Acts‬ ‭11‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — ‭Then I remembered what the Lord had said: “‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?’ When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.’”

This week, we have been sharing about Gifts. Let’s pause and savor the gift of the Holy Spirit. In today’s key verse, we know that we are baptized with the Holy Spirit. On Wednesday we talked about love being our motivation. 

5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman includes, words of affirmation, acts of service, giving gifts, quality time, and physical touch. During Christmas, we all enjoy giving and receiving gifts. I encourage us all to take the 5 Love Languages quiz at 5lovelanguages.com. What are ways that we can share our gifts through the love we receive from the Holy Spirit? As I’ve gotten older I find the value of quality time. 

Dear God, thank You for giving me the gift of Your Holy Spirit. I desire to share the gift of Your love through quality time with family and friends this Christmas season. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Our gift back to Jesus is what we do with our planted seeds. In 2019, the year my Dad was diagnosed with cancer, the word of the year was “influence.” As I reflected I realized what a great gift God had given me that year. If Dad had not gotten cancer, I may not have found running. If I had not found running, God could not have used me to be an influence with others through running. I am certainly not grateful that Dad had to suffer through cancer, but I am grateful that God gave me a gift that would get me through the hardest season of my life.

In today’s key verse, we read of the promise that God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. Even if we don’t understand, God will continue to work through us, for His glory. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for giving me special gifts, handpicked for me. I desire to use my gifts joyfully for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬ — and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Jesus was not the traditional gift that you unwrap and celebrate. His gift did not come wrapped in ribbon and bows but rather swaddling clothes. Our gifts may come disguised just like baby Jesus. It may take years of beautifully wrapped gifts for us to identify them. Over the years our gifts may change, or it may be that we change. God sees our potential through our gifts before the seeds are ever planted in our hearts. Will you make room in your heart for those planted seeds to grow or will you starve them?

In reading today’s key verse, be reminded of the precious gift God gave us through the birth of our savior, Christ Jesus. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for giving me special gifts, handpicked for me. I desire to make room in my heart to nurture the seeds you are planting in me for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

@biblegateway @youversion

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

I want you to recall your favorite gift you received as a child. You were probably overjoyed with excitement and could not wait to use it. Now I want you to think about a gift you received as a child that was not what you wanted. You were probably ungrateful with a crushed spirit and could not wait to see if you could exchange it. Again, God knows what we will do with our special gifts He gives us Do you think you will nurture that gift, or will you forsake it?

Tara-Leigh Cobble with The Bible Recap says, Paul encourages us to use our gifts with love as the motivation. Otherwise all our good deeds are multiplied by zero or are harmful to the body. In today’s key verse we know that if we do not have love, we have nothing. I encourage us to be grateful for our gifts and steward them with love.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for giving me special gifts, handpicked for me. I desire to use my gifts with love and motivation for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

My word for 2020 was “Refine,” which took on different meanings throughout the year, as reflected in various scriptures. I want you to imagine a beautiful box with a special gift inside. Now I want you to imagine God presenting this beautiful box as His special gift to you. Can you feel the anticipation begin to rise? Before you open the box, I want you to imagine how this gift was handpicked, specifically for you. Now I want you to think about your reaction. Keep in mind, God already knows how you will respond to this special gift. Do you think you will have a receiving heart or a rejecting heart?

As we read in today’s key verse, God gives each of us gifts to steward for His glory. How are you receiving and stewarding your gifts?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for giving me special gifts, handpicked for me. I desire to use my gifts joyfully for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Bonus: How is your Christmas Bucket List going? 

Take time today to meditate on this weeks’ scripture verses.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬ — and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Acts‬ ‭11‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — ‭Then I remembered what the Lord had said: “‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?’ When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.’”

@biblegateway @youversion