The Impact of God’s Gifts

SCRIPTURE:  “For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]” Romans 11:29 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

The wise men following Jesus’ star, traveled for a great while to worship the almost two-year-old King of the Jews. You can imagine their anticipation. Think about their preparation and collaboration for this journey; the resources needed to make the lengthy trip; navigating the stars to gain accurate directions; enduring the terrain from the east to Jerusalem; providing the necessary capital to feed and shelter themselves, their help, and livestock; and the wealthy treasury to provide such lavish gifts. Factor in all those variables and the encounter with Herod all culminating in their glorious meeting with King Jesus, then to turn around and depart to their own country (Matthew 2:12b). How long do you think that magnificent encounter impacted these men?

How about us? How long after our Christmas celebration are we impacted by the coming of Jesus?  Our entire lives from maybe age three and up have been consumed by the anticipation of Christmas. But once December 25 hits and after the dinner’s been eaten; the presents already exchanged; the yuletide cheer almost out; after the stations playing Christmas music, already returned to their regular format; after the stores switch to the Spring Line, how long does that glorious encounter with Jesus’ coming impact you?  We can confess that we all have departed, in some form or fashion, to our regular way of doing things and the impact of Jesus wanes. If these are your sentiments, rejoice highly favored ones, “This we recall to mind, therefore we have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. (Lamentations 3:21-22). The impact of Jesus can be realized every day, for the gifts of God still abound in every believer.

I just read a note from CBN’s president, Gordon Robertson, about “The God Who Gives.” Through Jesus, God our heavenly Father has gifted us with the following :

• Salvation – “To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins,” Luke 1:77
• Eternal Life - “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23
• The Holy Spirit - “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11
• A Heart – “Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, ” Jeremiah 24:7
• His Nature – “through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3b-4
• Spiritual Gifts – As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10
• Wisdom -- “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,” Ephesians 1:17
• Increase – “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,” 1 Thessalonians 3:12
• Victory – “ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
•  Strength --“He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.” Isaiah 40:29  
• Peace – “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” John 14:27
• A future and A hope – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
• All things – “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,” 2 Peter 1:3

When we are in Christ, these gifts abound in those who have believed in the Only Begotten. To those who have yet to believe in the Only Begotten, the gift awaits your reception.  May the Christmas season always remind us that God had us in mind when He gave His only begotten Son, the impact of which was initiated well before time, has lasted in time, and will last through eternity.

PRAYER: Oh what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us we should called children of God. Thank You, heavenly Father for the multitude of gifts You have lavished upon us, with Jesus being the Best Gift! Help us to see Jesus and value the blessings of these intangible gifts highly above the carnal gifts that have no eternal significance or reward. As believers we rejoice that we have been grafted into the True Vine and may the gifts that You have planted in us supply abundant fruit to the Body of Christ and beyond, for God’s glory and praise. We worship and praise You Lord Jesus for all You have done and will do. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!
By Sis. Paula Smith