Dan Eakin/Baptist Minister
Several churches in Texas have been participating in a shoebox ministry through an organization called Samaritan’s Purse in North Carolina.
Members of the churches have filled literally thousands of shoeboxes with at least one nice toy and a wide variety of other useful items. The shoeboxes are taken to Africa and other foreign places and given to needy children of all ages for Christmas. The plan of salvation is also included in each shoebox.
These children are delighted to get a nice shoebox for Christmas. But when they open it, they find there are many nice gifts within the gift.
In some cultures, children are given a pinata for their birthday. The children are so glad to get a pinata, because they know that the pinata which is given to them has inside many gifts, such as a lot of candy, a few small toys, etc.
When Jesus was born, God gave us the greatest gift. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten son….”
When we receive the gift (Jesus) into our hearts and lives, we receive the most wonderful gift of all. But in receiving Jesus, at the same time we are also receiving many other wonderful gifts.
We receive power to become the children of God. John 1:12: “But as many as received him to them gave he the power to become the sons (children) of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
We receive eternal life. Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
We receive salvation. Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
We receive the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 6:19-20: “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body, and in our spirit, which are God’s.”
We receive peace with God. (Romans 5:1) “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We receive and can claim all the promises of God. 2 Peter 1:4: “Whereby are given unto exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye may be partakers of the divine nature…..”
And the list goes on.
Have you received God’s greatest gift: Jesus? If so, you have received many other wonderful gifts as well.
If not, humble yourself right now and pray to God: “Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I know I can’t save myself. I know you gave your son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins, and you raised him from the dead. Right now, I ask you to forgive my sins, and I receive Jesus as my Savior. Thank you, God, for saving my soul. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
Now that you have received Jesus, go to church. Make a public profession of faith. Obey the Lord in baptism. Start going to church regularly and reading your Bible and praying in Jesus’ name every day.”
And for the rest of your life, continue to enjoy all the gifts that you received on the day you received the greatest gift: Jesus.