“God has reserved for his children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” 1 Peter 1:4 (TLB)
Would you like to have a gift that lasts forever?
Some gifts just don’t last. As a kid I got some gifts on Christmas morning that were broken by noon. There are some gifts you receive that you don’t even want. Fifty years ago, it was actually cool to give people a Pet Rock!
God offers you a gift that’s going to last forever: a new destiny.
This gift means more to me than ever after the death of my son. I now have a child in heaven. I have a lot of friends in heaven. I have a father and mother and brother in heaven. If my son Matthew were able to contact me right now, he would say to me, “It is so much better than you told me. I can’t wait for you to get here.”
How do I know my son is in heaven? Because one day he had accepted God’s greatest gift; he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. I was there when it happened. Matthew received the gift of eternal life. It’s an offer and a promise available to anyone who believes in faith. The Living Bible paraphrase says it like this: “God has reserved for his children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay” (1 Peter 1:4).
God sent the first Christmas gift, Jesus, to die for you so that you could go to heaven. Through Jesus, you also get the gifts of a new identity, a new ability to change the things you want to change, a spiritual community to support your new life in Christ, and a new destiny in eternity.
You’re never going to get a gift like that anywhere else. It’s the greatest gift you will ever receive.
All you have to do is humbly and gratefully accept these gifts. The Message paraphrase says, “It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open” (Acts 10:34-35).
The door is wide open. Choose the gift of Jesus today, and you’ll experience all the gifts God has in store for those who love and follow him.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV).
If you have received God’s gift of salvation, have you also taken advantage of the other gifts God offers—a new identity, a new ability to change, a new spiritual community, and a new destiny? Why or why not?
Why do you think God gave us gifts not just for eternity but also for our time on earth?
Who do you know that needs to hear about the gift God offers them through Jesus? What will you do about it?
Have you received God’s gift of salvation through Jesus?
If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, then pray this prayer:
“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.
“I confess my sin, and I believe that you are God, my Savior. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning every part of my life over to you. I want to follow you and do what you tell me to do.
“Jesus, I am grateful for your love and for your sacrifice that makes it possible for me to join you in heaven and receive these gifts. I know I don’t deserve it. And I thank you that I don’t have to earn or work for my salvation, because I know that is impossible. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you, and I ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.
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