Overtaken by Blessings!

Deuteronomy 28:2, And these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.

As I read this verse it quickly reminded me of another verse from the book of James...James 1:2, My Brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temtations...

This verse from the lips of James is staight to the point...you will fall into divers temtations...So lets be real right now...I don't care how careful you are or how well you look at where you are going, you will have trails and temptations...It reminds me of a wild animal who falls into a trap that has been set to capture him...Like falling into a hole in the ground...

We can be careful but sooner or later we will fall into a problem in life...Jesus said, "In this life you will have trouble."

The Bible also tells us that we will reap what we sow and boy this is an understatement...I have caused, not only myself, but my family and friends, more hardships and heart aches, because of my (past), poor judgment...

In other words, if I did something bad or wrong, there was and is always a consequence to go through or pay...But on the other hand, as the verse for this post reminds us, if we do listen the the Word of God, if we are still and listen for His still small voice...He will give direction in our lives...

Obedience Brings Blessings!

When you walk in fellowship with God, you do not have to ask Him to bless you, (but we all ask any how)...Listen, He wants bless you!

Just as you enjoy suprising someone you love with unexpected gifts, God delights in giving you His gifts in times and ways that you might never expect...In other words, as we go our way in life, we know that we will fall into temtations but also we will fall into blessings from the hand of God...

God's blessings often come in the midst of your everyday life--an encouraging telephone call in the middle of a busy morning or a letter you recieve at the end of a hard day...A friend may drop by to help when you are overwhelmed, or you may recieve unexpected financial help at a time of need...

Often, God's blessings do not come in spectacular ways but in the ordinary busyness of your life...They come just when you most need a expression of God's love...

This Scripture from Deuteronomy says, blessings come as a result of obedience...

Here again is the reap what you sow, lesson...If we sow bad, we reap trash, but if we sow obedience, we reap blessings...

When you walk closely with the Lord, blessings will come, regardless of whether you seek them...Blessings from your obedience will also come to those around you--to your children and to your grandchildren...to your friends and co-workers...to you husband or wife...etc.

Solomon enjoyed vast wealth during his reign, but God's blessing upon him came largely as a result of his father David's obedience in the previous generation...God promised Abraham that his obedience would bring blessings to all the families of the earth...

So listen, as we go forward into this thanksgiving season, do not take God's gifts for granted...When you receive an unexpected blessing, thank God for His continuing love and be alert to recognize the next time His blessing overtakes you!!

If you are a Christian, God has given you the gift of life (Here on earth) and the promise of eternal life (in Heaven)... Now, He wants you to celebrate your blessings with an attitude of thanksgiving...

Thanks and have a great Thanksgiving!

Robert N. Graves, Sr. Fisherman for Christ...