Soul Food: “God’s Gift to Us” by Murran Haley Logsdon
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” Ephesians 2:8
I love Christmas and the idea of it being so close is crazy to me. I love the planning and the excitement of giving gifts, and most of all the memories to look back on. Now that I have a job, this year I’m very excited to be able to give gifts to all the people I love. However, I know that the expense (Lord help me, lol!) and/or the greatness of the gifts is not what shows the love between us. The gifts are just an But expression of the love I have in my heart for them. Our friends and families’ lives are a gift to us and we should give our lives as a gift to them.
My mom is someone who has been a giver all her life. There were times I would come home from school and there would be a gift for me, even without it being a special occasion. There were many times where she would just do little things, like writing a prayer on a sticky note and putting it in my lunch box. Buying gifts and being a giver gives my mom joy. There are seasons we have gone through hard times financially, and even in those times she would still give. My mom is someone who very often sacrifices and goes without to bless us and others. During hard times like that, the joy of giving is felt on such a deeper level, because this is what raw love is, not an overflow of having plenty. As I’ve grown up and started to discover what it’s like to do more things on my own, she still finds ways to give out of a heart of love, which is generous and delights in blessing others.
God is the greatest gift giver of all.
We sometimes believe the lies from the enemy that tell us we have to work for our salvation and prove ourselves worth enough for it. Ephesians 2:8 says that salvation is a gift, something that has not been earned or won. It was given to us by God’s grace and love; he’s already done everything for us. There are no strings attached and no terms or conditions. It’s an ultimate expression of God’s everlasting love for us.
God’s salvation comes from him and him alone. Salvation does not depend on what we do or don’t do. He will never take it back. The gift will never be withdrawn. In every season we go through in our lives, in all the choices that we make, the good and the bad, the gifts of salvation and grace are laid out before us in every moment of every day, waiting for us to receive.
Last night at my church, our youth group had an amazing event! We had an awesome guest speaker who spoke on salvation and shared her story. God, working through her, made an impact on our youth groups’ lives and on me as well. Youth gave their lives to Christ and as a result were forever changed. I was extremely humbled to be able to witness them make the greatest decision that they will ever make and surrender there lives to the Lord. I pray that they as well as whomever may be reading this will take the gift of salvation and receive it. Own it and be thankful for it. It is yours, not because you’ve earned it or won it, just simply because you are loved by the greatest gift giver of all.
Reflection Questions:
Have you accepted grace for yourself? If so, how do you live a life where you never let that grace be wasted?
If you have not accepted grace for yourself, why? Ask God to help you settle that once and for all. Talk to a mentor or pastor about your next step.
Have you shared your story, the love story you and God are writing together, with others? Share your story with atleast one person this week. Everyone has a God story under construction!
Treasure Hunt:
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:1-2
“God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:4-9
Faith in Action:
In all the things we have to do – the deadlines we have to meet, cleaning our houses, preparing for tests and school, taking care of kids, taking care of pets, exercising, working, cooking, eating, driving, even dreaming, in all of it, don’t lose sight of the gift of salvation. It’s given as a gift, not as a reward.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, Thank you for grace! May we never stop being amazed by it and may we share it generously with all every chance we get forever!
Amen
Author: Murran Haley Logsdon
My name is Murran Haley Logsdon. I am 18 years old. I go to Liberty Church and I serve on our Tuesday night Celebrate recovery worship team. I also serve as a youth leader for our Wednesday night youth group called 29:11 Youth Ministry. I love to write because I love to share my heart with others, to encourage others with God’s word, and to let them know that the Lord has a plan for their lives. I pray that through my story and God’s words everyone may come to have a relationship with him:)
My blog: Murran Haley Logsdon’s Blog: Lifeofafighter5020’s Blog
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