How-to wednesday JUNE 19 Zech. 8:23 Our Greatest Gift When a friend gives us a gift, we know that gift will not last forever, so we take care of it in hopes it will at least last a long time. If it is a piece of clothing, we are careful not to stain or tear it. If it is a beautiful object, we put it where we can see it but yet not where it will get bumped or damaged. Through Israel, God gave the world the Messiah. How can we even begin to appreciate this greatest gift of all—God’s Son, our guarantee of salvation? Below are three ways: There is no safer place to be than where the Gift has led you. Learn to love the Gift. Loving God is not only about emotion. “It is a di- vine principle of thought and action that modifies the character, governs the impulses, controls the passions, and ennobles the affections.”* “ ‘If you love Me, keep My commandments’ ” (John 14:15, NKJV). Obedience to Christ is an expression of our love and gratitude for the gift of salvation we have in Him. As we look forward to His second coming, let us tell others about Him through words and deeds. Cling to the Gift. No matter what comes your way, there is no safer place to be than where the Gift has led you. It doesn’t matter what nationality you are or what language you speak (Rev. 14:6); if you cling to Him and Him alone, you will be saved. Make Christ King of your life. Christ will return as King of kings to reward those on earth who are His subjects. Have you made Him King of your life? Talk to Him often in prayer. Thank Him often for all that He does for you; and live out His life through service to others (Isaiah 58; Mic. 6:8). REACT 1. What comes first—love for Christ or obedience to Him? How can lov- ing Christ help us to obey Him? How can obedience help us to love Him? 2. How does 1 Corinthians clarify God’s love and therefore the type of love we are to have? 3. What haven’t you yet surrendered to Christ, so that He rules over all of your life? 4. In what other ways can you make Christ King of your life? 5. Are you yearning for the Gift’s return? Why, or why not?
Posted on: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:13:37 +0000
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