Surprises are always nice at Christmas, birthdays and special occasions when opening gifts from loved ones. I’ve learned through the years that it is most rewarding to give than receive. It’s always helpful for those giving gifts to listen for subtle hints as to what others really want. But a relatively sure way of getting what one wants is to ask for it in advance, and then act surprised when opening the gift.
There is no-one that loves giving more than God. But He is not a genie that grants three wishes and then becomes free of further obligations. The creator of all living things is not obligated to anyone except His Son, Jesus, which is God’s ultimate gift to mankind.
God not only sees Christmas as an important day of the year, but every other day as well. He views them through the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary , which reminds God of the Lord’s obedience unto death and why He died—the gift of salvation. Because of Jesus’ death, God allows Himself to be reconciled to fallen man. Jesus made it possible for humanity to receive God’s gift of love. (John 3:16)
God loved us before we first loved Him, but our lack of admiration for God did not prevent Him from giving His only begotten son for fallen man. “We love Him because He first loved us,” (1 John ).
It is important to realize our need of a Savior and to ask God for His precious gift of love. Jesus should be the first and foremost gift to ask for throughout the year. When we put Him first on our list of desires, life takes on new meaning and direction. The rough road ahead is made straight and much smoother.
The second thing to ask God for is wisdom, because it encompasses everything pertaining to life. Money, health, good sense, proper judgment, the ability to find favor with others, being a good husband, wife or parent are all significant aspects of living a successful life. Countless other attributes that make up a person’s character are all tied to Godly wisdom. Wisdom is the key to success in this world of changing desires and focuses.
King Solomon, whom was written about in the Bible, thought it most important to possess wisdom. He was brilliant in all things, because he was blessed with much wisdom from God. You and I have the same privilege as Solomon; to ask God for wisdom and expect to receive it when we live a Godly life.
(Proverbs 2:6-11) “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding;” vs.7 “He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;” vs.8 “He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.” vs.9 “Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.” vs.10 “When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul,” vs.11 “discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you…”
When a person depends upon worldly wisdom to get by, the end results are disappointment and want. (1 Corinthians 3:19) “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God…”
If a person desires Godly wisdom that brings restful days and peaceful nights, reading the Bible provides this and more. This book is alive and full of truth, which when we saturate ourselves with its content, it imparts wisdom to the reader. The Holy Spirit makes it come alive like no other book.
I like what (1 Corinthians 2:9) has to say, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” How do we love God? We love Him by keeping His commandments. How do we obtain truth? We receive truth as we surrender ourselves to God’s son and the Living Word…the Holy Bible.
The third request we can ask of God is for Him to create a desire in our heart for more of His Word; to sit down with holy men of old, and glean from their inspired writings, the things God has to say. Yes, it takes time from our daily routine and life style to read the Bible, but the dividends are many.
Comprehension is given by the Holy Spirit to those seeking understanding of the scriptures and what the Word holds for them personally. When reading the Bible it becomes the gateway to another dimension and consciousness. The God-mind is opened to awareness and perceptive reasoning in such a way that we are taken aback and elated at what is revealed. Reading
Success begins with Jesus Christ when we ask Him into our heart; then we pray for direction, because we are in His perfect will once we become children of Almighty God. He is now our Heavenly Father and we are joint-heirs with Jesus our Savior.
The Lord gives us the ability to remain calm when the storms of life are raging. We are able to say with the song writer, Horatio G. Spafford, “It is well with my soul.” Scriptures that are committed to memory combat the enemy of our soul when he attempts to come in like a tempest to rain on our coming and going.
(Hebrews 4:12) “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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