THE GIFT GIVER

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure,
pressed down, shaken together and running over, will
be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use,
it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 (NIV)


Devotion:

This morning I'll watch with joyful anticipation as my
family opens the gifts that I've given them. I can't
wait to see their faces light up with surprised
pleasure and gratefulness. In moments like these I
understand why Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give
than to receive" (Acts 20:35, NIV).


A few years ago my daughter reached an age where she
could find the hidden stash of unwrapped presents if
she really tried. So I warned her that if she peeked,
and I found out about it, I would return those
presents to the store and she would not receive them.
Sounds a bit harsh I know, but I really wanted her to
learn some important lessons: to exercise self-control
and delayed gratification, and to respect the act of
giving by not robbing me of the pleasure of seeing her
open her presents for the first time. I wanted her to
know that giving and receiving are irreversibly linked
-- and that expressions of thankfulness are part of
it.


It's essential for God's children to respect the act
of giving as well as receiving - He calls us to live a
life of both. I also believe it can help us better
understand God's core nature and our relationship with
Him. God is a gift-giver! And He always knows the
exact perfect gift to give. "Every good and perfect
gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the
heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting
shadows" (James 1:17, NIV).


Let's unwrap today some of the awesome gifts He has
given us ...


He's given us physical life: "The Lord God formed the
man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his
nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a
living being." Genesis 2:7 (NIV)


And eternal life: ""For God so loved the world that he
gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in
him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
(NIV)


He's given us family: "God sets the lonely in families
..." Psalm 68:6 (NIV)


He's given us wisdom: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he
should ask God, who gives generously to all without
finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5
(NIV)


He's given us peace: "Peace I leave with you; my peace
I give you." John 14:27 (NIV)
 

He's given us joy: "You became imitators of us and of
the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed
the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." 1
Thessalonians 1:6 (NIV)
 

He's given us rest: "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all
of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I
will give you rest.'" Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
 

He's given us a personal counselor: "And I will ask
the Father, and he will give you another Counselor,
who will never leave you." John 14:16 (NIV)
 

He's given us an inheritance: "...you know that you
will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a
reward." Colossians 3:24 (NIV)


And He's given us freedom: "God alone made it possible
for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God
made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who
made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy,
and he gave himself to purchase our freedom." 1
Corinthians 1:30 (NIV)
 

In return for all these glorious gifts, God simply
wants us to receive and respond with thankfulness and
a heart that is ready to emulate His gracious nature.
I can't think of a better day than today to respond
with gratefulness and enjoy the act of giving and
receiving -- Merry Christmas!

We have received a gift, a gift of life and a gift
that takes a life time to unwrap. For with God each
day is a new day, each day we are given the gift of
hope, peace, faith, let us enjoy what is given freely.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
and 
A  BLESSED DAY

Love

Geraldine Johnston