Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 26, 2018
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. Ephesians 1:3
When our four daughters were children we would enjoy the Great Smoky mountains a few hours away from our home. On one of our majestic drives through the towering hardwoods, with bubbling creeks accompanying the curvy roads, we pulled over to picnic. With childhood enthusiasm, I sprang toward the bank of the bubbling clear water, cupped my hands and slurped up the cool refreshment. All the time my wife Rita, with windmill like gestures, was motioning me back to read the sign ten yards behind me warning of the creek’s contamination. In my zeal, I forgot that the purity of the creek rests at its source, not downstream where it becomes soiled by impure influences.
Paul, with his Holy Spirit inspired pen, eloquently describes the beauty of God’s blessings to all who will possess them. A godly gift for those who have embraced grace, God’s blessings are sourced in the heavenly realms, not yet stained by sin’s influence on earth. Jesus Christ died on earth so we can have access to heaven’s spiritual blessings. Encouragingly, the blessings of God are unlimited and all sufficient. They precede from the Holy Spirit and are ever accessible to those who are mindful of their availability. “In Christ” we have all we need for life and death. We go to the source of blessings, our Lord Jesus. Gratefully and gladly, we praise Him!
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).
In silence and solitude we have access to the source of our blessings in the presence of our Savior Jesus. Our generous God has already given us what we need, it awaits our discovery and declaration of reality. Like an individual who is born into a God-fearing family has won the “genetic lottery”, so those of us born into God’s family have won the “spiritual lottery”. Only when we come forth in faith with our winning ticket of trust in Jesus, are we able to enjoy the abundance of our spiritual blessings: humility, forgiveness, peace, rest, hope and love, all represent the wealth of the Lord’s riches. Be mindful of your present inheritance and you will not feel poor.
What keeps us from receiving and enjoying the unlimited riches of God’s grace and blessings? When we fail to live by faith “in Christ”, we drift into other realms of security. To live “in cash” means I am content with stuff, but without more things I live in discontent. To live “in health” means I love God as long as I am medically sound, but sickness causes me to dismiss faith. To live “in control” means I am secure and unafraid, as long as I feel like I am in charge. But when uncertainty comes along, it robs me of my peace. But “in Christ” we are hopeful in our pain, forgiving in our injustice, humble in our success, restful in our routine and loving toward all.
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:3-5).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I gladly praise You for Your generous, unceasing blessings, in Jesus’ name, amen!
Application
What competes with my ability to abide in Christ? Is it stuff, sorrow or being out of control? If so, how can I replace these competitors with Christ alone?
Related Reading
John 17:17; 1 John 2:24, 3:24, 4:15; Romans 15:26-28
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Jesus Christ died on earth so we can have access to heaven’s spiritual blessings. #WisdomHunters #spiritualblessings
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