What Is A True Gift?
A gift. The definition is “a thing given willingly to someone without payment”. When those words are spoken in our secular society, I can only assume it is likely that the image of a present is the first to fill many minds – with all of the ritual that picture represents. One probably has visions of gifts covered in shiny wrapping paper and perfectly coordinated bows to protect and not betray the excitement of the mystery inside. Who doesn’t love the excitement of giving and receiving gifts? But are these gifts the most important kind?
This past weekend, a special event took place in Myrtle Beach. It was, “The Gift Encounter”. Through worship, testimony, scripture, and prayer it was a special women’s conference from Smith Evangelistic Ministries meant to direct our hearts to gifts that cannot be bought. During this special time together, ladies in attendance were directed to biblical truth, and one such message the Bible tells us is that Jesus overcame the world.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Because we were created in the image of God, Jeannie reminded us we are also overcomers. The question is, what can we overcome? And how?
I was blessed to have been asked to deliver the sunrise devotion for the conference. As with Sing and Study with Lisa devotions in my social media ministry, I use lyrics and scripture as the Lord leads, and this song explained the conference beautifully:
Fill My Cup, Lord by Richard Eugene Blanchard, Sr.
Like the woman at the well
I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy
And then I heard my Savior speaking
"Draw from My well that never shall run dry"
Fill my cup, Lord
I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul
Bread of Heaven, feed me 'til I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole
There are millions in this world
Who are craving
The pleasures, earthly things of gold
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord
So, my brother, if the things this world gave you
Leave hungers that won’t pass away,
My blessed Lord will come and save you,
If you kneel to Him and humbly pray:
Fill my cup, Lord
I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul
Bread of Heaven, feed me 'til I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole
Here's my cup, fill it up and make me whole
Does life leave us seeking to overcome anger, bitterness, resentment, and wrath? Are we looking for happiness, contentment, fulfillment, and joy? Do earthly experiences, possessions, and achievements keep us searching for more and more of the same? The woman at the well in John 4 was searching. Jesus used a lesson about water – something she needed to meet her physical need – to show her he could meet her spiritual need with the Living Water, the gift of eternal life, so that she would never thirst again. As the song says, like this woman at the well, we will never be satisfied until we eat from the bread of Heaven and drink from the Living Water. However, he did not want her to stop there. He wanted her to live abundantly and to find satisfaction for her soul that she would never be able to find apart from accepting his free gift that would grant her the ultimate peace. He wanted that for the ladies in attendance this weekend. He wants the same for me, and He wants the same for you. He wants us to give our burdens to Him, trust Him in faith, and live in the joy of The Gift.
Do you have a gift to accept? You can overcome. Leave your burdens at the bottom of the well. He will carry them for you – and give you peace.
Blessings ~
Lisa