Blessing. You can’t just pray for it. You have to put yourself in the place where God’s blessing already dwells. Where is that?
1) Family
Time with your spouse, your children, your family is never wasted time. Family is a well of God’s blessing. But cheat your family, you’ll end up with a well of regret.
2) Devotional time.
Time with God is not wasted time. Reading and meditating on God’s word, prayer that adores God and requests of God, is where God’s blessing fills your soul and flows out of your life. Cheat yourself of time with God, you cheat yourself of eternal perspective.
3) Community.
Time with God’s people is never a waste. Without community you will bang your noggin against the ceiling of emotional and spiritual growth. No-one wants to continue struggling with the same issues from three years ago. Cheat yourself of community, you cheat yourself of victory and maturity.
4) Financial Generosity.
Sacrificial giving is never wasted money. When Jesus said (commanded!), “do not worry” but “seek first [give first to] the kingdom,” he was dealing with money. Do you want God’s blessing of provision on your finances? Seek Him first. Give tithes and offerings.
5) Humility.
Humility is not thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less (C.S. Lewis). It’s decreasing ourselves and increasing others. There’s no threat or loss here. On the contrary, just as rain runs off the high places and puddles in the lowest places so God’s blessing puddles on those who get low in humility.
6) Forgiveness.
Anger, sleepless nights, pits in the stomach, revenge fantasies, come with grudges. Contentment, peace, freedom, and ability to get on with life comes with forgiveness. Forgiveness does not let him or her off the hook. It lets you off the hook. And repositions you under God’s blessing.
7) Purity.
John Piper once said, “God is not a kill-joy, He’s just against what kills joy.” Resisting ungodly desires and behaviors does not mean you are missing out. It means you’ve situated yourself under God’s blessing. Cheat yourself of purity, you cheat yourself of God’s peace and pleasure.
There you have it. So put yourself under the spout where God’s blessing is already pouring out!
What else would you add? Which of these meant the most to you? Which are hard for you?
Wonderful reminders. Thank you Pastor Jarrod.
Thanks, Bob!