John 1:16—From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.
As I read Scripture, I am continuously impressed with our Heavenly Father’s desire to bless us. From Genesis to Revelation runs a consistent theme—God loves to give to His children. As a parent I understand some of what God feels. I look forward to giving my children gifts. There is something profoundly special about favorably touching lives.
When we live in obedience to God’s will, we cannot help but experience His blessings. Does this mean that we will not suffer? Hardly! Some of the godliest people I know have endured tremendous hardships. Yet if you asked them if they knew God’s blessings they would joyfully nod affirmatively. The deepest blessing God can give us is knowledge of Himself. The more we grow in our understanding of Him, the deeper we appreciate life and recognize how wonderful His expressions of kindness are to us. Perhaps Jesus’ death on the cross most emphatically demonstrates the length God will go to bless us—to give us that unquenchable, beyond-awesome, super-spectacular eternal gift of life in His presence.
For over ten years my wife and I have struggled with the heavy cost of health insurance. It is an expense we have gladly shouldered because the life of our son far exceeds any premium a company can exact. In a sense it is what we would call a mixed blessing. We realize how fortunate we are to even have insurance! Recently our family was approved by an organization of Christians dedicated to sharing health costs. Our monthly rates dropped by over $400!
I’m thankful for a group of people committed to sharing so that my family can afford medical help. I’m even more grateful for my Lord Who touches hearts to create generosity and unity that results in His praise and glory. And I’m thankful for you . . . that you desire to know God more deeply. I pray that you will be consumed with an ever-growing hunger to know God; that you will experience His rich blessings; and that you will let Him know how much you love Him.
Ephesians 1:3—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.
Inspiration
