Devotional: God’s Lagniappe

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For almost seven years, I lived in Shreveport, Louisiana. Although at times, living there was a challenge, there were certain elements that made Louisiana unique. The people who lived south of Alexandria, LA, had a language and culture all their own.

I remember walking into a little store, and seeing a sign on the outside “Tongue on Sale Today”. Having grown up in a Jewish household, eating beef tongue was the norm; I just never expected to see it served anywhere else but in New York City. Yet here in Opelousas, LA, it was on sale!

I loved the warmth of the people, the special language they had, a blend of French and Nova Scotia French. My favorite all-time Louisiana word is lagniappe, pronounced ‘lan- yap’. It means something extra. Have you ever purchased a pair of shoes and gotten the shoelaces free? The shoelaces are lagniappe. Have you gotten free samples with a cosmetic purchase? The samples are lagniappe. Lagniappe is something extra.


Salvation is the free gift of God, when one comes to faith in Yeshua. By simply believing in that wonderful vicarious atonement of Yeshua’s blood, you and I enjoy life with God forever. Is there anything better than eternal life? “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Messiah Yeshua Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23) Yeshua, Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, took my place, took our place on the Cross. What a great gift, this exchanged life is!

If eternal life was all that the free gift involved, we would be such blessed people! Yet, God gives us lagniappe! Isaiah 30:21 says “Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” What a wonderful blessing to have this guidance!

Ephesians 1: 3 tells us “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua HaMashiach Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Messiah.” I love those spiritual blessings! They beat any birthday gift, don’t they?!

Ephesians 1:4 says “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.” What a lofty statement – to be chosen, to be holy and blameless, all because of Yeshua Jesus! What lagniappe!

In Ephesians 1:5, it states “In love, He predestined us to adoption as sons through Yeshua Jesus to Himself”. What a blessing, especially to those of us whose parent or parents are not alive, we will always be part of the family of God. Amazing love! Amazing lagniappe!

Ephesians 1:7 says “in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” I don’t know about you, but I sure needed a lot of forgiveness when God saved me, and I still need that forgiveness today, and I am sure I will need it in the future. What blessed lagniappe God gives to us!

Ephesians 1:9 asserts that “He made known to us the mystery of His will.” God, the eternal invisible amazing God, made known to us the mystery of His will.


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