GIFTS

GIFTS

 Quotes: “Every day without exception – is a gift from God, entrusted to us to use for His glory.”  (Billy Graham)
“Sometimes the gifts of God aren’t wrapped as we expect.”  (Yasmin Mogahed)

Scripture: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”- Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV

Some Thoughts: What picture do you have when you hear the word “gift”?  How about “Surprise Gifts”? “White Elephant Gifts”? Beautifully wrapped gifts don’t always give a true picture of what is inside the gift.  “White Elephant” gifts, even though beautifully wrapped, can end up being the worst gift ever; one no one wants! What a contradiction!

So much of what results in our Christian walk can seem to be a “contradiction.”

*Jesus taught to be a “great leader”, you must be a servant.
*To be “first”, you must be “last”.
*We carry a “great treasure” in “clay jars”.
*Overcome evil with good.
*To show yourself “wise”, be quiet.
*Stop a LOUD argument with a soft-spoken word.
*Generous givers have more than those who are stingy with their money.
*People were looking for a mighty king, but God sent His Son as a weak human baby.

It seems that the best gifts in our Christian walk come to us unexpectedly and are not always wrapped in the way we would think.

A friend of ours named Anjoli Rowe, wrote these words during the pandemic, but they still ring true for us today:

“Let us be thankful.
Let us have grateful hearts.
Let us take a moment to focus on the positive things we’ve missed because we’ve been groaning about negative things. (guiiiilty).

Here are some simple things I choose to remember and celebrate today:
– Babies are still being born!
– People are still entering remission from tough diagnoses and prognoses!
– Couples are still falling in love!
– Addictions are still being confronted and sobriety is being pursued!
– People are still regaining abilities they thought they lost forever after injuries and illnesses!
– Victims are still becoming survivors!
– Children are still reaching developmental milestones!
– People are still finding strength and courage in doing hard things and asking hard questions!
– GOD IS STILL GOOD!” – By Anjoli Elizabeth Rowe

Jesus’s kingdom has been called an “upside-down” kingdom.  Let’s look for opportunities to give gifts in unexpected ways and wrappings.

How about “gifting” our enemies?

^“But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44 (21^st Century New King James Version)

Pray for those who are hard to love.  Pray for someone who has treated you rudely.  Pray for someone who has hurt you.  Pray with thanksgiving for the many “gifts” God is giving, even though they may not be the “gifts” you wanted or were longing for.  Look for the good God is doing in His “upside-down” kingdom!

Prayer:  Dear Father, You are a gift-giving God.  You give to us, even though we are undeserving and often ungrateful.  Thank You for Your daily care and provision, for Your guardianship when we aren’t even aware.  Lord, help us to love those who are spiteful.  Help us to love those who take Your Name in vain and make fun of living as Christ-followers.  May we see each person as a person You died for.  You don’t want to see any perish.  Help us to forgive our trespassers as You have forgiven us, our trespasses.  I pray in Jesus’ Name, the best Gift of Love ever given.  Amen.

 

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