First, it's important to remember that the Lord is already pleased with you, before you ever "do" anything. In Matthew 3, the first thing that happened when Jesus came up out of the water from being baptized was the Lord's voice came from Heaven and said, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." This was long before Jesus ever started His ministry!
Second, the Lord is intentional in telling us that His blessings are "given" to us, how they are "added" unto us, and how He "brings us" into them. In Matthew 6, the Lord tells us all about the birds and lilies; how they never sow, gather, toil or spin, yet He feeds and clothes them. He brings it home in verse 33 when He says, "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be ADDED unto you."
Deuteronomy 28 tells us all of the ways we are blessed; in the city and in the country, the fruit of our body and produce of the ground, and our cattle and flocks will increase. Look at what He says in verse 8, "The Lord will COMMAND the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is GIVING YOU.
In Exodus 13 the Lord tells us He swore to our ancestors that He would BRING US into the land flowing with milk and honey; flowing = steadily and continually moving, it never stops! Romans 8 tells us that as children of God, we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. When do we receive an inheritance? When the one giving it to us passes away. Jesus has already died so His inheritance is our INHERITANCE now! Romans 4:7 & 8 says, "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin." This doesn't say we are blessed because we did a bunch of things right. Hallelujah!
Blessings are not earned; they are God's undeserved, unmerited favor and He blesses us because He loves us! Even when we mess up! I encourage you to look back at your life and look for those moments when you acted foolishly and the Lord STILL blessed you. I guarantee there won't be a single one of you unable to find one! One of the biggest reasons why believers will not receive EVERYTHING the Lord wants them to have is because they aren't willing to fully surrender to His plan for their life. His path may be hard or uncomfortable and more often than not, people don't want to give up ease, comfort, and pleasure. When we don't trust the Lord to do as He guides, we don't allow ourselves to receive what He is waiting to give!
RESOURCES
Do You Feel Like You're Making a Wrong Decision?
Who is Your Provider?
Are You Trying to Gain by Your Efforts?
Believers Are Worthy and Deserving
As He Is, So Are We!
This is such a wonderful truth that I thank God for. Is he really THAT good?? The answer is a resounding YES!!!!! Thank God for you Carissa, and may his love spread all over the earth to every person!! Jesus rules over all!!!
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