Gifts

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights .” – James 1:17

“I got your package today!” my niece told me excitedly over the phone. Several days before, I had mailed her a birthday gift, and she had been anxiously waiting for it. When it arrived she was so happy to get it, and she made sure to call and thank me.

We all love to receive gifts, whether for a special occasion or for no reason at all. Gifts are even better when the gift giver takes time to think of something we will like or need. When someone is thoughtful enough to find a gift that we will truly appreciate, and then they purchase it for us simply because they love us, we are most grateful.

Our Heavenly Father is truly the best Gift Giver. His primary gift is that of salvation, bought with Jesus' own precious Blood—a very high price for a gift! Sanctification and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are also available to all. Sometimes God gives us a healing when we are sick or injured, or comfort when we have sorrow. Many times, He gives us blessings of joy and peace, showering us with His precious Holy Spirit. He knows exactly what we need and is ready to give it, and when we receive His gifts, words cannot express our thankfulness.

It will take our entire lifetime to receive all God has for us, yet some gifts He wants to give right now, such as salvation, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Unlike waiting for a package to arrive in the mail, there is no reason to wait for these gifts—they are only a prayer away! And just as a birthday gift is not something we earn, we do not earn God's gifts either: He gives them to us when we ask with a sincere heart.

These gifts are all free, but it is up to the individual to claim them through faith. What gift is waiting for you today? God, who “daily loadeth us with benefits” (Psalm 68:19), has something for you. Go ahead and claim it!