Last week a Twitter friend asked me: “How can I be blessed? How can I receive blessings from God?” I realize there is a lot of yearning in people’s hearts. People want to be connected with God but they don’t necessarily know how to do it. Or they are yearning for a deeper connection with their Maker. This is all good. This is what God wants. God wants to be in touch with each and everyone of you. How delightful is that!

One word of caution before we dig deeper. We are not to manipulate God. If our goal is to get blessings we are on a wrong track. God is not to be used for our purposes. God is not dumb. God knows what is going on in your mind. God did not send his only son to die for us so you could prosper. God sent his only son to die for us so we could return to him and live in his presence. God wants to give us blessings because he is love. But God wants us to love him and not the gifts he can give.

That said let’s look at how we can be blessed. Actually it is very simple because God’s nature is love. It is his joy to lavish us with blessings. Being blessed is what living in grace means. It is the natural condition of a child of God.

It does not mean
that we would be wealthy.
that we would be healthy.
that we would be without troubles.

It does mean
that God is with us.
that God takes care of us.
that we have grace, peace, and joy no matter what are our circumstances.
that we have an ongoing love relationship with God.
that we have an ongoing conversation going with our Father.
that we are recipients of God’s love and care.

A joyful fact is that there are plenty of blessings available for all of us. And most of all God is fully present with each of us. A.Z. Tozer explains it this way: “An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others”.

How can you be blessed? By entering into relationship with God Almighty through Jesus. That happens by prayer. More you pray more Christ-like you become. More you pray more the Spirit lives in you. More you pray more blessed you become.

It might sound too easy. But faith is not a trick question. Faith is a gift from God. Faith is a channel through which God can lavish you with gifts. Blessings upon blessings. So go ahead and start a conversation with God. Pray like your life depended on it. Pray your heart out. God is listening. Ask for blessings. God is more than happy to bless you. Because God loves you!

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for making it possible for us to be in an everlasting relationship with you.        Thank you for inviting us to have an ongoing conversation with you.                                     Thank you for lavishing us with your tender loving care.
Bless us and equip us to bless others.
Be praised forever and ever!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Be blessed beyond measure, my fellow pilgrim. God loves you beyond measure!

Q4U: How are you blessed in your life?

Photo courtesy of Brandon Johnson