Pastor Talk for October
Psalm 1:1-6 (KJV)
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
I am Blessed
What does it mean to be blessed? How many times have we heard that word in connection with some sort of possession owned or position held? Are people blessed because of the nice car they drive, the beautiful home they live in, the position they hold, or their large bank accounts? Are these material things an indication of a person’s blessings?
If someone doesn’t have many material possessions, does it mean that he or she is not blessed? What does it really mean to be blessed? There are two schools of thought regarding what blessings really are:
The first perceived concept of a blessing comes from the self-interests of mankind. We have either said or heard someone say one of the following phrases:
-
- If my family is well, I am blessed.
- If my bank account is full, I am blessed.
- If my car is running, I am blessed.
I understand why we make these statements. I’m thankful for every material possession the Lord has given to me and I often refer to them as blessings. However, I have a very simple question. If my family is not well, if my bank account is bone dry, if my car is broken down on the side of the ride, am I not blessed? The answer is obviously, no. The concept of our blessings being based 100% on materialism is in error.
It could lead blessed people to the false deception that they are not blessed. In addition, it could cause people who aren’t blessed into thinking they are. This idea of blessings is not found in the Word of God.
The second concept of blessings comes from the Word of God. True blessings are not based on what we have but who we have!!! Blessings are not confirmed by the things we possess but are confirmed with the right relationship with God.
Luke 12:15 (KJV) “15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
When a person walks in the will of God and obedience to the Word of God, the person can confidently say, “I am Blessed!!”
The largest necessity in life is to be planted in the Word of God with obedience to salvation. We will never be blessed without obedience to the Word of God.
1 Peter 1:23 (KJV)
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
This born again experience is following the pattern of Jesus through His death, burial and resurrection. We do this with repentance (dying out to sin), baptism in Jesus name (burial of our old sinful nature) and receiving the Holy Ghost evidenced in speaking in tongues (resurrection to a new overcoming life). After salvation, we can proudly say, “I am Blessed!”
I am blessed today not by what I have but by who I have. And for this reason, I am blessed.