Express Yourself

Read:

James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

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

Think:

My parents went on a trip to an exotic location and brought a gift home for me. I was waiting excitedly with my grandparents who had baby-sat my brothers and I because I knew they had brought me something special home. But the gift they brought was a simple t-shirt. As the story goes (I was young), I threw it down and ran off in utter disappointment. I am sure you have experienced kids who have expressed their lack of appreciation over a gift. But when it comes to gifts from our Heavenly Father, it is quite possible for us also to throw tantrums, especially when the gifts aren't nicely wrapped packages as we had hoped. We know He has given us the gift of His Son, The Holy Spirit, Salvation, eternal life, and gifts to serve; but don’t we sometimes pitch a fit for more! Maybe today we need to be grateful for everyday gifts, or even unasked for gifts.

Act:

Ask God to give you a heart of gratitude. Write down five things that you are thankful for today.

Pray:

God, thank you for your gift of Jesus. Jesus, would you remind me throughout the day of what all you have done for me?