“What I am trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving.” -Matthew 6:32, Message Translation
Have you ever received a gift so beautifully wrapped that you hated to open it? While it may have been tempting to sit the package on a shelf and just stare at it, I think most of us have too much curiosity to not open it and see what is inside! After all, someone took time out of his or her day just to buy you a gift and it would be rude to not open it – right? Yet, so many of us have unopened gifts from God each and everyday. When life gets busy we often fail to respond to God’s gift giving. We can become all consumed with going to work, running errands, paying our bills and taking care of the tyranny of the urgent that we never open the gifts God has placed before us.
According to the scripture above, we have to stop being preoccupied with getting in order to receive something. Do you mean that God wants me to relax and receive a gift from Him everyday? Yes! Let me ask you a question: What are you in need of today? Whatever you maybe facing, God has the right gift to help you overcome every test and trial. So, I encourage you to unwrap and receive what God is longing to give you. Be expectant for a gift from heaven to fall upon you today!
Prayer:
Lord, help me to stop and receive the gift you are longing to give me this day. You know exactly what I need. Forgive me for being so preoccupied with life that I fail to spend time with You. Thank you for the gift of salvation and all that it contains. I choose to receive Your joy, peace, protection, healing, favor, provision, forgiveness, wisdom and anything else You see that I am in need of today. Thank you Lord for lavishing me with more gifts than I know what to do with. You are the greatest gift I have ever received in my life and I praise you! Amen.
It’s time to rest and receive gifts from Heaven! God has impressed upon me that this is a week of Holy gift giving. Watch out for unexpected gifts to fall into your lap. There are gifts that have been stored up, gifts that are just because He loves you, gifts so beautifully wrapped – but you are to open them – not just stare at their beauty. Happy unwrapping! Love, Tracy
“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.”
James 1:17 NKJ
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I love the entire passage Matthew 6:25-34. For Ben and I, everyday is a walk of receiving the gift from God. The manna being sent everyday. Funny thing is, I swore I would not live on a “commission” based income. Too much stress of the bills not being paid. Growing up I always heard my mom complain about living not ever knowing what will come in. But when it came to my security of a stable income and allowing Ben to pursue His dreams, I could not let my fear stand in his way.
Now I realize God has put me in just that position, and is causing me to overcome that fear. Not to worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will take care of itself. And everyday it does. As I have begun to truly not worry about tomorrow, the stress is gone. And everyday God shows us His provision, His gifts, as we continue to seek Him first.
It is not being irresponsible, or not planning, it is resting in God’s care. As we have plenty we do “store” up as God has told us, yet we do not live in the fear that He will not provide for another day!
Thanks Tracy, this was a great encouraging reminder.
SO TRUE!!!! It’s amazing how much God has for us if we simply take the time to receive and open His wonderful, awesome gifts. The hardest part of everyday life is not recognizing the gift but taking the time to sit down, relax, and open the gift.
Thanks, Trac, for reminding me to slow down and enjoy!
This is just what I needed today…a reminder to accept the gracious gifts that God gives us. I’ve been so busy this past weekend. I felt like I haven’t accomplished much; my precious living gifts, my children, give me unconditional love. That is heaven on earth to me.
Tracy…great to see some of your wisdom on here. Great stuff. Hope you, Mike and Alyssa are doing great. She is beautiful. Feel free to shoot me an email anytime and let me know how you’re doing. Peace…adam
Awesome God has been sending gifts from heaven in every direction in the last three weeks.. Lets see candles,folders for school,stuffed animals,tablets,dinners,lunch,choclate,I have received clothes for amazing prices from socks at 70 cents to beautiful winter coats at 16 dollars, boots for free,packages to the door of prizes I have won.. make up,books People getting healed,nad people receiving the gift of faith.. the doors of heaven have been opened and I have been personally and intimately been recieving his blessings.. I love HIM sososo much…..I did a corporate fast at the beginning…….of the year and JESUS is certainly answering my prayers and intimately LOVING ON ME>>>>>Talking about relationships he has restored and brought me new relationships.. I am so so bragging on him right now.. Bless You Girl…
Terry Matis
I am Bevs sister…
What an encouraging post!
Well, it is good to be reminded of God’s gift and to relax and open them. Well, as I think back I know that the gift that God has given me is peace, and also be content and to wait on HIM. I do see God moving in me a lot more these days. Like for example, today as I was cooking I like to put on praise music and dance, and as I was dancing I felt so much joy and happiness. A smile came on my face. I started to think of my loving husband and my children and family and friends. And, I just say thank you Lord because I am just surrounded by awesome people. Also, I just thank God for an awesome husband who is so wonderful to us all. So, yes I am thankful for God’s peace a lot. Because, I am more calm and patience and listening to God voice and word for my life. So, thank you again for this Word.
Matthew 7:9-11, “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM!”
I am amazed at the Holy gifts God has placed in my lap this week. I am so glad that this word has brought encouragement to so many of us. We, as the body of Christ, ask for our Father in heaven to pour down good gifts to His children this day.
thank you. i needed that. i’ve been dealing with anxiety (like i seem to do every year this time of year) and that has kept me from slowing down to look at the Lord and see what He has in store for me from day to day. but now i’m trying to use this lenten season to sllllllloooooooooowwwwwwwwww down and put my eyes back on Him.
thanks!