Blessings from God – Part 2
But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him
Jeremiah 17:7
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 NLT) It’s a great blessing when we fully trust the Lord because it means we know the Lord, and we trust His will over our will. This kind of faith increases the peace and joy in our hearts.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1) We are free from being controlled by the world because we seek loving guidance from Christ. We are controlled by Christ with his love, wisdom, and power. For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4) Through our faith, we follow the Spirit and we depend on Christ to guide us through life. Christ has overcome the world, and, through His guidance, we overcome the world.
If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even their own life-such a person cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26) Our love for God as compared to our love for family is described by the word “hate.” When we love the Lord more than anyone, then we have more love in our hearts from God to reflect to the world. The blessing of putting God first in our life brings us closer to the Lord and increases our faith and dependence on Him.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. (1 John 4:18 NASB) God fills our heart with His divine love as we follow the Spirit, and His love casts out fear from Satan. God’s divine love and Satan’s fear cannot coexist in our hearts. When our fear decreases and is replaced with God’s love, we are blessed because we live in peace and joy, without fear.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1) Through Christ, the Bible is no longer a book of commands; but, as the Lord changes our heart and mind to that of Jesus, the Biblical commands become natural and desirable motivated by love. With a changed heart, we fight Satan’s temptations through the power of Christ. If we fall into sin, we seek forgiveness and divine power to overcome.
Today, be mindful of the greatest blessing, Christ, who gives us eternal life and takes away our fear of death. Live today in the Lord’s blessings with a thankful heart and live today to serve the Lord. The more loving a relationship we have with the Lord, the greater the blessings become.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your never-ending blessings, and guide me in the Spirit to serve You. Never let me forget your love and your divine blessings. Help me to fully surrender my life to Your divine will. In Jesus’ name, Amen