My daughter once taught me that one can be about as happy as they want to be. A lot of that depends on our focus. Do we focus on fears and troubles? Or do we look for faith and blessings? That is a choice all of us can make. Here are some passages about blessings.
PRAYER
O Generous and Gracious God, thank you for the many ways you bless me. May I be a blessing to others in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Monday – Genesis 1:20-31
This is part of the creation story. How many times in this first chapter did God do something and declared it good? How many times did God bless what was created? God is the source of all blessing. It is an initiative of God’s creating work and a response of God to all that is created. It is God’s preference to bless you. And one of the ways God blesses you is to give you opportunities to bless others. Who will you meet today that God will bless through you?
Tuesday – 2 Chronicles 1:1-13
Solomon was one of Israel’s greatest kings. God wanted to bless Solomon when his father, David, passed on. God even invited Solomon to request whatever he wanted. (Have you ever dreamed of doing that? What would you choose?) What did Solomon choose? And how did God respond to him? What were the blessings Solomon received? How would you pray that God would bless you?
Wednesday – Psalm 1
Sometimes the word “blessed” is translated as “happy.” That is often true in this Psalm. What are the sources of this blessing or happiness, according to this Psalm? The songwriter compares the one who follows God with the wicked. What happens to them? How does God bless the righteous person? How has God blessed you?
Thursday – 2 Corinthians 9:8-15
Paul is teaching the early church about generosity. Generosity begins with God who has blessed us in lavish and luxurious ways – especially in the grace expressed through Jesus Christ. Giving of our time, talents, and treasures is a very personal way that we practice that same spirit of generosity, and it is how we thank God for the blessings God has showered upon us. Not giving means we get spiritually flabby. We are not ready for the more serious work to which God is calling us. How does God want to use you to bless others today?
Friday – Malachi 3:7-12
The prophet was concerned that the people were suffering because they were not putting God first in their lives. It was not that God was punishing them. It was that they put themselves in postures and positions that made it impossible for God to bless them; like giving the car keys to a 12-year-old. They weren’t ready for what God wanted to give them. So the prophet urges them to rearrange their priorities, even if just to test and see if God keeps promises. Are you in the right place at the right time with the right attitude for God to bless you?
Saturday – Matthew 5:1-12
What is the right place at the right time with the right attitude for God to bless us?Jesus uses these “be-attitudes” at the beginning of the sermon on the mount to describe what it means to be blessed.It is not about comfort and convenience, is it?It is about mission and purpose for the Kingdom of God.How will God use you to bless others today?