Give and Take

As Christmas quickly approaches (and all the stresses that go with it!) I couldn't help but reflect upon its true meaning. We often hear that Jesus is the greatest gift of all, and indeed He is, but I wonder if we really GET it?

A gift is something we GIVE to one another. It has to be handed over, opened, and then received. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he GAVE..." Do you see that? God gave! What exactly did God give? The verse goes on to say that, "...he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him." And his giving doesn't stop there. God also GAVE us...

HIMSELF -- Emmanuel, which means "God with us."
Eternal LIFE through his Son, Jesus.
PEACE with God through the removal of sin - through the blood that covers & redeems us.
HOPE to live each new day.
New MERCIES every morning.
JOY - deep satisfying joy that only comes from salvation.
Direction, WISDOM, counsel through his WORD and the HOLY SPIRIT (whom we receive at salvation).
Our DAILY BREAD and LIVING WATER.
DELIVERANCE from evil.
AUTHORITY over the enemy, not only in our homes but in our personal lives.
COMPASSION when we're hurting and the LISTENING EAR of a best friend.
COMFORT in our sorrow and the power of PRAYER to cover our needs and the needs of others.
ADOPTION into God's spiritual family -- we are CO-HEIRS with Christ!
His PRESENCE - He promises to never leave us or forsake us.
His SPRITUAL FRUITS - his love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are all within us if Christ is in us!
FAITH to believe!
STRENGTH when we are weak.
HELP in our time of need.
His NAME is a rock to lean upon, our strong tower, and a shelter from life's storms.
His GRACE to love others, to forgive others, and to live life righteously.
GIFTS and TALENTS to serve him and others. He EQUIPS us!!
The ABILITY to do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

The only thing that God TAKES is the sins of this world. Oh, and he also took upon himself our curses, our illnesses, and our diseases. He did all of this so he could give us the greatest gift of all - HEAVEN with him forever! He GAVE of himself so we could be FREE to enjoy him forever!

It's not that hard, really. God GIVES and we TAKE. That's the way He wanted it to be.
"For God so loved the world that he GAVE..."