JANUARY 12 READING…GENESIS 25 & MATTHEW 6 & PSALM 127
Today’s theme is a call to recognize the blessings of God. In the Old Testament readings, the emphasis is the blessing from God through the gift of children. I know we live in a time when children are not seen as blessings, sadly far too many see children as bothersome and a burden. This is not so in the time of Abraham and the writer of the Psalm. We have recorded for us those who were born of Abraham, fulfilling God’s promise to him that he would be the father of many nations. There will always be problems with every generation, but it is God’s design for humanity to “be fruitful and multiply”. That God allows us to do this is a blessing, not a curse. Our children are a heritage from the Lord. Raising them will be the most important “job” we will ever do. Being a parent, though at times is heart-breaking, is at the same time one of the greatest blessings this side of heaven.
In Matthew Jesus continues His sermon teaching us how we are to function within the blessings that God has poured into our lives. With the monetary blessings, and the giving from them to charity, we are to do it as unto God and not so other people see us give. The gift of prayer is not given to be paraded before others so they know how “pious” we are. It is a great blessing from God that allows us to come into His presence, and spend time with our heavenly Father. If and when we fast, once again, this is to be done unto God, and not for the praise of others. Wealth can be a blessing that is easily turned into a curse. We cannot love and serve God, and at the same time love money. Material wealth is but a tool that we have been blessed with, to be used to further the kingdom of God. The lack of it ought not to cause us to fall into a state of worry, for our God always blesses His children…maybe not with what we want, but always with what we need.
Please share your thoughts.
TOMORROW’S READING…GENESIS 26-27 & MATTHEW 7
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