Gift Card

Suppose you receive a gift card unexpectedly from someone. You were expecting anything, so now you don’t think that there is much money on this card. So you hold onto it for some rainy day casual expense. Then, an emergency pops up and you don’t have sufficient funds to cover this expense. So you use the gift card, not expecting much help. But you find out that the card has thousands of dollars available for your use, more than covering your current need, but also helping you to do some things around the house that haven’t been able to afford until now. This person has given you a gift that is generous and abundant.

Ephesians 3:20-21 says, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Many of us, believers and nonbelievers, lead mundane, frustrated, and unremarkable lives because we fail to draw upon the power of God. The prayer of faith is the key to unlocking this power for us and through us. He can and will do much more than we ask or imagine. Let’s not allow unbelief cause us to miss the opportunity to do amazing things in God’s name.

Guaranteed

Often we can get a guarantee when we purchase and appliance or electronics. These guarantees cover a certain amount of time and are applicable under certain conditions. Sometimes, we can purchase extended warranties, but these also expire and have conditions which restrict the producer’s liability. Something have a “lifetime guarantee”, but obviously these expire also.

Isaiah 51:6 says, “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.” God promises that His salvation will last forever. It is indestructible. His promises are backed by His power and authority. Therefore, His promise is absolutely trustworthy and does not expire. He warns that His righteousness will never end. His righteousness cannot be challenged.

Signature of the Artist

One of the last things does as he/she is completing their masterpiece is to sign the art. An artist would not sign unless the artwork meets personal high standards. Until then, artists continue the creation until they are pleased with it.

Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ, have become His handiwork. He would not place His signature upon handiwork that is less than perfect and complete. He will surely bring us to completion and perfection.

Adoption Process

Eighteen years ago, our daughter and son-in-law adopted a child. It was a long, time-consuming, heart wrenching, and costly process. But this boy has been loved, nurtured, abundantly cared for, and supported for these eighteen years. While I don’t know what his life would have been like if he had not been adopted, I know that he has experienced the best possible environment for growth and success.

Ephesians 1:5-6 says, “In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” We were outside of God’s family, but by His grace He sent His own Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to remove sin’s stain upon us. It is His will, purpose, and grace through which He adopted us into His family. Our Heavenly Father paid a precious price, the sacrifice of His Son, to adopt us into His family. If we will put our trust in Him, He will give us the best possible environment and tools for our growth and fulfillment of His purpose for us.

Dog Returns To Its Vomit

We have all heard the above phrase before and perhaps we have even seen it happen. People are not immune from this sort of practice. The career criminal continues to commit the same crimes. We yield to the same destructive practices over and over. Some people make the same errors in judgment time and again. We become habitual practitioners of bad habits and doing wrong.

Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” When we trust in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins, we are set free from the burdens of our sins. We do not have to carry the weight of fear, worry, anxiety, greed, hate, and anger any longer. By the power He gives us, we can live free from these evil chains of destruction.