Category: Blessing

What

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Ephesians 1 is loaded with expressions of God’s generosity.  I like verse 18 – as we follow what Ephesians 1 has been talking about we will have our “hearts enlightened”.  The “what” is the hope and riches that God promises.  I think sometimes we have the wrong kind of hope and the wrong kind of riches in mind.  God is more interested in the eternal and we end up getting stuck in the temporal.  My desire is to continue studying Scripture to learn about the “whats” in Ephesians 1:18. At least as much as is possible in this life.  I expect to learn by leaps and bounds in the next life.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the many blessings I can learn about from Your Word.  Please guide me as I learn the “what” You tell us about in this verse.  Help me to share this with others.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

It’s NOT About Me

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Ephesians 1 tells us of wonderful gifts that God has given to those he has chosen.  I think we sometimes become selfish as a result of these gifts.  The point of the gifts is to point back to our precious Savior, Jesus Christ.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to use the gifts You have given to point others to You.  May You be honored because of Your glorious grace. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Chosen for Adoption

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The first blessing we see in Ephesians 1 is that of being chosen for adoption.  Looking at the culture in Israel during Bible times adoption is a great honor.  The first-born son would inherit everything.  God adopts us as first-born sons.  I’m not sure how well it translates into the American culture that I know so well.  In Bible culture this was a very high honor.  I want to allow that concept to warm my heart living in what is often a cold, dark (sin-cursed) world.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me to be an adopted child.  Thank You for the beauty of Your love.  Please help me to share this with those who know You chose them as well as those who have not learned of this wonderful gift.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Everything

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I appreciate how the book of Ephesians starts.  The praise to God is wonderful, but the reason for the praise catches my attention.  Those of us who have placed our trust in Christ have “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places”.  The rest of the chapter gives more specifics about what those blessings are.

I think we as believers fall into the trap of thinking we don’t have everything we need.  However, God has told us through His Word that we do have what we need.  2 Peter 1:3 reiterates that fact.  I look forward to studying the book of Ephesians (amongst other passages) this year to remind me what God has provided.

Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for the many blessings You give so freely.  I ask for guidance as I study what You have given.  Please help me to share the truth with others.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

The Joy of God’s Presence

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The Psalmist talks about the joy of going to God’s house.  At this time the tabernacle was the structure of the house of God.  This was the place God met with His people.  We no longer need either the tabernacle or the temple.  God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within us when we place our trust in Jesus’ to save us from our sins. 

While our modern church buildings are not the house of God the way the tabernacle or temple were, I think the heart attitude should be the same.  When we meet with other believers, we should be joyful about the presence of God in each of us.

I am thankful for the gathering of believers I am able to attend.  I appreciate a nice church building where we can meet.  I pray this opportunity brings God glory as we celebrate Who He is.  I hope it is a special time that brings joy to all involved.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of the Psalmist’s joy in going to Your house.  Thank You for the gathering You have provided for me. Thank You for Your presence in my life. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Praise and Thanksgiving

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For the month of November (again), I want to simply praise and thank God for Who He is and the many wonderful things He has done.  There is great wisdom in this.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your glory.  Thank You for sharing Who You are with flawed human beings.  My mind cannot comprehend the magnitude of Your holiness.  Please help me to seek You more and more each day.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Give God’s Way and Gain More

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The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
    another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
    and one who waters will himself be watered. 

Proverbs 11:23-25

I love the Word of God.  The Bible is loaded with encouragement and challenge for my benefit.  I need to come to Scripture with a humble, prayerful attitude to find what God wants.  I think it is too easy to bring my own view or experience and misinterpret Scripture.

Verse 23 tells us, “The desire of the righteous ends only in good.”  I fear that Christians sometimes assume our desires are always good.  We need to live righteously as God describes in His Word.  We can only do that if we go to God’s word with a humble heart.

I chose verse 24 for my picture, because I think it gives an interesting idea.  Too often after giving we feel depleted.  I get it – I have been there.  Unfortunately, some people decide to take too much and drain resources.  If more of us chose to give freely, I think our resources would multiply instead of just subtracting. 

Each of us needs to obey Scripture and encourage others to do the same.  Imagine the blessing and enrichment we will see.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the words You have given us.  Please help me to give as You intend according to the righteousness in Your Word.  Please help me to be an example of righteous giving so others would join me in that endeavor.  I want more to see the beauty of the blessing You give.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.