“But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie – just as it has taught you, abide in him.” 1 John 2:27 (ESV)

When we celebrate, we like to give gifts. Handmade gifts, gifts of special foods, expensive gifts. Some of us shop for Christmas all year. Are you buying gifts for next Christmas and enjoying deep discounts?

What gifts do you cherish most? I cherish special experiences with a loved one or a friend, time that is completely devoted to each other.

Keith gave me an experience that I will never forget. He took me to see Aida in Milan. Think about it. This man originally from Oklahoma who doesn’t like opera, arranged for us to spend an evening at La Scala in Milan, Italy, just to please me.

A once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Yes, the memory continues and brings me smiles, but it’s in the past.

God has given His children gifts, gifts that continue to bless us and multiply as we use them. Do we really understand how precious they are?

What if we took one or two verses to meditate on, consider how we can apply them, and thank God? What if we prayed personalizing the Scripture?

A prayer about 1 John 2:27 might look something like this.

Thank You, Father, for anointing me with the Holy Spirit. You have set me apart as exclusively Yours. I feel the oil of the Holy Spirit upon my head. The oil of knowledge, Your perfect wisdom, flows down my hair, touches my eyes, and rainbows appear. The oil drips from my nose, and I breathe in the fragrance. The oil sweetens my lips, and I smile. The oil of teaching touches my pounding heart, and my fingers stroke the life-giving oil, and they reach out to my sisters. The oil penetrates my legs and feet, and it causes me to redirect my path. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will abide in You forever. Amen.

The Holy Spirit multiplies our knowledge of God.

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“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. … But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:18, 22-23 (ESV)

The Holy Spirit teaches us all truth, and if we allow Him to lead us, He causes us to grow more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled.

Most mornings, I have a smoothie. Some of the smoothies I enjoy have bananas, mangoes, strawberries, and other sweet delights, like the oranges from my backyard. Fruit sweet to the taste.

The Spirit leads us and gifts us with His fruit.

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Ponder the gift of the Spirit’s fruit.

Our Father in heaven, You gave the world Your law to show us that we aren’t able to keep Your righteous and holy way. We have all sinned against Your law and fallen short of Your glory. But in Your lovingkindness, You sent Your Son, Jesus, into the world to take away sin and conquer death. Oh, Jesus, You sent the Holy Spirit to live in those who accept Your free gift of salvation. Holy Spirit, thank You for living in us, teaching us, convicting us of our sins, and multiplying Your fruit in us. Through You, we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, righteous, and holy. The radiant colors of Your fruit cause us to smile. We close our eyes and breathe in its fragrance. The variety of textures and tastes remind us of the diversity of Your gifts that You give to Your children. The fruit lingers in our mouths as we ponder Your goodness. We gently swallow Your fruit, and it becomes a part of us, dwelling in us as You live in us. Holy Spirit, multiply Your fruit in us so that we honor and glorify God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Dear friend, how are you thanking God for the gifts He has given you?

What lasting gift do you cherish?