As I awakened this morning, I felt great gratitude for the goodness of God that I have known in abundance. An old song drifted through my mind –
How rich I am since Jesus came my way,
Redeemed my soul and turned my night to day-
How very rich, how very rich I am!
Such peace and joy I never knew before,
And countless blessings from His boundless Store,
How very rich, how very rich I am! (John W. Peterson)
My net financial worth does not qualify me as ‘rich’ but the riches of Christ are mine. He has loved me, saved me, given me grace overflowing, purpose, and eternal life. Yes, how very rich I am!
Let’s clarify something – this blog is not promoting the so-called
“prosperity gospel!” We do not put in
our prayers and believe God only to gain access to wealth, health, and fame. But
His Word does reveal to us that God has a plan for life and that when we live
as He has made us to live, we will find a blessed life – rich in the most significant
ways. We will know love, joy, and peace and what could be better?
Those who ‘serve God’ to get rich in the sense
of the “American dream” have a misplaced focus on Self. Christ does not invite
us into an exclusive circle – a ‘Bless Me’ club. However, when we receive His grace, surrender
ourselves to His purposes, the blessings of God will emerge in our lives as
surely as fruit grows on healthy trees.
We find peace with God because of His grace in Christ.
We are blessed with joy because our eternal home is secured by Jesus.
We live without condemnation and guilt because we are saved from sin by His sacrifice.
We are loved by our God without reservation and are therefore able to love others deeply and authentically.
We are forgiven and forgive which is a key to mental health and happiness.
Ah, the list of the true riches found in Christ Jesus is a
long one, dear friend.
Part of the Advent message is that God came to us, our Immanuel,
to reverse the Curse of sin. We celebrate that in the carol (Joy to the World) when
we sing -
No more let sin and sorrow grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make His blessings flow,
Far as the curse is found…
Here is my counsel. Do
not chase the blessings, pursue the One who blesses!
The word from the Word this morning is the first song in the Psalms. Love this truth.
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the
counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of
mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind
blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor
sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish." (Psalm 1:1-6, NIV)
(Video of this blog at this link)
______________________
I love You Lord
Oh Your mercy never fails me
All my days
I've been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
I will sing of the goodness of God
All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God
I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In darkest night
You are close like no other
I've known You as a father
I've known You as a friend
I have lived in the goodness of God
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after
It's running after me
Ben Fielding | Brian Johnson | Ed Cash | Jason Ingram | Jenn Johnson
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