How do the blessings promised in the Old Testament relate to Christians today?

In "God's Word for Today" Gordon Snider writes:

[Malachi 3:10-12] focus on blessings that will come to those who honor their financial commitments to God. These verses have been used by preachers of a “prosperity gospel” to prove that it is God's will for His people to be materially blessed. How do the blessings of these verses relate to New Testament Christians?

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 35.

2017-04-08T09:00:00+00:00April 8th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: |0 Comments

Can you count God's blessings?

In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes:

We must not forget that what God has done for us is just a small part of the big picture of God's activity. The history of Israel abounded with the redemptive works of God, and from then until now the list continues to grow. The very fact that God considers man at all is amazing. God not only thinks about us, but makes plans for our good. The thought of the psalmist turned to considering a proper response to what God had done. The magnitude of mercies is so great as to be impossible to arrange them in order of greatness or even to count them.

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 35.

2016-10-08T09:00:00+00:00October 8th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: |0 Comments

Blessings of Christ’s Kingdom

Read Isaiah 35:1-10
“No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there” (v. 9).
While John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim’s Progress, he may have had this passage in mind. As Christian approached the Palace Beautiful, he spotted a lion on either side of the narrowing path. Believing death was at hand, he considered retreating. But Watchful, the porter of the palace, called, “Fear not the lions, for they are chained and are placed there for trial of faith. . . . Keep in the midst of the path, and no hurt shall come unto thee.”
Citizens of God’s spiritual kingdom often encounter lions. Satan himself is described as a roaring lion. Daniel confronted literal lions in the den, but God tamed them. Many early Christians faced raging beasts and were torn into pieces by them. Their martyr spirits were, however, safely transported to the presence of God.
Whatever lions lurk near your pathway today, remember, the God of Daniel still lives. He will bring His children safely home — as long as they tread the midst of the path, the highway of holiness. (Joyce Cooper)
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim — We tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure, For, lo, his doom is sure.
— Martin Luther

What a blessing to know the lions are chained and can come no closer to you than our Lord allows!
This devotional is the Tuesday, February 23, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

2016-02-26T09:00:00+00:00February 26th, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: , |0 Comments

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