Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
(2 Cor. 9:15 NKJV)
It’s Christmas – the time of year where we join millions of Christians around the world to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—God’s indescribable gift to us. One translation calls Jesus a gift that is, “…too wonderful for words!”
If your life is anything like mine then it’s also probably a time of year where it seems like you’ve got a million things pulling you in different directions. Ever felt like a dog that’s spinning around in circles chasing its own tail? I think that can happen to the best of us. But let’s make sure that we purposely set aside some time today to sincerely thank God for giving us the greatest gift of all, His Son.
God’s indescribable gift, Jesus Christ, has done three things for us. He made us, He forgave us, and He gave us eternal life.
(1) He made us.
The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else.
(Prov. 8:22 NLT)
Isn’t it awesome to know that we have a Creator, and that the Creator of heaven and earth made us? He made each of us different. He is the one that made you, you! You are unique, and even though there a billions of people on the planet, there is only one you. No one has your voice print, your finger print, and no one on the earth can make the imprint that you were designed to make in this life. Too many of us spend our lives trying to be someone else, when the God who made the world just wants us, to be us. You are a gift that is too wonderful for words.
(2) He forgave us.
He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
(Eph. 1:7, NLT)
Are you walking today in the freedom that only comes through being forgiven? You see, most of us can quote John 3:16, but only a few can quote verse 17. But it’s just as powerful and just as true as verse 16. It says that Jesus didn’t come into the world to condemn us, but that through Him we might be saved. Listen, we are not waiting to be forgiven some day…we are forgiven, NOW! It’s not something that He has to think about. It’s not something that needs to be taken to a committee. It’s a done deal. It is finished. Our sins were paid for on the cross, and the blood of Jesus speaks forgiveness everyday. Forgiveness is a gift that’s too wonderful for words.
(3) He gave us eternal life.
God showed how much he loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him.
(1 John 4:9 NLT)
Wow, now that’s a gift worth shouting about. That’s like winning the lottery, the Super Bowl, the World Series, and making a 40′ putt to win the Masters all on the same day. How do you put words to a gift like that? Knowing that at the end of our lives here on earth that we have a home in heaven.
In John 14 Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me, in my Father’s house (heaven) are many mansions….” There is a place in heaven for those of us who believe in Jesus Christ. When that truth becomes real to us, it changes how we live here on earth. It takes away the unknown and brings a security that this world can’t offer us. I love the chorus of Vince Gill’s song, “Threaten Me With Heaven”:
If they say my time is through
Can they take away the love,
Or the years I’ve shared with you
What’s the worst thing that can happen,
What’s the worst that they can do
Threaten me with Heaven, it’s all they can do
Oh death, where is your sting? The fear of death loses its power when the worst thing that can happen to us if we were to die is to go to heaven for eternity. Eternal life is a gift too wonderful for words.
Say It: Father, thank You for Your indescribable gift, Jesus Christ. Though my words may be inadequate, may my life shout out my thanks to You for making me, forgiving me, and for giving me eternal life. In Jesus’ Name, amen!
P.S. Merry Christmas from our home to yours, and may your New Year be filled which much joy.
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As a young couple, fresh out of Bible School with Two daughters and a third child on the way, Jeff and Beth Jones felt God's call to pioneer Valley Family Church in 1991 with a vision to make an eternal difference in Southwest Michigan. As a husband and wife team, they have always led together as visionary pastors and have shared the pulpit as Bible teachers. They are passionate about building the local church in greater Kalamazoo and the global church around the world.
Their message has always been focused on the basics of the Bible and has remained consistent since VFC's beginning. Throughout VFC's history, the goal of their teaching has been to help people live an abundant life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and through faith in God's Word. In short, it's our mission statement: we exist to help people become devoted followers of Jesus who get the Bible basics, live the life and do the stuff.
Jeff and Beth have four kids and four grandchildren. Meghan is married to Brodie Hock. Annie is married to Zack Spangler. Luke is married to Kelsey Jones. Eric is married to Alexa Jones. All of their kids and in-laws have served with them in the church for many years and each sense their own unique calling to ministry.