why did Andrea give Jacquelyn a gift? Because she loved her. Isn’t that why God gives us gifts, too? The gift we most often associate with God is the gift of salvation, isn’t it?
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:8
Let’s imagine the gift of salvation comes in a box like the ones Jacquelyn got for her birthday. We open the box, pull out the gift of salvation, then put the box aside.
But wait a minute….
What happened with Jacquelyn? She opened the box, took out a gift, but when she went to put it aside, Andrea said, “There’s more in the box.” Well, wait – there’s more than one thing in God’s gift box, too.
WHAT ELSE IS IN THE BOX?
We may be surprised at what else we find in the box. Besides salvation, God’s gift box overflows with His loving promises, mercy and grace. It is abundantly full of free gifts lovingly given by God and available to us all, such as:
The Gift of Hope
Now may the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,
Romans 15:13
The Gift of Strength
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10.
The Gift of Peace
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
The Gift of Forgiveness
If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,
1 John 1:9
Which sins does the Lord forgive? ALL of them! Not only does He forgive when we ask,
He also removes them far away from us.
As far as east is from west—
that’s how far God has removed our sin from us,
Ps. 103:12 CEB
Those are just a few of the wonderful gifts God desires each of us to receive.
HOW DO WE GET THESE GIFTS?
DIG!
Just as Jacquelyn had to dig in the box to receive more gifts, we do too. Developing a deeper relationship with Jesus, is our way of digging into God’s gift box. As we dig, we find His treasures of wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
If you seek her, (wisdom, understanding, discernment), as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:1,4,5
The more we dig, the more we receive.
Why? Because as our faith, our trust, grows in Jesus, we are more receptive to receiving from Him.
Look at Jacquelyn. She trusted Andrea to tell her the truth. Therefore, Jacquelyn eagerly dug through Andrea’s gift box and received another gift. Imagine if someone else had given her the box…
Doesn’t the type of relationship we have with a person influence our decision to receive from them? Would you take a gift from a stranger? In this day and age, most of us would shy away from a stranger offering gifts. We might even be leery of receiving when we only have a superficial relationship with someone like Mr. Bill.
The closer our relationship to Jesus,
the stronger our bond of faith
which makes it easier to receive
His gifts.
We don’t earn the gifts. They are given in love, mercy and grace no matter who we are or what we have done.
All we have to do is dig into a deeper relationship with Jesus to receive what’s in God’s gift box.
REFLECTION
Have you dug into God’s gift box?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Proverbs 2:1,4,5 and say it aloud, grow my faith to keep digging with Jesus and receive all You have for me. In Jesus name. Amen.
BY FAITH KEEP DIGGING
Comment!
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
Photo cat, Katya Gusevao
Photo dog, Timothy Gikas
Photo shovel, Tio-Tono
