“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:11-12 NIV

The Bible is filled with promises from God. God’s “gifts” to His creations made in His image, us!

First is love, the gift of God’s everlasting, compassionate, unconditional, amazing love. We are the beloved of God. His children, drenched in His love. But we have to accept it, to take hold of it and let it live in our hearts. We may not feel worthy because we couldn’t possibly deserve His love. But we have to choose to accept His gift of love. And embrace it!

The next gift is forgiveness. God forgives us and removes our sins far from us. He cleanses our hearts and heals our pasts. God sees us through His Son’s righteousness and remembers our sins no more. We ask for heart-felt forgiveness and God forgives us. Simple. But we have to choose to accept it as freely as God’s love and grace give it.

Another gift is God’s presence. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV He is always with us. He takes our fears away and encourages us. He is beside us in every “battle”, in every joy, in every grief, in every moment. We have to choose to recognize Him, communicate with Him, thank Him, and walk with Him.

The last gift I want to share with you today is peace. These days, peace seems much harder to find and nearly impossible to hold onto. But Jesus promises us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV We can have peace knowing that God is in control, that Jesus has overcome the world. And with this gift of God, we, too, with His help, can choose to have peace and rest.

There are so many other gifts that God gives us in His Word; strength, wisdom, answered prayer, guidance, plans, salvation, protection, provision and abundant blessings.

This week let’s choose to accept all the gifts that God is offering to us. Let’s bask in His wondrous love. Be cleansed in the forgiveness of His grace. Be fearless in His presence. And possess His peace and rest as we accept each of these gifts of God.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we choose to accept the marvelous gifts that our God offers to us.

Blessings of love, forgiveness, presence, and peace!