10 of God’s Greatest Gifts

It’s always good to focus on the wonderful gifts God gives us. Here are 10 I’ve been thinking about.

1. The chance to have a relationship with the Creator God. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).
2. The chance to become like God. “Let Us make man in Our image” (Genesis 1:26). “We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2b).
3. The chance to call on God’s name, which is a phrase the Bible uses to describe prayer. “Call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6b). “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14).
4. The chance to rest, fellowship and worship on God’s Sabbath. It’s a gift made lovingly for us by the “Lord of the Sabbath,” Jesus Christ (Mark 2:27-28).
5. The chance to have family to support and encourage us. God wants everyone to have this natural support system, and He cares deeply for those who have lost loved ones, such as orphans and widows (James 1:27). “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families” (Psalm 68:5-6).
6. The chance to have the gift of life. “He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25). The Bible expresses both the joy of living and a sardonic comparison of life with its opposite (Ecclesiastes 9:4).
7. The chance to develop a strong, intimate, lifelong relationship in marriage. “Marriage is honorable” (Hebrews 13:4). “He who finds a wife finds a good thing” (Proverb 18:22, to which I say, Amen!). See also Genesis 2:18, 21-24.
8. The chance to enjoy physical possessions. Everything belongs to God (Haggai 2:8), and any wealth we have comes from Him (Deuteronomy 8:18).
9. Truth. God abounds in truth (Exodus 34:6). We can trust His promises and faithfulness—He never lies (Titus 1:2).
10. Peace of mind, contentment and satisfaction. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

What wonderful gifts!

God gave the Ten Commandments to protect each of these wonderful gifts!

I’ll be writing more about the Ten Commandments on the Daily Bible Verse blog over the next several weeks. And please feel free to share your favorite gifts on the www.Facebook.com/cogwa page!

Mike Bennett coordinates the blogs for the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. He and his wife, Becky, and two daughters attend the Cincinnati/Dayton, Ohio, congregation.