Gifts

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Satan is a liar and a joy-stealer. He knows exactly what buttons to push. I have days where I think the grass is greener on the other side. For me, the grass sometimes seems greener in Fort Myers or Birmingham. But that is a lie that Satan wants me to believe. He knows and I know that Huntsville is where God wants me. And as much of a surprise it was for us to move here from Fort Myers, it was not a surprise to God. He predestined the move long before I took my first breath. Because my life here in HSV is planned by God, Satan wants me to believe otherwise. He puts thoughts in my head of how much better my life would be if we moved back to Birmingham or never left Fort Myers. He makes me feel that I have accomplished nothing in HSV and I have no purpose here. Lie. God did not put me here without a purpose. He has me here for a reason and His purpose WILL be accomplished, regardless of what the evil one wants me to believe. As much as I would love to move back home, it’s not going to happen right now because God is not finished with me here. I must cling to God’s word so the deceiving thoughts do not hinder me from living this abundant life.

As I was reading the Word tonight, I listened to Red Mountain Church , which I often do. They are a group of talented musicians in southside Birmingham that take forgotten hymns and re-write the arrangements. The music minister from my church back home plays the violin for them. The music is beautiful and the lyrics are rich and deep. You can check them out on iTunes. Anyway, I love listening to their music when I am studying the God’s word. One song from their newest album This Breaks My Heart of Stone really spoke to my heart tonight. It’s called “Melt My Heart to Love.”

Taken from the Gadsby Hymnal #951
Words – J. Swain, 1838
Music – Brian T. Murphy and Benj Pocta, 2006.

Hark! From the cross a gracious voice,
Salutes my ravished ears;
Rejoice, thou ransomed souls, rejoice!
And dry those falling tears!

Amazed, I turn, grown strangely bold;
This wondrous thing to see;
And there the dying Lord behold,
Stretched on the bloody tree.

“Sinners”, he cried, “behold the head,
This thorny wreath entwines;
Look on those wounded hands and read
Thy name in crimson lines.”

The power, the sweetness of that voice
My stony heart does move;
Makes me in Christ my Lord rejoice
And melts my soul to love.

© 2007 Red Mountain Music

Romans 8: 32 says, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

God’s gift of eternal life through his Son is the ultimate gift. This gift can not be outdone. If God freely offers us eternal life, at the expense of his Son, don’t you think he will give us so much more? If he gives us the best of the best, isn’t he able to give us “lesser” gifts? He is able to give anything he wants. It’s like a rich father who can afford to buy his 16 year old daughter a 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe (I googled the most expensive car and this is what came up, sold for $8,700,000 in 1987) can also afford to buy his daughter an outfit from Express. Both would be gifts to be appreciated (as long as the girl isn’t extremely ungrateful like those on MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16”). But what would be more appreciated, what would she care more about? Probably the car. Why? Because it’s more valuable. Just like God’s gift of eternal life should be our most appreciated, valuable gift. If we were never given any other gifts in our lives, we would still have reason to praise Him because he gives life everlasting, a gift that cannot be topped.

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like yours.
All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
For you are great and do wondrous things;
you alone are God.
Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
Psalm 86:8-13