Most of us can think of at least one gift we've received in our lifetime that stands out in our memories.

Well, today on Truth for Life, we'll learn why even our all-time favorite present can't compare to the ultimate good and perfect gift from God.

Alistair Begg is teaching today from the book of James, chapter 1.

Now you see, the father is even in contrast to his creation.

Jesus contrasts a heavenly Father with an earthly Father.

James contrasts the Creator with creation itself.

Everything that God has made, including the Heavenly Lights mentioned here,

everything is subject to change.

But God, he says, is unchanging in his character,

and that's verse 13, and he's unchanging in his gifts. That's here in verse 17. In other words,

there is no inconsistency in him at all.

When we go to God as Father, we will never find him to be these four things.

And this is not, these are not points that I'm going to work out.

These are four things if you want to write them down.

We will never find him to be unaware. We cannot take God by surprise. He is omniscient. We will never find him to be unable.

We will never find him unavailable. And we will never find him unwilling. Now, we cannot say that

always of our earthly fathers, no matter how good a job they're doing. When I wrote those four

words down, I immediately went to a Johnny Cash song in my mind. Some of you who've had

that kind of misspent youth may be able to track with me on that kind of thing. But it brought

back the refrain, and I have a talk with him each day, and he's interested in every word I say,

and no secretary ever tells me he's been called away. I talk to Jesus every day.

Or, in the words of the old hymn, when upon life's billows, you are tempest tossed. And when you are

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