I believe that everyone desires to be blessed. Who would not want to be on the receiving end of a kind act, an undeserved favor or perhaps just good fortune and some timely circumstances? Even the unbeliever desires to be blessed.
But what does it mean to be blessed by God?
In God’s Word it says,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
–Ephesians 1:3
In this passage, Paul writes that our Heavenly Father (God) has blessed us (the believer) with EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ. Not just one or two blessings, but EVERY spiritual blessing. God is not trying to hold back certain blessings from us. He wants us to know EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ so that spiritually, all of our inward needs are met.
So what are these Spiritual blessings?
They are the blessings that result from God’s amazing grace and His love toward those He has chosen. They include eternal life, adoption as sons and daughters, forgiveness of sins, an inheritance, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and more. Spiritual blessings are eternal and secure, giving you everything you need for living the abundant life in Christ. They help you to have true hope, peace and contentment, while granting you all things needed to stand equipped against darkness, to be spiritually nourished, to receive instruction, even preparing you for death on earth. Spiritual blessings give you every provision for every circumstance…they are sufficient because Christ is sufficient. He alone is the source of every spiritual blessing that you have been
blessed with.
But here lies the problem…we often become more interested in receiving earthly blessings than possessing our spiritual ones. If a believer is more satisfied in earthly blessings, then he becomes carnally minded. An earthly blessing is temporary and is usually based on something physical, circumstantial, or materialistic. Yes, these blessings are well received and often more than we deserve, bringing us to our knees in thankfulness… but how often do we find ourselves asking God to bless us with this or with that? Here’s a comparative look at a few blessings from both sides. Ask yourself, what you would rather be blessed with…
a new HEART or a new television?
to be a CO-HEIR to the throne or to have a position of authority at work?
eternal CROWNS & REWARDS or a million dollar bankroll?
a love RELATIONSHIP with Christ or a close relationship with a friend?
Our focus needs to be on knowing and reaping the benefits of EVERY spiritual blessing rather than the earthly blessings. For if we have no appreciation for spiritual blessings, then ultimately we are living at the level of animals. Existing to eat, sleep, survive, reproduce and to entertain ourselves. But we are not animals, we are made in the image of God and He has a purpose for our lives. He wants to bless us and to show us His great loving character, so that we can understand and experience Christ our King at a deeper level. And if God does graciously decide to shower earthly blessings our way, be grateful, giving praise to a kind and loving Lord.
By Micah Williams
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Trusting God in the Everyday
...But the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
1 Kings 19:11b-12
We often are disappointed when things don't seem to go the way we expect. We look for big flashing signs of God's work in our lives and forget that He uses every little thing to mold us into His image. The painful, dry times are often as important as the mountain top experiences where life seems so clear and good. God is always working, but often we find ourselves waiting for great revelations and lose heart when they seldom appear. God does use the major events in our lives, but He is always working in the everyday.
We must learn to trust His infinite wisdom. The Father has a plan for each of us and it will unfold in His timing. We must learn to seek God in the here and now, and in the everyday. Don't look for those mountain top highs, or run from the valley lows. They will come in their time, but stay focused on what the Father is doing in you now. He never stops working in us.
Sometimes we wait on the Lord, but not in the way He has asked us too-trusting Him-but we wait to act because we want a sign, or clarity, or some revelation. If we are always focused on the big things, or the waiting for this revelation we may miss the "still small voice." When God whispers we need to be listening intently in order to hear Him. I think He speaks in a whisper more than we know. Often times the whisper is drowned out by so much chaos as we seek God in our own strength. We can only hear God when we finally set ourselves and our own plans aside and humbly come before Him. We are meant to be in a constant state of listening to the Father.
We are normally in a constant state of trying to figure this or that problem out. The Father doesn't want us to solve our own problems, but to put them in His hands for His help. We are the ones who create the problems when we try to live in our own strength. How can we then solve the problems in that same "strength"? We are woefully inadequate and that is the place our Father wants us. Humbled, and reliant on Him in all things.
Trust His plan for you. Don't try and solve your own problems, but place them in His gentle hands. Meet the Father in the here and now and trust Him in the everyday.
1 Kings 19:11b-12
We often are disappointed when things don't seem to go the way we expect. We look for big flashing signs of God's work in our lives and forget that He uses every little thing to mold us into His image. The painful, dry times are often as important as the mountain top experiences where life seems so clear and good. God is always working, but often we find ourselves waiting for great revelations and lose heart when they seldom appear. God does use the major events in our lives, but He is always working in the everyday.
We must learn to trust His infinite wisdom. The Father has a plan for each of us and it will unfold in His timing. We must learn to seek God in the here and now, and in the everyday. Don't look for those mountain top highs, or run from the valley lows. They will come in their time, but stay focused on what the Father is doing in you now. He never stops working in us.
Sometimes we wait on the Lord, but not in the way He has asked us too-trusting Him-but we wait to act because we want a sign, or clarity, or some revelation. If we are always focused on the big things, or the waiting for this revelation we may miss the "still small voice." When God whispers we need to be listening intently in order to hear Him. I think He speaks in a whisper more than we know. Often times the whisper is drowned out by so much chaos as we seek God in our own strength. We can only hear God when we finally set ourselves and our own plans aside and humbly come before Him. We are meant to be in a constant state of listening to the Father.
We are normally in a constant state of trying to figure this or that problem out. The Father doesn't want us to solve our own problems, but to put them in His hands for His help. We are the ones who create the problems when we try to live in our own strength. How can we then solve the problems in that same "strength"? We are woefully inadequate and that is the place our Father wants us. Humbled, and reliant on Him in all things.
Trust His plan for you. Don't try and solve your own problems, but place them in His gentle hands. Meet the Father in the here and now and trust Him in the everyday.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Love that Passes Knowledge
I'm sorry I didn't post last week. I will try to post more consistently in the future. -Wesley
To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
~Ephesians 3:19
Paul is praying this beautiful prayer on the behalf of the church in Ephesus. He emphasizes that “to know the love of Christ,” is our ultimate goal. When we see and understand how much Christ loves us it changes us from the inside out. This is how we can be filled with the "fullness of God," which is "the abundance of gifts that flows from God"(Nelson Study Bible).
If this love passes knowledge can we know it? Paul isn't talking about understanding this love completely or breaking down the theology of it all, but knowing it intimately, as two lovers know each other. This only comes from spending quality time together. We can do this by being honest with God. He knows our thoughts already, but often we act as though He doesn't and we hide ourselves from Him. Only when we are open and honest with God can we grow to know Him intimately. As we are honest with Him we begin to know His love.
Christ's greatest act of love towards us was His willingness to suffer and die for each of our sins.
This video is VERY GRAPHIC (this is my disclaimer) but it is the reality of what Christ went through on our behalf. He suffered not only great physical but also emotional pain in order to make a way for us to be in relationship with the Father. This is the love which passes knowledge. Who can understand why anyone would be willing to suffer what Christ did for us who were unrepentant sinners?
Please watch this at your discretion. If you do watch it, let it draw you into His pain and reveal to you just how much HE LOVES US.
By Wesley Baker
To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
~Ephesians 3:19
Paul is praying this beautiful prayer on the behalf of the church in Ephesus. He emphasizes that “to know the love of Christ,” is our ultimate goal. When we see and understand how much Christ loves us it changes us from the inside out. This is how we can be filled with the "fullness of God," which is "the abundance of gifts that flows from God"(Nelson Study Bible).
If this love passes knowledge can we know it? Paul isn't talking about understanding this love completely or breaking down the theology of it all, but knowing it intimately, as two lovers know each other. This only comes from spending quality time together. We can do this by being honest with God. He knows our thoughts already, but often we act as though He doesn't and we hide ourselves from Him. Only when we are open and honest with God can we grow to know Him intimately. As we are honest with Him we begin to know His love.
Christ's greatest act of love towards us was His willingness to suffer and die for each of our sins.
This video is VERY GRAPHIC (this is my disclaimer) but it is the reality of what Christ went through on our behalf. He suffered not only great physical but also emotional pain in order to make a way for us to be in relationship with the Father. This is the love which passes knowledge. Who can understand why anyone would be willing to suffer what Christ did for us who were unrepentant sinners?
Please watch this at your discretion. If you do watch it, let it draw you into His pain and reveal to you just how much HE LOVES US.
By Wesley Baker
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