"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

Last week we looked into the promise of the light of life to the followers of Jesus Christ. Our Scripture today assures us that every good and perfect gift is from the Father of lights who is our Heavenly Father. Let's look at some of His other wonderful gifts and blessings He has bestowed upon us.

Scripture tells us there are a diversity of gifts:
Romans 12:6-8 gives a list of gifts,
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him used it in proportion to his faith.
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of other, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
And,
"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Sprit.
There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all." 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Then in Ephesians 4:11-12 we see,
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teacher, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

The following are seven gifts of Christ to Believers spoken of in the
Gospels:
*Rest, Matthew 11:28:
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."

*The keys of the kingdom, Matthew 16:19:
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

*Power over evil spirits (with this comes a caution), Luke 10:19-20:
"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy, nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

*Living water, John 4:14:
".Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

*Bread of heaven, John 6:51:
"I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh."

*Eternal life, John 20:28 (speaking of the sheep of His pasture):
"And I give eternal life to them, they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand."

*The legacy of peace, John 14:27:
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."

The fullness of these gifts are beyond comprehension! Let us rejoice that our God so loved He gave and, we who are His, He prepared to receive!
With grateful hearts we say thank you!

Knowing we have eternal life and rest in Christ and His peace is ours, we can say, "It is true" to the writer of Proverbs when we read:
"A heart at peace gives life to the body..." Proverbs 14:30 "A happy heart makes the face cheerful..." Proverbs 15:13 "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart..." Proverbs 15:30 Hallelujah and Amen!