Power Filled Positive Thinking—Chapter 6 (Blessed) part B- TO KNOW THAT I AM BLESSED
What does it mean in the Bible to be blessed? The Greek words in the Bible which have been translated as Blessed are Μακάριος (Makarios) and εὐλογέω (Eulogeo). Μακάριος means satisfaction from experiencing the fullness of God—not lacking in anything. In that lies the sensation of happiness, joy, and peace. εὐλογέω (Eulogeo) means to speak well of or show favor toward. In Christ we are blessed by God with every spiritual blessing as found in Ephesians 1 is an example of God speaking well toward us and bestowing His favor upon us. Ephesians 1: “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
Read this very slowly, His having chosen to bestow His favor upon me came as an act of pure grace and love with its foundation being in Christ. It is in Christ that I have been declared holy and blameless before God. It is in Christ that I have been adopted as His precious child. All of this according to what? “The good pleasure of his will and to the praise of the glory of His grace” He made me accepted in Christ, by Christ and through Christ—the beloved.
Because I know Christ as my Savior, I am blessed by God. He has chosen to bestow His
favor upon me the same as He has chosen to love me. That choice by God is based upon His Strength, His Righteousness, His Honor and His Glory. It is not based upon my actions nor upon my wavering faith. This is true when I believe it and it is still true when I don’t believe it.
So, what does it mean to be blessed?
1. It means that God has bestowed His Favor upon me.
2. That I am fulfilled in Him. He is all I need to be happy and joyful
The problem that comes is “Do I really believe that I am blessed?” If I really believe that I am fulfilled in Him and He is bestowing His favor upon me; then, how could I ever fear or doubt when trials, tribulations and sorrows laden my path? If God is the fulfillment of my happiness and joy, how could I ever be dissatisfied or searching for counterfeit joys? If I truly understand that Omnipotent, Omniscient God has chosen by His own might and His Good Pleasure to bestow His love and Blessing upon me; how could I ever be anything less than joyous in the midst of any circumstance in life? The problem is not whether this is true; because it is. The problem lies in my own heart and do I truly believe and trust God to do what He has promised He would. Do I still praise Him in the midst of the storm because I realize that the storm is His gracious favor toward me to bring me His Joy, His Glory and His Love Overflowing?
Listen to Blessings by Laura Story
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
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