Friday, July 06, 2007

388 - We are Blessed

Phil. 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Wow, Lord, the house is silent. What a blessing. This morning I have studied the blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh. It was one of those switcherooskies - he blessed the second born more than the first. It was not deceptive as it was in Jacob and Esau, but it still was not the norm or liked by others. It would cause some friction in days to come. Gen. 48

When I think of blessing or having some one's blessing it is like having their approval. But really it is so much more than that. When we have some one's approval it is like them saying I agree with what you are doing and wish you well not really knowing the outcome of anything future. But to me from what I understand, having some one's blessing or having them bless you is a bit different or maybe just a bit deeper. It is like saying I not only approve of what you are doing, but I esteem it and see it as worthy to do extremely well. I see a future in it or in you and I want to bless you, pray for you, commit to you, or even do things to help it happen. That is different.

Lord, remember that lady at my old church whose blessing I craved. There was no way on Your green earth she was going to give it to me for one reason or another. Oh it hurt me so badly, but I just had to accept and move through and passed that pain and disappointment. She may have not been right in withholding her support and blessing, I don't know. But I was wrong in working, doing, living to get her approval at best, but longing for her blessing. The more I did to try to gain this approval the worst it got. I found myself having ill feelings for her and wanting to quit all activities I had done or started in my church. I was done - BUT i was wrong. It was not my place to judge her for not approving me - she could have had very good reasons even though they were not communicated to me. But my responsibility and my struggle as a people pleaser is to please Him as hard as that may be. I at times get more concerned with so and so being proud of me or pleased with me than I am with the Father being pleased. One of my greatest struggles. If people think that I can just do His will (when it hurts others feelings or disappoints) with no struggle at all - they don't really know me. I pray I will bend the knee to His will, but many times it just about kills me at least in thought struggling with others feelings, etc.

The scripture above gives me great relief and comfort. As a child of God - whether I follow Him closely or not - says that He has blessed me with every spiritual blessing in Christ. To me, for example, that means even though I appear to have no patience in the "waiting" I have blessed with it and He will see to it that I come through (or the "wait" may never cease)! It is more than just approval, it is something He will see to completion!

Lord, thank you! I don't quite understand or know how to receive and use all the blessings that I am afforded because of Christ. Lord Jesus, will you help me to come to that knowledge and be responsible in doing my part? Lord, I want to be full in Christ and I want to be full of Christ. I don't want a lack of knowledge to stifle or quench the Spirit within me. I want You to work to the nth degree and more. I want to experience Your power and blessings flowing through my life so that I can do nothing more than give it all back to you - praise You through those blessings. Lord Jesus! I am so in awe of you! I thank you for your awesomeness in my life, but I want to see more. I want to see You more fully manifested in my life - Your righteousness, love, compassion, heart, joy, etc. I love you!

Not too much planned today. Kids and I went to the movies yesterday. It is so awesome to get closer and closer to days of being able to do everything with all 4 of them. Going to work out, but then pretty free today! Thank you, Lord!

15 comments:

Kim said...

Thanks for being so open in your post today - I struggle with some of the same things - let's just do what pleases Jesus and let the rest of them think what they want. :) Enjoy your day!

mamabright1 said...

thanks so much for sharing this...I think we all struggle to some degree with wanting the approval or blessings of others...

I also wanted to let you know that I tagged you for a meme...I hope you'll have time to stop by and play...

blessings, mamabright :-)

Karen Hossink said...

"I want to be full in Christ and I want to be full of Christ."
Yes, less of me and, oh, so much more of HIM! You're reflecting my heart's desire here!

AK said...

Thanks for sharing this today. I totally identify with some of your struggles. It's such a blessing to see other people actively seeking the Lord for their "human" struggles. Hope your weekend is great!

Connie Barris said...

I pray I will bend the knee to His will

I love this....love it!!

thank you

Nise' said...

I was just reflecting on being blessed with every spiritual blessing as well! I hear you heart in struggling with being a people pleaser.

PS You're tagged, check it out here

Connie Barris said...

you have been doubly tagged... smile.. I think it's the same as Nise's... have fun

jennyhope said...

you know he leads worship at our church, right? I know him but I doubt I have ever introduced myself. Did he lead worship there??

Anna said...

Just wanted to tell you thanks for this post. I'm working at a summer camp through the month of July and I'm trying so hard to please the woman I'm working with (She is unbelievably hard to please). I hope I can learn this month how to focus on pleasing God and in that process please man (and women). We'll see what happens. So far, most of my prayers have been something like, "Lord, help!"
You're a good mom to let your kids have cats even though you're allergic :)

Toknowhim said...

Leigh,

Thanks for the comment on my blog.. I frequent your blog as well. I just love the picture of you with your Bible... You look so happy!! Thanks for keeping it real. I have learned that being transparent about your life (struggles and all) leads to freedom in your walk with Christ. Of course, there will always be things that should be between you and the Lord, or your close loved ones, but I do love when a sister can share her soul with another...

Thanks, and maybe one day I can hear you speak. I live in the same state as you... Not to far away.

Kim

Shelly said...

ohh girl!

blessed with every spiritual blessing....

sigh of relief...How we must have our identity rooted in Him as a means of our security. His approval is far more worth it, and easier to attain for crying out loud, than any others. May we seek Him alone.

eph2810 said...

Leigh, this really spoke to me. I am a people pleaser too, and sometimes I forget that there should be only One I should be concerned about and not what others think of me.

If you wouldn't mind, would you lift some prayers up on my behalf - I am totally emotionally spent for the last couple of days...thank you.

In His love,
<>< Iris

Sharon Brumfield said...

Plenty of comments this time--I think you hit a nerve. :)
I am so going through this right now. Trying to figure out if God is pleased with me or if I am just not doing what I should be doing.
The pull between being me and taking care of me -----being a wife, mother, and daughter-in-law--it's rough at the moment. You can not please everyone--but knowing if you are being selfish and self-centered as apposed to just not being beaten down---that is a whole nother story.
Thanks for the post.

connorcolesmom said...

Leigh,
I relate to your post. I too find that when I am trying to please others and loose my focus I b/c frustrated at what I am doing. I need to keep my focus towards Heaven and off the world.
Thank you for reminding me!
Blessings,
Kim

Kim said...

Leigh,
Thanks for always leaving such encouraging posts on my blog. Have a great day in Him! Press on girl!

Kim