Recently, Pastor Jesse Bradley, founder of Just Choose Hope and the lead pastor at Grace Community Church in Auburn, Washington, spoke with Fox News about the blessings that are waiting for us to accept.
Pointing to Ephesians 5:15-20 (MEV), Bradley says that God has intentionally offered us five distinct blessings in these verses, if we are willing to take hold of them.
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See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise men, making the most of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not be drunk with wine, for that is reckless living. But be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
According to Bradley, the five blessings found in this passage of Scripture are:
- The Holy Spirit: “When you decide to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells in you,” he says. “The Christian life is supernatural. We can’t live it merely on our own strength.”
- Wisdom: Bradley points out that knowledge and wisdom are two very different things. “Knowledge includes information—but wisdom leads to transformation. Wisdom is applying knowledge through practical life decisions,” he explains. “God is generous and will give wisdom to anyone who seeks and honors God.”
- Courage: No matter what difficulties or fears we may be experiencing in life, Bradley says “ask God for courage to do the next right thing and trust Him with the results.”
- Words: As Christians, Bradley says that we should always “speak to others what is full of love and truth. Your tongue is like a rudder that steers a big ship. Words flow from your heart. Jesus knocks on the door—so let Him in.”
- Gratitude: Bradley explains that gratitude must be intentional, and that “a gritty gratitude learns how to give thanks even when you do not feel like it. Complaining, gossip, slander and negativity are not coming from God.”
Living the Christian life is one that is intentional in our relationship with our Lord and Savior. We cannot just sit by and expect the blessings to magically happen, we must put our faith into action. When we do, we can rely on the fact that God is waiting for us with blessings and strength to endure the life that awaits us.
“Jesus has an infinite and indestructible hope to give us. Drink deeply from the well that never runs dry,” Bradley encourages.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
