“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17, NKJV)
Who doesn’t like to receive gifts? I sure do. It’s fun to be remembered on special occasions—or no occasion. A friend, who has been a frequent visitor in my home, likes to surprise me with some small gift that I find after she has gone. It isn’t lavish, just a little something that says, “I’m thinking about you and appreciate our friendship.” I love her surprises. They brighten my day.
When I think about all the gifts I have received in my life, which have been many, I cannot overlook the ones I have received from my Heavenly Father. I serve a generous God Who loves to give gifts. Let me share a few things God’s Word tells us about these blessings from above.
The greatest gift God bestows upon us is when He saves us and fills us with the gift of His Spirit.
- “For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5, NKJV)
- “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4, NKJV)
Two other well-known passages speak of God’s promise of the gift of eternal life.
- “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, NKJV)
- “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, NKJV)
Isn’t it amazing that the Creator of the entire universe loves us so much that He came to earth so that we might receive His gift of everlasting life. But He has so many more gifts to enrich our lives.
Every day He gifts us with food and shelter and provides for our basic needs. He gives rest and restores our strength. He protects and provides. He gives us family and friends. Spiritually, He offers love, joy, peace, and hope. He gives us wisdom. He fills us with faith. He provides spiritual leaders to guide us and sets us in His body of believers.
It is impossible to list every good thing that God has gifted us. We become so accustomed to His daily blessings that we sometimes are guilty of taking those gifts for granted. We forget to thank Him for His bountiful blessings. Today, in gratitude for God’s amazing and generous gifts, let’s use the words of Psalm 103 as our prayer of thanksgiving.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all MY iniquities, Who heals all MY diseases,
Who redeems MY life from destruction,
Who crowns ME with lovingkindness and tender mercies.
Who satisfies MY mouth with good things, so that MY youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The LORD executes righteousness and justice for ALL who are oppressed . . .
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
(Adapted from Psalm 103:2-6, 8, NKJV)
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