Dictionary of Bible Themes God's blessings are available now and are to be received in faith and contentment. It is dangerous to live only for current blessings and pleasures. Haggai 1:13Blessings promised for the present See also The blessing of God's presence now Deuteronomy 31:61 Kings 8:57 Matthew 1:23 See also The blessing of Jesus Christ's presence now Isaiah 7:14; 8:8,10Matthew 18:20; 28:20 John 14:18 Acts 18:10 John 14:16-17 See also The blessing of the Spirit's presence now John 14:25-27; 16:7,13-16Mark 10:29-30 Other blessings given in the present See also pp Mt 19:29 Exodus 23:25pp Lk 18:29-30 1 Kings 3:13Psalms 121:3-8 Matthew 6:33 pp 2Ch 1:12 1 Timothy 4:81 Peter 1:9 Ephesians 1:13-14 Future blessings are partially fulfilled in the present See also Romans 8:23,302 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5 Ephesians 1:3 Hebrews 12:22-24 Luke 11:3 Prayer for present provision and blessing Genesis 28:20pp Mt 6:11 Proverbs 30:8Prayers for physical provision: Matthew 6:13pp Lk 11:4 prayers for spiritual provision Philippians 4:10-13The secret of contentment in the present See also 1 Timothy 6:6-8Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 The dangers of living for the present Luke 12:15-20See also Ecclesiastes in particular reflects upon the emptiness of life without God. Though the good things of the present life are a gift from God and to be valued as such, they cannot bring ultimate fulfilment Ecclesiastes 2:24; 5:18; 8:15; 9:7,9Isaiah 22:13 1 Corinthians 15:32 Philippians 3:19 1 Timothy 6:9-10 James 4:13-17 1 Timothy 6:17 2 Corinthians 6:2 The challenge of the present See also The challenge to respond to God now Deuteronomy 4:39-40; 5:1; 7:11; 10:13; 30:15-16Psalms 95:7-8 Isaiah 55:6 Hosea 10:12 Hebrews 3:7 Ephesians 5:15-16 See also The challenge to serve God now Galatians 6:10Colossians 4:5 See also 3035 Holy Spirit, presence of3296 Holy Spirit, work in the world 4963 past, the 5046 opportunities 5205 alliance 5846 enjoyment 5939 satisfaction 8102 abiding in Christ 8489 urgency 8610 prayer, asking God 9135 immortality |
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