“Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts!” Ephesians 1:3 TPT

Once when I was spending time in prayer, I heard God ask me to forgive someone who had hurt me badly as a child. And my immediate response was, “No! She should’ve known better! She did know better!” God’s response was not what I expected. He said, “I am not asking you to forgive her, I am asking you to let Me forgive her through you.” My rather ungracious response was, “O.K. As long as it involves no effort on my part because I cannot do it!” I gave it no more thought.

About 3 months later I happened to be sitting next to that person in a small church service. The preacher was talking about how God mends relationships, and knowing us both she made the comment that if, for example, the two of us had a problem, God could fix it. It was just a passing comment, not at all designed to embarrass us or suggest we had a problem. Yet at precisely that moment I felt like a sword had been run through the me and I knew that the work of forgiveness had been done. It was a very real sense of release and healing. From that point on our relationship improved noticeably which I really appreciated.

This was a dramatic introduction to the understanding that God wants to bless us by giving us all the heavenly spiritual blessings.

What are these heavenly blessings? Forgiveness, cleansing from sin, holiness, purity, wholeness, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, wisdom, righteousness, glory, eternal life, rest, healing, provision, resurrection power, intimacy with God and maybe you can think of more. God has lavished all that upon us in and through Jesus. Just as the father says to His older son in the parable of the prodigal son, “all I have is yours”, and this is the true heart of God towards us. Jesus life was the revelation of that desire to bless us.

How can we receive these gifts? Do just that, pick one and receive it. Let God lavish it on you and see what happens. Say for example you chose joy…

“God lovingly lavishes the joys of heaven on me”

Resting in God to make it real to you, use that statement

1. for a time of meditation.

2. as the basis of a daily thanksgiving prayer.

3. As inspiration for an artwork or writing.

4. As inspiration for a song or chant.

5. And write a blessing diary of what you experience

6. However else you can think of to remind you to just receive it.

“God lovingly lavishes the joys of heaven on me”

“God lovingly lavishes the joys of heaven on me”

“Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts!” Ephesians 1:3 TPT

I have always been unconfident in my ability to balance and scared of heights. Not terrified, but scared enough that when I went downhill skiing, I was always too tense to ski properly and enjoy it. But once I went on a ski trip with a true encourager, Maree. I was about to head to the very beginners slope when Maree grabbed me to go on a harder slope. I was nervous but she was very confident, even in me! So confident that her confidence rubbed off on me. Her constant encouragement enabled me to relax and enjoy skiing. I could do much better than I thought I could. Her positive point of view overcame my fears and enabled me to ski and enjoy it. Over 30 years later I still remember that day as one of joy and fun. It was a real revelation on how my thinking and beliefs can affect me.

So much in this world dwells on our failures and shortcomings but God has a totally different perspective. God’s perspective on us is that we are wrapped into Christ. Wrapped into God’s perfect, glorious and beloved Son.

There is no higher place He could put us. No greater honour that He could give us. No greater glory He could give us.

In the Gospel accounts of Jesus life we can see how simply Jesus’ Presence overcomes sin, shame, sickness, demonic oppression, a lack of provisions and even death.

Jesus is the light who overcomes all darkness, the love who overcomes all fear, and the eternal life that overcomes death.

We may look at ourselves and see all our faults and sins, but God looks at us and all He can see is His perfect, holy and beloved Son Jesus, because Jesus powerful Presence overcomes all else.

Placed into Jesus we cannot fail to be whole and holy because that is what Jesus makes us!

Placed into Jesus we cannot fail to be loved by God because we are part of His Beloved!

Placed into Jesus we cannot fail to be empowered by Jesus eternal life because it lives in us!

So how can we allow God to change our perspective to His?

“Wrapped into Jesus, cocooned in His Presence”

Resting in God to make it real to you, use that statement

1. for a time of meditation

2. as the basis of a daily thanksgiving prayer.

3. As an affirmation as you wrap yourself in clothes or bedding.

4. As inspiration for an artwork or writing.

5. As inspiration for a song or chant

6. However else you can think of to remind you

“Wrapped into Jesus, cocooned in His Presence”

“Wrapped into Jesus, cocooned in His Presence”