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Listen while you read: "Angels From The Realms Of Glory"1
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2 Corinthians 5:19 – God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. (NIV)
One Christmas, my brother and I received a new game: Monopoly®. We played that game with our best friend, Michael, for many, many years thereafter. It was a game which I found uninteresting and a real bore. In fact, I still do. Back then, however, nearby friends were limited, so I was stuck with my brother and Michael, who always chose to play Monopoly®, so I did, too.
There was one good thing about the game, however — the best thing ever, really — the card, if we were lucky enough to draw it, which read, "Get out of jail free". This card was a lifesaver, for if we landed on a space that sent us directly to jail, we couldn't collect $200 for passing "Go". To get out of jail, we either had to pay $50 or roll doubles on one of our next three turns. If we didn't, we still had to pay $50, and it often made the difference between winning or losing, depending on how much money we had.
Thinking back and having a laugh over these memories made me think of another "Get out of jail free" card, so to speak, that God offers to each and every person, not only at Christmas, but all year round.
Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)
Christ came into the world to pay the penalty for our sin, a penalty that sentences mankind to eternal separation from God, Who is light, into the eternal darkness of the jail of hell for eternity. God, in His mercy and love, however, chose to offer us all a "Get out of jail free" card through the work that Christ did on the cross, when He bore our sins in His own body, so that by grace we might be saved, not by our own works but through faith in His.
Therefore, because of Jesus and the free gift of salvation that He offers to one and all, no one ever needs to be separated from God and bear the consequences of their sin, the penalty of death and the darkness of hell, unless they choose to do so.
What do you choose this Christmas: the "Go directly to jail" card of life, or the best thing ever, which Jesus freely offers to all who choose to trust in His name, repent of their sins, and accept the grace of His forgiveness and salvation forever? The choice is up to you. But if you stop and think about it, you will agree that there's really only one choice worth making.
Prayer: Father God, thank You so much for Jesus and for the free gift of eternal life that He offers to all, right now, here today. Open the hearts of mankind, worldwide, to make the only real choice worth making. In Jesus' name, we ask. Amen.
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About the author:
Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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Merry Christmas, Lynne!
Thanks, Lynne. Praise God for His gift!
Choosing to follow Jesus is a lifelong commitment, not a game.
Good morning, Lynne,
Thank you for today’s message.
Blessings!
Thank you, Lynne! This is a real-life lesson for everyone! Monopoly is a game everyone knows. I appreciate your life lessons for those who may not know Christ!
Morning Lynne, another great read for me……and, I thought I was the only one that thought Monopoly was a bore.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Merry Christmas Lynne
We too had that game and found it somewhat boring too.
I am thankful for the offer “get out of jail free” that God offers!!
Thank you and God bless!
Have a blessed and exciting 2024.
Good morning, Lynne,
I really enjoyed your devotional this morning and how you related the game of Monopoly to our faith. In Monopoly, it is always a chance what you get, but in our faith, we can choose to believe in God. It is always interesting to see a different way of looking at our faith which helps to make an impact on the choices we make each day.
Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year as you celebrate in your new home.
Hi Lynne
Unfortunately so many people nowadays choose to go to jail or at least the spiritual equivalent of it by rejecting the love of Jesus. We need all who call themselves by the name of Christ as His children to not only pray for their family, friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers, but to share the actual love and joy of Jesus with everyone they come in contact with so people will be saved rather than lost.
Merry Christmas.
Dear Lynne, thank you so much for another of your very positive and encouraging devotionals. We truly receive the utmost “gift of life” in seeking Jesus and following His ways. There is so much joy in gathering with others in praise of having the Lord in our life. That joy is increased even more at this time of year as there are more events expressing the excitement of Jesus arrival in the world and learning about the miracles He performed. Blessings for these very special writings you do and may your Christmas celebration in your new location be wonderful for you and your family.
What a great Daily Devotional today, Lynne!
I loved setting up Monopoly, the little houses/hotels, the cards, the MONEY! But inevitably I lost – no fancy mansions, no mega-rent collected, no piles of dollar bills (in Scotland it was pounds).
I’m ashamed to say I pouted!
Now “I have a mansion in glory.”
Can’t get better than that!
Blessings as always, dear Lynne!
Dear Lynne:
Thank you for all the wonderful and meaningful Devotions throughout the year. The Lord has blessed you with a unique gift of expressing the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I pray you and your loved ones will have a Happy Christmas and may God’s richest blessings be yours in 2024.
With sincere appreciation and thanks.
PS…I just hated having to play Monopoly and to this date will not play it again!!
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today! Agreed.
Monopoly isn’t a favorite game of mine either. Blessings.