SPIRIT BRAND

SPIRITUALITY for the 21st Century

I am typing this blog on a cold (54 degrees), dreary, rainy day in Kansas City.  It’s a day when laying down on a couch and watching the fire in the fireplace, couzied up in your sleepwear, dozing on and off,  just letting time slip by, is the best idea…(some of you are already saying, I’m there!) I paint that picture to say, it would be easy to fall into the pit of despair and frustration in this kind of a dismal and gloomy day!

Then this morning, I was reading a passage of Scripture that was in my lesson to a faculty group of elementary teachers. 

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”  (Ephesians 1:3)

Can you take a second look at this text?  Wait a second and ponder it again!  Take a glimpse and let the passage soak your spirit.

I am wondering how my life would be changed, altered, and different if I truly believe what Paul is declaring to the church.  What about yours?  How would you be changed, your circumstances altered, your self-talk be different if you grab hold of the truth of this text?

Here are a few observations from this passage:

1.  The blessing comes from God!  God has blessed us!  The creator of the universe, the great I AM, the infinite Wonder, Awesome God, who knows all, sees all, understands all, willingly chooses to give, pour out, bless (what a great word!) us!  The truth is, no matter what voice is speaking to you right now, God is NOT mad at you!   As I have said before, God is not mad at you, He’s mad about you! God wants to bless you! 

2.  Blessed– “a thing conducive to happiness or welfare” is Webster’s definition.  God desires to give blessing–that which brings happiness and welfare to us!  This word comes with the idea that God acted on our behalf in the past, but continues to act in the same way in the present.  It literally means that the past action of God is presently active in our lives.  God blessed us (past tense) and is (present tense) continually blessing us!  Is that a picture of a God who despises you?  Angry at you? 

3. Us–that means you and I…God is specifically targeting you!  It’s not just for the person who deserves it more, God is not leaving you out!  He is choosing to bless you!  YOU are the object of His affection and blessing!  Can you receive that today?

4.  Every–that means ALL!  There is not one that is lacking!   What can you be experiencing today that He does not know about?  What are you feeling at this present moment that He does not feel as well?  How can God feel what I am feeling?  At the root of what we believe is a God who knows and understands all.  If you believe that, why is it difficult for you comprehend that God feels what you feel?  (Hebrews 4:15)  Every means every!  God is an every God!  What you needed yesterday, what you need today, and tomorrow can be found in EVERY!  Your possibility of every is not God’s possibility of EVERY. God gives every spiritual blessing!

5.  United with Christ Jesus–the cornerstone of Paul’s appeal is this statement!  You and I must be united with Christ…every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms are there because “we are united with Christ.”  This means that our identity and self-hood is found in Christ Jesus alone.  From a practical aspect, Paul says for me to live is Christ!  (Philippians 1:21)  I must be united with Jesus!  I don’t have to be perfect, have it all together, but I must be living with Christ!  The ultimate question I ask you is this:  Are you united with Christ?

If your answer is in the affirmative, listen to Paul’s words and let the Spirit bring a revolution in your soul!  You are blessed!  With every spiritual blessing!

If you are unsure and doubt fills your life, I would love to carry on a conversation with you…you can be blessed with every spiritual blessing!