Give Thanks • The Free Gift of God

In the little town of Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, God came to Earth in the form of a man.

Stepping out of the glory of heaven, Jesus entered into His creation, born of a virgin named Mary as God's only begotten Son.

Jesus arrived at just the right time in history to proclaim forgiveness of sins, redemption, and eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Jesus worked miracles by healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, and liberating people imprisoned by sin. But the most profound expression of love occurred just outside Jerusalem where Jesus willingly laid down His life for us, enduring a cruel death on the Roman cross.

Nevertheless, this was all part of the Father’s plan.

Even the evil powers of this age did not understand, or they would not have crucified Him!

For Jesus was buried, and He rose to life three days later, proving that He is true, He is God, and and that He has all authority over life and death. Jesus’ atonement for our sins through the cross offers us the precious gift to be reconciled to the Father for eternity. His plan of redemption because of His love for us is clearly illustrated in His Word, the Bible.

One of the first things we learn in life is to say please and thank you.

Gratitude is a natural response to kindness and love, and just as we acknowledge the people who bless us, gratitude to the Lord helps us recognise our need of Him, who upholds all of creation.

Our tendency to act selfishly is ingrained in human nature and felt in our conscience. Sin separates us from our holy God, and no amount of good deeds can give us peace. Without reconciliation with Him, our sins lead us to death and separation from God's life-giving love forever.

But God has not given up on us. He has taken the initiative to give us His Word, the Bible, to testify of His character and assure us He is faithful, true, and worth trusting in, because God is love and He cannot lie.

The words you are about to experience are true. For they come from the very heart of God. He loves YOU. And He is the Father you have been looking for all your life. This is His love letter to you.

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you.

Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.

Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.

Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.

Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.

Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.

Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.

Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.

Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.

Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.

Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.

Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.

Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.

Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.

John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love.

1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.

1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father.

1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.

Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect Father.

Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.

James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.

Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.

Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.

Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.

Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.

Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.

Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.

Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.

Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.

Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.

Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart.

Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.

Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.

Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.

John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.

John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.

Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.

Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.

1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.

Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me.

1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.

Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.

Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father.

Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child?

John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.

Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad.
Almighty God

Reader
, the greatest gift you can ever receive is to know Jesus' love for you.

the gospel of peace

The free gift of God is found in Jesus' finished work at the cross- believed in with love, and received with thanksgiving.

True love goes beyond physical, emotional, or material desires. It is found in a real, personal relationship with Jesus Christ— our Creator, the Author of Life, and the only name under heaven by which we must be saved.

When we are honest with ourselves we know that our unrighteous actions against other people and against God deserve punishment. But we cannot redeem ourselves, because we are imperfect and unable to pay the price that justice demands. Because God loves us, our Father made the way for us to be redeemed and reconciled to Himself through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the prophesied Messiah and the fullness of God in human flesh, one with the Father and Holy Spirit as the only eternal Living God. He lived a perfectly sinless life and fulfilled the Old Testament law by nailing our sins to the cross. By the blood He shed for us, we can make peace with God and be forgiven of our sins through the mighty power of love.

No matter the circumstances we experience in life, the Lord sustains us, in every breath, every day. Despite our stubbornness and wrong choices which damage our peace, He is ready to heal everyone who calls on His name in humility and repentance.

Acknowledging the Lord's provision and help not only gives us true peace, it helps us to recognise our reliance on His loving care, in whom we live, move, and have our being. Jesus paid the debt that we can never pay ourselves, and because of His sacrifice we are able to be redeemed and justified to live eternally with Him. Because of Jesus, death is defeated forever.

By choosing to commit our life to loving Jesus, we can experience true joy and peace that comes from personally knowing the Lord as our faithful Redeemer, Saviour, Teacher, Friend, and Lord.

O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalms 136:3 6

Dear

Reader

We thank and praise the Lord for His mercy, love, and free gift of eternal life, who removes the sting of death, and renews us with the power to overcome sin.

May the Lord bless you abundantly, and bring you peace and joy in your heart.

Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, His mercy endures forever!

Receive The Free Gift of God

Receiving salvation in Jesus simply requires faith, even as small as a mustard seed, that God's Word is true and that Jesus died and rose again to redeem you from your sins.

Prayer is how we communicate with God. Our Father already knows your heart, so sincerity and humility is important to confess your sins and renounce them.

You can try praying something like this if you don’t know where to start.

Dear God in Heaven,

Thank You for my life, and for always being there for me even when I've hurt You.

I know that I am a sinner and I ask for Your forgiveness and mercy.

I believe Jesus died on the cross to redeem me from my sins, and He rose again to life so I can be saved. I know there is nothing I can do to save myself, and I ask for Your gift of life because of the victory Jesus has won for me.

I commit my life to You and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive me of all my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Help me with my faith and help me to be the person you made me to be.

Thank You for your amazing love and grace!

In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:20

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