R U Blessed Beyond Measure?

In almost all my email correspondence these days, I sign off by writing, "Be Blessed," which got me to thinking…what am I truly saying to my recipient? Do they have the power or control to determine that they will be blessed …and just what does that mean?

Upon closer examination, there are a myriad of definitions for the word, blessing, to include the act or words of a person who blesses; a special favor, mercy, benefit or gift bestowed by God, 

thereby bringing happiness; the invoking of God's favor upon a person and the act of approval or good wishes. A blessing can also be an act of praise, devotion or worship which is how we bless God when we extol His virtues and sing His praises.

But for each of us, do we have any control on the act of being blessed by our loving Heavenly Father? I believe the answer is YES! Allow me to explain.

Since the beginning of time, God has been in the blessing business. Genesis 1:28 says, "God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and multiply." And even in the last book of the Bible, Revelation 22, God's Word says, "Behold I am coming soon. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

Throughout all the passages of the Bible, we see God bestow His Blessings and in almost every instance it requires that the recipient of the blessing to have been found FAITHFUL…OBEDIENT…IN RIGHT COMMUNION WITH GOD!

It is how you live that may often determine the extent and the extension of the blessings you may receive. If you have chosen to walk with the Lord on a daily basis, you walk in the Light and it is much easier to see each and every blessing that you receive from the Lord; however, if you are a CIA (Christian In Anonymity) believer and spend as much or more time in the shadows rather than walking in God's abundant light…then your blessings, or the lack thereof, have a lot to do with your relationship with the Father.

Scripture makes it clear, starting with the story of Adam and Eve that they were blessed by God. But their disobedience brought upon them the wrath of God, had them expelled from the Garden to a life of hardship, pain and regret. And this story is repeated on almost every page of the Bible as we read of God's blessing of His people; their sin and His turning away; their repentance and restoration, once more to receive God's blessing and then start the cycle all over again.

Maybe that's you today. As you look at your life, is it filled with the blessings that come from an intimate relationship with a loving Father or do you lack any evidence of favor, mercy or a gift bestowed upon your life? If God's blessing is missing in your life and unhappiness is the cornerstone of your existence, then it's time for some house cleaning.

Get rid of anything that keeps you from spending time with your Heavenly Father and replace it with time spent in His word; with prayer, fellowship and worship with other believers and most of all, looking for the evidence that you are truly blessed.

God is just waiting to pour His abundant blessings out on you….are you poised to receive them or are you living as you want and not as God wants? The answer to that questions can make all the difference in how you are blessed…. just think about it!

Blessed Beyond Measure…Hoping for More,

WPQ