Abundantly Blessed

Date: March 20, 2023

I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional. 

B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study and savor
S - Summarize and Share

You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?

Bible Scripture Verse – 2 Corinthians 9:8

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Listen for God’s Voice

Heavenly Father, Thank you for your abundant grace and blessings in my life. I pray that you will help me to always be a cheerful giver and to give generously to support the needs of others. Please help me to trust in your provision and to have faith that you will always provide me with everything I need to do good works and fulfill my purpose in life.

I ask that you will bless me abundantly so that I can be a blessing to others. May I have all that I need in every situation and at all times, so that I can continue to abound in every good work that you have called me to do.

Explore History – Who wrote it, when and to what audience? Key people in the story?

The Apostle Paul wrote the letter of 2 Corinthians around AD 55-56, during his third missionary journey, to the church in Corinth that he had founded earlier. The letter was written to address various issues in the church, including the collection of money for the believers in Jerusalem who were facing hardships.

In chapter 8 and 9 of 2 Corinthians, Paul urges the Corinthian church to give generously to support the needs of their fellow believers in Jerusalem. He reminds them of the example of the Macedonian churches, who had given generously despite their own poverty. In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul encourages the Corinthians by reminding them that God is able to provide abundantly for them so that they can continue doing good works.

The verse has since become a source of inspiration and encouragement for many Christians, reminding them of God's provision and grace in their lives, and encouraging them to give generously and serve others with joy and purpose.

Study and Savor – Key Words

"God is able": This phrase emphasizes that God has the power and ability to provide for all of our needs and to bless us abundantly.

"all grace abound toward you": This means that God's grace (unmerited favor and blessing) will overflow and abound toward us, resulting in blessings that we don't deserve.

"always having all sufficiency in all things": This phrase highlights that God will provide us with everything we need to fulfill our calling and purpose in life, and that we will never lack anything we need.

"may have an abundance": This means that God's provision will not only be sufficient for our needs, but will overflow and result in an abundance of blessings.

"for every good work": This phrase emphasizes that the purpose of God's provision and abundance is so that we can continue doing good works and fulfilling our calling to serve others and bring glory to God.

Summarize and Share

2 Corinthians 9:8 reminds us that God is able to bless us abundantly, providing us with everything we need to do good works and fulfill our purpose in life. This verse is speaking specifically to providing financial, but it's important to remember that God's blessings come in many forms, and not all of them are material or financial.

God blesses us with relationships that bring joy and fulfillment to our lives. He blesses us with opportunities to serve and make a positive impact in the world around us. He blesses us with His presence and the comfort of His Spirit when we are going through difficult times. And He blesses us with spiritual growth and transformation as we draw closer to Him.

It's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of material wealth and possessions, but we must remember that true happiness and contentment come from a relationship with God and the blessings He provides that money cannot buy. As Christians, our ultimate purpose in life is to glorify God and serve others, and God's blessings enable us to do just that.

So, how can we respond to God's abundant blessings in our lives? One way is to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving, recognizing and acknowledging the many ways in which God has blessed us. Another way is to use our blessings to bless others, whether it's through financial giving, volunteering our time and talents, or simply being a source of encouragement and support to those around us.

We stayed after church yesterday to pack Hygiene Kits for UMCOR, here is the link to the information on the kits:  https://umcmission.org/umcor-hygiene-kit/ 

Let's keep in mind that God's blessings go beyond money and material possessions. As we serve Him and impact the world around us, make sure that you stay open to receiving and passing on the many blessings that God has in store for us!

Bible Cross Reference

Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." This verse also emphasizes God's provision for our needs.

Ephesians 3:20-21 - "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." This passage speaks to God's ability to do far beyond what we can imagine or comprehend.

Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." This verse reminds us to prioritize God's kingdom above all else, and trust that He will provide for our needs.

Psalm 23:1 - "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." This verse speaks to the sufficiency of God's provision for us, and the comfort and security we can find in Him.