When we look at our own lives, and by today’s society’s standards, we may not have much in comparison. Yet, when we examine our lives under a microscope with God sized magnification, we find that we are immensely blessed. How are we so blessed, when we’re so unworthy? Because God is gracious, and it is His nature to bless those that LOVE and OBEY Him. We all have a great capacity to be close to God, and receive His awesome blessings in our lives. “…the LORD longs TO BE GRACIOUS TO YOU; therefore He will RISE UP to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” (Isa. 30:18)
Let’s check out how blessings work, and what we can do to have more blessings granted to us.
- We must have a relationship with God. We would be careless if we did not believe this, in order to receive the blessings of God; we must first have a genuine intimate relationship with Him – we must live to serve Him, and not the enemy. God is the way to zōē (godly) life and happiness (the biggest blessing we can receive), and all other blessings flow through Him. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have zōē, and have it TO THE FULL.” (John 10:10)
- We must tithe to God and bless others with our finances. This is a very important act we can perform, besides accepting Jesus, to live a fulfilled life. God will constantly be blessing our life financially, and it all starts with TITHING. Which began before the Law was established, “…Melchizedek king of Salem blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram and praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him A TENTH OF (a tithe) EVERYTHING.” (Gen. 14:18-20) The prophet Malachi said “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. TEST ME IN THIS,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will NOT BE room enough to store it.” (Mal. 3:10) Jesus said this about tithing, “…woe to you Pharisees! For YOU TITHE mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These YOU OUGHT TO HAVE DONE (you should have paid tithes), without leaving the others undone.” (Luke 11:42)
- We must bless others as we have been blessed. When God blesses us, He expects us to bless others! In order to be blessed, we must give our blessings unto others! “You are the salt of the earth; “You are the light of the world. Let your light SO SHINE before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:13-16) “…you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became POOR, so that you through His poverty might become rich. And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by YOUR COMPLETION OF IT…” (2 Corin. 8:9-11)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham