The following devotional appears in the Dec. 14, 2009 edition of The Bargain Browser/The Connection in White House, TN.

Visit the official site at http://www.browserconnection.com


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Surprise – it’s Actually Free

I am a people watcher. I could sit on a park bench and just pay attention to those around me for hours. Unfortunately, none of us have that time unless our wives take too long in the grocery store.

Be a good husband, and shop for her or with her. That is what I am supposed to say.

This past Saturday, Jennifer and I participated with 14 others from our small group in an event for The Gift Revolution, a pay-it-forward concept designed to spread the good news of Jesus Christ through servant kindness during the Christmas season. We set up shop outside the largest retailer in White House and handed out free hot chocolate and apple cider in freezing temps.

You would think this is an easy concept. People-watching tells a different story. We did have a great response, but perhaps more surprising are the skeptical views of many who passed by.

Some hurried across the sidewalk in a blur, never turning an eye. Others waved their hand at us, irritated. A few more gave us the “we’re not giving you any money” glance, and some even dug out their wallets, only for us to stop them and hand them something to drink.

The hot chocolate and apple cider were free for a reason. It was a gift/kindness, we had no strings attached other than to pass along a Gift Revolution card, which takes them to a website where they can share their story about Jesus.

What a shame – our worldview is so skewed by skepticism and doubt that we are by nature analytical. We believe that every act has a catch – and perhaps this did, too. But before your nature takes hold, be reminded that some passers by simply took the cup and never took the card or said a word. In those cases, you give what you have regardless of how it’s received. There was never an obligation.

As we work for Jesus Christ, be careful to never neglect what was so freely given to us. The Bible says that “we are saved by grace through faith, that not of yourselves it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). As a Christian, I believe we should be obedient to God’s Word as a follower of Christ – but what is required to follow Him has already been paid. Jesus died for it.

You can’t earn it, can’t buy it, can’t talk your way into it. Salvation is a free gift. Open the box, and let God revolutionize your life. Then you might find that serving Him doesn’t feel like an obligation, but rather an opportunity.

Be blessed!

Kris Freeman is a pastor and church planter with General Baptist National Missions. Revolution Church launches in White House and Cross Plains in the fall of 2010. For more, go to .