“The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.
I think the idea of blessings is often misunderstood. Too often we equate them with money, fame, or recognition. But the truest blessings are being alive, well, and in relationship with God—things that can’t be measured by the world’s standards. When we shift our view, fear disappears, and gratitude takes center stage.
And there is sometimes a misconception . God isn’t sitting somewhere keeping score, deciding whether to release blessings based on our performance. That kind of thinking creates fear and turns faith into a chore. The truth is, God’s love and grace are constant. Blessings are really about participating—engaging with life in alignment with Him—so they flow naturally as we trust, act, and persevere, not because we’ve “earned” them.
Pastor Robert - I am thrilled to see you address this much needed aspect of being a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. We in the 'modern Church age' are so coddled and lulled to SLEEP - the REAL believers are those in countries where proclaiming your Christianity would mean you are immediately ostracized by your friends and family and, many times, flogged publicly and imprisoned. Ofttimes, in prison you are eventually killed or die from mistreatment/starvation/illnesses that are not treated.
I had a pastor as a child and young adult who very strongly proclaimed from the pulpit that present day Christianity consisted of coddled people who were constantly feeding from the MILK and not the MEAT of the Bible. He used the term "easy believism" quite often and stated that, if persecution became widespread, the majority of so-called Christians would deny their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ to save their lives or that of their family.
And so it goes....I pray for my grandchildren earnestly and often that they will become "Courageous Christians".
Thank you, Pastor Robert, for your faithful witness through your daily blogs...I read all of them, brother in Christ.
Ah hello Sharon, it is always such a delight to read your comments (nearly as long as my post!!!). I truly believe we in the West have it so easy. As an author on Substack, I am very aware of how lives of Christians in say Muslim countries are much more difficult than for us. I am completely in awe of those who stand up against the tyranny and have decided that personal comfort/ freedom is worth losing for the sake of Christ. We have so much to learn from those who suffer for Christ. Unfortunately, here in the UK, freedom of speech is declining, and preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ on the street, could very well end up with a date in court.
Ah--that's why the Mennonite and Dunkard Brethren as well as the Quakers left England for the New World.
COME ON OVER, brother --but..on second thought... no...stay where you are and SHINE THE LIGHT OF JESUS all around the darkening spiritual landscape in "Merry Ole England".
Back in 2008-9 we seriously considered moving over to the USA. I was going to buy a air conditioning contractor business and have a business visa. But it never transpired with children and scooling etc. I even flew to FL on a vacation and stayed locally to a church that was looking for a pastor and went to the church on the following Sunday. During that vacation I was reading the Book of Daniel and I felt God told me to go to Bible college first. So I have still not moved over.
I think the idea of blessings is often misunderstood. Too often we equate them with money, fame, or recognition. But the truest blessings are being alive, well, and in relationship with God—things that can’t be measured by the world’s standards. When we shift our view, fear disappears, and gratitude takes center stage.
And there is sometimes a misconception . God isn’t sitting somewhere keeping score, deciding whether to release blessings based on our performance. That kind of thinking creates fear and turns faith into a chore. The truth is, God’s love and grace are constant. Blessings are really about participating—engaging with life in alignment with Him—so they flow naturally as we trust, act, and persevere, not because we’ve “earned” them.
Pastor Robert - I am thrilled to see you address this much needed aspect of being a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. We in the 'modern Church age' are so coddled and lulled to SLEEP - the REAL believers are those in countries where proclaiming your Christianity would mean you are immediately ostracized by your friends and family and, many times, flogged publicly and imprisoned. Ofttimes, in prison you are eventually killed or die from mistreatment/starvation/illnesses that are not treated.
I had a pastor as a child and young adult who very strongly proclaimed from the pulpit that present day Christianity consisted of coddled people who were constantly feeding from the MILK and not the MEAT of the Bible. He used the term "easy believism" quite often and stated that, if persecution became widespread, the majority of so-called Christians would deny their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ to save their lives or that of their family.
And so it goes....I pray for my grandchildren earnestly and often that they will become "Courageous Christians".
Thank you, Pastor Robert, for your faithful witness through your daily blogs...I read all of them, brother in Christ.
Ah hello Sharon, it is always such a delight to read your comments (nearly as long as my post!!!). I truly believe we in the West have it so easy. As an author on Substack, I am very aware of how lives of Christians in say Muslim countries are much more difficult than for us. I am completely in awe of those who stand up against the tyranny and have decided that personal comfort/ freedom is worth losing for the sake of Christ. We have so much to learn from those who suffer for Christ. Unfortunately, here in the UK, freedom of speech is declining, and preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ on the street, could very well end up with a date in court.
Ah--that's why the Mennonite and Dunkard Brethren as well as the Quakers left England for the New World.
COME ON OVER, brother --but..on second thought... no...stay where you are and SHINE THE LIGHT OF JESUS all around the darkening spiritual landscape in "Merry Ole England".
Back in 2008-9 we seriously considered moving over to the USA. I was going to buy a air conditioning contractor business and have a business visa. But it never transpired with children and scooling etc. I even flew to FL on a vacation and stayed locally to a church that was looking for a pastor and went to the church on the following Sunday. During that vacation I was reading the Book of Daniel and I felt God told me to go to Bible college first. So I have still not moved over.
Follow the Holy Spirit's unction, brother!!
Should I feel condemned here?