God is a giver — He gives love!

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 NIV)

The kind of love God gives is beautifully described:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud… it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Cor. 13:4–5 NIV)

God Himself is love:

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” (1 John 4:16 NIV)

Because He loved us first, we are able to love:

“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19 NIV)

Therefore

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 NIV)

God Is a Giver — He Gives Bold Access!

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Heb. 4:16 NLT)

Illustration

Imagine being invited into the private office of the most powerful leader on earth—not because of who you are, but because you’ve been personally granted full access. No fear, no hesitation, no barriers. You walk right in because your name is on the list and the door is open.

That is a tiny picture of what God has done for you. Through Jesus, the throne room of heaven is not restricted—you are invited to enter boldly.

Confident access

“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” (Eph. 3:12 ESV)

Access in one Spirit

“For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Eph. 2:18 ESV)

Brought near by His blood

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph. 2:13 ESV)

Access by faith into grace

“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Rom. 5:2 ESV)

Draw near with full assurance

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” (Heb. 10:19–22 ESV)

Therefore

Come boldly! Don’t approach God timidly or uncertainly. You have full access—granted by the blood of Jesus, welcomed by the Father, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Step into His presence with confidence, receive His mercy, and find grace for whatever you face today.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.” (Heb. 4:16 ESV)

God Is a Giver — He Gives Answers!

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 NIV)

When a small child asks a parent for help, they don’t hesitate. They simply ask—fully convinced that their parent hears them and cares. They expect an answer. And most parents, even imperfect ones, do everything they can to give what is needed.

If earthly parents respond like this, how much more does your perfect heavenly Father listen, care, and answer?

God hears—and responds

“And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” (1 John 5:15 ESV)

God doesn’t just hear your words—He hears your heart. And He responds according to His wisdom and timing.

Ask and receive

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matt. 7:7 ESV)

Jesus invites you to ask boldly, seek intentionally, and knock persistently. The door of heaven is open to you.

He gives good gifts

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:11 ESV)

God does not answer reluctantly—He answers generously.

Therefore

Ask with confidence! Stay close to Jesus, fill your heart with His Word, and bring every need to Him. Expect answers—because God is a giver, and He delights to give good things to His children.

“You do not have because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2 NIV)

God is a giver — He Gives Peace

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart… So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

A gift everyone wants

People search everywhere for peace—through money, success, relationships, vacations, even distractions. But Jesus says His peace is a gift the world cannot give. It is deeper, stronger, and lasting.

Peace in Him

When life shakes you, remember that real peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Jesus.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace…” (John 16:33 ESV)

Perfect peace comes from focus

God promises perfect peace to the one whose mind stays fixed on Him.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you…” (Isa. 26:3 ESV)

Let His peace rule your heart

Instead of letting fear or worry rule, let God’s peace take charge.

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” Col. 3:15 ESV)

He even brings peace with enemies

God can calm storms outside you and around you.

“When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Prov. 16:7 ESV)

God is a Giver — He Alone Gives Life

“You alone are the LORD. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them, And the heavenly host bows down before You. (Neh. 9:6 NASB)

“I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate.” (1 Tim. 6:13 NASB)

If you’ve ever watched a newborn take its first breath, you understand something sacred. No machine, no doctor, no parent can manufacture that breath. Technology can assist breathing, but it cannot create life. That spark—the first inhale, the beating heart, the consciousness inside a tiny frame—comes only from God. Life itself is His gift, His miracle, His signature.

The breath of life is from God

“Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” (Gen. 2:7 ESV)

He grants life with lovingkindness

“You have granted me life and lovingkindness; And Your care has preserved my spirit.” (Job 10:12 NASB)

In Jesus is life and light

“All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” (John 1:3–4 NASB)

Therefore

Every breath you take today is a gift directly from the Creator. Your heartbeat is not an accident. Your existence is not random. God willed you into being, sustains you every moment, and surrounds your life with purpose. When you feel small, overwhelmed, or unnoticed, remember: the One who breathed galaxies into existence also breathed life into you.

You are alive because God wanted you alive.

Worry is Worthless!

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt. 6:34 NIV)

A well-known study found:

  • 40% of worries never happen

  • 30% focus on the past

  • 12% are needless health concerns

  • 10% are petty or insignificant

  • 8% are truly legitimate

That means 92% of what we worry about is completely unnecessary.

Worry can’t change the past, control the future, or improve today. So Scripture simply tells us:

“Don’t worry about anything.” (Phil. 4:6 NLT)

Here is the answer

Jesus explains why we shouldn’t worry:

  • God feeds the birds — and you are worth far more than they are.

  • God clothes the lilies — and He’ll clothe and care for you.

  • Worry cannot add one hour to your life.

Your part is this

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33)

So don’t borrow tomorrow’s trouble. Trust God with today.

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow…” (Matt. 6:34)

God is a giver! He gives all things

“Nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things.” (Acts 17:25 NASB)

God provides food for the season

“The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.” (Psalms 145:15-16 ESV)

God provides for the birds and you are more valuable to Him than the birds

“Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!” (Luke 12:24 ESV)

God withholds no good thing 

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11 ESV)

Therefore

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’”  (Matt. 6:31 ESV)

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19 ESV)

Mike French
Fire

When gold is heated in the fire, the impurities rise to the surface and are removed. What remains is more pure, more valuable, and more radiant. The fire doesn’t destroy the gold—it reveals its true worth.

Your faith is tested by fire

“So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7 ESV)

Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Luke 3:16 ESV)

His Word is like fire

“Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jer. 23:29 ESV)

Your works will be tested by fire

“Each one’s work will become manifest… because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.” (1 Cor. 3:13 ESV)

Reflection

God uses “fire” in many ways in your life. His fire refines your faith, empowers your walk, purifies your heart, strengthens your character, and tests the foundation of all you do. Fire in God’s hands is never meant to destroy you—it is meant to reveal Him in you and through you.

Therefore

Let God’s refining fire do its perfect work in you today. Trust Him in every trial, listen to His fiery Word, and allow His Spirit to burn away anything that hinders your walk.

“When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isa. 43:2 ESV)

Mike Frenchbible promises
Blame

“For each will have to bear his own load.” (Gal. 6:5 ESV)

Adam blamed both Eve and God

“The man replied, ‘It was the woman You gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’” (Gen. 3:12 ESV)

Eve blamed the serpent

“The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’” (Gen. 3:13 NIV)

But we are responsible for our own actions

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Cor. 5:10 ESV)

The right response: confess and forsake

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Prov. 28:13 ESV)

Therefore

Don’t shift blame, excuse sin, or point fingers at others. God calls each of us to take responsibility, confess our wrongs, and turn from them. Mercy is promised—not to the blamer—but to the one who humbly admits and forsakes his sin.

Mike French