Devotions

In the Bible, God gave many gifts to his people. He sent people, He sent signs, He sent callings, and all of these things were gifts. God gave Moses the gift of leadership and later gave Joshua the same gift. He gave Isaiah the gift of being a messenger, and the gift of vision. One thing that Moses, Joshua, and Isaiah all had in common is that they used the gift God gave each of them to be a gift to many people. 

In Genesis, God gave Abraham a gift. Though she had been unable to conceive her entire life, Sarah miraculously conceived Abraham’s son while she was 90 years old! In sending Isaac to Abraham and Sarah, he sent a way to continue their lineage for unending generations which led to the birth of Christ. All nations are still blessed, because of the gift God gave Abraham. 

All of these examples, from the callings, spiritual gifts, to the physical gift of Isaac, are examples of the greatness of God’s gifts. 

In the New Testament, God sent the greatest gift of all time. Just like in Genesis, He sent another son, but this was the Son of God. 

John 3:16-17 shows us what makes Jesus the greatest gift: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the word to condemn the world: but that the world through him might be saved.” 

So why did God send Jesus? Human nature and temptation caused sin to enter into a world that was once perfect. When Adam and Eve committed the first sin they cursed the whole earth and every generation which followed after them. The consequences were more than any mortal man could pay and atonement could only be earned through sacrifice — Jesus, God’s gift became our perfect sacrifice, settling the debt that we once held against God and exchanging them for His riches. A debt that could not have been paid by anything short of the grace and mercy of God. 

Through the Greatest Gift, Jesus, we have a gift that is still available to anyone who will believe - an eternal and secure salvation. The redeeming power of salvation is one that keeps us from eternal damnation to Hell, separation from God, makes us worthy before God, and gives us a blessed and undying hope of eternal life in Heaven! 

Nobody will ever give anything greater than Jesus, Our Greatest Gift.

When we were younger, we often sang the song “Jesus Loves Me.” The end of that first verse reminds us, “We are weak, but He is strong.” Another song that many of us learned as young children is “Amazing Grace.” The verses of that song are simple, yet profound. It teaches us that God’s grace is truly enough for everything we’ll face.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Jesus says to the Apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” There will be times in all of our lives when we are weak. My weakness may look different than yours, and your weakness may look different than someone else’s—but every person will experience weakness at some point. Jesus encouraged Paul, and Paul passed that encouragement on to us. It’s in our weakness that God’s strength shines through more than ever.

God steps into our struggle, showing His majesty and power over all situations, afflictions, and diseases—in a mighty way that only He can. When we fall short, He steps in to make up the difference. That is only possible because of His special grace.

Paul finishes verse 9 by saying, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” He is acknowledging something that we, as the people of God, often fail to do: when we are weak, we have nothing else to rely on except for God’s strength. The most marvelous part of that truth is this—our imperfect strength will fail, but God’s strength is perfect. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather rely on something that is perfect than something that is faulty!

So when you’re going through a time of weakness, remember: God’s strength is perfect, and His grace is sufficient.

Mosie Lister said it best:

“Oh, His grace is sufficient for me,

And His love is abundant and free.

Oh, what joy floods my soul,

Just to know, just to know,

That His grace is sufficient for me.”

Heaven was sad, earth was dark, for the only begotten son of the King of Kings had died. 

He had been mocked, beaten, and according to Mark 15:31 “the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.” What they did not know was that in order for Him to save others, He could not save himself. It was not a matter of His lack of power, it was simply Him fulfilling the mission He was sent for. 

Jesus gave up His life after going through more than any man should ever endure. The crowd watched and cheered at the gruesome scene. Finally, Joseph went to Pilate pleading to take the body of Christ for entombment. Mark 15:46 tells us, speaking about Joseph “And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.“

A stone was placed in front of the door. It takes me back to a time before I was saved. There was a stone placed right in front of my heart. Behind my stone was coldness. I was cold to the world and cold to religion and much more cold to a relationship with Christ. Behind my stone was darkness. Life was so dark, there was no light. Sin kept my heart black as could be. Behind my stone, there was hopelessness. I had no hope for a future, no hope of life after death. But the same power in Mark 16:4 rolled my stone away too. 

Mary and the others had arrived at the tomb “And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.” There was confusion, there was anger I’m sure, their treasured possession was gone. But soon, they were told “Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.” 

They were afraid for a moment, but soon they were rejoicing. You see, behind that stone over the weekend was sadness, darkness, hopelessness, coldness, and the son of God. But on Sunday morning when they got there, that stone was rolled away. Death could not hold Him. Hell could not conquer their creator. Sin could not conquer the solution. Jesus arose victorious. 

There was one thing hidden behind that stone that the World didn’t see. When that stone rolled away, we found out the Key to Heaven had been hiding behind that stone. The Way, The Truth, and the Life walked out from behind that stone and that is why we celebrate today! 

I’m so thankful for that Rolled Back Stone, and I’m so glad he rolled my stone away! Have you allowed him to roll the stone out from in front of your heart?

In James Chapter 4, Verse 14, James penned a very profound statement. It's a verse of scripture we all know well; "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." With time I have found that to be true. Life can be so short and can change instantly.

Today, I woke up before the sun came up and tonight as I prepare to go to sleep, the sun has set. The day is finished. As the sun rose I thought of the day as a fresh beginning. I thought of the many lives that would be beginning today, the new chapters beginning today, I pictured a young couple standing in a room full of family and friends beginning their lives together, I pictured a young couple standing in a hospital room rejoicing over the new miracle of birth they just witnessed. Today was a day for new beginnings.

As the day went by and the sun went down, the verse in James, which I mentioned had come to view in a different light. For some today was the ending of a chapter. My mind transitioned from those beginning a chapter to those who closed a chapter today. I pictured the many people who left their jobs for the last time as they retired, or to prepare for the beginning of a new chapter. I imagined the woman at the hospital receiving the news that the love of her life was not going to be ok. I pictured the family at the doors of the funeral home preparing to say goodbye to someone they loved.

It wasn't long until another thought crossed my mind. A line from a  song which I have sang many times came to light, "What would you change today if you were living your last tomorrow?" If today one of your loved ones were to end their chapter, would you have peace? Knowing you said the last "I Love You" or "I'm Sorry." But a much more important question, If today you were to end your last chapter here and closed your book, would you be satisfied with how you've lived? Would you be satisfied with the choices you made? Would you be satisfied with the new chapter that would begin after closing your book on earth? The next chapter is up to you, and it could begin today. Your vapor could vanish today.

The next chapter, your final chapter, after the final chapter of your story down here will take place in one of two places. Heaven or Hell. If you want to go to Heaven, I'll be glad to tell you how.

Admit to yourself and to God that you are a sinner. Declare that you've fallen short of His Glory. And realize you need saving. Next, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved. It's just as simple today as it was when Paul and Silas explained it to the Prison Guard in Acts 16:31. After that, you've got to take up your cross and follow Jesus. Follow his commands and follow through with your decision. 

The choice is yours and the choice is permanent... Where does the next chapter begin when your Vapor fades?