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The Gift

by Jerry Ousley  
6/13/2009 / Christian Living

I like gifts. Most people do. Receiving means that someone was thinking enough of you to spend their time and money to pick out something they believe you would like to have. A gift says, "I care about you and want to do something special for you."

My wife, Debbie has always been good at getting gifts for others. To be honest she is one of the most thoughtful people I know. She's always picking up something for a person at work whom she thinks needs a lift in life. Without doubt she is a giving person.

She gave me a gift once (well she's given me many gifts over the years, of course). But this gift was one that changed my life. It was back in the early 80's and the birthday gift she gave me was an old TI99/4A personal computer. Back in those days they weren't very powerful and this one was typical. But it was the first computer I ever owned. Up until that time I had no idea that I was so interested in them. This one caused the bug to bite me and it bite hard. It didn't take long for me to realize the potential of what could be done with that machine and I've been awestruck by them ever since. Little did she realize the aggravation it would cause her over the years or perhaps she would have gotten me a different gift for my birthday.

I've literally spent thousands of dollars on computers since that day. But it has proven to become my source of income. My job today is an IT specialist (that means Information Technician). I work on computers not only where I work but also on the side. I've mastered several software packages, done a bit of programming, and built computers from scratch. I learned how to build websites and actually have several paying customers. It was a gift that has given much over the years and continues to give.

Each and every one of us has the opportunity to receive a spiritual gift like this, only what it gives is much more valuable. It is the free gift of Jesus Christ. In Romans 5 the free gift is mentioned in verse 15, 16 and 18. The free gift comes by His grace. He freely gave His life as a sacrifice for sin so that we all might be saved.

It often comes in a plain wrapper, not with bows and tags and brightly colored paper. It may not look like much on the surface. But once opened it continues to give throughout our lives.

It is marked just to us. No one can open it except the one named on the package. It is just for us and no one else. Each one is designed specifically for that individual.

We'll never find this gift unless we are looking for it. It is carefully placed because its intent is that we know what we are doing. God wants us to come to Him but we must want to come to Him. He will never force anyone to make that choice. If we don't look for it we'll never find our gift.

The size of the package doesn't matter. Some may receive a large box while others a small box. But the contents are just exactly what each individual needs. We can't benefit from someone else's package regardless how large or small it is. It must be the one with our name on it. Our gift continues to give throughout our lives. We will never exhaust it. It comes with twenty-four hour, seven day per week service and that service is only a prayer away. It comes with a manual that covers anything that we may ever come across regarding our gift. It tells us specifically what we need to do in every situation.

It is also a gift that requires us to keep giving it away. As we do it becomes the gift that others need and no matter how much of it we give away we never run out. That's the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. So, when are you going to open your gift?

Jerry D. Ousley is the author of "Soul Challenge", "Soul Journey", "Ordeal", "The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional" and his first novel "The Shoe Tree." Newer books include "Finality" and "Dividing God's Church." Visit our website at spiritbread.com to download these and more completely free of charge

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