“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow” (James 1:17, NLT). Everything that is good and perfect is from our Almighty Father God. He has an abundance to give each person; there is no scarcity with Him. No-one is left out. We can all be blessed.
God has “…blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3, ESV).
God sees you and adores you. There is no need for comparison, we are each so special. We are each so loved by God. There is not a scarcity of love. God has lavished His love upon each of us.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1, NIV)
We live a blessed life as children of God, because of what Jesus Christ has done for us: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight” (Ephesians 1:7-8, ESV).
Jesus said “but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14, ESV).
Jesus said that He “came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV)
Jesus was speaking of the life we can have, as surrendered to Him our Saviour; an abundant life free of fear, shame, condemnation, worry and anxiety. A life not free of problems in this fallen world; as Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV). Jesus has given us victory because of the victory He won on the cross; an abundant life full of love, peace and joy. We walk in freedom and in the authority that Jesus has given us, and are advised to “take up the whole armor of God”, so that we can “withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:13, ESV). We stand firm on the truth, and on God’s promises; praying at all times, welcoming the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:18). We are each lovingly created by God for a unique and important purpose, and we have the joy of living knowing we have a purpose.
And then even when we give, out of the blessings we have received, we are blessed. “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV) As we seek after knowing God more, and building our relationship with Him, letting Him lead us, because He knows what is best for us; we can ask Him for things in our lives. It is so amazing that our Father God is available to us, for us to approach Him and ask Him. In Matthew 7: 11, we are encouraged that even more than people give good gifts to their children, “how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (NIV).
We have such hope. In a world that feels hopeless, we have abundant hope. Paul wrote, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people” (Ephesians 1:18, NIV). That is my prayer for you to. We each have a glorious inheritance.
We also are empowered with abundant strength, “…the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1: 19-21, NIV).
The prophet Isaiah urges people to “…return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 55: 7-8, ESV) The Lord wants to bless us (Numbers 6:24-26). In Jesus Christ, we have each been given gifts/talents to use to bless others (Ephesians 4:7, ESV). So “…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1, NIV); each of us running our own race. We praise Him for all He has so graciously given us. Each of us giving unique praise, precious to God.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
We come to You in the Name of Jesus, our victorious Saviour. Thank-You for the abundant life we have in Jesus, as we pray and trust in Him.
Thank-You for Your amazing grace. You are such a wonderful Father! Our Almighty Father God! We seek after You, and want to continue to know You more and more. Thank-You for all the love You have lavished on us, and for being available to us for us to ask You.
May the eyes of our hearts be enlightened so that we may know the hope to which You have called us, the riches of Your glorious inheritance (Ephesians 1:18).
I ask for You to please help me see myself the way You do. Thank-You that from the abundance You have given me, all the blessings You have given me overflows to others. There is such joy in Your presence!
In Jesus Name, Amen.