UNWRAP HIS GIFTS

James 1:17 (NIV) "Every good and perfect is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

The Christmas season is an exciting time for giving and receiving gifts. It brings us pleasure to find just the right one for that special someone, knowing how meaningful it will be to them. We delight in our children's responses as they open their new treasures. We also find enjoyment in opening and receiving homemade kids crafts.

Celebrating the gift of Jesus gives us reason to pause at what God did for mankind on this lowly night in Bethlehem. His gift changed the world. His gift offered us hope and a future. His gift redefined what giving really means.

A few weeks ago I posted the "Alphabet of Attributes and Adoration" right before Thanksgiving. After I did this my thoughts were jump started and I began thinking of all we have in Christ because of who He is. I started making notes of all the gifts I have experienced and received from God because of my relationship with Him.

When we accept Jesus Christ into our lives we receive an eternal reward with Him in heaven. Many other gifts are also ours this side of heaven. Taking on His Name gives us new life and a new identity in Him. This new identity makes us the recipients of these blessings. What we have and who we are in Christ are the gifts He gives us. Because of who God is, we can experience what He offers us. It's time to unwrap these gifts and claim them as our own.

A-Accepted, Assured, Adopted, Abundant Life,

B-Blessed, Beauty, Belonging, Bible, Biblical Self-esteem,

C-Confident, Citizen of Heaven, Counselor, Cleansed, Courage, Compassion, Contentment,

D-Delivered, Defended, Discipline,

E-Eternal Life, Encouragement, Empowered, Endurance,

F-Found, Forgiveness, Freedom, Family, Faith, Father,

G-Grace, Gentleness, Goodness, Generosity, Gratitude, Growth,

H-Hope, Holy Spirit, Healing, Heaven, Hiding place, Humility, Heart for Missions,

I-Inheritance, Intercessor, Insight, Identity, Integrity,

J-Joy, Justification, Jesus,

K-Kindness, Kingdom,

L-Love, Life, Leadership,

M- Mercy, Member of God's Family,

N-New name, No fear,

O-Overcomers, Overjoyed,

P-Peace, Promises of God, Power of Holy Spirit, Payment for sin, Perseverance, Purpose,

Q-Quietness,

R-Redemption, Roots, Rest, Refuge, Responsibility, Respect,

S-Strength, Salvation, Second chance, Servant's heart, Self-discipline, Self-control,

T-Treasure in Heaven, Truth, Trust, The Word, Thankfulness,

U-Understanding, Undivided heart,

V- Victory, Vision,

W-Wisdom, Washed, Whole,

X-"chi" Christ,

Y-You,

Z-Zeal,

The best gift God gave is His Son Jesus. As we celebrate this time of year by giving and receiving various gifts, may we cherish the gift of our Savior. He delights to bless us with these gifts, this side of heaven. Let us claim the gifts and blessings God gives us because of Jesus. Have fun unwrapping!

Heart Work:

Ask the Lord to show you which gift you hesitate to unwrap and experience. Make your own list of God's gifts and praise Him for who He is and what you have received in Him.

Heart Examination:

Why is it we easily forget all Christ has given us? How can we not allow the daily grind to keep us from claiming these gifts?

Which gift means the most to you this week?

Heart Changing Word:

Matthew 6:33 (NIV) "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 14:16 "I will ask the Father and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever."

John 14:27 (NIV) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you."

Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."

Colossians 3:24 "Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."

Hebrews 3:6 "But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast."

James 1:17 "Every good and perfect is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

1 Peter 1:8 "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy."

Copyright 2010 by Hester Christensen. All rights reserved.