Reach Out Your Hand

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 New Living Translation

Good Morning Girlfriends:

When I was a still in school, I remember any time that I would have had a special little treat that I knew my friend would like, I would say, "Hold out your hands and close your eyes, then you will get a big surprise." It usually wasn't anything big just a candy or a piece of chocolate, something I knew they liked just to say that I was thinking about them.

Any time I have had this done to me, sometimes I would be a little nervous depending who the person was because sometimes I knew they liked to play funny tricks on people and I didn't want myself to be one of them. A surprise is supposed to be a good one, but what if you are expecting a good surprise and it doesn't turn out that way.

We had made several trips to the hospital for my husband to have the fluid flushed from his body, as infection would set in at times from different things, doctors coming and going as they would try to figure out what was going on within him. When the doctors had his body regulated and the fluid was back to normal, he would be sent home, but not this time was that to be. Coming home from work and seeing him a not so good state, we rushed to a bigger hospital that had specialists there waiting for us, after doing several "flushings" of his kidneys then being sent through "emergency" to be admitted, it seemed to be hours before a doctor came to look at him. After doing a little observation they had decided to do a further investigation and to try something different to see if his kidneys would receive this new method.

My husband knew that I was becoming quite tired from the long drive to get to the hospital and after working the day before, he suggested for me to get a room at the closest hotel so I could rest while the doctors were doing all the testing as they tried to figure things out. He knew I did not want to leave his side and leave him alone, but very reluctantly I gave in because he was very persistent that I do. Minutes away from the hospital, I will never forget getting that phone call at 4:45 in the morning from the nurse telling me that they had been working on my husband and asked me if I had any last wishes. Not fully comprehending what she was telling me, I had told her to continue to work on him. Arriving at the hospital, I was met at the door by a nurse, as she led me into the family room she sat me down and began to explain what had happened. It was then that I realized that I would be going home alone.

Girlfriends, this was not what I had expected when I opened my eyes with that phone call so early in the morning. It was a surprise alright, but not one I expected for me. Now that I think about it after much time has passed, I can only imagine the surprise that he saw as he passed through heavens gate, knowing that he was in heaven and all of his sickness and pain was completely wiped away.

When we ask Jesus into our heart, it is said in our key verse that the salvation that God offers is a "free gift" to one and all who wants and will take it. The free gift is the after affect, "if you will" of Jesus giving up his life to die on the cross and then being raised to life on the third day, it means eternal life for each of us who receive this gift from Him. Any time is the perfect time to receive this free gift of salvation but why not make this a Christmas to remember by receiving this gift if you have not yet done so. What a glorious Christmas it truly would be for you, and for the others that are waiting for you on the other side, Amen!

Let's Pray,

Father God, I love you with an everlasting love and I thank you Lord for that special gift called Salvation. Lord I lift up each precious person this Christmas season as they ponder in their heart the true meaning of Christmas and what you were sent to this earth to fulfill. Lord I pray that this will be a season to remember as many are coming to you and asking you into their heart. Lord I pray the warmth of your love will come in and fill them to the brim as they feel the joy of the Lord as they come to receive your free gift of salvation in the Mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Be blessed dear ones, and pass the blessings on as you share the love of Jesus wherever you go. Reach out your hand with His gospel.