Friday, May 9, 2014

Shalom,

I have encountered many people over the years of ministry who wanted a simple formula to follow in order to walk in the blessings of God and His Word. We KNOW that 3 John 2 reveals to us that God wants us to be blessed:

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

We also know that God stands behind His promises! Look at 2 Corinthians 1:20a:

20a For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. 

On HIS part they are Amen (so be it)! How do we do OUR part? Our Psalm for today gives us that simple and powerful formula! Look at Psalm 128:1-2:

BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who fears, reveres, and worships the Lord, who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments. For you shall eat [the fruit] of the labor of your hands; happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) shall you be, and it shall be well with you.

First of all we must fear, revere and worship HIM! That means to make Him our #1 priority in life, over everyone and everything else! When HE is our first priority, everything and everyone in our lives WILL be blessed beyond measure, too! Then we are instructed to "walk in His ways and live according to His commandments". In order to do this, we must KNOW His "ways and commandments"! Hosea 6:3 tells us that we will know Him WHEN we "follow on to know"! It takes a determined purpose and a diligent and relentless effort to know Him! There are no "shortcuts", no "apps" and no "hidden tricks" for this! It is only through adding layer upon layer of understanding of His Word that we can come to a place of maturity in walking in the Word, and His ways. I am convinced that you already know way more than you realize, but don't stop there! Get to know, and put into practice, something new from the Word everyday. Abundant blessings await! What are YOU waiting for? GO FOR IT! So that YOU can do 2 Corinthians 1:20b:

20b For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God.

AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with "Closer":


Shalom in Him!