Shiny & Bright 2024

In elementary school I used my money to buy my mom a beautiful "diamond" ring and she loved it and wore it - in front of me! My freshman year in college I got a job so that I could buy Mom a beautiful pearl and diamond ring I had seen. I loved it and wanted her to have it. It took a while to save but I did it and I was so excited to give her that shiny and bright gift!

The gift of salvation is a free gift from God totally by His grace. Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God. Salvation and having a home in Heaven are not rewards but gifts. Romans 3: 24, "...and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." There are more than 7,000 promises in the Bible from God to us. They are just waiting for us to accept. The Bible’s most famous promise is John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus Christ died for us. We cannot earn it and money cannot buy it.

The gift of salvation comes in the form of Jesus Christ. Outside of a union with Jesus there is no salvation. Acts 4: 12, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” If you have not received your free gift of salvation, pray, "I receive Jesus Christ into my heart, as my free gift, acknowledging Him as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, God!" This will be the best decision you ever make!

Have you accepted this gift that is so freely given? I can't imagine how excited Jesus is when we accept His free gift! And it is the most shiny and bright of any!