This week let’s focus on some of the wonderful gifts God has given you and me as His children. When we were born again (received Christ as our Savior), we became a new creation. Who you are now after receiving Christ is different from who you were previously. (Amen to that!!)

The gifts available and already provided for us by God touch every area of our life. God is the giver of every good gift. Let’s celebrate and use these gifts to be better witnesses for Jesus and to help others.

1. THE NEW YOU! You are not who you used to be! Upon receiving Christ you became a new you! Sometimes the change is so radical that those who knew you before Christ, may wonder what happened. The old person has been put away, buried. You don’t just have a fresh start, but also a new you has transpired because of being “born again.” It is the mystery that Paul spoke of “Christ in you.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

2. FAITH — At Calvary, Jesus won the victory over the world, the flesh, the devil and all radical evil. He conquered hell, death and the grave for us!! We are to live the resurrected life with Him!

Galatians 2:20 KJV – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Think on that! You are living by the very same faith that was in Jesus! The same faith by which Christ lived His life has been implanted in you!!

3. REST – Are you tired and weary? Most of our nation is– in fact, a significant percentage of people take sleep medication every night. Many are not resting, but rather struggling with thoughts, worries and fears late into the night. Jesus promises us rest! Jesus says, “Come unto me and I will give you rest.” Your part is to pursue God and RECEIVE that deep restorative rest from the Lord.

Matthew 11:28-30 KJV – Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

4. PEACE – If you don’t practice casting your cares on the Lord, you will lack peace. You are promised the peace of God through salvation. Peace is included in the salvation package. God’s peace passes understanding.

Philippians 4:7 KJV – And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When you came to Christ you obtained peace with God Himself!!

Romans 5:1-2 NIV – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Philippians 4:9 NIV – “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Jesus promised us His peace in John 14:27 KJV – “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Friend, what greater assurance can be have in these troubled times than to know and experience God’s peace in the midst of turmoil. Thank you, Jesus!

5. HOPE – Where would we be if we did not have hope in our God and hope for a better future? (Jeremiah 29:11) Upon death we will be face to face with Jesus. We are assured of this in Romans 5:2 and also Paul’s writings:

2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV – “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

6. LOVE – The greatest gift of all is LOVE. Without God’s love none of us would be here. God loved us first before we loved Him. God is love and His love is in our heart when we are in Him. Love is the gift that overcomes evil! In Christ, God’s love has been shed abroad in our hearts as believers.

Romans 5:5 KJV – “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

God is the giver of every good gift and we thank Him for all He has done. God’s gifts add no sorrow. We have listed only a few wonderful gifts available to us in Christ. Think of some other gifts on your own, look up the scriptures for these promises, receive them and then rejoice and be glad in the Lord. He is worthy of your praise!!