In today’s message Bro. Leo continues our study on the ascension of Jesus Christ by looking at the where gifts from God come from and what the Bible tells us we must do to obtain them.

As Christians our goal should be to understand what things from God are available to us and how we go about obtaining these things.  Col. 3:1 tells us to seek the things that are from God.  The word “seek” is translated from the Greek word “zēteō” which means active pursuit of.  We need to understand what things are available to us before we are able to actively pursue them.  Col. 3:2 tells us that our mindset or focus should be on obtaining those things from God.

We are created to seek things that benefit us.  Humans are constantly seeking tools that will make our jobs easier, jobs that will make our lives easier and several other methods of benefiting ourselves.  James 1:17 tells us that the things God wants to give us are good and perfect.  Once we come to this realization we will earnestly seek those things.

James 1:5 explains that to obtain those things from God we must ask God for them.    James 1:6 gives us the condition of our request, which is we must ask with the faith of actually expecting to receive them.  This is the same principal that allowed God to save us in the first place.  We fully believed that Jesus has the power to save us and we asked Him into our hearts and He sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in us.  Every saved person has experienced this supernatural act and every saved person can obtain all the gifts God has to offer by asking with the faith of receiving.

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Jas 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Joh 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
Joh 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Psa 57:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
Psa 57:2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
Psa 57:3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.