Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 66

March 7;    Ephesians 1:3;    66/260(II);    ‘So Very Grateful’

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

One of the greatest character traits a Christian can have is a never ending supply of gratitude to the Father for sending Jesus to redeem us from our sins and sicknesses.  This one verse alone should stir up in our spirit eternal thanksgiving.  The Bible tells is in Psalm 16 that in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ there is fullness of joy.  When we get to heaven, what a blessing it will be to see our loved ones who preceded us to heaven and to know we will never be separated from them again.  But by far the greatest blessing of being in heaven is that we will see the Lord Jesus face to face.  We will see the marks of the crucifixion eternally etched in His resurrection body, displaying forever the depth of His love for us.  Every Christian has this certainty to look forward to.  The eternal blessing of heaven, should cause us to praise and thank the Father forever. But heaven is not the only blessing He has given us, His children.  As you read the Bible, it becomes very clear that we have been given incredible blessings while we are here on the earth.  This verse tells us that the Lord has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.  If all of the blessings that belong to us are in heaven, how do we appropriate them here on earth.  Our faith is a receiver, given to us by the Lord to bring the spiritual blessings of heaven here to earth.  No earthly father could ever bless his children or take better care of them than your Heavenly Father.  The Bible says it is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom (blessings) (Luke 12:32).  Stay grateful, it is a key to your walk with the Lord.