The Gift

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The black bead represents sin. God is perfect, but everyone else has sinned. Because of this, we are separated from God. Each of us can replace the blank in this verse with our name: " has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23.

The next bead is red and in the shape of a heart. When you see a heart, of what does it remind you? Despite our sin, God loves each of us so much. He sent His only Son, Jesus, to earth to die for us. Jesus shed His blood to pay the penalty for your sins and for mine. That wonderful gift does us no good unless we pray and receive Christ into our lives.

The white bead stands for the change that will take place in our hearts when we receive Christ’s forgiveness. Snow is something that Minnesotans and Russians alike can identify with, and that is the picture that is used in the Bible- white and clean!

I told you before that Jesus came to earth and died, but that wasn’t the end. After three days He rose from the dead! He had conquered death! Then Jesus ascended up to heaven. His followers saw Him go up through the blue sky to be with the Heavenly Father. God was not about to leave His people alone, so He sent the Holy Spirit down to earth to live among His people. The Holy Spirit remains with us as the Comforter, and He helps us to become the people that we were created to be.

The green bead stands for growth. You don’t have to be a gardener to know that plants will not grow unless they have soil, water, and sunshine. Similarly, we cannot grow in our relationship with Christ all on our own. Prayer, talking to God, is important as is reading the Bible on a regular basis. Also it is important to gather regularly with other believers and to share our faith with nonbelievers.

Then there’s the yellow bead. Close your eyes for a minute, and think about the most wonderful place you have been. Heaven is much more wonderful than anything you can ever imagine! There is no sin, sickness, or sadness there.

Because Jesus conquered death, those who trust in Him will go to heaven when they die. The streets are paved with gold, but that is nothing compared to Who is there. In heaven we will see Jesus face to face . . . for eternity!

There’s one more bead left. To the Russians it’s a babuchka, and to those of us that speak English, it’s a butterfly. A butterfly starts out as an ugly little caterpillar. Then it spins a cocoon and later comes out as a beautiful, free butterfly. When we are stained with sin, we’re something like the ugly caterpillar, but when we invite Jesus into our lives, He makes us into something new and beautiful.

Now what? You’ve heard the Gospel message, but are you going to act on it? Jesus is offering you a free gift that will do you no good unless you accept it. When I was younger I did just that by praying to invite Jesus into my life. I wouldn’t want to try living without Him. The moment I even get close to doing so, I end up making a mess of things. You can begin a life with Him right now by praying something like this:

Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner in need of your forgiveness and cleansing. Thank you for loving me so much that you came to earth to die for ME. Please forgive me right now. Thank you for washing me as white as snow. Thank you also that some day I will be in Heaven with you. In the meantime please help me to grow in my relationship with you. In Jesus name, Amen.

It always amazes me to think that those who know Jesus in Russia, or in any country for that matter, are my brothers and sisters in Christ. That’s quite a bond we have!

Do you have questions after reading this? Don’t hesitate to ask. You may email us at stowman@rtelnet.net .