Blessings

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." (Eph 1:3)

The verse above opens Paul's letter to the church and begins a litany of spiritual blessings to the all who are in Christ.  Allow me to list them.

Chose us
Holiness
Blamelessness before God
God's love
Adoption as God's children
Grace (Glorious, that is)
God's Generosity
Redemption
Forgiveness
Riches of God's Grace
God's wisdom
God's understanding
Revealed mysteries
Unity in Christ with all things
We are the object of God's work
Predestined to be for God's praise and glory
Hope in Christ
Sealed in the Holy Spirit
Included in Christ
Hear the Word (Gospel)
Salvation
Truth
Promises Fulfilled
Guaranteed inheritance in Christ
Enlightenment
Hope in our calling
Eyes opened to God's riches
Divine Strength that conquers death
The Authority of Christ Reigning all things

It's quite a list.  I can't comment on all of them individually, but I can say, "Wow!"  Paul was pretty passionate about all that God does to bless His people. Count your blessings. Look at what you have in Christ!

I have a treasure trove of life experiences friends, books, movies and music, photos and other possession I've acquired over time.  When I count my blessings I often think of these relationship and pleasures.  But Paul mentions none of these.  God blesses His church with cosmic universe shaking actions in Christ.

Paul has seen the light. Everything is different because of Jesus.  He sounds like he has found the greatest of all treasures as he goes on and on for three chapters about what God has done in Christ.
God has made known that through Jesus all He had been doing in Israel would now bless all the world.  The world is a new place in Paul's eyes because of Jesus.

I remember my Walk to Emmaus experience.  I left that weekend with my attitude adjusted, my eyes and heart wide open.  My encounter with Christ and His church made me new and therefore everything was new.  New possibilities existed because the creator had touched my life.

The gifts the Spirit of Christ pours into our lives far outshine the fine things of this life. They are gifts that never lose their splendor.  The deeper we go into enjoying the blessings of our life in Christ, the more our eyes are open and our lives enriched.

My stomach is grumbling and the sun is shining. I'll grab lunch, but there's a hunger that on God can fulfill.  May my eyes and heart be open.

Lord, bless You!  Bless You for blessings upon us through You great love in Jesus Christ. May we all  take full advantage of the riches of heaven You pour out into our lives.  Amen