Tag Archives: gift

God’s Love For The World

Scripture

This scripture is part of a discourse between Jesus and Nicodemus. Jesus was explaining to him, Nicodemus, how Jesus, himself, is the Son of God and that He, Jesus, was to be the Savior of the world. Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus how God loved the world so much that whoever believes in Jesus shouldn’t perish but have everlasting life.

This is the ultimate act of love. Jesus giving Himself as our Savior because God loves us so much he doesn’t want to see us perish. So much grace and mercy here.

God is such a merciful and gracious God. What an awesomely amazing gift to us.

How does that affect you?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Abba Yah; how amazingly wonderful You are. Thank You to infinity and beyond. There’s not enough thank yous to cover how much I appreciate this gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, the Messiah. I pray that the readers of this blog have accepted You as their savior and live it out in their lives. I pray that we can be the best disciples of Jesus to share His Good News with those around us. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Which Side Are You On?

Luke 23-39-43

As children, when we attended school, we played schoolyard games and team captains would pick from the group of children to create their teams. The chatter among the children mentions who’s side they want to be on, as well as, who they don’t want on their team and who’s the best one’s to choose.

It’s the same way with adults. Nobody wants to be part of a “bad” team, do they? We all want to be on the best team, with the best captain.

It’s no different when it came to Calvary. The thieves hung on either side of Jesus. We know perfectly which team the one thief was on. One shouted insults at Jesus. “Save yourself and us.” Then the other criminal was sticking up for Jesus and stopping the mean one telling the mean one “You should fear God!” He knew who the best team captain was. He said to Jesus, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus chose him on that day. He said to the thief, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus chose the His team player. He prayed that thief right into paradise on the spot. The other thief was left to this world. Not a favorable place.

Which side do you choose? This is your choice. Jesus has already chosen you. It’s up to you to accept the invitation. What a great Christmas gift, ay?

One way to show who’s side you’re on:

While others panic, we pray. We should unashamedly pray, aloud, in public at appropriate times, like over meals in restaurants, etc. This is a simple act that lets the world know which side we are on.

Comment and let me know. I accept Jesus’ invitation to be on His side.

 

The Son

john316The SON
(Author Unkown)

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.” The young man held out this package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.”

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?”

There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.”

But the auctioneer persisted. “Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?”

Another voice angrily. “We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!”

But still, the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?”

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

“We have $10, who will bid $20?”

“Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.”

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more, worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!”

A man sitting on the second row shouted, “Now let’s get on with the collection!”

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.”

“What about the paintings?”

“I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!”

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: “The son, the son, who’ll take the son?”

Because you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

Who’ll take the Son? When you take the Son, you’ll get everything Heaven has. Comment your answer! Let’s be blessed with this gift!