25 Days God Given Gifts - Day 8

Day 8 ~ Unwrapping the gift of :

SALVATION

If you declare with your mouth, 

“Jesus is Lord,” 

and believe in your heart

 that God raised him from the dead, 

you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

I had the opportunity one time to tell a young man I know, the good news of Jesus. As we sat at my kitchen table, I explained why Jesus had to die on the cross. As he listened, I scanned my table for some visual aids. Two pencils became the cross and my friend and I were the salt & pepper shakers, my sugar bowl was at the head of the cross, representing God. 

I explained it again with my visuals, the only way to God is through Jesus. He took the punishment for our sins. By believing Jesus did this, the cross becomes our bridge to God. 

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

Romans 10:9

I watched as he had the light bulb expression on his face and exclaimed "I totally get it now, it was you and me that put him there!"  

YES indeed, I put Him there....my sin was there.  My Lord had heaped on him all the sin of mankind, past, present and future.  HE did this for me, and HE did this for you. 

During this Christmas season, let's reflect on the real reason we celebrate Christmas. This year, 2016, Christmas falls on a Sunday. My husband and I will be in church. I can't imagine celebrating it any other way. JESUS is the reason for the season.

The story doesn't end on Christmas, and it doesn't end on the cross. We can celebrate the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus and the hope that gives us the promise ~ Because He lives, we can live also. 

Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!

Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!

Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;

Pardon there was multiplied to me;

There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary.

William Newell ~ 1895

I invite you to visit my most popular blog post since I have been blogging. Co-authored by my husband Bill.  ETERNAL DESTINATION

If you are following this series on the blog, you can find them to date here:
25 Days of God Given Gifts

Thank you dear ones. Have a blessed day.