WEBVTT 00:04.199 --> 00:11.108 [SPEAKER_00]: This week we'll start a new series, making space to simply stir up our affections for God every day. 00:11.168 --> 00:18.698 [SPEAKER_00]: Today, we're going to look at the reality that our God loves to give us good gifts. 00:18.718 --> 00:26.969 [SPEAKER_00]: May God empower us to live with open hands in an open heart, ready and willing to receive all that He loves to give. 00:27.930 --> 00:30.173 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast. 00:54.183 --> 01:23.734 [SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from James chapter 1 verse 17, Scripture says, every good gift and every perfect gift is from above coming down from the father of 01:27.781 --> 01:33.488 [SPEAKER_00]: One of my favorite parts of God's heart is his desire to give us amazing gifts. 01:34.870 --> 01:49.249 [SPEAKER_00]: James 117 says, every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 01:51.018 --> 01:55.408 [SPEAKER_00]: Every good gift you receive is because God loves you. 01:56.671 --> 02:03.107 [SPEAKER_00]: His love for you is so great that He looks for every opportunity to give you a gift. 02:04.430 --> 02:09.482 [SPEAKER_00]: He desperately wants you to know that you are loved and valued by Him. 02:10.711 --> 02:22.206 [SPEAKER_00]: He so deeply wants you to know that he is not distant from you, but rather is working in your midst to lead you to abundant joy, peace, and life. 02:24.449 --> 02:33.220 [SPEAKER_00]: Matthew 7, verse 11 says, If you then who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children. 02:34.241 --> 02:40.549 [SPEAKER_00]: How much more will your father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him? 02:42.824 --> 02:47.010 [SPEAKER_00]: I love how God has chosen to be known to us as a father. 02:48.052 --> 02:58.868 [SPEAKER_00]: And because God has chosen to reveal himself as a father, we can more tangibly understand the love of God by looking to good earthly parents. 03:00.391 --> 03:04.697 [SPEAKER_00]: God longs to bless you the way a good father would. 03:05.403 --> 03:12.813 [SPEAKER_00]: And at the same time, he loves you more deeply and powerfully than any earthly parent ever could. 03:12.873 --> 03:20.444 [SPEAKER_00]: Our Heavenly Father far out does any example and earthly Father gives us. 03:22.687 --> 03:24.850 [SPEAKER_00]: What gift are you longing for today? 03:26.272 --> 03:28.034 [SPEAKER_00]: Do you long for friendship? 03:29.256 --> 03:32.220 [SPEAKER_00]: Do you need a greater sense of being loved? 03:33.702 --> 03:36.225 [SPEAKER_00]: Do you just need to know that he is with you? 03:38.507 --> 03:47.617 [SPEAKER_00]: God's gifts may not look like a present you opened for Christmas last year, but they will be exactly what you need when you need it. 03:49.319 --> 03:52.203 [SPEAKER_00]: If you need a friend, ask God for one. 03:53.324 --> 04:03.355 [SPEAKER_00]: He's promised you his friendship, and he loves to guide his children into community with others. 04:04.617 --> 04:11.304 [SPEAKER_00]: God so longs for you to know the depth of His love, that He sent His only son to die for you. 04:12.765 --> 04:15.528 [SPEAKER_00]: He'd love to pour His love out on you right now. 04:17.830 --> 04:19.972 [SPEAKER_00]: Do you need to know that God is with you? 04:21.374 --> 04:23.816 [SPEAKER_00]: Just ask for His manifest presence. 04:25.278 --> 04:30.523 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask the Spirit to give you eyes to see all the ways He is working in your life. 04:31.904 --> 04:37.855 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask God to reveal to you the ways he was is and always will be with you. 04:40.319 --> 04:42.163 [SPEAKER_00]: Do you need financial provision? 04:43.505 --> 04:46.791 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask for the leading of the Holy Spirit in your finances. 04:48.194 --> 04:50.959 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask God to provide for you what you need. 04:52.087 --> 05:07.409 [SPEAKER_00]: Whatever gift you need from God today, his word promises in 1 John 5 verse 15, if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 05:08.911 --> 05:11.715 [SPEAKER_00]: Your God hears you today. 05:11.695 --> 05:15.640 [SPEAKER_00]: What's more, he will respond to you perfectly. 05:17.723 --> 05:24.291 [SPEAKER_00]: God's gifts are much more life-giving than anything an earthly parent can give. 05:24.311 --> 05:30.459 [SPEAKER_00]: He gives the gift of a beautiful sunrise because he knows you have a longing to gaze upon beauty. 05:31.741 --> 05:38.530 [SPEAKER_00]: He gives the gift of his presence because he knows you need the peace that only he can bring. 05:38.510 --> 05:44.916 [SPEAKER_00]: He gives you the gift of friendship because he knows you aren't made to do life alone. 05:46.918 --> 05:54.126 [SPEAKER_00]: He provides your finances because he cares about everything you need and desires to use you to bless others. 05:56.088 --> 06:01.032 [SPEAKER_00]: Spend some time today reflecting on the amazing gifts he has given you. 06:02.634 --> 06:05.597 [SPEAKER_00]: Thank him for his desire to bless you. 06:06.607 --> 06:17.460 [SPEAKER_00]: worship him because he is good and open your heart to receive all the gifts your heavenly Father longs to give you today. 06:41.116 --> 07:10.127 [SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, take a moment to reflect on all the good gifts you've been given by God. 07:23.270 --> 07:40.839 [SPEAKER_00]: And next, thank God for everything you've been given. 07:40.899 --> 07:49.193 [SPEAKER_00]: Thank Him for your friends, family, job, church, anything that you love. 07:50.590 --> 07:55.200 [SPEAKER_00]: Let things giving stir your affections to know your heavenly Father more. 07:56.884 --> 08:04.502 [SPEAKER_00]: First Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 18 says, give thanks in all circumstances. 08:05.364 --> 08:09.493 [SPEAKER_00]: For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 08:22.214 --> 08:36.848 [UNKNOWN]: Thank you for watching. 08:51.340 --> 09:00.914 [SPEAKER_00]: In last, ask the Spirit to open your eyes and heart, to see and receive all the gifts God has in store for you today. 09:02.676 --> 09:07.223 [SPEAKER_00]: Often to know a gift comes from God, we must be in tune with the Spirit. 09:08.525 --> 09:15.475 [SPEAKER_00]: For a sunset to tell us of God's love, we must be sensitive to God's presence in our lives. 09:36.110 --> 09:36.772 [UNKNOWN]: You 09:58.283 --> 10:07.676 [SPEAKER_00]: thinking God for what He's already given us is a powerful way to position our hearts to be receptive to what He will give us in the future. 10:09.097 --> 10:13.423 [SPEAKER_00]: Life is so much better when we acknowledge what God is doing in our midst. 10:14.725 --> 10:23.076 [SPEAKER_00]: Knowing you are loved, liked, and cared for is better than any material possession you could receive. 10:24.338 --> 10:28.451 [SPEAKER_00]: You have a heavenly father who gives amazing gifts. 10:29.694 --> 10:34.770 [SPEAKER_00]: Celebrate his love today and receive all that he wants to give you. 10:50.933 --> 10:53.258 [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for listening to today's podcast. 10:53.599 --> 10:55.342 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with First Team. 10:55.823 --> 11:03.399 [SPEAKER_00]: This is the first episode in our new series, simply seeking to stir up our affections for our good and loving God. 11:04.462 --> 11:10.815 [SPEAKER_00]: As you go about your day today, look for another opportunity to receive a gift God wants to give you. 11:10.795 --> 11:13.001 [SPEAKER_00]: maybe it's a few moments of peace. 11:13.623 --> 11:18.094 [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe it's having the courage to say yes to help but someone else wants to provide. 11:19.057 --> 11:26.998 [SPEAKER_00]: Whatever it is, look for one more way to celebrate the reality that your father loves to give you good gifts. 11:26.978 --> 11:39.676 [SPEAKER_00]: If you haven't already, make sure to follow the podcast so you won't miss an episode and we would be honored if you would leave a rating or a review to help others find this space for making for God's presence. 11:40.698 --> 11:45.004 [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day and may God bless you as you seek him.