I recently celebrated a birthday that placed me into a special category.

This category allows me to order from the seniors menu at a certain

 local restaurant and many other benefits.

With this special birthday came special surprises, money and many gifts.

I went through the different presents, enjoying the surprises; the cards;

the kind words and delightful messages.

Now, suppose I had taken the envelope of money the gift vouchers or the other
presents and sent them back to those who had given them to me.

What if I had tossed them into the trash can? Or perhaps put them in a drawer and

left it there until I had forgotten all about them.

Would those gifts have been of any value to me?

What would it have said about my appreciation to those who had given the gifts?

How would those who gave me the gifts have felt if they found out I had
discarded the gifts?

I'm sure you will agree with me that the best way to show my appreciation and
to honor the givers was to enjoy the gifts; to redeem the vouchers; to use what
was given to me.

Today I want to share with you one such gift that has been given to all of us:
A gift packaged in love; a gift intended to bring us joy; a gift planned for
our delight.

And yet it is a gift that many of us have thrown into the trash can; many of us
have put it into a forgotten drawer. Many of us have put it back into the
envelope and returned it to the giver.

What is this gift? It is called Life.

"God" came that we might have life. It states it right in John 10:10 (NASB)

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Life is a precious gift from "God" and he gives you the ability to live your Earthly

Life Once so it is best to make it count.

When you abuse your body by overindulging with Alcohol, Beer, Drugs
and Cigarettes it is as if to say I don't care about the body you gave me.

It is like throwing this gift away when in fact we should be thanking Him for the
gift of life.

Life A Precious Gift From "God".