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bluidkiti · 09-20-2013, 10:16 AM

Alive In Christ Part 12 - "S" Spiritual Blessings

by Gail Rodgers
We all want them… God’s blessings. As Christians we often ask God for His blessings of health, finances, friendship, even event coordination and weather. The numerous things we envision that would make our lives better are often the focus of our prayers. We look to His hand for what He provides.

God invites us to ask… He invites us to know Him in a deeper way than ever before by not only looking to His Hand for provision but to His face to know Him better.
God gives us guidelines as to how to ask. He even tells us what to ask for first. He gives us some specific instruction regarding those things of life that He knows will take our attention.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… those who do not know God run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” But… “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:25-34)

There is a promise of the provision of our physical needs as we seek His Kingdom first. Yet the material things are noted as additional blessing to the greater picture of the riches we receive in seeking His Kingdom.
What does it mean to seek God’s Kingdom first? How do we move from the glaring physical needs in our lives to focus on things that are not seen?
Shift your focus
It’s not easy. Our own physical needs easily take front and center stage. Yet God asks us to move our focus off our circumstances. Lift your eyes… to the Lord. Focus on who He is as our helper and not just on the immediate relief from pressure.

“I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1)

Recognize your greatest blessings
Your greatest blessings occur in the spiritual realm and not in the physical realm. Think on this for a moment and ask God to open your mind to this realization. Thank Him.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)

What are your spiritual blessings?
Turn your attention for a few moments, from the particular physical blessing you are seeking. Contemplate the spiritual blessings God has given you as you lift your eyes…

You were chosen by God before the creation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4) He knows exactly what you are going through today.
In love, God adopted you as His child through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:5) You are secure in the hands of your Father God right now.
Your sins have been forgiven through the blood of Jesus. (Ephesians 1:7) Confess your failure and know it is forgiven, never to be held against you. This moment is a clean page to trust Him and see Him work.
God lavishes the riches of His grace on you with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:8) All of God’s riches and resources are yours. Everything you need to walk where you walk He will pour out as you ask. Wisdom, patience, love, joy, gentleness, grace, peace, faith… whatever you lack, He offers.
He works everything out in conformity with the purpose of His will (Ephesians 1:11) You can rest assured He has your best interest at heart. Believe it!
You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13) His Spirit will be your Helper and your Comforter in all of the circumstances of your life. He will hold you through the storm. Ask for His filling.

Live in the power
As you focus on your spiritual blessings first and ask God to open your eyes to see them clearly, you will receive power to walk through your circumstances.
Keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”

“Pray that the eyes of your heart may be opened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead… (Ephesians 1:17-20)

Seek first
Hope that can overflow in your life by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is so much more than just surviving. (Romans 15:13)

Strength in your inner being through the power of His Spirit. His spiritual riches will give you everything you need for life and godliness. (Ephesians 3:16 & 2 Peter 1:3)

As you lift your eyes up and shift your focus to your spiritual blessings in the heavenly realm, God makes a promise…

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever, Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20 & 21)

Dare to move beyond seeking only from His hand… and look up into His face.
Seek His kingdom first.

09-20-2013, 10:16 AM	#13
bluidkiti Administrator Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 71,133	Alive In Christ Part 12 - "S" Spiritual Blessings by Gail Rodgers We all want them… God’s blessings. As Christians we often ask God for His blessings of health, finances, friendship, even event coordination and weather. The numerous things we envision that would make our lives better are often the focus of our prayers. We look to His hand for what He provides. God invites us to ask… He invites us to know Him in a deeper way than ever before by not only looking to His Hand for provision but to His face to know Him better. God gives us guidelines as to how to ask. He even tells us what to ask for first. He gives us some specific instruction regarding those things of life that He knows will take our attention. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… those who do not know God run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” But… “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:25-34) There is a promise of the provision of our physical needs as we seek His Kingdom first. Yet the material things are noted as additional blessing to the greater picture of the riches we receive in seeking His Kingdom. What does it mean to seek God’s Kingdom first? How do we move from the glaring physical needs in our lives to focus on things that are not seen? Shift your focus It’s not easy. Our own physical needs easily take front and center stage. Yet God asks us to move our focus off our circumstances. Lift your eyes… to the Lord. Focus on who He is as our helper and not just on the immediate relief from pressure. “I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1) Recognize your greatest blessings Your greatest blessings occur in the spiritual realm and not in the physical realm. Think on this for a moment and ask God to open your mind to this realization. Thank Him. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3) What are your spiritual blessings? Turn your attention for a few moments, from the particular physical blessing you are seeking. Contemplate the spiritual blessings God has given you as you lift your eyes… You were chosen by God before the creation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4) He knows exactly what you are going through today. In love, God adopted you as His child through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:5) You are secure in the hands of your Father God right now. Your sins have been forgiven through the blood of Jesus. (Ephesians 1:7) Confess your failure and know it is forgiven, never to be held against you. This moment is a clean page to trust Him and see Him work. God lavishes the riches of His grace on you with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:8) All of God’s riches and resources are yours. Everything you need to walk where you walk He will pour out as you ask. Wisdom, patience, love, joy, gentleness, grace, peace, faith… whatever you lack, He offers. He works everything out in conformity with the purpose of His will (Ephesians 1:11) You can rest assured He has your best interest at heart. Believe it! You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13) His Spirit will be your Helper and your Comforter in all of the circumstances of your life. He will hold you through the storm. Ask for His filling. Live in the power As you focus on your spiritual blessings first and ask God to open your eyes to see them clearly, you will receive power to walk through your circumstances. Keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” “Pray that the eyes of your heart may be opened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead… (Ephesians 1:17-20) Seek first Hope that can overflow in your life by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is so much more than just surviving. (Romans 15:13) Strength in your inner being through the power of His Spirit. His spiritual riches will give you everything you need for life and godliness. (Ephesians 3:16 & 2 Peter 1:3) As you lift your eyes up and shift your focus to your spiritual blessings in the heavenly realm, God makes a promise… “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever, Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20 & 21) Dare to move beyond seeking only from His hand… and look up into His face. Seek His kingdom first. __________________ "No matter what you have done up to this moment, you get 24 brand-new hours to spend every single day." --Brian Tracy AA gives us an opportunity to recreate ourselves, with God's help, one day at a time. --Rufus K. When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. --Franklin D. Roosevelt We stay sober and clean together - one day at a time! God says that each of us is worth loving.