“That [redemption and forgiveness according to grace] He lavished upon us with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:8). ‘Lavish’ is an uncommon word, but one that best describes the abundant measure of God’s blessings. Webster defines it: “expending or bestowing profusely”. It comes from the French word ‘lavasse’ which means a downpour of rain. There shall indeed be showers of blessing.
But notice that Paul writes that God has already done this, and is continuing to do this. Its not what our faith will provide someday, it is what is already at work in our lives. God chooses to partner with us. He’s done His part, now He’s waiting for us to do ours. When our obedient action lines up with what God has already lavishly provided in our lives, there will be breakthroughs of overcoming power.
Paul also reminds us that God lavishly provides these things in His wisdom and understanding, which are way above our ways. This is why we need the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us each step of the way or we’ll miss those profusely provided blessings hidden along the way.
Happy Easter!
Tags: provision, Spiritual Blessings
Years ago Anita and I lived in a 150-year old farm house just down the road from where we live now. On one particular winter Monday I was putting rope caulk around the old windows to minimize the cold wind that would blow from the west. Anita was babysitting with little ‘Pete’ (our nickname) Sheeler and he followed me all over. He was constantly asking me questions.
“What’re you doing?” Pete asked.
“Putting caulk in the windows,” I replied.
“Why are you puttin’ caulk in the windows?” he asked again.
“I have to close the cracks to keep the wind out,” I answered.
“Why do you have cracks in your windows?” he continued.
“You always have cracks in an old house,” I replied.
“Why do you live in an old house?” he came back, beginning to frustrate me.
“Because this is the house God gave us,” I answered, thinking the bear mention of God would silence him.
“Why did God give you a cracky house?” he retorted. To which I answered, “I think I hear Anita calling you.”
Tags: children, humor, provision
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over” (Psalm 23:5).
David is still reviewing what the shepherd has done in his life. In this verse he recounts three of those benefits:
1) God preparing a table for him refers to the great provision God gives. And he notes that God pours out these blessings in the face of his enemies. This is a great testimony of God’s favor in his life, and an encouragement that we can expect the same treatment from our Chief Shepherd.
2) In Bible times kings and prophets were anointed with oil; not a dab on their foreheads, but running from the tops of their heads and dripping off their beards. The anointing referred to God’s hand upon their lives. David is declaring that he recognizes the Lord’s hand in his life.
3) Using another word picture, it was a common analogy to refer to the culmination of life’s blessings being a cup. David says, “My cup runs over”, it is so full of God’s blessings.
What a rich way to look back at a person’s life! What word picture would you use for God’s blessings in your life?
Tags: blessings, provision
The year was 1952 and I had not yet started Kindergarten. My parents had driven to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a vacation in our new 1951 Ford. Dad had driven down a remote highway along the coast of Lake Superior. We stopped the car and hiked through the dense forest to the edge of the Lake, a walk of about a mile. What a view and what an experience.
To this day, I still remember the cool breeze, amazing sights, and smell of evergreens. My mind still pictures the abandoned cabin we passed on that hike. For a young boy, that was a great adventure that was a defining moment in my life. And I’m thankful for my father providing that out-of-the-ordinary opportunity for me.
Perhaps you can reflect back to some memory your father provided in the early days of your life. And perhaps it would be a good time to express thanks to your earthly father for the investment he made in your young life. One of the foundational requirements of scripture is that we “honor our mother and father, that our days would be long on the earth”. The promise works for us, whether they deserve to be honored or not.
What is your memory?
Tags: Father's Day, gratefulness, honor, provision