What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me? Ps 116:12

Take a moment and reflect on the good things in your life. This may take some work to focus on the good things, the blessings, and the subtle things that have passed through our lives with little notice, rather than the impactful things that trouble our past. Give thought to the things that you enjoy today as well as the things that you have enjoyed over a lifetime. Take a moment to begin to count your many blessings and name them one by one. The scripture passage reminds us to be grateful to the Lord for His goodness and many blessings in our life. The Psalmist paused to reflect and consider the status of his of life and “the Lord for all His benefits towards me.” The Lord had stepped in at the nick of time and delivered him from death’s door. He recalled the compassion and graciousness of the Lord through the many troubles and sorrows of his past. He recalled how the Lord heard his cry for help and saved him from death and despair. Dear friend, the Lord desires to hear His children. He invites His children to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). He never grows weary of His children asking and seeking His help. For He says, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thes 5:16). He is ready and willing to “open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing” (Mal 3:10), more graciousness than we could ever ask or think. It is when God hears and answers prayer that the child of God can “rejoice” and “give thanks” (1 Thes 5:16). My friend, what trouble or difficulty are you holding on to that hinders you from crying out to the Lord? He wants you to know that He is “a very present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1). Call to Him (Jer 33:3) and cast “all your care upon Him, for He careth for you” (1 Pet 5:7). God loved you so that He sent His Son to save you from the eternal ruin of sin and deliver you from death’s door into His eternal glory. God doesn’t have to be good to us, but He wants to. He wants to shower “all His benefits toward” His children. What shall we give unto the Lord for all His benefits? Give Him your heart and from a heart of gratitude offer to Him all your thanksgiving and praise. Father, thank You for Your love and always being present to help in trouble times. Your goodness towards me is greater than I can think or image. You are worthy of all thanksgiving and praise. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving Spirit. 1 Cor 15:45

Have you ever been in a room where all was quiet, all was solemn? A place where people seemed so distant, alone, and separated? Then it happened that someone entered the room and all things changed. People came alive, full of energy, excited and engaging. I’ve seen this happen with my children after a long day to come home and announced, “Daddy’s home.” Immediately they became alive with excitement and filled with joy. For what they could not bring of themselves was given to them by one who loved them and poured himself out for them. The scripture passage reminds us that though we are living beings, we are not complete, and something is missing. Though man “became a living being,” he is a depraved soul cast down to the material pleasures of the world, left restless and wondering for the greater glory for which he was created. The soul of man is “a living being” but not alive because of sin. The soul of man is “dead in trespasses and sin” (Eph 2:1) and must be made alive by “a life-giving Spirit” to know the glory of heaven. For depraved man, God sent His only Son Jesus to save man and deliver him from sin and give him eternal life. The eternal life of Jesus Christ is Spirit filled life and all who believe the gospel and receive Jesus by faith have life everlasting. The gospel is life declared to the soul of man and the Spirit gives life to those who hear and believe. Jesus declared “It is the Spirit who gives life…the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (Jn 6:63). The Spirit speaks through the word of God that “is living and powerful…and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4:12). The Spirit knows the hidden thoughts of our heart, all the lies we believe, the deceptions that we hide behind, and the fears that we shun. The Spirit actively seeks to draw the souls of men to the marvelous truth and give life to all who believe through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 3:22). Dear friend, are you in the “first man Adam” or “the last Adam?” Have you heard the Spirit search your heart and speak to your soul the good news of God’s love for you? He gives life for your soul that “you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Pet 1:8) such that the Spirit of His Son cries out from a joyful heart “Abba Father!” (Gal 4:6). One day soon, we will rejoice with the Father, because His children are home. Jesus is the “last Adam…a life-giving Spirit.” Have you been given life in Him? Father, thank You for Your love and life in Jesus Christ. You are worthy of all praise and all thanksgiving. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

So, prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 1 Pet 1:13 (NLT)

Life is full of surprises. Some surprise moments cause an immediate reaction that seem out of our control. These are often referred to as reflex actions. Some reflex actions are good for personal protection, safety, or survival. Other times, reflex actions can project attitudes, prejudice, preferences, or poor dispositions that often lead to arguments and unhealthy confrontations. While we may not be able to control the outcome of surprises, all make choices to react or respond. Reactions often reflect emotions, while responses are thoughtful preparation. The scripture passage is an instruction to prepare and guide our thoughts and actions in the hope of Jesus Christ. The child of God is instructed to “prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control.” We are first called to prepare. Prepare to live according to God’s principles and make His Word the foundation for all decisions in life. This means to surrender our thoughts and emotions to Him. Next, we are to “exercise” our preparation. In spiritual living that means to be guided by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides the child of God into all truth (Jn 16:13) and away from personal lust and emotional implosions “so that you do not do the things you wish” (Gal 5:16-17). The nature man is weak to temptation, burns with desire and an appetite for personal pleasure, while drawn into the black hole of lust and pride (1 Jn 2:16). Controlled by circumstances, confused by wayward choices, and distracted with worldly pleasures, we find ourselves powerless to live out God’s purposes and to enjoy His abundant blessings. God did not save us to live in wretched defeat (Rom 7:24) but to live the abundant life by the power of the Holy Spirit which is the gift of God. The child of God is not left to react to the world but respond to the world with the love of God. Dear friend, respond by the power of the Holy Spirit to tell others of “your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.” Let it not be a surprise when people ask of the hope of salvation that they see in you, but “prepare your minds” to respond, “speaking the truth in love” (Eph 4:15). And finally, if your actions are challenged and your emotions stirred, “prepare…and exercise self-control.” Seek to be filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit. Ask God to give you self-control. My friend, God has planned abundant blessings for you. Walk in His blessing and give honor and glory to His Son, Jesus Christ. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.