Welcome back to the Final Part of our series: How to Give and Receive a Blessing!
Last time we discovered the secret behind receiving a blessing, was the answer SURRENDER. A surrendered heart will always receive the fullness of a blessing, and a surrendered heart receives a Blessing for what it is, as it is, no matter what it is.
The value in a blessing is not in what it is, but the heart behind it.
Our challenge was linked to this statement: The worth or the value you put on anything will determine how we treat it and what we will do with it.
We took this question, as a ponder, prayer point to God: When I receive a gift or a blessing, what is my worth or value of the gift or blessing set by?
Today we continue where we left off. In the bible there’s a scripture that points out what inhabits us or stops us from receiving the Kingdom of God in it fullness, this list seems quite straight forward to begin with, yet along the way it seems to get mixed up with some unlikely thoughts that challenge heart conditions,ones that seem almost out of place, maybe even petty.
Here we need to remember that He who judges our hearts is always after the most transformation and renewal possible, so He can release or gift more of His kingdom to us. Let take a look at this scripture
Galatians 5:19-21 TPT
“The cravings of the self-life are obvious: Sexual immorality, lustful thoughts, pornography, chasing after things instead of God, manipulating others, hatred of those who get in your way, senseless arguments, resentment when others are favoured, temper tantrums, angry quarrels, only thinking of yourself, being in love with your own opinions, being envious of the blessings of others, murder, uncontrolled addictions, wild parties, and all other similar behaviour. Haven’t I already warned you that those who use their “freedom” for these things will not inherit the kingdom realm of God“!
Here is a good place to start for anything that stops us receiving the Kingdom of God (a full genuine relationship with the Father of unconditional Love), would it not also stop us receiving the fullness of every blessing which comes our way?
So how do we walk and live in a way to be free from the above constraints? We thank the Lord, for in His kindness not only has He given us grace and a place to continually walk towards this goal, that is without the clutter of mistakes or failures on the journey. Hallelujah, He is FAITHFUL to forgive.
1 John 1:9 (NIV)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”.
I love that the Lord always has SET UP and GIVES a BETTER WAY or journey for us, called The Way of Escape, as without this nothing we do will succeed.
1 Corinthians 10:13
“We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously”. (NIV)
But how has He done this? Galatians 5:22 answers..
“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:
joy that overflows,
peace that subdues,
patience that endures,
kindness in action,
a life full of virtue,
faith that prevails,
gentleness of heart, and
strength of spirit.
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless”. (TPT)
I’m trying to make this point: The Lord is God of exchange, of providing a better way, and the end of this verse says: it is LIMITLESS.
Instead of focusing on what you are doing wrong He in His wisdom gives you a way, posture and position to do things differently, an exchange of new for old, in ways, motive, action or heart conviction, which is exactly what these verses are about, meaning we are able to truly receive His blessing and all other blessings.
And after providing the way, through suggestion and invitation, HE EAGERLY WAITS as one of His biggest values is free will, which is always concreted in the foundation ‘unconditional Love for us’.
Yes, this is like the Lord giving us a test and the answers that go with it. For He cannot wait to see what we will write down on the test paper (the test paper of life from present to future as real in what we have inherited through His Son’s death)
Challenge Today:
Using Galatians 5:22, take each of the words of heart conviction or action, and simply try and introduce them into everything you do, until they become a lifestyle.
Please know that He is aware all this cannot be done and He knows you will slip up on the journey!
Which is why He Gave The Cloud of Witness (Hebrew 11), Jesus, Holy spirit and the angels all are cheering you on, to complete the race before you, so you can receive in fullness all the blessings that come your way without measure.
Father help us as we stand in the present You have provided for us through Your Son, to embrace and walk into the future You have provided for us, a life of Fullness and abundance. In Jesus name. Amen
Craig Patten
Itinerate Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Ministries