THE CREATOR’S GIFTS

 

God’s first gift to us was this world and all of creation that is in it.

For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.  –Colossians 1:16-17  (NLT)

God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in them: the sun and the moon, the light, the waters, the dry land, the vegetation, the birds, and the livestock, to name a few. He filled the earth with everything good, each in their own way giving praise and glory to Him. 

 

God’s next gift to us was making mankind in His image.

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  –Genesis 1:26-27  (NIV)

Then the Lord God formed a man [Adam] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.  –Genesis 2:7  (NIV)

God breathed His breath into Adam, and every human after him bears the breath of God. You are made in God’s image! Have you considered what a gift you are? In turn, our lives are our gift to God. Does the way you live reflect that? Through our lives and the way we live them, we can glorify God in thanksgiving for all He has given us.

 

 

While we are living on this earth, God gives us both human and spiritual gifts every day.

HUMAN GIFTS

Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the Lord.  –Proverbs 20:12  (NLT)

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  –Philippians 2:1-2  (ESV)

We are blessed daily to receive gifts that we experience in our humanity. I see God’s gifts being such things as our sight to behold His beautiful creation, our ears to hear the birds singing their praises, and the friends we can share His goodness with.

 

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.  –1 Peter 4:10-11  (NLT)

When God created us, he made each of us unique with our own set of spiritual gifts to help build up the Body of Christ. It gives our lives on this earth meaning and purpose while we await spending eternity in heaven. We have the privilege and honor of using our spiritual gifts which is our gift to God. When we use the gifts God has given us, we give praise and glory to Him. 

 

While taking in the sights, sounds, and beauty of this waterfall that was a gift for me, I kept thinking about the truth of something I heard:

We should love the Creator more than the creation.

 

Chittenango Falls

I stood in awe being in the presence of the Creator gazing on this waterfall for an hour. Though the beauty of the glorious day combined with this spectacular waterfall and scenery was amazing, our Creator is even more awesome! God is greater than any of His great masterpieces!

 

How can we love the Creator more than the creation and the gifts He has given us?

*Keeping in mind that everything is a gift from God.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”  –Revelation 4:11  (NIV)

Everything on this earth is a gift of love from God. He created everything to fulfill His purposes.  Because He has given us everything that is a gift, God deserves all glory and honor.

*Living with the awareness that God is in control of everything.

I know the greatness of the Lord— that our Lord is greater than any other god. The Lord does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths.  –Psalm 135:5-6  (NLT)

God is in control of everything in this world. What comfort it brings us knowing everyone and everything is in His capable hands. Nothing can compare to the wisdom or splendor that God has.

*Continually lifting our voice in praise of the Creator.

Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.  –Psalm 150:1-6  (NIV)

As we see with our spiritual eyes all the gifts that God has given us, both human and spiritual, we will grow in awe and wonder of Him. How awesome the Creator is!  His glory fills the whole world, and He deserves our continual praise.
 

The gift of beautiful bleeding heart flowers.

Be encouraged this week to praise God, the Creator, for…

…being the best gift-giver.

…all of creation.

…being made in His image.

…the human gifts He gives us.

…giving us our own unique spiritual gifts.

…being the awesome Creator.

…being in control of everything.

And be reminded to love the Creator more than any of His creation!

 

REFLECTION:

Can you name two spiritual gifts God has given you?
What human gift can you give praise to the Creator for?

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”  –Matthew 4:10  (NIV)