YOUR BLESSINGS

Receiving Blessings from God What are some keys that unlock the windows of heaven so that we can receive more of what we ask from our heavenly Father? Does the Bible state what we must do to receive what we ask from God? Yes, it does in John 3:21-22: "21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." (KJV) The purpose of this article is to describe four keys to receiving blessings from God. Keep God's Commandments We must keep God's 10 commandments. Obedience is one important way that we show that we truly love God as shown in I John 5:3: "3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." (KJV) Be a Profitable Servant What must we do if we are to be profitable servants to God and please him? Luke shows us in Luke 17:7-10. "7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." (KJV) Would an employer give a raise or bonus to an employee simply because the employee comes to work on time and performs the basic requirements of the job? No. An employee receives raises and bonuses because the employee goes above and beyond the basic job requirements. A good employee does more work than is required to help generate profits for the employer so that the employer can afford to give the employee a raise or a bonus. Likewise, we are to do more than God requires of us to receive a greater reward both in this life and in the Kingdom of God. God is pleased when we do more than is required of us in our zeal for serving him. Be a Cheerful Giver When we become profitable servants by doing more than is required of us, we can begin to receive blessings from God. What must we do to receive even more blessings? The answer is in II Corinthians 9:6-8: "6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (KJV) If we wish to reap a bountiful harvest of blessings, we must sow the field bountifully with the seeds of cheerful giving. If we want to experience real, abundant living, we must practice real, abundant giving. We are to purpose in our hearts to give to God and others. We should plan our giving carefully. We should give because we want to do so, not because we have to give. We can give of our money, our time, and our prayers. Is there another way in which we can give to God? II Corinthians 9:9 shows another way to give to God: "9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever." (KJV) Proverbs 19:17 also describes the blessings that come from giving to the poor: "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." (KJV) Giving to the poor is like loaning money to God. God signs the promissory note for what we give to the poor. God will never default, but the note is not a demand note. It is not a note that we can force God to pay on our demand at the time of our choosing. God decides when to repay the debt. Jesus Christ came that we might have life more abundantly, but we will receive most of our reward in the Kingdom of God. Walk by Faith As we walk down life's trail, we often cannot see far ahead of us. Sometimes the trail has twists and turns that we did not see. Sometimes fog covers the trail, and we need the light of God's word to see the next blaze. We are to walk down life's trail with faith as shown in Hebrews 11:6. "6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (KJV) Yes, we must walk by faith, which is the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). We need to follow the trail that God has shown us. We do not need to see all the trail as long as we see the next blaze that God has marked to let us know we are the right trail. Just as human parents provide for their children, God as our Father wants to give us good things (Matthew 7:11). We are to seek his will for our lives as we walk by faith. If we do so, the rewards from God are sure, but they may not come in the form or at the time that we might desire. Conclusion The are several keys to opening the windows of heaven to receive abundant blessings from God. We must (1) keep God's commandments, (2) be a profitable servant, (3) be a cheerful giver, and (4) walk by faith. These keys are not the only keys. Other scriptures show additional ways that we can please God. Through a diligent study of of the Bible, we can learn more perfectly how to please God, live an abundant life, and receive blessings from God. PRAISE MAKES ME HAPPY. GIVE GOD THE PRAISE PEOPLE

 YOU ARE BLESSED AND YOU DO NOT KNOW IT BECAUSE YOU DO NOT TRY TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR BLESSINGS ARE...

 Let us pray: Holy spirit of God, thank you for your true blessings of life that you gave to me. Open my eyes to behold it before you call me home to my eternal home. Lord I know that the breath I breathe each day is you in me and I in you. Holy Spirit I love and thank you for your blessings that you are pouring out on me. In Jesus name.