Tag Archives: God’s best for you

Be best blessed

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If you could choose between receiving a gift that lasts just for a short time or one that lasts forever, which would you choose?

 

It probably sounds like a silly question. Of course, we value good things that last. But do our prayers match this? Indeed, we are encouraged to pray for our daily bread, but there are even greater blessings in store for those who seek them. What are these greater blessings? Paul speaks to them in his letter to the Ephesians (and to us, by the way):

 

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

 

What are these spiritual blessings offered to us? Paul outlines them in verses 4-8:

 

  • Benefits of knowing God
  • Our salvation
  • Adoption into His family
  • Forgiveness!
  • Wisdom, discernment, insight
  • Gifts of the Holy Spirit 
  • Power to live in accordance with God’s will
  • Hope of living forever with Jesus

That’s quite a list of blessings to begin your daily declaration of praise!

 

Matthew Henry writes: “Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; with which we cannot be miserable, and without which we cannot but be so.” In other words, our true happiness, peace, and fulfillment in life come not from the physical realm that we so easily see and measure and enjoy but from the spiritual realm that we come to experience through faith. These spiritual blessings are available to us right now through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, and will also last forever in the heavenly realms where Christ dwells and where we already are seated with Him (Ephesians 2:1-10).

 

Do you really desire the very best that God intends for you? Really? Then let your prayers be not only for your daily bread, but more especially for His indwelling presence. Ask to see God more clearly and to see others through his eyes. Seek to know God not just about Him. Pursue discerning wisdom, strength, and courage. Ask not just for increased ability; answer God’s call for your availability to be His purposeful and intentional light wherever you go today.

 

Be best blessed.
Discover and enjoy God’s best blessings for you today.

 

 

Living the Parable

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Jesus taught many parables to help people understand the kingdom of God. Some people think that parables are just stories about good values. More than that they are stories about who we are meant to be and how to experience God’s best for you. One of the parables Jesus taught is that of the widow’s offering. A story about money, yes, but even more, it is a story about how much of US belongs to God.

Mark 12:41-44 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Jesus would rather see us put OURSELVES in the offering plate than money. We sing, “All to Jesus, I surrender,” but it is easier to say than to do this, right?

If we want to get to better physical health we generally start with a Complete Physical Assessment. Steve Canfield shared with us recently that the road to better spiritual health often begins with a Complete Spiritual Assessment. Part of that process is considering our priorities. for example, number the following in relation to which gets the most of your TIME daily (1=most time, 6=least time):
___ Computer/internet
___ Television/Movies
___ Eating
___ Recreation
___ God’s Word (reading, memorizing, meditating)
___ Prayer

Now, in order, number the following in relation to which gets the most of your MONEY monthly (1=most money, 6=least money):
___ Car or pets
___ Sorts or hobbies
___ Dating/socializing
___ Habits
___ God’s work (church, missions, etc)
___ Music and videos (CDs, MP3s, etc)

If we are honest with ourselves these simple exercises will reveal how much (or little) of our time and money are invested in seeking God and His best for us, and how much is frittered away. I remember years ago when we were doing regular missions to storm ravaged New Orleans someone said to me, “I’d like to go, but I just don’t have the money.” and yet, they had fashionable clothes, a big TV, nice car, went out to eat often, etc.

It’s all about choices, isn’t it? As you search your heart, ask yourself, “What changes do I want to make in my daily schedule and monthly budget?” Our answer always depends on how much do we love and trust the One who made us.

Choose God’s best for you today. Give Him all of you. He gives you all of Him.

 

 

Great hope for today

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Many people have feelings of worthless or low self-esteem.

Looking up at the stars on a clear night has a way of putting our minute lives into perspective. We are quite small in comparison to the vastness of God’s creation. Crises also have a way of humbling us in a most vivid way. At the end of ourselves with no hope for our own ability to solve something like cancer, the loss of a loved one, joblessness, financial ruin, or other catastrophe, we come to realize our profound dependence on God. We realize that our very breaths are measured by Him. And we feel very small in the presence of the creator of the universe, the one who has no beginning or end.

But this smallness, this sense of being unimportant to the grand scheme of things is not the whole picture. There is reason to have great joy and hope right now. For God so loved us that He sent His only begotten Son to rescue us. When? When we were still rebellious sinners, since we were determined to go our own way. God says that to whoever believes in His Son, He gives them the right to be children of God. And not just adopted children but also heirs of His kingdom, an eternal life of joy, a life with no tears or pain or sorrow. And part of that kingdom can be experienced right now. Real joy and hope that starts now and lasts forever!

We are distracted by other things in this world, things we think are greater pleasure. Even in the important and necessary things of life, we forget God, and we forget to thank Him. And how does our great God respond? He graciously waits for us. Why does He love us so? I really don’t know; only that He made us and longs to spend time with us. Just like you long to spend time with your loved ones and feel fulfilled when they choose to spend time with you, God enjoys being with us. I am convinced this is partly for His pleasure but also because He desires the very best for us. Admittedly, don’t you want the very best for your life? Don’t you want the very best for those you love? It is found in one place, with God.

In the small and big parts of your life you are of great importance. You are highly valued, esteemed, loved and treasured. So if you are feeling down and unimportant, invite God to your pity party. He will remind you of how precious you are and you will experience more of how awesome our God really is.