God Delights in Blessing Us

God blesses us all day long in so many ways; we are just too busy to notice. If we focus on our to-do list or the negative issues we are facing, we miss seeing the blessings.

God delights in blessing His children (Psalms 8:4-5, 139: 6-7, 17). He rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). When we ignore or do not appreciate what He does for us, we get disappointed and frustrated by what we wanted Him to do, and what we perceive that He failed to do.

God arranged our genes, gave us our parents, and had us born in the city and country that He chose in order to give us the personality and talents we have, so that we can use them for His purposes.

Self-improvement is our carnal attempt to perfect our self. God wants to lead us, and for us to take the back seat (Mark 8:34). As we focus on praising God in the midst of our short-comings, He will replace our imperfections with His Spirit's fruit.

As we yoke up with Jesus, we find rest in God's grace. His mercy allow us to submit to His Spirit's direction each and every moment of every day. His presence eliminates the emptiness, fear and depression in our soul.

We develop a friendliness with others. We share the gospel with anyone interested in hearing that God loves them and has a plan for their life. We love God and His Kingdom as our priority and then we love others as we love our self (Matthew 6:33; Mark 12:30-31).

Prayer:

Father God, You hold us securely in Your love. We have no fear of life's storms, because You are in control of them all. You bless us with Your contentment, joy and fulfillment even in the midst of negative circumstances. You calm the storms and cause the sun to burst through the clouds, illuminating our days with Your peace.

As You shed Your love in our hearts, teach us to love others as our self. Remind us to look for Your blessings all through our day and to share Your blessings with others as You give us the opportunity to bless them. Help us not to miss Your divine opportunities or to take Your divine provision for granted.

Thought for the Day:

God does not ask us to trust one another, because we are frail humans and hurt one another - often without realizing it; but He does expect us to trust Him to bless us in His timing, will and way.

Spiritual Self-Worth

Read: 2 Peter 1:2-8

"His divine power has given us everything we need." - 2 Peter 1:3

Self-esteem is one issue many people struggle with in this mortal life. We either have too much or too little, and we swing from pride to self-loathing. Saul had insecurities when God chose him as King over Israel. After sitting on the throne for several years, however, his pride mounted and he entertained murderous thoughts against David, his God-chosen, anointed successor. 

Entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ empowers us to lay down our insecurities and to allow God’s Holy Spirit to renovate our lives. We no longer need self-esteem, Since the King of the universe redeemed us, our self-worth comes from Christ in us, who is our hope of glory (Colossian 1:27). The opinion of another person about us no longer matters (Colossians 1:13-14), because God made us acceptable as His beloved (Ephesians 1:6). We are now friends with Jesus Christ (John 15:15); members of His body (1 Corinthians 12:27); and the apple of God’s eye (Zechariah 2:8).

Through His power in us we can accomplish everything God calls us to do. We are free from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2) and assured that God works all things, even the bad things, out for our good (Romans 8:28). Jesus Christ, the true vine, invites us to connect to Him as branches, which draw our sustenance from Him. Then we are a channel of His life to others (John 15:5), chosen and anointed to bear fruit (John 15:16; Galatians 5:22-23).

We can never be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:31-39), because we are established, anointed and sealed by Him (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). We are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-4). We are confident that God will complete the work He started in us (Philippians 1:6), when He made us citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:20).

We are born of God, and Satan cannot touch us (1 John 5:18). No carnal lust or human failure can hinder us once we make up our mind to do God’s will. We may approach God with freedom and confidence in our hour of need (Ephesians 3:12). We can do all things through Christ, because He strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, in the shadow of Thy wings we rejoice. Do not allow anything to keep us from following hard after Thee. (Psalm 63:7-8) We are Your temple (1 Corinthians 3:16); ministers of Your reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-21); seated with You in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 2:6). Remind us often that we are Your workmanship created in You for good works (Ephesians 2:10).

Thought for the Day:

Trust God with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)







Thank you, Heather Johnson, for the use of your photo.

WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST

This list (borrowed, not original) made a BIG difference in my life...hope it will in yours too. It is important to view ourselves as Christ views us.... 

I am accepted... I am complete in Christ ~ Colossians 2:9-10
I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child ~ Ephesians 1:3-8
I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God ~ 1 Corin. 6:19-20

I am God's child ~ John 1:12
I am a friend of Jesus Christ ~ John 15:15
I have been justified ~ Romans 5:1
I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit ~ 1 Corin. 6:17
I am a member of Christ's body ~ 1 Corin. 12:27
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins ~ Colossians 1:13-14
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ ~ Hebrews 4:14-16
I am the apple of God’s eye ~ Zech 2:8

I am secure... I am free from condemnation ~ Romans 8:1-2
I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances ~ Romans 8:28
I am free from any condemnation brought against me, and I cannot be separated from the love of God ~ Romans 8:31-39
I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God ~2 Corin. 1:21-22
I am hidden with Christ in God ~ Colossians 3:1-4
I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me ~ Philippians 1:6
I am a citizen of Heaven ~ Philippians 3:20
I have not been given the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind ~ 2 Timothy 1:7
I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me ~ 1 John 5:18

I am significant... I am the branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life ~ John 15:5
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit ~ John 15:16
I am God's temple ~ 1 Corin. 3:16
I am a minister of reconciliation for God ~ 2 Corin.5:17-21
I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm ~ Ephesians 2:6
I am God's workmanship ~ Ephesians 2:10
I may approach God with freedom and confidence ~ Ephesians 3:12
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me ~Philippians 4:13

Meditate on one of these verses every day until you actually believe it. Then go on to the next one. They will revolutionize your life and the way you view your self and other people...kat