TWO KINDS OF GIFTS
"There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12 (NLT)
"Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today."
Acts 2:33 (NLT)
There are two different kinds of Christmas gifts we give one another. Gifts of need—those we know the other person could really use...like a pair of wool socks, a razor blade subscription, an organic bath towel set or a QT gift card. Then there are gifts of want—those we don't believe the other person would consider buying for themselves... like a special piece of jewelry, a pair of silk pajamas, top-tier earbuds or a gift card to Texas De Brazil.
The Gift in the Manger. The perfect Christmas gift we all need—and desperately. This gift is given by the perfect God: the gift of Jesus. There is no better gift, and none that meets our deepest human need more perfectly.
We live in a broken world where we all fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23), so we need a Savior—a way back to God and heaven, our true home. God gave His Son, Jesus, as the final sacrifice to cover our sin.
The Gift Within Us. In Acts 2:33, God's gift of the Holy Spirit came poured out through Jesus. This is another wonderful, much-needed gift. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our eternal inheritance. (Ephesians 1:13-14) To the believer, He indwells, empowers, guides and comforts. He gifts us new life the moment we believe and produce fruit in a life surrendered to God's will.
Just think of it. God gave us His Son. And both the Father and the Son gave us the Holy Spirit. This is the Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—all wrapped up in a swaddling cloth on a Christmas morning, long, long ago. This is a gift of need...but also a generous gift of pure love.
APPLICATION: Have you accepted God's generosity—His gift of Jesus and the Holy Spirit? We often want so many things at Christmas, but this is the gift we truly need. If you've received it, that's something to celebrate this Christmas season. If not, or if you're unsure, would you open your heart to God's love for you this Christmas—or even right now?
PRAYER: Father, thank You for Your overwhelming generosity, love and forgiveness. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for Christmas. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?