Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  4000 Creation  »  4900 Time  »  4966 present, the

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.

Blessings promised for the present

The blessing of God's presence now

Haggai 1:13 See also Deuteronomy 31:6; 1 Kings 8:57

The blessing of Jesus Christ's presence now

Matthew 1:23 See also Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 8:8,10; Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20; John 14:18; Acts 18:10

The blessing of the Spirit's presence now

John 14:16-17 See also John 14:25-27; John 16:7,13-16

Other blessings given in the present

Mark 10:29-30 pp Matthew 19:29 pp Luke 18:29-30 See also Exodus 23:25; 1 Kings 3:13 pp 2 Chronicles 1:12; Psalm 121:3-8; Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 1:9

Future blessings are partially fulfilled in the present

Ephesians 1:13-14 See also Romans 8:23,30; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 12:22-24

Prayer for present provision and blessing

Luke 11:3 pp Matthew 6:11

Prayers for physical provision:

Genesis 28:20; Proverbs 30:8 Matthew 6:13 pp Luke 11:4 prayers for spiritual provision

The secret of contentment in the present

Philippians 4:10-13 See also 1 Timothy 6:6-8

The dangers of living for the present

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 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 ; Luke 12:15-20 See also Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 5:18; Ecclesiastes 8:15; Ecclesiastes 9:7,9; Isaiah 22:13; 1 Corinthians 15:32; Philippians 3:19; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; James 4:13-17; 1 Timothy 6:17

The challenge of the present

The challenge to respond to God now

2 Corinthians 6:2 See also Deuteronomy 4:39-40; Deuteronomy 5:1; Deuteronomy 7:11; Deuteronomy 10:13; Deuteronomy 30:15-16; Psalm 95:7-8; Isaiah 55:6; Hosea 10:12; Hebrews 3:7

The challenge to serve God now

Ephesians 5:15-16 See also Galatians 6:10; Colossians 4:5

See also

3035  Holy Spirit, presence of
3296  Holy Spirit in the world
4963  past, the
5046  opportunities
5204  age
5846  enjoyment
5939  satisfaction
8102  abiding in Christ
8489  urgency
8610  prayer, asking God
9130  future, the