A Gift is Meant to be Opened

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A Gift is Meant to be Opened

Andrea Lende • November 2, 2021

II Corinthians 1:2

A Gift is Meant to be Opened

You can listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/A-Gift-is-Meant-to-be-Opened-e19m8qg

II Corinthians 1:2

“Grace (favor and spiritual blessing) to you and [heart] peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).”

Paul was writing to the church at Corinth.

His greeting is astounding.

I started thinking about what could happen if we all received this greeting with open hearts.

What if we could start the day, move through it, and end it with this blessing?

He prays for blessings of grace.

In this case, the word grace means favor and spiritual blessing.

God’s favor alone is more than wonderful.

It means we are approved of by God.

We are preferred by God.

We are given extraordinary acts of kindness by God.

Secondly, grace means spiritual blessings.

We are blessed with salvation through Christ.

We are seen as perfect and holy by God through Christ.

We are forgiven all our sins and shortcomings through Christ.

We are called His children and therefore, receive the rich inheritance of eternal life with Him.

And we are chosen by Him, crafted before the world began.

Lastly, Paul prayed for peace.

Not just peace among men.

But the kind of peace where our hearts are at peace.

Where we are One with God and Christ.

One with our Maker.

But here’s the thing: we have to receive these gifts.

A gift unopened is a gift not received.

The Lord sent His Son to give us these gifts and more.

I feel Him prompting me to fully receive these gifts He so desires give.

I challenge you to open them and receive them as well.

As we begin to receive grace, favor, spiritual blessings, and peace, there is more.

More gifts and a deeper fullness of God’s love to be experienced.

Today I choose to receive more of what God offers and ask Him to release me from feeling unworthy of His gifts of grace and peace.

May you find the Lord offers you all you desire as you receive all He has to give you.

Daily Prayer:

O Lord, my God, undeserving of all You offer me, thank You. Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for Your favor. As I spend time with You, You give me favor. As I move through my day, Your favor goes before me. Thank You for Your careful watch over me. Thank You for saving me for You through the sacrifice of Your Son. Thank You for seeing me as perfect, holy, and clean because Your Son gave His life to make it so. Thank You for the peace You cover me in as the chaos around me continues. Your peace is what I seek. Thank You for Your Word which teaches me about You. Thank You that I can freely read Your Word and learn more of Your ways. I pray for more wisdom and discernment, Father. Lead and guide me through these difficult days. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.

Answer: I AM the Great I AM, and I enjoy blessing you with all good things, My child.

Response: Undeserving of Your many blessings, thank You most gracious and merciful God.

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