HOW TO LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE with THE BLESSINGS OF GOD
As is the case with the blessings of God, many are conditional. They can require our faith, our obedience and most often our patience. One of our biggest downfalls in receiving the blessings of God is our lack of patience. We have grown accustomed to getting what we want faster and faster, but the blessings of God are still not available at the drive-through (at least where I live).
For a Christian ‘Patience’ is vital in receiving the blessings of God. It is in-fact the very lack of patience that is the exact reason that many of us will never realise many of the blessings of god that could have been ours.
So let’s define ‘Patience’. “To accept or tolerate delay, problems or suffering without becoming anxious, upset, or angry”.
How many of us are getting in the way of having our prayers answered by becoming just that, anxious, upset or angry, when an instant blessing is not given to us. If we are asking God for something that won’t hurt us or someone else, if we are living a life and behaving in a way that pleases and glorifies God, It could just be a matter of timing before God answers our prayers with the very Blessings of God we pray for.
While we do so often lack patience, our God is patient, slow to anger (Psalm 145:8), and shows us much grace (1 Peter 5:10). However, like good parents must discipline a misbehaving child for their own good. We too are corrected by our Creator, The Lord God (Hebrews 12:9-11).
God is working with us and on us, all the time. He is gently challenging us and testing us, hoping that we will become wise enough and good enough to live a godly life, a life that glorifies Him and rewards us with the blessings of God.
However, some of us are living in ways that may see God take away from us, rather than giving us what we are praying for. Sometimes it’s suffering and hardship that will bring us in line with the Will of God, not giving us the material things that many of us so often pray for.
It’s vitally important we understand the requirement or price of our happiness, happiness being peace, joy, the protection of God, the blessings of God and external life. We must live within God’s laws. We must do Good (2 Peter 1:5), or in the very least have faith if we are to receive God’s grace, favour or mercy (Ephesians 2:8).
It is only through the grace of God that we are protected from evil and given time to change our sinful ways. Our actions and choices are all seen and judged by God. Nothing we do is done in private or hidden from Him. We can keep no secrets from God. Every good and bad deed results in our punishment or the blessings of God.
The Bible tells us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). To fear the Lord, is to live a godly life, abiding by His laws and to obey His commandments. The Bible is the word of God and His word tells us that ‘Fear of the Lord’ leads to contentment and to be protected from evil. To be protected from the pain and suffering that is the very nature of evil.
We need to be very clear here. The blessings of God are many. The blessings of God are for those that please Him. They are the key to our fundamental welfare and happiness in the here and now. The very nature of God is to bless those that have faith in Him and have a relationship with Him. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
Proverbs 19:23: “Obey the LORD and you will live a long life, content and safe from harm”.
For those of us that rebel and persist in immoral behaviours, pain and suffering is our spiritual medicine (Proverbs 17:11).
Just as gold must be purified to realise its value, we too must be purified of our sinful nature to realise our full potential and spiritual worth. Only then can we receive the blessings of God throughout our lifetime and the ultimate prize of eternal life.
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
“Then I will purify them and put them to the test, just as gold and silver are purified and tested. They will pray in my name, and I will answer them. I will say, “You are my people,” and they will reply, “You, LORD, are our God!” (Zechariah 13:9).
It was William Blake, the famous English poet that wrote, “Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but foresight is better, especially when it comes to saving life, or some pain”.
We can gain much insight from these wise words, into how we need live in-order to receive the blessings of God and be blessed with a fulfilling and happy life.
‘Hindsight’, is where painful regrets are found, by those of us that lacked the necessary faith, patience and the result of living ungodly lives.
ROMANS 2:6-8: “God will give to each person in keeping with what he has done. God will give eternal life to those who keep doing good. God will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good. They want glory, honour, and life that never ends. But there are others who only look out for themselves. They don’t accept the truth. They go down an evil path. God will pour out his burning anger on them”.
‘Foresight’, is the word of God. It’s the teachings of God found in the Bible. It’s the gentle voice of reason, which is the Holy Sprite in each of us. It’s that touch of kindness we felt or it’s that pain and suffering we feel.
The Grace of God is spiritual patience. It’s our Heavenly Father having long suffering patience with His children. However, if we refuse to change our wicked ways, if our God ordained disappointments, frustrations, pain and suffering did not correct us. If we continue to live a life that brings offence to God, then we will become separated from God and cut off from the blessings of God.
“It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore” (Isaiah 59:2).
Foresight is the wisdom to be found in the Bible, in verses like Romans 11:22: “Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off”.
Read the Bible it will change your life and teach you HOW TO LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE with THE BLESSINGS OF GOD!