As a modern day Christian often my mind is filled with thoughts about how I might be blessed by God. I know that often His blessings are impeded because of my attitude but it goes deeper than that. My actions and my will are many times selfish, instead of concerning myself with things that concern God. What would happen if God blessed my selfishness? Would I not become more selfish, turning more and more inward until thoughts of myself consumed me? Would that be good for me or does God have something else in mind? Though I don’t like to admit it struggles and heartache are paths that lead me back to the throne room of God and for me personally they are a reminder that God loves me too much to let me have my own way about things. Too many times I go around in circles because I refuse to make time to align myself with God’s heart. I believe there is a purpose in the things we go through, a purpose that is bigger than any individual – that is shown time and time again in the Bible but when that individual aligns him or herself with God’s will the blessings overflow in that person’s life – every time! Through out the Bible God purposed for His people (Israel) to display His power, glory, and love for mankind. Though as a whole they did not make the best example of what God’s presence in one’s life can do and seeing things from our vantage point, as we read about it in the Bible we can see how their own selfishness caused many hardships but God’s favor was still upon them in spite themselves and it is even upon them today, not because of what they have done but because of God’s Word to them. Through all that happened from the Old Testament to the New we now can share in that favor because of what Jesus did for us at the cross, if you accept Him, whether you are a Jew or not but still God’s purpose for His people (Israel) has not finished – there is more to come and once again we have a chance to be part of God’s plan for days ahead! Genesis 12:3 God told Abram (Abraham) that He would bless those that bless you and curse the one who curses you. And in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Today if I want more of God’s blessings then I should ask Him how I might bless His people, starting with those around me but never forgetting about Israel. Pray for them each morning and support ministries like International Fellowship of Christians and Jews http://www.ifcj.org and then pay attention to how God starts to change your life. Changes will start small - meaningless things become just that and our hearts begins to form after God’s own heart. As we are found faithful and obedient the changes become more profound and easily identified by those around us.
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