2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having everything you need, you will abound in every good work.
How fully do you understand the inheritance that Christ purchased? Jesus paid the ultimate price so that we could live a life of abundance. Jesus himself proclaimed, “I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul’s expression of this abundant life leaves no room for doubt. “Having everything you need”... no debate, no ambiguity, no exceptions. Everything means all, fully, thoroughly, completely, totally, nothing left out.
How do you define blessings? That one thing that, if you had it right now, you believe would give you complete contentment. The challenge is that many of God’s most life-altering blessings come in unconventional packaging. We have our own perceptions, our own ideas of how God should ‘bless’ us. But God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:9) and that includes how and when He pours out His blessings. When you have already decided in your mind what God should do and how he should do it, it is very difficult to receive His blessings when it is delivered differently than we expected.
Elijah obeyed God by speaking a prophetic word directly to King Ahab, declaring, “there will be no rain until I command.” For context, Ahab was not a nice guy. 1 King 16:30 says, “Ahab did more evil than all of those before him." So God instructed Elijah to flee and hide at the brook Kerith, where Elijah would “drink from the stream and eat what the ravens bring, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” (1 Kings 17:4). In recorded history, no one had ever been fed by ravens. In fact, anytime there is food and birds show up, it is to take food, not deliver it. But God provided everything: food, water, shelter, and protection—just not in the way Elijah ever imagined.
Receiving God’s abundant life and blessings begins by understanding the first three words of
2 Corinthians 9:8; “God is able.” In fact, all of the gospel can be summed up in this one statement. When the gap between God and man could not be crossed, when the sacrifice of bulls and goats could not adequately pay for sin, God was able. No matter how circumstances appear, regardless of past experiences, despite what the future may look like; God is able. Paul knew that God was not limited when he wrote, “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20) and “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
We have been adopted as sons and daughters and have been given a full inheritance of every spiritual blessing. Ephesians 1:3 says, “Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ.” Every single blessing, lavished from heaven, has been given—everything you need. It is not earned but a free gift to those who have surrendered their life to God.
And why does God lavish these abundant blessings on each of us? To abound, to overflow with abundance, in every good work. Elijah went from ravens feeding him to saving the life of a widow and her son. All by listening to the Father and receiving his unexpected, unprecedented blessings. What does your heart desire? What unexpected blessing does God desire to pour out on you today? You can believe Him for it! It may come in an unusual way, but He is able!
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Gary and Sandy Anthony
2 Peter 1:3 NIV His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NIV Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
Psalms 84:11 TPT For the Lord God is brighter than the brilliance of a sunrise! Wrapping himself around me like a shield, he is so generous with his gifts of grace and glory. Those who walk along his paths with integrity will never lack one thing they need, for he provides everything!
Romans 8:31-32 NLT What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
Luke 11:13 TPT If imperfect parents know how to lovingly take care of their children and give them what they need, how much more will the perfect heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit’s fullness when his children ask him.
Philippians 4:19 NIV And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
John 14:26 NLT But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
Psalms 111:3 NLT Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails.
Philippians 4:13 NLT For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Luke 14:33 TPT Unless you surrender all to me, giving up everything you possess, you cannot be one of my disciples.
Psalms 150:6 NLT Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!
John 17:7 NLT Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you.
John 3:35 NLT The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands.
Psalms 37:4-5 NLT Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
Psalms 145:17-19 NLT The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Psalms 103:19 NLT The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.
Philippians 3:8 NLT Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him.
Psalms 146:5-6 NLT But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever.
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