Beginnings: Your New Blessings

Blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the Voice of the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 28:2 (NIV)

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

Understandably, we seek God’s blessings. Generously, He gives more than we ask! Within His Word, abundance IS promised, but each gift’s form and timing is God’s choice.

NOTE: His blessings follow our obedience!

Prosperity pastors preach John 10:10, but ignore Matthew 16:25.

‘The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly’ (John 10:10).

‘For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it’ (Matthew 16:25).

Since Jesus does NOT contradict Himself, how can losing our lives bring abundance? Is He referring to life in Heaven? Certainly, yes, but Jesus also said 'The kingdom of God is within you' (Luke 17:21). That means here and now, not just there and then.

Does “losing” mean giving our lives to Christ? If so, He gives back far more and better!

Does “losing” mean giving up selfishness? If so, YAY! Selfishness brings nothing good!

Does “finding” our lives mean REAL abundance? YES, but note: Worldly values are fool’s gold.

Didn’t Jesus model what God values? YES!

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

Consider a few actual blessings that STAY NEW and continue to delight:

  • The freedom found in a simplified life.

  • The fulfillment of every heartfelt need.

  • The fellowship of true and lasting friends.

  • The comfort and guidance of the Spirit.

  • The power to make demons turn and flee.

  • The joy shared by helping other people.

  • The pleasure of working for the Best Boss.

  • The assurance of living in Heaven.

  • The hope that sustains in every trial.

  • The faith that moves mountains now moves through us.

  • God’s love surrounds us. Count your blessings! (You’ll never list them all, but keep trying!)

The key? Seek God first, and what’s truly good follows. The blessings meant for you will CHASE YOU DOWN!

Beginnings: Your New Blessings (Part 23)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban