With God Life

Christmas: Extravagant Gifts From God

Dr. Mike 2022, Christmas , , , ,

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…

There are days I wake up and simply marvel in delight like a young boy on Christmas morning after opening the many gifts which have been waiting for him under the decorated tree. Which one do I focus on?

When I stop and begin to count the extraordinary blessings given to us by our Creator God, I am likewise gratefully in awe. In hindsight, those gifts were always there but not recognized until the time came for our eyes to be open, our heart to be captured, and our mind a blazed at the wonder of His generosity and personalized attention to details. He bestows upon us what we need when we need where we need how we need before we even know we need. He anticipates our every need and want before we even arrive to the moment or before we even ask him.

I’ve listed some of His gifts to us that crossed my mind today while reading the Book of Ephesians.

  • Chosen by God in Christ to be holy and blameless before Him (Eph. 1:4)
  • Adopted into His family (Eph 1:5)
  • Grace or unmerited favor overflowing upon us in Christ (Eph 1:6,8)
  • Redemption which means immediate, direct contact with Him (Eph 1:7)
  • Forgiveness of our sins (Eph 1:7)
  • Wisdom and insight into His plan for humanity (Eph 1:8,10)
  • Purposeful living (Eph 1:9)
  • Eternal inheritance (Eph 1:11)
  • Hope in Christ in everything we do (Eph 1:12)
  • Worship and praise the true God (Eph 1:12)
  • Sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13)
  • Guaranteed eternal life (Eph 1:14)
  • Knowledge of Jesus Christ and His significance (Eph 1:15-23)
  • Seated with Christ at His table (Eph 2:6)
  • God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10)
  • Peace in Christ (Eph 2:14)
  • Reconciled to God (Eph 2:16)
  • Citizens and Saints in God’s House (Eph 2:19)
  • Temple of God (Eph 2:22)
  • Boldness & Confidence (Eph 3:12)
  • Power through his Spirit (Eph 3:16)
  • Christ actively living in me (Eph 3:17)
  • Rooted and grounded in love (Eph 3:17)
  • Filled with the fullness of God (Eph 3:19)
  • Access to abundance (Eph 3:20)

You could easily add more to your personal list. But I am sure we can agree He is the most generous and caring Father none of us deserve but are grateful He is ours. 

I wish you and your family a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas!

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

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God is with You

Dr. Mike 2022 , , , ,

Matthew 28:20

“…And surely, I (Jesus) am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Since God is always with you, are you always aware of HIS presence?

If you are human like me, your initial response is a resounding no. How does one stay permanently together when the other person keeps a low profile, stays invisible, and rarely speaks. And when you do receive communications from HIM, you are unsure if you correctly perceived the message and need confirmation whether you understood the matter as you believed you heard.

It is hard enough to understand your mate who is next to you, visibly communicating with their words, actions, and attitude. So how much more challenging with someone unseen?

Yet, when the Spirit is alive and active in one’s life, we begin to acknowledge there is a part of us that seems to understand the Word we receive (I Corinthians 2:10, Romans 8:27).    

Now “with” is a function word. We use the word to indicate participation and to express agreement. So, when God and you are walking together through life sharing each other’s interests, challenges, and hopes, are you not doing life together? Like any committed relationship, when you are together you are either fully engaged or partially engaged. Yet you are engaged. The only question is the degree of your engagement.

The with-God life is one where you and God are mutually in agreement and supporting each other through life’s trials, tests, and successes. Now God doesn’t need our support as much as we need HIS. Yet, HE allows us to participate with HIM in HIS macro plan to restore creation to HIS original intent. So as God shares HIS life with us and allows us to share our life with HIM, doesn’t life become a great ballroom dance with a full orchestra in the background traveling around the maze of other dancers who are likewise moving to a unique pattern as only HE and and each of you recognize your own?

As we allow HIM to lead us and likewise struggle to follow HIM, we slowly realize over time we are reflecting HIS glory for others to witness what the with-God life truly represents. Our engagement with HIM is determined most of the time with how focused and intentional our heart, mind, and behavior respond to HIS presence.

So, since HE is always with you, how intentional are you with HIM?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books 

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