March 12, 2014 - "The Gift Giver"

Perhaps you have read the book, The Five Love Languages. If you have not, I suggest you do. Reading this book was a major turning point in my life as it allowed me to understand how I give and receive love. Until then, I got so frustrated with people who seemed to need some "type of attention" that I evidently didn't comprehend. After digesting this material and reading it several times, I had an "ah-ha" moment. Now, it is one of the first books I suggest to people struggling in their relationships. Today, let's consider one of the languages - gifts. (which happens to be one of mine) James 1:17 says, "Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn't change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon." Now for those of us who are "gifts" people (you need to take the test to determine your love language), this is really GREAT news. However, if you're not a gift person - this is great news for you as well! God's heart is constantly for us even though at times we struggle or find ourselves with questions. God is the perfect Father and He gives perfect gifts. I wonder what a "perfect" gift would be to you? Isn't it cool to even pause and consider what that would be? And yet, we are told in this passage that good and perfect gifts come from God who doesn't change in the manner in which He loves each of us. Psalm 139 reminds me that God knows every thought in my mind and every word before it proceeds from my mouth and yet, God still loves me and gives good and perfect gifts to this imperfect vessel. WOW! One of the gifts I so appreciate about my heavenly Father is that He allows me to bring my issues and problems to Him for help and guidance. Look at this: Proverbs 16:3 in the Amplified Bible says this... Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will,] and so shall your plans be established and succeed. (AMP) The NIV Bible says that God will establish your plans when you commit all that you do to the Lord. I don't know about you, but "He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will" is such a gift to me. I want my plans to succeed, as do we all, but if my plans are not agreeable with God's plans, then I could be wasting a lot of time. That's not good. Today, let's spend quiet time with God (which was a gift given the moment Jesus died as the separation between mankind and God was opened again) and take our agenda and roll them - comment them - surrender them to God and allow the GIFT of God's help to be received and embraced with a smile. I love perfect gifts - and that is perfect. Have a great one - PK