6 Ways To Be Blessed

Some people think that being blessed means being happy, but it’s more than that. To be blessed is to be part of God’s Kingdom. He loves to see believers acting on, or obeying, His word. God is aware of what we do, and we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-10).

Desiring to please God, we bring glory to His name by doing right. The first step is to fear Him. That means to respect and revere His authority.

Psalm 112 lists some ways we can be blessed:

1.  Delight in God's Commands (v.1)
2.  Be gracious and compassionate (v.4)
3.   Be generous and lend freely (v.5)
4.  Conduct your affairs justly (v.5)
5.  Be steadfast, trusting in the LORD (v.7)
6.  Give to the poor (v.9)

 In contrast, here are some worldly viewpoints that lack respect for God’s authority:

• My truth is more important than God’s
• I see no reason to be compassionate
• I’ll make a personal loan, but charge a hefty fee
• It's not important to judge impartially
• There’s no need to trust in God; I can make my own way
• I give to the poor when I feel like it, Christmas for sure

As Christians, it’s a constant choice between MY will and THY will. Jesus set the example for us, even at an early age (Luke 2:41-52). Later, He overcame Satan’s temptations (Luke 4:1-13). Later still, He agonized in prayer over the Father’s will in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46).

While suffering on the cross, He was obedient to the end and declared, “It is finished!” (John 19:28-30). Then God tore the veil before the Holy of Holies in the temple from top to bottom (Luke 23:44-46; Mark 15:37-39). Jesus’ sacrifice was now the only acceptable way to be cleansed from sin.

It’s not always easy to do the right thing, but in addition to His example of prayer and knowing the Scripture, Jesus gave us two directives. We are to: (1) Take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23), and (2) Show our love to Him by obedience to His commands (John 14:15).

Be blessed!

Pixabay: Rock, Sunrise, Morning Image; TomMarc

  

Part Three: What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

To be a Christian means to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

It takes twelve years to earn a high school diploma, and more degrees beyond that. Why don’t we consider that our spiritual learning also requires that type of consistency?

You can believe Hebrews 4:12 when it says God’s word is lively and active. I’ve been reading the Bible since middle school, and though I have re-read scriptures many times, I’m always learning something new. The Bible, for me, is a life-satisfying adventure.

New Testament instructions guide our spiritual growth. Once we were in darkness, but now we are in the light of the Lord (Ephesians 5:8-10). God’s light consists of goodness, righteousness, and truth.

We are to put off our old corrupted self and put on our new self, created to be like God in righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-32).  As Christians, we should live to please God and bring Him glory, not making provision to satisfy earthly lusts and evil desires (Colossians 3:1-17).

In fact, we are to detest what is evil and cling to what is good (Romans 12:9). Paul said, “Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). As we have opportunities, we are to do good to everyone (Galatians 6:10).

The difference between our old life and new life in Christ is quite clear. Read it for yourself in Colossians 3:1-17, Ephesians 4:17-32, and Galatians 5:16-26.

Don’t be put off by these scripture references. If you’re not familiar with the Bible, check the Table of Contents. Become familiar with it.

Take time to learn about other spiritual blessings: (1) The Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23, (2) Our Spiritual Armor – Ephesians 6:10-18, and (3) The Value of God’s Word - Psalm 119.

Remember, Jesus said we are to love God with: (1) all our heart, (2) all our soul (mind, will, and emotions), (3) all our mind, and (4) all our strength (Mark 12:28-31). It’s not a half-hearted commitment.

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6). For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose (Philippians 2:13).

Our daily desire becomes “Thy Will,” not “my will.”

Pixabay:

Part Two: What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

Have you heard of The Great Commission? It was Jesus’ last directive to His disciples.

This assignment had three parts: (1) Go into every nation and make disciples, (2) baptize them (in water) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and (3) teach them to obey all that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:18-20).

Mark said that after Jesus had spoken to them, He ascended into heaven and was seated at the right hand of the Father. He also said that the disciples went out to follow instructions, and that the Lord was with them, just as He had promised (Mark 16:19-20, Matthew 28:20).  

Let’s not forget that God also promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower them to be witnesses. This happened on the Day of Pentecost in a very special way. Immediately, Peter was a great example (Acts 2).

Remember that after soldiers had arrested Jesus in Gethsemane, Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75). Yet, after the Holy Spirit was given on the Day of Pentecost, he stood up and preached to a great multitude of people (Acts 2).  

We know from reading the New Testament that disciples follow a master teacher. They adhere to his teachings and share them with others. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).  

We learn to do that by reading our Bibles, the Holy Scriptures given by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). A good place to start might be in Matthew. The first four books of the New Testament are the Gospels, or the good news about Jesus and His teachings.

Sunday sermons, Bible classes, small group studies, and devotionals are all good, but not enough. We need both physical food and spiritual food every day.  

It’s never too late and never too soon to start a daily reading of our Bible verse by verse, and book by book!

Next week, we’ll close with Part Three of being a Christian.

Pixabay: Did you know, Speech, Balloon; Imageforyou.