Bible Reading: James 1:17 & Galatians 5:22 & 23
We have come to the end of our Christmas series on Gifts from God. We’ve talked about some of the many good gifts God gives to us when we accept Jesus and commit our lives
to Him. The gifts highlighted in this series are just a few of the many gifts God gives to us. In fact, James 1:17 says that, “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.”
For all of us – whether or not we have claimed Jesus as our Lord and Savior – God has given life and breath. He provides for our physical and emotional needs. He gives us people to help meet those needs and to share our lives with. Whether or now we acknowledge Him or accept His Son’s sacrificial death as the punishment for our sins, God loves us and has given us many good gifts.
For those of us who have made the chose to ask God’s forgiveness for our sins and welcome Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God has given many other gifts. He gives us hope and a future. He gives us strength and courage. He gives us the ability to please Him and live lives that produce the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22 & 23), “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Even these lists just scratch the surface of the good gifts that God gives to us.
God’s love and generosity shouldn’t go unnoticed. It shouldn’t be taken for granted. We should acknowledge God and His gifts. How?
Our response to God’s gifts & God’s generosity should be two-fold: One, we should accept God’s gifts with gratitude. We should say, “Thank You!” to God for His gifts to us.
Two, we should use our God-given gifts well, wisely, and faithfully in ways that honor God, grow His kingdom by drawing others to Him, and increase our own faith in Him. We should be careful not neglect, abuse, or misuse those gifts.
Thank you for reading this series. My prayer is that you will accept all of God’s good gifts, thank Him for them, and use them well, wisely, and faithfully every day.
“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for all of Your good gifts. Help me to honor and thank You by using them well, wisely, and faithfully every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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