Have you done something to receive a gift or prize? Was the gift a lasting gift, one that you were able to use or enjoy for many years? Did you pass the gift on to others? Do you know there is a gift you can receive that will last for your entire life?
We may receive hundreds of small gifts throughout our lives. Some gifts are given to us by people who love us. Other gifts we may call rewards, which are given to us for performing a task. We may call them prizes.
When we are given a gift, prize, or reward for doing something well, we feel a sense of achievement. We may also feel as though we deserve the reward. Receiving rewards or prizes can make us feel good about ourselves, even thinking more highly of ourselves than we should.
God has a gift waiting for us that we do not deserve but can receive by doing something that is both simple and difficult. The difficulty comes with repenting. Being truly sorrowful for our sins and desiring to make a change can be very challenging. We have become accustomed to our behavior and doing what we want. But to receive the gift God has for us, we must accept Jesus as our Savior and desire to make the positive change.
We might call this having a change of heart. And it is. The gift of the Holy Spirit is a gift that will last our lifetime. He comes to take up residence inside us. This is what is meant by God always being with us. He will provide us guidance and direction if we will listen. He will change us from the inside out. No, our physical appearance won’t change, per se. But we will become more attractive to others as our attitude changes for the better and we smile more.
I pray we all decide to have a change of heart. I pray we accept Jesus as our Savior. I pray each one of us will accept the gift of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to start changing us for the better. Repent of your sins. Accept Jesus as Savior. Receive the Holy Spirit. Begin the positive change.
Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Marty Pressey 