30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #18 Thank You Lord, For Your Blessings On Me

30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #18 – Thank You Lord, For Your Blessings On Me (Ephesians 1:3)

Thank You Lord, For Your Blessings On Me (Ephesians 1:3)

Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

The word blessed means to “praise”. He uses that praise for God. For it is He “who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” As Ephesians 1 unfolds, Paul would expound on a treasury of spiritual blessings which are available in Christ. Though some put emphasis on the “heavenly places,” the greater emphasis is “in Christ”. Paul states that when we get to Heaven, we will enjoy the spiritual blessings of salvation, eternal life, the inheritance of Christ, a home in Heaven, and living in the presence of God. We also enjoy the blessings of the Holy Spirit now while on earth. We enjoy His comfort, guidance, wisdom, direction, power, and we have access to the throne of God in prayer. Whatever our needs may be, the Lord can supply them.

Count Your Blessings:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

We all have had those times when we feel discouraged, faced difficulties, and wondered what was the use of going on. You maybe struggling financially, physically, or with your faith. No matter what we face, we have been blessed immensely and need to remember what God has done for us. Anytime someone tells me they are having times like these, I remind them of all the blessings they have in Christ. The Bible does not tell us that we might be accepted, or that we can be accepted, but that we have already been accepted. The righteousness of Christ that has been applied to our account makes us to stand in the very presence of God despite our failings and flaws. Accepting this truth frees us from the constant cycle of worry and uncertainty that comes from trying to be good enough to measure up to a standard we can never meet. God’s grace works in us to give us the ability live righteously so that our witness and fellowship with God are not hindered. But our acceptance is external, coming through God’s grace, and it is eternal, never changing or failing. Because of our relationship and association with Christ, God has given us all the blessings that heaven ever knew! God does not withhold a single spiritual blessing from any Christian! Appreciating and appropriating these blessings, however, is a different matter. Let us not blame God for our little faith.

In Christ, Christians enjoy wonderful benefits, blessings, as well as responsibilities.

1. We are included in the family of God, no longer a child of Satan and walking in darkness. Ephesians 5:8.
2. We have an inheritance reserved in Heaven from the Lord that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that does not fade away. I Peter 1:4
3. We can have intimacy or a close walk with Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 1:9
4. We are inhabited by the Holy Spirit of God who dwells within every believer. Romans 8:9-11; I Corinthians 3:16-17; II Timothy 1:14
5. We gain insights into spiritual truths from the Holy Spirit who is our teacher. John 14:26; I Corinthians 2:13
6. There is an interest in spiritual matters and the things of God. If there is no interest, examine your heart to see if you have been truly saved. Romans 8:5-10
7. We have an invitation to come boldly to God's throne of grace. Hebrews 4:16

If you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, you have been given a treasure chest filled with God's blessings. Many of those treasures are found here in this section of Ephesians. We have been made rich from His redemption. We are loaded because of His love for us. We are prosperous because of God's provisions for us. Every time you open the Bible it’s like opening the lid to the treasure chest.

Count your blessings. Here are 10 to get you started:
1. God’s presence: Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
2. God’s protection: Genesis 15:1, “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”
3. God’s power: Isaiah 41:10, “I will strengthen thee.”
4. God’s provision: Isaiah 41:10, “I will help thee.”
5. God’s leading: John 10:4, “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.”
6. God’s purposes: Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
7. God’s rest: Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
8. God’s cleansing: I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
9. God’s goodness: Psalm 84:11, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
10. God’s faithfulness: I Samuel 12:22, “For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake.”

These are just some of the countless blessings we have in Christ. Remember all God has done for you and you will be encouraged to keep serving the Lord. Psalm 68:19, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” I’ve only listed ten, and there are thousands more. What promise(s) are you most grateful for?

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