GOOD AND PERFECT GIFTS

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GOOD AND PERFECT GIFTS

(James 1:17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above...

I want you to read a maxim that I hope you will always remember. "Good is the enemy of the best." So often we accept what is good in life instead of pressing in for God's best. We usually do this for a few reasons. First, we don't feel worthy so we just take whatever comes along our way. Second, we might get antsy and so take what is in front of us because we are tired of waiting. But is that how we should live life? Do we take the good or do we wait for God's best?

Listen to what Jesus taught: (Mat 7:7 - 11) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being 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!

Now doesn't that sound like God wants to give you His best? Do you realize you are under God's grace and favor through Jesus Christ? He saved you by grace and He now blesses you by His grace. It is not of works. You can't earn God's favor. He loves you and just wants to bless you.

Perhaps while growing up life was hard. You never had what you really wanted. And maybe ever since acquisition has been a struggle for you. You've always told yourself you couldn't afford it so you wouldn't buy it. Or you didn't deserve it so you walked away from it. You told yourself others were struggling in the world so why should you have anything decent and nice?

Our Father in heaven gives good gifts! After God made the world this was His view of things:
(Gen 1:31) Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good... God created a beautiful world. And wouldn't it follow that He would desire to create something beautiful in your life? Yes, there might be times of struggling. But don't think for a moment God doesn't love you. You'll come out with His blessing on your life. Refuse to settle for what is only good and passable. "Any port in the storm" is not God's way of providing for His own!

Every closed door you experience is God getting you ready to accept His best. (So be careful about trying to force a closed door open!) God's delays are not His denials. Wait for that door to open and you will find a special gift from the Lord.

(Psa 72:18) ...God...only does wondrous things! Before you accept something put it through this grid: "Is this God's very best?" Because good is the enemy of the best!

Louie