Taking...

Jim and I were going over last week’s devotional on “giving” and it got us thinking about “taking”. I know how challenging “giving” can be, but while I was writing the “giving” devotional, I started to think about how much harder it is to “take.” You would think accepting something would be pretty simple, but there are some people that find it very difficult, almost impossible, to “take.” The bible is full of God’s promises that He wants to give to us, if only we would receive them. Some fail to take these gifts from God because they think they don’t deserve them, or maybe by taking from God they may have to lose something in return. The more you take from God, the more your priorities change; in turn, the things you are holding on to now and don’t want to lose will have little to no appeal later. Remember, a gift isn’t really a gift until you accept it!

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

1 Corinthians 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Proverbs 1:33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”