Overwhelming Blessings?

Several days ago I attended an auction, something I enjoy doing on occasion. While there I observed a somewhat heartwarming event. A young girl sitting with her father and grandfather was allowed to bid on an item she obviously wanted. Two or three bids later she won the bid and her grandfather, with a serious face, leaned over and asked her how she was going to pay for the item. With a somewhat nerve smile, she looked up at her father and smiled. He, seeing the anxiety in her eyes, smiled and patted her softly on the head. She relaxed, smiled broadly, and received her new treasure. Daddy would take care of the cost.

When a person receives the gift of salvation, he or she enters into the family of God.  We have a Heavenly Father that loves us and has the ability to bless us beyond our wildest dreams. Nevertheless, occasionally we are granted treasures that carry an enormous price tag of responsibility. Take for example the birth of a child or the blessings of a loving mate. What new mother doesn’t nervously wonder if she has what it takes? What new groom doesn’t question his ability to live up to the responsibility of a husband? The same is true of anyone that becomes a Christian. Who doesn’t doubt if he or she has the capability to live like a child of the King? 

It is at those moments, those times when we are overwhelmed by the blessings, that we must look to the smiling face of our Loving Heavenly Father for the assurance that his grace is sufficient. Like the little girl at the auction, we too need the loving assurance of God our Father. With His touch, we can smile and know that he will take care of everything. Follow @pastorbarr

• Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7  
• Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5
• Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

Find a collection of Pastor Jim's finest Wisdom pieces in his book For His Glory: A Kaleidoscope of Wisdom. Practical and encouraging biblical wisdom that will always touch your heart and often cause you to smile. Check it out and see what others are saying.

The Receiver*

Jim's Note: If you have not read The Great Giver, we suggest you do so because this is a continuation of that thought.

“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you." 1 Chronicles 29:14 ESV

Just as it is the nature and glory of God to be always giving, it is the nature and glory of man to be always receiving. What did God make us for? We have been made to be each of us a vessel into which God can pour out His life, His beauty, His happiness, His love. We are created to be each a receptacle and a reservoir of divine heavenly life and blessing, just as much as God can put into us. Have we understood this, that our great work—the object of our creation—is to be always receiving? If we fully enter into this, it will teach some precious things. One thing—the utter folly of being proud or conceited. What an idea! Suppose I were to borrow a very beautiful dress, and walk about boasting of it as if it were my own, you might say, “What a fool!” And here it is the Everlasting God owns everything we have; shall we dare to exalt ourselves on account of what is all His? Then what a blessed lesson it will teach us of

what our position is! I have to do with a God whose nature is to be always giving, and mine to be always receiving. Just as the lock and key fit each other, God the Giver and I the receiver fit into each other. How often we trouble about things, and about praying for them, instead of going back to the root of things, and saying, “Lord, I only crave to be the receptacle of what the Will of God means for me; of the power and the gifts and the love and Spirit of God.” What can be more simple? Come as a receptacle —cleansed, emptied and humble. Come, and then God will delight to give. If I may with reverence say it, He cannot help Himself; it is His promise, His nature. The blessing is ever flowing out of Him. You know how water always flows into the lowest places. If we would but be emptied and low, nothing but receptacles, what a blessed life we could live! Day by day just praising Him—Thou givest and I accept. Thou bestowest and I rejoice to receive. How many tens of thousands of people have said this morning: “What a beautiful day! Let us throw open the windows and bring in the sunlight with its warmth and cheerfulness!” May our hearts learn every moment to drink in the light and sunshine of God’s love. . -Andrew Murray, The Deeper Christian Life

Remove From Me and Grant Me

Today we share with you an excerpt from the book For His Glory: 31 Daily Meditations. We pray that Bishop Andrewes’ Prayer for Grace will quicken your spirit and bless you as it has us. We encourage you to examine the eBook For His Glory: 31 Daily Meditations. -JB

Bishop Andrewes’ Prayer for Grace:

Remove from me

   1. All iniquity and profaneness, superstition, and hypocrisy.
   2. Worship of idols, of persons.
   3. Rash oath, and curse.
   4. Neglect or indecency of worship.
   5. Haughtiness and recklessness.
   6. Strife and wrath.
   7. Passion and corruption.
   8. Indolence and fraud.
   9. Lying and injuriousness.
   10. Every evil notion, every impure thought, every base desire, every unseemly thought.

Grant to me

   1. To be religious and pious.
   2. To worship and serve.
   3. To bless and swear truly.
   4. To confess meetly in the congregation.
   5. Affection and obedience.
   6. Patience and good temper.
   7. Purity and soberness.
   8. Contentedness and goodness.
   9. Truth and incorruptness.
   10. Good thoughts, perseverance to the end.

Lancelot Andrewes