Every Good Gift

James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

I thank God for the life He has given me and especially for the opportunity to go deeper in life with Him because of Him. Life is not just about all the things we deem so important in the physical. That stuff is not important in the grand scheme of things. (Remember, you can't take it with you, or ...we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. - 1Timothy‬ ‭6:7)‬ ‭What's important is knowing Him. All the luxuries, the material things, the food, the drink, the cars...none of this matters in the light of eternity. 

When one has Jesus he has it all. How can I express this any more clearly? Jesus, what He brings to a person, and the life He offers us is the greatest thing. When we meet Him and begin to really know Him He shows us things that are greater than we could ever imagine. He offers, through His Word and through His Spirit...which He gives us when we receive Him...open doors to wisdom and understanding and knowledge we could never have believed existed. We are so narrow in our thinking without Christ. Really, we are. 

King Solomon asked God for one thing and that was wisdom. Because he did God gave it freely and so much more. He wrote all the Proverbs, the book of wisdom. He shared this wisdom with the rest of us. Later in life, though, he let the love of at least 1,000 unbelieving women cause him to stray. This is what happens when we look to the things of this world to satisfy over the things of God. Of course, before we know God we don't know any better...

Before Christ it's all about ourselves. No thought to the Lord. Imagine what it might be like to view everything through the eyes of God! A friend and I get together about once a month. Everything we see in the news we see through the eyes of God. We can't help it. We know just enough about Him and His Word to know that He is putting the pieces together in this puzzle of life. 

God is orchestrating people and events to bring about His will. There's no way we can even guess all the whys and hows. If we know Jesus and understand this we can trust Him for the future and ours. Without Him one can't do this. 

For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; (Proverbs‬ ‭2:6‬)

How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:16‬)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ‭‭(James‬ ‭1:5‬)

In the world we want to achieve but most likely do not find total satisfaction. We must achieve more...and more...and more. We're always striving for the next big thing. We search for the next big "whatever" that is most important to us. What is that thing to you? 

I have a nice phone and a good camera. My thing is photos. I take them daily. It's like I always want to capture the next moment. What for? I admit, they don't satisfy. I've bemoaned the fact that they just exist on the computer with no place to go. And when I die, they will get pitched. I know this. And I'm okay with this. 

One thing I never want to let go of is more understanding of God's Word. Being in His Word brings contentment. It miraculously does something...it settles my spirit. I will feel I've been listening to Him speak. He imparts something new or just reminds me of His promises, admonishes me. We can never get enough of His Word. It can always bring fresh understanding even after having read something many times. How can that be?? Because He is. His wisdom is endless and new and fresh. 

I'm thankful for any wisdom, knowledge and understanding God will give. Do I fully understand all the things of God? Of course not. He gives as we have need of it. But we have to start somewhere and that place is surrendering to God. It's letting go of all our ideas of what life is about and what is important to us and seeking those things He has for us. Seeking Him is what truly is important. What He has to offer is so much greater. It's life giving and it lasts, unless we decide we no longer want it.

Will you join me in receiving wisdom for the first time or further wisdom from the Lord God Almighty. He has so much more, lasting and satisfying things to give. One is assurance of eternal life in Christ. Next time something on the news angers, frustrates, saddens or frightens you, think about wanting to see it through the eyes of God. Your perspective will change. I guarantee it. 

James 3:17 - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

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