PREPARATION FOR GOD'S BLESSINGS

Proverbs 3:1-12; Deut.28:1-14

Many people, many Christians would like the blessings of God; to come to Church and be able to constantly share positive testimonies of what God has done for them. But unlike salvation regeneration, many other blessings of God are predicated on obedience. It is clearly set out in the Bible that obedience will bring blessing. Even in natural family life, an obedient child will always be showered with the blessings of the parents. God wants to bless us, but we must note that He requires obedience.

1.  HONOUR GOD’S COMMANDMENTS

Proverbs 3:1-4; Deut.4:40; 5:29; 28:1-14;

How can a child prove to the father/mother that he/she honours them? Simply by remembering and keeping the parents’ commands. Our Father, God, is saying to us this afternoon, Don’t forget My commandments/My instructions. If you keep My commandments, there are blessings attached – length of days, a good life, free from sickness and disease.

What are the characteristics of the Commandments of God (Psalm 19:7-10)?

(i)          They result in conversion of the soul

(ii)        They are for our good (Deut.10:13)

(iii)      They impart wisdom

(iv)       Keeping them prolongs life (Deut.6:2)

(v)         Keeping them results in multiplied blessings

(vi)       Breaking them results in untold curses

It is unfortunate that many people do not care for the commandments of God. They don’t want to go to a place where they will hear, “Do this, or don’t do that”. These same people do not have any problem when their doctor says to them, “Don’t smoke anymore or you will get cancer.” But they would not obey the commandments of God telling them to avoid the cancer of sin.

God’s grace through Christ does not license us to break God’s commandment. The commandments of God are based on love. Love towards God and love towards man is the summary of the Ten Commandments. Love is a permanent commandment.
It was love that made Jesus Christ to go to the cross to die for our sin (John 3:16). By laying down His life Jesus was obeying the commandment of the Father (John 10:17-18).

If we want to receive God’s blessings, let us keep His commandments. That is not legalism but loving God and loving our fellow human beings. It would attract favour from God and from man. It will ensure long life.

2.  HONOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART

Proverbs 3:5-8; Job 11:13-19; Psalm 125:1-5

“Trust in the Lord” is one of the simplest and most profound commands in the Bible. It is positive and direct. But natural man is prone to trusting in himself, in his abilities, wisdom and intelligence. He goes his own ways. He follows his own natural wisdom. Little wonder that in spite of the advancement in every conceivable field, we still have hatred, wars, slavery, and crime against humanity of various kinds. Peace still remains an illusion.

But God’s positive, Fatherly instruction is, “Trust in Me”. When we trust in God, He will direct our paths. The very first temptation that came to man in the Garden of Eden was to distrust God. God said that man would die if He disobeyed. Satan said man would no die. He said man would be like God if He disobeyed God. Humans have since then been disobeying God, and the consequences of their disobedience are everywhere around us.

Even though the society does not encouraging trusting in the Lord, we must trust in the Lord.

Trust Him with your all your heart. Trust Him with your education. Trust Him with your future. Trust Him for your provision. Trust Him for your eternal destiny. Trust Him when you are joyful. Trust Him with your husband. Trust Him with your wife. Trust Him if you are not yet married. Trust Him when you are sorrowful. Trust Him when you are joyful. Trust Him at all times. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

3.  HONOUR GOD WITH YOUR WEALTH

Proverbs 4:9-10; Luke 6:38; Proverbs 11:24-28; 2Cor.9:6-10

We are commanded also to honour the Lord with our wealth. One thing I am thankful to the Lord about is that many of us in this Church have understood the importance of this. Giving to God constantly reminds us that everything we are and have belong to God. Giving to the work of God opens that door for great blessings from the Lord.

Giving is will usually precede receiving. The promise of God in our text is that of overflowing barn. This means plenteous provision from God. Jesus added that when we give we will receive in a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. When we give, God can stir people to give to us!

When you give to the Lord, give it cheerfully, not grudgingly. Give bountifully, not sparingly. Give according to your ability, not necessarily according to what others have given, unless otherwise specified (2Cor.9:6-10).

The blessing of giving goes beyond perishable prosperity. Giving the right way is a way of building for eternity (Luke 16:9-12).