Open your Gift!

"...how much more will you Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!" Jesus said in his teaching on the top (for you traditionalists, the sermon on the mount - Matthew 7:11) Many Christ followers and people in general struggle with how worthy or rather unworthy they are to receive anything from God. While it is true we, as in none of us, deserve anything we get from Him. It is by His grace and mercy that we can be offered and receive gifts from Him.

Perhaps, outside of salvation itself, one of the greatest gifts we can receive is the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39). It's not a gift I would want to leave unopened under the tree. As you hear the words, under the tree, your thoughts might first go to gifts under a Christmas tree, but it has an additional meaning. These gifts were purchased with the tree - the cross. I just would not want to arrive in heaven and find out I left an opened gift under His tree, especially one of such magnitude as the Holy Spirit.

I encourage you to consider asking your heavenly Father for a gift today. Specifically I challenge you to ask Him for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Why the Holy Spirit? Well, let me offer to you my abc's . It's what I call the Holy Spirit alphabet. It's not an exhaustive list, but well worth considering, studying and applying. WOW! What a gift:
Holy Spirit Alphabet
Advocate - to plead in us - John 14:16
Baptism - to unite in Christ - I Cor 12:13
Comforter - to cheer - John 14:16

Convincer - to alarm - John 16:8
Director - to guide - Romans 8:14

Deposit - guarantee - Eph. 1:14
Empower - to be a witness - Acts 1:8
Fullness - to enrich - Eph 5:18

Fruit - producer - Galatians 5:22
Guide - to lead - John 16:13

Glory - to remind - 1 Peter 4:14,

Gift Giver - to encourage - 1 Cor. 12:11
Helper - to enable - Romans 8:26
Indweller - to occupy - 1 Cor. 3:16

Illuminator - to reveal - John 16:13
Joy - to gladden - Romans 15:13
King - to rule - 2 Cor. 3:17
Liberator - to free - Romans 8:2
Mark of God - we are his - 2 Cor 1:22
New Nature Begetter - John 3:6
Oil of Gladness - Psalm 45:7
Power - to strengthen - Eph. 3:16
Quickener - to life - Romans 8:11
Reflector - to His glory - 2 Cor 3:18
Searcher - to investigate - 1 Cor 2:10

Sanctifier - to separate - Rom. 15:16
Teacher - to instruct - John 14:26

Truth - to equip - John 15:26
Understanding - to discern - Isaiah 11:2
Victory - to overcome - 1 Cor 15:57
Well of Living Water - John 4:14

Well Doing - to insure - Gal 6:8-9
Chrisma - unction, anointing to empower - 1 John 2:20
Yielding - to show obedience - Rom 6:13
Zeal - to inspire - Acts 2:17-18

Enjoy Him!