The Shocking Amount of Blessings from a Good God
“Blessings!”
Lately, I’ve formed a word-habit in my online replies. I throw out the word over and over again.
Blessings! Thanks and blessings! I pray blessings over your ministry. Blessings to you and your family! Happy Birthday and blessings!
See what I mean? I quite overuse the word.
But do I realize what’s behind the well wishes? And do I give thanksgiving for my blessings?
Count Your Blessings
We’ve heard it said to count our blessings. But if we look at the shocking amount of blessings God extends to us, they are hard to number.
When we consider the shocking amount of ways God #blesses us, it's difficult to really count or name each one. #Godisgood Click To TweetOf course, we all count ourselves blessed with family and friends. Also, blessed in how God provides for our daily needs of food, shelter, the jobs we hold, etc.
As a pastor’s wife and believer, I’m blessed by the local church in how God uses both ministers and members to build us up in the faith. Perhaps we ought to name this our spiritual M&M’s.
And who’s not giving thanks these days for health? I pray to never take a healthy body for granted. Or, the physical well-being of my spouse, children, and grandson.
But there are times we forget, even as Christ-followers, and we need reminding of the vast blessings from a gracious God. Too numerous to even count. How do I know?
Blessings from a Generous God
For example, take the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Church at Ephesus. After he greets the saints who were faithful in Christ, he says this.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us IN Christ with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3, emphasis mine).
First, Paul calls God “blessed.” We bless Him as our Father.
Yet, I find it interesting how we bless God, then go on to state the reason is none other than the fact He has blessed us. And not only blessed, but in Christ, we’re blessed with every spiritual blessing.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord #Jesus Christ, who has #blessed us IN Christ with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Eph. 1:3 Click To TweetIf we draw out the forms of the word “bless” to summarize, here’s what it says in a nutshell.
Blessed is God, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing.
What a blessing! Seems to me we receive the grand part of this truth—God’s favor, protection, provision, and more. A truth lending itself for thanksgiving to a good and generous God.
Many Spiritual Blessings
The letter goes on to remind us of the many spiritual blessings in chapter 1:
- Chosen by God
- Loved by God
- Adopted by the heavenly Father
- Riches of grace lavished on us
- Redeemed through Jesus’ blood
- Forgiven of trespasses
- Spiritual wisdom and revelation
- Insight to know God’s will
- Plan and purpose for our life
- Spiritual inheritance
- Hope in Christ
- Truth
- Peace
- Gospel of Salvation
- Sealed with the Holy Spirit
- Enlightened hearts
- Greatness of God’s power working in us
Countless Blessings
But Paul’s writings here aren’t exhaustive. When I reflect on “every spiritual blessing,” it reminisces of more:
- Mercy
- Faith
- Steadfastness
- Prayer
- God’s long-suffering toward me
- God’s acts of providence in my life
- Comfort during troubled times
- The Lord’s voice leading me
- Second, third, fourth, and countless chances for messing up
- Spiritual discipline (not pleasant, but yields a great reward)
- Relationship with the Creator
- Strength for times of waiting
- Healing for physical ailments and a wounded heart
- The privilege to minister in Jesus’ name
- Ability to overcome the world
- God’s glory seen in me and my callings
There’s more, so much more! Oh, the indescribable thanks to God from whom all blessings flow—straight into our laps and lives.
Let’s truly be a people of God who calls Him, Blessed, meaning it and living it out in our daily lives.
All Scripture references taken from the ESV.
Images of our pug, Big-T, design and text by Adobe Spark.
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:
Jaime Wiebel/#SittingAmongFriends, Crystal Twadell/Fresh Market Friday, Kelly Balarie/Purposeful Faith, Patricia Holbrook/Soaring With Him, Meghan Weyerbacher/TeaandtheWord, Lyli Dunbar/#FaithOnFire & Crystal Storms/Heart Encouragement.
© 2018 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
Amen. His blessings are bountiful and endless. 🙂
Oh, the indescribable thanks to God from whom all blessings flow—straight into our laps and lives.”Blessings” to you Melissa from the Father we bless. 🙂
Excellent thoughts to ponder today!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Becky. “Wow!” is our soul-response when we try to wrap our heads around the blessings God pours out on us and how we do have “every” spiritual blessing available. May we continually bless the Lord for all His benefits to us as His children.
Psalm 103 The Message (MSG)
O my soul, bless GOD. From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name! O my soul, bless GOD, don’t forget a single blessing!
He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.
GOD makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet. He showed Moses how he went about his work, opened up his plans to all Israel. GOD is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he’s rich in love. He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, GOD feels for those who fear him. He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we’re made of mud. Men and women don’t live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom, but a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here. GOD’s love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him, making everything right for them and their children as they follow his Covenant ways and remember to do whatever he said.
GOD has set his throne in heaven; he rules over us all. He’s the King! So bless GOD, you angels, ready and able to fly at his bidding, quick to hear and do what he says. Bless GOD, all you armies of angels, alert to respond to whatever he wills. Bless GOD, all creatures, wherever you are— everything and everyone made by GOD.
And you, O my soul, bless GOD!
Psalm 34:1-2 English Standard Version (ESV) I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
Psalm 35:28 Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.
Amen, MarLa. Love that version of Psalm 103. Lord, we bless You and Praise You for Your majesty and glory and power and holiness! And for all the works of Your hands. Great are You Lord!
Yes, we are indescribably blessed by God. In fact, everything past cancelling Hell and guaranteeing Heaven (which God did not have to do) for the believer is just gravy.
I love the spiritual M&Ms, laity and clergy working side by side to bring the gospel to lost people.
Blessings to you, Mimi! He’s a cutie 🙂
I agree, Rob! God’s people are a blessed people. (All the M&M’s) 🙂 Blessed is God, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. May we not forget all the blessings available to us in the heavenly places and bless the Lord simple for who He is. The great I Am who chose to rescue us AND give us so many extensions of himself. 🙂
Karen, After reading this post I kept humming the tune to the song my mom used to sing to me. “Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Count your blessings. See what God has done. Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done!”
You, dear Karen, are a blessing!
Thanks Beckie. I feel the same about you sweet friend. We simple can’t fathom all the ways the Lord pours out His love, mercy, grace, and everything in the heavenly places onto us. May we bless the Lord who is worthy to be praised!
His blessings are coming up in our future!
https://youtu.be/PNKKqUnjPK4
Yes, no more night. Amen! Blessings for spiritual abundant life now and definitely then!
Thank you for this article.
God bless you and yours.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. It certainly meant a lot to me to study for this one and it’s truly mind-blowing the abundant spiritual blessings we have in Christ. So grateful.
Karen I love love this post! It’s wonderful encouragement and a tool to keep that tells God’s Truth for our lives and How much He loves us! Thank you friend 🙏🏻
Sydell, thanks sweet friend. I agree, such a tool and encouragement in how much God loves us to bless us in this way. “Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!” Psalm 113:2-3 ESV
Oh my gosh this just BLESSED MY HEART this morning! I’ve never seen that long of a list of blessings laid out before! But it’s so true! I’ve always loved Ephesians 1:3 and God Himself is so deserving of being called Blessed by us! My heart is so filled to overflowing with awe in my sweet and amazing Jesus! I pray that the Holy Spirit will really make me more and more aware of the blessings in my life! I am blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing in the Heavenlies in and because of my Christ Jesus!! Bless YOU Karen!! 😘 ❤
And your comment just blessed me, Donna! We really should be this excited, joy-filled, and in utter awe of how much God blesses us and gives to us everything we need for the spiritual journey. Lord, remind our hearts every day of our inheritance in Jesus Christ! Amen! “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1 ESV) I appreciate you stopping by and commenting, Donna! Blessings to you!
Thank you Karen for sharing so many of our blessings we have through Christ! Great encouragement as we meditate on the specifics of such a topic. When we take the time to actually identify them it just reminds us how blessed we really are.
So true, Gretchen. As we see ALL the blessings that God has lavished on us, it’s overwhelming to say the least, but it also sparks such gratitude in our hearts for a good God.
I love this, Karen! Sometimes we really do take for granted how blessed we are. This list is a great reminder for me and fills me with gratitude. Thank you!
Carlie, thank you. That’s so true in how we take the abundant amount of blessings for granted. I guess we should be saying, “I’m blessed” more often because we are indeed.
It should be a no brainer, you choose blessings or curses, life or death. Nothing wrong with speaking a blessing. I like the message version too, I just wrote about Psalm 103.
Yes, the Message Translation is great too. I love Psalm 103 to think about “all” God’s benefits. It’s overwhelming when we take the time to stop and really reflect. Thanks for commenting! “Blessings!” 🙂
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