The Value of God's Blessing

“God bless you” is a common response to people who sneeze. The reason behind this custom is that people used to die during the bubonic plague, and continual sneezing was a symptom of this illness. Now the words are used carelessly and often shortened to “Bless you”, leaving God out of the equation all together. However, God’s blessing is very powerful and coveted by people who know its value.

Jacob knew the value of God’s blessing. In fact, he bargained with his brother Esau to give to him, the younger brother, the blessing, which rightfully belonged to the older brother. If Esau valued his blessing, he would not have traded it for a bowl of hearty soup; but the carnal Esau was famished after a day of hunting, and his stomach ruled his head. He never regretted this decision either. In fact, God knew this would happen before it ever occurred (Genesis 25:19-34).

In today’s society, we continually compromise the values, which lead to God’s blessings. Adultery in marriage, sexual indulgence with the same gender, rebellion against parents and authority, witchcraft, God-haters, rejecting God’s truth to trust in Satan’s lies, and worshipping the created rather than the Creator are just a few of our transgressions. We also teach others to do these very same things (Romans 1). We fail to acknowledge God. We are too busy futilely planning our own life (Proverbs 3:5-6).

God promises blessings to His Saints, including those of peace, direction and abundance (Philippians 4:7; James 1:17; 2 Corinthians 9:8-10). We are His people, and He is our God (Ezekiel 36:28-38). As His Saints, we never worry about amassing the vanities of life, or even the essential things we need (Proverbs 30:8). God is always faithful. In our finite, human imagination we cannot even conceive of the wondrous bounty that God has planned for His people both now and in eternity (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Prayer:

Father God, the true essence of prayer is a direct line of communication with You. You are the source of all life and we truly value Your blessings in our life. The sinful lifestyle we give up in order to live in Your presence is nothing compared to the riches You have for us both now and in eternity (Acts 17:11; Romans 8:18-19). We stand firmly in the freedom of Your presence (Galatians 5:1). As we wait on You, we receive our strength for each new day (Isaiah 40:31).

Thought for the Day:

With God’s blessings in our life, we never have to give another thought to what we should eat or wear, because of what He has in store for us. - Luke 12:22-31

God's Delight

 

Authentic Christians do not have to pray to get back in the Spirit, nor do we have to go to a church to find God, because we continually live and walk in His Spirit (Galatians 5:16,25). God is love. Everyone who loves with God’s Agape love is born of God and knows Him intimately (1 John 4:7). God delights in and abundantly blesses those who love Him and seek after Him. Our petitions and prayers are near and dear to the heart of our Father God. He provides for all of our needs (Proverbs 8:17; Romans 8:28). He delights in the praises and adoration of His people (Psalm 147:11, 149:4).

On the other hand, God actually hates sinners (Psalm 5:5, 11:5). Why? They harden their heart against Him as they pursue a life of sin. Take Jacob and Esau, for instance. Jacob had a heart for God, although he and his mom cooked up some pretty deceptive activities to mislead his father! Yet, God went on record to pronounce that He loved Jacob and hated Esau (Romans 9:13). Why? Esau’s god was his belly (Philippians 3:19). God knows our heart; and like Esau, some people actually despise God with the choices and lifestyle, which they prefer over Him (Luke 16:15; Romans 9:13).

God gives everyone the opportunity to worship Him with all of their heart; however, many choose to turn their back on Him (John 3:18). God calls everyone to stop putting our faith in the wrong people and things, and to put it in Him instead. We exchange our self-centered efforts for Christ-centered ones. Our carnal humanity no longer controls our life, because we surrendered totally to God. As we follow hard after Him, and only Him, then He provides us with everything we need from the endless well of His glorious riches (Matthew 6:33). His peace and joy flood our soul.

Rather than to seek our own comfort or fame, we seek to further God’s Kingdom in the earth. Every part of our soul – our thoughts, choices and emotions – blesses the Lord (Psalm 103:1). We patiently listen for His voice as He wisely directs our steps according to His plan for our life (Proverbs 3:5-6). We start to despise anything that robs Him of the glory due His name. God loves it when our soul chases after Him (Psalm 63:8). We are a magnifying glass through which others see God as bigger than life (Luke 1:46). They pay no attention to us, because they look right through us at Him.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we decrease so that You may increase in and through us (John 3:30). We never leave the shadow of the Almighty or the shelter of Your wings (Psalm 91:1). We love you, and we keep our Father’s commandments as You manifest Yourself to us and through us, instead of us (John 14:21). You love us abundantly more than we could ever imagine being loved. We focus on You and look forward to Your Spirit transforming us into Your image (Romans 8:29).

Thought for the Day:

God transports us into higher and higher realms of spiritual delight as we give our whole body, soul and spirit in worship to Him.