Time is Right for Harvest

Corrie Ten Boom a Holocaust survivor shares a powerful illustration about the timeliness of God’s loving care. The setting for the story was Nazi-occupied Holland where she and her family were experiencing trials while attempting to shelter Jews. In the midst of increasing danger and turmoil she said, “Papa, everything is getting too bad. If the police come for us, how will we know that God is with us?”"Corrie,” he responded, “when we go on a trip by train, when do I give you the ticket?” “Just before we get on the train, Papa,” Corrie answered. “That’s right, Corrie,” her father said. “You don’t need your ticket until you are about to board the train. But I always give you your ticket just in time”. That’s how our wonderful God is. He always gives us just what we need, and He does so right when we need it.

Our sense of timing isn’t always God’s. If fact it usually isn’t.We’re the clock watchers, not Him. He knows what is needed and when it’s needed and in what measure it’s needed. And, He is always just on time. Always. Consider this Scripture.

“This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better? Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get”  The Message Matt. 7:9-12“

Do you ever wonder if maybe, just maybe, we might have this whole thing backwards. Could it be that it’s not us who are being patient and waiting on God, but rather it’s God who is patient and waiting on us. He is waiting for us to reach out to our family members, co-workers and neighbors. And we are waiting on Him to bring them to us. There seems to me to be a problem, while we’re waiting on God, people are dieing without Him. The Bible say’s TODAY is the day of salvation. That same Scripture (II Cor. 6:2) say’s NOW is the time of God’s favor. So what are we waiting for? A personal invitation? Okay, here’s one from Jesus………..GO!
A friend and I went out recently to invite people to church and share the good news of the Gospel. We weren’t exactly sure if we would have the right words to say. But just like Corrie getting her ticket right when she needed it, we received just the right words to speak just when we needed them. We were blessed at how open people were to talk. In the first group of three young men we spoke to, one of them prayed for Salvation. Most of the people we spoke with listened and said they’d think about it. A few of them even thanked us, and so did Jesus.

People are open to the Gospel and the time is right for harvest. Just as the above Scripture reminds us, if you were an unbeliever and never heard the Gospel, wouldn’t you want someone to share with you? God is waiting for us to share. Let’s not keep Him waiting any longer.

True Wisdom

In our resent studies through the book of Acts we have seen the amazing works of the Holy Spirit through ordinary people such as ourselves. The encouragement we have through these historic accounts is that we can put these principles to use in our daily lives as well.

One of the continuing themes we have seen thus far is the opposition the early church faced from the Devil. This opposition was not only from outside the church in the form of persecution, but as we saw last week, from inside as well. The Devil had infiltrated the church through a couple, Ananias and Sapphira. The quick judgment of God upon this couple brought “great fear” upon the church and surrounding community as the word of their deaths spread. This fear was followed up by even more miraculous power manifested in a great demonstration of healing where even the shadow of Peter brought healing. Because of the increase in signs and wonders we’re told the church was “highly regarded” and many more people were added to the numbers of believers. The result of “great fear” was a positive not a negative. The same is true today.

The Bible teaches that “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”. It is only when an individual reaches a place of recognition of immortality and coming judgment, that they see a need for a Savior. This can bring about a fear that leads unto salvation, which is a very good thing. It’s not that we come to God afraid of Him, but we come afraid of the consequences of sin. We come to Jesus because we recognize our need for His love provision of eternal life. This is just the beginning of a relationship built upon God’s love, care, and concern for us.

There are other very tangible benefits that the fear of God can bring into our lives on a daily basis. Proverbs 16:6 states that “By the fear of the Lord one departs from evil”. Keeping a reverence for God on a daily basis keeps us walking in His continued provision. Again in Proverbs it says, “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death” (14:27).

There are lot’s of negative reports in the world these days, some true some not. True or not, many people are becoming fearful of what the future may hold. The one thing that they should truly fear, God, they mock and ridicule. Romans 3:18 says of them, “There is no fear of God before their eyes”. As believers we are not fearful of negative reports such as economic collapse, pandemics, natural disasters, wars and who knows what else. We can say with confidence, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God I have put my trust I will not fear” (Psalm 56:43-4). As we consider the days ahead, let’s not forget the great blessings and positive effects that preceded the “great fear” in Acts chapter 5. Remember when it comes to God, fear can be a great thing!

Rain? What Rain?

A few weeks ago three very brave men jumped into my car for a ride to the bowling alley. On the way there someone commented on the size of my car in regards to passengers. It’s true, my car isn’t very accommodating for anyone over four feet. So it was a little tight, okay, it with ridiculously tight. But hey, we all had seat belts. Safety first is my motto.

Problem one, we were running late. So, you guessed it, we were pressing the speed limit, but not speeding! But God was still with us as one passenger pointed out, “You’re hitting all the green lights, amazing!” Amazing? sure why not, nothing is impossible for………Anyway, then problem two, it began to rain, hard. Boy, did it start then, the comments were flying; “Dude how can you see?, man you need new wipers, we’re going to die, slow down I can’t see the road, well hey, you don’t need to see the road, I’m driving”. On it went, quite exciting actually. But I did realize that my wipers had turned to smearers. As great prayer went up by the passengers we were able to get there and back incident free. The next day I did go to my friendly auto parts dealer who said, “dude these blades are history” So with that confirmation I purchased new wipers. What a difference! I love my new wipers. I hadn’t realized how bad it was until I got these new wipers. Now I can see clearly even in a down pour (important stuff)

Today while driving it began to rain really hard, no problem though, I just switched on the new blades and presto, clear vision. I was once again thinking how great my new wipers were. Then, out of the blue, I had this thought that I’d like to pass on. The thought was this, trouble can come down like rain on the windshield. And without help our view of things can become smeared. In fact, without help trouble can be all you see. Smeared vision is dangerous when you’re driving and when you’re living. When life and the road ahead begins to get blurry, what we need is something to help us see clearly. That something is available though God. He can enable us to see clearly even in the worst of storms. What we can see from God’s perspective enables us to stay on the road.

The Bible says; “God will wipe away every tear”. He knows our troubles and has a way of helping us see beyond them. Like windshield wipers on a rainy day Gods promises can bring clarity to our situations. It’s called vision, and without it the Bible says we will perish. Whatever the trouble, whatever the storm, whatever the situation, God has a Word for you that can clear things up. Getting a clear Biblical perspective on our journey is important. God may not say the rain will stop, just that you’ll be able to see where you’re going. There are over 7,000 promises in the Bible. If you need to, start shopping for a new set of promises. You’ll be amazed at the difference  clear vision makes. You may just find yourself singing in the rain.

Internal vs. External

It’s sometimes hard to relate with people from different time periods, even one generation apart. With over a two thousand year period between the beginning of the New Testament Church and today it can seem very difficult to place ourselves in their shoes. So why would we even want too? It’s important because they were the original, the prototype of Christianity in action. And, they had a few things we really could use today. As we read of their heroic deeds, it appears that what they had, as special as it was, is timeless. We can relate.

Its healthy to remind ourselves of the fact that the Early Saints where men and women just like us. They had their ups and downs.They had families, jobs, needs, problems, temptations, and lots of opposition. Yet in spite of it all, they were courageous, victorious, faithful, united and full of great peace and joy. The Bible tells us, they met together daily with sincere and glad hearts, and great joy was upon them all.

I liked what Pastor Jon said a few weeks ago about the polar opposites of the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of man. One kingdom we find externally, the other we find internally. Joy is offered by both kingdoms. Each has its source of joy, again one internally the other externally. This is where some believers get confused. Because they live in the world they can easily get the two kingdoms mixed up in their thinking. They look for what is promised internally by God to be found externally in the world. It just will never happen.

The great characteristic of the joy that Christianity brings is that it is a joy that is never dependent on external circumstances. Let me repeat that, the joy of God’s Kingdom is never dependent on external circumstances.The world in it’s attempts to bring joy and happiness does so through what it defines as a set of circumstances which we try and produce. If we fall short of the worlds requirements for joy the world offers things that can temporally make us numb to those circumstances. Christianity is entirely different, and this is its great secret. The joy it offers comes from within and becomes part of us. It does not come by changing the circumstances or surroundings. Nor does Christianity numb us to external realities. It comes by changing you!

The Gospel deals with us, not our circumstances. It puts us in a place where we are immune to circumstances. What I mean by that is our circumstances do not rule our lives. The Gospel simply offers us something the world can’t: a wellspring of joy within us that insulates us from whats outside. There is no other explanation for the Early Churche’s success, nor is there any other way for ours. This is exactly why our forefathers could sing in prison, rejoice in trails and tribulations and go to their death with complete peace. This is genuine Christianity. It is a false gospel that promises us anything else.

“Though trials and troubles come our way, it’s hallelujah anyway!”

Lost and Found

Don’t you hate it when you lose something? I sure do, it bugs me. I try and remember where I put it. I look everywhere two or three if not four times. It gets into my head, it becomes so part of my thought life that I find myself thinking about whatever it is way too much. This happened to me just recently.I lost my football tickets (which after last weeks embarrassment may have been a blessing in disguise).  I scoured the house, my cloths, my car, my office, inside and out to no avail. When someone would ask how I was doing, my reply was getting to be “pretty good, except I lost my …….” Then it was getting to be the topic of conversation. “So have you found your tickets yet?” No! and lets not talk about it. Why? I’m tired of it, wasted energy. But as soon as I would get home, I’d start the routine again. Look under the bed, in the car, in my pockets…….I just could’nt seem to let it go.

When we lose the sense of the presence of God it is a good thing to want to find it. If you think about it, it is the most valuable thing we have. But where do you begin to look? A good place to start is to try and remember where we last had it. When was the last time I heard His voice, or felt His presence? What was I doing? Backtracking is Biblical. Revelation chapter 2 talks about returning to your “first love“. It says to do once again the things you did at first. That’s where you’ll find Him, waiting there right where you left Him. Of course that’s where we always find the things we lose, right where we left them.

Another important ingredient to finding God is to not give up. Keep looking, keep seeking, and the promise is, “You’ll find Him, if you look with all your heart“. That’s it! This loss should bother you to the place where you think about it all the time. You keep looking everyday. It consumes your thought life, it’s part of your conversations, you’re obsessed about it. It becomes the focus of your attention, I must find that place of His presence.

It’s always a great moment when we find something we have lost. When we find our lost item we want to put it in a safe place so we don’t lose it again. This is Biblical too. Jesus said ” The Kingdom of God is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it he hid it again, and then in his great joy went and sold all he had and bought that field”. So where is that safe place to keep the presence of God? Right there in your heart.

One last thing. When we find a lost item we immediately want to let someone know, I found it! Back in the early 70’s there was a bumper sticker I kept seeing all over L.A. It said “I found it!” I kept wondering what the bumper sticker was about. What had they found? Come to find out the bumper stickers were being passed out by a local church. What they found was Jesus the pearl of great price……… By the way I did find my tickets and the first thing I did was call my son.

Bring the Little Ones to Him

As I was reflecting on all the animals I had as a child, I was reminded that along with everything else we had chickens and a rooster. That’s no big deal here in Oregon, but I didn’t grow up here. I didn’t live in the country but in the middle of suburbia in L.A. It goes without saying our neighbors didn’t appreciate the 4am wake up call from Mr. Rooster. That rooster could be heard from blocks away. Once in a while, while playing in the neighborhood my friends parents would say something like, “aren’t you the kid with the rooster”, or “so, whens the rooster leaving?”. These subtle yet direct comments passed me up. I didn’t realize what a reputation the Millers had in the neighborhood until I was became older. As I grew older I began to realize that our family was……well let’s say, not the norm.

The Miller’s were known throughout our neighborhood as the poor family with the “wild” unsupervised kids. I remember my mother as being shunned my the other mothers on our block. This really increased as she began asking for favors. We were always being sent down the street to borrow some sugar, milk, bread, etc. Little did I realize until later on she would  never pay them back, we just couldn’t afford it. When my mother was desperate she would even go around asking to borrow cars. The neighbors began becoming increasingly unfriendly to me. It really began to hurt when I heard them tell their children not to play with those “Miller kids”. Once I became old enough to understand our reputation I became very embarrassed, and even ashamed of my family.It wasn’t long before I was looking for ways to hide and escape reality.

So why am I sharing all this? Sympathy maybe, victim mentality?, no not at all. I’m setting you up. For what? you might ask. Well, it’s about kids.The innocent and not so innocent little ones around us. The ones who haven’t yet realized that life isn’t all that and either are some of the people. Remember when you first began to lose your innocence? We all have our stories don’t we, hurts rejections, fears even…..abuse.

We have the privilege and duty to show the little ones around us the love of Jesus. We can make a big difference in little ways, a smile, a kind word, an ear, even a small gift makes and shapes impressions and self image. With two directives Jesus was very clear as to the children. Don’t keep them from me, and do nothing that would cause them to stumble. I believe special favor is shown to those who protect their innocence, and bring the little ones to Him.

One thing that I still wonder about. How come no one ever shared Jesus with me or invited me to church until I was out of High School…….. just wonderin.

Mr. Fix It

I’m not sure where I got it but I’m a full blown animal lover, especially when it comes to babies. It may have come from our many pets as a kid who were always reproducing. We had dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, tortoises, parakeets, rabbits, ginnie pigs, hamsters, shall I go on? And this was in the suburbs of L.A. Needless to say our neighbors weren’t to happy with barking dogs and cats roaming around. We were on a first name basis with the local animal control center. But that’s another story.

Several months ago I spotted a mother deer with twin fawns on our Church property. Very cute and very shy, the minute they saw me they were off into the bushes. I continued to see them from time to time and it appeared our property was home.

About two weeks ago I saw at the bottom of our hill a dead deer on the side of the road (which always bums be out). Soon after this, I began to see the fawns more regularly, some times three or four times a day. After about a week I realized I was only seeing the fawns. I put two and two together and figured the mother was the deer on the side of the road (real bummer!). Having so much experience with animal control as a kid I knew just what to do. I called them and a lady told me the fawns would die without proper nourishment that they couldn’t get from the vegetation. They needed milk pellets. So now it was up to me  to save the fawns, at least in my opinion. So I headed out for the nearest mike pellet store where the guy said “milk pellets?”. He sent me out with powered goats milk along with a plan. The stuff stunk……badly. To my remorse, the fawns wouldn’t touch it. Bummed again but still motivated I searched and finally found goat’s milk pellets out west Eugene. Feeling very heroic I put the pellets out to no avail. Once again, they wouldn’t touch it. (Oh, by the way, now you know what I do all day

Yesterday while (cautiously:) driving down our drive there was one of the fawns and guess who? the mother. I couldn’t believe it. All that time and money wasted. But not so, God spoke through all of this. What I believe I heard God say was that at times, we can see people in trouble the same way. We run around trying to help and make things better, when all along though we can’t see Him, God’s right there watching, protecting, feeding. Unless other wise instructed, we are to trust God and pray. I got it, loud and clear.

“I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you” John 14:18 NIV

Here’s Some Juicy Gossip!

That title is an attention getter isn’t it. That’s why all the gossip shows and magazines are so popular. Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, and of course the star magazines are all about the latest celebrity gossip. Whose on drugs, whose having affairs and getting divorced, that’s what fuels this billion dollar industry. Digging up the dirt is bigger than ever and very lucrative because the American culture loves it.  Isn’t it totally innocent? Whats the harm?,  “inquiring minds want to know” that’s all………… No, it’s also because it’s in our sin D.N.A.

I was talking with a couple of great people recently and the topic of gossip came up. As we shared it came apparent that we had different opinions about what would qualify as gossip. It was the type of conversation that carried on to my thought life for the next couple of days. Not in a bad way mind you, but in a thought provoking way. One thought I had on the topic of gossip is it isn’t usually black and white.  A lot of the time it’s actually hard to detect, and so is the motive behind it.

Just what is gossip? Well, if we go to our source the Bible we have a pretty clear picture throughout the Old and New Testament. One thing the Bible is very clear about in regards to gossip is, it’s sin. And since God say’s it’s sin we certainly don’t want to participate.

Gossip is idle talk, with a suspicious motive, most always negative, spoken about someone who is not a part of the conversation. Much of what a gossiper says may be mere rumor, hearsay or sensationalized. Because the gossiper is aware that gossip is a sin, he usually begins by saying “I hate to say this but I’m so concerned about….” or “I know I shouldn’t be saying this to you but I don’t know whom else to share this with, ” or “Since you mentioned it….” This conversation is usually whispered among a few “trusted” friends. This is why gossipers are also called whisperers. Gossipers flatter us when they chose us to be their confidantes. The way to defuse this fire is to ask if they have or would say this to the person themselves, which if we are truly pure in motive is what we should do. Bottom line, the Bible says to go to the person if we have concerns. (Matt.18:15)

The Apostle Paul puts gossip in with such sins as envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice (Rm.1:29-31). Proverbs 18: 8 says, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels, they go down to a man’s inmost parts”. Apostle James say’s the tongue is a “fire, a world of evil, restless evil, full of deadly poison”. By the way this is how a root of bitterness defiles many.

Gossip has it’s many victims, which include not only those who are the brunt of the gossip but the tellers and listeners as well. It is demonic by nature for the Devil is the “accuser of the brethren”. He loves to destroy through this hidden sin. It’s not just lives that are effected but institutions as well. This is why the Bible say’s at the “Bema  Judgment of Christ” (where believers give an account of their lives) every idle word will be judged.

As believers we should be protective of one another, not by protecting  gossip but by exposing it.  As an overseer I really appreciate those who are protective and caring enough to expose any gossip and so put out the fire. Lives and families have been spared over the years because someone has been “a light”. I hope this has shed a little “light” on this subject for you, I know it has for me.

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (Eph. 5:11).

Relax, You Got A Friend

I just got through with a conversation with one of my favorite people and I feel better now (not that I was having any problems:). Some people are like that, they just kinda make your day if you know what I mean. Those are valuable people in my book. Nice to be around.

You ever notice how with some people you can just be yourself?. I like that. Not having to qualify or justify, that’s what I’m talking about. That’s actually a pretty big deal if you think about it. Which I did, think about it, that is. What I came up with is this, I like talking with this person. That’s because we are a lot alike. I understand this person’s feelings. They make me laugh because I totally understand where they’re coming from. I get it, because I have been there done or said that, and it’s totally relatable to me. These kind of relationships are fun because, hey, I realize I’m not alone. Someone else is actually as crazy as me. Bottom line, I think I can trust this person, and quite frankly, that weighs in heavy with me. And you know what else? God likes it when we trust, especially when we trust Him.

Jesus, now there’s somebody you can trust. You can go to Him with all your hurts and shortcomings. I mean He relates, He totally understands, everything. You can relax and be yourself around Jesus, it’s not like He doesn’t already know anyway. I’m somewhat amazed He knows everything about me and still loves me and wants to hang out. You can be yourself with Jesus. He is right there all the time wanting to talk. He’ll listen to all my complaints without being critical. And, He is never moody. He must be God. Besides all that, all of the things He tells me really make a lot of sense. When it comes to making me feel good and cheering me up, He’s the one. He makes me laugh then He makes me cry (in a good way). Whoever wrote that old hymn “What a friend we have in Jesus” really knew what they were talking about.

When Do I Get Blessed?

You ever feel like you’re missing something here?. Like, the answers to those nagging questions we all have from time to time? Everyone has questions. And when it comes to God, boy do we have questions. Here’s one I hear from time to time, “why does so and so get all the blessings? when’s it my turn?” When I hear that it almost can seem like they’re saying, “Boy, that God, He’s sure unfair“……….. Watch it now, God is not only fair, He’s just. What makes anyone think they deserve anything here? Well, for one our culture tells us we deserve it all, and like now! Some people believe just existing these days comes with all kinds of entitlements. I exist so I deserve. Wake up call, you exist yes, you deserve possibly, but what you deserve may not be what you think.

If I could be so bold as to say, nobody deserves anything except… (well I won’t say it cause I don’t want to get in trouble). But it starts with an h and ends with an ell. Hey lighten up, I was just kidding about you. I know, I know, you don’t deserve it, but I sure do. Why? just because I’m not worthy that’s all. Oh, and that’s what the Bible says all over the place. If I was so together I wouldn’t need a Savior. “But you’re saved now Steve.” Yes, and I’m as blessed as anyone could possibly be because of it.

Hasn’t God already blessed our socks off? Didn’t He (“while we were yet sinners”) come down here and take a beating and hang on the cross until dead? All this just for you and I. If anything isn’t fair, that’s it. Yet He did it gladly and would do it again. What a mighty awesome God we serve! If anyone needs to be blessed it’s Him. He deserves it not me. What did I ever do anyway, except put Him on the cross with my sins. I mean really, when are we (the church) going to get over ourselves? I guess I’m venting a little today, well maybe a lot, okay, a whole lot. But my lands (used to hear my Grandmother say that), aren’t we the ones who have already been given (free of charge) forgiveness and mercy and grace and love and eternal life and an inheritance, and, and,……….So why do we not always show our thankfulness? Well, it’s the same reason the nation of Israel didn’t rejoice for more than a few days after being supernaturally delivered out of Egypt. It’s called humanity, and it will always whine when it doesn’t get its way.

Since I’m possibly already just a little bit in trouble here, I’ll add this. The Bible doesn’t say battle your flesh, but crucify your flesh. Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” Galatians 5:24-25 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” That means to walk in the power and by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we can or it wouldn’t say it. And after all, this is exactly what blesses God, who will always by nature return what we give to Him. He returns it pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Hey, that might just be the answer to the original question: “When do I get blessed?”

You ever feel like you’re missing something here?. Like, well you know [delete this], the answers to those nagging questions we all have from time to time? Everyone has questions. And when it comes to God, boy do we have questions. Here’s one I hear from time to time, “why does so and so get all the blessings? when’s it my turn?” When I hear that it almost can seem like they’re saying, “Boy, that God, He’s sure unfair“……….. Watch it now, God is not only fair, He’s just. What makes anyone think they deserve anything here? Well, for one our culture tells us we deserve it all, and like now! Some people believe just existing these days comes with all kinds of entitlements. I exist so I deserve. Wake up call, you exist yes, you deserve possibly, but what you deserve may not be what you think.

If I could be so bold as to say, nobody deserves anything except… (well I won’t say it cause I don’t want to get in trouble). But it starts with an h and ends with an ell. Hey lighten up, I was just kidding about you. I know, I know, you don’t deserve it, but I sure do. Why? just because I’m not worthy that’s all. Oh, and that’s what the Bible says all over the place. If I was so together I wouldn’t need a Savior. “But you’re saved now Steve.” Yes, and I’m as blessed as anyone could possibly be because of it.

Hasn’t God already blessed our socks off? Didn’t He (“while we were yet sinners”) come down here and take a beating and hang on the cross until dead? All this just for you and I. If anything isn’t fair, that’s it. Yet He did it gladly and would do it again. What a mighty awesome God we serve! If anyone needs to be blessed it’s Him. He deserves it not me. What did I ever do anyway, except put Him on the cross with my sins. I mean really, when are we (the church) going to get over ourselves? I guess I’m venting a little today, well maybe a lot, okay, a whole lot. But my lands (used to hear my Grandmother say that), aren’t we the ones who have already been given (free of charge) forgiveness and mercy and grace and love and eternal life and an inheritance, and, and,……….So why do we not always show our thankfulness? Well, it’s the same reason the nation of Israel didn’t rejoice for more than a few days after being supernaturally delivered out of Egypt. It’s called humanity, and it will always whine when it doesn’t get its way.

Since I’m possibly already just a little bit in trouble here, I’ll add this. The Bible doesn’t say battle your flesh, but crucify your flesh. Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” Galatians 5:24-25 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” That means to walk in the power and by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we can or it wouldn’t say it. And after all, this is exactly what blesses God, who will always by nature return what we give to Him. He returns it pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Hey, that might just be the answer to the original question: “When do I get blessed?”