Learning to Live in the Blessings of God

One of the recent themes I've been reading in scripture is that of God's blessings and curses. Israel inherited blessings from God for following through with His commandments, and they received curses when they did not. However, God made unconditional promises to His people that He would keep regardless of what they did. How does this apply to us believers?

In Christ, we have been given every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3). We are loved with the same love that the Father has for the Son (Jn. 17:23). We still have the choice to quench the Spirit or to walk according to His guidance...to obey or disobey.

Spiritual blessings don't come from earning God's favor; we already have that. But they come from allowing God to work through you, day in and day out. (Ro. 12:1-4)

What are these spiritual blessings? Love, joy, peace...to name a few. We are not human doings...no, we are human beings. We were designed to abide in the Vine. How is your life different when you abide in God and let Him work through you?

___________________________________

Since last time:
- We have read almost all the way through Deuteronomy in our daily readings. Almost every page has something written on it (the HS is revealing a lot through Keith)!
- I had my host week: a week for me to step up as the leader among my teammates and a host for groups coming to camp. It was tiresome, but also an empowering role in which I was affirmed in some of my gifts.
- In preparation for our trip to Israel in January, our tour guide Arlie has been teaching us actions to "Walk Thru the Bible"...choreography for knowing scripture! We're at Pentecost.
- Each teamer has gone on recruiting trips to universities with full time staff, seeking for prospective summer coaches for camp! I traveled to UT, UTSA, and TSU.
- ...Aaaand yesterday our program leader, Keith, sent us on a race-scavenger hunt around the city to find out where we're going for our missions trip! The results:

In February, we'll be venturing on a tri-country ski trip through Italy, Slovenia, and Austria for the purpose of spreading the gospel! You know what this means...fundraisers!

Pray:
- Praise the Lord that Truett has softened some and we are able to be around each other without much tension. Continue to pray that he will pursue unity for our team, and I will learn to love him well.
- Pray for unity among the MACs (Men After Christ) on TimTeam. The WOGs (Women of God) have become an authentic and cohesive group, but the male side of the house is still not willing to meet together on our own accord, even for prayer and fellowship.

- Pray for an outpouring of the Spirit upon each of us to serve each other in God's way, according to the spiritual gifts God has given each of us.

- Pray for good fundraisers and the financial means necessary for us to go on our missions trip.

IHS,

Daniel