Monday, December 10, 2018

YOU ARE PERPETUALLY BLESSED; EVERY DAY!


                                                                
PERPETUAL BLESSINGS

“…It is of the Lord's MERCIES that we are not CONSUMED, because his compassions FAIL NOT. They are NEW EVERY MORNING: great is thy faithfulness…” (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV).

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God supplies us with perpetual blessings, abundantly, every single day. Perpetual blessings are our ongoing, daily spiritual needs necessary to sustain spiritual well-being. “…They are NEW EVERY MORNING: great is thy faithfulness…” (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV).

God richly (elaborately) bestowed upon you the blessing of salvation, through Jesus. “….the gospel of Christ (the WORD) …. is THE POWER of God unto SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH…” (Romans 1:16 KJV). “…BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).

With salvation, Jesus becomes your Savior and God, your God. “I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV). “…He that is joined unto the LORD is ONE SPIRIT [with God, the Holy Spirit]…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

 God becomes your husbandman or caregiver. That is God’s role in your life now. Therefore, God, happily, takes upon himself the complete responsibility for your spiritual care. “…The LORD “WILL” accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “...Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).  

Spiritual or perpetual needs are essential because of their eternal importance. God, therefore, may view spiritual needs as having priority over temporary needs in many situations and circumstances of your life. “… SEEK ye first(priority) the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these  [other]…things shall be added unto you…” (Matthew 6:33 KJV).

When God talks about supplying your need, most likely, his priority will be your spiritual needs FIRST. Paul said, “…My God will supply all your [need]… according to His riches in glory (his presence) in Christ Jesus (his resource of goodness to his people)…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB).

What does the bible say about the “riches” of God’s glory, which reveal God’s presence through his MANY goodnesses and blessings upon the lives of his people)? “……The riches of his goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering….” (Romans  2:4 KJV). “…the riches of his glory (his presence) known to the objects of his mercy…” (Romans 9:23 NIV). “…O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!...” (Romans 11:33 KJV). “…in him (Jesus), we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sin, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace….” (Ephesian 1:7 NIV). “…the riches of his glorious inheritance  (his indwelling Holy Spirit) in his holy people…” (Ephesian 1:18 NIV). “…the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness in Christ Jesus...” (Ephesians 2:7 NIV). “….the unsearchable riches of Christ…” (Ephesians 3:8 KJV). “…according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “…make known….the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory…” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “….unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ…” (Colossians 2:2 KJV). “…My God will supply all your [need]… according to His riches in glory (in his presence) in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB).

God, the Holy Spirit, is talking about perpetual RICHES in the above verses, which include both eternal and temporary provisions. “…Take no thought, saying What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Where withal shall we be clothed? …your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things…” (Matthew 6 KJV). “…My God will supply all your [need]… according to His riches (resources) in glory (in his presence) in Christ Jesus (his goodness to mankind)...”  (Philippians 4:19 NASB).

Therefore, God promises to care for whatever (eternal and temporal) you need. God will supply it according to his “riches” or endless resources in glory (experienced by his presence and the benefits of his goodness through the indwelling Holy Spirit). “…Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things…” (Matthew 6 KJV).

God supplies your need. It’s painful when God doesn’t supply what you wanted, when you wanted it, or removes what you feel you needed. “…So the people of Israel ate manna for FORTY YEARS until ….” (Exodus 16 NLT). After 40 years the manna stopped; the resource was no longer needed.

No matter how painful; sometimes you don’t need what you “think” or “feel” you need anymore. Some needs were sent as a temporary resource only. “…the Lord said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” So Elijah did as the Lord told him and …The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up ….” (1 KINGS 17:1-7 NLT). The brook eventually dried up, because it was a temporary resource.

Certain things or even people are “needed” for special seasons, as temporary resources, and for short-term purposes. Hard as it is to face, not getting or keeping what you WANT or feel you need is “still” God’s WAY of supplying your need. God PROMISES: “…. all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…” (ROMANS 8:28 KJV.

Whatever you GIVE UP, LET GO OF, or SURRENDER for GOD’S SAKE; God promises to reward you for it abundantly! “…[You]…will receive NOW in return (in this life) a hundred times as many houses, brother, sisters, mothers, children, and property…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

Spiritual needs, which are perpetual, daily needs (holy love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, etc.) are, most likely, deemed essential to God as well as eternal. God is Spirit and thus it makes sense that spiritual needs would take priority over other needs in the many situations and circumstances of your life.

However, when God supplies your need, he will include the ongoing, daily perpetual (eternal) needs as well as the provisional (temporary) needs. “…[He] will supply “all” your [need]… according to His riches in glory (his presence) in Christ Jesus (his source of  “indwelling” goodness to you)...”  (Philippians 4:19 NASB).

You may not be aware of ALL the spiritual needs you have on a daily basis, but God is completely aware of and knows you have both spiritual and temporal NEEDS. “…your heavenly Father already knows ALL your needs…” (Matthew 6:32 NLT). “…And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalms 23 KJV). “…[He] WILL supply all [my need]… according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB).

God distinctly informs us that he will supply ALL our “need” according to his riches in glory. “…[He] WILL supply all [my need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB).

We all experience various and sometimes unique needs in our lives. We don’t and haven’t always felt like God supplied ours needs during those times. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we DO NOT GIVE UP” (Galatians 6:9 NIV).

I truly understand how hard it is to believe God will actually supply ALL our needs. Many of us have been desperate for God’s help and it didn’t come. Yet, “…at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we DO NOT GIVE UP” (Galatians 6:9 NIV).

What do we often do? Well, like Sarai, when a so-called “need” is delayed in coming, we take matters into our own hands. “…Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.” (Genesis 16 KJV).

God had promised to supply barren Sarai with a child in her older age, but she was impatient (Genesis 11:30). When we take things into our own hands, we often make matters worse. “…And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.  And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee…” (Genesis 16 KJV).

What was the outcome of God’s promise to Sarai? “…SARAH ...though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.  And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them…” (Hebrews 11 NLT). He responded with GRACE and MERCY and “STILL” kept his promise to Sarah. ). “…If … [you] … are unfaithful, he remains faithful…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).

God KEEPS his promises to you in spite of you. God has “…Show[n]… [his] …love to a thousand generations of those who love [him]… and keep [his]… commandments…” (Exodus 20:6 NIV). God says, I “…am WATCHING over my word to PERFORM it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB “…So shall MY WORD be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it SHALL NOT return unto me void, but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH that which I please, and it SHALL PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).).

Philippians 4:19 is that kind of SOLID promise and yet many believers feel, when things are delayed or tarry, God has failed to keep his word. If God doesn’t lie, what does he mean when he says “… I will supply every need…” (Philippians 4:19 KJV).

First of all, there is a difference between a “real” need and a “personal” desire, wish, or want. “… [God]… will supply every need” (Philippians 4:19 KJV).

“Need” is something deemed necessary from God’s perspective. “… every need” (Philippians 4:19 KJV).

Therefore, anything else (non-essentials, selfish lusts, greediness, self-indulgence, etc,) is not considered a need FROM God’s perspective. “…ye ask, and receive NOT, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts…” (James 4:3 KJV).

However, God is SO kind he will supply some of your desires too. “…Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he SHALL GIVE THEE the DESIRES of thine heart….” ( Psalms 37:4 KJV).

Human parents supply their children’s “needs” too just like God does. Parents ‘decide’ what their child or children need and will supply them accordingly, even if the children complain or whine for something else they “feel” they need.

Responsible parents KNOW what needs their child or children have and decide what is vital for their well-being and overall best care. Taking care of a child’s needs is connected to the parental role in the parent-child relationship.

According to the established parental roles, taking care of your child’s or children’s needs is a basic responsibility. Parents, by way of their parental role, will deem what is necessary and best for their own child or children.

God does the same thing. He knows you so well; knows what’s best, and knows exactly what you need at all times, better than you do. “…You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways…” (Psalm 139:1-3 KJV).

God is your God and caregiver. He takes care of your perpetual, spiritual needs as well as your temporaral needs. “… every need” (Philippians 4:19 KJV).

However, God is SPIRIT and makes his decisions about your care based on a holy and spiritual perspective, not merely a natural one. “… [My]… thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…..as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts…” (Isaiah 55:8-9 ASV).

Therefore, God’s thoughts about your needs and his ways of supplying those needs are higher than your thoughts and ways. “…my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts…” (Isaiah 55:8-9 ASV).

Yes, you have financial, social, and physical needs which are important to you, but they are viewed as temporary or provisional to God and may not be a priority to him.  “…[He] WILL supply all [your need]… according to His riches in glory  in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). Sometimes we ONLY see one perspective of supplying a NEED, God KNOWS every perspective and therefore, the best solution for your current provisions

Thus, God may view eternal needs as having priority over temporary needs in many situations and circumstances of your life. “….For whom the Lord loveth he CORRECTETH……” (Proverbs 3:12 KJV). 

God tells earthly parents to “….train up a child in the way he (or she) should go…” (Proverbs 22:6 KJV). Because God trains or disciplines his children in the way they should go too. “If you are not disciplined – and everyone undergoes discipline – then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters [of God] at all” (Hebrews 12:8 NIV).

“…Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul… And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up (perpetually).That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19 KJV).

A parent’s role is perpetual and ongoing; even after the child is grown. Responsible parents supply their children’s needs based on the different ages and stages of their life while on earth.

God’s role as our caregiver, who supplies our need, is also perpetual and ongoing; throughout ALL eternity. “…God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “God is [your] refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1 KJV). “…Behold, I am with… [you] and will keep… [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you]." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “…[He] WILL supply all [your need]… according to His riches in glory  in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…It is of the Lord's MERCIES that we are not CONSUMED, because his compassions FAIL NOT. They are NEW EVERY MORNING: great is thy faithfulness…” (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV). 

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