Romans 5:17
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
My wife, Joyce, once worked as a Legislative Aide for the Washington House of Representatives. One day another Aide brought her grandson to the office so that her co-workers could meet him. (Isn’t it strange how grandmothers seem to be proud of their grandchildren?!)
Joyce wanted to give the little boy a treat and rummaged through her purse (which, by the way, has a bottomless pit!) until she found a small package of peanuts left over from an airline flight. From that day on, every time the little boy came with his grandmother for a visit, he would shyly slip up to Joyce’s desk and ask if she had any more peanuts. On one visit he said he was not feeling well. When Joyce expressed sympathy, he told her that he thought some peanuts would help.
Brenda, our oldest daughter, died when she was 35. Our youngest daughter, Lori, was facing death with a failed kidney and pancreas. The kidney was graciously donated by our granddaughter Jenna, and the pancreas from a cadaver.
Lori was given the ultimate gift of life, but she received a far more precious gift when she accepted Jesus Christ into her heart. We can give and receive gifts in this world, but we need to remember that the ULTIMATE GIFT was provided by Jesus when He died on the cross to give us eternal life!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil