EACH OF GOD'S PEOPLE ARE BLESSINGS!
“…You were called so that you may inherit a BLESSING…” (1 Peter 3:9 NIV).
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We have defined a blessed as God’s “unmerited” divine favor toward mankind. What exactly are spiritual blessings? Blessings are special favors, gifts, mercies, graces, and abilities FROM God bestowed upon HIS people.
Blessings FROM God are a sign of his relationship with you, an expression of his kindness toward you, and proof of his indwelling presence in your inner being. “…It is You who BLESSES “THE” RIGHTEOUS MAN, O Lord, You surround him WITH FAVOR as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB).
To receive blessings from God means you belong to him and are “one spirit” with him, his purpose, and his will (1 Corinthians 6:17). “…Those who BELONG TO Christ Jesus …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Because YOU BELONG to him … (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them DO NOT BELONG TO HIM at all.)” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are HIS PEOPLE...” (Psalms 100:3 KJV). [Everyone]… who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. [They]…are [ALL]… part of the same body, and enjoy the promise of blessings because THEY BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS…” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT). “…But he that is joined (attached) unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).
Every “good” thing that happens is NOT necessarily a blessing FROM God. Just like bad things happen to good people; good things happen to bad people. “…He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust…” (Matthew 5:45 KJV).
The sun may rise on the evil and the rain may fall on the unjust, but ONLY because God is a merciful God. The evil and unjust may have lots of money too, but that doesn’t mean they are BLESSED of God. “…THY BLESSING is upon THY PEOPLE…” (Psalms 3:8 KJV). “…YOU MAKE HIM “MOST” BLESSED forever; …” (Psalms 21:6 NASB). “…You surround him WITH FAVOR as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB).
People have a tendency to envy sinners with some kind of good fortune that “ONLY” APPEARS to be a blessing and are NOT. “…Let NOT thine heart ENVY sinners…” (Proverbs 23:17 KJV). “…It’s [their]… SINS that have cut [them]… off from God. Because of [their]… SINS, he has turned away and will not listen anymore…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT). “…They …serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their OWN belly…” (Romans 16:18 KJV).
God commands us to give thanks in ALL things, but he did not tell us to call ALL things a blessing. “….In everyTHING give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus…” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB). “….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).
The word “blessing” has practically become a cliché and most people don’t even know what it means or what it is. A spiritual blessing is “unmerited” FAVOR From God. You experience a blessing when something, big or small, happens to you that you don’t deserve. God bestows it upon you anyway. For instance, “…BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH; …” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
If you are SAVED, “by grace,” then you have experienced a true blessing (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). Grace is “unmerited” FAVOR From God. You didn’t EARN grace, you didn’t DESERVE grace, and you didn’t do anything WORTHY of grace. Therefore, GRACE is a blessing because it is “UNMERITED” favor FROM God.
“…What we have RECEIVED is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has FREELY GIVEN US (unmerited favor) …” (2 Corinthians 2:12-15 KJV).
If you didn’t EARN, DESERVE, or were WORTHY of GRACE; why did God BLESS you with unmerited favor? “…God SO LOVED the world, that he GAVE…” (John 3:16). “…Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “We love, because HE FIRST LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). God “…SPARED NOT his own Son, but delivered him up FOR US ALL…” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God SHOWED HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT). “…There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT).
“…Who will separate us from the love of [Christ? … [Nothing]…will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…”(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). He has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV).
Why is the blessing (unmerited favor) of Grace, FROM God, so important? “… [Your] … iniquities (sin) …separated [you]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “… YOUR SINS … cut you off from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT). “…Your INIQUITIES have separated between you and your God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).
How did you become separated from God? “…Through one man SIN entered into the world, and DEATH THROUGH SIN, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). . “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV). “…There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not…” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). “…ALL HAVE SINNED and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23).
Could I fix it with God ALL by myself? “The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right (choose life), but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within me. Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). . “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).
You were DOOMED to die. You had earned, deserved, and were worthy of DEATH. BUT, God deeply loved you. God’s heart was moved to BLESS you with unmerited favor. “…God SHOWED HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT). God …sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…[God]…sent His Son...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life…” (John 3:16 KJV).
What is “the” GREATEST blessing of them all? Jesus. How is Jesus the GREATEST blessing of them all? “…He [became]… the atoning sacrifice for [y]our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV). Jesus also became “…the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 KJV). “…Christ …died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “…he (Jesus) by the grace of God should taste death for every man…” (Hebrews 3:9 KJV).
The GREATEST blessing is that Jesus switched places with you. “…ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV).
Because Jesus switched places with you the blessing of grace includes forgiveness. “…If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness…” (1 John 1:9 KJV). “…Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies BLOT OUT “MY” TRANSGRESSIONS (sin). WASH ME THROUGHLY FROM “MINE” INIQUITY (sin), and CLEANSE ME FROM “MY SIN.” For I acknowledge my TRANSGRESSIONS (sins): and “MY SIN” is ever before me. AGAINST THEE (God), THEE ONLY, HAVE “I SINNED” AND DONE THIS EVIL IN THY SIGHT…” (Psalms 51:1-4 KJV). “Create in me a clean heart, O God…” (Psalms 51:10-19 KJV). “…For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more…" (Hebrews 8:12 NIV). His “…love covereth a multitude of sins…” (Proverbs 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8 ASV).
In addition, the blessing of GRACE is that God allowed Jesus to die when you were the LEAST deserving of all. “…sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT).
What does God do to invite you to the blessing of grace? "It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Every one that hath HEARD and hath LEARNED of the Father, cometh to me…” (John 6:45 KJV). “..If I (Jesus, the WORD) be lifted up from the earth, WILL DRAW all men unto me…” (John 12:32 KJV).
What happens if you HEAR and LEARN about the blessing of grace? You can “…RECEIVE with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to SAVE [their]… souls…” (James 1:21 KJV). You can “..[become]… justified freely by his grace…” (Romans 3:24 KJV). “…[You now]… have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand...” (Romans 5:2 KJV). “…To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved…” (Ephesians 1:6 KJV).
How does hearing, learning, and receiving the Word of God BLESS you? “..The WORD OF GOD is “…the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…” (Romans 1:16 KJV).
“The power of God unto salvation” is the experience of the BLESSING of GRACE. During salvation, God is at work (Romans 1:16 KJV). “…God ...[sends]… forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). AND, “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to [our new]… SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).
Along with hearing the Word comes forth faith “…FAITH [also]… COMETH BY HEARING …THE WORD OF GOD…” (Roman 10:17 KJV).
“…We have obtained our introduction by faith into this GRACE in which we stand…” (Romans 5:2 NASB). “…a right relationship with God …comes by faith…” (Romans 4:13 NASB). “… [God] … [makes] …us ACCEPTED in the beloved (Jesus Christ)…” (Ephesians 1:6 KJV).
A blessing is unmerited favor from God. Can you see the Blessing of Grace in salvation? Did you do anything to earn, deserve, or be worthy of it? “…Christ …[died]… for us while we were “STILL” sinners…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT). “…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). “…the GRACE of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men…” (Titus 2:11 KJV).
Is the blessing of grace experienced in salvation FREE? “…the FREE gift…” (Romans 5:15 KJV). “….the [FREE]… gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…BY GRACE have ye been saved …” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…Since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s GRACE would not be what it really is—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:5 NLT).
God’s GRACE, in a nutshell, is his UNMERITED favor, and thus it is a BLESSING. “…For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we DESERVED it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his GRACE through Christ Jesus…” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT). “…A few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s GRACE—his UNDESERVED kindness in choosing them…” (Romans 11:4 NLT).
UNMERITED favor means ABSOLUTELY nothing was done to DESERVE it, but it was BLESSING to you and emanates from God’s divine, loving, KIND nature. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…… [God’s]…love is kind…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV). “…the fruit of the Spirit is… gentleness (kindness)…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
You are taught nothing in life is FREE and you have to EARN, DESERVE, and be WORTHY of everything; including love. That’s why grace is such an AWESOME BLESSING. “…Since [salvation]… is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:5 NLT).
You have to EARN, DESERVE, and be WORTHY of everything it seems and it becomes a lifelong practice to keep the favor of those whose love and acceptance you continually covet.
If you fail, falter, make a mistake, and don’t maintain their idea of worthiness usually there is NO Grace waiting for you on the other side. The blessing of God’s grace doesn’t depend on your worthiness. “…ye are ….under GRACE…” (Romans 6:14 KJV).
So if you can’t sustain, or earn, or deserve, or be worthy of God’s favor, he gives it to you anyway. Certainly, the blessing of Grace is NOT because YOU’RE good, but because God is good.
God’s unmerited GRACE is free and abounding. “…where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound…” (Romans 5:20 KJV). “…God’s GRACE has set US FREE ...” (Romans 6:15 NLT). “…He is “SO” RICH in kindness and GRACE that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins…” (Ephesians 1:7 NLT). “….The exceeding RICHES of his GRACE in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 2:7 KJV).
The blessing of God’s grace encourages me to treat others with the same kind of grace. “…A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. …” (John 13:34-35 KJV). "…In everything, therefore, TREAT people the same way you want them to TREAT you, for this is the Law and the Prophets…” (Matthew 7:12 NASB). “…As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold GRACE of God…” (1 Peter 4:10 KJV).
We can’t make it right with God without the BLESSING of his GRACE. “…For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT). “…God is able to make all GRACE abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV). “…where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound…” (Romans 5:20 KJV). “…My GRACE is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness...” (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV). “..Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that we may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV).
The true, enduring, lasting BLESSING of GRACE is found in abundance ONLY in Jesus Christ. “…much more the GRACE of God, and the gift by GRACE, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath ABOUNDED unto many…” (Romans 5:15 KJV). “…They which receive abundance of GRACE … shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ…” (Romans 5:17 KJV).
Therefore, “…be strong in the GRACE that is in Christ Jesus…” (2 Timothy 2:1 KJV). Keep “…singing with GRACE in your hearts to the Lord…” (Colossians 3:16 KJV). And “…Let your speech [continue to]… be always with GRACE…” (Colossian 4:6 KJV).
The BLESSING of GRACE is always a first response generously given BY God. “..Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that we may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). “..The grace GIVEN unto me…” (Romans 12:3 KJV). “…according to the grace that is GIVEN to us…” (Romans 12:6 KJV). “…Because of the grace that is GIVEN to me of God…” (Romans 15:15 KJV). “…According to the grace of God which is GIVEN unto me…” (1 Corinthians 3:10 KJV). “…I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is GIVEN you by Jesus Christ...” (1 Corinthians 1:4 KJV). “…Every one of us is GIVEN GRACE according to the measure of the gift of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:7 KJV). This is where I SHOUT!
“…FREELY YE HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE...” (Matthew 10:8 KJV).
The BLESSING of Grace is available 24/7. The bible says the BLESSING of GRACE (unmerited favor) is always WITH you. “…The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ BE WITH YOU. Amen…” (Romans 16:20 KJV). “…The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ BE WITH YOU ALL . Amen…” (Romans 16:24 KJV). “…The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ BE WITH YOU…” (1 Corinthians 16:23 KJV). “…The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ BE WITH YOU. Amen…” (1 Thessalonians 1:2 KJV). “…The GRACE of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, BE WITH YOU ALL. Amen…” (2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV). “…The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ BE WITH YOUR SPIRIT. Amen…” (Galatians 6:18 KJV). “…The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ BE WITH YOU ALL. Amen…” (Philippians 4:23 KJV). “…GRACE be with you. Amen…” (Colossians 4:18 KJV). “…The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ BE WITH YOU. Amen…” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 KJV). “…The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ BE WITH YOU ALL. Amen…” (2 Thessalonians 3:18 KJV). “…GRACE be with thee. Amen…” (1 Timothy 6:21 KJV). “…The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen…” (Philemon 1:25 KJV). “…GRACE be with you all. Amen…” (Titus 3:15 KJV). “…GRACE be with you all. Amen…” (Hebrews 13:25 KJV). “…The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen…” (Revelation 22:21 KJV).
BECAUSE the BLESSING of GRACE (unmerited favor) is always WITH you and available for you, in spite of your many mistakes, You are what you are. I am what I am. “…By the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV).
To ALL believers: “…[The BLESSING of]…GRACE unto you, and [may it continue to]… be multiplied…” (1 Peter 1:2 KJV).
Remember, “…WE LOVE, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “…We give [God]..only what [he]…first gave us! …” (1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT). “…By the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV). There is NO BLESSING greater than God’s GRACE.
The BLESSING of his GRACE (unmerited favor) is upon your life, right now, today, and will continually be multiplied to you forevermore!!! “… [The] incomparable RICHES of [God’s]… GRACE … expressed in his kindness in Christ Jesus...” (Ephesians 2:7 NIV). “…GRACE be unto you, and peace, FROM God our Father, and FROM the Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 Corinthians 1:3 KJV). “…GRACE to you and peace FROM God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 1:7 KJV). “…GRACE be to you …FROM God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ…” (2 Corinthians 1:2 KJV). “…Grace be to you …FROM God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Galatians 1:3 KJV). “…GRACE be to you, …FROM God our Father, and FROM the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Ephesians 1:2 KJV). “…GRACE be unto you …FROM God our Father, and FROM the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:2 KJV). “…To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: GRACE be unto you …FROM God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Colossians 1:2 KJV). “…GRACE unto you …FROM God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…” (2 Thessalonians 2:2 KJV). “…GRACE, mercy, and peace, FROM God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord…” (1 Timothy 1:2 KJV). “…GRACE, mercy, and peace, FROM God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord…” (2 Timothy 2:2 KJV). “…GRACE, mercy, and peace, FROM God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour…” (Titus 1:4 KJV). “…GRACE to you, and peace, FROM God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ….” (Philemon 1:3 KJV). “…GRACE and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord…” (2 Peter 1:2 KJV). “…GRACE be with you, mercy, and peace, FROM God the Father, and FROM the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love…” (2 John 1:3 KJV). “…John to the seven churches which are in Asia: GRACE be unto you, and peace, FROM him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from …” (Revelation 1:4 KJV).
ALL of God’s “unmerited,” divine favors are BLESSINGS. “… [They are]…expressed in his kindness [toward you]…in Christ Jesus...” (Ephesians 2:7 NIV).
We have determined that “BLESSINGS” are special “UNMERITED” favors, gifts, mercies, graces, and abilities FROM God. “… [Oh, praise be to God for the] incomparable RICHES of [his]… GRACE...” (Ephesians 2:7 NIV).
My food for thought question is this: Are you Blessed?
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