blessed

Day 62: BLESSED

Posted on by sightlesswalk

Have you ever thought about what it means to be BLESSED? What comes to mind? What does that look like to you?

BLESSED is one of those words associated with being rEligious or even superstitious, as in “God bless you” after a sneeze. BLESSED is associated with being prospered richly, either financially or with gifts and talents, a great family, good health….BLESSED! Who doesn’t want to be BLESSED?

I wonder though, if it is possible to HAVE all of the above and not be BLESSED, and conversely to NOT HAVE any or all of the above and still be BLESSED?  Those things are blessings, but what does the Word of God say about being BLESSED. It may not be what we had in mind.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers… Psalm 1:1

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12

 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Blessed are the merciful,  for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:3-12

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Revelation 1:3

These scriptures are only scratching the surface about what God promises about being BLESSED in His Word. BLESSED.

May your heart and mine be BLESSED with the stuff that can’t be taken from us. The stuff that will last for eternity. May your life and mine be BLESSED by seeking God diligently. May we not look to our circumstances for proof of blessing, but to the Word of God. In Jesus’ name.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; BLESSED is the one who takes refuge in him.

 

 

 

Day 8: The Rhythm of the Falling Rain

Posted on by sightlesswalk

A steady drip falls from the sky. The ground is satisfied by the water falling down on it. It is a thirsty ground. The rhythm of the falling rain produces a peaceful backdrop for the joy in my heart. My thirsty soul is satisfied. It has received water. LIVING water. LIFE.

Some days I am dry and thirsty. Like a parched soil, unable to even absorb the supply. It rolls away. Forms a puddle. Evaporates. It  doesn’t penetrate the ground.

But it did fall. And it fell on me. And it rolled away. Puddled up and unused. It wasn’t due to the supplier or the supply, but to the recipient.

The ground was hard.

Like my heart. Like yours?

Life. This life, being born into this life, makes us hunger and thirst. We hunger and thirst for many things. There is only one thing that will ultimately satisfy. And being born anew, we now know for sure, for surely we have known all along, that only Jesus Christ can satisfy us. And oh, how He does this. He satisfies us with the very desires of our heart. “He anoints my head with oil, my cup RUNNETH over”. Psalm 23:5b

My cup. Runneth over!! I RECEIVE and cannot even contain all of God’s goodness and blessing for my life. He supplies. His supply is perfect and OVER-ABUNDANT. MORE THAN. HIS PROVISION IS MORE THAN.  The WORD tells us that He will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground. Isaiah 44:3a

Supplier: √. Supply: √. Recipient: uhh, √???

Is the recipient ready? Can I receive? Is my heart too hard to absorb the supply? Is my cup extended to catch the downpour?

Am I ready? Are you?

Are we even aware of the downpour?

Jesus tells us that all who hunger and thirst for righteousness, they shall be FILLED. And they are BLESSED! Matthew 5:6  Do I hunger and thirst for these things? I believe I do. I believe you do.

Hungering and thirsting. YES: √.

Receiving: uhh………Hard ground. Hard heart. NOPE!

And the WORD of God says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

May we receive a new heart and a new spirit so we can absorb the goodness of the LORD like sponges. May we not be able to contain the outpouring. And as we receive, may we take note of the satisfaction in our soft hearts.  May we spill over into the lives of others and be blessed to be a blessing.

May this be music to my ears, and yours.

YES!!