Devotionals on Blessings

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• there were times when I wept with joy at the grace that God shows towards us – and there were also when I wept with pain as I realised how much we must have hurt the heart of God.  I pray others will find blessings in looking deeper into the pages of Job..

• He has searched out all that we are, and in spite of all He has thoughts of blessing concerning us.
• There is, therefore, no fear of anything coming to light that might cause Him to change or reverse His thought of blessing and acceptance. -C.A.C.

• The silence of His early years and young adult life was broken forever, as He stepped out into three and a half years of blessing for humanity – joining His voice with that of His herald - Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand – the King was here.

• None of these men sat twiddling thumbs as they waited for the promised blessing.

• And blessings of great abundance will flow from both citadels:- for through Abraham’s Seed alone – will the families of the earth be blessed.
• Blessings flow through the Jews for Salvation must come through Christ.
• Enemies Defeated His earthly seed, Israel, will be a blessing to the nations from their earthly position.
• His heavenly seed, the Church, will be a blessing to all from their heavenly position.

• Spiritual Blessings God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has blessed us with all spiritual blessings. God the Father chose you and me in Christ before the foundation of the world. God preordained that we are to be adopted as His sons because of the Lord Jesus. God has blessed us with abundant blessings, in and through His beloved Son.

• There are yet helps and revelations and even future blessings of God that can not be received until the last vestiges of pride or arrogance be rooted out..

• The enemy has filled the minds of many believers with the delusion that they are poor, and in their poverty they must work and grind and toil in order to buy the blessings which are already theirs in Christ.

• Christ is the fullest and most complete source of all God’s blessings to us.  And this completeness in Christ provides the most meaningful joy for our soul.
• Our Blessings The Father could not have conceived of anything more to save the children of men.

• God Never Changes How sad in this topsy-turvy failing sinful world – the opposite is often believed!  When things are jogging along smoothly the believer thinks God is blessing him..

• acceptable) – is to fail to see yourself in Christ only.  6)  To be disappointed with yourself – is to have believed in yourself.  7)  To be discouraged is unbelief – as to God’s purpose and plan of blessing for you.  8)  To be proud, is to be blind!
• – for we have no standing before God, in ourselves.  9)  The lack of Divine blessing, therefore, comes from unbelief, not from failure of devotion.  10)  To preach devotion first, and blessing second, is reverse God’s order – it is to preach law, not grace. The Law made man’s blessing depend on devotion.
• Grace confers undeserved, unconditional blessing: Our devotion may follow, but does not always do so — in proper measure.

• God... who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
• Let us remind ourselves of the Word which is at the basis of our meditation: i>The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ.That means that all the resources which are in Christ are available for us.

• It is not just life; acceptance; redemption and righteousness that are in Him, but the creation; our hope; spiritual blessings; consolation… and consummation – and Peace and Effectual Prayer and Strength and Riches are all “In Christ”.
• Spiritual Blessings Should not I who am a child of God, chosen before the foundation of the world..  should not I, as one of His chosen ones, lift up the Lord Jesus? Should not I who will demonstrate His grace to heavenly powers in eternity..  should not I thus lift up the name of Jesus?  Should not I similarly sing forth His praises through my voice and my pen?
• Should not I, who am blessed with all divine blessings in heavenly places in Christ –  point to the One Who will one day be ALL in ALL?

• This was to be a precursor to the New Covenant blessing, God promised to Israel.

• The weakness that is in myself, and the many things which I have to deplore in my past, or perhaps even in my present, make me thankful to know that my Father has brought in another Man, and has secured in Him all his own thoughts of blessing manward.

• When we behold them by the ministry of the Spirit it is as beholding us with infinite love, and bestowing upon us the blessings of grace.

• Matt.5:9. This little blessing comes well down the list of Christ’s beatitude.
• Channels of Peace We who have been given the mind of Christ should be peacemakers. We who are called children of God should become channels of His peace – channels of His blessings and peacemaking, channels of our peace to others: finally, beloved, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind – live in PEACE. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Now the Lord of PEACE himself give you PEACE always by all means Amen.

• Because our moral sense, our natural conscience, tells us of our having lost all right even to His ordinary blessings.

• This same gracious blessing is reinforced by Paul both to the Corinthians and Romans: for by one Spirit were we all baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into one Spirit, 1Cor.12:13 or do you not know that as many of us as were baptised into Christ Jesus, were baptised into His death?
• We may not have had an experience, or see or feel these blessings – but our assurance is in the Word of God, but we are called to trust the invisible and intangible truths of Scripture.

• All that would be used of the Father in the hands of the Lord Jesus to meet the needs of the hungry-hearted must first be made a blessing by Him.
• Life, power, blessing, deliverance for others - and nothing for thyself, but to lie in the will of the Father, and accept from His hand all that He pleases to permit to come upon thee.

• In the one I plan and then ask His blessing upon it; in the other He plans and lets me into the secret of His glorious purpose.

• The believer is to rejoice in the double blessing of Calvary and Pentecost.

• He hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus' (Eph. 1:3).
• Not only is my blessing in heaven, but I need the Lord Jesus' power to enable me to rise above the sense of my infirmity down here; for this world, instead of contributing to me, makes me feel my weakness and need, and that I must rise out of it to find and enjoy my blessing.

• Striving in intercession is often misinterpreted as striving against God and struggling in prayer – is often seen as forcing God to act or move on our behalf, but battling with an angry God to extract a blessing is not a scriptural concept.
• And so the blessings Jacob so desired and sought, were withheld.
• Jacob’s blessings were withheld by a gracious God.
• Jacob knew that his were the promises and his were the blessing and his was the birthright.
• God’s Blessing And yet Jacob shrewdly schemed and cleverly planned his way through life.
• Fleshly Jacob had a heart that was hardened towards his Lord, and the birthright and the promise and the blessings were his, but the birthright and the promise and the blessings were held, in abeyance: as it is written: God loved Jacob…with an everlasting love:
• Earthly Blessing Jacob knew Who his God was but he did not permit God to know him until that night when Jacob wrestled with God all night.
• Jacob sought God for a blessing, a paltry, little, insignificant, pathetic, blessing: Save me and my family, save me from the wrath of my worldly brother, who seeks my life.
• All Jacob bothered about was blessings in this earthly life….

• We have been given every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies, for we are in Christ.
• Abiding in Christ Both have been endowed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places – in Christ..  but only one is abiding in Christ and living the Christ-life – the spiritual man.  Only one has appropriated their heavenly portion, which is theirs in Christ..

• For God preserves the souls of thosewho on His truth depend;to them and their posterityHis blessing shall descend.

• God’s Blessings It is the Father that has blessed us in the heavenlies, in Christ.
• It is the Father Who bountifully blesses us with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
• It is the Father Who anointed us with grace upon grace and blessings upon blessing.

• May the Lord give us understanding, so that we come into a place of rest and are delivered from the perils which lurk in the vicinity of every Divine blessing.

• Every blessing we receive of Him as His children is undeserved.

• There is no place for learning the tender sympathy of the Lord Jesus, and the blessings of the Father's love and patience and care, as in the trials of the wilderness journey.

• My store of blessings are sufficient for the needs of each day. I will NOT fail you nor forsake you.

• Blessing of Suffering How intense the searing heat.

• All he desires of His own is faithfulness and obedience – obedience to your heavenly visitation – not only in the days of great blessings but in times of trial, testing, and tribulation.

• It is a great blessing when a person gets into the seventh of Romans and begins to realise the awful conflict of its struggle and defeat; because the first step toward getting out of the struggle of the seventh chapter and into the victory of the eighth, is to get into Romans chapter seven.

• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3)

• These trials give us opportunities of linking on to the mighty promises of God and finding through the trials come blessing that wonderfully glorifies Him, or else, missing God, turns the blessing into a burden that fills the heart with weariness and pain. -G.W.

• And if we are going to be used of God in this utter way, it is going to bring us to the point where we have nothing left to fall back upon, either of personal interest, position, or blessing: it is simply a matter of God, and God only!

• His cup of abundance overflows with blessings.

• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3).

• He expects them to realize their position of absolute oneness with Christ, for He ‘has blessed them with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ’ (Eph. 1:3).” -F.J.H.

• He is like the shining sun, ever there to bestow His blessing upon His children.
• Never Stopping It is those times when He appears to have withdrawn His every blessing from you, that He is drawing you closer to Himself, with cords of love for you, because you are accepted – accepted in the Beloved.

• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing … in Christ.Ephesians 1:3
• Weight of Glory There is a weight of glory and blessing attached to the little words 'every' and 'all'.
• It is not one or few blessings; many or even most blessings but ALL blessings.
• God has bestowed on His children all and every single possible spiritual blessing.
• God has secured all and every single possible spiritual blessing in the heavenlies.
• God has secured all and every single possible spiritual blessing – in CHRIST.
• His ‘every’ blessing touches all that is needed for the spirit soul and body.
• His many blessings provide all that’s needed for salvation, sanctification, and service.
• Our blessings in Christ touch everything in time and stretch through eternity.
• Spiritual Blessings Everything that touches our lives on earth – or our home in heaven..
• every blessing has been provided by the Father for His children in the heavenlies, for every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of light.
• James 1:17  God has blessed all and every saint with every spiritual blessing – in Christ.
• Secured in Christ These blessings from God circumnavigate all we could think, imagine, or hope.
• The Father’s blessings demonstrate the length, breadth, depth, and height of His love.
• His favours encompass every single heavenly blessing in God’s lavish economy.
• Such blessings are far beyond the bounds of human understanding and reason – and all are secured in the heavenlies, for all are fixed in Christ.
• Completed in Christ From Genesis to Revelation there are promises of blessings that have past. From start to finish there are countless blessings that are still yet to come. Every blessing we have is so secure that God wrote it in the past tense – and all are completed in Christ and all are secured by His sacrifice.
• Without Limitation His future blessings are already ours for they rest on Christ’s completed work. His blessings are so sure that they are described as finished and complete – and yet, in the eternal ages, every blessing will continue to be our portion.
• Blessings completed in the past... yet blessings without limitation in the future.
• Blessings for today and bright blessings for tomorrow are 'yes' and 'amen' in Christ.
• Cup of Blessing Our storehouse of every blessing overflows and over-spills our thoughts.
• Is any blessing too difficult for the Lord – yet too often we live as paupers.
• Our cup of every blessing is brimming, running over, and flooding our laps..
• Heavenly Blessings In Ephesians, we read blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: for He has blessed us with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenlies.
• He has blessed us with ALL spiritual blessings in heavenly places.
• He has blessed us with ALL and EVERY spiritual blessing IN CHRIST.
• By Faiths God’s blessings have nothing to do with feelings but everything to do with faith – faith in the Son of God Who loved us and gave Himself for us.
• From the moment we trusted Jesus as Saviour, all spiritual blessings became ours.
• If we are Christians, then every blessing is ours.
• In Christ Let us accept His many blessings by faith.
• The more we accept His blessings by faith the more He pours over our head.
• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing - in Christ.

• Sufficient Strength But Paul like us, had to come to an understanding that our strength in is Christ and not in ourselves and Paul like us, had to learn the many spiritual blessings that flow from suffering.

• Whatever sends us to the Lord Jesus - be it grief, disappointment or burden - is to that degree a blessing.

• Promises and blessings have mainly to do with the milk of the Word.
• People may receive blessings' and temporary deliverances' in answer to prayer, for God is merciful to His children and His Holy Spirit refreshes and blesses us even apart from the real walk of faith.

• Necessity and Blessing Faith, in the only begotten Son, is an obligation, a necessity and a blessing for man..

• The great majority of us would say, If it all depends on me, then it is a bad lookout!' Well, of course, that is true, but let us look at the blessing of Joseph - 'The arms of his hands were made strong, by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob . . .

• Here in its simplicity is an oft-concealed truth and one of life’s great lessons – and from it cascades many blessings.

• No matter what causes your distress of soul – blessings and renewal come from the Lord, Who in time and in eternity is the Comforter of your soul.
• Sufficient Comfort Let us commit, daily, to resting in Him through the trial of human experience. Let us, in confidence, abide continually in His heavenly comfort, and receive blessing and renewal from our precious heavenly Comforter.

• It is a rare and beautiful thing to have a soul-mate who understands me; a confidant who knows my hopes and understands my fears; a kindred spirit who commends my endeavours,  however mean or foolish they are! What a blessing to have a bosom friend who will gently point out my faults, and yet accept my outbursts – a close confidant, who sympathises my aspiration and who accepts me for who I am, despite my faults, foibles and foolishness.

• He has gone in for you into the inner chamber, and already holds up your name upon the palms of His hands; and the messenger, which is to bring you your blessing, is now on his way, and the Spirit is only waiting for your trust – to whisper in your heart the echo of the answer from the throne, [It is done'.

• All the blessings in life, flow in abundant measure, from His eternal supply.  But most people give neither thought nor thanks for His moment-by-moment provision.
• Need of God No believer would express discontent of our present position, nor would we fear the future, if we truly and honestly recognised the enormity of His supply, that comes from God, and the countless blessing that are poured out on our heads, day by day.

• You pray for blessing, and He sends you disaster.

• Lord, we Thy presence seek;May ours this blessing be;Give us a pure and lowly heart,A temple meet for Thee.

• Final Blessing Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

• Overflowing blessings and provision in abundance have been foreordained for us.

• Forgiveness of Sin Forgiveness of sins is just one from a shower of blessings He richly bestows upon us.

• God’s Blessing God undertook to form man to resemble Himself – a trinity of body, soul, and spirit.
• Male and female He created them – and then God gave man His hallowed blessing, He blessed man – who together with his wife, was to rule and reign as His regent.

• God’s Blessings We can neither earn God’s blessings nor forfeit them based on our performance.
• Our performance, whether great or deplorable, has no influence on His blessings.
• God’s Grace We think more bible-reading, prayer, financial giving or good works will gain us blessings, but somehow it seems to conflict with all that we understand about God’s grace.

• We should always be prepared for circumstances that will arise, and for blessings that are to come, without foreseeing what these circumstances and blessings will be.
• If day by day we first seek divine direction, and then follow it, we shall be ready, when new circumstances arise, for the new blessings which will be offered.

• We are been imparted with the fullness of God’s grace – in time and into eternity, for we have all received one gracious blessing after another:  the fullness of His grace from His abundance.  John 1:16

• We are raised in Him (Eph. 2:6); we are complete in Him (Col. 2:10); we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Him (Eph. 1:3); the entire work regarding us is not done in us but in the Lord Jesus - the Father has done all in His Son.

• What we have all to do is to walk closely and quietly with the Lord Jesus, and the blessing will come when He has established His work.

• In every trial He will give strength and blessing.

• He claims and expects a blessing, because it is not he, but Christ in him, that worketh.

• Lukewarm Christianity There are a great number attend churches and chapels, where blessings of grace should abound..  yet men are not fed, they are sent empty away.

• at one-time blessing and another time cursing.

• Do we think of, and rejoice in, our blessings more than in the Person in whom we have them?
• As to even our doctrinal blessings, there is a wonderful charm about them when they are new to us, and they sustain the soul for a certain time; but when the first joy of them passes away, a settling-down process commences.
• Every new bit of blessing may seem to put a new bit of life into us, but it gradually loses its luster and power, and we become just ordinary Christians - we make very little progress.
• All blessings of this dispensation of grace are wrapped up in a Person, and, by means of the Word of God, we make spiritual progress as our hearts learn to find everything in Him - the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us. -C.A.C.

• The Lord grant that you may know the wonderful blessing, and portion of light and joy we are brought into, instead of going through the world trying to overcome this and that, and saying, I must give up this thing and the other.' It is not a question of giving up at all; but I have something better, greater, brighter, and I just let it drop.

• If this question was honestly faced, and answered affirmatively by the members of our churches, there would be no need to endeavor to whip up a revival.' There would be a spontaneous upsurge of life and blessing - the direct work of the Spirit of God Himself. -J.C.M.

• Instead of the priest coming out to bless, as in Judaism, we are to go in for blessing.
• Judaism, in its full results, is the manifestation that God is come down to man upon the earth; and this will again be displayed in the millennial days of Israel's blessing.

• Most growing believers rightly maintain that all must come from the risen Lord; but instead of taking their actual position of being dwellers in heaven, and coming from there to earth, they only look up to heaven for help as to their walk on earth; and their faith and labors are always influenced and dictated by the condition and order of things on earth; and instead of seeking the mind of the Lord as learned in heaven, they are occupied with the blessing of man on earth. -J.B.S.

• Eternal Destiny Christ was covered with our sins so that we could be arrayed with His righteousness. Christ was identified with our sinfulness so that we could identify with all that is His. Christ shared in our humanity so that our eternal destiny with Him could be secured – so all the blessings that are rightfully His would be shared with all who believe.
• Magnified Blessings God has blessed us in heavenly places – literally He has blessed us in the heavenlies. God has blessed us in Christ – literally we share in all that rightfully belongs to Him. God has blessed us – but often we don’t comprehend the magnitude of His blessings.
• Heavenly Blessings It was His purpose, His plan, and His desire to bestow on us His heavenly blessings. He predestined us to be adopted as His sons according to His good pleasure, and this blessing in the heavenlies was purposed in Christ – and we are in Him,  for all blessings we have in Christ are simply blessings in heavenly places – and because we are in Christ we are blessed in the heavenlies – in HIM.
• Hope in Christ It was God’s purpose to redeem us through the blood of Jesus and to forgive our sins, and He purposed this heavenly blessing in accordance with the riches of His grace.
• And all these blessings are in heavenly places..
• Glorious Inheritance God has bestowed on all His holy people the riches of His glorious inheritance. Our future home is assured and our place of residence is the heavenly Jerusalem, and that inheritance is ours through Christ Who is seated in heavenly places – for all blessings that we have in Christ are simply blessings in the heavenlies – blessings we have in Him.
• Christ’s Supremacy Christ is Himself already seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high – in heaven. Christ’s supremacy was authorised by the Father when He was raised from the dead,  and God has put everything in subjection under His feet, until Christ is all and in all – and our blessings are secured in heavenly places for they are all in CHRIST.
• God has bestowed on us blessings of position, privilege, power, and responsibility, for this is a spiritual conflict with principalities and powers in heavenly places – and we are in Christ; identified with Him and our sphere of operation is heavenly.
• The privileges and blessings bestowed on all in Christ – are in the heavenly realm, and we are to live and function in the spiritual realm, because of our union with Christ.
• We may be poor in the world goods, but we have every spiritual blessing, in Christ.

• Every blessing is now connected with the Lord Jesus at the right hand of the Father.
• Hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ' (Eph. 1:3).

• hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3).

• Deep Forgiveness This beloved disciple had seen forgiveness flow at Calvary as Christ implored: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. This devoted follower had witnessed words of forgiveness to the burly fisherman: “feed my lambs, feed my sheep” – feed my precious, little children. This ageing apostle longed for others to know the blessings of Christ’s forgiveness. This prophet of God ached that others be washed in the blood of the Lamb.
• Wrath of God John knew these children were sinners, both in practice and by nature. He knew the blessings of forgiveness and grace of God were freely open to all, but he also knew the only sacrifice for sin rested on the spilt blood of the Lord Jesus. John knew He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities – for the wrath of God was poured out on Christ to pay that price for all sin.

• He may withdraw His blessing and hide His face for a season, so that you may better know Him..

• Struggling in prayer is often seen as forcing God to act or move on our behalf, but battling with an angry God, to extract a blessing is not a scriptural concept.
• And so the blessings Jacob so desired and sought, were withheld by a gracious God.
• Jacob knew that his was the birthright – his the promise – and his the blessing..  just as you know the promises of God – just as you – know that you have been chosen: chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.
• And his birthright and the promise and the blessing were his, but the birthright and the promise and the blessing were held, in abeyance – and as it is written: God loved Jacob..
• Jacob sought God for a blessing – a paltry, little, insignificant, pathetic, blessing.

• Blessings of God Without faith, it is impossible to please Me, but you are blessed if have not seen and still trust – and you are blessed if you don’t understood, and yet still trust.

• This is not the believer demanding some “thing“, but an intense desire to receive from Him – His committed blessing.
• But Jacob clung on until the break of day – until the blessing came.
• Remember, true prayers of importunity, which wrestle with God for His blessing, will indeed transform the man or woman who seeks Him with all their heart.
• how dearly you desire His blessing – how earnestly you seek His very Presence.

• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies … IN CHRIST.Ephesians 1:3

• His work in us is that He may have an instrument adjusted to His use, thus to work through us to the blessing of others. -N.B.H.
• Even if we were perfect in ourselves, that would not make us ministers, for ministry consists in the Spirit's manifesting in our lives something more of Christ that was not there before, and then making it shine out for the blessing and transformation of others. -H.F.

• He appeared to withhold His blessings.

• Purpose of Intercession So what is the purpose for such deep and heart-rending intercession? 'That they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively and more intimately acquainted with..

• “It is not by renunciation, or effort, that we are morally apart from sin and self and the world, but by our death on the Cross with the Lord Jesus Christ.” “Believers today seek the blessing and power of Pentecost apart from a personal crucifixion with Christ, and the result is a counterfeit experience.

• Self clouds the sunshine rays of His blessings.

• Spiritual Choice We are the children of God and we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus, and one of the most precious gifts that we have received is the privilege of prayer.

• Every blessing blameless one.

• Missed Blessings Great blessings were shut out from His own when He came to them 2000 years ago, but many blessings continue to be shut out to those who simply fail to trust His Word.
• Those who close the door on trusting Christ shut out many precious blessings.
• Eternal Life 2000 years ago the children of Israel reflected the church of today. Many were more interested in thoughts of their deliverance than an interest in their Deliverer, and as a result they missed three years of untold blessing in their lives.
• Indeed, for many years my father prayed the blessing of Aaron over me – with one difference….

• This deep conviction of truth is an astonishment, and yet it lies at the foundation of a strong and spiritual life. Thus my impotence becomes my strength in Him, and my nothingness becomes my highest blessing..

• Every action of God toward His saints is in grace and blessing; it is ever the outcome of His love.

• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3).

• Intercession with thanks is more than being grateful for blessings received.
• Tomorrow we will be part of an eternity of blessing and bliss – with Christ.

• It gladdens the heart to hear the new convert speak of the blessings he has received, and of his new-found joy in those blessings; but we can often see very distinctly that he is wrapping all these benefits of grace round himself, and we feel pretty sure that he will have to learn some lessons presently that will take the shine out of him.
• Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor and glory, and blessing (Rev. 5:12).

• And one learns at last it is not what we set ourselves to do that really tells in blessing so much as what He is doing in and through us.

• So long as one thinks that his blessing depends in any way, or in any degree, upon himself, he is under the shadow of Sinai, and naturally we all gravitate in that direction.

• Blessings of God The blessed one is the one that faithfully remains in the place where God has placed him, “for he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.” Jeremiah 17:7  That man shall be a fruitful vine; a strong cedar; a blessed man indeed, for blessings of God are not the sort of baubles sought after by the world – fame and fortune; power and prestige; wealth and worldly wisdom.
• Rivers of Blessing God’s rivers of blessing contain all that man needs..
• The rivers of blessing that flow from the Lord are eternal in their provision.
• Eternal Gifts This is the one that is so blessed and has further blessings to come. Blessings that are not of this world but eternal gifts from God.

• We ask not for some little progress or partial blessing for them but for the Lord's complete victory.

• He is educating us for a blessed and eternal rest, free from evil and all that could cause it, and He is bent on the blessing of His children; and moreover He is bound by His holiness to purge us suitably (though most graciously) for the place He has called us to.
• It is a wonderful thing to see the way in which through the overruling power of the Father, the efforts of Satan against His people only bring them out the more distinctly in their own place of blessing.

• If we lay claim to the blessing of our Father, we must not fear what may lie in the path of blessing.

• We are to stop stealing and dishonest behaviours, and live honest purposeful lives,  so we will be in a position to share with others the blessings we have received.

• Struggle and effort in themselves will never secure blessing, but by leading to despair and complete self-disgust they serve a divine purpose in the experience of the soul.

• Yet there are Christians throughout the world who are seeking to get along on the basis of questionable blessings, and fluctuating self-centered experiences.

• We cannot take up work for Christ plan, scheme, devise, organize or enter upon Christian enterprise and so command the Divine seal and blessing.

• with every spiritual blessing – in Christ Jesus Ephesians 1:3
• God’s Blessings God the Father is to be blessed for the blessings He has bestowed upon us all, and we are blessed to be the recipients of His so great salvation – in Christ Jesus.
• Gift of Grace Nothing that is in ourselves could ever qualify to be the beneficiary of God’s grace. Reconciliation with the Father is the free gift of God’s grace to those who believe. Salvation and all the blessings that accompany it is only given to those who believe: believe on the Lord Jesus Christ – and thou shalt be saved.
• Our Saviour And that free gift of grace to believers opens the floodgates of God’s rich blessings. All who trust God’s Word are blessed to call God’s Son – OUR Lord Jesus Christ.
• The Father’s blessing are as certain as our salvation.
• The Father’s blessings are as sure as Christ’s finished work.
• The Father’s blessings are ours already – for all who have believed in His only Son.
• Our Father Blessed be the God and Father of OUR Lord Jesus Christ Who has blessed US in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing – in Christ Jesus OUR Lord, our Lord.

• His intercessions for us are that we maintain intimate communion, sweet fellowship, and perfect harmony with our Father in heaven, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies.

• Whereas in communion with our Father there is power to enable us to resist the devil, to enjoy the Lord and to promote the true blessing of His own.

• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies … IN CHRIST.Ephesians 1:3
• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies … IN CHRIST.

• STUDY - Character and Attributes of GOD  Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places – in ChristEphesians 1:3
• Spiritual Blessings We are blessed with all spiritual blessings. We are seated with Him – now, in heavenly places. We are chosen- before the world began, to overthrow the world.
• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places – in Christ.

• There are blessings which we cannot obtain if we cannot accept and endure suffering.

• We have that which is lovely and full of blessing in Him; but if we are to know it as such; to prove its truth, to enjoy it always, it must be in taking these things as connected with Him. -J.N.D.

• Present Reality We are to know the guarantee of heavenly blessings as a present reality, which was manifested in Christ’s resurrection and exultation to the throne of God.

• Present Reality We are to know the guarantee of heavenly blessings as a present reality, which was manifested in Christ’s resurrection and exultation to the throne of God.

• Privileged People What privileged people we truly are, that we should be called God’s children. He has showered His love over us and bestowed on us every spiritual blessing.

• Saints down through the ages have been promised this blessing of perfect peace and His faithfulness to perform stands fast today as it did in days long gone. He gives His beloved His peace and His rest and He will give you rest and peace.

• Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3b).

• We only touch the positive blessings of Christianity as we reach the Lord Jesus Christ in glory.

• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3
• He fills our laps with good things and anoints us with heavenly blessings and favour.
• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Ephesians 1:3

• Joys and Pain When grief strikes – I pour out my hurt to Him. When joy fills my life – I thank Him for His blessings. When difficulties surface – I cast them on the Lord as instructed. When others are in distress – I lift them up into His heavenly keeping.

• The other, prayer as infinite grace of God, lifting us up into His fellowship and love, and then when He has thus brought us to Himself, bestowing upon us the blessing we need.

• Heavenly Hush Let us seek to comprehend a little of the incredible significance of “All-Prayer”  Let us, on bended knee and in humble obedience, take up our weapon of “All-Prayer”  Let us in humbly pour out “All-Prayer” into God’s brimming bowl of blessing.  Let us in wonderment thankfully praise God for our role in that heavenly hush.

• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3, ASV).
• If you can run over in your mind and find one single blessing with which God might bless us today, with which He has not already blessed us, then what He told Paul is not true at all, because He said, God hath....' It is all done, It is finished.' God hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies!
• and it is all done; He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ in the heavenlies.

• Indeed, His blessings fall on all mankind..

• If spiritual thirst is the language of your heart, there is great blessing in store for you.
• But even amid the exercise the Father would give us the encouragement of knowing that He has taken us up to bring us into inconceivable blessing.

• What a beautiful blessing.

• He provides us with every spiritual blessing and renews our youth like the eagle.
• Saved by Grace Even when we were dead in trespasses and sins God quickened us; He made us alive; He gave us spiritual life together with Christ, and raised us up to heavenly places and gave us every spiritual blessing.

• God our Strength Do not grieve Him by giving up on the conflict in the moment of its victory. Do not disappoint Him by stopping when the goal is in sight. Do not pull back when the very victory you have fought for so long is in sight. He has gone into His inner chamber for you. He holds your earnest petition in the palms of His hands. He has dispatched His angelic messenger to bring you blessing.

• Hope trusts in His love for the blessing of the godly.

• The only real humbleness and strength and blessing is to forget ourselves in the presence and blessedness of the Father.

• To know this is both full of blessing and full of sorrow: sorrow to the flesh; because it is always seeking its rest here, it has always to be disappointed; blessing to the spirit, because the spirit, being born of God, can only rest in God's rest, as it is said, If they shall enter into My rest' (Heb. 4:5).

• Let us take care lest we get out of soul-rest in seeking further blessing.

• If the Psalms are really understood, they yield a harvest of blessing to the soul; but if misunderstood and misapplied, as alas!

• The greatness of the Giver then is the measure of the blessings that are mine in the Lord Jesus Christ, not what I am or what I deserve.

• King David Although the promise of great blessings and a land inheritance came to the people of faith through Abraham, perhaps the most stupendous promises given to man – were made to Israel’s King David.
• Christ’s genealogy listed in Luke links the Lord Jesus through Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer of Ruth, who was to become the grandmother of king David – while in Acts we read that Christ, Who was raised from the dead was anointed to receive the faithful covenant blessing made to David. Luke tells us that Christ is to one day sit on the throne of David, while in Acts we read that He was promised the sure mercies of David.

• A Study:- Man’s Nature and Destiny An Anomaly Once saved we should spend our lives praising and blessing God for His mercy, but we are left in a world of evil and hatred – a world in which we are strangers.

• He promised that his name would be great and that he would be a wonderful blessing whereby all the people of the earth would be richly blessed.

• The other carries in its wake discontentment, despite showers of blessings on our heads Remember that every day that passes is a gift of grace from God to you.
• Expect a week of promise, abundance, blessing, and favour and He will keep you in perfect peace because I stayed your mind on Him!”

• There is nothing wrong in times of great joy and spiritual blessing; in fact we long for more of them, and look back perhaps to some days of much blessing in our lives or in the work of the Lord; but in the securing of Christ in greater measure in our lives, we find that it is by the things which we suffer that we learn most.

• First, a spirit of dependence, whatever may be the state of faith and the blessings we may have realized.

• A certain school of religious teachers make much of surrender' as the way to attain blessing, but it ends in self-sufficiency, because the only motive that is presented for it is the acquisition of a better spiritual state, or power for service, or something of that kind.

• But, because it is revolutionary or not what has been in the blessing of God etc., etc., it is rejected and put aside.

• All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. (Ephesians 1:3 NLT)

• The great secret of all blessing is to come from the Lord.

• We must have confidence in the heavenly position to which we have been elevated. We must understand the eternal plan and purpose that God has for each of His own. We must rejoice in our spiritual blessings and glorious identity in Christ Jesus. We must renounce all the lies that the enemy uses to undermine our faith in God.

• There is a greater blessing for us than relief; there is the Father's support, for it imparts to you an acquaintance with Himself which relief does not.
• But then there is a greater blessing, namely, that He does not remove the pressure, but raises you above it, so that, though you are not relieved, you are better off than if you were merely relieved, because you know His heart who supports you in the pressure.
• A blessing is in the storm, and there will be a rich fruitage in the afterward.'

• Lord change me thus, that the beauty of the Lord may be seen in me; that the loveliness of the Beloved is shown forth in me; that I may be a reflection of His comeliness; that I may be a channel of blessing through whom He flows to others.
• O Holy Ghost,Revival comes from Thee;Send a revival,Start the work in me.Thy Word declaresThou wilt supply our need;For blessings now,O Lord, I humbly plead.

• Then the door will be open for a life of power and blessing.

• From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. (John 1:16 NIV)
• The most dangerous time for the work of God is the time of blessing.
• You will always find people coming in when there is blessing, not because they have God's end in view, but because a realm of blessing means personal good.... The Lord is calling us on to the fullness of Christ, and sometimes on the way He may let us see the working of His power, that He is with us.
• It is all in the same realm as glorying in a wrong way in the blessings of the Lord.
• We have to go on steadily, and take our encouragements when they come, thank the Lord quietly for them, and get on with the main business, not staying to gloat over the fruits of the Lord's blessing in a personal way.
• We shall be tried by blessing as well as by adversity.

• 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 NIV)
• Any fresh contemplationof our Lord in this way should ravish our hearts: Christ, thefullness of spiritual blessing now, the Sphere of ourexperience, our exploring, our enjoyment, our satisfaction.

• And that is not at all what is said of us, after a second blessing,' or any other step of imaginary perfection.

• All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
• That which has been chosen before the foundation of the world and which has been foreordained unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, has been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies.
• We have not yet come into all those blessings, not because God has not given them, but because we have not grown up into them.

• What we are in the old man is not the thing to scan, but what we are, and where we are, in the Son; and what there is in the living affections of the Father, who has raised us up together with His Son, and has given us all heavenly blessings in Him. -G.V.W.

• You have examined my heart,You know everything about me,You know when I sit down or stand up.You know my every thought when far away,You chart the path ahead of me,You tell me where to stop and rest.You know where I am every moment,You know what I am going to say even before I say it.LORD - You both precede and follow me.You place Your hand of blessing on my head.Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.Psalm 139

• I will bless and make a blessing.

• It is just wonderful.... You are not meant just to be saved and get to heaven, to know your sins are forgiven and to have a certain number of blessings which come with salvation.

• for man’s eternal, limitless and infinite profit – for the believers’ immortal, permanent, and boundless blessings.

• BUT GOD. God can cause the distressing delay to blossom into a thing of beauty. God can replace the chalice of bitter herbs with a brimming cup of blessing. God will change the long night of waiting into a morning of joy and rejoicing.

• God’s Greatness Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;Tender to me the promise of His word;In God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

• We have that which is lovely and full of blessing in the Lord Jesus; but if we are to know it as such, to prove its truth, to enjoy it practically, it must be in taking these things as connected with Him. -W.K.

• Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honour, and glory, and blessing.' Rev.5:11. Great is the mystery of godliness.

• Searching for blessings in the wrong cisterns will lead to spiritual dryness.
• Former mountain-tops or experiences of spiritual blessing may be a joyfully recall – and euphoric works of the past may be recognised as performed in the flesh,

• I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! (Malachi 3:10 NLT)

• It is good to sing praises to the God of our Salvation, for His countless blessings.

• Anguish of heart was replaced by their caring ministry of devotion, in the very core of their beings, as they recalled the bountiful blessings, bestowed from His hand.
• Though expectations may fail of their realisation, and the blossom of hope may fall and die – still cling to Him, the Lover of your soul Remember, our deepest disappointments can often prove to be the richest of blessings in His sweet timing – only rest in His arms of love.
• But true hope in Christ the Lord explodes into true glory of unimaginable joy – a true acceptance of the father-heart of love, births into inconceivable blessings.

• It is the bedrock upon which all subsequent graces and blessings rest.
• Poverty of spirit and humility of heart is the first grace proclaimed in His sermon, and one by one humility bubbles and streams through each subsequent blessing – as beatitude by beatitude, you can trace this thread of Godly grace: “Blessed are they that mourn…”   “Blessed are the meek …”   “Blessed are pure in heart..”  Blessed are they that mourn... “Blessed are those that hunger after His righteousness ..”

• That long and special visitation was the most marvellous of all, resulting in waterfalls of blessings being poured out over mankind.
• His love and care and concern and blessing continue to pour forth from His side.
• And ofttimes He visits us bearing some rich blessing, which He desires to bestow, but we keep the door firmly barred to His person and we will NOT open the door: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
• And He waits – blessing in hand.
• But sometimes we miss His blessings.

• Channels of Blessing And He uses you and He uses me to be channels of blessing, through whom His living waters may flow, if we, in deep humility, will empty ourselves of king self; if we, in self-brokenness, will invite Him to reign as supreme ruler in our lives.

• Memorable Day Today is my mother’s birthday. Her diaries catalogue showers of blessings amidst a mountain of difficulties. Today is my daughter’s wedding anniversary – her life also is peppered with deep hurts and trial and a cascade of Gods graces. My times also have had its deep pains and great joys and I am sure yours has too. Indeed, I know of no-one who has not been deeply affected by this world of sin.

• The Blesser sends trials because the trials are blessings.
• Most covet the blessing of having the trial removed.

• “Most growing believers rightly maintain that all must come from the Lord; but instead of taking their actual position of being dwellers in heaven, and coming from there to earth, they 177 only look up to heaven for help as to their walk on earth; and their thoughts and labors are always influenced and dictated by the state and order of things on earth, and instead of seeking the mind of the Lord as learned in heaven, they are occupied with the blessings of man on earth.” -J.B.S.

• Oh, He will meet us with blessing on a certain level, as we walk before Him, like the man in Psalm 1.

• Blessings abound for those humble enough and courageous enough to seek to live their life the grace-promise-faith way.

• It seems so natural, when one is surrounded with blessings, and thus sensible of being an object of divine favor, that the eye is turned from God to oneself; for when God is before one, self gets no place, though there be the deepest awareness of His favor.

• None of these men sat twiddling thumbs as they waited the promised blessing.

• Would you have paced up; down and to and fro upon the withering grass? Would your brow be furrowed with devising some plan to ease your mind?  Would you perhaps have even sought His blessing on these hasty designs?  Would I?

• In Christ Jesus All God‘s works were performed through the Word – the Word Who became flesh. All God’s blessings and healings – flow through faith in the Man, Christ Jesus, for in Him all things were made and by Him, all things hold together.
• All the blessings of God are poured through the cleansing blood of the Saviour.. so that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and on earth—in Him.” Ephesians 1:10
• Blessing of God Yet they didn’t receive the blessing of God… like the blessing given to the leper… the blessing given to the blind… blessing given to the lame – the blessing given to the woman with an issue of blood…”For he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Mark 6:5

• Cosmic Redemption It was not just earthly blessings and temporal power that Paul discovered.

• Blessing in Suffering Some are blessed to discover the treasures of Christ through the hour of suffering. He comforts us in all our sufferings, so that we can comfort others who suffer -so that we will be able to give them the same comfort that God has given us. 2Cor.1:4  It is as each of his own reaches the extremity of their own suffering and pain..

• I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season.
• There shall be showers of blessing.Ezekiel 34:26
• Today He desires that you will be His channel of blessing to others… a channel through whom His Spirit may flow, to others – until Christ be seen in and through you, to His praise and His glory.
• Future Perspective And as He pours His love and hope and blessing and joy through you, to others..

• He is proclaiming the fullness of grace that alone comes through the person of Christ, For from His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

• He is like the shining sun, ever there to bestow His blessings upon His children, but dark clouds of rebellion or doubt, only hide His face, but never His acceptance.
• Cords of Love Sometimes it appears that He has withdrawn His every blessing from you, but those are often the times He is drawing you closer to Himself, with cords of love.

• Rich Blessings God desired to pour out health and healing – but their foolish bias prevented Him. Their proud hearts were tightly shut against the rich blessings He brought..
• He came with rich blessings in His hands but carried them away with a sad heart.
• Abundant Blessings Oh yes, He will give abundantly and He will give more abundantly – pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
• Luke 6:38  There is never any lack of power to save – nor any lack of blessings to receive, yet we may be near to Him, and miss out on the blessings He is willing to bestow –  for hardness of heart.
• Channels of Blessing We ourselves must be in a position to accept that which He comes to bring. We also must be in a condition to receive all that He comes to give – to welcome His gifts through whatever channel He chooses to send them.
• We too can close our hearts to Christ and keep His blessings outside our lives..
• for weak as we are, divine Omnipotence will never compel His blessings upon us.
• Willing Hearts I wonder how many blessings we have forgone because of our unbelief.
• May our hearts be ever willing to receive the blessings He wants to give.

• Blessings of God How blessed are we who know the blessings of the Lord.  “Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord !” Psalm 33:12  “Blessed is the man whose trust is the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed are those whose strength is in You, Psalm 84:5   “Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.” Psalm 2:12
• Many Blessings There are many ‘Blesseds’ in the Word, that pepper the pages of Scripture:-  “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked.” Psalm 1:1  “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust” Psalm 40:4   “Blessed is the man whom You discipline, O Lord.” Psalm 33:12  “Blessed is the one who listens to Me, Hebrews 12:6 – watching daily at My gates….
• Book of Blessings The ‘Blesseds’ from God, tumble like spangled stars, flung with generous profusion across the midnight sky.   “Blessed are those who mourn…”  “Blessed are the merciful…”  “Blessed are the meek.”  “Yes – the Bible is a blessed book of blessings, beatitudes, and benedictions:-  “Blessed are the poor in spirit…”  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness..”  “Blessed are the pure in heart.”
• Showers of Blessings God’s ‘Blessed’s are rays of shining sun – imparting light and warmth.
• God’s mercy is poured out in blessed showers of blessings.
• Whenever we see the lovely Lord Jesus, He’s imparting blessings to the needy.
• Width of Blessings Oh, the wideness is His ‘Blesseds’ are like the span of the universe’ great globe.
• His outstretched arms of blessing are ever open to the necessities of others.
• Strange Blessings “Blessed is the one who is not offended in Me…” Luke 7:23   “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial,” James 1:12   “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake…”  “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you ..” Matt.5:10  “Blessed are you when others utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account.
• The Blessed Hope The hope of those, 'blesseds' of the Lord, is beyond the present, physical world, – His blessed blessings reach deep into the love-heart of Himself. – His Blessed hope stretches forward to the coming kingdom.

• It is only by grace through faith that we are being conformed into the likeness of God's beloved Son... and by His grace, we have been promised an immortal body and innumerable, additional spiritual blessings by simply trusting Him for our salvation - by believing in the sacrificial death, burial, and Resurrection of Christ.

• It is hard to understand why a nation that was so blessed would turn aside from the God of their fathers and fall into such gross apostasy, and yet how reflective this is of the Church today, for despite the incredible spiritual benefits and blessings that have been showered on the Body of Christ, so many are following after another gospel, rejecting the inerrant Word of God, and worshipping a Christ made in their own image.

• Let us spend the rest of our days giving honour and praise and glory and blessing to God.

• We are chosen in Christ, fellow heirs with Him, blessed with every spiritual blessing, and predestined to be conformed into the image and likeness of Christ.

• They were a blessed nation, but God wanted them to be a blessing to others, for through them was to come the Seed of the woman Who would be sent to Redeem the world.

• He knew that many blessings and benefits follow those who continue earnestly to pray in faith and for those who are vigilant in their worship, praise, and thanksgiving.Paul knew that it is God's will that His blood-bought sons and daughters rejoice in the Lord always, and so he encouraged each one to rejoice continuously, to pray without ceasing, and in everything to give thanks and praise to our Heavenly Saviour.But Paul also knew that prayer is a God-given privilege that has been awarded to every Christian, and those that walk in spirit and truth and pray into the Father's will, are assured that their prayers will be heard and answered, for His greater praise and glory.Paul therefore coveted the intercessions and prayers of these saints in Colossae.

• The Law was given to Moses through God's angelic agents, 430 years after the Lord had made His covenant with Abraham, promising blessing and redemption through his Seed.

• Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was used by God to punish His people, Israel, because they broke His covenant, ignored His Law, rebelled against His statutes, and did evil in the sight of the Lord.During their wilderness wanderings, God made a conditional covenant with His people whereby obedience would bring them great blessing while disobedience would result in them being cursed.It was after centuries of disobedience, that the Lord finally judged His rebellious nation.

• As his ministry continued, Zechariah prophesied about the first advent of their Messiah, but from chapter 12 to the end his focus is on the Second Coming of our Lord, where he contrasts God's righteous judgments on Israel with their ultimate rescue, restoration, and blessing.

• Indeed, he even exhorts us to consider our various trials as a joy and blessing from our Father, while Paul warns that all who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, but that God Himself will comfort us in our suffering and pain so that we can comfort others in their suffering and pain.
• We have already received all spiritual blessing in abundance, simply because we are in Christ, and in Him we have all that we need to live godly lives, but nowhere in Scripture are we told that we will have the trouble free life that much of Christendom teaches today, rather we are informed of the opposite.

• It was our Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God, Who was to be born of Mary the betrothed wife of Joseph the carpenter, through whom this heavenly blessing was to be accomplished.

• Men were saved by grace through faith, just as they are today, BUT the people were required to work the works of God and the keep the entire Law, to earn God's blessing.
• The greater ALWAYS blesses the LESSER and the blessing Melchizedek gave to Abraham, is one more piece of evidence, showing the supreme superiority of the person, work, ministry, status, office and sacrifice of Christ over everyone else and every other thing in heaven or on earth.

• Despite recognising the pre-eminence of his combatant, Jacob endured to the end so that he would receive the promised blessing.
• After his encounter with the Lord, he was ready and able to receive the reward and blessings that God had prepared for him.

• The priestly line came through Levi, while Judah was chosen to father the royal line through David the king, through whom would be born the Messiah of Israel and Saviour of the world.A double portion of Jacob's blessing fell to Joseph (through his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh).

• Christ uses the parable of the widow woman and the unjust judge to encourage us to be continually in prayer, to pray without ceasing, and to remain in constant communion with the Lord as we petition Him for the blessings we need from His gracious hand, especially when those blessings seem to be delayed.
• This is not a teaching that describes a God as a worldly judge Who is reluctant to bestow His blessings, but rather a generous Father Who gives good gifts to all His children.

• They secured God's blessings for His people and promised rest for their soul, while disobedience dictated devastation, destruction, and deportation from their promised land.

• The divine equality of Father and Son is meted out in clear view in this verse; we are blessed with every spiritual blessing by the Father, through the Son, for both are equivalent in honour, glory, might, majesty, dominion, and power, forever and ever, amen.

• The Bible tells us that children are a gift from God and yet in this passage, which is a quotation from Isaiah 54, we discover what appears to be an anomaly - that the desolate and barren woman who has no husband, has greater blessings from the Lord than the woman who has a husband!

• And yet the stark and serious warning broke into a comforting song of hope, that one day God would return, revive and restore His erring nation and pour out His blessings upon them like dew onto a parched desert, or as spring showers over a dry and dusty land.

• He has anointed our head with oil and our cup of blessing overflows with His goodness and love.
• He has prepared a table before us, in the presence of those that hate and despise us, and He has covered it with all we need and every spiritual blessing - which He purchased for us through His own blood, on Calvary's Cross.
• Surely with David we can proclaim, My cup of blessing runneth over, for His grace is limitless, His love is boundless, and His mercy endures from one generation to another.

• And we are to do the same.They were to be responsible for the well-being of their Christian friends, supporting one another in their lack, rejoicing in their increase, and making sure that those endowed with the gift of pastor-teacher, were similarly provided for, through individual, voluntary, but cheerful offerings.As believers, we have all been blessed with every spiritual blessing from above and are instructed by the Word of God and through Church elders and Christian ministers, to share our blessings, both material and spiritual, with others so that they in turn are enabled to rejoice in the Lord for His provision and go further afield themselves, to bless others who cross their path.Sowing and reaping blessings in this way, is a biblical principle that benefits both the giver and the one that receives, as well as honouring the Lord our God from Whom all blessings flow.

• And although love for our Lord and Saviour should be the only reason we need to work wholeheartedly, God in His grace gives us yet another blessing: You will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
• We have such a loving, merciful, generous Lord, what a blessing to do everything in our lives wholeheartedly for Him.

• The Aaronic priesthood was nothing more than a foreshadowing of the enormous blessings that were to follow, through Christ.

• The curse of the Law has been lifted, the sting of death has been removed, and we have been born into the family of God and become part of a totally new creation in Christ, with our sins forgiven and our eternal life secure.As born again citizens of heaven, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

• And they were instructed to pray for blessings on their captors.

• On the contrary, we are entreated to give blessings: You were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing from God.
• However, the third option, which is the divine standard, is rooted in the love of Christ and the example that He left us, where evil is repaid with good and where blessings are the response to an insult, for that is what God has called us to do and He will bless us for it.
• Let us not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary: Let us bless others, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

• What an amazing blessing from above to be enriched in everything.

• All true friendships are of great value, but it is a double blessing when friendships traverse the generations.

• Our hope in the glory of God is the earnest desire and joyful expectation of the consummation of God's rich promise to us, which is grounded on the sure foundation of His eternal Word and His unchangeable character, for then we shall see Him face to face in the fullness of His glory, when still more abundant blessings will be showered over our heads.

• Before the foundation of the world, He knew each one that would believe on His Son and expressed His attitude of love and grace towards us, and showered upon us mercy and untold blessings.
• No surprise that Paul had to open his letter to the Ephesians by acknowledging Him to be the Father of all mercies and proclaiming: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
• We are blessed in superlative-abundance by God the Father with daily blessings and many manifestations of His love towards us.
• We are blessed; indeed, we are doubly blessed with all spiritual blessings by: My Father and your Father, My God and your God.
• We are to praise and glorify the One Who so generously pours out such unimaginable and eternal blessings on all who trust in the anointed Son of His love.
• While we, who are in Christ, are blessed with every spiritual blessing, God is His grace provides many temporal blessings to all humanity, for God causes His sun to rise on both the evil and on the good, sending rain on the just and on the unjust.
• But we are charged to set our hearts on things above, for the spiritual blessings that are already ours, have been given in superlative-abundance and unconditional-grace to all who have trusted Christ for salvation.
• Present blessings and our eternal inheritance are securely fixed in heavenly places in Christ Who is seated at the right hand of the Father in glory everlasting, and we are eternally united together in Him.
• We are His spiritual children and the many blessings we have received from the Father, are contained in God the Son; the Lord Christ Jesus.
• The spiritual blessings of which Paul talks in this passage are already ours, for we have already been given all that we need for life and godliness.
• In Christ, we have been given every spiritual blessing and His spiritual enrichment has already been poured out upon us in superlative-abundance by our Heavenly Father.
• All we have to do is to access it: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, in Christ.

• And although God had blessed this man with great strength and set him as judge over His people, the time came when the Lord withdrew His blessing.
• The story of Samson is a very sad tale that clearly shows the long-suffering grace and mercy of God towards his servants, as well as a warning that there may come a time when God's hand of blessing and protection is lifted for a season when sin crouches at the door.

• There is no time nor place where His sacrifice of intercession does not reach us, thus underlining His promise: I will never leave you nor forsake you.The more we learn of God's Word and the wonderful covenant relationship that He has with His Church, the more we discover His showers of blessing and abundant privileges raining down upon our heads and come to an understanding of Who God is, what He is doing, and all that He has planned for those that love Him.

• The worth of the gift is intensified by the worthiness of the Giver, and the immeasurable value and inestimable blessing of salvation to the unworthy sinner is without comparison in both the visible world and the invisible universe.

• And we are given all of these blessings by faith.

• This call for men to trust in the Lord, to taste of His faithfulness, and to see that the Lord is good and gracious, stands in the centre of a psalm that begins by blessing the Lord at all times and praising Him continually.

• David was a man who 'thrilled' to speak of the blessing on those to whom God credits with righteousness, apart from works: How blessed is the man, is David's rejoicing cry, how amazingly favoured is the one whom the Lord does not charge with sin, and in whom is no spirit of deceit.

• It is significant that whenever Paul writes this meaningful salutation in His epistles, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, it is always Grace that is the leading blessing, while Peace is the privilege that follows in its wake.
• GRACE is the highest expression of God's loving-kindness and benevolent blessings to man which is translated into God's unconditional, unmerited favour and showers super-abundant blessings on all who trust in His name.

• His is a throne that pours out blessings in superabundance on all the children of men.

• What a great blessing to have a childlike mind and the sort of attitude towards the Lord that we discover within the heart of a little child.

• Being saved by grace through faith in Christ, unlocks the door to a myriad of blessings for each believer.
• Sometimes we are unaware of the abundant blessings that have become ours at the point of our salvation and sometimes it takes time to become aware of all the gifts of grace that have been bountifully bestowed upon us, in Christ Jesus.

• Rather than boasting in the Lord Who is the source of all blessings, they engaged in petty squabbles about their favourite minister.

• No doubt she had rejoiced in the Lord for the many blessings He brought into their lives.

• and yet they ignored His laws and His decrees despite His continuing blessings upon them.

• Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.There is only one way to be saved, and God Himself proclaimed this to the nations: I have sworn by Myself, was His sovereign challenge, the Word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back – that to Me every knee will bow, and every tongue will swear allegiance.God in His grace, extended His hand of salvation to the Gentiles, if they would turn away from their idols of wood and stone, and trust in the Lord for the forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation.That same gracious hand of reconciliation continues to be extended today, to whosoever will hear, answer, and believe in the One Who paid the price for the sin of the world – the shed blood of a perfect sacrifice – Jesus Christ the righteous.In the light of New Testament revelation, we know: At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.The message of salvation is one of hope and blessing to those that believe, and one of condemnation and eternal separation from God for those that refuse to confess His name.May we be ready and willing to go into the world, whether at home or abroad, and tell the good news of salvation to the lost – to Jew and Gentile alike: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

• But every one of the hundreds of privileges that have become ours by faith in Christ contain a supernatural element, for we have been 'blessed with all spiritual blessings' because we are His workmanship and are one with Christ, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we would walk in them.

• The steadfast loving-kindness of the Lord is not only to be seen in the many blessings that fall from His hand each day, but are also seen in His chastening rod and His corrective discipline.

• Through Moses the Feasts of the Lord were given and the conditions for both blessings and cursings... and the Aaronic priesthood was also installed under his command.

• Retribution teaches that the blessings people receive show they are good people, while bad things that happen indicate a person has sinned and needs to repent or do penance to get back into God's good books.
• It encourages the unbiblical attitude of salvation, or blessing through works - but salvation and God's blessings are a demonstration of God's grace - not of works.

• God knows that those that trust Him and believe His Word are truly rich – for the outcome of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ is forgiveness of sins, peace with God, a new life in Christ, the indwelling Comforter, joint-heirship in Christ's coming kingdom, and a glorious and eternal heavenly home, among a multitude of wonderful blessings that are showered on all who are rich in faith by trusting His Word.

• Isaiah moved from warnings of imminent punishment for the unrepentant masses of apostates and blessings for a believing remnant in chapters 1-39, to future prophecies of comfort and hope, with deliverance and national restoration for those who believe, in chapters 40-66.
• Whether it is promises of judgement for disobedience or blessings for faithfulness, God always fulfils His promises.

• Let us be those who live our lives with servant hearts, being a blessing to those around us to the glory of God.

• There is a blessing that is pronounced on peace-makers.
• Blessings of peace come from the Father of peace, and the blessedness of peace-making rests on the Prince of Peace, Who has become both Founder and Finisher of all our peace, and imparts His eternal peace by His Spirit of Peace, which flows out of us to others as we rest in Christ and permit His peace to flood our heart.

• David was a man that was beset by evil and pain, rejection and loss, but He was a man who knew His God and was able to quote the blessing that Aaron, the High Priest of Israel, first prayed over the people of God: Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD.

• Should we not praise His wonderful name for all His overflowing blessings of love and the immeasurable depths of grace he has poured up upon us?

• The curse of the Law sliced though His spirit, soul, and body, as He drank the bitter cup that would provide such blessing for all who were born under the curse of the Law.

• He wanted God's blessing and coveted the birthright given to his father, Abraham.
• He wanted the blessings of God without undertaking his responsibilities towards God. 
• He did many devious deeds and made many manipulatives moves to ensure that he would be the one through whom God's blessing to Abraham would be fulfilled.
• And so throughout his life, Jacob plotted and planned to get the birthright and blessings that God had already decided to give him, before he was even born.
• Jacob knew that he could not win the fight in his own strength and needed to admit that God is the source of his blessing and that his strength came from the Lord, and so we read that Jacob clung fast to Angel of the Lord until He received His blessing.
• Hosea gives us a little insight into Jacob's wrestling with God, for we read in chapter 12: Jacob wept, and sought favour from Him... and what a wonderful blessing he was given, for the Man said to Jacob, 'Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.' Just as God changed the names of his grandfather and grandmother, so He gave Jacob a new name.
• Jacob had to face his own trial and testing, and admit his own imperfections and limitation when He met God face to face, and Jacob was brought to an end of himself until he acknowledged his own weakness and was willing to admit that all honour, glory, might, majesty, dominion, power, blessing, and authority comes from our Heavenly Father - by grace.
• His blessings are not dependent on our schemes or planning but of God's amazing grace.
• Jacob is one of many biblical characters whom God used to bring to fruition His perfect plan of redemption and who was used to teach us an important lesson - that there is nothing we can do to gain God's blessing or become His child - that it is not by wit or wisdom, schemes or cleverness, power or might that we are saved and brought in to an everlasting relationship with our Heavenly Father, but by His grace alone - through faith alone in Christ alone.

• This will be a day of great rejoicing and much joy, a day of blessing and grace, of health and happiness, of righteousness and justice, of prosperity, peace and pardon.

• But the glorious truth is, His grace and glory is revealed in those who have been endowed with the indwelling Spirit of Christ and the multitude of blessings that emanate from Him.

• We have no reason to be proud or smug about our God-given gift, nor jealous of the gift He has bestowed upon others, for each receives that which is right and best in God's sight, and each one is a blessing bestowed because of His loving-kindness and gracious-mercy.

• Surely the things revealed in these closing chapters of Scripture are some of the most reassuring blessings from God.
• Paradise, with the tree of life and its healing river, was lost when Adam sinned, but God's amazing plan of redemption was gradually unfolded throughout Scripture, and the tree of life reappears in the book of Revelation, which concludes with words of blessing that comfort and strengthen the hearts of all believers: Surely I come quickly.

• God had promised that if Israel kept His Law and obeyed His voice, they would receive many blessings, while disobedience guaranteed punishment and judgement.
• In the Old Testament, the people of God were under the Law and their faithful reward for cheerfully giving their tithes and offerings to the Lord, often resulted in material blessings.
• In the New Testament, we are encouraged to give freely, generously, and cheerfully to the Lord, not for material wealth or financial gain as so many teach, but for the spiritual blessing that abound when God is given His rightful place in each our lives.

• How we glorify God for the supernatural love of the Father of our Lord Jesus, Who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.

• The privilege and blessing of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God is beyond our comprehension, and yet God has given us the permanently indwelling Spirit as proof that we live in Him and He in us.

• In his desire to contend earnestly for the faith, Jude's prayer and pleading to the Father was that multiplied blessings be bestowed on all those who are in Christ Jesus.
• This prayer for multiplied blessings of mercy, peace, and love is equally needed today.

• Jacob had defrauded Esau of his inheritance, by deceiving his father into giving him the family blessing instead of his older, twin brother.

• This great psalm of praise, rehearses the multiplied blessings and eternal benefits that the everlasting Creator has poured out in great abundance on the children of men and the people of Israel.

• He honours me by anointing my head with oil and my cup overflows with multiplied blessings.

• He received many reassurances of God's faithfulness over the next fifteen years, and experienced God's protective hand of blessing on many occasions, as he passed through the land that God promised to give him and his descendants.

• We also greatly rejoice in the Lord our God and how our soul delights in the God of our salvation Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ, for He chose us in Him before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.
• Who can count the many blessings that are showered down on each one of us day by day?

• A unique and glorious blessing is given to the person who reads, hears, and puts into practice the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which is found in the last book of the Bible.
• As Christians, we should rejoice and be glad to consider the blessing that is given to those who hear, and read, and take to heart all that is written in Revelation.
• We should pay careful heed to the content of the book of Revelation and be watchful for Christ's return, and we should be spiritually alert and recognise that the time of the end is drawing ever closer, and yet there are many in the Church today who dismiss the important content of this wonderful apocalyptic book and miss the blessing it offers because they consider it is too difficult to understand.
• Revelation is an open book that has been given to let us know the things that are shortly to take place and those who read it and take to heart the truth that it contains are promised a very specific blessing: Blessed is he who reads the words of this prophecy.

• The Christian has enormous heavenly blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus, but every true believer soon realises that we are living in a world in which we are engaged in war.

• They touch on judgement and punishment, virtue and divine protection, sin and blessings, promises and warnings.

• Melchizedek pronounced a beautiful blessing on Abraham: Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.
• When considering the choices Abraham was required to make between accepting God's permanent promises of eternal reward and great blessings through faith in the Person of Christ, and taking the temporal treats and passing perks of this fallen world system, we understand that the renouncing the things of this present life, and the suffering we may have to face, are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred upon us.

• He promised to bring them back to their homeland with enormous blessings and to re-establish a redeemed people, under the sovereign rule of His servant, David.
• But nothing is too hard for God and throughout His Word, we see Him taking impossible situations, working a mighty work, and turning them into incredible blessings.

• If the Law proves one thing, it demonstrates that keeping God's Law is not God's way of salvation.Keeping God's Law does not result in blessings or justification – it identifies sin.

• They had forsaken the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Who had promised them glorious blessing if they would walk in His ways, and severe cursing if they disobeyed the holy One of Israel.

• Let us heed Jesus' words, walk in His ways, cleanse ourselves and others by the washing of water with the Word, and as we bless others, we will also receive wonderful blessings, to the glory of God.

• The blessings that flowed to the priests through the people was God's provision, according to His riches in mercy.

• Those who seek His face, trust His Word and are pure in heart through the washing of the water of the Word, will receive this blessing.
• It is made clear that only those that are saved by grace through faith, will receive this blessing from the Lord.

• The superabundant blessings that God gives to all who simply trust in the divine Person and atoning work of Lord Jesus Christ are ours: According to the power that works within us.

• Perhaps our focus should be on God's great goodness and amazing grace in using sinners such as Esther, as a channel of His blessing.

• And at the start of His ministry, the Lord Jesus gave His people some wonderful blessings (beatitudes) in His Sermon on the Mount, but as His time on earth came to an end he had to pronounce a terrible series of 'woes' on Israel's leadership because they caused the people to reject the Lord of Glory.

• One blessing of salvation is the immediate and permanent indwelling Holy Spirit Who develops in us the precious fruit of His righteousness through many acts of faith, as we grow in grace.

• He longs to bestow His righteous blessings upon His people, Israel.
• He calls them to come freely to the great table of blessing He prepared for them.
• He is slow to anger and desires to restore to them the joy of their salvation - but they must listen to His voice, hear His word, partake of what is good, and delight their soul in the abundance of His blessings.
• Servants like Moses and Joshua, and prophets like David and Isaiah, called the nation to repent of their sin and live godly lives, with many promises of restoration and blessing on the one hand, and warnings of discipline if they refused, on the other.
• How unwise to disobey His Word of truth and His offer of blessings.
• My Word, which goes forth from My mouth, will not return to Me empty, was both a warning and a blessing.
• His Word will accomplish ALL that He has purposed, both blessings and cursings.
• The choice of God's blessing or cursings is simply an invitation to believe, or a warning against unbelief.

• But time and again, they did what seemed right in their own eyes and so God withdrew His blessings and postponed His promises.

• God's blessing of salvation is not given because of works of the Law.
• The same blessing is available to for ALL who are justified by grace through faith in Him.

• May we choose to love one another as God loves us, for in so doing, we will be a blessing to those around us and glorify our beloved Lord and Saviour.

• In other words, we are accepted by Him in the Beloved.We should never take this sacred privilege lightly, for it is a gift from God and a blessing to us.

• The approval and blessing of God is on the one who has faith in His Son, trusts His Word of truth, and believes the Holy Scriptures.

• The attitude of these religious men was so hostile towards Jesus, which conflicted with their own perceived notions that they were blinded to the truth and missed the blessing Christ was ready and willing to give.

• Since we have been raised to a new life in Christ and since, by God's grace, we have been clothed in Christ's righteousness, given the free gift of eternal life, been showered with every spiritual blessing, received a heavenly inheritance, and been seated with Christ in heavenly places, we are called to set our hearts and minds on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God's right hand.

• There is probably no higher pinnacle of praise to the glorious grace of God than the first few chapters of Ephesians, and there is possibly no more staggering truth for believers than to be accepted in the Beloved: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

• We live in a fallen world, and there are many challenges that face the believer who has not only trusted Christ for salvation, but is also ready and willing to deny self, take up his cross, follow Christ’s example, and say without compromise – Thy will, not mine, be done.The newborn baby Christian has to grow in grace and mature in the faith over an unspecified period of time, to reach this level of maturity in his faith, while other who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ may slip in and out of carnality and worldliness for many years, stunting their growth and even regressing in their faith back to spiritual infancy.Many, if not all believers, are called to become mature in the faith by walking in spirit and truth and living godly, Christ-centred lives, but few are willing to exchange the cosy blessings of early Christian infancy, for the difficulties that inevitably follow the mature believer.
• In other words, they simply remain in spiritual infancy and keep repeating the first stage of their Christian faith, over and again, without pressing on to spiritual maturity.Many are falsely taught that becoming a Christian will secure a quiet life and provide a ticket to prosperity, with numerous earthly blessings and a free pass from God, to prevent or remove any difficulties or dangers that may arise.

• The first chapter of Ephesians is weighed down and running over with countless spiritual blessings in heavenly places, which God our Father has freely given to us by grace through faith in His only begotten Son.

• Although the prophetic 'Day of the Lord' covers both the time of severe judgement (the 7-year Tribulation period) and the following 1000 years of great blessing (the Millennial reign of Christ), verse 17 is specifically referring to the terrible Tribulation period, where God pours out His wrath on a God-hating, Christ-rejecting, sinful world. 

• But how often we desire a life that is free from trouble and swimming in happy blessings.

• Following his introductory greeting to the saints at Corinth, where the amazing grace and abundant peace of Almighty God is the heavenly blessing that Paul bestows in great measure on all the congregation there, He turns his rapt attention and deep affection upon our great God and Father in heaven: Blessed be GOD the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; Blessed be the GOD and Father of all mercies and Blessed be our Father in heaven Who is the God of all comforts.

• Which of us sees insults as blessings or wounds as marks of beauty?
• To consider the reviling of others to be a blessing appears to be an oxymoron, but God’s economy is diametrically opposite from man’s logic, for the wisdom of man is foolishness to Him.
• Yet too often, we are influenced by the world and can become tainted with a humanistic mindset. Secular things that are exalted by man are often despised by the Lord, yet elements that are abhorrent to men... like suffering and persecution, are of the greatest value to our Father and bring to fruition abundant blessings and a joy beyond human comprehension.There is a vast difference, however, between the suffering that comes because one is a Christian and the suffering that comes through evildoing.
• Those of us that do are blessed, indeed.What a joy to know that the suffering and insults we take on behalf of Christ are, in fact, a heavenly blessing given to us from above because the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon us.

• When God chose Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Israel, to be His chosen nation through whom the Messiah would be born, He also promised them the land of Israel and many blessings besides.

• Peter tells us that suffering for the sake of righteousness is a blessing that brings with it great reward and immense joy.
• Suffering turns into a blessing, when we realise that we are being identified with Him and we are favoured by the Father if we suffer for righteousness' sake: Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake, are Christ's astonishing and comforting words.

• God pronounced judgement on the one, but promised blessing for the other; condemnation for the wicked, but restoration for all who trust in the Lord their God.

• Paul prays for spiritual blessings, godly wisdom, practical obedience, moral excellence, and a Christ-like character.

• David had a long life which was filled with untold blessings.
• May we ponder on the blessings of this life, the eternal life we have in Christ, and the abundant life that He has given to all who believe.

• The Lamb Who was slain from the foundation of the world, is the only One who is worthy of all blessings and praise and honour and glory and so we read: I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord God and make mention of Your righteousness, which is Yours alone.

• I will make you a great nation and I will bless you, and make your name great so you shall be a blessing.

• While God is the One Who pours out His blessings on man, it is man who is caused to exalt and worship our Creator God by blessing the Lord and praising His holy name.
• When a man offers the Lord blessings and praise, it is an acknowledgement of God's goodness and greatness, His dominion and glory, His might and majesty, dominion and power, and it speaks of His unfathomable kindness to us who are totally undeserving of His mercy and grace.

• This verse is a simple, yet timely reminder, that we are to live by faith in the Word of Truth, and to trust God's judgement in all things, for He sends blessings on the just and unjust alike, and He takes the foolish schemes and rebellious actions of men and turns them to His greater glory, in order to fulfil His ultimate plan and purpose, which is that Christ is all in all.

• This second Man would be the promised SEED through Whom multiplied blessings would come for all mankind.
• He promised to give him a great name and multiplied blessings if he would but trust in the Lord his God.
• The blessing about which God spoke, was the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself.

• God, in His grace, not only removes the sin-barrier that estranges man from his Creator God, but He desires His people to rest in His love and to know His own precious peace deep within our hearts so that we may enjoy sweet fellowship with Him.The Lord has blessed us with every spiritual blessing, and all His promises to us are all 'yes' and 'amen' in Jesus Christ our Lord.

• That blessing would come through Abraham's Seed - Jesus Christ the righteous One Who would crush the head of that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan.

• while it was Paul who bestowed an equally beloved blessing on the Church, by commending them into the safe-keeping of the triune Godhead - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Paul's blessing to the Christian Church has become beloved by generations of godly saints.
• Indeed, it is often prayed as a parting benediction before brothers and sisters in Christ depart from a time of Christian fellowship and it is often prayed as a beautiful blessing over those for whom we care deeply: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with YOU.

• Israel's covenant with the Lord and the blessings He promised His people, depended upon them fulfilling the requirements of the Mosaic Law, which is why his first prophecy rebukes the people for neglecting the rebuilding of the House of God.

• But the Lord gave a very specific command to Moses concerning the blessing of His people.
• Aaron and the priests were the ones who had the authority to pronounce the blessing, protection, peace, and mercy on the people, because the Aaronic priesthood had been set apart, by the Lord, to act as human mediators between man and God. Aaron and his descendants were commanded to pronounce a very particular blessing over Israel - a blessing that invoked God, Himself, to graciously bless His people. The priests of the Lord were commanded by the Lord, to call on the Lord to pronounce a prayer of blessing over His people.
• It was Aaron and his spiritual descendants who were commanded to make this appeal for God's blessing, on behalf of His people - so that God Himself would hear and answer their prayer.
• God loves to bless His people and has given many precious promises of protection and peace over all who are His, and yet He felt it necessary to command Aaron, and his spiritual descendants, to petition Him for blessings on behalf of His people, which make us realise that prayers for God's blessing on others must be very important to the Lord.
• Each promise is a blessing, and each pronounced blessing is a gracious gift from the Lord.
• And in the ages that are to come, the Church is to be an example to the angelic host, of the incomparable riches of God’s amazing grace, which are seen in His multiplied blessings towards us – in Jesus Christ our Lord.
• But in this world, we who are Christ's Body have similarly been commanded to pray for one another and to intercede on behalf of other people - to pray without ceasing and to be devoted to prayer.  God loves to bless His people, but He also wants His people to call on Him to ask for His blessings.
• It was the high priest who was called upon to pray a blessing over His people, Israel.
• And yet, by God’s grace, we have been called to be a kingdom of priests under the authority of Christ our great High Priest through whom blessings from God are being poured out to us and through us to others.May the Lord bless us all and keep us, and may He cause His face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us and give us His peace.
• May we who have been so blessed by God to be His children, be used by Him as channels of His blessing through Whom the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is poured out in great measure to others, this day and forevermore, AMEN.

• God, in His grace, has given us many precious blessings and has promised never to leave us nor forsake us, no matter how fiercely the bitter winds of trial batter our lives and irrespective of other people who may have betrayed or hurt us.

• All who read it and take it to heart have been promised blessings beyond compare.

• However, Eliphaz and his friends, believed that God only sends evil to the wicked, and only gives blessings to the good - a complete distortion of God's character.

• Consequently, they did not enjoy the blessings and benefits of a victorious life which trusts the Lord, obeys His commands, and depends on His sufficient strength for the journey through life.
• Not only did he remind them of the covenant agreement which their fathers had made with the Lord some 40 years earlier, but offered them the same terms - that blessing would follow their obedience, while cursing would result in disobedience if they followed in their parent's rebellions footsteps.

• This verse was not only a blessing to the believers at Corinth but to all Christians; to all who have been saved by grace through faith.
• This truth is a blessing to all who have been born from above and are part of the Church of God, for this verse reminds us that ALL Christian are sanctified in Christ.

• It covers anything and everything that we need.What we want is not always what we need, and the Lord graciously steps into our prayers in order to translate any inappropriate desires that may be in our heart, and He intercedes on our account in order that our prayers are translated into divinely bestowed blessings which will be for our benefit and for the greater glory of God.
• But God’s perspective of what we need has eternity in view, and not only embraces the bread we require today but the eternal blessings that are ours in Him, which lie beyond the grave and into the eternal ages to come.

• As the apostle Peter also taught: Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but give a blessing instead - for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

• We have been renewed by the Spirit of God and received every spiritual blessing, in Christ.

• Although miraculously redeemed from Egypt, Israel doubted God's ability to bring them into the Promised Land, and unbelief caused them to miss the many blessing God planned for them.

• At His Second Coming, He will come as the worthy Lamb of God Who is seated upon the throne of God's glory, the Lamb Who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing.

• Israel holds a special place in God's redemptive plan for it was through the nation of Israel that JESUS, the Redeemer of the world was born, and we who have been saved by grace through faith in Him are beneficiaries of this blessing, in this unique age of grace.
• Rebellious man, pagan people, secular societies, and hedonistic nations are blinded to the truth of His Word, opposed to His way, cynical of His life, and hostile to Him, unaware that they could not draw another breath, either to bless Him or to curse Him, without His great, sustaining power.The nations of the world have chosen to rebel against the Lord, and His hand of blessing is being withdrawn before He comes to address the evil of this age during the 7 year Tribulation period.

• After many chapters of judgement, we arrive at a lovely section of blessings where Israel will sing a song of praise to the Lord for His promised kingdom.

• May we, like Paul, rejoice in the privileges that are ours by faith and consider the accompanying responsibilities as blessings to share rather than a burden to carry.

• They discovered that in addition to our position in Christ and the forgiveness of sins, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

• How we praise and glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for He has poured out every single blessing in the heavenly realms upon us, simply because we are united with Christ by faith and are One with Himself.
• In Ephesians, Paul opens the floodgates of God's blessing on His people, with the words, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him - in love.He has blessed us with pardon and peace, redemption and adoption, and illumination and truth from His Holy Spirit.
• The blessings given to the Church were not an afterthought nor a postscript to His perfect plan - they were an integral part from the start.
• Our good and gracious Heavenly Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing and seated us together with Christ in heavenly places.
• May we who are the elect of God use our free will wisely and for the glory of God.How we should praise and glorify our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, for He has poured out every single blessing in the heavenly realms upon us, simply because we are united, by faith, in Christ.

• As children of the light, let us not only walk in the light of His love, but be used as His channels of blessing and hope to others knowing that: To all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.

• And while the whole of Scripture is God's Word which can never be broken, this final book of the Bible is special, for it not only promises its readers a blessing in chapter 1, but in this final section it also gives some serious warnings: I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
• While the promise of blessing in chapter 1 is a wonderful encouragement to believers, the warnings in this final chapter of Revelation should be chilling to anyone, both believers and unbelievers who tampers with God's Word or distort its meaning.

• It is God, Himself, that has promised to fill us to the brim with a great abundance of spiritual blessings – for the joy of the Lord is our strength, the peace of God is our shield and buckler, and the fellowship of the saints is our precious portion, as our hope overflows in and through Him.All His promises, whether past, present, or future, are secured in His unchanging character and unchangeable Word, for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
• May we be motivated to enlarge our perspective of our glorious God of Hope and fix our hope on Him Who has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Godly living which results in blessings from above, contentment within, and hope for the future, stands in stark contrast to the practice of ungodliness and compromise - which produces the fruit of sorrow and destruction and ends in a man's ruin and death.
• A multiplicity of temporal blessings in the world and eternal blessings in the ages to come are already ours, by faith in Christ, and while our eternal security is assured and God graciously causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous... there are blessings today and rewards to come for the man who chooses not to walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

• News reached Naomi that the famine in Israel was over and God was once again blessing His people.

• Jesus taught them four blessings that would be received by those who hungered after godliness and were persecuted for righteousness sake... while an equal number of woes were passed upon those who were rich and self-sufficient, popular with the world, and enjoying the good things that this fallen world-system provides.
• It was then that Christ revealed that love was the only way that blessings could be received, woes could be averted, and God's grace could flow freely into the lives of those who believed.
• To suffer at the hands of an enemy and yet to unfailingly bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things, and to confer blessings on their heads of those that despitefully use us or threaten us, can never be achieved by a person that is not in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit of God... and is in a right relationship with the Father.

• But Paul also had a dear desire to be a blessing to his brothers in Christ, no matter where he went.

• Although he delivered a message of judgement to the people of Israel because of their ongoing rebellious idolatry, Micah also foretold of Israel's final restoration and the many blessings they would enjoy, once they repented of their national sin and returned to the God of their forefathers.
• But as one continues to read the book of Micah, we discover that God is long suffering and very merciful, and that blessings will one day flow... following His anger.
• Despite the punishment for their sin, Micah records that Israel is also given a promise of blessing.

• They had dug the ground, sown crops in their fields, planted vineyards, made clothes, and worked hard to supply their own need, but because they neglected their duty towards the Lord, they forfeited their blessings.

• We should always be ready to sing a new song of praise to our God for the blessings we experience day by day, and for the numerous occasions when we have waited patiently for Him to move and experienced amazing answers to our desperate prayers.
• And what a blessing to know that many will see the wonderful works of God in our lives, be encouraged to look to Jesus for deliverance in their lives, and to place their trust in Him.

• The more we come to know Jesus and the blessings that flow to us from Him, the more we will desire to share these blessings with others until we can pray: He must increase, but I must decrease.

• What a blessing to understand that ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.

• A reverence for our Almighty God and obedience to our Father's voice results in an abundance of spiritual fruit and a wealth of spiritual blessings.
• The eternal blessings that flow from the Lord, are the product of the secret growth of God's grace in our 'new-life-in-Christ'.
• The 'way-of-the-Cross' is not easy, but the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and all who walk in His way are blessed indeed, doubly blessed with a myriad of blessings that have an eternal perspective.

• This incredible truth is so immense, so startling, so exciting, and so very humbling, and yet familiarity with the letter of this truth can often obscure the precious blessing it contains.

• His renewed love and blessing for His people and the reaffirmation of His vows and promises to His holy, covenant nation is beautifully exemplified through the restoration of Hosea's own marriage.

• He lists many of the incredible privileges and blessings that are ours by faith in Him, and which the Lord has showered upon all of us in great abundance.
• He praises God for the bountiful supply of spiritual blessings that are ours by faith in Him. 

• Is this not the most wonderful blessing that exhausts our reasoning and passes our finite understanding - that we, who were proud purveyors of sin and hostile haters of God in the lust of our flesh, should be so treated?

• The blessings God promised to the remnant of Israel are equally true for us.

• Myriads of angelic beings, together with the four living creatures and the 24 elders united their voices to sing, worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing.
• This was no ordinary praise gathering, for every created thing in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and all things in them, were heard to say... To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honour and glory and dominion for ever and ever, after which the four living creatures kept saying, Amen and the elders fell down and worshipped.
• Worthy is the Lamb who was slain - to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing.

• Satan had assumed that Job's faith in God was because of the abundant blessings he received from the Lord and falsely accused Job of being a hypocrite who kept his faith in God to save his own skin.

• They had forgotten their covenant with God which required them to fulfil the conditions of the Mosaic Law - if they were to reap the blessings that God had promised.
• We have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing.
• We were blessed with every spiritual blessing the moment we believed.
• We have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing - and should delight to be obedient.

• We have been given every spiritual blessing in Christ and we are charged to know Him more, to love Him better, to walk in His ways, and to love others as He has loved us.

• The covenant was conditional and contained promises of blessings for faithfulness and a devotion to God, but gave warning of cursing for lack of faithfulness, neglect of God, and unbelief in His Word.

• It was after the children of Israel were redeemed from Egyptian slavery that God revealed Himself to His people, and pronounced abundant blessings on them, if they would hearken to His voice and obey His commands, I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, so that you would not be their slaves, He reminded them,  I broke the bars of your yoke and I made you walk erect.

• Forgiveness of sin and life everlasting are two of the multiple blessings that are ours - in Christ.

• It was the custom in Jewish circles, to bring infants and little children to a rabbi or elder, and have him pronounce a blessing on their offspring.
• The Lord Jesus never swept aside these little ones that were brought to Him for His blessing.
• Rather, He stretched out His hands of love and blessing to them, knowing their innocent little hearts reflected back the deep love He had for them... a godly love that the Lord Jesus has reserved for all His own.

• Christ knew that His own witness of Himself, although perfectly true and indisputable, was rejected by this unbelieving generation as untrue, and so He called on other witnesses to testify to the truth of His Messianic claims, His divine authority, His equality with the Father, and God's blessing upon His Person and His Work.

• The time came when Moses was led to remind the Nation of the conditional covenant they had with God and urged them to choose life over death and blessings over curses.
• Faithfulness to God would result in many blessings for His covenant people, but disobedience would result in the entire Nation being cursed and scattered.
• Promises of blessing for obedience and warnings of curses for disobedience had nothing to do with salvation, but had everything to do with victory and future rewards - or suffering defeat and the loss of rewards.

• It is not a little shower of spiritual strength or a tiny flutter of blessing for which Paul is seeking the Lord on our behalf, but a super-abundant outpouring of multiplied blessings which cascades from God's own divine riches and His infinite kindness into our inner soul and hungry heart.
• Let us emulate Paul's passion and his powerful prayer as we also bow our knee to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and let us also intercede for our brothers and sisters in Christ, that each may receive a super-abundant outpouring of multiplied blessings which cascade from God's own divine riches and infinite kindness into their inner soul.

• Peter's declaration was true, and because of his willingness to testify to the truth, he received a great blessing from the Lord: Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, was Christ's joyful response to his confession.
• But the blessing we all receive when we confess this truth and place our faith in Him, is the forgiveness of sin and life everlasting.

• For two whole chapters, Paul had outlined in brilliant detail our position in Christ, and the superabundant spiritual blessings we have in heavenly places, which are the inherited right of all who trust in Christ for salvation.
• He does not want us to go through life thinking that we have to add something to Christ's finished work in order to be acceptable by the Father, or that we have to wait to receive these amazing spiritual blessings.

• Many of the Psalms are penitential hymns, where the people of God cry out to Him for confession and forgiveness or plead for His mercy and blessing.

• Paul invoked the blessing of peace and mercy on those who put his biblical instructions into practice: Peace and mercy be upon them, he said, and then added, and also peace and mercy be upon the Israel of God.
• Paul pronounced his blessing on the Gentile believers in Galatia AND ALSO upon 'the Israel of God'.

• Why did these worthy men and women who found favour with God, not enjoy the blessings He had promised them?
• The blessings these faithful folk in Hebrews 11 are to enjoy, are still future, for their blessings are to flow to them through the Person of JESUS, His Office and His Ministry, His death on the Cross, His resurrected life, and His victory over Satan, sin, death, and hell. 

• Sometimes we can be so distressed or disappointed; so angry or worried; so hurt or fearful that we miss the incredible blessing that God has organised in our very midst.
• They were so deeply affected by the great travesty they had just witnessed, that they almost missed the incredible blessings that it brought in its wake.
• Like these two men, we too can become so distressed or disappointed; so angry or worried; so hurt or fearful by the circumstances of our own lives or the situation on the world scene, that we also miss the incredible blessing that God has organised in our very midst, for our eternal benefit and His greater glory.

• He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms, and His love for us is everlasting.
• We are to be humble in spirit, not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, rather we are to offer a blessing to those that insult us in the same way that Christ's self-sacrifice showed love for us.
• Let us always remember to give Him the praise, honour, glory, and blessing He deserves: To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.

• Despite Isaiah's warnings about the Day of the Lord's judgement and His righteous vengeance on all who reject Him, God also pledged to send a Day of blessings and joyful restoration for His people Israel, and on those who would trust in His name.
• The complete fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy of the Day of the Lord's judgement and His righteous vengeance on all who reject Him, followed by a Day of blessings and restoration for those who trust Him, is yet future.

• When all the preparations had been made, the king blessed the Lord and led the congregation of Israel in a wonderful prayer of blessing, thanksgiving, and jubilant praise, which began, Blessed are You, O Lord God of Israel our Father, forever and ever. For the first time in Scripture, we see the Lord being referred to as 'Father' by the people of God.

• God promised them astonishing material blessings if they were obedient to His Word, but severe punishment would result if they were rebellious.

• He had just broken the bread, which represented His body, and passed the cup of blessing, which represented the institution of the new covenant in His blood.

• He is the God of all comfort and blessing, and He will never leave us nor forsake us.

• They are instruments of God to mete out both blessings and judgement.

• He has given an incredible blessing to us in His Word and by His Spirit, making known to us the hidden mysteries of God.

• He was led as a lamb to the slaughter and was smitten of God for our sakes – so that by grace through faith in His selfless, sacrificial work on Calvary’s Cross, we might be forgiven of our sin, brought back into fellowship with God, clothed in Christ's perfect righteousness, receive access to the throne of grace, and be endowed with the riches of God’s abundant blessings towards us – in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• It was after Abraham's display of faith in God, by offering his son on the altar, that the Lord restated His promise and said, 'By Myself, I have sworn,' says the LORD, 'because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, with blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.' And the Lord concluded His promise by telling His servant, in your Seed, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.

• It is only those that have entered into a relationship with the Lord through faith in His finished work who can be truly wise and participate in all the blessings that accompany godly wisdom.
• He has lavished on us every spiritual blessing, even seating us in heavenly places together with Christ.
• His knowledge is a storehouse of blessings to all of His children.

• It is staggering to realise that by trusting in His sacrificial work on the Cross, we are awarded so many additional benefits and blessings!
• These are just a few of many biblical blessings that are ours, by grace through faith in Christ.

• He promised blessings for obedience but warned of curses for disobedience.

• We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ, and were predestined unto adoption of sons by Jesus Christ Himself.

• And we have a very special blessing, for Jesus Himself said, Blessed are those that have NOT seen me and yet have believed.

• Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance, was Paul's prayer and blessing for the Thessalonian believers, as he prepared to draw his letter to a close, May the Lord be with you all!

• We discover four blessings in this passage which can be received by those who are credited with righteousness.
• These four blessings stand in stark contrast with the four bitter woes that are the just desserts of those that refuse to accept Christ's offer of salvation.

• Although there are many prophetic passages that pronounce the punishment and terrible tribulation which Israel must one day experience because of their unbelief, there are also many sections in Scripture which speak of the blessings which God has promised His chosen nation, and the cleansing through which they must pass - but first they must turn from their sin and return to the God of their fathers.
• The judgements of God are always fair and altogether righteous and He knew that the failure of the nation's leaders to teach the Word of truth to the people of God would result in curses being poured out on His disobedient and errant nation, instead of the blessings the Lord desired to given them.

• How careful we should be that our reluctance to carry out God's purpose for our lives, does not result in a missed opportunity - and a loss of blessing.

• Israel were the people of God who were promised blessings if they obeyed His Law, but curses if they transgressed His commands, and due to disobedience, these returnees had to be punished.

• David was a man after God's own heart, who spent hours reflecting on the many blessings he received from the God of his salvation.

• Paul saw his four-year-long Roman imprisonment as God's gracious hand of blessing on his life, for it enabled him to share the good news of the gospel of grace with groups of individuals, both Jew and Gentile, that may never have heard the truth of the gospel of Christ.
• During his imprisonment in Rome, Paul penned the epistles to churches at Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae, and he also wrote a beautiful personal letter to his friend Philemon. All of these writings have become an incredible source of blessing and spiritual instruction to centuries of Christians.

• What an indescribable blessing that Christ died for our sins and we will just be receiving rewards.

• They were promised blessings if they would trust and obey the Lord, but were warned of judgement and punishment if they became rebellious and disobedient.
• Their enemies will be destroyed, God will pour out His blessings on His people, and their promised Messiah will come in the clouds of glory to establish His heavenly kingdom of peace and prosperity on earth.

• What blessings are given to those who believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

• It was given for our learning, and all who read it and take it to heart are promised a great blessing.
• But whether human or angelic ministers of Christ, these stars help to lighten the darkness in this fallen world, and it is a great comfort and blessing to see that the stars are held securely in Christ's right hand.

• We cannot create in ourselves a pure heart in order to receive His blessing.

• Similarly, the poor man must never lose sight of the truth that God had given us everything we need for life and godliness and that in Christ we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing: For greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

• A total of seven times, Balaam's prophetic voice brought nothing but speaking blessings upon the people of Israel, much to the anger of the pagan king.

• They had continuously broken the conditions of their covenant with God, which meant that the Lord was soon to punish His people because He not only promised blessings for their obedience, but cursing, punishment, dispersion, and a catalogue of catastrophes because of their defiant rebellion.

• Unlike Israel, we are not under a conditional covenant that results in blessings for obedience and cursings for disobedience, for Christ took all the punishment for our rebellion and sin upon Himself when He became sin for us.

• We brought nothing into this world and will take nothing out of it, and yet too often we spend the majority of our time accumulating unimportant things and glorifying in the gaudy trinkets of this temporal world, at the expense of storing up a heavenly wealth of God's glorious blessings as part of our eternal heritage.
• The love of earthly treasure is a root of all kinds of evil, which can cause the believer to wander from the good news of the gospel of grace It can cause us to forfeit many of the rich blessings that God desires for each of His children to receive.

• Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament, and at the very end of his writings, just before 400 years of silent prophetic voices in Israel, we discover a tiny trace of blessing in his writings and a future hope for the little remnant of faithful Israel, while terrible judgement is the bitter chalice the wicked will have to drink:

• In the preceding verses of his epistle to the Romans, Paul expounds the most extraordinary position, unsurpassed privileges, and catalogue of blessings that belong to every believer in Christ.

• Paul spends a considerable chunk of his second letter to the Corinthians discussing the principles and promises that are connected with true, biblical giving, and he identifies cheerful giving as an obedient, generous heart and a beautiful Christian grace that bring blessings to others, benefit to ourselves, and glory to our Father in heaven.
• Cheerful giving that proceeds from a heart that loves to do the will of the Lord in spirit and in truth is applauded while a gift that is given grudgingly, comes from a heart that has misunderstood the true purpose of giving and which sadly misses the blessings that stream into the life of a faithful and true disciple of the Lord.

• He reveals that blessings are reserved for the faithful few who honour the Lord and look, with expectation, for the coming 'Consolation of Israel'.

• Much time would have to elapse before the promised Blessing which God had pledged to this father of faith, would came to tabernacle among men and give His life as a ransom for many so that through Him, all the families of the earth would be blessed and many would be made righteous, by faith.
• Jesus Christ is the Seed to Whom this particular, staggering Abrahamic promise of world-wide blessing was made, for only the eternal Son of God and perfect Son of Man (Who is the single Seed of Abraham) is able to save His people Israel from their sins, to die for the sin of the whole Gentile world, and to unlock that precious promise that God made to His forefather: That all the families of the earth will be blessed.

• It is no surprise that David was called a man after God's own heart, for he recognised that God alone was His righteousness, and that God alone could be depended upon to relieve his distress, provide for his needs, defeat his enemies, and enlarge his blessings.
• He rejoiced in the One that blessed in preference to counting his blessings.
• Do we seek the Lord Himself in preference to the multiplied blessings and precious promises that are ours, by grace through faith in Christ?

• How often we accuse God of giving preferential blessings to others while He ignores our need and causes us pain as we willingly swallow Satan's deceptive bait.
• And we are also to stop assuming that we deserve God's blessings because we are such good people.
• The plain truth is that none of us deserve any blessings from the Lord, but in His goodness and grace He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places and given us all we need for life and godliness; and it is all by His grace through our faith in Christ, Who is our life.
• James also wants us to recognise ourselves for what we truly are: guilty, undeserving sinners that are saved by the amazing grace of God rather than pretty people that deserve blessings because we see ourselves as somewhat better behaved or more deserving than others.

• This was not a shallow prayer with a pretty petition, which asked for wide-sweeping blessings and ended with the obligatory 'amen'!

• Israel had a covenant relationship with the Lord, but until they fulfilled the terms of the covenant and obeyed His laws and statutes, which included the reinstatement of Temple worship, they would remain out of fellowship with God, and their blessings would be withheld.

• Israel had experienced God's wrath because of their unbelief, but they were also promised blessings if they trusted in the Lord with all their heart... and so Ezra set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.

• As members of the Body of Christ, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing.
• Let us take to heart this exhortation to rejoice in our suffering, for as members of the Body of Christ, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing - not only in this world, but in the ages to come - praise His holy name.

• Epaphroditus was a brother in Christ who had been a blessed co-labourer with Paul and had become a great blessing and encouragement to him while he was in prison.

• At the point of salvation, immeasurable blessings are poured out on all God's children, eternal life becomes a present possession, we are justified in the sight of God, we have passed from death to life, we have been quickened - made alive by God.
• We have been delivered from the wrath to come, are no longer under condemnation, have been given every spiritual blessing, and are a partaker of His promise in Christ by faith in the gospel.
• When we are born again by trusting in Jesus as the sin sacrifice for our sin, there are hundreds more blessings that become ours in Christ Jesus, and they are all YES and AMEN in Him.

• Let us in everything, by prayer and supplication, with humble thanksgiving of heart, praise our heavenly Father Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ... in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting, according to the riches of His grace.

• He pleads that God's sceptre will be used as a staff of comfort and blessing to His people, Israel, and not as the corrective rod of judgement.

• The subject of both dialogues is the gospel of the kingdom, and Jesus begins His discourse in Luke with four blessings for those who by faith follow Him, and four woes for those who reject Christ and His offer of salvation.

• Though Israel has been set aside for a season due to their rebellion and rejection of their God and King, their disobedience and failings have enabled whosoever-will to be invited into the Father's presence and receive His heavenly blessings.

• And so we read that God pronounced a blessing upon Noah and his sons, and that blessing was made manifest when God sent His only begotten Son to be the sin-sacrifice for a wicked and evil race of men, who only do evil continuously.

• Just as Israel were promised wonderful blessings from the Lord if they obeyed His voice, they were also warned of the terrible curses that would overtake them if they did not fulfil their promise: All that the Lord has said, we will do, was Israel's unanimous proclamation.

• John proclaims the importance of the revelation of Jesus Christ within this book and makes proclamations about coming judgement, future rewards, God's offer of salvation, and the promise of forthcoming blessings for all who will COME.

• He praises God for our blessings and gives thanks to the Lord for His supernatural power in our lives, which is manifest in our great salvation.

• But the Lord Jesus spoke gracious words of comfort and encouragement to their troubled hearts, caring words that have travelled down the corridors of time and been such a blessing to so many countless saints: Let not your heart be troubled...

• If the nation remained faithful to the Lord, He promised them unimaginable blessings, while disobedience would necessitate punishment.

• Following his initial greeting, he often offers blessings, prayers, and thanksgiving for various good and positive things with the Body of Christ which are worthy of commendation.

• The song of nations should be one that resounds with praise and thanksgiving to the Triune God from Whom all blessings flow.

• It was a good Law and contained many blessings for any who could keep its statutes, but it had a weakness.
• It contains superior promises of grace, an inner change of the heart, unlimited blessings, sins forgiven, and an eternal hope laid up in heaven for all who would trust in the Lord Jesus Christ: our Prophet, Priest, and King.

• The warning of this cautionary tale is that we do not to lose faith in the precious promises of God, for He has promised that His grace is sufficient in every difficult circumstance of life, and no matter what 'giants' we may encounter as we journey through life, we have His assurance of a victorious life with spiritual blessings - and rest for our soul.

• Some years earlier, Paul had written extensively to this same Church to rejoice in their divine election, their adoption into the family of God, the privileges of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the spiritual blessings that have been poured out in such abundance on all who have trusted Christ for salvation.
• What do they, and we, have to do in order to receive this blessing?

• Amidst his predictions of doom for Israel's wealthy oppressors and his denunciation of their ungodly leaders and covetous clerics, Micah gave a wonderful description of Israel's future blessings, which are to become a reality in the prophesied Millennial rule of Christ.

• He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God and spiritual blessing rested upon Him.

• Let us contemplate these glorious truths that are ours by grace through faith in Christ Jesus and let us conclude that He is worthy to receive all power, riches, wisdom, might, honour, glory, and blessing.

• And although we should delight to praise God for the many blessings we receive from Him, day by day, let us rejoice in heart, soul, mind, and strength that our names are written in heaven.

• The grace that pours into our lives should become a channel of God's blessing which, in turn, is willingly poured out in service to others, for His greater glory and praise.

• There is a blessing in the book of Revelation for all those who read it, listen to it being read aloud, and take to heart all that is written therein.

• We read that Melchizedek gave him a blessing and a promise, with the words: Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth.
• As a result, God blessed him in many ways and even met him on the road bearing bread and wine, and delivering great blessings that would follow him down through time and into the ages to come. 
• Every one of us has the same opportunity to follow in Abram's footsteps and trust God at His Word, and with it receive heavenly blessings from our great God and Saviour OR we can choose to accept the glittering prizes of this passing age and forfeit all that God has prepared for us.

• He had promised to make him into a great nation, bless him mightily, make his name great, and cause him to become a blessing to all the families of the earth.
• The blessing that Abram received from Melchizedek, the royal-priest of God, holds deep spiritual significance.
• This blessing from this priest of the Most High God must have reminded Abram of the promises God made to him many years before.

• This little organ can produce the most beautiful blessings which give glory of God, while at the same time can pour forth the most un-sanctified filth and blasphemy which discredits His holy name.

• In consideration of the great goodness and mercy that has followed us all the days of our life, should we not be those that in-Christ, demonstrate godly mercy and kindness towards others, for in so doing we not only reflect the mercy and love of God but we will receive God's bountiful blessing: For blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy, pressed down, filled up to the brim and running over.

• This old bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ knew that the day of his death drew near, but the eyes of his inner soul were fixed on his God and Saviour, and his heart was moved to bless his brothers and sisters with multiplied blessings, while instructing them to stand fast on the Word of God and not to be hoodwinked by false teachers or demonic doctrines.

• Despite witnessing God's miraculous hand of blessing through Christ's Word and witness, their hearts were filled with worry and doubt.

• In a depressed world that is increasingly focussed on 'self', how important to rejoice in the Lord always, to remember that our blessings come to us continuously from God, to be increasingly thankful for the brothers and sisters He has placed in our path and to lift up one another in prayer and praise with grateful thanks and gracious hearts.

• What a comfort to know that He is with us as we unite in fellowship around a shared meal or simply join together as we break bread and pass the cup of blessing, in remembrance of Him.

• But he also reminds us of Noah who found grace in the eyes of the Lord and the blessings that Job, who was righteous in all his ways, finally received.
• But he also referenced Lot who believed God's Word and yet failed to live the godly life that honours the Lord, and in so doing forfeited many spiritual blessings.

• He declared terrible judgements on various pagan nations and Gentile cities, before alerting Israel of their own punishment for disobedience, and the kingdom blessings that would follow the faithful remnant that honoured the Lord.

• The covenant God gave through Moses warned the people that disobedience would result in judgement while blessings would be given when they kept His covenant and believed His Word.

• Indeed, a blessing is given to all who do so.
• What glorious blessings await these martyred saints who, for whatever reason, did not trust in Christ during the Church dispensation.

• He must choose between life and death, light and darkness, good or evil, blessings or cursings, forgiveness or condemnation, - salvation or destruction.
• The overabundance of God's blessings, both now and in the future, do not translate into the glittering prizes this world affords.

• The blessings we receive by being identified with Christs's death, burial, and Resurrection are enormous - indeed they are eternal.

• No doubt the Lord had His hand of blessing on His handmaiden from her birth, as He does with all who are called and chosen - and no doubt the young woman had heard how her uncle Abram had been called by the Lord to go to a place that He would show him - and how Abraham believed God and was credited with righteousness.

• Paul did not pray a vague prayer of 'blessing' over the saints of God, but beseeched the Lord for their abounding love and spiritual maturity (for a specific purpose), so that in Christ, they would be afforded the wisdom to make the right choices in their lives and approve those things that are good and excellent in the sight of the Lord.

• He promised great blessings if they were true to His Word, obeyed His commands, and remained faithful to the God Who brought them out of Egyptian slavery.
• The same God Who clothed the lilies of the valley and fed the wild birds, guaranteed his people blessings in abundance.

• He spoke of the spiritual blessings in heavenly places that are ours in Him.

• Let us give thanks to the Lord today, for the indescribable blessing of the indwelling Holy Spirit in all who believe in this Church age.

• However: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and we have the assurance that the man who trusts in Him will be lifted up and receive many blessings.

• How important to look to the Lord for our strength and rely upon Him to provide all that we need according to His riches in glory: For His blessing is upon His people for eternity.
• David knew that the Lord Jehovah was his rock, his fortress, and his salvation Whose blessings are upon all His people forever and ever.
• Great is His faithfulness for the Lord our God is our salvation and His blessing is upon all His people throughout time and into eternity.

• And despite the advantage of being God's chosen witnesses on earth to spread God's blessings to all humanity, being entrusted with the holy Scriptures, and the vehicle through whom the Redeemer was to be born, God's chosen people, Israel, were also incapable of being made righteous through their own human efforts.

• Their disgusting behaviour and rank disobedience was so monstrous that God had to withhold His blessings from His people so that their land lay desolate, their cities were besieged, and their pasture was burned with fire.

• When Christ returns to earth to rule and reign as God's appointed King of all kings, there will be blessings for many nations.
• There are prophetic writings that foretell the terrible time of Jacob's Trouble and the judgement that will come upon those who reject God's offer of salvation, but there are also many passages that teach of wonderful kingdom blessings that will accompany the millennial rule of Christ.

• Psalm 1 tells us of one who delights in the Lord: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. The Psalm goes on to tell us what blessing flow from delighting in the Lord: He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.

• But as the time for his departure drew ever closer, Moses once again ratified the terms of God's covenant with these words: I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.
• The same choice between life and death (the blessing and the curse), is extended to all people, and although the specific terms of the Law of Moses applied to Israel alone, we are all born dead in trespasses and sins, and we are all placed under the curse of the Law.
• Christ was made a curse for us so that we might receive the blessings of God, and it is all by grace through faith in Him.
• And the eternal, heavenly, glorious, UNCONDITIONAL blessings that follow the one Who believes in Him by grace through faith, are beyond our human comprehension.

• Because we are in Christ and have become members of His Body, we have been lavished with all kinds of spiritual blessings, by grace through faith.

• He promised them great blessing if they would simply trust His Word.

• However, from verse 17, the author introduces the theme of faith that is tested through life's trials and tribulations and the blessings that come through faithful obedience to the Word of the Lord.

• There are dozens of spiritual blessings that are available to every born-again child of God, for we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing, through faith in Christ.

• There are many material blessings that shine down on those who love and fear the Lord, for which we rejoice with exceeding great joy.
• However, the greatest blessings of all are the abundant, spiritual blessings we have received, through faith in our crucified and risen Saviour, for the means of grace and the hope of glory.

• And the world often portrays the Lord Jesus as a bit of a push-over with His teachings on being meek and mild-mannered, loving your enemies, blessing those who curse you, and praying for those that despitefully use you. 

• In this way, as well as glorifying the Lord, we will live at peace with our brothers and sisters, and be a blessing to them.

• Solomon was a man whose life seemed to overflow with the sort of blessings that so many chase after today: fame and fortune, glory and honour, prosperity and power, riches and authority, longevity and foresight, talents and skill, cleverness, aptitude, artistry, and wisdom: wine, women, and song!
• Solomon could be described as 'having it all', and yet he was an unfulfilled man because he allowed his apparent success and blessings to turn his heart away from the Lord.

• Israel may have been promised abundant blessings from the Lord, but they were also guaranteed severe discipline if they broke their covenant with Him.

• We are to recall the blessings which are ours in Jesus Christ, and we are to return into His loving embrace and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

• Blessings from the Lord were beginning to flow.
• They all heard that God had visited His people with favour and all three decided to go to Bethlehem for bread and blessings.
• The Lord had patiently waited for Naomi to turn back to Him so that He could bless her with many blessings, one of which would be a child that would one day be born through her daughter-in-law, Ruth.

• There was nevertheless a little remnant that were faithful to the Lord, and Isaiah encouraged them as he told them of their coming Messiah and of the many blessings that are stored up for the people of God: Who works and shows Himself active on behalf of all who earnestly wait for Him and trust His Word.

• The book of Genesis contains many blessings and promises, as well as some curses and punishment.
• In the previous few chapters, we see Jacob giving out some significant blessings and promises, as well as delivering some hard penalties for ungodly behaviour.
• Although his three eldest sons were included in the 'blessing' their father gave in his farewell address to his sons, Jacob's refusal to bestow the coveted kingship role onto any of these men, equates to a curse, or at least a severe chastening.
• Each one lost the blessing that could have been theirs, because of their ungodly ways.

• What an astonishing privilege we find within the pages of Scripture – for the Spirit of God determined our fallen and eternally condemned status in the world, but in His goodness and grace, outlined all we need to receive His promised blessing of salvation, the forgiveness of sin, and life everlasting.Scripture is a supernatural document that has been delivered to us all through the pens of the apostles, the prophets, and the life of the Lord Jesus, which explains that we are all prisoners of sin and under the authority of Satan... with death, hell, and eternal separation from our God, as the bitter fruit of our fallen nature.
• But God has taken the wicked, evil plan of Satan and turned it into eternal blessings for all who depend, by faith, on the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour.
• Should we not read, mark, learn, inwardly digest, and apply all the treasures that are given to us through this open secret, which is His precious Word, for Scripture has shown that all are the prisoners of sin – in order that God’s promised blessing, which depends on faith in Jesus Christ, may be given to all who believe in Him.

• In his introductory remarks, Peter scatters before us the manifold wisdom of God, the superabundant blessings that are ours in Christ, the multiplied glories of salvation, and the eternal inheritance which is kept for us in heaven; all of which we receive by His grace, through faith in Christ's sacrificial death, burial, and Resurrection.
• And so, in the light of our superabundant blessings, the multiplied glories of salvation and our eternal inheritance which is kept for us in heaven, Peter encourages us not to faint at the problems and persecutions that pepper our path through life, but to allow our trials and temptations to develop in us a tried and tested faith that trusts God no matter what.

• This is also a day when we should rejoice and be glad in Him and the many blessings and wonders that the Lord has done for us.

• Psalm 9 reminds us we should not only remember the wonder of God and His great blessings and deliverances, but should continually exalt Him, praise Him, and thank Him, both privately and in public, for all His grace and favour towards us.
• May we remember past blessings and times of deliverance and thank Him for His grace and favour towards us.

• Paul knew the importance of a spiritual understanding of the blessings we have already received as a free gift of God's grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

• James warns: Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing, and scolds his readers by saying: My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

• The constant indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all Church age believers, from the moment we are saved, is a blessing of such magnitude, it is hard to comprehend.

• The Lord promised to provide for him, protect him from his enemies, make his name great, bless him abundantly, and cause him to be a great blessing to all the families of the earth. 
• Having the wonderful blessing that was to be his inheritance, this hero of the faith went a little further on and in verse 8 we read: Then Abraham proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD.
• The saving faith that brought Abraham out of a pagan land and a godless world, was deepening into an ongoing sanctifying faith where God would continue to prove His faithfulness to his servant; provide for him, protect him from his enemies, make his name great, bless him abundantly, and cause him to be a great blessing to all the families of the earth. 

• We can forgo blessings in this life by not abiding in Christ, and we can forfeit rewards in the life to come, by living a carnal, legalistic life, rather walking in spirit and truth.

• Solomon prayed a blessing over the entire nation, and blessed the Lord God before the whole congregation.

• Blessing those that curse us and praying for those that mistreat us... without retaliation, is such a distinctive love that it is rare and beautiful and only exhibited in the lives of those that die to their own desires and live for the glory of God.

• Let us ensure that our hearts are circumcised and in right standing with the Lord - lest we become stiff-necked and forfeit the blessings that God has prepared for those that love Him.

• And no matter what difficulties and dangers he faced, we always discover David crying out to the Lord in prayer: Lead me, O Lord in Your righteousness because of my foes, was his oft repeated plea: Make Your way straight before my path. And in the difficulties and dangers he faced, David prayed for guidance and justice, he sought God's help and strength, and he asked for the blessing of the Lord for himself and for others.

• We are holy unto the Lord and are to be instruments of righteousness - set apart for Him - and the intertwined blessings of grace and peace (charis and shalom) is the beautiful benediction that anoints the heads of all the people of God, Grace to you and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Having detailed the wealth of our spiritual blessings, which God has freely bestowed upon all who are in Christ, we are beseeched by Paul to walk worthy of that calling which is honouring to the Lord.

• At other times, His chastening may be used to prepared us for a particular blessing that He desires to give us, but His chastening rod is equipped to do both.

• We have been declared righteous by the Lord and showered with every spiritual blessing, simply because we have trusted in the shed blood of Christ for the remission of sins and life everlasting.
• And the more we spend time in His presence, in prayer, praise, and the study of His Word, the greater we will discover the benefits of blessing the Lord at all times and continually praising His holy name.

• Satan had wagered that Job would curse God when such intense disasters befell him, but Job recognised that everything he had was a gift from the Lord, and acknowledged that God retains the right to bestow blessings and remove them.
• Godly devotion, saintly worship and reverential fear of our heavenly Father is not perfected through multiplied blessing, but is often fine-tuned through the long night of doubt and sorrow, or during painful times of trial and tribulation - for it is often when we are in pain that we hold fast to our heavenly Creator.

• He alone is worthy to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

• However, as the Lord's covenanted people, they forgot that obedience would bring them blessings, while disobedience would result in punishment, and God used the bread of adversity, and waters of affliction to get their attention.
• In His grace, He did not cut them off forever and was always ready to give those who would repent of their sins an opportunity to return to Him and receive His blessings.

• What a blessing that Jesus is our Good Shepherd, and He knows us all so well.

• Moses had warned them centuries before, that rebellion and apostasy would result in judgement falling on the Nation, while faithfulness would result in blessing... and the first section of Isaiah's writings make it clear that the nation was ripe for judgement.
• Although there are little glimpses of coming glory and future blessings strewn throughout this section, the certainty of chastening and punishment threads its way through the entire document.
• And although Isaiah prophesied that a righteous Ruler would arise as the nation's sin-bearer and sacrifice... Who would be their Redeemer and Restorer, Israel had to understand that their punishment was due to their apostasy... and the reason for the coming blessings and future glory for a faithful remnant was because of God's mercy and grace.

• Little did they know the Lord Jesus Christ came as the Consolation of Israel, through Whom all God's promised blessings would flow.
• Great blessings will be poured out on them, and upon the whole world.

• Israel had been chosen by God to be separated unto the Lord, a people called by Him, a nation of priests, a light to the Gentiles, a blessing to all the nations, a people with a circumcised heart who were holy unto the Lord.
• We are called to be separated unto the Lord, a people called by His name, a blessing to all the nations, a people with a circumcised heart who are holy unto the Lord.

• Glory to God in the highest heaven, was the hymn that the angels sang at Christ's birth, and it continues, peace on earth, goodwill to men, or more accurately it should read... goodwill to men of peace - God's blessing on those that have made peace with God, by faith in Christ.

• Christians are covered in His righteousness and as members of His Body, we have access to every spiritual blessing because we are in Christ - and one of those promises is God's promised REST.

• God promised to bless him and make his name great.  You will be a blessing, he was promised. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the people of the earth will be blessed through you.

• God had promised that if Israel honoured Him by keeping the conditions of the covenant, He would multiply blessings upon them in every area of life, BUT He also warned that if they broke their covenant with Him, they would be cursed and He would scatter them among the nations.

• The faithful remnant who remained steadfast in their faith, were promised blessings because they had not soiled their garments, they had stayed faithful to the truth of the gospel, trusted God's Word, and honoured His name.

• Despite being indwelled by the Holy Spirit of God, positioned in Christ, and the recipients of the many blessings given to ALL believers, these Corinthian believers chose to live according to their fleshly lusts, and were not walking in spirit and truth.

• BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.' These prophetic words of blessing, which are found in the book of Psalms, fell from the lips of a great multitude that followed Him that day... when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey - declaring Himself as Israel's King.

• Many of the blessings and promises on which we stand, had yet to be written and Stephen died without reading that His grace is sufficient and that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

• Little children and young people were being brought to the Good Shepherd for His blessing... and yet the demonstrable hardness of these disciples' hearts is only counterbalanced by Christ's strong rebuke of their behaviour towards these tender hearts - hearts that were open to His saving grace.

• What an indescribable blessing that He has already seated us in heavenly places with Christ.

• The custom of the day was that the firstborn son would not only become the patriarch of the family but receive the blessing of his father, while any other sons would remain subservient to the firstborn.
• Jacob was to be the one to inherit the blessing and authority, after his father passed.
• Although he was well aware of the prophetic Word given to Rebekah, Isaac was determined to give his blessing to Esau, the older twin, who had married two pagan wives and was not the one God had chosen to be his successor.
• Jacob was to be the one through whom the blessing was to pass.
• And so, as the day of his death drew closer and in utter defiance of the Lord, Isaac ignored the Word of the Lord and prepared to transfer the blessing to Esau, secretly.
• While Isaac favoured the outgoing Esau, who had become a great hunter, Rebekah delighted in the home-loving Jacob, and so he did not tell his wife about his decision to give his blessing to Esau.
• How disappointing that Rebekah showed such a lack of faith in the Lord, by taking it on herself to scupper Isaac's rebellious defiance of God, instead of leaving it in His hands - instead she used human reason and schemed with Jacob to steal back the blessing that was his by right.
• Esau continued along his chosen, compromised pathway of paganism, while Jacob not only cooperated with his scheming mother to steal the blessing from Esau but readily lied to his father.

• They had promised to obey all that God said, and the Lord promised blessings for obedience, but warned of curses for disobedience.
• Indeed, we have become ministers of God's New Covenant, and we are recipients of multiplied blessings that God has promised to all who believe on the name of Jesus..
• God's New Covenant, which He promised to the united kingdoms of Israel and Judah, have brought great blessings on the Gentile nations, for it is the Lord, Who has reconciled US to Himself, by the blood of Jesus Christ.

• Although they were a stubborn and rebellious people, Israel started to repent of their ungodly behaviour and Moses was also distressed to think of God destroying His redeemed people and transferring His blessing to Moses, and his descendants.

• While proclaiming Israel's need to cleanse their heart, mend their ways, and obey the Law given through Moses, Malachi assured them of the never-failing love God had towards them, and that His promised blessings would start to flow to those who trust in Him and obey His Word.

• In His goodness and mercy, Israel's transgressions will be pardoned by God and they will become a channel of everlasting blessing to all the nations during the coming millennial rule of Christ in Jerusalem.

• The Church has not replaced Israel but, for the time-being, God is working through His Body, the Church, and one of the many blessings that have been given to ALL believers, is the permanent, indwelling Holy Spirit for all time and into eternity.

• God in His grace takes and uses ALL things - both the good and the bad, the difficult situations and the easy times, the disappointments of life and the blessings we receive - the works of evil and the prayers of the saints... and He works them together for the good of His people..

• Yes, Isaac favoured Esau over Jacob and determined to give him his blessing.
• However, rather than making it a family affair, Isaac quietly instructed his favourite son to go and catch some game, and to prepare a plate of his delicious, home-made venison, after which he would bestow on him, his blessing.
• However, Rebekah overheard the conversation and set about conspiring with their younger son, to deceive Isaac into giving his blessing to Jacob instead of Esau.
• And so, dressed in Esau's clothes and having disguised his appearance, Jacob lied to his father and received the most beautiful blessing that was rightfully his, Now may God give you of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, and an abundance of grain and new wine.
• Considering that he thought he was giving his blessing to Esau, the firstborn son, instead of the child God had chosen, demonstrates the shocking decline in Isaac's spiritual walk with the Lord.
• Isaac thought that his secret pact with Esau was outsmarting the Lord, but the blessing he bestowed on his younger son, made Jacob, not Esau the spiritual head of the family.
• To Jacob and not Esau was given the blessing that would pass from generation to generation.
• The blessing Isaac pronounced overflowed with fruitfulness and many blessings.
• It was a benediction that had its roots in the unconditional promise the Lord gave to Abraham, through whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed, and is reflected in the blessing that Jacob himself, passed on to his own sons and their offspring, many years later.
• The blessing Jacob received from his father covered an abundance of food at harvest times and a plentiful supply of drink, but in reality, the blessing he gave to Jacob came from God, and confirmed the things that the Lord had promised to Abraham - first through Isaac, and then through Jacob - just as the prophecy given to his mother stated - two nations are in your womb; two peoples will come from your body and the older shall serve the younger.

• And in Genesis 27, we read that under Rebekah's direction, Jacob willingly participated in an ungodly scheme to deceive his father into giving him the family blessing that Isaac was secretly preparing to give to Esau, his firstborn son.
• In those days, a father's blessing was usually given to the firstborn, and although he was well aware that God had chosen Jacob to be his rightful heir and successor, Isaac had decided to bless Esau instead.
• Having overheard a covert meeting between her husband and Esau, Rebekah quickly plotted with Jacob to overturn her husband's plans so that Jacob would receive the blessing, as God had ordained.
• Esau had been told by Isaac to kill some game and make him a tasty stew, after which his father would bestow his blessing upon him.
• Dressing Jacob in Esau's clothes and reassuring her son that there was no need to fear, she prepared a tasty meal and instructed their younger son how best to deceive his father into blessing him... and Jacob was a willing participant.
• The blessing Isaac would bestow on Jacob would be a double portion of his father's wealth as well as being given the coveted position as head of the family - but the deceptive manner in which the blessing was stolen would be recorded in Scripture as a testimony to Jacob's carnality and lack of faith.
• And no sooner had Isaac unwittingly given his blessing to Jacob, his younger son, than we read that Esau, his older twin brother, came in from his hunting.
• And so, having taken great lengths to scheme with his mother, deceive his father, tell Isaac an outright lie, and cheat his brother of the inheritance we read, Now it came about, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob and Jacob had hardly gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.

• He speaks of God's gracious blessing on believing Jews, which will be finalised with the establishment of the Kingdom of God, and the millennial rule of Jesus Christ our Saviour, for the deliverers will ascend Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esau, and the kingdom will be the Lord's.

• The foolish plans devised by human wisdom are no match for the eternal plan of Almighty God and His omniscient power and riches, wisdom and might, honour, glory, and blessing.

• It was God and not man Who ordained marriage and its many blessings in the beginning.

• Peter tells us in his epistle, that God's divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness, and in Ephesians we read that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, because of our faith in Christ.

• What an amazing blessing to have the Holy Spirit indwelling us, teaching us, interceding for us, leading us.

• Similarly, the blessings and benefits of godly wisdom and the destructive danger of a proud heart is a subject which not only reverberates throughout the book of Proverbs, but we find it echoing through this central chapter. 

• To further his nefarious plan, Jacob blatantly lied to his father and plotted with his mother to steal the blessing that Isaac was preparing to bestow upon Esau, his firstborn son.
• Having stolen Esau's blessing, Jacob had to escape from his angry brother and fled to his uncle Laban in Mesopotamia, where the Lord used this unscrupulous relative and his envious cousins to teach Jacob the importance of trusting the Lord with all his heart and not leaning on his own understanding, skill, manipulation, or deceit to receive the blessings that God had already promised.

• It was Moses through whom the Law was given to God's chosen nation, and it was Moses who instructed His people how to live, if they were to receive God's blessings.

• And to those that believe in His name, He has stored up for us grace upon grace and poured out blessing upon blessing, for we are accepted in the Beloved and eternally secured in Christ.
• For He has already blessed us in the heavenlies with every spiritual blessing through time and eternity – in CHRIST.

• Later, we learn that Job was severely tested by Satan and as the book progresses, we gain insight into his own attitude towards God, and his friend's incorrect doctrine that God's blessing exclusively falls on the righteous while His punishment only touches wicked men.
• The entire dialogue in Job exposes this misconception, and in the New Testament, James clearly explains that God's blessings are not exclusively for the righteous and His punishment is not exclusively for the wicked: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes from the Father of lights, Who never changes... for the Lord causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.
• It also helps to identify the faulty perception of God, to which most of the world clings: that God's blessings fall exclusively on the righteous while retribution only touches wicked men.

• But Solomon had failed to reference the conditional covenant that God had made with Israel at Sinai through their great leader Moses, where blessings would result from Israel's obedience and faithfulness, but curses would result from their disobedience and apostasy.

• Paul knew that we have been given every spiritual blessing in Christ and are the blessed recipients of the riches of God's grace.

• However, the foolish plans devised by human wisdom are no match for the eternal plan of Almighty God and His omniscient power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

• In the final verses of the book, we discover the depth of God's love for Israel, who are urged to repent of their sins and finally to benefit from God's gracious blessings and everlasting faithfulness - just as Gomer finally repented of her adultery and unfaithfulness.

• We are promised a blessing if we hear and read the words of this book and take them to heart... and in this verse, we are called individually and collectively to HEAR what the Spirit of God says to the churches.

• It was not so much the value of the gift that Paul received which caused him to be joyful, but knowing that by blessing him - these Christians would be blessed of the Lord, themselves.
• and Paul knew that this godly gift would add to their blessing in time and spiritual rewards in eternity.

• Instructions that, if we were to take heed, would be a blessing to our Christian witness and our daily walk with the Lord.

• Indeed, a multitude of blessings were showered on us the very hour we first believed.

• No wonder Paul added at the end of this verse His oft repeated blessing: Grace to you and peace.

• But most were more interested in outward physical blessings which are temporal, than the inward spiritual blessings which are eternal.

• Despite the covenant God made with His people, where blessings would result from obedience and curses would be the outcome of disobedience, chapter 28 shows the foolishness of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, who preferred to place their trust in the surrounding nations rather than in their sovereign God.

• That memorable night in which Christ was to share the final Passover with His disciples, wash the sweaty feet of each of His beloved followers, break bread and pass the cup of blessing, was to explode into the bitter-sweetness of Calvary's Cross.

• He would bless them with untold blessings if they obeyed - but if they did not follow His laws, He would have to punish them and use a people who would bring forth the fruit of righteousness..

• Like David, we should foster a teachable spirit and be ready to call out to Him in times of trouble, as well as rejoice in times of blessing.

• What a blessing from our Lord, our Comforter.

• In the Church age, we are not called to keep the Mosaic Law, nor are we instructed to build the Temple of God in Jerusalem or offer sacrifices on an alter to gain His approval and receive His blessing.

• Indeed, a blessing has been promised to all who read and take to heart the things that are written in these seven epistles... and we would do well to carefully read, mark, learn, inwardly digest, apply, and take to heart, all that the Spirit is telling us in this important prophetic book.

• Oh, what a blessing that the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

• He reminded them of God's continuous blessings during the wilderness wanderings, despite Israel's murmurings and unbelief, and he recalled the numerous times that God delivered Israel's enemies into their hands.
• We have been saved, redeemed, and blessed with every spiritual blessing.

• Israel were told that if they kept the terms of their covenant, they would gain His blessings.

• Surely, we should sing and make joyful music in our hearts to the Lord our God, for He alone is worthy of all the glory and might, majesty and dominion, power, praise, and blessing.

• The nation of Israel may have broken their covenant with God, rejected their Messiah, and failed to complete in the good work that God had prepared them to do, but their sinful lack and foolish rebellion meant that the rest of the world received great blessings: Their stumbling brings untold wealth for the world, and their failure, riches for the Gentiles.
• How much greater will be the blessings and abundant riches for the Gentiles, when the nation of Israel finally recognises Jesus as Lord and welcomes Him as their Messiah and King?

• And the refreshing dew from heaven that is so beautifully promised to revive Israel is equally God's promise to the Church, for we have already been showered with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms, in Christ.
• And God has promised even more wonderful blessing to follow, of which we are incapable of imagining: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.

• He does not want a heart that is only interested in God's blessings.

• As with all his letters, the little epistle of first Timothy provides each of God's children with great encouragement and edification, authoritative instruction on living the Christian life, and wisdom in combatting false teachings, as well as the blessings of God's grace, the joy of His mercy and His perfect peace in our hearts, a peace which passes understanding.

• But before we can take a breath and spend some time enjoying this moment, we immediately we read: After this, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil. After the Jordan blessing came the wilderness testings.

• Chapter 9, presents details of Israel's past election, the blessings God bestowed on them, and the Lord's unrestricted, sovereign freedom to carry out His plans and purposes through whosoever He wills.

• And in every story, we recognise God's hand of blessing and His sceptre of righteousness, guiding every event for the benefit of His people and for His greater glory.

• With the King's arrival and the authentic testimony of His Messianic claims, the Lord Jesus set about detailing the necessary requirements to enter His coming kingdom and the blessings that would be extended to His subjects.

• He rejoices in the spiritual blessings we have received, through faith in Him.

• But it is also: The honour of kings to search out a matter, and there are a myriad of blessings for those who choose to search out the things of God.

• It details the apostasy of God's chosen people, Israel, who had to be cut off for the hardness of their heart, and it records how their stumbling led to great blessings for the Gentiles who were grafted into the eternal Root (until the fullness of the Gentiles is reached), in order to provoke Israel to jealousy and repentance.
• Because of Israel's apostasy, the Church was brought into being: God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us the men and women of faith listed in Hebrews 11: Would not be made perfect. But in like manner, the multiplied blessings that have been given to the Church will be greatly increased and much more extensive once Israel has been restored to their covenant relationship with their God!

• What a glorious blessing that Jesus is our great High Priest Who ever lives to intercede on our behalf, when Satan makes his cruel accusations.

• He reminds us that as born again children of God, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ and have been given all the power we need to live a holy life.

• His threefold 'ascension' qualifies JESUS to be the One to give spiritual blessings to the Church and heavenly gifts to all who will believe on His name.