Blessed with every spiritual blessing

Ephesians 1:4 - " Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."

Let us reflect on what these spiritual blessings are as believers in Christ.

1) We have been forgiven and cleansed us from all sin.

2) We have been justified and made righteous in Christ's sight.

3) There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

4) Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, continually interceding for us.

5) We have the Holy Spirit who lives in us that helps us live a holy life, strengthens us, guides us, teaches us, helps us remember what God  has said to us, speaks to us continually, helps us pray, intercedes for us and much more. 

6) We are children of the the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's.

7) We have a God who loves us no matter what and never gives up on us.

8) We have a God who will always forgive us if we confess our sins with a sincere heart.

9) We have a God who helps us in our weakness and delivers us from trial and temptations.

10) We have a God who provides, protects and has good plans and purposes for us. He wants us to have an abundant life.

11) We have a God who is always in control, even when it seems like everything is out of control.

12) We have been given talents and spiritual gifts.

13) We have the fruit of the Spirit that is available to us as we yield to Him. Right there is a treasure trove of blessings.

14) We are part of the Body of Christ, His saints.

15) We have direct communication with the Father through Jesus Christ, and always available to us at any time.

16) We have eternal life now, and eternal rewards awaiting us.

15) All power and authority has been given to us through Christ.

There are probably many more that I have not mentioned.

So how are we to respond to these spiritual blessings in Christ?

We are to continually rejoice and be glad in them. We are to draw from these riches and use them for Christ's glory. 

No matter what the circumstances let us keep our eyes on Jesus and be thankful for every spiritual blessing we have in Christ.

I challenge you to look up Scriptures for each one of these and read them again.

The Faith the Defies Logic

 

Jesus encourages the application of faith for things which are seemingly impossible.

How does faith operate? 

For a start, faith begins where logic ends. 

 

1 Corinthians 2:5 says that our faith does not “rest in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

 

Faith is based on who God is - His unchangeable character, His power and His Word. Faith is not based on our ability, our expertise or our acumen. 

 

Abraham exemplified this “illogical” faith. Hebrews 11:8 says that, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (emphasis mine)

 

Quite unlike Abraham, we want to understand all the pros and cons before we implement a decision, or even take a step forward. But faith is about implicit trust and obedience in a God whose ways are far beyond our comprehension. 

 

Like Abraham, faith will cause you do things which seem radical. It will cause you to look foolish. But, remember, such acts of faith propel the greatest breakthroughs. 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 urges us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

 

Let’s unpack those verses:

Trust in the Lord – You and I are called to have complete faith in God

Lean not on your own understanding - Let go of your logic

In all your ways acknowledge Him - Depend on God in everything you do

And He will make your paths straight - The consequence: God will provide a breakthrough .

One of the greatest obstacles of faith is human logic. It’s only when you let go of logic can faith operate fully.

By Rajiv Shelladurai

CLOTHES FOR THE RIGHT SEASON

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:"

Covid-19 pandemic has ushered us unto a new season. We need to identify what season we are in, so that we can appropriately adapt to the season we are in today. We need to adapt our wardrobe to the seasons. We don't wear winter clothes in the Summer, nor Summer clothes in the Winter. I believe we have had a season of Winter, but Spring is coming, and Summer will soon be here. The season of Winter has made many people weary, depressed and burnt out. At the same time, I believe the winter has caused many to draw closer to Christ. Yet, as in winter many things die or go dormant, so it has been in this season. The season has brought a greater understanding of our fragility, and lack of control over what is takes place, which has brought a greater lesson. We can't put our hope on know one else but Christ. I know that I have been and am being brought to a new level of trust in God. My branches have been stripped of self-sufficiency, and pride. This stripping was necessary to cause us to trust God more, and will bring greater fruit.

Disruption causes us to to trust God at a deeper level. Disruption shows where we are anchored, in man or God. This has caused us to draw nearer to Him. Trust is established in intimacy. This season has hopefully caused our roots to go deeper and draw deep from the river of life.

Psalms 1:1-3 - "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

You may still feel the bitter coldness of Winter, but lift up your head, Spring is coming. The blossoms are appearing. You may still feel weak, disoriented and fearful, but trust in God's love, goodness and faithfulness. You are stronger now then you were before, even if you can't see it now.

Divine Appointments

 

We are living in tumultuous times, which creates great opportunities for God to show up in a powerful way. I challenge you today to ask God to give you divine appointments. For this to happen we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. We need to ask God, what are you doing right here and right now. We must live in the moment. It must be a daily choice. 

 

Acts 8:26-31 - "Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?”

Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

The one thing I love about this story is that the Holy Spirit told him to go stand by a desert road, and God gave Him no reason or explanation. He just obeyed. The second thing I take notice of in this story. Philip never saw the full fruit of his obedience. he was taken away by the Holy Spirit after his brief encounter, and most likely never saw him again. He didn't see the countless people who were probably brought to Christ through this influential man. Many a time, we don't see the fruit, but it doesn't matter. All we are asked to do is be in the here and now, listening to the Holy Spirit and being obedient to His voice.

There are divine appointments everywhere. We just need to look away from ourselves. We need to lift up our heads and say, Lord here I am, your servant. Show me what you have for me today. It may not be something great God is asking you to do, at least not great in your eyes. You may never know the full ramifications of one word or action done in the name of Jesus.

UNDERSTANDING THE ENEMY

 

To overcome Satan we need to understand his tactics. Satan’s main tactics are lies and deception. In the garden Satan deceived Eve by causing her to doubt God’s word and goodness, and minimizing the consequences of sin and disobedience. Satan still tries to deceive us by tempting us with things of the world, and making us think they are not really that bad. He tempts us in the areas where we are weak. We overcome deception and temptation just like Jesus by knowing the Word and not compromising. We also overcome by what we focus on. What you focus on grows. Focus on God and the things of God and the things of the world will become less attractive. The enemy also comes against us with fear of others, fear of failure and of circumstances we face. But 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Satan wants to intimidate you, discourage you and overwhelm you. But 1 John 4:4 says, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” When you know who you are in God, and walk in the power and enablement of the Spirit, the enemy has no power over you. Victory is ours in Jesus Christ.

 

By Andy Clark

God shows up when least expected.

 Let us first look at the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth in Luke chapter 1.

Luke 1:6 - "Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly."

They were both righteous and serving God faithfully. Yet, they were not able to have children. They were both very old. How often do we live righteous lives and serve God faithfully, but we don't see the reward of our righteousness and faithfulness. The promise(s) God gave us is not fulfilled. Our greatest desire is not being met. Yet, if we forge on in righteousness and faithfulness, God will fulfill His promise(s) to us, and usually at the most unlikely time. Zechariah was going about his priestly duties, when all of a sudden God shows up unexpectedly and in a great way. He wasn't in prayer asking God for a child. He had already given up hope that this would ever happen.. He was only concentrating on his duties as priest. Then bang, the angel Gabriel shows up out of the blue, and says you are going to have a child, and no ordinary child. A miracle child who will be full of the Holy Spirit before he is even born.

Then we have a similar story where the angel Gabriel shows up before a young virgin woman, named Mary and says you you will have a son. He will be no ordinary child, but a child born by the power of the Holy Spirit. He will be called Jesus, the Son of the most high. Mary was just minding her own business, living a holy life, and out of no where her life is turned upside down. She has found favor with God and becomes the mother of our Lord. She did nothing to earn the greatest child and gift of all. She wasn't even married. As far as she was concerned, this was just going to be another ordinary day. Instead, it became an extra ordinary day.

The idea I am trying to bring across in these two stories is that God often show up in a big way when least expected. When we are not even seeking it or expecting it. Therefore I counsel you to continue to be faithful in your spiritual walk and serving God, and don't be discouraged. One of these days God is going to show up in a mighty way in your life and ministry. It will be a wondrous thing, and maybe even a little scary or uncomfortable. It may turn your life upside down, but it will always be a good thing. It will be a good thing because it is a God thing. 

I know these past few months in our lives, God has shown up in a miraculous way. He has blown us a way with His great favor and provision. He has done the unexpected. It is like, wow God. Look what you just did. It is unbelievable. This all after a time of weariness and great trial.

INEXPRESSIBLE JOY

 

1 Peter 1:8-9 - "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

 

How many of us would love to have an inexpressible joy?

This inexpressible joy is rooted in our belief in Christ. Our belief in the salvation of our souls. Our belief in God's goodness and perfect love. Our belief in an eternal inheritance that awaits those who have given their lives to Him. Our belief that all things work for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Our belief in God's power to accomplish all these things.

 

Finally and most importantly our belief that He is who He says He is and does what He says he will do.