That said, what I've been learning is to believe that God does, in fact, want to bless me. This does not mean that I think He is some "magic blessing machine". No disrespect to Joel Osteen, but I do not subscribe to his 'prosperity gospel'. I believe that God's blessings have nothing to do with my faith, or my obedience to His Word. I believe they are entirely due to His Love, His Mercy, His Grace, His Compassion, and His Abundance.
I am learning that He longs to bless me, and it won't always look how I think it will. I have a friend who always used to say "I want what I want, how I want it, and when I want it." I think we all can relate to that! But God has been showing me what "enough" means, and what it means is that He will provide exactly what I need when I need it. Because He sees what I don't.
And so I am learning to trust. And I am learning the true connection between faith and obedience and blessing. I don't obey to earn His favor, because I cannot earn His favor. It is His free gift.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
~ Eph. 2:8-9 (ESV).
I am learning the meaning of Philippians 4:11-13
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
And I am learning why I want to have faith, obey, and praise God for what He does. It is because those things are vitally important for my relationship with Christ. This is the most important relationship in my life and always will be. For eternity!
I am also learning that sometimes God does not give me His blessings until I am ready to receive them. This is also not an excuse to think I've somehow "earned" them, because He has been the one preparing me! He prepares me because of His Goodness, and His Faithfulness to keep His promises! I obviously will never be like Abraham, but I do believe I am learning the Truth of Romans 4:20-21
"No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."
This is a statement of faith which I need to share. To give Glory to God that He has been teaching me to be fully convinced He is able to do exactly what He has promised!
