Gifts
'Tis the season... for giving and receiving gifts. Do you like gifts? I do. Especially since I found out that some of the gifts I've been given are not "things" but things I love to do.
Confused? I was, too. But I'm not talking about gifts you give; I'm talking about gifts you've been given. God gives each of us gifts that are woven into who we are - they make up the fabric of our being. They may come out through our personality or they may be talents that we are given and develop over time.
We studied gifts in our church a while back. There were different categories like gifts that anyone could be given (a word of wisdom, for example) for a specific situation. Then there were gifts like teaching, leadership, giving, etc., that reflected our strengths and personality. I hadn't really known what my gifts were, but as I looked at the list, I was afraid one of them would be poverty! That was one gift I didn't want.
But what I found out was so encouraging. It turned out that my strongest gift is what I love to do - encourage people and help them grow spiritually. (Whew! Thank goodness God doesn't give us gifts we don't like - He gives us gifts we love to use.) And our pastor says that when you're using your gift, it's like God is smiling on you. Isn't that cool? And the neat thing is, when you use it for God, both you and the person who receives it are blessed! Everyone benefits.
So what gifts do you have? You might not even know you have them. But God has woven into you special characteristics and abilities that He can show you and teach you how to use. Wouldn't you like to find out?
Spend some time getting to know God, and find out what gifts He has given to you. And most of all, get to know the greatest gift He has ever given for you - the life and death of His son, Jesus Christ. If you don't know Him personally, I'd be glad to share with you how this can happen.
God's best to you, and Merry Christmas!
Confused? I was, too. But I'm not talking about gifts you give; I'm talking about gifts you've been given. God gives each of us gifts that are woven into who we are - they make up the fabric of our being. They may come out through our personality or they may be talents that we are given and develop over time.
We studied gifts in our church a while back. There were different categories like gifts that anyone could be given (a word of wisdom, for example) for a specific situation. Then there were gifts like teaching, leadership, giving, etc., that reflected our strengths and personality. I hadn't really known what my gifts were, but as I looked at the list, I was afraid one of them would be poverty! That was one gift I didn't want.
But what I found out was so encouraging. It turned out that my strongest gift is what I love to do - encourage people and help them grow spiritually. (Whew! Thank goodness God doesn't give us gifts we don't like - He gives us gifts we love to use.) And our pastor says that when you're using your gift, it's like God is smiling on you. Isn't that cool? And the neat thing is, when you use it for God, both you and the person who receives it are blessed! Everyone benefits.
So what gifts do you have? You might not even know you have them. But God has woven into you special characteristics and abilities that He can show you and teach you how to use. Wouldn't you like to find out?
Spend some time getting to know God, and find out what gifts He has given to you. And most of all, get to know the greatest gift He has ever given for you - the life and death of His son, Jesus Christ. If you don't know Him personally, I'd be glad to share with you how this can happen.
God's best to you, and Merry Christmas!
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