It is easy to lose our life’s passion and accept less than what God had planned for us.  I keep hearing in my mind the Scripture that says: Christ came to give us a rich and satisfying life.  Have you missed it, do you feel God has not adequately blessed you?  What may be the reason?  Is it because God isn’t giving out blessings anymore or is it something that you may have failed to do?

At the very beginning, we are all born sinners.  We did nothing bad to become one, we just inherited being one.  A sinners’ nature is to be self-centered and selfish.  Our bodies want to be treated by all kinds of pleasures.  We are told and believe that there is a spirit world that has tremendous influence over every person born.  We have these two negative influences constantly pressuring us to make decisions that keep us separated from God.  These negative influences draw us to sin.    There is a conscience that we have that seems to be at war with the two negative influences.  We know what is right but do not have the will to do what is right. Once we hear the Gospel we want to rid ourselves of the guilt we feel and become delivered from who I am—the sinner. I no longer want to be disobedient and separated from God.  As we hear and read Scripture it tells us many times that God wants to bless us.  We should be expecting an abundant or satisfying life of peace, calmness and joy.  God says that is what He wants us to have.

We read that to be accepted by God we must be redeemed or be rescued from being the sinner.  Through Christ’s death and resurrection He paid for our redemption.  Our separation from God came through Adam and our acceptance by Christ allows us to become reconciled to God and become a member of His family.  The Bible tells us that our sinful nature, that we inherited, must be crucified with Christ.  Our old nature must die out as we accept becoming a new person with a new nature that will be guided by the Holy Spirit so that we can become more like Christ.

Romans 5:18 – “Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.”

II Corinthians 5:17 – “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Philippians 4:6 – 8 – “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

God promises so many positive things can happen to us once we become His son or daughter.  God’s blessings often require faith and obedience.  When was the last time God blessed you?  If you are not looking for blessings maybe you would not recognize one if received.  If you were delayed on your way to work, is it possible that God kept you from becoming involved in a serious accident?  Are there times that good things happen to you and you feel lucky?  Why not accept it as a blessing from God?

Are there times when you feel that you are not worthy to receive a blessing from God?  Did that feeling come from the Holy Spirit or from one of your negative spiritual influences?  Do you ever sense that God does not love you enough to bless you?  Where did that thought come from?  Recognize you have a battle going on consistently in your mind trying to persuade you into making choices.  A believer must call on the Holy Spirit to run interference for them.  God has a plan for you so don’t be satisfied with anything less than what you dream you could be or do.  It is highly possible that dream came from God; and it is a blessing that God is waiting to provide, if you are obediently living according to His Will and have the faith to believe He will do it.  From personal experience I have been blessed far more than I ever dreamed or expected.  I also believe it was a result of doing my best to being obedient to His Will and having the faith to believe.

Colossians 3:1 – 5 “ Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.  So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.”

Luke 6:21 – 23 – “What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man.  When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.”