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The Kingdom Gift Card

 



Again Jesus gave another parable about the Kingdom. "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a spindle in Walmart filled with gift cards." Wait, What?

Think about how gift cards work. Someone who cares about you goes to a store, finds the card for you, and purchases credit to put on the card. Then, they give you the card as a gift. The card though is not really the gift. It simply gives you access to the true gift when you are ready to redeem the card. It's a gift you did not earn nor purchase. But it’s yours now, and all you have to do is go redeem it at that store. 

Is the Kingdom any different? When Jesus died on the cross, the scriptures say this: 
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Galatians 3:14

What if the good news of the gospel was explained like this: By His death and resurrection, Jesus has purchased a Kingdom gift card for everybody on the planet. All you have to do is believe it, receive it and redeem it. You see, the good news of the gospel is NOT that we invite Jesus into our lives. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus invites us into His life. He is saying, “come to me and redeem your gifts.”

Many have redeemed the gift of salvation. But what if there is more?
Do you want real freedom to live? He came to set the captives free. Oh, what about joy? Need some peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control? There are gift cards for all these and much more. 

All you have to do is have a conversation with Jesus and believe. There is nothing you can do to earn it or achieve it. It’s not a formula, or a method, or a performance thing. It is a relationship thing with the gift giver. It is really that simple. If you think it’s difficult, ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Read about the gifts and the gift-giver in his incredible Word. 

Just like when your friend gives you a gift card, there is zero effort in purchasing the gift. We just receive it with gratitude. So what gift card is waiting for you? There is a Friend waiting for you to receive His gift.

And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

So why wait to redeem the gifts Jesus is wanting to give you? Don’t you want to be like that little child and rip the paper to shreds to unwrap that special gift from Jesus? 

Merry Christmas!


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