James 1: 17: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
As I plan my list of gifts for this year, I remember gifts that have been given to me. A few years ago, my mother gave me a nice Sonicare Toothbrush. She has one, uses it and her dentist highly recommends it. I tried it out for a few weeks, liked it, but it had to be recharged. Due to an old bathroom without any outlets, it ended up in my cabinet. I reverted back to my old ways. But it is still there.
At this time of year, we celebrate The gift of God’s Son, Jesus. But Jesus had to go away. He said, “It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7). In Luke 24:49 Jesus adds “I am going to send you what my Father has promised,” and in Acts 1:4-5 he instructs them to “wait for the gift my Father has promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Our Heavenly Father has given us the Holy Spirit. What a special Gift he is to us!! Acts 1:8 reminds us that we will receive Power when he Holy Spirit comes on us, power to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. Power? Sometimes I don’t feel powerful. Have I put the Holy Spirit in the cabinet? Sometimes I do. But I need his power. He is always with me, he speaks to me, he guides me. He is the one who gives me the ability to share God’s word with others. However, there are times when I feel powerless.
I was reminded recently that my power needed recharging. These scriptures and the ones mentioned above have guided me: Matt 7:7-11, 2 Tim 1:6-7.
I must ask, and seek. I also must “fan into flame” what He has given me. The Holy Spirit was given to me the day I was saved, but it is up to me as to how much access to my life I give him. And it’s up to me as to how big my fire will be- a candle, or a bon fire? I must not be satisfied with a little fire that just keeps my hands warm. I want one big enough to warm the whole house and all my neighbors also. That’s the Power that witnesses to others.
What have you done with Him? Ask and seek for more of Him. Allow Him access to your whole life. Build your fire. Use this gift of the Father and the many others he has given you.
This is controversial to some, but God has given me the gift of a prayer language (or tongues). I have had it since I was very young, and it is a very valuable gift to me, but sometimes I will go weeks without using it! Another gift that God has given me is the gift to write things (songs and poems about God, his love, his glory, etc) and over the last several years, life has kind of taken over and I just don’t sit down and write anymore. Lance gets on to me sometimes about it, but it’s easy to say “I will do that next week.” Thanks Beth, great post.
When I stop to think about the gifts I have been given by the Father, I am sometimes overwhelmed. There are the obvious gifts of my family, friends, church and health. Then there are the gifts I definitely take for granted.
Like the gift of being born a middle class American, for example. This country is in a bit of turmoil right now, but compared to how most people in this world live, we are blessed beyond measure. There are many blessed people in this world and anyone who has access to a computer and has the ability to read this blog can safely place yourself in that group.
However, there are also many of God’s children do not have what we enjoy. They may be in a far off land or around the corner, struggling to eat and provide shelter for their families.
For those people, I pray that this gift I’ve been given – of relative prosperity and dare I say, wealth – is one I will choose to give back when asked. To give of my finances, time and energy (sparse as it may be
) to advance the kingdom of God and share Jesus is something I cannot afford to forget to do.
Thank you, Beth, for reminding me of the Gifts I have been given and reminding me to use them and always be willing to give them back.
Beth, thank you for your post. I pray that we can all be more thankful for the gifts our Father has given us during this time of year than usual. I am guilty of taking my gifts for granted. It’s the gifts He has given us that have the most lasting impact on our life and the lives of other people, so I pray I remember that the best gift I can give is sharing what He has given me with others. ~Krystee
Beth, Thank you for sharing such a wonderful message! I stand in AWE at the amazing LOVE our Father has given us, and the amazing POWER He gives us through the Gift of His Holy Spirit. When this time of year rolls around, we can find ourselves soo crazy and busy. What a sweet reminder this is, that He has given us ALL we’ll ever need
!! He guides, comforts, loves, provides, and ignites a flame in us that gives us power to share Him with others, and be His light in this fallen world!!
! Love in Him, barbara
I thank God for the wonderful gifts He has given me in my husband, my boys, family and friends, health, the freedom we have in this country, for every new day to share Him with others, and the precious Gift of eternal life. There is NONE LIKE HIM!!! The gift of Jesus Christ, the example of His life, and His death, all for sinful me…..has me in AWE, face down!! And, that He has left us the Gift of the Holy Spirit to live in us, guide us, and give us power to do the things our weak, fleshly selves cannot do-WOW!! May the precious God of peace be with you all this wonderful time of year! And, may His JOY be with you also
Thank you Beth for a great post…I am so thankful for many things in my life and have been given much. I am thankful for my husband and children and certainly all the luxuries we all enjoy in this life but one of the things I am most thankful for is my past. That may sound wierd but God has shown me so many things through those experiences and I use them almost daily when talking and trying to minister to others. God has totally healed me from things in my past and has given me this passion to help others realize that God means EVERYTHING for good, not just some of it for good. Finally I am very thankful for this body of believers at CrossPointe, we are truly at home and want to serve here.
love you all, danielle
Beth – your words are a true inspiration to all. In today’s busy & sometimes crazy days we need to all be reminded of our 1 true Savior…Jesus Christ!!! I thank God everyday for all the blessings he has given to me and learn not to take any of them for granted. As a parent I hope I can teach my children the true meaning of gifts and how to give back to all especially The Father!!! I am very thankful to all you wonderful ladies for all the encouraging words & I pray for you all everyday!!! Nancy
Thanks for the reminder of God’s Gifts to us. So many times, I find myself caught up in the routine of life that I take the gifts God has given me for granted. He has blessed me with so much. This post challenges me to spend more time thanking God daily for the things he has done for me. Throughout this week, I have found myself thanking God throughout the day for the blessings he has given me (you know just 1-2 line prayers throughout the day). I am going to challenge myself to make this a habit. Thanks for the challenge
Your blog looks perfect. Keep it up the good work. cheers:)