“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ESV)

Jesus is the greatest gift ever given!

·      Jesus is how God showed His love to us

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9 NIV) 

·      Jesus is how God gives us salvation

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9 NIV) 

·      Jesus is how God gives us eternal life 

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28-30 NIV) 

·      Jesus is how God gave us access to Him

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 2:5 NIV) 

·      Jesus is how God gives us the victory 

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57 NIV) 

·      Jesus is how God meets all our needs

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19 ESV) 

·      Jesus is how God gives us grace

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” (Rev. 22:21 NIV)

Regift the good news (Gospel) of Jesus!

Jesus is the gift that truly keeps on giving! You can freely share God’s gift of Jesus with others. 

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15 NIV)

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)

“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” (2 Cor. 9:11 ESV) 

Enriched = Generosity = Thanksgiving to God

In today’s promises verse, shown above, are three important things to understand about riches: 1) you will be enriched in every way, 2) the reason for being enriched in every way is so you can be generous in every way, and finally, 3) riches are to produce thanksgiving to God.

He gives power to get wealth 

“You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deut. 8:18 ESV)

Seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness

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

Reward for humility and fear of the Lord

“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” (Prov. 22:4 ESV)

Therefore…

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.” (1 Tim. 6:18-18 ESV) 

Finally, choose wisely

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” (Prov. 22:1 ESV)

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. (Psalm 127:3 ESV)

Children are like blessed arrows

 “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” (Psalms 127:4-5 ESV)

Blessed children of the righteous

“The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him!” (Prov. 20:7 ESV)

“Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock.” (Deut. 28:4 ESV)

Therefore…

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Eph. 6:4 ESV)

“Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.” (Eph. 3:13 ESV)

Rejoice in your toil

“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..” (Eccles. 5:19 ESV)

God doesn’t overlook your work

“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” (Heb. 6:10 ESV) 

Commit your work to the Lord

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Prov. 16:3 ESV)

Therefore…

“You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” (Psalm 128:2 ESV)

“So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Rom. 12:5 ESV)

Individual members

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Cor. 12:27 ESV)

All made to drink of one Spirit 

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (2 Cor. 12:13 ESV)

Members of the household of God

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (Eph. 2:19-22 ESV)

Therefore…

“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” (1 Cor. 12:26 ESV)

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10 ESV)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:33

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thes. 5:18)

We have so very much to be thankful for!

An old church hymn I really love, written by Johnson Oatman, Jr., encourages believers to, "Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings; see what God has done.”

Thanksgiving is a great time to do this each year!

“I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 9:1)

Think about how God has blessed you over this past year. If you need help coming up with a gratitude list, type into your search engine, “things to be thankful for,” to instantly find lots of lists that others have compiled that you can borrow from. You will probably be surprised to see lots of things listed that you have enjoyed over the year but have taken for granted, such as family and friends who are always there for you. Fresh air, sunshine, nourishing food to eat, having clean water, a warm shower, indoor heat, air conditioning, having a refrigerator & freezer in your home, a vehicle to drive, a dependable job, a bed, and a roof over your head. Just to name a few. As you look at these things, and are reminded of your blessings, thank God for each one. And remember they all came from Him to you (Phil 4:19).

Don’t forget to thank God for His greatest love gift to you, Jesus!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15)

Thank God for His grace to you!

“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 1:4)

Therefore

“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” (Psalm 95:2) 

“And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” (1 Chron. 29:13)

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Rom. 11:29 ESV)

 All Christians are “called ones”

Calling defined: “The vocation or profession in which one customarily engages; a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence” (Webster). “The New Testament refers to the Christian life as a calling (Eph. 1:18; Eph. 4:1; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 3:1; 2 Pet. 1:10). The basic call is to Christ as Lord and Savior; thus, all Christians are “called ones.” It is employed in a comprehensive way to depict what has happened to those who through the Father's love are now called children of God (1 John 3:1). However, there are further callings to special ministries (Acts 13:2 ). (Holman Bible Dictionary)

Doing what you were created to do, your “calling”

God has created each us for a special purpose. The Bible calls it a calling, or also, “walking in good works.” Eph. 2:10, says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10 reveals that our created purpose enables us to do the good works that we are perfect for. We are “God’s workmanship” for a special purpose which is, “to do good works that He has “prepared in advance for us to do.” Think about what that means! You are a perfect fit for something that God has created you for! The perfect thing is your calling. Have you found it? If so, you will fit perfectly in your vocation doing what you get great pleasure doing. Sadly, many don’t find their created purpose and end up settling into something they don’t get personal fulfillment from.

Know the hope to which He has called you to

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people” (Eph. 1:18 NIV)

Walk worthy of your calling

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation with which you are called, prisoner.” (Eph. 4:1 NIV)

It’s about God’s purpose and grace

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” (2 Tim. 1:9 NIV)

Therefore...

“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.” (Heb. 3:3 NIV)

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Prov. 2:6 ESV) 

The wisdom from above is pure

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 ESV)

The beginning of wisdom 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” (Psalm 111:10 ESV)

Get wisdom!

“Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.” (Prov. 4:6-7 ESV)

Jesus became wisdom to us

“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (1 Cor. 1:30 ESV) 

Pray and ask God for wisdom

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:5-6 ESV)

Therefore…

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” (James 3:13 NIV)

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8 ESV)

He guides you into all the truth 

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13 ESV)

He sent the Holy Spirit to teach you 

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 ESV) 

He sent teachers and instructors

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,” (Eph. 4:11 ESV)

Don’t lean on your own understanding

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6 ESV) 

What to pray…

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5 ESV)