The Perfect Gift 

by: Tom Provenzano

Kathy and I love to ride. And, we ride together as much as possible. Since we started riding together, two years after our marriage in 1974, I have always wondered what the perfect motorcycle would be for the both of us to ride and travel on, together.  Every time I thought of it, planned it out, thought of the design, looked in catalogs and magazines, went to dealerships and custom shops, I would then think, "By the time I figure how much something like that would cost, wouldn't it be nice if someone gave us that perfect gift? We wouldn't have to pay for it.  It would be ours to keep, forever!"

As the Holiday season is upon us, we think of gifts; giving and receiving.  There is no such thing in the natural world as the perfect gift.  It may not fit.  It may not be the right color.  It may seem perfect at first. However, it may eventually wear out; require maintenance that over a period of time will cost more than what the giver paid for it. What we thought we needed may turn out to be more of a curse and a liability than the natural blessing that we first expected.

The only perfect gift given to anyone in this world is the gift that God Himself gave to us about 2,000 years ago.  The gift is Jesus!

In order to obtain any gift, I figure it must have value, it must be accepted, and it must be received. When someone offers me "something for nothing," I will evaluate the motive of the giver before obtaining it.

Let's look at the last, first.  What is God's motive?  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

God loves us so much, that He would not want to see any of us perish.  What more could anyone ask of any father who truly loves his children?

What about value?  ……… the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. - Matthew 13: 44 - 46

What about acceptance?  Will you accept what God did by sending His son? For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit - 1 Peter 3:18

Will you now receive Him into your heart? That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  - Romans 10: 9 -13

Eventually, everything on this earth (including our motorcyclesL) will pass away.  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matthew 6: 19 - 20  However, the gift of Jesus and eternal life will last forever. Receive Him now and have the most fulfilling Christmas that you could ever imagine!

Please pray this prayer: "Dear God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, my heavenly Father, I confess that I am a sinner and have been separated from You.  I ask forgiveness of my sins.  I confess with my mouth that your son Jesus is my savior and died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. I receive Jesus into my heart and ask Him to become the center of my life. I ask, in the Name of Jesus.  Amen."

Who are Messiah's Messengers? - Luke 9:52 -"And He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for Him…." Jesus has sent messengers and has commissioned His people to proclaim the Gospel.  We are here to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel to those in the biker/motorcycle community and to all those we come in contact with. Please contact us about your decision for Jesus: Messiah's Messengers Motorcycle Ministry, telephone: 239-267-8641, email: tprovenz@comcast.net. Contact us for ride and event times. Messiah's Messengers M/M meets at: Fort Myers Foursquare Church, 2222 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers, Florida. www.messiahsmessengers.org