good gifts

More Gifts from God for You 

Dr. Mike 2022 , ,

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

What has God given you that you take for granted?

Someone once said somewhere that the best things in life are free. Which means you and I didn’t earn them, but were given them from someone else to us without cost or effort on our part. A few include:

  • The beauty of a sunset over the calm water of the ocean or large lake.
  • A word of encouragement from a stranger or friend when you are downcast and feeling helpless.
  • Sharing laughter with family and friends at the end of a long day.
  • Having work which provides meaning and fulfillment along with a satisfying paycheck.
  • Contentment and rest in Christ’s work of salvation for our soul and destiny.
  • Discernment to determine what is good, better, and best of a situation.
  • The committed love from another accepting you and you them for your entire lives.
  • A relationship with the living Being who created the universe, executing HIS macro-plan for humanity, and moving history toward the culmination of all things – and has included you in the process.
  • Having your eyes open to the revealed Word of God through the pages of the Bible and its practical implementation in everyday life.
  • An inspiration or idea which led you to create a business or service that benefited others and yourself.

The privilege of being born in a country like America with vast amount of opportunity to grow and experience the riches of God’s creation without the bondage of tyranny.

There are many others you could list. These are just some of the thoughts that captured my mind this morning. But when you evaluate your life and look at all the gifts you have been given over the years without your direct labor or impact, who do you think was the initiating influence behind each one?

Over the years, I for one am truly amazed at how a holy Being can be involved in each of our lives and find the many ways to shower us with HIS love and care while we take the credit. The people, ideas, and circumstances that all seem to come together at the right time and the right place with just the right amount of impact only enforces my belief that Someone cares for you and I more than we truly realize.

And like a loving grandparent who wants to shower all good things upon their grandchildren, our Triune God wants to give us more than we truly realize for our good. In hindsight, every good gift that came my way over the years, is a reflection of a Good God who wants more for me than I can even expect. The same is true for you.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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A Gift from God for You        

Dr. Mike 2022 , , ,

Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. Eccl. 5:18-20

How fast does time move?

It took less than three seconds to type this line. Another minute has gone by as I think what to write next.

Though time has moved past me just now, it doesn’t bother me as much as it did in my younger days. Why? Because God has put His joy into my heart which allows me to experience HIS presence as time moves on. He lives in me.

In my younger apprentice days, HE resided in me, and I didn’t allow him full access into my inner chambers. Today, that has changed.

Today, HE has full access into any room of my heart, mind, and soul. HE has my permission (even though HE doesn’t need it) to engage me wherever HE knows what is best for me in the long term. Though I may initially complain and get angry for HIS interference, I slowly calm down and remember the work HE has started and committed to finish in me. For that I am thankful.

In reading the above Scripture, I am reminded that you and I may have accumulated wealth, possessions, and other favorable toys, but unless God places HIS joy in us, all is lost in frustration, worry, and fear. God’s gift for you and I is the power to enjoy them.

In doing so, we not only accept our social status and class position; but enjoy them along with the work of our hands. This is God’s gift for you and I.

The fact is, because HE has gifted us to enjoy what we do, the time of life seems to move so fast that before we know it, we have lived a full life with fond memories. Yes, there were probably a few challenges in between, but they seem so far removed from the joy set before us.

God is good. He is a Giver of goodness. His goodness includes HIS Spirit of joy. Again, I can only thank HIM for HIS love and sharing this precious gift to me.

For those who care, there are 86,400 seconds per day. Each second is either accompanied with or without joy. If you haven’t done so yet and want to experience the same with the Creator of the universe, ask HIM. Today. Now. Put HIM to the test.

Ask HIM to lead you into work that is fulfilling for you. But more importantly, ask HIM to fully live in you. There may be some initial pain in the beginning as every change brings, but the long-term impact is well worth the trials and tests that shape your inner character. Otherwise, when you look back at your entire life, what will you be thankful for?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Gifts from God

Dr. Mike Think About That... , ,


James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

There is an old classic hymn entitled “Count Your Blessings” that comes to mind when I read this sentence from the Book of James. The repeated refrain reminds us to count our blessings and name them one by one which reminds us with what God has done in our life.

As some of my long-time readers will know, I love to read the Book of Ecclesiastes from the Old Testament Bible on a regular basis. It helps keep me grounded whenever this world’s cultural system begins to pull me away from the Solid center of life. Lately when I read the twelve chapters, I happen to notice more than before the gifts God has bestowed upon us mere humans. Sometimes, if not most of the time, it is good to be reminded.

Chapter one is the prelude which sets the stage for life’s end result before one even begins living. But in chapter two we start to capture God’s design for mankind, “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?(2:24-25)” Then again in chapter three the writer states, “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil – this is God’s gift to man(3:12-13,22).

In chapter 5, “Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil – this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart (5:19-20).

Through the remaining chapters the writer emphasizes actions which lead to a more joyful and favorable life. Such as diligence is better than slothfulness (10:18); money is a solution to many physical outcomes (10:19); be generous (11:1-2); work your plan even though circumstances look bleak (11:4,6); invest time to pursue your goals and to rejoice every day in what you do, but remember you are being held accountable by God (11:9); don’t worry and maintain good health (11:10); and don’t over study a matter (12:12). These are only a few of the tidbits you find are golden nuggets for living an enjoyable and full life.

The bottom-line: Life is a gift. Enjoy your work, share life with others, and walk with your God. He designed life for you to enjoy His creation within the boundaries of His love – His good and perfect gift to us.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

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